Part 16 Loyalty Test
The next day I received word that Susan returned and for me to bring Isabella in for her training. I wanted to meet with Susan before she began because I knew what was coming, the loyalty test. That afternoon I drove to the tech college and walked into her office.
"How are you today, Susan?" I asked, "I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time."
She looked up, but sat there for a few moments without speaking. When she finally did, she said, "Rich, it's taken me this long to trust myself in the same room with you. I haven't sat down with you since Penny was recovering from Miguel. You did not do your job and protect my daughter, and when I found out the extent of what he did, I wanted to kill you. Roger had to calm me down, and to be honest, I'm still upset. I know you're young, but I don't feel you're taking your responsibilities seriously."
What could I say? She was correct. I was stumbling through and putting everyone around me in danger. Since the incident, I started making our house more secure. I was attempting to turn our house into a fortress. I could protect everyone at home, but what I couldn't fully control were our lives outside the house. I could only monitor the women and try to anticipate any problems before they arose. I would not to let what happened to Penny happen again.
Susan continued, "Rich, I've known you for a long time and consider you part of our family. We will get past this, and I'm sure you'll improve. I'll continue my self-defense lessons with the women, and Julie is progressing in her training. Use her when you need, she's becoming quite proficient. She's not ready for a mission, but she could act as a bodyguard. We've trained her well; you can trust her."
Susan stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts, then said, "As for you, please, get your head out of your ass. I understand why you spared Miguel, but I still wouldn't have done it. People respect us because of our lethality. When people hurt us and we let them live, it sends the wrong message. I just returned from retiring a few people who thought they could take our assets, so the next person will think twice before doing that. The club and the Mayans have a beneficial alliance because you spared Miguel, but do not think that justifies letting him live. The next time, don't make the same mistake."
I didn't know she was back with the Black Widows, but with her kids grown, there was nothing standing in her way.
I was sure she was correct about letting Miguel live. I had not reached the point in my life where that lesson hit home, and I still thought there were alternatives to just retiring someone. I could not argue with her reasons; they were solid. What I didn't want was to argue morals with Susan and just let the topic fall.
Susan asked, "What brings you here today Rich?"
"Isabella's loyalty test," I responded. "Is that necessary? She has shown no signs of disloyalty since our marriage, and I wanted to know if there was another way to test her."
Susan looked down and shook her head, then answered, "Rich, this is exactly what I was getting at before. You are a nice guy, maybe too nice. I don't know if you have it in you to make the hard decisions this life demands. This test, while not perfect, is the best we have to weed out any potential risks before we bring these women into the club and give them access."
"And yes, it's necessary." Susan remarked, "She is the daughter of the Mayan's leader, and if I wanted to infiltrate another organization, I would set up a scenario like your marriage; it's perfect. Isabella is now a member of the club, trusted with our secrets, and she lives with Beth, the woman who oversees our entire organization's financials. Do not think that fact escaped John and the rest of us, and we're watching her closely. That mistake she made as a translator raised eyebrows as well. It may have been an honest mistake, but given the circumstances, we're even more suspicious. John only approved the marriage because of the alliance, and Thomas wouldn't agree unless the marriage was in place."
"No one told me the club suspected Isabella of being a spy," I answered.
Susan explained, "Not so much suspect, but we're not convinced of her loyalty; that's why this test is necessary. I need to get her written evaluation completed and see her under duress to know where her loyalties lie. We didn't tell you about our questions regarding Isabella because we didn't want you to tip her off. I'm taking a chance telling you now."
I thought about it for a minute. I knew Susan was right, but I still didn't like it. I would have to sit through her test, watching her take abuse for hours. I saw nothing that would convince me Isabella was anything but genuine. However, I had to admit that I was inexperienced and wouldn't know a spy if she were standing in front of me. I had no choice but to trust Susan and let everything continue.
Susan told me to bring Bella by tomorrow morning to begin her training, and the next day she would schedule her loyalty test. I said my goodbyes and left. Susan didn't hug me like she normally did and still appeared cold. It would take time for Susan to forgive me for failing to protect Penny, but that was fine. It would take time for me to forgive myself.
After the family conversation a few days ago, I began spending more time with the women. Nicole didn't want me to micromanage her life, so anything that was unnecessary for me to supervise, she decided. She started wearing clothes to work that were more appropriate for someone working in a lab, mostly pants and conservative shirts. I knocked myself for being so stupid and making her dress like I had. I took her advice and initiated sex more often. It wasn't every day, but I was aiming for a few times a week at least; that made her happy. I was trying to figure out how to fulfill her request for a night with multiple men.