Chapter 12
Marcus rebuilt a life outside my command.
Still Caruso.
Still connected socially.
But his reputation had to stand without my implied approval.
Some men disappeared from his circle immediately.
Good information.
Others stayed.
Also information.
He started consulting for smaller family businesses.
Apparently he was still intelligent once stripped of inherited authority.
That annoyed me.
I wanted consequences to make villains useless.
Reality again refused simplicity.
One afternoon he asked to see Noah.
I said:
“No.”
He accepted.
Six months later?
Still no.
Two years later, Noah asked about him himself.
“Uncle Marcus bad?”
I answered carefully.
“He did bad things.”
“Victoria bad?”
“Same answer.”
“Can people get better?”
I stared.
Maria had been reading him books with dangerous themes apparently.
“Yes.”
“Then we know?”
“No.”
That was the right answer.
Change is observed.
Not declared.
Eventually Noah wanted to see Marcus at a family barbecue.
Public.
Many people.
I allowed it.
Marcus did not approach first.
Good.
Noah eventually walked over.
“Hi.”
Marcus looked like someone hit him.
“Hi, buddy.”
Noah touched his hearing aid.
Intentional?
Maybe.
Then:
“You thought I no hear.”
Marcus swallowed.
“Yes.”
“You wrong.”
“Yes.”
Noah nodded.
That was enough.
He walked away.
Marcus sat alone for several minutes.
May you like
No forgiveness.
Just correction delivered by the person he underestimated.
