Chapter 20-1

Kieran

“Hey, Kieran.” Simon Bailey used every chance to flash his perfect whites.

“Hey, Simon.” I motioned to the chair across the table, wondering how such an outstanding lawyer could be so vain. Actually, the world did not know a man more obsessed with his outer appearance than him.

He called me an hour ago, insisting we meet as soon as possible, and indeed, he was punctual. But no matter where he went, he couldn’t help himself but look for a witness to his Apollo-like body, even if that was only a mirror.

However, he was the best in his field of operation.

“What do you have for me?” I cut straight to the case, knowing how we both appreciated the essence of time.

“Well, you were right. Things are never as they appear to be.”

The waiter brought drinks I ordered a moment before Simon arrived, and he sipped on his whiskey immediately.

“More precisely, that place your wife worked before? The Saunders? Yeah. I remember the owner, old sleaze; he’s been adamant we take him as a client for years. Now I’m glad we never did.” My brows furrowed on their own accord. What was that supposed to mean?

I tensed up, leaning forward. Something was telling me I wouldn’t like what he was about to tell me.

“You’ve already seen the initial report from my snitch: Sophia worked at the restaurant for about three years. She started as a waitress’ assistant, climbed the ladder, and ended up running the entire joint. On the day in question, the incident happened, and she left the place in tears. Saunders sold the story to his employees that Sophia tried to seduce him, asking for the money, and he threw her out.”

Although I was familiar with Saunders’ side of the story well, I read about it too many times - I couldn’t help the fury that boiled in me at the mere mention of his name.

“Apparently, the whole ordeal happened behind closed doors, so no one of those present knows what really went on there, but Saunders lost his eye that day. And he never reported her to the police for assault, which by itself is suspicious.

My guy asked around, and what he gathered is quite interesting. Even though your wife had no fans, so to speak, everyone gives her credit for running the restaurant pretty much by herself. And besides respecting him as their boss, no one was especially generous with compliments for him.

It wasn’t a secret that your wife called him Uncle and that she was on good terms with his family.

My guess is that the old pig attacked her, and she defended herself by stabbing him in the eye or something like that, which gave her the opportunity to get away.

Why she didn’t report him is beyond me.”

‘If only you knew, my friend, if only you knew.’ Instead of voicing out my thoughts, I bottomed up my drink, relishing in the burning sensation the golden liquid caused in my throat. Self-torture was quickly becoming my favorite way of dealing with all the pent-up emotions Sophia, both directly and indirectly, kept causing.

“How do you want to deal with the matter? The usual?”

I took a moment to consider the best course of action. My mind had the hardest time getting rid of the images of torture and pain I so desperately wanted to inflict on the man who dared to put his hands on my wife, but I had to do it right this time around.

“Yes. I want him on his knees so the entire world can see him crawling.”

Simon nodded in confirmation. He understood the message.

“Consider it done,” I smirked, having no doubt in his words. “And about the Sacramento thing,” Mention of Sophia’s place of birth had me on high alert; every nerve in my body was electrified. “I’m flying there myself to push things along.” There’s something wrong there and I want to be on top of it."

If the investigation demanded his immediate attention, then things were more serious than I had pegged them to be. Damn!

“And one more thing, Kieran,” Already on his way out, Simon turned towards me. “I still don’t understand what you did to make her marry a prick like you.” He laughed at my face.

“Fuck you!” I returned in the same manner, picking up the folder he left on the table before following after him.

I did a bad thing, a very bad thing. And with how things seemed from this point, I’d have to spend an eternity trying to atone for what I’d done.