74 The Fish

Modena Andrei and Nana Amor accompany Athena to her room. The two women observe her while washing up and stay with her until she falls asleep. Modena leaves Nana Amor in the room to look after their little girl. The Andreis are afraid Athena might have some nightmares of the kidnapping.

Rosa embraces her husband savoring the moment with him when they hear soft knocks on the door. Graysen sighs with the interruption.

Paulus voice slips from the door, "Senator, General Keitel and Godfather are here."

Rosa straightens Graysen's shirt. "Go. I have to clean myself up anyway. I smell awful already."

He lifts Rosa and hugs her again before coming out.

Senator Graysen sees Paulus standing at the foot of the stairs. "They are waiting for you at the office."

Rosa picks a nightdress when she recalls she needs Brie to reschedule all her engagements. She sends her a message: 'Dearest Brie, I need a one-week break. Can you fix my commitments? Please...'

Brie promptly replies: 'How can I not? After what happened, even I need a break! What do you plan to do anyway?'

Rosa skips telling her the exact reason: 'A mountain vacation with Athena and Graysen.'

Brie briefly responds: 'Ok'

When Senator Graysen opens the door to his office, he finds it crowded inside. Waiting for him are his brother-in-law, Dravio, Hermes, Godfather Midas, General Keitel, Captain Brad Madrid, and the former Tucson Gang member, Peter Haufbanhoff.

He approaches and greets General Keitel and Godfather. He enthusiastically shakes hand with the two elders. He comes to where Brad stands and expresses his gratefulness with a firm handshake and a tap on the shoulder.

Senator Graysen says, "Captain Madrid, please send my heartfelt gratitude to your team for saving my wife and daughter. He slightly turns his head to the left, "General Keitel, you have raised capable people."

Brad feels uncomfortable with Senator Graysen's words. He thinks they do not deserve the senator's commendation. "Thank you for your praise. But Senator, we didn't do anything. Your daughter saved the day."

General Keitel says to the senator, "You should let me train her. She would be a good sniper."

"Going back to the incident, according to my wife, Ricardo Romeo made a call commanding a hit on the both of them. I thought the hospital was well-guarded? How did he manage to call?"

General Keitel's face dims. He is furious with the men guarding the Tucson Gang leader at the hospital. He contacts his security commander to investigate immediately.

Hermes breaks the awkwardness in the room. "Senator Graysen, how about me? You know Peter is my man."

The senator is aware he really owes him with all the support he gave to quickly find and rescue Rosa and Athena. But he cannot help but sneers at Hermes. "He is one of your security's cousin. When did he become your man?"

"Since he is a relative of one of my closest men and he had done us a great service, should I not consider him my man now? And I always give a reward to my men when they have done good work. Peter, come to my office tomorrow and get your check."

Dravio butts in. "Mr. Marco, I really appreciate your help to save my sister. But let me put in the effort this time in rewarding Peter."

"Senator Graysen, Peter mentioned before you arrive that the other Tucson members who left the gang to start a new life are still trying to find work. I hope you can support my idea. Since they listen to you Peter, with your lead I will hire you guys to be the front guards of the all the Eder's chain of restaurant. I will also allocate a scholarship fund so all your members' children can have a brighter future. I only ask for your loyalty and honesty."

"I totally agree with you brother. Your idea would benefit them in the long term. But they cannot be known as part of the gang anymore. They need to put up a security agency company to represent them. I will help them with the legal matters," Senator Graysen suggests.

He looks at the general with a smirk on his face. "General Keitel, you don't have time to train my little girl. You have men to train. I expect you are going to turn them into excellent guards."

The general laughs. "How considerate of you. You very well remembered I'm retiring after the elections. You are giving me something else to do with my life. Well, I oblige to be of help to my fellow men. I like to say aside from their monthly income, if their performance makes the agency a top-notch security service, the agency would give them dividends annually and a better life for their families."