Fathers and Law: Lom and Fah Book One

Chapter 50

The next morning while Fah slept soundly, Run showered, dressed, and went to the kitchen. Their cook, Kwan, had just finished making him some eggs. Taking his plate he noticed Kwan was extremely pale.

"Kwan, are you okay? You don't look well," said Run.

"It's the news. Your parents can fill you in. Please don't let Khun Fah hear the news."

"What's going on?"

"Talk to your parents, they'll tell you." Run put his plate down and ran to the living room. His parents were sitting, their faces tense.

"Mom, Dad, what's going on?" said Run, catching his breath.

"Sit down next to me," said Mint as she motioned for him to be quiet. Run sat down.

"Ton was on the news pleading for the return of his son. He said his son came home last night and someone shot at Lom. They found blood on the ground which they identified as Lom's blood. His car is still in the driveway but Lom is missing. Ton believes enemies of his family have taken Lom hostage. I have to admit, if it weren't for Fah, I would think this is karma and be satisfied. But...Fah is too fragile right now to know about this. I don't know what to do. We can't lie to him but if we tell him he'll blame himself and become hysterical," said Mint.

As if on cue, someone buzzed the gate. It buzzed again.

"Where are the bodyguards? Isn't this their job?" snapped Khun Adi loudly, getting up to open the gate. "It's the police," said Khun Adi, clearly baffled by their arrival at his house.

Khun Adi went to the door and opened it. An officer got out of the car and came up to him.

"Good morning, sir. How are you?" The officer was accompanied by a younger partner.

"Good morning, fine thank you. How may I help you?" Khun Adi used his professional tone with them.

"We need to speak to you and your son, Tongfah. We need both of you to come to the station to answer some questions regarding the disappearance of Lomnaw Saetang."

"My son is still asleep. Would you mind waiting here while I go to wake him?" asked Khun Adi.

"I'll get him up," said Mint. "You should change your shirt, you know photographers always show up."

Khun Adi nodded and asked permission from the officer before excusing himself to change his shirt. The officer stood in the foyer admiring the home and its furnishings. He had always admired Khun Adi and regretted that this was the way they had to meet.

Coming back down, Khun Adi looked ready to attend a press conference. Mint stuck her head out to say Fah was up and getting dressed. She sent him to the shower because the media would try to photograph him.

"Run, would you please come here," Mint called out in a pleasant tone. Run went to his bedroom.

"Run, get dressed in something more appropriate for a press conference. We are going as a family. Kwan will watch Tin while we're gone. We'll be a united front for your father and brother. I would also appreciate it if you could reach Mek and ask him to meet us there. I have a horrible feeling Fah isn't going to do well psychologically when he hears the news."

"What does he think he's going to the police station for?"

"I told him Lom is missing but I didn't mention the shooting or blood," Mint whispered.

"Okay, well, I'll call Mek right now." Run grabbed his phone. Mek answered immediately.

"Hi Run, I saw the news. Can you believe it? How's Fah doing?"

"That's why I'm calling, can you meet us at the police station? They want to question my father and Fah. Dress for the press because they'll be there."

"Sure thing, I'll be there as soon as possible." Mek hung up. Run changed into a button-down shirt and fixed his hair. Fah came out of the bathroom fully dressed.

Within fifteen minutes the whole family had gathered in the foyer with the officer. Mint hugged Tin and told him to stay with Kwan.

"I must take Khun Adi and Khun Fah with me in the police car, I apologize for this but it's also for your protection," said the older officer.

"It's fine, the rest of us will follow in our car," said Mint. She handed the keys to Run. Both cars passed through the gate and sped off towards the police station. Fortunately, not many members of the press were present.

They entered the police station and were brought to an office with glass walls. Mint and Run sat in the waiting area. From where he sat Khun Adi could see Ton and his wife in another office with glass walls speaking with two officers.

Mint and Run sat down and held hands. Mint didn't want to give away how nervous she was. She didn't worry that anyone in her family had done anything wrong. However, she had no idea how fragile Fah was and what would happen when he found out about the blood and gunshots.

"Run, call our family doctor, tell him he must meet us here right now. I need him in case Fah breaks down. Tell him about Fah's memory loss due to a morphine overdose so he can bring something to calm him down that won't hurt him."

Run excused himself and went into the lobby to make the call. He spoke as quietly as he could. When he hung up he saw Mek and Khun Korn arrive. They followed him to the waiting area.

"Khun Korn, you came as well? Thank you so much. I wonder if Fah will remember you." Mint adored Khun Korn.

"Yes, of course I came. If either of them needs my services I am free of charge for your family, of course. Also, Fah still has his job at my office waiting for him, if he wants it." Khun Korn spoke softly so as not to be overheard.

"That is so kind of you. With his memory loss do you think it also pertains to what he's learned in school and to his job duties?" asked Mint.

"I have no idea. I'm willing to let him try and see if things come back. He's a smart young man with a bright future. I would hate to give up on him." He smiled at Mint. "By the way, I've heard we are to become related," said Khun Korn.

"Oh, Mek and Run, yes! I'm so happy Run is dating Mek." They both stared at Mek and Run who tried to pretend they hadn't heard the conversation.

Suddenly the four in the lobby were startled by a loud yelling. It was Ton and his wife, Nara, leaving the office they'd been in. Ton had seen Fah and Khun Adi and was screaming that Fah knew something. Police officers tried their best to calm him down. They ushered him into a conference room. The two officers came back out of the conference room without Ton and his wife. They made their way over to Khun Adi and Fah.