The Dream

Part VII

As I entered I saw Steve sleeping at his chair probably he worked all night. He looks dumber sleeping like that with his mouth wide open, but I found him cute at that moment. No no no it can’t be. I can’t fall for him. Come to senses Kathy and I unknowingly banged the desk saying aloud “It can’t be.” Steve woke up by the noise. He said while rubbing his eyes “Oh, you are here! Sorry dozed off a little.” “You are pushing too hard. Well did you get any lead?” I asked while moving towards my desk. “No, It seems like a dead end.” Said Steve with a heavy sigh. He continued “Either he is suffering from some psychological problem or he is trapped very well. Well do you have any hearings this week? If you can help me with this case?” “Well I had few cases, only filing up, hearing would be probably next to next week. And I am done with the case preparation as well. So..” I said taking a pause. “So??” Steve looked at me with curiosity. “I would help.” I said. “Oh thank you thank you so much.” Steve exclaimed in happiness.

“You go and freshen up meanwhile I would check your notes.” I said. He went home and I started to look into the case. Racheal came in with Andrew. Today is her last day. By end of next two weeks she would have her baby in her hand. She is a strong women. She didn’t give up her work. I really like her and would miss her. Well I lied to Steve about my cases, I had a little bit of documentation left. Thanks to Racheal she is completing them for me before she leaves. “You are damn interested in this case, hmm?” She asked me looking at the way I was involved in the studying the case. “It’s a case similar to one Attorney Shin fought 15 years ago. He tried to prove that the defendant was innocent. Indeed he was. But due to lack of evidences he ended up spending his entire life in jail. Last year he passed away due to liver cancer. That guilt made Attorney Shin suffer all this time. And he handed over this to Steve because he was certain that he would definitely find out a way. As he was the best cop for 5 consecutive years. I want to try my best to lessen his remorse and stop Steve to get into Attorney Shin mode.” I said. “They both are quite similar, aren’t they? They would give their whole but can’t accept defeat of an innocent and blame themselves.” Racheal added. “Give your best.” Said Racheal in cheerful tone. “Hmmm keep up the good work.” Andrew said with a smile. Suddenly I felt there was somebody at the door who just left. Maybe I am imagining.

Steve came in and we both went into the meeting room jotting the key points of the case. The major events were marked down. 17^th September last year Mr and Mrs Liberman gets married at a small church with only few witnesses, Mr Liberman gifts his house to his wife on their 100^th day anniversary. 3 months before his wife died, he gave his entire property to his best friend for his business claiming only 30% of the profit in return. A month ago the house was sold to someone whose identity is not verified. The day before the incident Mr. Liberman goes out to book a new house in the city. He returns late night and doesn’t remember what happened. And in the morning he founds a body lying by his side and the murder weapon in his hands.

“Did you search for the lady?” I asked. “Yes we did but couldn’t find her. Seems like she vanished in the air.” Steve replied. “What about Mr. Fiddle? His best friend? He is the most benefited person because of this.” I asked. “I checked his records he is clear. He has a strong alibi, he was with his wife in his hotel. CCTV footage clearly shows.” Steve answered. “Let’s go to his hotel once more and check. I feel we can get something there.” I said, picking up my coat and rushing towards the door. “By the way where is the sketch?” I asked. “I’ll get it for you.” Steve replied and we rushed out. “Wow, they seem like professional cops.” Andrew exclaimed.

 We reached the hotel owned by Mr Fiddle. “Strange!!” I murmured. “What’s strange?” Steve asked. “It seems like I have been to this place. But I can’t remember when.” I said. “It’s a quite famous hotel in this area. So, you might have visited here.” He said. “Let’s go, first let’s talk to the staff and then visit Mr Fiddle.” I said. Steve nodded his head in yes. We interrogated everyone couldn’t find anything. We were disappointed as we couldn’t find a single lead. We went to see Mr Fiddle in his office. “Did you find a way to save my friend? I believe he cannot murder his wife. He loved her so much.” Mr Fiddle said with extra concern. I and Steve were looking at him with suspicion. “Not yet. But soon we will.” Steve said calmly. “It seems you love your friend a lot?” I asked coldly. “Of course, I do and so does he. Without him I wouldn’t have reached here.” He said firmly. “Correct, if he wouldn’t have gone to jail, you would have been a mere caretaker of this huge property. All thanks to him.” I commented. “What do you mean? How can you say such things?” Mr Fiddle said in annoyed tone. “Well, I didn’t mean to offend you. Anyways, do you know who Mr Limberman’s real wife was?”  I said. “It was the lady who died.” He replied. “Are you sure?” I asked. “Of course. I was the only witness of their wedding.” He said coolly. “Then why Mr Limberman is denying that she was his wife?” Steve asked. “Well I too don’t get that. Probably he is too shocked with the incident and is not ready to accept it.”  He replied. “Thank you so much, we are done with the questions.” I stood up and said. We turned towards the door and were about to leave suddenly I turned back and said “Isn’t it strange, there are only two persons who have seen Mrs Limberman and both have contradictory statements.”  I smiled at him and left.

“So what do you think?” I asked Steve. “Well there is something he is hiding but I am not sure whether he is the culprit or not.” He replied. “What about you?” He asked. “Same here.” I said. We were crossing the reception desk, I don’t know why but I felt strange. I stopped there and Steve went out without noticing that I’m not by his side. A lady was standing there at the reception taking keys of a room. I don’t know why but I went to her. I just reached behind her and she turned suddenly and we clashed into each other. “Sorry, I didn’t knew that you were at my back.” The lady said and offered me a hand. “It’s my fault I shouldn’t have stood so close to you.” I said as I got up. “Are you ok?” She asked. “Ya I’m fine and you?” I asked. “Me too. I’m in little rush so bye and take care.” She said. I smiled at her and she left. Meanwhile Steve came in search of me. “Hey, where were you? What are you doing here?” He asked. “Nothing was thinking something and stopped by. Let’s go.” I said.

 We were about to move out and suddenly I remembered what was strange about this place. I rushed back to the reception desk. Steve ran after me. “Excuse me, the lady with whom I clashed. What’s her name?” I asked. “Lady?? Ah that was Mrs Fiddle.” She replied. I turned back to Steve. “What happened?” Steve asked. “Do you have the sketch with you?” I asked Steve. “Yes. Why?” he asked. “Show it to me.” I demanded. He handed me the sketch.

After looking at the sketch, I said “I think we can prove Mr Liberman innocent.”

...to be continued