Page 29 of Jobe

Gabe clapped both of them on the back, announcing that they needed to get to work. They relieved Terrance of his duty and saw Little John off as well, before completing the job of wiring the security system.

Inside her tiny office, Mackenna stared at the young woman sitting across from her, pondering her words carefully. Gabrielle appeared nervous, trying to look anywhere but at her rescuer.

“You’re safe here, you know?” Mackenna started. Gabrielle nodded, finally making eye contact. “But I must remind you of the contract you signed the other day when you agreed to come live here.”

At that, Gabrielle’s expression changed into one of confusion, knowing she had accepted a great many things in order to escape Tito’s grip. Licking her lips nervously, she admitted, “I…I’m…not sure what you’re talking about.”

Nodding, Mackenna said, “I know there was a lot we had to go over. What I am specifically talking about now is your agreement to not be in contact with anyone from the gang—”

“I haven’t, I swear!”

Holding her hand up, she continued, “And that you would be honest in everything that you told us about your former life.”

At this, Gabrielle paled slightly, but remained silent.

“Upstairs, you seemed sure that the Sixers were after you. Now, if you were not a full-fledged member, I highly doubt that they would risk arrest for attempted murder.” Seeing Gabrielle’s wide-eyed expression, she was glad that she had her attention. “Now, you told me that your boyfriend was in a gang, so I am assuming that you told the truth?”

Gabrielle nodded silently.

“Who was your boyfriend? You indicated that he was a member of a gang, but also said that he wouldn’t care if you left. Was he of some importance to the gang and not just a member?”

“Ms. Dunn, I’m being honest. He’s a member of a gang…the Sixers. But I can’t tell you his name. It would be too dangerous.”

Mackenna’s incredulous stare pinned the young woman to her chair. “Too dangerous? We’re already having danger now. My house was shot at and my mom’s life was at risk.” She saw tears well in Gabrielle’s eyes. “Honey, I don’t blame you as long as you’re being honest. I have to think about the safety of the whole center as well as my own life and I need as much information as you can give me.”

“I should just leave,” Gabrielle said dejectedly. “It would be for the best.”

“No!” came the vehement response. “Then you let him win. I don’t want you to leave. I just want to know what I’m up against here.”

“If I tell you, you have to stay quiet. We can’t involve the police.”

“Honey, the police are already involved.”

“Will you at least promise to not go to them unless they ask?”

“I will promise to hold on to the information that you give me until I decide that it needs to be shared,” Mackenna said.

Biting the inside of her lip in indecision, Gabrielle finally relinquished. “Tito. Tito Montalvo is the father of my baby.”

Pretending the name meant nothing to her, Mackenna continued to wait for more information.

“He’s the leader of the local chapter.”

Mackenna sat back with a whoosh as the air left her lungs quickly.So it’s true…the father is the leader? Of the Sixers? Right now the most notorious local gang?Her mind raced with the implications, thinking of what she had learned from the detectives.

“You can’t tell the police,” Gabrielle’s shaky voice pleaded. “If you do, I’ll die.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If the police find out what I’ve told you, then they’ll question me. I swear to you that I don’t know anything about his dealings with his gang or activities at all. I was never around it and he never talked about it. But if they think I’ve talked…my life…and the life of my baby won’t be worth anything.”

Mackenna ran her hand through her hair in exasperation. “Gabby, they already know. I don’t know how, but they do. You’re going to have to stay here in the center where we have security. I can’t take a chance on you even going to the corner store.”

“I’ll do anything, I promise,” the young woman cried.

What a fucked up situation,Mackenna thought.This is taking my work into a whole new direction. One I’m not very happy with!

Allowing Gabrielle to leave the office, Mackenna stayed where she was, pondering her options.If Gabrielle really doesn’t know anything about this Tito’s activities, then she can’t help the police. And as long as she stays here and the Sixers see that the police aren’t involved, then maybe they’ll leave us alone.

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