"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker

Saint

The first rays of sunlight crept through the gap in the curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden light. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. 7:00 AM. Not nearly enough sleep, but sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford right now. I carefully untangled myself from Daisy, who had migrated from my lap to the foot of the bed during the night and quietly got up.

My first priority was Marcus. I needed answers, and I needed them quickly. I grabbed my phone and stepped out onto the small balcony, the cool morning air a welcome contrast to the stuffiness of the room. Marcus answered on the second ring, his voice groggy but alert.

"Saint? What's up? It's early," he mumbled.

"Something happened last night, Marcus," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Veronica had a nightmare, a bad one. It shook her up pretty badly."

There was a pause, then Marcus's voice sharpened. "Anything else? Was she… was she hurt?"

"No, physically, she's fine," I replied. "But the nightmare… it clearly rattled her. It brought back whatever fear she's been trying to suppress since the roses started showing up."

"Damn it," Marcus cursed. "I was afraid of this. Look, I'll be there in an hour. We need to talk about this, face to face. And I'll bring everything I have on Veronica's past cases, any incidents, or anything that might be relevant."

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"Thanks, Marcus," I said. "I appreciate it."

I hung up and went back inside, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I knew Marcus would do everything he could to help, but the feeling of unease lingered. This was more than just a random stalker; it felt personal and targeted. And that made it all the more dangerous.

I showered quickly, the hot water doing little to ease the tension in my muscles. As I dressed, I thought about Veronica. I wondered if she was awake if the lingering effects of the nightmare were still haunting her. I decided to check on her before Marcus arrived. As I headed for the door between our suites, I noticed Daisy, tail twitching, looking expectantly at me. She must have sensed my unease. I opened the door, and she darted through ahead of me, as if she, too, needed to check on Veronica.

I knocked softly on the adjoining door. "Veronica? It's Saint. Are you awake?"

There was a moment of silence, then her voice, slightly muffled, came from the other side. "Yeah, come in."

I opened the door to find her sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a robe, her hair slightly tousled. Before I could even speak, Daisy, who had been right at my heels, bounded into the room and with a graceful leap, landed on the bed, curling herself into a comfortable spot against Veronica's leg. She immediately started purring as if offering her own brand of comfort. Veronica reached down and stroked her fur, a small, shaky smile gracing her lips. She looked better than I expected, but there was a weariness in her eyes that betrayed the sleepless night.

"Morning," I said, offering a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," she replied, her voice a little stronger now. "Thanks for checking on me. I… I didn't mean to wake you last night."

"Don't worry about it," I said. "I told you, I'm here for you." I hesitated, then added, "Marcus is coming over in about an hour. We need to talk about the roses, about everything."

She nodded, her expression becoming serious. "I understand. I'll be ready." She glanced down at Daisy, who was now kneading her paws against the blanket. "It's funny," she murmured, "how much comfort a little creature can bring."

"Yeah," I agreed. "She's a good cat." I paused, then asked cautiously, "Did you… "Did you remember anything about the dream?"

Veronica's expression clouded over. She shook her head slowly. "No," she said softly. "It's all a blur. Just… a feeling of dread. Like something terrible is about to happen."

I reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "I won't let anything happen to you, Veronica," I said, my voice firm and reassuring. "I promise."

I left her then, giving her some space to get ready. Back in my room, I paced restlessly, going over everything in my mind. I needed to be prepared for whatever Marcus brought, whatever information he uncovered. Veronica's safety was my priority, and I wouldn't rest until I knew she was safe. I went to the window, looking out over the city. The morning was beautiful, the sky a clear, vibrant blue. But the beauty felt deceptive, a stark contrast to the darkness that was lurking just beneath the surface. I had a feeling today was going to be a long one.