Seventy Three

He wouldn't say a word while I knocked, so I opened the door myself and popped my head in.

"Doctor Mark, May I?"

"Sure." He nodded.

"If you have come to question me about your query then you should leave because I have nothing to say to you."

"Well, I've come for that and something else. But I'll treat that first." I said, fearlessly (one of the reasons why I always get in trouble with him). "That query was unnecessary, uncalled-for. I only did the right thing, Mark!"

"You disobeyed me! Outright nonsense. Now we will have to take a case that would do nothing but waste our time."

"She deserved justice, and you weren't ready to give it. I can't just dispose of case files that need urgent attention because of the risks involved."

"Are trying to say I'm incompetent? I explained to you that it was all beyond our capacity. You're still a baby lawyer, and you know nothing. "

I wouldn't mind if that was an insult because it isn't the first and won't be the last time he would call me a pee wee lawyer. 

At first, I used to take his insults very much to heart because of my stature. I'm the perfect definition of lean and if I'm not in office suits, I'll be mistaken for a high school students. Kyle asked me to ignore him when he saw I was trying to gain some weights. And by ignoring him, I realized it wasn't my body. He just enjoys it, enjoys watching every one of his staff become vulnerable before him.

 One could tell alone from his look that he loved to be better, higher in position and bigger and all times. How dominating?

"I don't know what you think you know, but I know what this organization is set up for. And I would not receive my salary with a pure mind if justice is not served. I can't continue to get queries for nothing. Your explanations are seamless Mark, and I would report myself to the commissioner tomorrow."

I turned to leave, then stopped, remembering the case file in my hands.

I noticed that he had faced his computer screen again, typing or reading or… I don't know. And I don't care.

"And there's something else. May I?" I gestured to the chair.

"No." He said almost immediately. I smiled inwardly. How I loved to make him mad? Even though that means another query.

"Okay." I dropped the file on his desk. "It's the Kam case. Why aren't you taking it?" He glared at me. What I saw, pure rage. I almost laughed. He took the file from his desk and locked it up in one of his drawers. I bit my lip.

'You were careless, Kamila. Better luck next time.'

"I know you have heard all the gossip from your fellows." He grinned beneath his ugly mustache. Pardon me, I didn't mean to be harsh. But I've gone through a lot though him.

"I know the kind of person that you are, Kamila. I know your plans and me, being a man of experience, can certainly tell you that you are wasting your time."

"You think making a case out of every single thing would get you anywhere…"

"Will you at least listen to me, Mark Anthony?!"

"No I won't! Because I have a lot more important things to do here than watch you prove professionalism.

If you need credits for promotion, you go straight to the commissioner and offer your crazy ass…"

 "What?!" He went too far with that, and I had imagined myself punching him in the face.

"Yes!" He yelled. "And Leave my office this minute, Kamila Dickson!"

"Can I have the files back?" I said, "You'll never set your eyes on them again."

"Is that a threat? Mark, I could sue you for…"

"Then go ahead. You just try to get your funky nosy into this case, and I'll make sure you never get to become a lawyer. Trust me, you'll be out of here. And no one will accept you!"

"That's a lie. I need an explanation. Why shouldn't we take this case? If you can convince me, I just want to understand this case, that's all. Isn't that what interns do? Learn, huh?"

"You want to learn?"

"I would love to."

"Then sit. Let's get some sense in your head."

I sat. I would get a degree for my patience with this man someday.

"First, I'd advise you to stop chasing shadows. Our job isn't just about justice. There are rules…"

Does that rule stops us from being lawyers?

Does that rule overrules justice and fairness?

"This organization isn't sponsored by the government. We are private individuals who take sole responsibilities of the cases that we accept. And it would be a shame if we invest our time in a lost cause."

I can certainly say that GLENWOOD is partially sponsored by the government. I attended a public law school and was transferred here for my internship. I wouldn't point that out to him.

"What about this Kam case?"

"It's a lost cause, obviously."

"Why do you say so?"

"The guilty one confessed to the crime. She was found with the knife. Her DNA print is all on it. The police have all the evidence they need. We are left with no option. No one defends a criminal."

"But her record doesn't say she is a criminal. What if she was just a victim trying to defend herself? She used a pocket knife. That definitely wasn't intended murder."

"If she was a victim, she would have said so." He rubbed his temple with his palm. "I thought you said you wanted to learn. You're being a nag again."

"I apologize." I can't piss him off now. I require additional information. "Do you know a bit of what happened before the incident?"

"She got discharged from the hospital that same day. She had this unknown surgical operation. The doctor won't disclose. He isn't a neurosurgeon,, so we can't say she was mad or something."

I was quiet.

"You now see reasons why it's a lost cause?"

No!

I see reasons why we need to look further into this!

I need to see Paige Kam, or whoever she is — now! Today!

"Kamila?"

"Sure, thank you, Doctor Mark."

I left.