A few days later, the results from the lab testing were finally out. Prof. Arthichard rushed to see Wanfahmai and he showed her the outcome. Wanfahmai was appalled by what she had seen as there were a number of toxic chemicals present in the lake and soil samples that she had taken. The most noticeable ones were substances called vinyl chloride and perfluoroalkyls.

“What should we do?”

“Let’s meet with Prof. Sahat and Dr. Panya… We’ll have to discuss our next step…”

They all gathered in Wanfahmai’s office as the results were laid out for the other two doctors to look at.

“As much as I had hoped it isn’t true… These results just proved otherwise… So, what is your plan now?”

“Prof. Sahat, did you manage to get any information from your friend?”

“I just received a call from him earlier and he told me because there was a virus attack on their computer recently and had lost all data… And they are now rebuilding it and recovering the lost information.”

As soon as Wanfahmai heard what her chief had to say, “How convenient…”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s definitely something fishy…” commented Prof. Arthichard.

“Then what should we do now?”

“I have the results… And I need to know who are the owners…”

“Are you going to meet them again?!” asked Prof. Arthichard.

“Who is them?” queried Prof. Sahat.

“Someone who knows what we don’t…”

“I can’t let you meet them alone… I’m coming with you…” stated Prof. Arthichard.

“You don’t have to worry about me meeting the boss… He’s harmless… Because that’s who I am meeting with first…”

“But Wanfahmai…”

“No more buts… I think it’s better for me to see him myself…” before she turned to Prof. Sahat, “Prof… I’m sure he has some cases that he has treated before that he can remember vividly… Or maybe hard copy death certificates… Causes of death that are related to associated illnesses… I mean there must be some things… We here do have hard copy folders of patient’s treatment received… I’m sure they have it too…”

“I will try my best… I’m sure that data is available… But to make a proven connection it will take some time…”

“Don’t worry about that Prof… While I’m away to deal with something else, just make use of Prof. Chard and Dr. Panya…”

“What?! Make use?”

“Oh… Was I too blunt, Prof. Chard…?” retort Wanfahmai before she faces Prof. Sahat and said, “I meant you can assign them tasks too… They are really good at analysing data… Expert level almost…”

Despite the brewing tension in the room, Wanfahmai’s attempt to ease it works as the three of them shook their head in disbelief at how brazen she was. When they were about to disperse, Prof. Sahat reminded Wanfahamai,

“I think it’s best if you discuss it with the hospital’s attorney too… Just in case a lawsuit will come our way… I’m sure you can convince the attorney just as you did me… I’ll give the attorney a call… And I will update you of the time…”

“Sure, Prof…”

She had set up a meeting with the boss and made the trip to meet him at a designated location in a cab, as she thought that her car would be attracting unnecessary attention, especially meeting a man from the underworld. She also brought along a copy of her findings with her, hoping to convince him once and for all.

“So, you are here to tell me that your theory is true?”

“Yes…”

“But… How does that concern me? I am simply trying to make a living…”

Wanfahmai was shocked to hear what the boss said because as funny as it may sound, she did believe him to have some sense of integrity since loyalty was a major issue for him and the fact that he had let her go that night unscathed, along with the fact that he did send some of his men for a check-up. She was about to speak when a waiter came to serve a stack of dim sum served on a bamboo steamer. When the waiter left, the boss lifted the steamer and spread it across the table, until it was down to the last one, where there were cuts of chee cheong fan (rice noodle roll) laid on it. The boss then uses his chopsticks and begin eating it, as it slowly began to reveal the message underneath when he signalled with his chopsticks for Wanfahmai to have a piece as well,

“Why aren’t you eating? Are you just going to make me eat alone?”

“Oh… Sorry, boss…”

It was a written message to Wanfahmai from him telling her that they were being recorded at that moment. He then told her to be careful and that he and his men were threatened by the owner because of the incident that night. He further told her that he had gotten rid of all the other footage from the CCTV to help her but there was one that caught her entering the bathroom before the change, which led the owner to be able to identify her. She was feeling nervous as soon as she read those words but the following sentences assured her. The boss stated that he trusted her words and thanked her for trying to help him and his men. And that he would not be able to help her much from now on since it will further endanger the men under his care. He ended the message with a name written at