Chapter 14

"I'm so happy, Eva!" Morgan wrapped her arms around me. "The shop is perfect for you. It wouldn't have been as successful without your creativity."

I pulled back, studying the curly blonde hair piled up into a messy bun. She had on makeup that brightened her face, but I could still see the dark circles under her eyes. Overall, she looked like she was getting better.

"How are you doing?" I squeezed her arm, remembering the joy that used to be in her eyes.

"Hopeful. Especially now that I know the shop will be in good hands." She released a heavy sigh. "I'm ready to start a new chapter. Be with my family and just take it slow, you know?"

I nodded. "Take all the time you need. I'll keep you posted on the progress of the store. And please don't take it personally when I change the store name to BeLeaf in Wonder."

"Don't be silly. I love it." Her eyes sparkled. "It's totally you."

We chatted some more until it was time to open up and get to work. I planned on keeping the same staff. Erika and Marlene were fabulous associates. The transition could happen in a month, which was pretty quick.

Kain had asked his lawyer to draft a contract, which I'd already given to my lawyer. Everything looked good, and the money was transferred into my account in a few hours. I'd met no one as efficient as Kain. I supposed it took efficiency to run a successful gym and tattoo shop franchise. Three hundred thousand dollars was nothing to a billionaire. It still made me uncomfortable that my bank account was a tiny fraction of his.Most people would say it wouldn't matter, but it did for me. It would take time for me to get used to it.

If I only focused on his character without the materialistic attachment, then I'd be fine. So that was what I did for the next few hours, making my long to-do list for a smooth transition and looking at the calendar to see what I needed to work on. Supplies to order. Events to fulfill and a marketing strategy to introduce my customers to BeLeaf in Wonder.

Morgan left early for the day to finalize things before she went back to California. Erika and Marlene assisted three customers with their bouquets when several police cars rushed by in the street. Next came an ambulance, a fire truck, and more police cars.

What was going on? Coolidge Corner was a busy section of Brookline and there was constant noise. But I hadn't seen this many police cars in a while.

The sirens didn't fade, and I knew something had occurred nearby.

"I'll be right back," I told the girls and left the shop to check it out.

As I made my way up the block, a group of people hovered around a section close to the police cars.

I walked by a woman with a ponytail leaning against the wall. She looked spooked.

"Are you okay? What happened up there?" I gestured to the crowd.

"I saw the body in the alley and called the cops." She shivered. "The woman died with her hands tied together holding a bleeding heart flower."

"Oh, gosh, that's awful," I said.

"Brookline is a safe city. I don't know if I can get the image of that poor woman out of my mind. She had a tattoo of a heart on her cheek. She's someone's daughter. Someone's sister. Now she's gone." An officer waved her over as Detective McNally arrived in his cruiser.

I remembered him from the day the thief snatched my purse. He was Kain's friend.

"Gotta go. The detective wants to speak to me. Stay safe."

The woman I saw on the train flashed into my vision. She had a heart tattoo on her cheek as well. Could the body be her? She'd been with her boyfriend or husband. Where was he?

I had to let Kain know about my encounter with her. Rushing back to the shop, I called Kain.

"Hi. Are you busy?"

"I always have time for you. Miss me or something?"

I smiled. "Yes, but that's not why I'm calling. There's been a murder a block from my shop." I gave him details of what the witness had told me. "You're friends with the detective. Is there any way you can show me her face? I think it was her on the train that day."

"I'll get it to you. Let me know when you leave work. I'll pick you up."

"You don't have?—"

"There's a psycho killing women. I'm picking you up. That's non-negotiable, Eva," he said firmly.

I went quiet at the demanding tone.

He probably sensed it and sighed. "I don't want anything to happen to you. You're important to me."

Understanding, I said, "I'll call you a few minutes before I close up."