41- Ta Chek

Dara arrived at his grandparents' house with Sethya, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Visal sat nearby, speaking with Leng. "So, uncle Rith, he hasn't been here since yesterday, Grandpa?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

On the bamboo bed beneath the old tree in the courtyard, Sam Eoun sat beside Leng, her face etched with worry.

Leng sighed, his voice heavy. "No. He said he was taking Maly to the hospital… and if possible, they'd be leaving the country."

Visal nodded, his gaze shifting to Dara and Sethya's car as it rolled to a stop in front of the house. Setting aside his work, he straightened just as his grandparents stepped forward to greet them.

"My grandson, you came!" Sam Eoun's face lit up with joy as she pulled him into a warm embrace.

"Yes, Grandma. Grandpa," Dara replied, his tone filled with quiet affection.

Sethya stepped forward with a polite nod. "Good afternoon, Grandparents."

Dara gestured toward him. "This is my friend."

His grandmother's eyes crinkled with kindness. "Ah, hello, young man!"

—

With greetings exchanged, Seth presented gifts to the elderly couple, engaging them in conversation. 

Meanwhile, Dara and Visal moved aside, their voices lowering as they delved into the details of the case.

"So, Ta Chek is detained?" Dara asked, his voice steady but curious.

Visal gave a firm nod. "Yes. And now we're after Khun—his relative."

"Ta Chek's relative, Khun?" Dara echoed, narrowing his eyes in thought.

Visal nodded again, confirming it.

"He'll be interrogated at three," Visal said.

Dara nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. "And my uncle?"

Visal sighed. "I checked with the police in Poipet city—no one's seen him and even his two kids' house in the city too. They said the same, their parents went to the hospital."

"I asked my big uncle, Sothy, too. He swears he hasn't seen Rith or Maly. Either he's lying... or they've already crossed the border."

"We still need to confirm a few things. I don't think he's been to Battambang since yesterday," Visal said.

"You mean he's still here, hiding?" Dara asked.

"Maybe. I checked with the police in Kandal I to see if he was at Aunt Maly's house, but nothing."

"I checked too."

"I'll ask Mr. Long again. He seemed under pressure. And we should hear from Ta Check soon. I have to go now."

"You're heading to the station?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there too."

"Okay."

***

"How could you do this to me?" Ta Chek (or Doung Khem) cried out, his voice trembling with anguish. 

"Why would you think I killed Sister Saroath—my own junior? Oh God, I cherished her like a sister! Please, help me!"

He sat in the cold, suffocating interrogation room, his desperate gaze darting between Mr. Vann, Visal, and the silent officer beside them.

Mr. Vann took a deep breath, his sharp gaze fixed on Ta Chek. "So, tell me—where were you last night from evening until midnight?"

Ta Chek wiped his tears and sniffled. "I was at the market, had a drink with some folks, and headed home around ten. You can ask my family and those old men."

Mr. Vann leaned forward, his tone turning colder. "We already did. Those men confirmed you left around ten, but your family never saw you at that time. The drive should've taken twenty minutes, yet you didn't arrive home until twelve-fourteen. Care to explain that?"

"Oh, you know how it is," Ta Chek muttered, rubbing his temples. "I was drunk last night. Took my motorbike out, but I couldn't keep my balance. Pulled over to rest… must've passed out. I don't remember anything after that."

The officer scribbled in his notebook as Vann leaned in, his tone sharp. "Tell me about the day before Kong Saroath died. You were the one who drove her home. What happened after?"

Ta Chek exhaled, his mind drifting back. "She called me, asked if I could pick her up from the market. When I got there, it was around 3:30 to 4:00. She had already bought beef and vegetables, and I saw her buying sugarcane juice from a vendor—two glasses, one for me. I took her home, and she invited me to stay for dinner. She was planning to make soup, and I was happy… but I had somewhere else to be."

His voice trailed off.

Vann's eyes narrowed. "Was anyone else home at the time? Did you go inside, or did you just drop her off at the door?"

Ta Chek hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. "I—uh—I don't know if anyone was home. The house looked quiet." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I stopped at the front gate. She got off the bike, turned to thank me… then she asked again if I wanted to stay for dinner." His gaze dropped. "I…"

"You what?" Vann's voice was sharp, laced with suspicion.

Ta Chek hesitated. "I didn't go in and drive away..." His words were careful, measured.

Vann's gaze narrowed. "You were close to her. She invited you over and over again. What exactly was your relationship?"

"Mr. Vann, I've always respected you," Ta Chek said, his voice steady. "Even when I was nothing but a poor motor driver, I kept my dignity. That doesn't make me cheap."

"We're after the truth," Vann pressed. "Give us the facts. Only then can we decide if you deserve our respect—or if we should reconsider."

A bitter chuckle escaped Ta Chek's lips. "Respect? That's bullsh*t. You're just looking down on an old man like me."

"Ta Chek! Just tell us the truth!"

"I am telling the truth!" Ta Chek snapped. "And now you think I'm some dirty lowlife? A killer? I'm not that cheap—unlike certain people who just want this case closed and forgotten."

Vann was caught off guard. Visal shot a quick glance at him, but Vann pressed on.

"You're not that cheap. Why get your relative, Khun, involved and pay him to follow Han Monica?" Vann demanded.

Ta Chek's voice was cold as he replied, "Because Saroath was always there for me, even when I was broke. I couldn't believe she'd take her own life; she was so full of life that day. Yes, I was with Sarith, tracking Monica. He told me Mr. Heng was trying to close the case, and I heard you were in on it too, Police Chief Soung Vanna!"

Fury surged through Vann as he slapped the table. "You're crossing the line, Ta Chek!"

"I'm telling the truth!" Ta Chek shot back.

Vann stood abruptly, unable to contain himself. "Let's take a break!"

—

Ta Chek sat frozen in his seat, a nervous tension draping over him as the room remained empty save for his anxious presence. The door creaked open, and Visal stepped in, holding a bottle of water.

"Please relax, uncle," Visal said softly, his tone gentle. "Take it easy."

Ta Chek's voice quivered, almost breaking. "How can I? What if they make me the scapegoat? What if I end up in prison for the rest of my life?"

Visal inhaled deeply before responding. "That's why you need to tell the truth, no matter what."

"I am telling the truth," Ta Chek snapped, frustration rising. "But I don't trust you people."

"I understand," Visal replied with a steady gaze. "And I want you to know that Mr. Vann won't be part of this interrogation anymore."

Ta Chek blinked in surprise. "Oh…"

"And I promise you," Visal continued, his voice firm, "I will only put the real killer behind bars. Not some innocent man, but the one who truly killed Aunt Saroath."

A bitter laugh escaped Ta Chek's lips. "Young man... I mean, young officer, I'm not mocking you, but you don't understand the world yet. The real killer might be living a better, richer life, while I—an old, poor man—sit here, arrested. And you promise justice?" His laugh was hollow, a sad cynicism seeping through. "Come on…"

"Mr. Long was attacked last night, around 11 p.m. We didn't find you out of nowhere," Visal said, trying to remain calm.

"He was what?" Ta Chek's voice tensed.

"Stabbed in the stomach. He's been in the hospital since then."

"Oh God! And you think I did it because I was drunk? Or did he tell you I stabbed him?"

"Long tried to tell Dara, Saraoth's son, who the killer was."

"Then you must get Sarith to ask him too. They worked together."

"We did. We've been trying to reach him, but we can't find him anywhere. So, I need you to confirm—where were you last night before you came home?"

"I already told you! And you should find Sarith, fast."

***

Visal, Dara, and Sethya sat on the stone bench beneath the trees at the police inspectorate. Visal's voice broke the silence.

"I checked with the city police. Khun was questioned earlier today, but he's already been released."

Dara's voice was tight with worry. "What about my uncle?"

Visal hesitated, his brow furrowing. "We're still working with some officers. If he's already left the country, we may not be able to find him. Without solid evidence, we can't get a warrant."

Dara's hands clenched. "Do we trust Mr. Long's claim that Ta Chek was the killer?"

Visal's expression darkened. "We can't be sure of anything yet. And what about the message Brother Long sent you?"

Dara shook his head. "He sent the full sentence first, but then he edited it. I didn't see it in time."

Visal exhaled sharply. "I see..."

The tension in the air grew thick. Dara's anxiety was palpable, and Sethya reached over to touch his hand gently, offering what little comfort she could.

"Did your mom ever mention Ta Chek?" Visal asked quietly. Dara shook his head, his voice low.

"No. She rarely talked about anything from back home. Many people didn't like her, not even my uncle Sothy who lives in Battambong because she was with my dad. I didn't come here much either."

Visal nodded, taking in the silence that followed. "Okay."

As Visal's phone lit up with a notification, he glanced at the screen. It was Monica's message:

"How was the interrogation?"

He cast a cautious look at the two silent men across from him before typing his reply.

"It's going well, but we still don't have any leads on Mr. Sarith or his wife's whereabouts."

"I heard the same from the police here," Monica responded quickly. "But I need to know more about the old man's connection to Sarith. Dig deeper, especially regarding the money."

"I already asked him. Ta Chek received money from Sarith to have his nephew follow you, thinking you were the killer."

"I see. When you catch Sarith, dig into how he's been spending that money."

"Understood, Ma'am."

"Alright, I'm heading home now. I expect an update soon."

"Safe drive! See you soon."

Visal ended the text conversation and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"So, are you both staying here tonight or heading back to the city?" he asked, his gaze shifting between the two men.

They exchanged a brief look before Dara spoke.

"We'll stay here tonight, and I hope Uncle Sarit is found and questioned soon."

"Good. Let's wrap this up. I need to write the report."

"Thank you, Officer, for all your hard work," Dara replied.

"It's my duty," Visal answered, his tone firm but weary.

Dara nodded respectfully, then suddenly paused as if recalling something he had meant to tell Visal all along.

"Oh! I forgot to mention this… or did I already tell you?"

Visal raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Days ago, Ta Chek told me he saw my dad on the day my mom died. He was in his car, heading to meet her at the market…"

Visal's expression sharpened. "Oh, really?"

"But he wasn't too clear about it. And as I remember, he said it was around 3 p.m."

"I'll ask him about that," Visal said, his tone turning serious.

"Thanks"

***

As the two men climbed into the car, Sethya settled into the driver's seat.

"I need him," he said quietly.

Dara blinked, stunned. "What?"

"I need him to investigate our case."

"But you said before you didn't trust him."

"True," Sethya replied, his voice steady. "But he seems honest... rare, even."

Dara pondered this. "Yes... but I still don't fully understand if he can do it alone."

"Maybe that's what a real police officer does. Or his parents raised him right."

Sethya hesitated in adding. "What if someone is helping him—using this case to root out the corrupt, or to line their own pockets?"

Dara's gaze hardened. "He's a police officer. If he betrays us, then... there's no hope left for this world."

Seth nodded solemnly. "Yes. But tell me… did you ever suspect your uncle had something to do with your mother's death?"

Dara drew in a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. 

"Seth… I've tried so hard not to let that thought consume me. He vanished so suddenly, and I just can't picture Ta Chek as a killer—he was always so kind. And my uncle… No, I don't want to believe it. But the truth… the real killer…" His voice trembled, trailing into silence.

Seth reached for his hand, his expression heavy with sorrow. "I understand, babe. I'm so sorry."

His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he refused to let them fall. "If it's true… think about my grandparents. They'd be losing two children at once."

Seth exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I just—I just hope your uncle is innocent."

Dara said nothing, only nodded, swallowing the storm raging inside him.