The Last Spade Master

Chapter 48: Helpless Diego

“What did you find?”

“He…Gaston Regis supplied young children to the slave market. Especially young girls, they are forced to serve the young and old, some survived and some died. He adopted them in the name of giving them food and shelter but he just used them for his own benefit. But it was subtle, he only supplied two to three children a year”

“How did he do that? Did no one complain about the missing children” Daniel questioned him calmly, already guessing what would be the situation.

“Of Course why one should question him when the children went missing are all heart patients. At first they admitted them in hospitals under his wing and they indirectly nurtured them with drugs before selling them like goods. The children who returned after the treatment are often boys who did not survive more than a month ”

“I started to collect evidence against his act, the names of hospitals, doctors who treat those children and even the one who delivered the children to those shitty people. I got everything that will warrant Gaston Regis a lifetime imprisonment for his doings”

“I got help from one of my friends who worked as a lawyer. I trusted him and handed over every piece of evidence to him but I never thought that the bastard gave away everything to Gaston for money”

“I got a call from him telling me to meet him if I want to see her alive. I already knew who she was, and without delay I went to meet him. Not only Gaston, my friend and several men were present in the room and a big glass box was inside. Sh…she” Diego choked on his tears unable to control his emotions.

Daniel wore a grim expression on his face, “ I can’t promise that we can save her but surely can prevent no more Hazel ends up in his hand. Go ahead”

Diego wiped his tears with the corner of his shirt, his eyes red with burning hatred, “ She was placed in the centre like an object and men surrounded her. They didn’t show mercy even though she is just a child. Her cries echoed throughout the room. I tried to save her but its a vain to fight one against five”

Gaston’s laughter echoed in his ears, his friend's disdainful sneer and other old men’s mocking gaze made him helpless and vulnerable. He begged everyone in the room telling them to leave her but no one paid heed to his plea instead they sipped the wine in their hands and watched the little girl’s ruination with delight. At last all he could do was lower his head and hear Hazel’s painful cries and pleas.

“Gaston burned all the evidence in front of my eyes. He said that he will keep her alive only if I stop poking my nose into his business. I had no other choice but to obey him. I carried her out of the hotel and admitted her to the hospital. But on the next day I was accused of abusing her and got arrested. They imprisoned me here and tortured me day and night but I refused to accept. But Gaston’s lawyer Douglas visited me carrying a bunch of pictures. It was Alice from the orphanage, the same age as Hazel. In some photos she was smiling and playing around with other children, and in some she dragged her favourite bunny doll in the corridor”

“If you refuse to admit it she will be the next Hazel” that's what he said to him on that day. He had no choice but to succumb to their power and accept his fate in the prison.

“Gaston would probably erase every evidence from existence now” Johnny chimed in between.

“Ofcourse, what is he? A fool to keep the key for his destruction in his own hands” Daniel replied sarcastically.

Diego swallowed heavily before answering them, “Not really. I had copied the evidence in a chip and kept it safe in case any mishaps happens before I handed over the copy to my friend”

“Oh boy! Why work as a caretaker instead of being a prosecutor yourself” Daniel appreciates the thoughtful youngster before him. 

Diego smiles wryly, seemingly mocking himself

“Where is it?” 

“With Hazel”

Daniel’s eyes dimmed hearing this. He takes back the appreciation, he is a complete fool to handover such a big evidence to the small hands.

Seemingly understanding the man’s angst, Diego replied in a calm tone, “Hazel is a smart girl, trust me no other will keep the evidence safe other than her. I had no chance to meet her after my imprisonment. I don't know where she kept the chip. You could only know after asking her” 

Daniel stood up from the chair ready to exit the cell. Diego clenched his hands tightly by the side. He didn’t know if he could ask him or not. He was already feeling grateful for him, he didn’t want to ask more but Hazel…

Daniel understood his unspoken words, “We will try our best to save her”

Diego let go of his clenched fist and bowed to him respectively. The cell once again turned empty and he took the small coal piece by his side and drew the curved line on the figure he previously left incomplete. 

A small stick girl figure smiled back at him, “Hang in there Hazel”