From her expression, it seemed that Steers had just realized that her mother was seated in the chair she would normally use. She sat down next to her and took her mother’s hand in hers. “You look better already.”
“I feel better. Much better. You did well, in all things, Victoria.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
“The men you sent, especially the tall, white one. He killed many men to save me.”
“Please tell me about it, Mama. It would be most useful to me.”
Masuyo did so, speaking slowly and clearly. After describing her leaving the prison and her journey to the hospital she said, “They had just put the other woman into the ambulance after shooting all the guards save one.”
“The guard who was assigned to you: He was my person.”
“And the tall man with no hair. . .?”
“Yes, his name is Dillon Hope.”
“He handled himself admirably. Quite resourceful and brave. And lethal. The rest of the night was helicopters and cars and jets. Quite the exciting time, Victoria.”
“Yes, perhaps too exciting.” Steers kissed her mother’s hand. “You wished to see me?”
“Yes. Now that I am back, I require certain information.”
“Such as, Mama?” asked Steers.
“I need to be brought up to speed on all the various business operations that you have. I also need to understand the parties involved.”
Steers started to say something but then seemed to catch herself. “Of course, Mama, this will be done. We can meet after dinner tonight. Before that you will have all that information at your disposal to go over.”
Masuyo clutched her hand, pulling Steers toward her. “I do all this in your best interests, my child. I have been out of your life and out of this business for a long time. But that does not mean that I have not thought of both in great detail. I had nothing else to do with my time, you see. And such thoughtfulness, from an outside perspective as it were, can be invaluable.”
“I believe this too, Mama,” agreed Steers.
Masuyo withdrew her hand and said, “Now, show me.”
“Show you what?”
Masuyo tapped her finger against Steers’s sleeve. “That. I saw a hint of it in the prison when you came to see me, which is why I drew back your sleeve that day. You said it was only some damage. Now I need to understand how much.”
“It is not something that you would want to seemoreof.”
“I carried you in my body for nine months, Victoria. There is nothing about you that I cannot see.”
Slowly, Steers drew her sleeve up, revealing the damaged skin underneath.
“How far does it go?” her mother asked.
“Both my arms, and parts of my back.”
“You may cover yourself, my child.”
Steers did so.
“Who did this?”
“I was never able to find out.”
Her mother nodded. “Such actions must have consequences or else they will think you are weak.”
