The Dream

Part XIII

“I just can’t imagine how he was about to give up on the case?” I commented while restlessly walking in the drawing room. “He is not a person to give up, I’m sure it must have been very hard for him.” Steve favoured him. “I don’t believe this. Even if it was I hard I would never give up on my family member, never ever.” I said with rage. “Do you think that he gave up?” Racheal said while bringing coffee for us. She kept the tray on the table and passed a cup to Andrew and another Steve. “He probably knows that his any wrong move would end  3 lives. He didn’t gave up, he is just protecting them.” Racheal said handing over the coffee cup to me. For a minute I was dumbstruck. She turned back. I don’t know why I felt I hold a big responsiblity now. “I would get them back safe and sound.” I said. Racheal looked at me, so were the others. I turned towards her, “I would do it no matter what?” Seeing my conviction, Steve and andrew accompanied, “We would”. “Atleast I would do something more than photocopy and organising files.” Andrew said jokingly.

“Well, do you think it would be fine to keep Maria’s mom and brother here?” I asked Racheal. “Didn’t you feel that it’s the safest place for them and that’s why you brought them here?” Racheal questioned me back. “Don’t worry, it would be fine. It’s quite far from the city and if they stay inside no body would know.” Racheal said. “But for you would you be ok?” I asked with concern. “Of course. But make sure you do what you have promised. A lot of lives are at stake.” Racheal said caressing my shoulder. I nodded in yes. And we left her place.

“Attorney Shin has got few interns for help, so he would take care of every case that comes. We just need to concentrate on Maria’s case.” Steve said while driving. “So what’s the plan?” Andrew asked eagerly popping his head out like a giraffe from the back seat. “We need to search the missing person to start off with.” Steve replied. “No, we would start with background check on Mr. Cruz. Every business he does, his every single contact, how did he start his career. Everything about him.” I said while looking at the road. “What would that do?” Andrew asked. “That would let us know his weakness, he is not a small figure and moreover I don’t think it’s the only thing that he is hiding. We can’t deal with him without knowing his weaknesses.” I said. “ True, I think that would be good.” Steve said. “Andrew collect all the newspaper articles about Mr. Cruz and his family. And regarding the past case files I think you can arrange them. Can’t you?” I said looking at Steve.

We gathered alot of past incidents about the family, strangely only cases no evidences left and everything was closed. 3 days no progress as we expected earlier. “It doesn’t seem easy to get hold of them.” Said Andrew in a tiring tone as I passed on the coffee mug. “We knew it already. What? Did you thought you would catch them in a day..sshhh.” Said Steve jokingly. “But we have to find something soon, to proceed to the next step. Atleast before they find us getting involved and clear us also.” I replied in a firm tone. We were like walking deads who haven’t slept for ages. 20 cases in last 9 years but not a single strong case, everything wiped out clean.

“Wait a minute, didn’t you say that maria recorded something to create an escape for her and once they found out after that she was used for sex trade. Prior to that only Mr. Cruz’s eldest son Kevin kept her.” I confirmed from Steve. “Yes, that what she said in her initial statement.” Steve responded. “Do you have the list of places where she was sent? And also her address?” I enquired. “Here you go.” Andrew forwarded me the list. “Good so let’s do this, Andrew visit Maria’s mom and if she could remember the person’s  she had met from the Cruz family, when, where and anything that was peculiar about those meetings.” I asked Andrew. “Steve, though they might have removed it, but I still want to check if you could get any CCTV footage of the nearby road or security camera or camera of a shop nearby the addresses on the said dates atleast. Even if you could get the car’s spotted that would be enough. You know what I mean?” I asked Steve in witty manner. “Got it.” Steve said and both of them headed out. They were about to get in the car, when I rushed in it. “Give me a ride till Park street subway.” I said. “Where are you heading to?” Both of them asked with curiosity. “You remember the article that said they entered into chemical and medicines long time ago but gained popularity because of the sudden epidemic that started in a province and caused death of 1000’s. Strangely only they had the cure, they saved a lot of lives and opened political doors for the faamily. Just a guess but feels..” I was about to complete the sentence when both Andrew and Steve exclaimed “Fishy.”

“Wow,you surprise me everytime Attorney Brown.” Andrew said in admiration. “Thank you, but we don’t have much time only a week before we can make Jury appeal. So hurry up.” I said. We started our investigation. On my way to that small town, a lot of thoughts were capturing my mind. Most important one was why am I not getting any dream regarding this case. It would have been a little easy. I tried to doze off even but no help. I spoke to few very old residents there and even went to the local newspaper office to check for clues but nothing was of much help. Steve and Andrew already did their bit and were waiting for me, I spoke to them over phone and told them that I was about to leave after the unsuccessful quest. As soon as I disconnected the phone and was about  to leave, I saw Miracle’s factories board(chemical factory owned by Cruz family). I was going to neglect it but I don’t know why I felt I should check once. I went to the factory, it was abondoned. It was their first plant but they closed it few years back. I was just watching from outside when an old grandpa approached me.

“You are from those bastards? Why did you come after ruining our town? Don’t pretend to sympathise, first set the fire and pretend to help. You jerks.” That grandpa cursed me without letting me speak and he didn’t stopped there but continued. “You rich punks don’t even consider us human. For money how could you sell your soul don’t you have any conscience. For your benefit you made us sick and then pretended to cure us. Because of you all I lost my son and my grandson couldn’t.....” I was stunned with what he said just know. I holded him and asked him desparately “Grandpa, what did you say just know? Who caused that disease?” “Asking like you don’t know, you and your damn company did this.” He said and kicked the door of the factory. “Grandpa, I am not from this company. I am a lawyer, See.” I showed him my card. “If you could tell me about everything what happened, I promise I would make those bastards suffer more. Please tell me what you know. Please.” I begged him.

“Where are you? It’s almost 4 hrs ago you said you were returning back. Why are you not here till now?” Steve asked over the phone. “Steve do you believe that whatever we do in this life we need to pay for it in the same life. Actually I should ask you this what is more important money or a person’s life.” I replied. “What? Did something happen? Where are you right now?” Steve asked with concern. “Don’t worry I’m on my way. I’m just tired. Can you answer my one question?” I asked him. “What? What is it?” He replied. “Can we bring justice? Are we that capable of getting this correct?” I asked like a small kid scared before the exam would ask his dad. “Well, I’m not really sure whether we can do it or not? But there is one thing that I’m sure of.” Steve answered. “And what’s it?” I asked. “That we won’t give up, no matter what.” Said Steve. “Me too.” Andrew shouted from back. “Correct, we won’t give up. Even if we could not succeed I want atleast reveal their original face to the people atleast once.” I said.

Next day was more unexpected. Me and Steve were sitting in my house while discussing the leads. Andrew suddenly rushed in, he was so short of breath it seemed like he came running all the way. “Take a seat, let me get a glass of water for you.” I said was about to move towards the kitchen when he grabbed my wrist. “Wait a minute.” He said handing over a packet to me. “What is it?” Steve asked while I opened it and took out the documents from it. “Last night you asked me to get the details of lawyers working on that case. The first Public Prosecutor to handle the case was..” Andrew looked towards and went mum for a second. The document’s fell of my hands as if I lost all my strength. “Was.. was.... my dad.” I said.

...to be continued