Chapter 17 - What She Needed to Know
640 Words
“Good day, Atty. Mandy.” As usual, he did not smile at all.
“Good day, Mr. Dawson. It’s good that you’re here. I was supposed to call you,” Mandy answered and ushered the old man into a chair.
“I saw on TV regarding the frustrated theft in your house last night…”
“Oh, that…”
“Is it related to the case?” He asked automatically.
Mandy looked at him intently. He knows. “Yes. The theft seems to be interested with the case files.”
Mr. Dawson’s face turned pale. “Atty. Mandy, sorry for not warning you about this case. For reasons unknown, the former lawyers who handled the case gave up because they experience the same thing like what you experienced last night.” The old man looks serious then his countenance became sad. “I wanted this case to end and justice to be dispensed but if it endangers your life, you have the choice to back out of it.”
Mandy smiled. “Mr. Dawson, I’m not backing out from this case…”
Mr. Dawson was surprised. “You mean?” He looked at him with big eyes. This is the first time that a lawyer did not back out from the case after he spilled the seeming curse that goes with it. For so long, he has been approaching various famous lawyers to fight for his case. They would accept it but after experiencing being the target, they concede. This lawyer is different. He was not mistaken for choosing her this time. Teary eyed, he turned at her. “Thank you.”
Mandy did not know how to react. This is the first time that she saw Mr. Dawson reveal any emotion. She held his hands and smiled.
Mr. Dawson smiled at her. “I will do my best to protect you, Atty. Mandy. I hired bodyguards since I saw the news. Don’t worry, they won’t wear uniforms or stay near you if you feel uncomfortable with it. They can serve to be your driver or helper or any other role you want them to play so that they won’t look suspicious or something. Please don’t say no. This case has changed my life personally and those that got involved in it. I just don’t want another lawyer to die because of this case.”
“But I have a request, Mr. Dawson…”
Mr. Dawson looked at her. “Tell me what it is.”
“If you want me to fully understand this case and fight for it, tell me everything you know about it.”
Mr. Dawson looked at her intently. “What do you want to know?”
Mandy looked at him intently, too. “Who are you? How are you involved in this case? Why are you fighting for it?”
Mr. Dawson was a little surprised. “Is it important for you to know my association with this case?”
“Yes.”
Mr. Dawson looked at her intently. She looks serious. He never expected this question from her. He has kept his real identity for years to protect himself. Now that it demands to be revealed, he is hesitant. He studied Mandy for a while. I believe I can trust this person, he thought. She is not scared to fight for this case. That means she can protect any information I will give her. For reasons unknown, he trusts her.
“First, promise me that you will never reveal any information that I will give you to anyone. My life depends on it.”
“I promise.” Mandy looks determined.
“My real name is not Richard Dawson.”
- Writer
