Crimson Lights

Looking Past the Fog

Weeks after bringing Anna to the big house for shelter, Patrick, their inside man working with the police finally returned with information about Anna's past. 

"What is it that was so urgent for you to call us so late at night? Samar asked as soon as she and Anna entered Madam's office. "I was quite grateful that there weren't any clients calling tonight."

"I don't think that's something to be grateful about – after all, isn't that your livelihood?"

Samar glanced at Patrick as she motioned Anna onto the nearest chair. She wasn't aware that her aunt wasn't alone in the room. She wasn't sure why her aunt was close to Patrick; probably because Patrick's employment with the police department gave them the leeway that they've been enjoying for a while now. She was sure however that Patrick was completely in the dark pertaining to her past; Samar was confident that her past remained a story that only her blood knows.

"It depends on the way you look at it, sir. Too many clients would be bad for health as well, don't you think so? We aim to achieve some sort of moderation; after all, what's the point of being one of the elites if you still have to serve on a daily basis? What's the difference then between a cheap fuck and sophisticated sex if both are readily available at any moment?"

Patrick grinned at her, enjoying the whiplash from her words. He knew that Samar hated him – more so because of his undefined relationship with her aunt. He enjoyed mixing work with pleasure; he was sure Samar would understand his stand had she not instantaneously despised him from the get-go.

"Let's not bicker; as Samar said, it's late in the night and I'd like to rest too." Focusing her attention on Anna, Madam continued. "I had asked Patrick to ask around about you – hoping that he'll discover something about you that can help trigger your memory. Apparently, Patrick had discovered more than I can hope for."

"I believe I have found your family," Patrick revealed, picking up from where Madam left off. Fishing into his pocket, he took out a photograph and handed it over to Anna, watching silently as Anna studied the photo with Samar standing, keeping watch beside her.

Tracing her fingers softly on the photograph, Anna felt a surge of unexplainable pain within her. The photograph brought a wave a familiarity and recognition to mind, yet she was unsure of it – how could she, with the bells ringing so loudly in her mind?

"Kuimby Jones' a prominent businessman across our shores; he deals mainly in the import-export industry though he's also known to dabble in hoteling and hospitality as of late. He's married with a daughter and a son – the daughter is you, of course."

Something flashed in Samar's mind – Anna Kuimby; that was the name written on the identification card that Anna had shown her. Surely Patrick wasn't barking up the wrong tree.

"You can say that your father had dealings with the sorts of people you wouldn't want to ... invite to dinner with the family. While it was obvious that these people can't be trusted, your father was happy to have that sort of connection with them. It was all underground of course; no one knew that he was leading a double life. The problem with leading two lives is that one will eventually catch up with the other."

"What do you mean?" Samar asked.

"You can say that her father didn't realise that he had such a young, irresistible daughter that was attracting the eyes of the wolves he was dealing with. A business deal went sour and as a result, Anna became an unlikely pawn for both sides."

"What did he do?"

Rocking himself on the chair, he studied Samar's reactions with interest. He wondered how this would end tonight. Regardless of how it ended, all he was interested in was to amuse himself.