Andrew's Prison Buddies

Andrew regretted bringing Luiz along to prison. His slick outfit and sharp features reminded some of these prisoners of the lawyers that put them here in the first place. And the way Luiz's eyes scrutinized the place did not help him at all. He sat by the edge of his seat with Andrew between him and Uncle Karlito.

Luiz leaned a little closer to Uncle Karlito beside him and asked, under his breath, "How are we so certain that these juveniles will reveal the truth?"

"Mr. Luiz let me assure you. If they would talk to anyone. It'll be our Andrew here," he replied, refusing to glance at Luiz. Uncle Karlito could be so dramatic sometimes.

"How so? These thugs did massive damage to Lopez Co. And worst of all, they disfigured Secretary Andrew's ear."

"They already apologized Mr. Luiz," Uncle Karlito replied dismissively as his attention was redirected to a group of men that spilled out from the iron doors leading to the holding cells.

"Uncle Rio," Andrew exclaimed.

He launched from his seat and dashed across the room to embrace his newly found uncle. He returned it with vigor as he caressed Andrew's back. Goon#2 and Goon #3, who came along with Uncle Rio, patted Andrew's head, amused.

"Hey little shrimp. How you been?"

Andrew clicked his tongue. "Shut up, Goon #2."

Goon #2 wrapped his arm around Andrew's neck and roughly ruffled his hair. They teased each other for a while. No one would ever guess they chased each other to the death just a month ago.

It took a few good minutes for everybody to settle down on a table with Luiz and Uncle Karlito. Judging by the strained expression on both his uncle's faces. They probably heard the news already.

He contemplated about lying, but after a while he realized he was already telling the whole story to them. Uncle Rio simply nodded and patted his hand.

"It must have been hard, Andrew," said Uncle Rio with a comforting smile. "But you did the right thing helping him."

"Yeah, dude," Goon #3 spoke. "He's our benefactor after all. He should be happy and go chase his dreams."

"Benefactor?" Luiz asked, curious.

Goon #2 jerked his thumb toward Luiz. "So, this dude's the one who lost his phone and caused this mess, huh?"

Luiz blushed and made himself smaller as he grumbled.

"Hey, be nice to him," Andrew interjected. "He's going to be your benefactor soon, and no he's not the cause. We're here to find out exactly who."

Goon #2 and Goon #3 immediately grinned at Luiz and shook his hand, a sudden flip on their reception towards Luiz. Uncle Rio wasn't fazed by the revelation nor tried to suck up to Luiz.

"You think this is related to Torch?" Uncle Rio asked.

Andrew nodded. He took out the list provided by Sonna and spread it on the table for everybody to see. The uncles and goons studied the list and pointed out names which were familiar to them.

"These are the people who initially received the link to the uploaded photos," said Andrew. "The all have one thing in common. They're all Lopez Co. employees who applied for a loan from Torch."

They found this tidbit of information interesting as they started to inspect the list more closely, but Uncle Karlito looked at Andrew with surprise.

"Sonna sent this exact same list to us," he said with a disbelieving chuckle. "You easily figured what no one in this precinct could. You really are the best."

Uncle Rio smiled at him, proud. "I heard you spent a whole week talking to all the employees who were victims of Torch. I'm guessing that's why had some sense of familiarity with their names. I'm proud of you, Andrew. You've grown to be such a wonderful and reliable man."

Andrew tried to downplay the compliment out of embarrassment, but he was secretly pleased. Andrew tried to fish for more compliments, but Uncle Karlito ignored him and continued.

"The perpetrator could either be some random employee in Torch who has access to this type of information, or the big boss of Torch himself. But based on the statements of these bastards, it's most likely someone with power."

The three supposed bastards nodded in agreement.

"We were asked to be extra harsh on your employees when asking for their payments," said Goon #2. "We were happy to do so to let out steam because we also hated Lopez Co. those times. When it came to asking them to download the app, we only actually handed out leaflets in front of Lopez Co. The ones who had low salaries like us were really gullible to borrowing. It was easy money."

Uncle Karlito leaned back and crossed his arms.

"Actually, after our investigations and talking with the collectors. It looks like Torch has a vendetta on Lopez Co., and who better than to be this person's minions than those who were already wronged by your company."

Uncle Karlito eyed Luiz during his last statement. Andrew raked his fingers through his hair in frustration and let out a loud groan.

"Enemies? That's not a surprise." Andrew rolled his eyes. "The Lopez's has cannibalized a lot of companies, and the father and the eldest weren't the kindest employers to begin with. We've already did a background check on Torch. And the documents stating the owner was obviously just a front. It's these kinds of moment that I wished I could kick Allen in the balls."

Goon #2 and #3 leaned forward and wiggled their eyebrows.

"So, you two really dating, huh?" Goon #2 teased him.

Goon #3 grinned and added, "Yeah, yeah, remember when he walked in to rescue you? You two had this really romantic moment going on like you were starring in a music video."

Fate was in Andrew's favor today. His phone vibrated and he used this to avoid answering these two's rambling. Yesterday, he asked Sonna for a photo of her fake boyfriend. Andrew wasn't hoping much when he requested it, but what she sent was much more than he expected.

He showed the photo to everyone around the table if they could identify the man.

"No, we've never seen him before," said Uncle Karlito. "Handsome, though in the playboy type of way. Oh, Joseph's here."

Uncle Karlito called Joseph, previously known as Goon #4. He spotted the group and raised his hand high in the air to wave hello. His warm smile brought a visible shock to Luiz. More so when Andrew stoop up and gave him a friendly pat in the back.

"You look terrible."

"I should've shot yer whole ear."

"Excuse me. I'd still look pretty even without an ear."

Joseph shoved the others and squeezed himself into the tight bench. He rolled his shoulders and made himself comfortable. Though, he sent a wary glance at Luiz, or more like he seized up Luiz from head to toe. He clicked his tongue. Andrew found it hilarious.

Joseph jerked his head to Andrew's phone on the table with the photo shown and said, "Didn't know that Sonna lady was close with the big boss."

That got everyone's attention.

"You recognize this feeble attempt at humanity?" Luiz started hammering Andrew's phone with his finger.

"My phone," Andrew mumbled.

"Yeah, I saw him a couple of times," Joseph replied, but he refused to make eye contact with Luiz out of stubbornness. Andrew guessed he still disliked anyone from the family.

"He's the one who hated the Lopez's guts. He gives the money, and the orders. Only a few guys know him. I guess he was trying to find someone who shared his hate."

Luiz slammed his hands on the table. The policemen eyed the commotion from afar. "So, his objective was a smear campaign against our company? When he's lending operation was halted. The photos were his last resort."

"Was he ever accompanied by a woman with a shrill voice?" Andrew asked to confirm Michelle's involvement, but Joseph shook his head.

When Andrew was at a loss, Joseph added, "I can act as a witness."

Andrew was touched. Joseph has come a long way. "Thank you, goon #4, but we don't have any documents that prove Alex's involvement with Torch. Don't we, Uncle Karlito?"

"Yes, and we can't request his banking history either. To make matters worse, the building doesn't have any CCTV."

"CCTV? Oh, my goodness," Andrew exclaimed. "We can't indict him for the lending, but how about leaking personal data and photos?"

"We need evidence," Uncle Karlito rebutted.

"Luiz lost his phone at the same place Allen got slapped by his old secretary. When I bribed—er I mean befriended Leon Security, I asked for a copy of the CCTV footage that covers the whole side garden. I'm confident we can check the footage the night Luiz lost his phone."

"I don't think that's enough to—" Uncle Karlito got cut by the sudden increase of volume of the TV attached on the corner ceiling of the room. It was a noontime news show:

"One of the business owner's Alex Ceron has bought a total of 21% of Lopez Co. shares. Coincidentally, the stockholder's meeting that will decide the next CEO is nearing. Based on his performance and heritage, Allen Lopez was undeniably going to succeed the position from his father. But the leaked photos and Alex's entry has shaken up the stockholder's sentiment."

"I presume that was Alex's objective all along," Luiz spoke between gritted teeth. After checking his phone, his furious eyes were dimmed with worry. "Secretary Andrew, the stockholder's meeting will be held earlier than expected."

"When?"

"Tonight."

Andrew hummed, absorbed in thought.

"Secretary Andrew?" Luiz asked, panic-stricken. "What should we do? Should we craft another scandal to cover up the situation? Why are you so quiet?"

Andrew pushed himself away from his seat and stared at his phone for a long time until all the moving pieces slotted together in his mind. "Uncle Karlito, how long would it take to get a warrant to search?"

Uncle Karlito's face pinched at the abrupt question. "Depends on the case and how fast we can convince the judge. On what grounds can we make the arrest?"

"How about identity theft, forging of signature, and suspicion for exceeding the legal limit of interest rates for a loan. I have enough evidence and witnesses that can make Alex the prime suspect for this case. Plus, you'll have the support of the public for this."

"Gain the public support? How are you going to do that?"

"Friends." He grinned. "Don't worry, Luiz. Your brother's not going down like this. Not on my watch. Our team didn't fight this long just for some twink to mess it all up."