"An art gallery auction?" He gulped. "When is it?"
Peter Black immediately agreed when one of his friends invited him in an auction. He's been searching for some specific paintings made by his friend's wife before she died. Maybe this time, he might be able to find it.
"A few weeks from now? Tell me the exact date and time, I'll surely be there!" He promised before he hung up.
Then he walked towards the picture frame placed at a corner of his office and picked it up. It was one of his treasured possession. The photo of his beloved friend who risked his life to save his.
"My friend, I'm sorry that I'm still searching for all the things you and your wife left." He released a heavy sigh. "But I promise that I will never give up even in my grave. I'll make sure I'll find your daughter and seek justice for you and your wife's deaths."
He caressed the frame before he put it back on its rightful place. Then he walked near the window and recall a specific memory from the past.
FLASHBACK:
"I know you didn't do it, mister, so don't take all the blame. Don't be afraid and just tell me what you witnessed that day." A good-looking man wearing glasses was talking to young Peter Black at the prison's visiting area that day.
This was already his third day visiting him but he kept giving him the same answer over and over again.
"I did it. I'm sorry to disappoint you." He told his lawyer again. "And please don't come here again because I won't come out to see you the next time."
However, despite Peter's admission of the murder filed against him, the lawyer never stopped visiting and convincing him.
"I told you not to come. Why are you so stubborn?" Now the suspect was angry.
"But despite knowing that it is me who came to visit you, you still came out to see me." The lawyer voiced. "Mr. Black, I won't give up on you. I believe you didn't do it and that someone must have threatened you. And I won't stop until I prove your innocence."
"Mr…. Whoever you are… Do you have a family?" Peter looked into his eyes.
The lawyer nodded in response.
"Then just let go of this case." He uttered meaningfully. "If you still love your family, just drop this case and don't pursue it anymore. You're just inviting death into your family."
He was about to leave but his lawyer stopped him.
"Mr. Black, do you have a family?" He returned his question earlier.
Peter Black didn't response.
"Do you have children? Do you still have your wife?" The lawyer continued. "I have a feisty little girl and a beautiful wife and I can never imagine my life if I ever lose one of them. However, I chose to be a lawyer and my family supports me in this. They do have fears and I have mine too. But we accepted the fact that danger was already a part of my life since I chose this profession. That's why we strive every day to live happily together."
"And what is it for me?" Peter glared at the man. "If you came here to tell me about your happy family then I am not interested----"
"What I really want to say is that, I know you have a family you wanted to protect too. But if you think that you can protect them by acquitting a crime you never did in the first place, do you think your family would be proud of you? Do you think they will truly be safe? How do you feel if your son or daughter go to school but get bullied as a murderer's son or daughter, did you really think you protected them? You may have prevented the gun pointed at them but you can never prevent the invisible sword that will keep on haunting your family for the rest of their lives."
He understood what he meant, but still, he's afraid.
"Help me so that I can help you. I will help you protect your family from whoever wanted to harm you." The lawyer promised.
Peter was in deep thought for a few seconds. ��If I testify… Can you promise the safety of my family?"
"Of course." The lawyer smiled confidently.
"Do you truly believe that we will win this case? Because I am telling you now, you are raising your horn against a big man."
"Whoever it is, I won't back down. I have never lost a single battle in court yet, and I promise that I will stand beside you until the end."
"Deal." Peter finally agreed. "Just don't tell me that I didn't warn you earlier. I'm telling you, you are going against a bull."
"I'm ready." The lawyer smiled.
***End of Flashback***
"I told you that day that you were going against a mighty wall but you did not listen. If only you gave up on me that day, then you and your family might be…. alive right now." He teared up when he remembered how the Lawyer and his wife died an awful death. "I'm sorry."
He immediately wiped his tears when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in." He yelled.
"Mr. Black…" It was Zenia.
"Zenia, I'm glad you visited me. I thought you'd be on hiatus for months!" He joked.
"I was planning on doing that. But I came here to show you something." She brought out a photo and handed it to the old man.
As soon as Peter got a glimpse of the man's figure, he immediately recognized him in one glance although the image was quite blurry.
He widened his eyes in dread and Zenia caught it. "Mr. Black, do you possibly know him? I keep on seeing him around the area for days now. I don't know what his motive is but I know he's also keeping an eye at the house.
"What? Did you say this man had been watching on that house too?" He was shocked.
"Ehm." Zenia nodded in response.
Omo! This man… When did he come back?! The old man unconsciously crumpled the photo. Anger was evident in his eyes.
How come he was still alive?