Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE FLOWER SHOP
Rose Bellini had owned Rosabelle's for forty-three years.
Her husband, Antonio, had been a city accountant.
He died eight months earlier after a long illness.
Before his death, he had given Rose a sealed envelope.
He told her to keep it safe.
To trust nobody.
And to contact a lawyer if anyone came asking questions.
Rose had thought he was frightened because he was dying.
Now she knew better.
“Did you open the envelope?” Harper asked.
Rose nodded.
“Last week.”
“What was inside?”
“An old key and a letter.”
Harper leaned forward.
“What did the letter say?”
Rose looked toward the window.
“That Antonio had found something in the city's redevelopment accounts.”
“What?”
“Money being moved through companies that didn't exist.”
Harper's pen stopped.
Gray Haven had spent the past decade pouring millions into waterfront redevelopment.
The contracts involved construction firms, private investors, and municipal agencies.
Several businesses were rumored to have connections to Lucian Ferraro.
Harper looked at Rose.
“Did your husband mention Ferraro?”
Rose shook her head.
“Not in the letter.”
“Then why did Lucian intervene?”
Rose's expression softened.
“Because he knew Antonio.”
Harper frowned.
“How?”
“Antonio helped his mother years ago.”
“With what?”
Rose smiled sadly.
“Keeping her house.”
Harper waited.
Rose continued.
“When Lucian was seventeen, his father disappeared. The bank tried to foreclose on the family home. Antonio discovered errors in the mortgage paperwork and helped them challenge it.”
Harper looked down.
That wasn't the story she'd expected.
Rose continued.
“Lucian never forgot.”
Harper closed her notebook.
“Where's the envelope now?”
Rose hesitated.
Then whispered, “Hidden.”
“Can you tell me where?”
Rose studied her.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she asked, “Detective, how do I know you're not one of them?”
Harper met her eyes.
“You don't.”
Rose looked surprised.
Harper continued.
“But I can document what you tell me, arrange independent evidence handling, and make sure you're protected while we investigate.”
Rose considered that.
May you like
Then nodded.
“Good answer.”
