| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted March 1, 2025 | Chapters: |
...45 46 -47- 48... 
|
  |
Garland meets Rosalie
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - chap 47
by Begin Again
The noon sun was heating the pavement when Rosalie stepped out of the police station, still unable to wrap her mind around what had just happened in the interrogation room.
"Idiots!" She shook her head, shielding her eyes from the bright glare. "Zhang can't expect me to represent those two imbeciles. I can see the headlines — defendants claim their innocence due to a battle with a ghost."
As she neared the underground garage, her anger shifted, and the consequences of her actions began to take hold. Her mind raced in another direction.
She glanced around the parking lot. How long would it be before word got back to Zhang? Were they watching her? Zhang had people everywhere. Did he already know what she'd done? Regardless of who those guys were, her purpose was to represent them and keep them silent. Instead, she defiantly faced those thugs, understood her actions, and walked out.
Her fingers twitched against her clutch as she moved toward her car, each step heavier than the last. She needed a plan and fast — something that kept her alive.
She knew that if those men talked, she wouldn't see tomorrow.
She reached into her bag for her keys, inhaling sharply, torn between driving home or disappearing for a few days. And then — she saw him.
Judge Alex Garland.
Leaning against his sleek black car, he adjusted his cufflinks and then glanced at his phone. Unbothered. Powerful.
A man with answers. A man with protection and influence. A man who could keep her safe until she had a better plan. She hesitated, thinking, calculating — then made her decision.
She shifted her weight, adjusting her heel. A carefully calculated movement — one wrong step, a tiny snap. Her ankle twisted, her heel broke, and she stumbled forward, allowing her briefcase to slip from her grasp.
The contents spilled onto the pavement.
Among them? A document with Zhang's name printed at the top.
The pages fluttered across the asphalt, half-sliding beneath a nearby parked car.
She let out a soft curse, biting her lip, her face twisting in frustration as she crouched down to gather them.
And then — a shadow, a presence. The scent of expensive cologne and five-hundred-dollar suits. His breath was warm on her neck as he bent to offer his hand.
"Trouble, Ms. Jarvis?" His voice was smooth, edged with amusement.
She looked up, exhaling sharply, brushing hair from her face. "Judge Garland!" She pressed her lips together and attempted a half-hearted smile. "I think I just lost a pair of shoes and my dignity in the same breath."
Garland huffed out a low chuckle. He bent down, reaching for one of the loose papers, his fingers stilling as his gaze flickered over the name.
Zhang Wei. The briefest pause. A flicker of curiosity. And then — it was gone.
Rosalie moved fast, snatching the paper before he could read more. She pressed her lips together, sliding the documents back into her briefcase, her fingers trembling just enough to make it believable.
Garland handed her the last paper, watching her. Studying.
She knew what he was thinking — that she was fragile, off balance, vulnerable, and that made her interesting.
"Need help getting up?"
She hesitated — just enough to make it seem real. Then she sighed, extending her hand. "I suppose I don't have a choice."
His grip was warm, strong, steady. He pulled her effortlessly to her feet, but she let herself stumble slightly, pressing into him just long enough for him to feel her against him.
Garland smirked, his hand lingering at her waist.
She could feel the shift.
He wasn't just intrigued anymore. He wanted more.
She exhaled, shaking her head and letting out a soft laugh. "I owe you for this."
Garland arched a brow. "Oh?"
Rosalie lifted her chin, holding his gaze. "Let me buy you a drink."
His smirk deepened, but his expression remained unreadable. "That's not necessary."
"Oh, but it is," she admitted, tilting her head slightly. "I insist."
Garland exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "Tempting," he murmured. "But I have somewhere to be."
She let him leave. She didn't chase. She didn't push. Instead, she watched as he got into his car and pulled away. And then, slowly, her lips curled into a smirk. He was already thinking about her. And that was all she needed.
She slid into her car, reached into her bag, and pulled out her phone. "Change of plans," she murmured, voice low. "I need a dress, a bottle of Macallan, and" she hesitated, lips curling slightly, "access to Judge Garland's office." She was already planning her next move.
A pause. Then, the smooth response."Of course. Where should I send the package?"
She smirked. "The usual place."
She hung up, tossing the broken heel onto the passenger seat. Everyone knew the judge ended his day with a nightcap and signing papers his secretary had left — a routine anyone could set their clocks by and one that worked in her favor.
She glanced in the rearview mirror and brushed a loose hair away from her face, and with a smirk, she announced, "Game on."
*****
Garland wasn't used to surprises — especially not the kind involving a beautiful woman waiting in his office with a bottle of scotch and eyes that hinted of trouble.
He hesitated for only a second before stepping inside, letting the door click shut behind him. His gaze flickered to the two waiting drinks before returning to her.
"Well —" His voice was smooth, edged with curiosity. "This is unexpected."
Rosalie smiled, slow and deliberate, as she rose from the chair. She removed her jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, revealing the smooth lines of her fitted black dress.
Garland's gaze flickered over her before he caught himself, tilting his head as he waited.
"My mother always told me to repay a kindness," she said, picking up one of the glasses and stepping forward.
Garland took it, watching her over the rim as he swirled the amber liquid. "And what kindness am I being repaid for?"
Rosalie exhaled a soft sound that carried just the right weight of hesitation. "For stopping. For picking up my things. For looking at me like I was still worth saving."
His smirk was slow and knowing. "And here I thought I was just being polite."
Rosalie took a sip, but her fingers trembled as she set the glass down. A flicker of something crossed her face — hesitation, doubt. She ran a hand through her hair, inhaling shakily before glancing away. "I walked out of that interrogation room today, and for the first time, I wasn't sure I'd done the right thing."
Garland's amusement faded slightly. He set his glass down on the desk. "And why is that?"
She swallowed, blinking rapidly as her lashes fluttered. When she looked up at him, her eyes were glassy. "Because the man who hired me — he doesn't like loose ends."
Garland's expression sharpened. "And you think you're a loose end?"
Rosalie exhaled softly, lowering her gaze as if she couldn't bear to say it outright. Instead, she stepped away, as though caught in an inner conflict, before pressing a hand to her temple. "He's paranoid," she murmured, more to herself than him. "He'll think those men told me something I shouldn't know. And when he thinks someone knows too much —"
She let her voice trail off. Let the silence hang.
Garland's fingers curled around the edge of his glass. "I see."
Rosalie bit her lip, shifting as if she'd just realized how much she'd revealed. She reached for her coat. "Maybe I've overstepped —"
She moved to leave, but before she could pull her jacket on, Garland's hand closed around her wrist, stopping her. The warmth of his fingers lingered longer than it should have. "Stay."
She froze, her breath catching. Slowly, she looked up at him through wide, uncertain eyes. She let the moment stretch, her vulnerability laced with something delicate, something that invited him in. "Are you sure?" Her voice was soft, questioning, with just enough doubt to make him want to reassure her.
His grip tightened just slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't."
She let go of the jacket.
Garland let go of her wrist, but the air crackled with tension between them. He stepped back, clearing his throat, but she saw how his jaw tensed, and his fingers flexed as if resisting the impulse to reach for her again.
"I like a man who isn't afraid to comfort a woman," she murmured, her lips curving as though letting him in on a secret.
Garland exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head slightly. "You're dangerous."
Rosalie tilted her head, her lashes lowering slightly. "Only if you want me to be." A slow smirk touched his lips. There — she had him.
She let out a soft breath as if steadying herself, then turned, pacing toward his desk as if grounding herself. She wiped the single tear that had fallen, then picked up her glass again, her fingers curling around it like an anchor. "That's why I came here," she said softly. "I don't know what to do, Alex. I don't know who I can talk to."
Garland leaned against the desk, watching her, the tension still lingering between them.
"Maybe I can help with that."
She glanced at him, holding his gaze. Slowly, she set the glass down and inhaled as if gathering her courage. Then, just when he thought she might shy away, she lifted her chin and met his eyes fully. "There was a third man today."
Garland's smirk faded slightly.
"The one who got away," she continued, her voice quieter now, as if she wasn't sure she should be telling him this. "The one who took the package."
Garland's expression sharpened. "The package?
Rosalie's gaze shifted, glancing around as if someone might overhear her. "You know — the drugs. They'd been hidden in a cadaver."
Garland struggled to hide his excitement. "And you know where he is?"
Rosalie hesitated — just enough to make him desperate for the answer. Then she took a step closer, close enough that her perfume lingered in the air between them, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her skin. "I know where he was trying to go," she murmured.
Garland exhaled slowly, assessing her.
She watched his mind shift between two things —her and the information. He wanted both. Perfect.
Garland was still standing close, the scent of her perfume lingering between them, thick and intoxicating.
Like a pesky fly, his phone rang.
He exhaled sharply, jaw tightening as he pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen — a number he couldn't ignore. Damn timing.
His gaze flickered back to Rosalie, but she offered a small, knowing smile as if she had already expected him to be interrupted. He turned slightly and pressed the phone to his ear. "What is it?"
The voice on the other end started talking, something about updates and reports, but he wasn't listening, not really. His eyes remained on Rosalie even as he spoke into the receiver.
Then the voice mentioned Zhang and Garland moved a few steps away. When he ended the brief call, the door stood open, and she was gone.
Garland took a slow step forward, scanning the room and the hall beyond.
Damn woman. His mind wasn't on business, not even Zhang. It was on her.
 Recognized |
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Current Characters -Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and deceased
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and now witness protection
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Danny Veraci -a dear friend from the past and casino owner
Judge Alex Garland the man trying to step into John Doyles corrupt shoes
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Amelia - girl in the caves
Maria - a woman escaping the tunnels
Lenore - an old woman with a wolf dog and magic
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Current Characters -Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and deceased
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and now witness protection
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Danny Veraci -a dear friend from the past and casino owner
Judge Alex Garland the man trying to step into John Doyles corrupt shoes
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Amelia - girl in the caves
Maria - a woman escaping the tunnels
Lenore - an old woman with a wolf dog and magic
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. Begin Again All rights reserved.
Begin Again has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
