6
The last customer's vehicle pulled out of the parking lot at Shaw's Nurseries in the small mid-west town of White Springs. Thirty-nine-year-old Susan Shaw, the owner of the nurseries, turned off the sprinklers on her rows of potted shrubs and trees as Angela Fenetti, her Italian assistant, locked the main gate. Susan's mobile beeped to indicate a text message had come through. She read the message: go somewhere private.
"Carry on closing up, Angela," Susan called. "I have to go to the house."
Angela watched her boss hurry away towards a single-story dwelling in the far corner of the property. She could tell from the tone of Susan's voice that a problem had arisen – and, as always, it set her heart racing.
Saul Booth stepped from the shadows, his sudden appearance startling her.
"Sau
