| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted March 5, 2025 | Chapters: |
...47 48 -49- 50... 
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The Hunt Begins
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 49
by Begin Again
As Garland and Rosalie exited the restaurant, she scanned the curb, half-expecting a sleek town car to glide up. To her surprise, the valet pulled up in a glossy black Porsche convertible, a sight that left her momentarily speechless.
Rosalie blinked, then turned to Garland, arching a brow.
He smirked, slipping a generous tip to the valet before gesturing to the car. "New toy. Thought you'd enjoy a spin on such a star-lit night."
She chuckled, shaking her head as he opened the door for her. " It's not what I was expecting."
"Good," he replied, sliding behind the wheel. "I like keeping you on your toes."
As they pulled away, the city lights faded behind them. Rosalie let her head tilt back, eyes closed as the wind tugged at her hair, freeing loose strands from her updo.
Garland glanced at her. "There's a scarf in the glove box if you want it."
She shook her head, a slow smile curving her lips. "No need. I like the wind."
He chuckled, downshifting as they took a curve, the hum of the engine smooth beneath them. "A woman who enjoys a little recklessness. I knew I liked you."
She turned to him, her expression unreadable, her lips hinting at a secret. "Careful, Garland. You might like me a little too much."
His smirk deepened, but he said nothing, just pressed the accelerator, sending them flying through the night. He drove out of the city, the skyline fading behind them as the roads stretched into open countryside. The evening air cooled as they left behind the town, the golden hues of a setting sun glinting off the windshield.
Rosalie leaned back, one foot tucked under her knee, absently flipping through the radio stations. A familiar melody drifted through the speakers — a song from years ago. She hummed at first, then softly sang the lyrics.
Garland glanced over, smirking. "You got a wonderful voice, Rosalie."
She caught herself, cheeks heating. "Oh, please."
But before she could switch stations, he tapped the dial and flipped to an upbeat tune. Without hesitation, he started singing — out of tune.
Rosalie burst into laughter, shaking her head at Garland's antics. "Alex, what happened to the dignified judge I shared dinner with?"
He raised a brow, challenging her, "It's after hours. C'mon, you're not going to leave me to embarrass myself, are you?"
With a sigh, she gave in, their voices blending together. By the time the song ended, they were laughing, the last bit of tension melting from the air.
Garland pulled off the main road and turned onto a long, private drive lined with towering oaks. A lake shimmered in the distance, reflecting the fading sunlight. Rosalie exhaled, taking in the view. She knew this place and where they were, but she played along.
Garland cast a glance at her, watching her reaction. "I thought you'd like it."
Rosalie turned toward the lake, her voice soft, unreadable. "It's beautiful."
They walked along the grassy embankment. The gentle waves lapped at the shore. Garland reached for her hand, guiding her over the uneven terrain.
Then, they heard an unexpected sound — a rustle in the brush. Rosalie gasped, her body tensing, instinct kicking in before logic could. Her foot caught in the soft earth, her balance faltering.
Garland moved fast. His arms wrapped around her, catching her mid-fall and pulling her into his chest. His voice was firm, protective. "Hey. Hey. What's wrong?"
She pressed her face against his shirt, shakily exhaling. His heart was steady, strong, and safe. Her fingers curled into the fabric.
And then, she slipped as she whispered against his chest, her voice trembling with fear, "Zhang — he'll kill me." The sudden mention of Zhang's name sent a shockwave through the air, leaving Garland momentarily stunned.
He held her tightly, his grip firm but steady. She was shaking. He wasn't sure whether it was from the cool lake breeze drifting over the sand, the distant sound of water lapping at the shore, or the weight of the name she had just whispered. But he felt it.
"Zhang's out to kill me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
His jaw tightened. Icy fingers strummed his spine as he suddenly knew what Rosalie Jarvis was about — Zhang Wei. His fingers curled slightly against her back, holding her closer.
She smelled like the night and faded traces of perfume. And maybe he sensed her fear. "He won't touch you," he murmured against her head, his voice a soothing balm. "Not while I'm here."
Rosalie's breath was uneven, but her body pressed into him as if he was the only solid thing in her world. He liked the feeling. Too much.
She wasn't just scared. She was letting him in. He could feel how her fingers curled into his shirt, gripping him like an anchor.
He let out a slow breath, tightening his hold for a fraction longer before pulling back slightly. She didn't resist. He brushed a damp strand of hair from her cheek, tilting her chin up. Her eyes met his. Wide. Vulnerable. Real. He didn't think Rosalie Jarvis did real.
Yet here she was. And Garland wasn't about to let her go.
*****
Garland didn't need to take her far — the private path leading up from the shore wound through a grove of trees, leading directly to the main house at the lake's edge. Rosalie shivered slightly but didn't say a word as he guided her along the path. He kept a firm hand at her lower back, half guiding, half testing.
Would she pull away? Would she push back? She didn't.
The soft glow from the house grew brighter as they approached, casting long shadows along the wooden deck that overlooked the lake. Alex Garland opened the door, stepping aside to let her in.
She hesitated. Garland didn't rush her. Finally, she stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind them. And just like that, she was in his world now.
Rosalie wrapped her arms around herself, exhaling as she entered the space. The house was warm and upscale but lived-in. The scent of cedar and faint smoke lingered from the fireplace. Dark wood paneling lined the interior, built for comfort rather than show.
She toed off her damp shoes, running a hand through her hair. She was exhausted, and he could see it. Without a word, Garland shrugged off his jacket, stepping behind her. She flinched when he draped it over her shoulders. Not because she was scared but because she wasn't.
"Come on," he said, his voice lower now. "You need to rest." Rosalie didn't argue.
Garland led her into one of the guest bedrooms — a large, quiet, warm. She sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling as she ran a hand through her hair.
He stood in the doorway, watching — waiting.
Would she ask him to stay? Would she push him away?
Instead, she just sighed. For the first time since he'd met her, she looked exhausted. Not playing a game and not acting. Just drained.
Garland stepped forward, kneeling slightly to pull a soft blanket over her. Her eyelids fluttered. She was already half-asleep. "You're safe," he murmured, more to himself than to her, his voice reassuring in the quiet room.
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak. He stayed longer than he should have.
Watching until her breathing evened out, her body relaxing completely. Then, finally, he stepped back into the shadows, leaving her to sleep.
*****
The Veraci estate's seclusion, fortification, and untouchability made it one of the few places in Bayside where Zhang's influence couldn't reach. Rain pelted against the windows, thunder rolling through the hills as Garth, DeLuca, Frank, Jack, Eleanor, Detective Danni, and Veraci gathered around a long mahogany table.
The Veraci estate's seclusion, fortification, and untouchability made it one of the few places in Bayside where Zhang's influence couldn't reach. Rain pelted against the windows, thunder rolling through the hills as Garth, DeLuca, Frank, Jack, Eleanor, Detective Danni, and Veraci gathered around a long mahogany table.
At the head of the table, Veraci leaned against his chair with an exasperated sigh. The glow from the laptop screen displayed a detailed map of Bayside riddled with Zhang's hidden assets. He tapped a key, and a long list of property acquisitions, shell companies, and hidden fronts filled the screen.
A touch of anger and admiration weaved through his words. "Zhang's been running this town under your noses," he said. "Warehouses, businesses, the docks — even the goddamn sock factory."
Frank snorted. "The sock factory? Seriously?"
Danny shot him a glare. "You think it's funny? He's been using it for money laundering and smuggling under textile shipments. No one questioned a thing."
Jack leaned in, eyes narrowing at the map. "So, we're not just dealing with Zhang's crew. We're up against an entire shadow empire."
Danny nodded grimly. "And if we don't hit him all at once, he'll slip right through our fingers."
Garth rubbed a hand over his chin, considering. "Coordinated raids. Every location at the same time."
Danny pointed to the screen. "Anything less, and we're just playing whack-a-mole."
Frank exhaled sharply. "That's a hell of a lot of ground to cover."
Before anyone else could speak, Eleanor slammed a hand against the table, eyes blazing. "And where does Maggie fit into this?"
The room fell silent.
Eleanor's voice cut through the conversation like a blade. "You're all talking about Zhang's businesses, his empire — but my granddaughter is missing! And I don't hear a damn thing about finding her!"
Garth met her glare. "Eleanor, none of us have forgotten."
"Haven't you?" she snapped. "Because from where I'm sitting, she hasn't been mentioned once!"
The air in the room was thick with tension. Danni, standing near the fireplace, finally spoke up. "Mr. Veraci mentioned his findings to me, wondering if Donatelli had any inkling about what was happening. At first, I said no, but after digging through his private files, I believe Matthew might have known something," the ghost detective said, her voice steady. "But he didn't put the pieces together in time."
Jack turned, his eyes narrowing. "Explain."
Danni tossed a stack of files on the table. "These are reports of missing children. She crossed her arms, taking a glance at Eleanor. "Before Donatelli got shot, he had a case — missing kid whom we now know as Travis, Althea's son. The file went cold, but he kept digging. He started looking into an orphanage that had whispers attached to it. No solid proof, but suspicions that kids were disappearing, funneling into international markets."
Eleanor's breath hitched. "You think that's where they took Maggie?"
Danni exhaled. "I don't know. But Donatelli was on to something. He just didn't have names or connections yet. If we go through his old files, we might find something that leads us to her."
"Shit!" Danny Veraci, still leaning back in his chair. He rubbed a hand down his face. "If that orphanage is tied to Zhang's operations, then we're dealing with more than smuggling."
Jack's expression darkened. "Then we check it out. Quietly. Before Zhang catches wind of it."
Frank cracked his knuckles. "No more waiting. We start digging through Donatelli's files. If he found anything, we'll use it."
Garth met Eleanor's gaze. "We're getting Maggie back."
Eleanor gave a sharp nod, her voice cold and certain. "We have to."
The fight against Zhang was no longer just a job. It was personal now, with the life of a young girl at stake.
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
Judge Alex Garland the man trying to step into John Doyles corrupt shoes
Rosalie Jarvis - a high class lawyer currently on Zhang's payroll
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
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
Judge Alex Garland the man trying to step into John Doyles corrupt shoes
Rosalie Jarvis - a high class lawyer currently on Zhang's payroll
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
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
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