For a split second, Maria's mind raced wildly, then, like a hammer to her skull, realization slammed into her.
The job... the job she gave to the Black Bear...It wasn't hard to connect the dots now.
Maybe it wasn't just the girl, Valentina, they were interested in.
Maybe the Black Bear had bitten off more than he could chew without knowing it.
But if she tell the whole truth... they'll know it was about Valentina.
If I twist it just enough... maybe she can survive this.
At that moment Maria inhaled shakily, lowering her eyes briefly before raising them again, carefully arranging her face into a mixture of regret and innocence.
"Well," she started slowly, her voice deliberately softer, almost trembling,
"I am just as surprised as you are. Truly."
She placed a hand on her chest, adding a slight shake to her words.
"I had no intention of causing any trouble. I wasn't looking to hurt anyone beyond what was necessary."
At that moment She swallowed, crafting each word carefully.
