Chapter Six The Interrogation

Zora outreaches her hand and says hello glad to meet you so you’re the right hand? She says not merely meant as a question but more of a statement. She gestures for him to resume sitting and follows Val into the room this allow him to gently pull her onto his lap ever watchful of the new person in this game, she doesn’t show her interest in the situation merely looks calm and interested in the introductions. Marco’s scarred face breaks into something that might be a smile. He settles back into his chair, clearly amused by her directness. Responding he says right hand, left hand, whatever’s needed. Been with Val for twenty-three years now like he said he’s like a brother. His eyes assess her-not with judgment, but with the practiced eye of someone who reads people for a living. Val has been married twice both failed and this, this feels different He thinks to himself already assessing the situation.

You’re the recovery counselor. The statement he makes is a clear assertion of his knowledge of who she is and he is stating that he knows things about her. Val’s arm wraps around Zora’s waist as she settles onto his lap. His hand splays possessively across her hip. Marco notices. His expression shifts-subtle recognition of something fundamental is changing. Val’s voice rises as he explains clearly.. She’s going to be handling rehabilitation for our people. Direct pipeline before they hit the system. His is calm, matter-of-fact. already decided, ready to implement. Marco leans forward slightly responding bit bewildered, That’s...unconventional. Zora reiterates with, Isn’t that the point being creative thinking outside of the box not only keeps you guys one step ahead of the competition this particular process saves lives which in turn saves resources, time and most importantly for you guys I suppose money. She says clearly without any reservations as if she was born to navigate these waters

Marco’s expression shifts-respect flickering across his weathered face. He says with a bit of a grin. Smart. Practical. You’re thinking like someone already inside the operation, not outside looking in. He glances at Val, then back to Zora. Most civilians want noting to do with this world. You’re proposing to build infrastructure within it. He relaxes a bit, contemplating then says The Castellano’s will fight us on the fentanyl thing. They’ll need convincing. His scarred hands fold together but if we position this right-frame it as quality control, market protection-we might pull it off. Val’s grip tightens slightly around Zora’s waist. A silent acknowledgment. You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. She chuckles lowly Did you expect less?? I know if he was stalking me that means you were also so what did you learn from all of your investigations over the last 3 months?

Stunned by her directness again Marco’s laugh is a low, gravelly sound. Your father’s fake gambling debts, Your mother-cancer, five years back, you moved to help him recovery, left your job in another state to come take care of her while she was on hospis. He clicks things off like he is reading it from a ledger. A DUI and other charges 7 page criminal record yet nothing violent or excessive mostly traffic. You educate and treat as many people that you can, ride a motorcycle, - a Harley I think, no partner, no kids, no entanglements. His eyes glint, like he has completed something monumental. Clean for almost 20 years, Principled, alone.

Val’s jaw tightens slightly against her shoulder. That’s what we found, A woman worth watching. Marco leans back. The question isn’t what we leaned. It’s what you’re willing to become now that you know we were looking. She chuckles softly and responds Wrong and with a smile she says I ride a Kawasaki not a Harley, I have a daughter who is 37 and I have 2 granddaughters 14 and almost 19. I am principled, but not alone they just have busy lives. What else and I guess I did a good job at hiding myself after all. Marco’s pen pauses mid-air. He exchanges a glance with Val. A daughter, 2 granddaughters. He flips through his file frowning. That’s...a significant oversight, We missed family, that’s on us. Val’s hand shifts on her hip-a subtle acknowledgment of the gap in their intelligence. A Kawasaki, 2015 not a Harley. His tone is harder now-a man realizing his network has failed him. Val’s grip tightens fractionally. Zora’s revelation has just expanded the stakes considerably. Family means leverage. Family means vulnerability and Marco knows it, Val knows it.

Marco says We need to correct this immediately, What’s your daughter’s name your granddaughters and their location? Zora responds with I’m sorry but why would I share that information with you? If you didn’t find them then I did my job correctly in my line of work I am always at risk for my clients are unpredictable and sometimes they can cross lines so I have to be careful. Marco sets the folder down slowly. His scarred hands rest flat on the desk. Smart. Compartmentalizing. That’s good operational security. He doesn’t pus further on the names. He understands now-Zora protects what matters.

Marco asks genuinely curious So your family don’t know about Val? It’s not a question Val’s chest rises against her back. His fingers trace small circles on her hip-a gesture that reads as both reassurance and claim and he responds They will eventually I hope...His voice go quiet now. Marco nods once, accepting the shift in hierarchy, He stands reporting I’ll correct the file. Get accurate intel on your daughter, granddaughters,. Establish perimeter security if needed-with your approval that is of course. He looks at Zora directly.

She says to Marco in rearguards to what is happening between Val and me this just happened so no they don’t know yet I’m still coming to terms with it all to tell you the truth but I don’t think you understand whom I am really where I come from my past is dirtier than you would have very thought that is why I fight so hard for things to be pure and without complications there needs to be a balance of things that’s how things remain sustainable for the long haul and the system feels safer so the law doesn’t press as hard it’s just smart business but that’s just my view. Marco goes very still. You’re not just a counselor. You’re someone who understands the machinery. Your past. That’s why you know how to navigate this without flinching. He exchanges a look with Val-one that says pieces are clicking into place. Val’s hand stills on her hip. His voice drops lower. You don’t have to tell us. Not yet. We will work at your pace but eventually we’ll need to know Marco gathers his files, But when you’re ready-when your family knows maybe, when you’ve decided how deep you’re going-we need the full picture. Not for leverage. For protection. The balance you’re talking about? That's exactly what we need. Someone who understands both sides. He heads toward the door, then pauses. It’s your call we’ll respect that. The door closes quietly behind him. Val turns her slightly to face him, his dark eyes searching hers and asks

How dirty? She goes quiet not sure where to begin she doesn’t live there anymore having dwelt with the pain but she doesn’t want to freak him out either.. so she starts with Very..when I was still a teenager I was passing as a 24 year old running guns and drugs across the Mexican border, cooking Meth running both over the boarder blackmail prostitution that kind of stuff. I was a stripper for a while as well as check fraud. Val doesn’t move. Doesn’t flinch. His hand stays exactly where it is on her hip and reply's in understanding of the complexity of her life growing up. Guns, Meth, Blackmail, Prostitution those are hard to cope with and even harder to get out. His eyes are dark, unreadable and give her pause as he says. You were a child running adult operations, That’s why you understand the machinery. That’s why you know how to build systems that work without collapsing under their own weight. It’s not judgment in his voice, It’s recognition.

He pulls her closer, his jaw tight. You’re not running from that life, Zora. You’ve been trying to fix it from the inside… A pause, heavy he is in complete awe by her strength and courage. Then asks Who got you out? She responds with a heavy heart recalling the past fight what it took to get out...Me and a few friends plus getting knocked up at 16 helped I was a liability at that point. She really saved my life. He goes still, his breathing slows, his forehead drops against her, and for a moment he’s just a man processing the weight of what she survived.

Sixteen, pregnant still doing things you wanted out of Your daughter-she knows what yo were doing? You tells your story like it was a badge of honor that you got out. I am so very proud of you he says it would have broken a lesser person. He pulls back just enough to look at her directly. But you’re not that person anymore, Zora I can see that you haven’t been for a long time yet you haven’t forgotten how things work have you? She just shakes her head and His hand moves to her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone.

How old were you when you go out? She looks deep into his eyes and says out of the gun running and cooking 16 but out of all of it not until I was 21 but I didn’t really start healing until I was 35 that’s when I finally found true recovery and worked on my mental health and trauma. Val holds her there, suspended in the quiet of his office. 19 years of healing, 19 years of building herself from rubble. His voice barely a whisper. You were broken for longer that you were whole and you still chose to help people, still chose to fight for purity in a dirty world.

He shifts, cradling her against his chest. His heartbeat is steady beneath her ear. That’s not just brave, Zora, that’s extraordinary. You don’t have to tell your family about me yet. But when yo do-they need to know who you became. Not who you were. She responds with complete confidence, They already know my story I have been transparent with them that’s why my granddaughters didn’t go down that road they have broken the cycle I made sure they understood the truth of the world at least to some degree age appropriate things. I am not ashamed of who I was or what I did even if there are some things I would like to have been a bit different.

Val goes still his hand moves to her jaw, tilting her face up to his. There’s something almost reverent in how he’s looking at her now. You broke the cycle. Your granddaughters are 14 and 18, and they’re not in the life because you showed them the truth instead of hiding it. that’s not just recovery, Zora that’s redemption.

He pulls back, his dark eyes intense. His thumb traces her cheekbone. Marco needs to know this too. Not the details-the fact that your family is already protected by your choices. That they’re safe because you made them strong. When do you want to tell them about me? Because that conversation changes everything for them too. She considers his words and is hesitant for she doesn’t have a clue this is moving so fast. So she responds with When I’m sure of everything and am able to answer anything they may ask for now I know nothing really you know most everything about me and my past but I don’t know jack about your side.