Episode 9

When the lawyer arrived, the chief gave us the use of his office and went to talk to Calil and Jade in one of the interrogation rooms, clarifying that it was merely a conversation and not an actual interrogation. The lawyer sat across from me, carrying a briefcase. He looked at me sternly and asked:

"Are you alright, ma'am? What happened to the fetus?"

I thought his questioning odd, as if it were an interrogation, yet even the chief hadn't made me feel this way.

"I managed to escape and ran into the forest, but I fell and passed out. When I woke up, the baby was gone. I’m convinced they found me, and I can’t shake the suspicion that my husband, and you, sir, knew exactly what was going on," I challenged him, and he blinked, completely taken aback.

"I apologize, ma'am; I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"I don't really care about all that; the police will handle it. I just want to know about the will and the funeral. I also need to get into my house and collect my belongings."

"Well, ma'am, you won't need a will; Dr. Uchoa recently transferred all his assets into your name, appointing you as his ward, so now all properties, movable and immovable, are in your name. Since he has passed, the guardianship no longer stands. The documents, including the list of properties you own, are in this folder," he said, handing me the briefcase he was holding.

"And the ones in your name, are they here too?" I asked, cunningly testing the waters, certain he had his cut.

"Ma'am... how dare you suspect?" He stuttered.

"I do not mind if you keep everything; I just want to inspect them first. I'm sure you understand why," I stated forcefully, making sure he didn't dare lie.

"Sorry, ma'am. Yes, he did transfer a couple of properties into my name to keep them hidden. One is the house you lived in, and the other is a two-story building on the outskirts where he set up his research lab."

"Just as I thought. I need to look at everything, especially the DNA research he was conducting. Don't trouble yourself; we won't discuss this with the police. It'll be our secret, but I need to check who else was involved with him – likely they are the ones who murdered him and took my baby."

"Are you sure you want to go after these people? They're dangerous."

"Thank you for your concern, but from now on, that is my problem. I don't expect your help – just don't get in my way."

"Your husband was right – you seem gentle, but you're very smart and brave. In addition to this folder, I have taken the liberty of bringing several boxes and USB drives that he had entrusted to me."

"That is excellent; they will be very useful."

"If you allow me, I'll arrange the funeral as well."

"I’d prefer cremation, something swift." And I thought, leaving no trace, of course.

"We can schedule the cremation as soon as the body is released. Shall I call you on the usual number?"

"If I can retrieve my handbag, since I fled without taking anything."

"We can check with the chief if he found it because it was not there when I arrived, after hearing of the incident. In any case, here is my card." I accepted the card from his hands and thanked him.

At that moment, the chief walked in and inquired:

"Is everything settled here?"

"Yes, chief. Thank you very much. Do you happen to have my handbag?"

"Yes, I had it brought up from the archive room. The couple’s testimony only corroborated what you told me, so you're free to go back to your house now, Corporal Roger will accompany you."

"May I take my things, chief?"

"Yes. We've already reviewed everything and collected his research materials. It was best not to leave that stuff there, exposed to vandals since the house was empty."

"I am very grateful to you, chief, and to you as well, Dr. Gouveia. I will be in touch."

Corporal Roger came to escort me and brought my handbag, which was sealed in a plastic bag. He assisted me with opening it, and I checked the contents of my bag. Confirming everything was there, I accompanied Corporal Roger to his patrol car, and we set off for my former home.

Kalil followed us with Jade, and soon we arrived at the residence, where a pickup truck was already parked, ready to transport the belongings. We alighted from the cars and Corporal Roger lifted the tape to let us pass. He also unlocked the door with the key he had. I entered, followed by him, and behind us came Calil and Jade.

I showed her where the library was and which books to take, then I went upstairs to my room to pack my bags. Corporal Roger came with me, and I had instructed Valil to silently search the office for any paper with a familiar name and bring it.

To the police or anyone else, it might look meaningless, but to those who knew what to look for, its significance was clear. While the couple searched downstairs, I packed my belongings into suitcases, and Roger curiously conversed with me.

I didn't give him the reactions he sought since I wasn't naive enough to fall for the chief’s trick, likely instructing the corporal, but I did share the pain of losing my baby due to my husband's mismanagement.

"Be careful not to fall for the wrong person, Roger, or you may end up facing disappointment."

"I'm truly sorry, ma'am. I've seen you around town occasionally and always found you had a sad expression; now I understand why."

I didn't correct him; it was better for him to think so. I felt my breasts full and leaking milk, and I would soon need to change the soaked pads. I hurried and also packed everything from the baby’s room, before he could say anything. Hugging a teddy bear, I said wistfully:

"I prepared all this with so much love, and now all I have is the memory..."

"Wouldn't it be better to either leave these things or donate them to someone in need rather than suffer by looking at them?"

"At the moment, I can't let go, but Jade will soon have her baby, and I'll give it all to her."

"Is that so? She is pregnant?"

"Just at the onset, which reminds me that I need to hurry; she's been feeling dizzy and nauseated."

I gathered everything I wanted, and Roger helped carry the suitcases downstairs, calling two guys from outside to assist. Eventually, I took all the baby's room items, which were prepared with such care; my little girl deserved it all.

Once downstairs, after collecting everything I needed, I met Jade and Calil waiting for me. I bid farewell to Roger, thankful for his help and care, and we left. It was almost midday, and we hadn't eaten. We stopped at a gas station along the way, and while they bought snacks for everyone, I went to the restroom to change my bra pads and managed to express some milk – they were full, having not been drained much since yesterday for the baby bottles.

Finally, we hit the road, heading for my home. It felt good to be free and in charge of my destiny.

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