MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

She leaned forward to regard Gary with the utmost seriousness. "To remove any shadow of doubt, I think we need something more tangible and human - an objective third-party eyewitness from that specific timeframe, unconnected to this fiasco, who can verify Blake's presence and absolve him conclusively." Rose paused for emphasis before continuing.

"I think we need Ana herself, or whomever was running the market that night."

Gary considered this for a prolonged moment, tapping one finger against his pursed lips contemplatively. Just when Rose began to wonder if she had misspoke, the pragmatic defense attorney gave a slow, decisive nod.

"I think you're absolutely right, Rose," he said, the faintest traces of a smile playing across his features. "In a case as muddied and convoluted as this one, we need that unimpeachable human verification to eliminate any remaining traces of ambiguity around Blake's whereabouts." Gary closed the file folders with a firm rap on the desk blotter.

"Let's go after this bodega witness directly as our next top priority."

Relief blossomed within Rose's chest, grateful to be actively pursuing a new lead that could prove pivotal. "Wonderful, I'll make arrangements to revisit Ana's Marketplace right away and—"

"Not you, Rose," Gary interrupted, holding up a reinforcing hand. "Much as I appreciate your direct involvement in collaborating on Blake's defense, this is a delicate matter. We need to insulate any potential civilian witnesses from the specter of collusion or coercion."

The lawyer fixed her with a placating look. "For optics and any accusations of impropriety, it's critical that my firm's investigators handle the bodega inquiries completely independently. I don't want even a hint of conflict that the prosecution could capitalize on."

Rose's shoulders slumped fractionally, held in check only by Gary's reasonable counsel. As maddening as it was to be sidelined from such a vital mission, she begrudgingly assented with a terse nod.

"You're right, of course," she acknowledged through a tight jaw. "The prosecution is already spinning fictions about my 'illicit entanglement' with Blake to discredit anything I do on his behalf. We can't risk undermining the integrity of this potential bodega witness by having me directly involved."

Gary offered her a respectful look of understanding. "I don't make that call lightly, Rose. Your passion and dedication to Blake's defense has been invaluable. But we can't allow the prosecution any avenues for impugning the incontrovertible proof we're seeking to obtain here."

While Rose recognized the pragmatic wisdom in his stance, she couldn't completely mask the disappointment of being relegated to the sidelines for this vital endeavor. Her restless fingers toyed with the solitary ring on her right hand, fighting the instinctive urge to directly handle every facet herself.

"You're certain your investigators can navigate this properly?" she asked, eyeing Gary intently. "That time window is extremely tight, and we can't risk spooking or mishandling this witness in any way. If they're our potential lynchpin, we have to get it letter-perfect."

The seasoned defense attorney held her gaze levelly, hands steepled on the desk between them. "You have my assurances, Rose. Paul Reyes is one of the most adept and discreet investigators I've ever worked with. If there's any verifiable alibi to be uncovered around Blake's whereabouts, he'll extract it with professionalism and finesse."

Rose exhaled a measured breath, inclining her head in acceptance. "Very well, then I'll leave this pivotal task in your capable hands. Just make sure your people leave no stone unturned in tracking down definitive proof from that bodega one way or the other."

"Absolutely," Gary replied with a reassuring nod. "We'll have our team canvass Ana's Market first thing tomorrow morning to start shaking the trees."

With those words, Rose felt the mantle of control over this crucial aspect slip from her grasp. For someone as accustomed to handling matters directly, the sense of being sidelined gnawed at her nerves palpably.

No matter how reasoned Gary's arguments, Rose felt an innate resistance to ceding such an important objective to others. Every instinct warned that the stakes were too high to operate at anything less than her typical hands-on intensity.

Still, she tempered her reactions with a forced veneer of confidence, rising from the chair to signal their meeting's conclusion. "Keep me posted on any developments, no matter how seemingly insignificant," she instructed Gary.

"If this bodega witness can indeed corroborate Blake's alibi and shatter the prosecution's case, we need to capitalize on it swiftly and decisively."

"You have my word," Gary assured her with a faint smile, also rising from his chair. "We'll remain diligent and disciplined in our pursuit of the truth."

Rose regarded him with an inscrutable expression for a lingering moment before turning on her heel and striding toward the exit. Just before passing through the door, she glanced over her shoulder one final time.

"For Blake's sake, I certainly hope so," she said, the barest undercurrent of warning detectable beneath her words. "Because if your investigators stumble or falter in any way, you can be certain I won't remain a passive bystander."

With that oblique parting remark hanging in the air, Rose made her departure, leaving Gary to parse the potential implications behind her loaded words. Outside his office, Rose felt the weight of her self-imposed shackles already chafing against her resolve.

If definitive proof of Blake's innocence existed within the walls of Ana's bodega, she would remain duty-bound to resist personally extracting it for now.

But Rose knew her restraint could only extend so far before overriding instincts propelled her into action - by whatever means were ultimately required.

For in her heart, she recognized that Blake's freedom took precedence above all other considerations. And Rose was prepared to confront any obstacles in her path, no matter how hazardous or unorthodox her methods became.

The path forward had been charted, with all its inherent risks and pitfalls. Now they would see whether traveling it discreetly bore the just fruit they sought.

But if this avenue faltered or proved fruitless, Rose inwardly vowed to forge a new trail through any barriers, no matter how daunting or destructive the wake.

Blake's vindication could no longer be held in limbo. One way or another, the truth would finally be excavated from the wreckage.

No Shelly hands they warned and she had obliged.

But Shelly's weren't exactly known for listenin keenly either.

Sooner or later, Blake would be free somehow. No matter whose reputations or lives were buried beneath its rubble.

Again, no matter whose reputation or lives was buried.