Andy & His Half Clogged Brain

9

Present

"What are you waiting for?", he's slouched in-front of the fax machine since the time I have arrived at his office. This was my first time seeing Roberts work space , I dont know why but he has always managed to keep this part separated from me until now. The walls have been covered in wood till the top and so has been the floor. His office just has a cupboard ,two desk , one for him and the other connected to the wall for his secretary who existed until two months back.

"An important fax", he replies. Just then the machine pings and it comes to life as it starts making wiring sounds and swiftly comes out a white paper with something in blank ink printed on it. He picks up the paper and studies it carefully. After hes done he hands me the paper to go through it while he starts to type on the laptop. The paper in my hand seems like some sort of registration form for what I think is a foster care. The name written on it is Melinas and the year is 1996 which by my calculation would mean she was eleven at that time. Robert turns his laptop towards me showing his screen in which he has typed the name of the same institution.

"It is far away from where they originally lived", he states .

"I don't think we have enough time to take another trip", he bobs his head up and down.

"You're right ,well I am going to send them a letter asking whatever we need, but there's a big chance they don't help us cause what we will be asking for would be confidential and also its a very old institution they might not even be there any more".

"How is this gonna help me?", I ask

"Well they have solid proof against you , we have very low chances of winning but if were are able to prove that she is not youre wife, that her murder is not connected to you it could be very helpful and it also opens a possibility of people thinking about a possibility of you being framed cause then theres no reason for you to murder someone". I could imagine this working , so there is hope for me after all. He's still typing when he asks me

"Did you guys have any friends? Anyone who can clarify to whos really youre wife?". I start to count the people on my finger

"My dead brother, my landlord she was a very old lady she died a long time back, I don't even know who lived next door so those people are out of the question". I'm still raking my brain when it hits me

"Zoe, she knows". Hearing this name Robert stands up from his seat

"Zoe , okay. How come you never said this before", not waiting for an excuse he continues speaking
"Well it does seem fair if we take in account the fact that you dont even remember who youre wife is". He picks up his phone from the table and throws it at me

"Call her", I hesitate to do so

"Well she did say not to call her....she's married and she doesn't want to be associated with me, fine". I dial her number but she doesn't pick up , I repeat this for another two or three times

"She's not picking it up. Does she have another number?", It looks like he has been taken aback as his whole stance changes from relaxed to stiff with confusion covering his feature

"Why would I have it?"

"You know each other right?"

"What are you talking about Andy?", Now he's getting irritated by my repetitive questioning. I was just getting to the explaining part when I get a call I would have cut it but I had to take this call so I excuse myself and exit the room to answer it.

"What is it?, Okay Im coming". Without letting Robert know I leave to attend to new arising matters.

I hurriedly run towards the pub as soon as I'm out of the taxi. A little crowd has gathered near the entry way which makes slipping in between them a tad bit difficult. Emerging from in between them the first thing I see is the police departments notice of shutting down the club until further notice. Pushing the door open I see David who I had left in charge for the time being is talking to the officer while the other police men were busy stopping my men from working and making them stand in a queue. As I draw closure to the officer in charge the panic look wipes from my face.