The Dream - Part 6

Chapter 6

Hidden Wounds

Steve was standing there, right in front of me. Though I didn’t show him, but I was really glad to see him.

“If you can’t stay at my place, doesn’t mean I can’t come and stay with you.” He said and smiled. “Hurry up, I don’t want to die because of cold.” I smiled back at him and opened the door. Everything was fine inside, I sighed with relief that he noticed. “Wait here let me get some warmer clothes for you.” I said and went inside to find my dad’s old clothes. I found a pair and took that for him. “Here.” I offered him the clothes. He looked at them with a strange expression. “I know it’s a bit odd but this is the only pair I found now.” I said. “It’s perfect, where is the washroom.” He replied. “In the right.” I said. “ I should change then.” He said and moved towards the washroom.

“Would you like some coffee?” I shouted from outside.

“Don’t trouble yourself.” He replied from the washroom.

I quickly checked in the fridge, I had few ingredients left for the stew, and a packet of bread and few eggs. I quickly took out the bread and kept them in the toaster. I kept a pan for frying the eggs on one and another for the stew. I was almost ready with everything, when Steve came out of the washroom. He quickly rushed to me and tried to snatch the pan from my hand. “What are you doing? I told you not to stress yourself.” He said.

“I am almost done. And how can I let my saviour sleep like this without offering any thing.” I replied and took back pan and flipped the egg. “ You just take a seat.” I pushed him towards the dining table. In two- three mins I finished everything and got everything on the table. “Let’s eat.” I said forwarding the stew and eggs towards him. I took my share from it and started to eat. Steve was staring at me for few seconds. “Why aren’t you eating? I know the course is little weird but that’s all I have right now.” I said to him.

“No it’s perfect.” He said with his evergreen smile and started to eat. After eating Steve sat in the living room while I got coffee for us. “Here.” I forwarded the coffee mug to him. And sat on the sofa beside him.

“Did you know that person?” Steve asked.

“No, I haven’t seen him before.” I replied.

“Did you see his face? Because I couldn’t.” Steve said.

“No he carefully covered his face. But I’m certain about one thing.” I said.

“What?” Steve enquired.

“He would come again. And if he is planning not to I would compel him to come.” I said looking in his eyes. I guess he sensed my emotions and stayed quiet. “He said if I intervene I would be like dad. It means they would kill me like my dad if I intervene in whatever wrong they are doing because I’m attorney Brown’s daughter. So, no matter what I would find out what it is and stop them.” I said with conviction.

“So, where should we start from?” Steve asked.

“I don’t know.” I said with disappointment. “Wait, he said my dad messed with them, so maybe we can look into his last cases. I know it would be difficult to get them, 8yr old cases, but…..” I was saying when Steve interrupted.

“Let’s start from there. Did he leave anything at home that we can start reviewing? Else I would ask one of my friend to search for them.” Steve said.

“Well, let’s check in the store room. After he left I kept all his belongings in store room.” I said and got up.

We checked everything in the store room but there was not a single paper from his work. We were disappointed and were about to move out, when Steve saw something under the rack. He took that out. It was the last present my dad gave me. “It’s a ballerina, if you open the box a beautiful ballerina would dance on the music.” I said seeing at the box. I took it from Steve’s hand and opened it. Memories of past floated in my eyes, everything was so clear as if it happened yesterday. I was filled with tears. Steve slowly caressed my shoulder and tried to console me. Remembering past was hurting. My arms went weak and I suddenly dropped my hands down while gripping the box tightly in my right hand, and suddenly something fell out of the box. Steve picked it up. “I think we got a start.” Said Steve.

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. Looking him from so close, he doesn’t look that bad you know. 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 murmuring 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 Maria 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 Miracle 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 let us 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.

I 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 heavily 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.

“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 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 responsibility now. “I would get them back safe and sound.” I said. Racheal looked at me, so did 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 nobody 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 a lot 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 dead who haven’t slept for ages. 20 cases till date 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 check if she could remember the people 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 Miracle pharmaceuticals had the cure, they saved a lot of lives and that incident opened political doors for the family. Just a guess but feels..” I was about to complete the sentence when both Andrew and Steve exclaimed “Fishy.”

“Wow, you surprise me every time 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 abandoned. 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 interrupted and asked him desperately “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 were 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. I 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 and as I 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.