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Since Lester asked me to come into Python, my life has never been the same, and it all started because of this woman I respected the fact that Austin didn’t want to share a secret that wasn’t his, but now she’s here, right in front of ht blue hair of hers

And I’m ready, I’m ready for the truth

Mistress Strokes’ lips are pursed, and she is looking down at her hands, trying to gather her thoughts She looks slightly pale, and I can tell that talking about whatever’s going on isn’t easy for her So I just reach for her, placing one hand on top of hers Right now, she looks so frail and vulnerable, and I just want to comfort her

“Take your tied to look at me and show a faint smile

“Thank you,” she whispers, and then clears her throat She balls her hands into fists, takes a deep breath and then starts “Austin toldinvolved in hu like that,” sheher head, but then continues “There’s nothing of that sort going on around here, Destiny, I can promise you that”

“I know,” I tell her, squeezing her hand “I trust hi

“You’re lucky to have her,” Strokes tells Austin, and then squeezes back aze to me and continues her story “You see, Lester is afteron in this city,” she says in a quiet voice “I live for it, Destiny I do my best to find the women who have found themselves trapped by traffickers, and I do whatever it takes to set theive them a chance at a new life Money, new identities… Whatever it takes”

“Mistress Strokes is aat her with pride “She’s done more for women than most politicians will ever do, even if they could live multiple times over”

“None of this would be possible without Austin, though,” the woman continues as I feelme, and Python has served as the headquarters of this operation We hide women here, if it’s needed, and a lot of Python’s profits are used to do a lot of good”

Her thin s better now, some color in her cheeks She’s proud of Austin, proud of Python, and proud of the work they have been doing

God, and to think that I had my suspicions about Austin It must've been hard for him, to know that I didn’t trust him when, in fact, he was actually the hero in this story

“There’s one thing I don’t understand, though,” I ask, “what does Lester have to with all of this? He’s the Police Coive the two of you a medal, not hunt you down,” I say

They go quiet I continue “Sure, he’s corrupt, but I don’t--” That’s when I see anger flaring up in Mistress Strokes’ eyes She hates his guts, and that’s putting it lightly

“Corrupt? He’s not just corrupt! He’s a fucking scu, that’s what it is! I wish he--”

“Calm down, Strokes, we’re between friends,” Austin cuts her short, speaking in an appeasing tone