Understanding it now changed nothing.
Santiago slowly turned around.
His dark eyes rested on the kneeling figure for several long moments.
"Twelve years ago," he said quietly, "you came to me with nothing."
The man slowly lifted his head.
"You had debts."
"You had no home."
"Your wife was pregnant."
"You were working three jobs simply to survive."
Every word struck the man like another blow. "I remember."
Santiago's expression remained unreadable.
"I gave you work."
"I gave you a house."
"I paid for your daughter's education."
"When your wife needed surgery..."
His voice remained calm.
"...the organization covered every expense."
The man's breathing became uneven.
"I know..."
"I remember everything."
Santiago nodded slowly. "That's why I wanted to hear your explanation."
Silence filled the warehouse again.
The Chief wasn't reminding him of those things to humiliate him.
He was reminding everyone else in the room.
