Flame within the Grey

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Present day

Freshly baked bagels, sweet rolls and loaves of bread wafted in the small cozy bakery, called Red Velvet Dreams. It was one of Scarlett's dreams that came true. Owning her own little bakery. Baking brought her joy and satisfaction. And in her opinion, it was better than sex, no disrespect to her husband.

Since she couldn't find comfort in him right now, she had pleasure in cracking an egg into flour, mixing it into a batter and baking it into a delicious cake that she loved to pipe designs on. She was proud of her little heaven, her pride and joy. The four walls were her escape. Away from the troubles of the outside world. She felt happy and content as she laid out the cinnamon rolls on the wooden trays.

Her quaint bakery stood in the heart of a busy street in North-East of Boston. Nestled between a butchery and a laundry mat. Gangs and mobsters didn't run ramped in the area. The further north you went, the safer it became. It was like you drifted away from the turmoil of the inner city.

Inside the small space, a huge black board nailed against the white bricked wall, showed the special bakes of the day. Grey mosaic tiles covered the limited floor. Glass cases of baked goods and desserts displayed behind the window. Enticing customers to tempt their taste buds. Wooden shelves held breads of all kinds. A silver coffee machine sat at the corner counter, and three tables were set where some customers could grab a quick espresso or bite. It was sweet and classic, just like Scarlett. It wasn't much, but her Red Velvet Dreams bakery was her greatest achievement.

Scarlett had picked up Tyler from Preschool, and the tiny tot ran through her bakery. A peanut butter chocolate cookie did the trick to calm him down. She didn't prefer this bribing method, but it came in handy from time to time.

"C'mon Ty, we're going home now. Behave yourself." Scarlett scolded.

Tyler pouted. Almost ready to throw a mini tantrum. "No! I want more cookies!" he whined, stuffing the rest of the treat into his mouth. His cheeks swelled with it.

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "No." she said firmly. "You'll spoil your dinner... if you're a good boy, you can have after you eat all your veggies."

She grasped his hand and gave him her stern eye. He pulled his cute face and reluctantly agreed. She smiled at her minor achievement. Scarlett locked the bakery doors, after Zara, her assistant left. The main street was lively and vibrant. Honking and the smell of exhaust pipes infected her ears and nose. She hoped her little bakery would be safe overnight. With the spike in crime the past couple of weeks in town, her anxiety was up. Scarlett and her son huddled up the busy sidewalk and hopped on a bus home.

***

'Detective Thomas Hill'

Tommy grinned, seeing his new brass plated title stuck against his office door. Even though he held the position of detective for Boston Police Department for weeks now, his new title finally arrived today as they plastered it on his door. It felt final. He had some power and some control. He swelled with pride.

He didn't have to wear the black and blue uniforms any longer. Now it was a suit and tie. He leaned in his seat. His wooden desk stacked with files of unresolved cases he needed to crack down. Hijackings, identity thefts, robbery... but mostly homicide and drug cases were assigned to him.

He worked here long enough and lived in Boston all his life. He knew every street and who the major players were. People also knew him, he got involved in the community... maybe not always in a good way. But he knew why the crime was spiking up in the streets. There was a turf war between the mobs, the Italian and Irish.