Sasha stood next to the coffeemaker in the meeting room. “Miss Grey,” she said handing me a fresh, steaming mug.

“Thanks,” I said, frowning with confusion at her polar disposition. Wondering what she was up to was not on my agenda for the morning, not to mention I didn’t have the time or patience for it. That wouldn’t stop me from finding out, however.

The meeting went smoothly, and then I returned to my office, opening the door long enough for Beth to follow me through. I turned to see Grant and Sasha just behind her, but I shut the door. “Not now,” I said flatly.

“Okay, Nina. Totally unprofessional,” Sasha said, half laughing, half surprised.

Beth watched the door for a moment in shock, and then turned to me. “What the heck’s going on with you?” she asked. “And what’s that smell? Have you been…camping?” she said, sniffing once.

I puffed, blowing my bangs from my face. “No. The loft is gone. Burned to the ground.”

“What?” Beth yelped.

“Keep it down. I don’t need a bunch of sympathetic well wishers in and out of my office all day. Do me a favor?”

“Sure, Honey, anything.”

I pulled a black credit card from my purse and handed it to her. “Go shopping for me. I need work clothes mainly, and undergarments, and a new briefcase. Makeup. You know what I use. And,” I looked down, “I want a pair of those,” I said, nodding to her pink satin pumps. Even in my foul mood, I couldn’t stop admiring the black lace collar and bow at the toe.

Beth smiled. “Yes Ma’am. You need a place to stay?”

“I’m back at home.”

“Yikes,” Beth said, her mouth pulling to one side.

“Tell me about it. And, Beth? If you can find anything to get the smoke out of my hair…get it. I don’t care how much it costs.”

“Lemon juice,” she said. “Then wash it out with shampoo. That’s what I do after I visit my Uncle.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

Beth shut the door, and then I heard a scuffle.

“I said no!” Beth said, stumbling back against the door.

Sasha pushed her way through, and then smiled, smoothing her blazer and hair. “Nina. I need to talk to you.”

Beth stared at Sasha as if she’d gone insane.

“Nina,” Sasha said with a smile, breathing hard from her scuffle with Beth. “It will just take a minute.”

“It’s okay, Beth,” I said, motioning for Sasha to sit.

Beth narrowed her eyes. “Maybe for you, but if I wasn’t at work I would have kicked her bony little ass,” she said through her teeth, slamming the door.

“Well,” Sasha said, settling in the seat. “So much for southerners having manners.

“Keep in mind Beth holds grudges,” I said, thumbing through papers on my desk.