Chapter 4 - THE NOTE HIDDEN AMONG THE PETALS
Toby arrived at the estate the next morning.
Roman was waiting.
So was Sadi.
Toby stopped when he saw them.
“Mr. Costa.”
Roman held up the note.
“Explain.”
Toby went pale.
Sadi stepped forward.
“Toby, did you know this was in the flowers?”
He stared.
Then whispered, “Yes.”
Sadi's stomach dropped.
Roman's expression hardened.
“Who gave it to you?”
Toby swallowed.
“A woman.”
“What woman?”
“I don't know her name.”
Roman stepped closer.
Toby began shaking.
“She came to the bakery yesterday.”
Sadi stared.
“What did she look like?”
Toby hesitated.
“Older. Maybe fifty. Dark hair. Gray coat.”
He looked at Sadi.
“She said she knew your mother.”
The room went silent.
Sadi stopped breathing.
“My mother?”
Toby nodded.
“She told me to give you the flowers.”
Roman watched Sadi.
Toby continued.
“She said you'd understand the message.”
Sadi shook her head.
“I don't.”
Then Toby reached into his pocket.
Removed another envelope.
“She also gave me this.”
He handed it to Sadi.
Her name was written across the front.
SADI RAHMAN.
She opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Her mother.
Standing beside Roman Costa.
May you like
Twenty years younger.
And smiling.
