I do not own this picture. :) http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdwt9zWiyk1rgfktso1_r1_500.jpg

this story is inspired and influenced by crime solving novels, stories, fanfics i've read and movies and series i've watched.  i hope there won't be any problem. :)

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Qri parks her car on the driveway in front of the Ham residences. The block is quiet and lonely. It’s as if the neighbors have abandoned Mrs. Ham. She called Mrs. Ham to set a meeting. She needed to talk to the lady for the case as she will be one of the witnesses. Qri would have preferred to have the meeting on her office but the lady insisted to meet at her house. She met Mrs. Ham once at the day of the arraignment but they never got to talk just short introduction.

Qri knocked on the door and she was welcomed by Mrs. Ham with warm smiles. “Come inside, dear.”

Qri gave a small smile and went inside. “Have a seat while I get you some tea.”

“Thank you.”

She sat on the couch and she can see the pictures hanged on the wall. She decided to take a closer look on them. They were pictures of a happy family. In all the frames, you can see genuine smiles. It’s as if you here their laughter just by looking at those pictures. Qri stared at the picture of the Hams together with Patrick Kwang. Mrs. Ham had this shock expression while Mr. Ham had stifling a laugh and Patrick and Eunjung were laughing hysterically.

“That was taken at Eunjung’s 15^th birthday.” Mrs. Ham said as she walked by Qri to put the tray on the coffee table. “Eunjung and Patrick pulled out a prank on me. Boy, they had a whole night of scolding after that. The next day I made them clean the whole mess.”

Qri watch as Mrs. Ham recall that moment. The old lady smiled but Qri can see the sadness in her eyes. Mrs. Ham passed the cup of tea to the young lawyer while apologizing because she ran out of cakes. She wondered when was the last time Mrs. Ham had a visitor or even talked to someone. Her friends and neighbors might have deserted her after Eunjung was arrested. She wondered what if Mr. Ham was here with them, thing might have been better. She read that Mr. Ham died 3 years ago because of heart attack.

Qri didn’t know how to handle this kind of situations. She wanted to offer sympathy to the old lady but she also wanted to maintain some professionalism between them.

“Patrick and Eunjung…”

Mrs. Ham smiled before saying, “Those two are inseparable. They have friends since they were kids. That boy will often spend the night here. There was a time I asked them to marry each other.” Mrs. Ham couldn’t help but laugh as she recall that moment. “They both didnt like the idea. Well, not liking is an understatement. They revolted saying that they couldn’t marry each other because that will be . They love each other like brother and sister. We are family.”

“Have they ever fought?”

“No, they never had any big argument. They will have small fights but at the end of the day they will patch things up.”

“Have you noticed anything weird on Eunjung or Patrick when he was still alive?”

“Nothing when Patrick was still alive. After that night, Eunjung was shaken. I can hear her cry in her room at night. She’s blaming herself. If only she could have gain consciousness earlier maybe she could have saved Patrick. Whatever that Ok guy is saying, I don’t believe him. Because I know my daughter can never do such thing.” She went close to the lawyer, held her hand and continued, “I know that you would rather not be in this situation. But I am thankful that you are here to defend my daughter.”

Qri can feel the sincerity from the woman’s voice. She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty because she herself doubts her client.

Qri remembers that Eunjung was always on the news because she was the star witness until recently. A month ago, Ok Taecyeon was arrested for drug trafficking. Ok confessed that he knew something about the Kwang’s case. He offered to give information and be a witness in exchange of freedom. Ok’s testimony might really have some weight because now, Ham Eunjung is the suspect and Ok Taeyeon is the star witness.

Mrs. Ham smiled before standing up and picking up the tray. “Let me take that.” Qri offered to help.

“It’s ok, dear.”

Qri followed the lady to the kitchen. “Mrs. Ham, the trial can be brutal. I need to know that you are ready…”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I am stronger than I look.”

“Good.” Qri lean on the table but was shock as the table rocked.

“I’m sorry about that. I’ve been telling Eunjung to have that table fix but…”

“This whole thing happened?” Qri finished Mrs. Ham’s sentence.

“Well, that table was already uneven before this thing happened. Patrick was the one who pointed it out. One time he came in all sweaty and exhausted and rushed to the kitchen maybe to find some water.”

“He just came in without permission?”

“Yes, that boy practically lives here so he is like family. He was even wearing Eunjung’s favorite jacket. Eunjung was at the backyard sleeping, that girl will sleep anytime she has the chance. Eunjung scolded Patrick for wearing her jacket without her permission.”

“Did they fight?”

“No, she just scolded him for wearing her leather jacket in a hot day. She was mad because her jacket was all sweaty and stinky. But being who they are, Patrick went to hug Eunjung to more. Before leaving he pointed to Eunjung that the table is uneven.”

“When did this happened?”

“Two weeks before that night.”

“Did you see Patrick again after that day?” Qri asked further. These information were not on the file. She was not sure but she has a feeling that these events are connected to what happened that night. She put a finger on it yet but her guts are telling her that it is.

“I’m not sure. That morning before he was found dead, he called me…

Flashback

“Umma, is Eunjung around?”

“Hi Patrick. She might be sleeping. Let me call her.”

“No need. I was just checking up on that sleepyhead.”

“That’s sweet of you but aren’t you two going out later?”

“Haha.. yeah we are.”

“Umma, I miss your cooking.”

“You haven’t visited us in a while.”

“I’m just in a middle of something.”

“Arasso busy man. Come by anytime and I will cook for you.”

“Thanks Umma! By the way, has Eunjung fixed the kitchen table?”

“Ani, you know Eunjung. I kept on nagging her every single day but she’s stubborn.”

“Hay hay… don’t worry Umma. I’ll come by and fix it tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to…”

“Umma, I’m the man in the family so I’m supposed to do this stuffs…”

End of Flashback

Qri listened intently while fromt time to time she would shake the table. Suddenly, there were gunshots everywhere. She flipped the table over and pulled Mrs. Ham into a hug. They were both hiding behind the table. Yet still the deafening gunshots seemed never ending.

Deaf.

Blurry.

Blood.