122 Bold Accusation (1/2)

”Yes, of course,” I supplied helpfully. ”He'll be here shortly,” I reassured him. ”In the meantime, do you want to have something to eat?” I asked.

The child shook his head. But a thoughtful expression crossed his face upon coaxing. ”Can I get some ice cream?” he asked.

I stifled my laugh and nodded. ”You can have ice cream if you eat something heavier first,” I told him. The first thing to do to overcome shock was to readjust the body to normal function. Food was the easiest way to nudge it back into the track.

At first, the kid would either be high on energy or lethargic. Thereafter, he would not realize when he was hungry or in need to go to the bathroom. Therefore, to kickstart his system, we would need to feed him on time and make sure he goes to the toilet at practical intervals.

How did I know this? I had faced it firsthand. And I had been learning these things to help victims and eyewitnesses be comfortable. The cause for it was first my own experience and second were to get information about the crime without the haze of shock and fear contaminating it.

”Like what?” the child asked, pulling me out of my train of thought. I thought about it for a minute.

”What do you think about having a nice sandwich and some chicken nuggets?” I supplied helpfully. The child hummed and went back to his own thoughts in no time. I could see in his expression that the thoughts that came to him were not troubling.

Nash slid into the car in a few minutes, looking exhausted.

”What did they ask?” I enquired.

Nash shook his head. ”I'll tell you a little later.” We drove in silence and reached the station in no time. We had deposited the kid in the waiting room with an officer to guard him.

”We'll be right back, okay?” I said before I disappeared through the door. ”Now, tell me.”

”They were asking questions about the victim,” he said blandly. ”I didn't comment but tried my best to get some information out of them. Seems like someone tipped them off and it wasn't one of those public relations teams celebrities seem to have.”

I scratched my head in frustration. ”Do you think they were trying to buy time?” I asked bluntly.

”Could be. Or use the media to interfere with the investigation.” His eyes sank. ”The house has been sealed off and the lawyer has been prohibited from entering,” he commented.

”What? Does he have a bad habit of trespassing on crime scenes?” I asked, horrified.

”Yeah, he brought crime scene pictures that were not from our reserve once. It was a kidnapping case and he fought tooth and nail to prove that it was the manservant employed in the house who had done everything and that his client wasn't involved.” Nash closed his eyes in frustration.

”Then he represented the manservant and got him acquitted due to lack of evidence.” He looked gobsmacked still. I could imagine.

”And he didn't take the second case because of money, I presume?” I asked with a chuckle.

”Not at all. It was fun for him to play the game, so he did it. Wretched man. I hate him.” He looked like he was about to let out a frustrated scream.

Finally, the kid's food had arrived and I heated a plate before going to his room. Someone was already in there. A man in his late twenties or early thirties stood on the other side of the door, cooing and talking to the child.

”May I help you?” I asked firmly as I entered. I clutched the plate in my hand when he turned to me.

”Oh, hello there.” The man smiled. I stared at his expression for a bit and saw unrestrained warmth and a genuine smile. But there was something off about him. He just gave off an evil vibe. ”My name is Collins,” he said, pulling out a box from his pocket and giving me his business card.

I placed the plate down in front of the kid. ”Start eating this. I'll talk to this man, okay?” With that, I turned to the lawyer.

”Ah, yes, Mr. Collins. I have heard a great deal about you,” I politely said. I took the business card extended towards me and looked at the design carefully. It was his firm so the design must have been made under his strict supervision. The card was just as I perceived him. The black metallic sheen, the raised lettering that prompted a sharp and ruthless approach to cases was evident through it.

The design could reveal a lot about a person.

”Nothing bad, I hope?” he asked mischievously.

”Of course not. I heard about your excellent track record and techniques at court. It is a pleasure to meet you.” I was reluctant, but I shook his hands to go along with my words. ”Might I ask what brings you here, though?”

I stared at him with no overt emotion and he looked rather impressed.