Page 118 of Hidden Justice
“It has. Not just the plan your brother outlined, but his plea for us to change the way The Guild operates.”
Tony, you sure could’ve done things differently. Then again, after reading his letter, I understand why he felt he had no choice. Because of our family’s culture, because of my steadfast and unwavering adherence to it, he’d decided that the only way to get things to change was through Momma.
The truth is, he was right. The Guild changes only from the top down.
“And you want me to convince the younglings that things have improved and we should all go back to being happy little spies?”
“Justice, there’s no one else. Bridget obviously has no right to say anything. Dada is consumed with her pregnancy and her new husband.”
Husband. I still can’t believe that Dada got married while in Mexico. Talk about keeping a secret, but now that her baby-daddy has taken up residence at the Mantua Home, she’s more than happy to shout it from the rooftops. Good for her.
“Gracie is her usual distant self and the older teams don’t have the same relationship with the younger teams that your unit does—did.”
A crow lands on the balcony railing for a beat of time before noticing me and flying away. “Well, maybe that needs to change. Let the Fantastic Five or the A-Team step up.”
“I’m working on it, but you know those older units. They’ve made their marks internationally, have decade-long covers, and have always considered themselves the elite squads. Change doesn’t happen overnight.”
Annoying. And correct. “And what if I agree with the younger kids? What if I think Bridget shouldn’t be M-erased?”
As soon as I ask, I realize it’s true. This last month has been exhausting. Where do I put the anger when there’s no one left to hate?
Turns out, I put it on me. If I’ve berated myself once for not giving Cooper a second chance, I’ve done it a thousand times.
“As much as I love our dear Bridget, as much as I understand her drive to heal the world using what healed her from her addiction as a child”—I cringe at the mention of Bridget’s preteen addiction—”as much as I tried to appease her gentle requests with outreach programs and lobbying globally, I believe not punishing her would be a mistake. How else do we control the others if not through that fear?”
“Maybe we don’t. Maybe, instead of fear and manipulation, instead of lies and obfuscation, we try giving them a voice, teaching them to be trustworthy by respecting them.”
“With so many people, so many personalities, so many issues, I find that unrealistic.”
Of course she does. “Momma, maybe things would’ve been different if you’d chosen to listen to Bridget, to present Tony’s plan to the family, or, at least, his fears.”
There is a long silence on Momma’s end and then Leland, who’s always lurking on these calls, speaks up. “Justice, Leland here. This isn’t only about keeping the younger units in line for unity’s sake. There’s a broader, more dangerous issue.”
Leland is as opaque as Momma. “Meaning what? Dumb it down for me.”
Inside, Sandesh’s cell rings. He picks up, walks over, then shuts the slider while mouthing,It’s Victor. Still okay for tonight?
I give him a thumbs-up for our dinner with Victor, then return my attention to Leland.
Leland says, “Tony’s interaction with the Fed, Dusty, in Mexico has us worried that the FBI has been on to us since further back than the drone attack.”
Shit. My heart picks up its pace. “You got intel on that?”
“Our intel tells us Dusty took a hiatus from the job and disappeared, but we’re also informed there are files open on our family activities.”
“And you’re worried the younger, less-elite generations”—yeah, that comment from Momma annoyed me—”are going to do something or give something away that could bring down your whole house of cards?”
Momma grunts her disapproval before saying, “Our operations are a sophisticated outreach for global balance, countering multiple unfair and brutal realities for women. We aren’t seeking power for power’s sake.”
That answer is as unsatisfying as it is frustrating. Mostly because I agree with her, but also because I need for things to change in the family, and she seems hell-bent on keeping things the same. Time to try a power move. Maybe things can change from the middle on up. “Look, I’ll come back and I’ll train with VA, but I need some things in return.”
“We’re listening,” Leland says, and there’s genuine relief in his voice. Must be worse there than I thought.
“First, I want the rules changed on missions. Anyone involved in the operation—not just you and Leland—can call off a mission with sufficient cause.”
“Agreed,” Momma says, and I’m thrown off enough that I hesitate for a moment.
Regaining my bearings, I say, “Second, I wasn’t joking when I said I agreed with the younger group. Bridget needs to be spared. Not only because there is that rule, but also because the younger class needs a win. If you give them that, let them know that their opinions are valued and respected, and that things are shifting, I can get them to toe the line.”