Chapter 12 - The Night the Flower Shop Burned
Vincent wanted Maggie nowhere near the shop.
She refused.
“That’s my building.”
“It’s a trap.”
“Yes.”
“He wants me.”
“He wants the ledger protected. You’re secondary.”
Vincent almost smiled.
“Thank you.”
“You know what I mean.”
Luca arranged police contacts he trusted.
Anthony contacted federal investigators.
Maggie insisted on one condition.
“No gunfight in my hydrangeas.”
Nobody promised.
At 10:50 p.m., Maggie entered Sullivan’s Flowers.
Alone.
Judge Vance stood behind the counter.
Marco sat tied nearby.
Daniel guarded the rear door.
The ledger rested beside thirty-six red roses.
Vance smiled.
“The famous florist.”
“You owe me for those roses.”
His smile vanished.
Maggie found that satisfying.
“Where is Vincent?”
“Not coming.”
“He’ll come.”
“Yes.”
Maggie knew he would too.
Vance explained what he wanted.
Vincent would sign documents transferring control of several companies.
Anthony would surrender every copy of the ledger.
Then Maggie would supposedly live.
Nobody believed that part.
Marco raised his head.
“Maggie.”
Daniel struck him.
She flinched.
Then noticed Marco’s fingers.
He was working loose from the rope.
Maggie kept Vance talking.
“You've spent twenty years protecting a dead man’s empire.”
“Power survives men.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
The front door opened.
Vincent entered.
Unarmed.
“Let her go.”
Vance smiled.
“Sign.”
Documents waited.
Vincent didn't look at them.
“First Maggie.”
“No.”
Vincent looked at her.
Everything passed between them silently.
Fear.
Love.
Regret.
A promise.
He reached for the pen.
Marco broke free.
Chaos exploded.
Daniel fired.
Vincent tackled Maggie.
Marco attacked Daniel.
The bullet struck a hanging lamp.
It shattered.
Flame caught dried flowers.
Within seconds fire climbed decorative vines.
Smoke filled the shop.
Vance grabbed the ledger.
Maggie crawled toward Marco.
Vincent fought Daniel.
Sprinklers failed.
Someone had disabled them.
Flames raced toward the front windows.
“Out!” Vincent shouted.
Marco staggered.
Maggie helped him.
Anthony and Luca entered through the rear.
Vance fled upstairs.
With the ledger.
Vincent followed.
“Vincent!”
Maggie ran after him.
The staircase burned.
Upstairs, Vance reached the office window.
Vincent cornered him.
“Give me the book.”
Vance laughed.
“You still think this is about the book?”
He dropped it into the flames.
Vincent lunged.
Too late.
Pages burned.
Vance escaped onto the fire stairs.
Vincent grabbed what remained.
Maggie reached him.
“Leave it!”
They ran.
The roof groaned.
Vincent shoved Maggie through the rear exit.
He turned back.
“Marco!”
Marco had not come out.
Vincent disappeared into the smoke.
“Vincent!”
Seconds became unbearable.
Then Anthony emerged carrying Marco.
But Vincent wasn't with them.
The roof collapsed.
Maggie screamed his name.
A figure appeared behind the flames.
Vincent stumbled toward the exit.
Then a burning beam crashed between them.
May you like
Maggie could still see him.
But the ceiling above Vincent began to fall.
