Page 69 of Unlocking Melodies

“And now Gary shows up looking like a Wall Street banker instead of a recovering gambler.” Dawn's tone dripped with skepticism. “Pretty expensive redemption tour.”

“They're using him,” I said, the pieces finally clicking into place. “Clean him up, send him in with childhood photos and tearful stories about Jimmy's mother...”

“While they what?” Dawn interrupted. “What could the Morettis want with Oakwood Grove?”

Jake picked up a file from his desk – property records, I realized. “Jimmy's venue network. The music center project. He was building something valuable here. Something that could be used for...”

“Money laundering,” I finished, feeling sick. “Entertainment venues are perfect for it. High cash flow, variable attendance numbers...”

“And a grieving father reconnecting with his amnesiac son makes a great cover for new management.” Dawn's expression hardened. “No one questions family taking an interest in the business.”

The morning sun painted shadows across Jake's desk, making the property records look more ominous than simple paper should. Outside, I could hear Sarah's Diner coming to life – the normal sounds of a town Jimmy had chosen to protect.

“We can't tell him,” I said finally. “Not yet. Not until...”

“Until what?” Dawn challenged. “Until his father gets deeper into his life? Until the Morettis have their hooks in everything he's built here?”

“Officer Dawn,” Jake's voice held warning, but I cut him off.

“No, she's right.” I stood, needing to move. “I've tried protecting him by keeping secrets before. Look how well that worked out.”

“So what's the play?” Jake asked, watching me pace. “Because if you're thinking of taking on the Moretti family with nothing but corporate lawyers and small-town charm...”

“I'm thinking we need proof.” I stopped by the window, watching Mrs. Henderson pretend to be fascinated by her garden while clearly monitoring the station. “Proof Gary's working for them. Proof of what they're really planning.”

“And then?”

“And then we let Jimmy make his own choice about how to handle it.” The words felt right, even though they terrified me. “But with all the information this time, not just the pieces we think he can handle.”

Dawn's smile was approving. “Well, would you look at that. The CEO can learn new tricks.”

Tomorrow, I'd pay Gary a visit. See if the caring father act held up under closer scrutiny.

At least Mrs. Henderson's surveillance team would keep an eye on things. Even if their tactics mainly involved opera glasses and suspicious dog walking patterns.

My phone lit up with a text from Jimmy.

Jimmy

Melody says you're forgiven for missing dinner. But she's starting a tab.

Through my hotel window, movement caught my eye. Jimmy stood in the town square, balanced precariously on a ladder while helping Nina hang festival decorations. His laugh carried across the street as she said something that made him nearly drop the string lights. The scene was pure Oakwood Grove – warm, genuine, completely at odds with the web of dark connections spread across my wall.

My phone buzzed.

Jimmy

Survived another corporate crisis? Or did someone try to synergize the unsynergizable again?

I stared at his message, then at my evidence wall, the contrast making my chest tight. The truth sat heavy in my hands – a weight I wasn't sure how to share. Jimmy was finally piecing together fragments of his past, finding connections to his family through Gary's stories. How could I risk shattering that newfound peace without being absolutely certain?

Me

Crisis managed, though someone did actually use 'synergize' in a meeting. Twice.

Jimmy

The horror! Quick, send thoughts and prayers to their PowerPoint presentation.

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