Innocence by Lee Savino

world.
    A month ago, she would have told them all of this. She wouldn’t have been able to help it. But now, she wasn’t so sure. Swallowing hard, she asked, “What exactly do you want me to do?”
    “We need to establish who Marcus’ business partners are, and what the nature of the transaction was. Any info would be useful.”
    “Okay.”
    Sensing her uncertainty, Agent #2 pitched in, “Could you ask him about his designer friend? Maybe if he had any business during the party?”
    Cora recoiled instantly, “Marcus doesn’t like me asking about business.”
    “Did you ever wonder why?”
    There was a long pause, during which Cora twisted and twisted the ring on her finger. She was unaware she was doing it, but both men noticed and exchanged glances filled with quiet victory.
    “Miss Cora,” Agent #1 said soberly, “do you know what men on the street call your boyfriend?”
    Mute, she shook her head.
    Agent #2: “Lord of the Underworld.”
    “What?” Cora whispered.
    “We’ve had him under surveillance for years. Crime in this city used to be controlled by three families. The first moved. Now it’s all Ubeli. And while your Marcus isn’t the head of the family, we suspect he’s at the bottom of every deal the family does.”
    The second agent tapped his head. “Business sense. Of all his cousins, Marcus has the most…” He trailed off when the first agent shot him a warning glance. “I’m just saying,” the second agent mumbled, swiveling around in his chair to face the computer screen again, “In all these years of survelliance, not once has the Lord of the Underworld lost a deal. Marcus Ubeli always gets what he wants.”
    “This all is too much,” Cora blurted. Her eyes darted around the tight space of the van, looking for escape. “Survelliance and crime…I’m just someone he’s dating. I’m not involved in any of this.”
    “You were involved as soon as Marcus saw you, and decided to go after you,” the first agent said quietly, looking at her ring. Cora stared at the red gem and shining noose around her third finger.
    “It doesn’t make sense…” she protested, even as her thoughts traced the path from the thug in the bar, the drug slipped into her drink, the alley way and steps leading down…her aunt scared off, and finally, a job, apartment and relationship with no escape. Marcus Ubeli always gets what he wants.
    “Lord of the Underworld,” the second agent was tapping on his computer keyboard.             
    Cora roused herself from grim thoughts. “But, why all that trouble? What would he want with me?”
    The agents exchanged glances, but didn’t answer.
    “Cora,” one finally said. “We can help you escape. Your aunt is waiting; she’s safe. You can be, too. Believe us, you’ll need our help to get out. You can’t get away from Ubeli alone.”
    Cold at the core, Cora remembered her long, fruitless walk.
    “We’re willing to give you a way out,” the first agent spelled out carefully, “in exchange for information. Just a few private sessions of Marcus Ubeli can be very instructive.” Focusing a direct stare into her eyes, the man spoke in slow staccato. “Are you willing to help us?”
    “Okay,” Cora said at last, “I’ll do what I can.”
    “Excellent.” The van became filled with activity. The first agent took down equipment from the wall; the other swiveled to his computer and typed furiously.  
    “We’ll need to act fast,” the first said.
    “Roger that,” said the second. “Watchman number one is on his way back for her. The bald guy. Always in suits. He drives you everywhere,” Agent #2 added Sharo’s description to clarify for Cora. “We call him Watchman. And we always watch him.” He guffawed like it was a great joke.
    “He’s Ubeli’s right hand man. The most trusted that we can tell. Every time there’s a sensitive job, you’ll find Watchman. Lately he’s been paying a lot of attention to you.” Agent #2 gave