Page 64 of Zorro

The moment Joker had said I saw him too, it stopped being a maybe.

It became a problem.

The minute they grabbed their bags out of the back of the SUV, Joker said, “Get your gear stored away and secure your weapons in the armory, then my room in fifteen.”

Zorro had texted Everly a stream of nonsense on the way back to the hotel, but there was still nothing but silence from her. Even his invitation to dinner had gone unanswered.

They took care of the gear and weapons, then walked to LT’s room.

The room was quiet, lit only by the soft lamplight at the corner desk. The air carried the scent of scorched sunblock, dried sweat, and boot leather, the kind that clung after a full day spent in the field. Outside, the lights of Rio blinked and shimmered like an indifferent galaxy.

Joker stood at the window with a hand braced against the frame, his reflection barely visible in the glass. He hadn’t changed out of his training gear yet. He hadn’t moved much at all.

Behind him, the door shut with a quiet click. The team had gathered, Zorro, Buck, D-Day, Blitz, Professor, then Bear, Flint, and Gator joined them. No one spoke. They didn’t need to be called. They knew this rhythm. Joker turned.

His voice wasn’t raised, but it carried.

“They didn’t invite us here because they needed training partners. They needed insurance. I was told the optics of this op were delicate. Said our actions in the Philippines prompted the political opportunity.”

Blitz’s brow furrowed. “You mean they used us.”

Joker’s jaw ticked. “Not surprised. Not even mad. But we’re not anyone’s optic.”

He paused, voice lowering.

“BOPE’s under siege. Not by bullets. By doubt. Batista’s trying to strip them of public trust, make the government desperate enough to reach for something darker. We’re being used to prop them up until the next move plays out.”

Zorro’s voice was soft but sure. “You’re staying in.”

Joker met his gaze.

“I’m committed to this. Not for the Ministry. Not for headlines. But because those men out there? They’re warriors. Just like us. Maybe smaller in scope, maybe narrower in mission, but no less important to the people they serve.”

He looked around the room again, and for the first time, there was something almost quiet in his voice.

He looked over his shoulder. “Good work today. BOPE’s sharp. They’ve got their hands full, but they move clean. Solid instincts. Hopefully we gave them something they can use.”

Buck cracked his neck. “They’ve seen some shit.”

“Yeah,” Joker said. “They have risen to the occasion and will continue to do so.” He nodded. “Now get out of here. Hydrate, refuel, and rest. We’re going to get back at it tomorrow.”

After the debrief in Joker’s room, Blitz’s disembodied voice drifted to them as they looked around for him. “I wonder if they have those juice boxes in the vending machines?”

D-Day sighed. “Where the fuck is he?”

Gator laughed softly. “He’s looking for the ones with the cartoon jaguar on them…tropical punch…his favorite.”

“Yeah? Well, they should come with a warning label. May cause spontaneous knife fights and existential clarity,” Zorro muttered

Laughter huffed out and they dispersed one by one. But D-Day lingered.

He followed Zorro down the hall and caught up just before he reached his door.

“You think no one noticed you were off, man?” D’s voice was low, rough. He jerked his chin toward Everly’s room. “You letting her get to you? What the fuck’s going on now?”

Zorro shrugged. “So, I was off. Everyone has bad days.”

D-Day snorted. “Not you.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t want anything to do with us. You should just cut her loose. Looks like she already cut you.”

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