The Dream

Part XII

It was morning when I opened my eyes. I realised I was in the drawing room. Ouch! My neck hurts. I turned to my left, it was Steve sleeping beside me. I felt so thankful to him for staying by my side yesterday. I remembered how he saved me, he was there when I woke up in the hospital, how relived I felt when I saw him outside my house, how he comforted me when I saw my past memories and was shattered. Looking at him like this gives a weird feeling. I slowly tried to caress his hair, but as soon as my hand reached near his face he opened his eyes. He looked at me and my hand. Gosh, it’s so embarrassing. I knocked his forehead hard and said “It was a mosquito on your head.” And quickly stood up. “Ahh! But it was quite hard,” he said caressing his forehead. “Sorry…. Let me get some tea for you, while you can go ahead freshen up.” I said and hastily moved to kitchen. God, if it goes like this one day I would be badly embarrassed in front of him. Control your actions Kathy.

We dressed up and left for office. In the way we stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. “How were you so certain that your father was murdered?” Steve asked. “I was there when my father died, but I was so terrified with that accident that I lost my memory of the event.” I said. “Partial memory loss. I was found by a fisherman at the bank of the river. But my dad’s body was not found. They say it was a car accident but I don’t know why I don’t believe it. There is something hidden in my lost memory that I can’t remember. I wish I could.” I said with disappointment. “Don’t try too hard. We would figure out everything.” He said caressing my hand. It feels good when you have someone on your side to tell you everything would be fine.

“The key that fell from the box, it seems like a key to a locker or a PO Box. Do you remember anything regarding that?”  asked Steve. “Well.. No.. I don’t.” I replied looking down at the road. “Don’t worry I would look into the old police records and check if I could find something.” Steve said caressing my shoulder. When we opened the office door we saw a lady holding Attorney Shin’s collar and beating him, while Andrew was trying to stop the lady. But in all of this Attorney Shin was standing still as he was resenting it seemed.  Steve also ran for his rescue and I got hold of the lady. She finally collapsed murmurming please save my daughter. We took her to the nearby hospital. After talking to the doctor, I was heading out to find Attorney Shin. I saw him and Steve standing in the garden of the hospital. I was about to call out there names when I heard them talking.

“I feel so helpless that I can’t do anything.” Said Attorney Shin in a very depressed tone. “Is there no way to help her out?” Steve asked. “I checked out every possible way. She is framed badly, they would do anything to clear their name from this.  They had nullified all the evidences we had. Probably Elena has also lost hope or she is threatened so badly she has stopped talking. And in last hearing she even admitted that she is not the victim but is the culprit.” Attorney Shin sighed heavily saying this. “This is insane. After being assaulted, she is the one who is punished as well.” Steve said and punched the tree hard. “They are two powerful. Nobody would dare to speak against K-group, the chairman has very strong connects and plus he himself is such a big political figure. It would be hard for us to fight. And the more we indulge he would make it worse for the girl and her family.” Attorney Shin said helplessly caressing Steve’s back. “I think we should stop here.” Said Attorney Shin.

I don’t know why it fired me up. I walked straight to them, “I would take the responsibility. Let me take care of this case. Even if there is no hope. I want to try till the end. I would take care of Maria’s family.” I said to Attorney Shin. “Do you have any idea in which trouble you are stepping on?” Attorney Shin commented. “No, but I guess it would be smaller than what Maria and her family is going through now. Let’s appeal for an expedited Jury trial but not now once we gather enough evidences on it. For the time being lets remain silent and hide Maria’s family to a safe place.” I said. They were dumbstruck for a moment. Attorney Shin was about to say something but I interrupted him by saying, “Even if I have to regret it, I want to regret after I have given my all. So, just let me do it.” Attorney Shin nodded in yes.

Me and attorney Shin re-studied the case, while Steve took Andrew out to meet one of his informer. He would ask him to get some more information on this case. All witnesses backed out, probably they were threatened or bribed. But only one witness didn’t show up in hearing. “Strange, its the maid who worked for Mr. Cruz isn’t she?” I asked  Attorney Shin.

“Yes she is.” Attorney Shin continued. “Her daughter was also a victim, she couldn’t muster up courage to stand for her daughter but when Maria stood up she joined her probably thinking that she would be able to get justice for her daughter who is in a mental hospital because of the assault.” “Then why didn’t she show up? And why did she wait so long for it?” I asked curiously. “Until last year Mr. Cruz took care of the medical expense, but last year a reporter found out and he interviewed the victim and the mother assuring that he would not only get them proper compensation but also make them repent on their wrong doings.  But he went missing after the interview and so did the girl.” “You mean they were killed?” I asked. “Who knows? Police couldn’t find any trace.” Replied Attorney Shin. I sighed heavly and was looking at the pictures. Attorney Shin was about to go out when I asked him, “Why do I feel there is still something that you haven’t told me?” I paused for a moment and then turned towards me. “Yes, there is.” These words seemed like a dagger.

“The reporter who went missing,....” he paused. “Is my only nephew, whom I have raised like son?” And he put his photo on my table and walked out.

... to be continued