Chapter 15: Emergence of the new evidence

Rosa looked at Jung Lee for a way before reacting to his statement.

''You said you have new evidence against Carlos Ryan?''

''Yes, Prosecutor Ann. This is from a reliable source. He is a man who lives across Carlos Ryan. I even obtained CCTV recordings of how he moved the bodies to the basement. The witness is ready to come for questioning anytime'. Jung Lee said and removed a pen drive and forced it into Rosa's hand.

''Prosecutor Ann, my sister and the other girls all depend on you for justice. I will also help in any way I can''.

''Recordings and evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court. I know you are anxious about the outcome of the verdict but, please remain calm and allow the law to fight for you. I will make sure I find credible evidence that will not be dismissible in court''. Rosa gave the pen drive back to Jung Lee and smiled before walking away.

Jung Lee frowned and removed his phone. Inside the phone, a picture of a man and woman could be seen. It was a picture of Rosa and Carlos the day they met. Jung Lee put his phone back and looked at Rosa expressionlessly.

Rosa arrived at Mango Grove at half past 20:00 and was lead to a private room. Rosa entered and saw that there were five people in the room. The mayor, the chief of police, the supreme judge who was supposed to precede over the case, the special secretary to the minister of justice and the chief of prosecutors.

The mayor was a 55 old man who had been the mayor of Blue Town for the past 15 years. He had a bald hair and potbelly. The chief of police looked energetic though he was also already in his late fifties. The judge was a woman who didn't look like she had aged at all but Rosa knew she was already in her late forties. The special secretary to the minister of justice was the only young man there. He looked like he was in his early thirties.

When Rosa entered the room, all the people stopped their chatting and turned looking at her. Rosa wore a blue black suit and pants. She looked professional yet beautiful in her attire as she stood in front of them.

''Prosecutor Ann, you are here? Come and sit down here''. The chief prosecutor said to Rosa and gestured at a seat by the secretary to the minister of justice. The secretary looked at Rosa curiously with an unreadable gaze, his eyes were fixed on Rosa, watching her every move from the moment she entered till the moment she sat by him on the table.

Rosa ignored the uncomfortable feeling brewing in her and sat down with a polite smile.

''You are Prosecutor Ann. I have heard so many good things about you''. The mayor said and smiled at Rosa.

Rosa nodded politely and spoke. 'I am honoured to be here today with such high profiled people''.

''How is the case going? Found any new evidence?'' The judge spoke after sizing Rosa up.

''Not really but I am working hard on it''. Rosa replied. The secretary beside her chuckled. It was so soft and low that Rosa almost missed it but she heard it and she was sure she was the only one who did because the others kept chatting.

Rosa turned and looked at the man beside her. His actions were elegant as he lifted the teacup slowly and sipped his tea. He knew Rosa's eyes were on him and his lips curved slightly.

Rosa frowned finding his actions rude and suspicious for a reason but didn't know why. The voice of the judge brought her back to her senses.

''You don't have to work so hard unless you want to breakdown from the trial''. The judge said and placed a pen drive on the table, pushing it to Rosa's side.

Rosa looked at the woman who smiled slightly before looking at the pen drive. It was the same pen drive Jung Lee wanted to give to her. Rosa was a smart woman and knew what that implied. Everyone on the table were looking at her and what she would do next.

''That is a little something to help you in the trial. We will be meeting soon at the court''. The judge smiled at her.

''What…is this?'' Rosa pretended and asked.

''Prosecutor Ann, I heard you are smart? You should know what this means?'' The chief of police said. Rosa chuckled sarcastically.

''Prosecutor Ann. What is it?'. The chief of prosecutors asked.

''Nothing, I was just surprised that everyone is showing me such support. I am just a little prosecutor who graduated this year. I didn't expect that such strong people will show me so much support''.

The table turned awkward before everyone started laughing. The thought what Rosa said was funny. But, only two people in the room knew it wasn't funny. It was a sarcastic statement she made to throw shade at them. The two people were Rosa herself and the young man sitting by her.

''Prosecutor Ann is so funny, isn't she?'' The mayor laughed again.

''The whole nation is watching this case closely as it involves a famous person. The secretary of the minister of justice specially came from the capital to watch the proceedings and report back to the headquarters. Prosecutor Ann, if you succeed, you will not only be making a name for yourself but your career will soar higher. Your chief will be joining the parliament very soon. Who do you think will succeed him after he is gone?''.

Blackmail, silent threats and bribery through coercion. Rosa thought she had seen the world but she never thought the real world was what she was seeing today. Rosa felt disgusted by their behaviour. Now that she was thinking about it. The case was even more complicated than she had imagined.

Today alone, she came face to face with the killer but couldn't catch him. The killer warned her about new evidence coming out and this was it. now, these people were even now indirectly ordering her to indict the suspect at every cost.

It seemed Carlos Ryan had so many enemies that wanted to get rid of him. But, what Rosa didn't understand was this. The killer knew who she was. The killer also knew Carlos Ryan. What was the connection between she and Carlos Ryan? They were people who didn't have anything in common. They lived different lives and had different circle of friendship. Rosa bet she would never have met Carlos Ryan had it not been for that café incident. So why did the killer frame Carlos Ryan? Why did these people in front of her wanted her to give a death sentence to Carlos Ryan? What kind of person was Carlos Ryan? Who did he mess with for all of this to be happening to him? Rosa didn't understand a single thing anymore.

Though out the meal, Rosa watched silently as they talked about their lives, their successes, their expectations of her and how she was supposed to act and speak. It was a really long and tiring night for Rosa. She didn't even eat the food well for fear of getting indigestion.

When they finished the meal and their little talk, they all came outside and realised that it was raining heavily.

''Oh, I didn't know it was going to rain?'' The judge said. They were now waiting for their drivers to pick them up.

''Prosecutor Ann, you can join me in my car. I will let my driver drop you off first'' the chief prosecutor said.

''I am going alone. I can send Prosecutor Ann back if she doesn't mind?'' The young man who was quiet throughout the whole time in the private room finally said something making the rest to look at him.

''I can take a cab from here. You don't need to do that for me''. Rosa replied politely.

''You two are young. I'm sure they have a lot in common. Prosecutor Ann, why don't you take this opportunity to join Garcia. You two can build a relationship with each other''. The mayor said.

After ordering her to do their bidding, they were now even acting as matchmakers? Tsk!!! Rosa felt her life was now a movie that she was watching. It was really funny. Rosa thought.

They all left in their cars leaving Rosa and the man named Garcia. The valet brought his car and he went and opened the passenger door before saying to Rosa 'after you, Prosecutor Ann''.

Rosa looked at him and got inside the car without a word.

.........…..

''I didn't know; Prosecutor Ann was this funny? that is why smart people are the scariest''.

Garcia said after pulling over in front of Rosa's apartment. Rosa turned and looked at him. His voice was familiar in a strange way but she couldn't figure it out. But, that wasn't what was bothering Rosa. It was what he said that worried her.

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