Internal Affairs

Chapter : Seventeen

 Tul stood in front of the open door of the meeting.  Forth has isolated himself half a day here.

 Tok

 Tok

 Forth looked away and glanced at Tul at a glance "Hi. Any problems?"  He asked.  Because Tul is usually busy appearing before him unless they have an important meeting.

 "No. I just want to ask, what are you doing?"  Tul asked as he walked in and studied the stack of documents on the conference table

 "This ... I ..." Forth tried to explain to Tul but he did not find the right words.  Tul took the document on the table and looked at Forth not pleased.

 "Are you digging up an old case again?"  He asked, disbelief.

 Forth sighed and looked at the hundreds of documents in front of him.  All were complaints to the Jamornhum family that he could collect.  Allegations of murder, control of land and buildings, violence, drug sales, prostitution, bribery, gambling, and many other crimes.

 "I want to try again," he said, "maybe I can find interrelated evidence," he said.

 Tul chuckles.  He tapped Forth's shoulder "do you know why the prosecutor won't proceed with this case?"  Tul asked.

 Forth looked at Tul closely.  The Prosecutors' Office always states that their documents lack evidence or lack witnesses.  But Forth knew that wasn't the case.

 "Your father supports so many people. This illicit business is ingrained in our economic system. If he falls, he will not fall alone. All related industries and business partners will fall with him"

 Forth sighed "I know" he said, staring closely at Tul.  Tul is a friend and partner for him.  Tul is smart but he prefers to play safe.  If he considers a case can not be resolved then he will reject it.  In court, he has a 100% success rate

 "But I have to do this," Forth said, refocusing on the document.

 Tul chuckles "is this because of him? That guy?"  Tul asked

 Forth paused for a moment and looked at Tul.  He wanted to lie and said that this had nothing to do with Beam but of course his conscience could not lie.  Forth recalls how Beam's body shook in his hand that night and how Beam could not stop crying.  Forth understands that.  He also experienced the same thing when he first learned what his father had been doing.

 "This is not just about him, Tul. This is about all me" assertions. "

 Tul was silent.  He looked at Forth closely.  He could not understand how God gave birth to Forth in the midst of the Jamornhum family. 

 "Ah, it's up to you, Man. But be careful. Even if he is your father, I'm sure he won't stand by and watch you attack him," Tul said.

 Forth smiled thinly and looked at the document in front of him "I know Tul .... I know ..." Said Forth.

 *****

 Beam poured whiskey into Phana's glass.  Usually he will report the progress of his business to Phana via email.  But once in a while Phana will come visit, like this to his club.

 "This place is too small, should we expand it?"  Phana asked, staring at the first floor.  They are in the VIP room on the second floor.  From here, visitors can look to the 1st floor.

 "The rarer an item is, the higher the price" Beam answered while drinking whiskey in his glass "We can increase income from food or provide additional services" Phana looked at Beam and smiled happily.