A Story Zoo submission by Ms. Jackie Jones. This is a story where paint isn’t just for walls, and silence can be the loudest response of all.
Jackie Jones was trained in fashion design before pivoting to real estate and tax services when opportunities in fashion for a Black designer proved scarce. Her work brought her in contact with all types of people and into the orbits of Hollywood celebrities, international arms dealers, and everyone in between.
Now a successful jewelry designer and collage artist, she's turning to writing to share the stories that sound too wild to be true—but are.
Fire
by Jackie Jones1
While working as a Junior Escrow Officer I met a client who was a real estate investor. He was in the middle of a purchase. One day, I’m sitting in my office waiting for escrow instructions to be drawn, the client asked if he could use my phone since Kelly was using hers and he had left his in the car. I obliged and he sat in one of the chairs opposite my desk and made a phone call placing an order for some paint.
When he finished we spoke briefly after me asking if he was an investor or buying the property for his home. He spoke of being an investor and the headaches and rewards. I salivated at the idea of turning a property around but only smiled and nodded. I had real estate flowing through my veins at the time. The phone lit up and I answered and it was Kelly saying she had the escrow instructions ready to print and I could finish up his package and send him on his way which I did and he left.
Allen was in his 30’s. He was 6 feet tall and above average looking. He came across as well read, he certainly had an aptitude for figures because I watched him determine how many gallons of paint he needed to repaint his place, or so I thought.
A few weeks later Allen came in to sign loan docs. While signing the docs, we started talking about investing in property. He was interrupted by a telephone call. He answered his phone and remarked about the order for paint and that even though the color was wrong how he would go ahead with the order. I mentioned what an inconvenience it is to have a construction schedule and then have a wrench thrown into the deal because something like the paint ordered comes in the wrong color. He off-handedly mentioned that although it was wrong it was ok. I thought that was odd but I was too busy to give it any more consideration.
Then he started talking about a fire he had at a building. The fire being the reason for the repairs initially. As the conversation progresses he began to start talking about fire damage. The conversation swayed to that direction when I started talking about getting behind in construction and how it eats away at the profits when you have to pay a mortgage. At that point he must have become comfortable with me and the conversation because he started telling me in detail about how to start a fire without investigators being able to determine it was arson. What it takes to create a fire large enough to make the damage severe enough so that the insurance company would reimburse for a substantial sum and what part of the building was the best place to begin it.
Never one to show my hand, I kept a stoic expression and smiled as he explained how to circumvent sinking profits and put your project back on track! That was one of those moments where I prayed I could continue to compose myself because I could not believe my ears. I wanted to say but that’s ARSON! But I was cool and kept myself composed so that the look of shock and surprise would not show. He finished signing his docs and I bade him goodbye!
Months later I was surprised to see Allen poke his head into my office on the way to Kelly’s. I asked what’s up “buying a new place? He said he was in the middle of purchasing another property. I asked about the last property he purchased and he must have forgotten our previous discussion because he mentioned that it had been in a fire. “You know that building I had bought had a severe fire. I got the insurance money and decided to add a second story. Now I’m in the process of refinancing the building since the construction loan is due”. I smiled and waved while I ignored the chill that had enveloped me.
That was the moment that I realized everybody does not have financial issues when the construction schedule has a wrench in it.
All it takes is a little paint.
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Copyright July 2019 (Revised) Copyright May 13, 2025
What a great story!