ISAAC MORANO

**38**

Chapter Thirty Eight- Helping Forces

As they drove back to headquarters, Tony glanced over at Catherine, curiosity written all over his face. "So, what did the guy say in Russian? You seemed to handle him pretty well."

Catherine chuckled lightly, appreciating Tony's interest. "He mentioned that trust is a rarity in our world. It's something we all deal with, especially in our line of work."

Isaac raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And how did you respond?"

"I told him that sometimes trust is the only way to survive," Catherine replied, her tone thoughtful. "It's true, especially for us. If we don't trust each other, we're done for."

Tony nodded, impressed. "You've got a way with words. Not just with your team, but with others too. I think it intimidates them a bit."

Catherine shrugged, a smile creeping onto her lips. "Intimidation can be useful. It keeps people in line."

Lucas chimed in from the back seat. "And it definitely sets the tone for what we're capable of. You've shown them we mean business."

"Exactly," Catherine agreed, her confidence growing. "It's all about establishing authority. We can't afford to show weakness."

As they pulled into the parking lot of headquarters, Tony glanced back at her with admiration. "Well, you've got our trust, Catherine. Just don't forget that."

"Trust goes both ways," she reminded him, a serious look in her eyes. "And I'll do everything I can to earn it."

With that, they stepped out of the vehicle, ready to tackle the next phase of their mission.

Once they settled in at headquarters, the team gathered around the large screen, their anticipation palpable. As the news anchor began reporting, the atmosphere shifted from casual chatter to focused attention.

"Breaking news: several high-ranking government officials have surrendered after a violent confrontation," the anchor announced, her voice steady but urgent. "This comes following the deaths of multiple agents linked to the ongoing investigation into the Safe and Secure operation. Eyewitness accounts suggest that internal conflicts may have led to their downfall."

Catherine leaned forward, her heart racing as she watched the footage of the officials being escorted from the building, their faces pale and defeated. "They're finally paying for what they've done," she murmured, a mix of satisfaction and relief washing over her.

Isaac exchanged glances with the rest of the team, pride evident in their expressions. "We did that," he said, his voice firm. "All of our efforts, every risk we took, it paid off."

The anchor continued, "Sources close to the situation report that the officials have confessed to their involvement in numerous criminal activities, including bribery and collusion with organized crime groups. They are cooperating with authorities to provide detailed accounts of their operations."

Tony shook his head in disbelief. "I never thought we'd see the day. They were so confident before."

Catherine smiled, her mind racing with the implications of their confessions. "This is just the beginning. With their testimonies, we can dismantle more of their network."

As the news report went on, detailing the confessions and the government's commitment to reform, Lucas turned to Catherine, admiration evident in his eyes. "You really did it. You brought them down."

"Not just me," she replied, glancing at her team. "We did this together. We're a force to be reckoned with."

As the segment ended, the team erupted in cheers and laughter, celebrating their hard-fought victory, but Catherine knew that the battle wasn't over. With newfound determination, she began to strategize their next steps, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.