Found Obsession

Chapter 55: Greco's case VI: Sold and Jackpot

Rose stared at the mirror, her reflection unsettling. Fresh from a bath, her bruised face stared back, the deep purple and greenish marks trailing down her arms and legs. All the pain from her intensive training, the confrontation with that man, and her meeting with Teresa showed in every discoloration.

Turning slightly, she inspected the mark—still swollen, though looking a bit better, though the bruise around it was massive. She sighed. Her own appearance frightened her.

She began dressing in old, faded jeans, a worn shirt, and shoes that had seen better days. Her hands trembled slightly, the nervous energy building in her chest. She hurried to her room to finish getting ready, drying her hair as quickly as possible.

A knock at the door startled her. "Raven," she whispered as she opened it.

He stood there holding a bag, his expression serious.

"Is this outfit okay?" she asked, gesturing to her clothes.

Raven nodded, handing her the bag. Rose reached inside, her eyes widening as she pulled out a small black wig... and a gun, small enough to fit in her palm.

A lifecard it was called.

"Raven, what is this?" she asked, confused. She already had a gun, so why another?

Raven’s expression darkened. "Rose, do you really think they won’t search you? They’ll probably strip you naked before they take you in. You won’t be able to hide anything… except maybe just maybe under the wig."

Rose’s heart sank. The gravity of what she was about to face hit her hard. She nodded, her throat tight.

With Raven’s help, she rolled up her real hair tightly against her scalp, securing the tiny gun within the folds. The black wig, much curlier and fuller than her real hair, cascaded down to her chest, its volume hiding the weapon perfectly. Raven double secured it so it wouldn’t fall off that easy

It was uncomfortable, the weight and tightness of both the wig and the gun adding to her growing anxiety, but it was necessary.

Raven stood back, eyes scanning her over, ensuring nothing looked out of place. His concern was palpable, but he said nothing. The silence hung between them, the weight of the situation settling in.

Rose ran through the improved plan she had devised with Teresa, her mind racing through every detail.

"You got his ex-wife involved?" Raven's voice rose sharply, his disbelief evident.

"I just... thought about what you told me. I needed a backup plan, and it’s her daughter. She has a right to know," Rose defended herself, her gaze unwavering.

"She's also in the police Raven, if Riley doesn’t listen he has to know Teresa is also on the line. I need to use all my available resources." Rose explained.

Rose hesitated, biting her tongue. Technically, Teresa was still Riley’s wife, but she decided to keep that little detail to herself. By doing all of this, Rose had broken several personal rules, ones her mother had drilled. And Teresa had been right—Rose shouldn't draw too much attention. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

She could think about the consequences later.

For now, there was no turning back.

December 7 2004 11 pm.

Raven stumbled into the dimly lit dive, a bottle of whiskey in hand, and had previously splashed some of it across his shirt. The acrid scent of alcohol clung to him as he ruffled his hair, preparing for the part he was about to play. He shoved Rose roughly to the ground, her body hitting the filthy, grimy floor with a groan of genuine pain.