Ah, my sweet Prospero. My lovely daughter, so full of love…and a little overeager to share it. Eat, drink, and be merry…that was a life motto for my dear Perry.
I tried not to intervene with her love life, she made it clear to me that who she fell in love with was her business and hers alone…but I kept my eye on her all the same. In a profession such as mine, love always came with its dangers. One day, my fears were realized when she fell for a man I recognized as a rival.
I knew what he was trying to pull, but she couldn’t see past her infatuation…she couldn’t see the thorns on the rose, jabbing her with every bruise her supposed lover left on her body.
I went to the man’s house, and I had it out with him. I told him what I thought of his illicit affair with my sweet Perry…who arrived just in time to see me take her abuser out with my bare hands.
I watched the man’s life leave his eyes…and not an ounce of remorse for his actions. I washed my hands of the situation, bought out his company, and covered my tracks. Perry never let me live it down, however.
She still doesn’t.
As I sit here in my cell in Deathrow, I hear her yelling at me for what I did to that man…and I keep telling her repeatedly I was simply looking out for her best interests.
The only thing more dangerous than hate is love, and I feel sorry for anyone who falls into terrible decisions over it. Especially you, Miss Dahlia Black…I look at you and I see a little bit of my sweet Perry.
A woman eager to show love in all the wrong places, and making them pay for their transgressions…is that not the reputation that precedes you?
You sound so much like what my daughter could’ve been, and yet…you still haven’t learned your lesson. Fooling around with love that much can only hurt you in the end, and if being locked away in Deathrow hasn’t settled you down yet…perhaps I can.
Someone as beautiful as you, Miss Murder, is a prime target for all kinds of abuse…and if I must pull out every petal to open your eyes to the dangers that are present, I will. If I have to prune your thorns to keep you safe from yourself, I will do what I must.
Love is a dangerous addiction, and I have seen what happens to those who stay too attached. The side effects linger forever, even after the addict is but a memory, an echo ringing through one’s mind.
I can hear Perry warning me not to get involved, but I have to…for her sake. For yours, Dahlia. Because the supply you offer is far exceeded by the demand down here…and I won’t be having that.
I’m simply looking out for your best interests in the end, Miss Dahlia Black.