Three weeks later...
Barrows' Household
Portland, OR
Elaine Barrows buried her face in her hands as she cried. She lost her breath, her face growing red. Her husband- Bill- wrapped his arm around her. Photographs of their daughter-Valerie- set on the table behind the couch. "I'm sorry," Elaine wept. She took several deep breaths, attempting to center herself.
From her seat adjacent to Elaine, Sophie grabbed Elaine's hand, giving her another tissue. "No, no," Sophie said gently. "Please, take your time,"
"She-she was seventeen," Elaine began.
Sophie leaned forward, her expression genuinely sympathetic. "I know,"
"They killed her!" Elaine tightly squeezed Sophie's hand. "They said it was an accident, but that company killed her." Elaine's temper flared dangerously as she ground out. "I want them hurt,"
Bill's eyes went to the man in the nice suit, who sat in the armchair across from him and his wife. "Uh… now, we can't pay you,"
Sophie answered: "We work on an…" she paused smiling slightly before continuing, "alternative revenue stream,"
Bill's eyes narrowed in confusion. "I don't understand. The judge said that we couldn't appeal." His eyes roved over the people dressed in professional garb in his living room. He glanced to Liza, who stood beside Nate, before looking to Eliot, Hardison, and Parker. "What are you gonna do?"
"People like that, corporations like that." the two parents turned to stare at Nate when he began to speak. "They have all the money they have all the power and they use it to make people like you go away. Right now you're suffering under an enormous weight." Nate's voice remained calm, unchanging in tone or volume. "We provide... Leverage,"
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Author's Note: The Nigerian Job is complete! I can't believe it! I know this chapter is a little shorter than my others, but I felt like this seriously epic moment needed a chapter all of its own. I'm working episode two: The Homecoming Job as we speak (Well, as I type and as you read, I guess :-) I'm funnier in person, I swear!) Anyway, thanks so much to everyone who read this, who reviewed this, and who is supporting it in whatever way you can! I really, really appreciate it! You guys are the best!
-Oracle
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wildcat717: Thank you so much! I'm so glad that you're liking this story! I really, really appreciate your review. You totally made my day!
