Chapter 20: The Photo of the First Meeting

"Let's talk about the horrible case that is attracting the attention of everyone in the country right now. The Superintendent of Lamphun Police Station held a press conference to update developments on the doctor accused of using a gun to shoot dead Mr. Kitti Pohnuma inside his own patient's house. Mr. Kitti was probably also involved in the tragic murder of patients at his home. The accused is Dr. Guntapat Akaramethi, the family doctor. Latest update on this topic is that the court has approved bail with a guarantee of 800,000 baht on the condition that the doctor cannot leave the country and interfere with witnesses and evidence..."

The sound of the announcer quieted down after Thongkham walked in and took the TV remote control to turn it off. He looked at Wasan, who was sleeping on the wooden bench. After his little brother came home, Wasan suffered from insomnia to the point of relying on alcohol to sleep. It seemed like he drank a lot last night too.

"I can't lose you too, Wasan. Game is dead, our mother passed away too. I only have you left," Thongkham told her little brother as Gai walked in to touch her husband's shoulder.

"Wasan is a strong person, he will get through this. Just give our little brother some time," Gai said. "Thong, let me ask you something."

"What thing?"

"Somehow this came to mind after hearing the news. That mother... is not on Dr. Somsak's list of victims."

Thongkham stood up and reached out to grab his wife's arms. They went to talk at the back of the house.

"What are you trying to say?"

Gai took a deep breath, "Dr. Somsak might not be the only person who carried out the euthanasia. Maybe mother was..."

"That's not possible, Gai." Thongkham interrupted immediately. "Mom was sick with cancer and suffered a lot from pain. She died peacefully at home. There is nothing better for her. I don't doubt the doctor in the slightest. If the police come to ask me about this, I will tell them that Dr. Guntapat "He took the best care of my mother."

Gai didn't say anything else. She turned to look worriedly at Wasan, who was sleeping on the floor, before walking past Thongkham to continue washing dishes in the kitchen. Thongkham's gaze followed his wife with eyes filled with many words that could not be spoken.

"Are you angry?"

Vej's voice made the uniformed man, who was walking hurriedly towards the court parking lot, stop his steps. Bird turned to see the tall man in the suit standing with his hands in his pockets. Bird wanted to pretend that he hadn't seen this person: "I have work to do. I don't have time to talk leisurely with you."

"The court's ruling was correct. With the witnesses and evidence that the police have now, it is not enough to prosecute the accused. Furthermore, the murder weapon was not found, no trace of gunpowder was detected on Dr. Gunn, and the witness also could not say whether Dr. Gunn was holding the gun or not. There is nothing to confirm that Dr. Gunn was the murderer." Vej walked over and stood in front of Bird. "The defendant was also very cooperative and there is no sign of him fleeing, so his objection to bail was withdrawn."

"The accused went to the patient's house late at night because Tao wrote a letter threatening to euthanize Viriya. Instead of taking this to the police, she decided to solve the problem on her own when her boyfriend was a police officer ? Nothing makes sense. You were the one who told him to testify like that, correct?"

"I just told him to tell the truth," Woravej shrugged. "The letter in which Tao made the threat was clear: it forbade anyone to follow him. The doctor was simply afraid that Tao would hurt his patient. Whether this made sense or not is only his opinion. If I were you, watching Tao's work police today, going out and looking for the criminal yourself might be more sensible than telling other police officers who are not your boyfriend.

"It doesn't matter," the deputy superintendent brushed it off. "If the doctor wasn't the one who fired the gun, who did?"

"Proving beyond any doubt that the accused or the defendant is the perpetrator is your duty, not a lawyer like me."

Bird could see that he was being manipulated by the person in front of him, but he couldn't control his frustration. He became even more frustrated when he knew very well that there was nothing wrong with what he said. However, he couldn't help but argue to confirm his own belief. "Gunn is the murderer. The witnesses and evidence that will emerge from now on will prove it. Not even a lawyer who can speak as well as you can defend him."

"I won't disagree with you. When I was with you back then you were also good with your words and you are still the same now," Vej smiled. He used his index finger to gently tap her left breast. "You better speak your heart out, Deputy Superintendent. Saying you have enough evidence when you know it's not true. I think you agree with me on everything, but you just want to close this case and get it over with because no matter what, No matter how hard you try, the police salary and the horrible system will never pay you what you deserve." Then the lawyer looked around happily: "I haven't been to the North for a long time. It would be great if someone could invite me to have a cold beer and listen to good music at night."

“Go and ask your client to take you,” the Deputy Superintendent said coldly before striding away without paying attention, leaving Vej standing there smiling alone. Bird's words reminded Vej of the incident a few days ago when he spoke to his client for the first time.

"I think I can get you out of the accusation that you murdered Tao, but what will happen from now on is that everyone will try to catch you. They will keep dropping witnesses and evidence that you dropped along the way. When there is enough evidence, you will receive other accusations, such as "the murder of Dr. Somsak, the euthanasia of your patients, and the attempt to kill Som."

"I intend to plead guilty to Dr. Somsak and the attempt to kill Som because that is what I really did wrong."

"Don't you consider that you were wrong to euthanize your patients?" Lawyer Woravej repeated his question: "I want to know because it will serve to form the leadership to fight the case."

"I don't think euthanasia is wrong. I did what the patients asked of me and they were willing to receive my help."

"But you know that in the eyes of Thai law right now, euthanizing patients, no matter how well-intentioned, is considered intentional homicide, right?" Gunn nodded.

"It's okay," Woravej said. "If the police cannot find witnesses and evidence strong enough to confirm that you killed Dr. Somsak or tried to kill Som, even if you want to plead guilty, it will still be my duty to get you out of prison. I want us to reach a common understanding on this point.”

"I understand."

"How about euthanasia, doctor? Are there any witnesses or evidence left that can be used to confirm that you were the person who euthanized your patients?"

Gunn remained silent for a while before saying, "There is one more thing I haven't told you. I keep things that can be used as evidence confirming that I euthanized patients in a warehouse and gave him the access card to the warehouse." to Inspector Wasan, who is my boyfriend."

Lawyer Vej used a pen to tap a piece of paper and think out loud: "It's like you've put your life in Inspector Wasan's hands because if the evidence is leaked, even I can't help you."

"I euthanized his mother without him knowing. If Wasan thinks I should pay for my sin for this, I will gladly have him hand over the evidence to the police and prosecute me," the voice that said this was dry. and hoarse, but firm. "I will let Wasan make this decision."

"It's a difficult decision to make. Don't you feel sorry for your boyfriend?"

"I did too many things to him. I drugged him, I snuck out at night and I lied to him countless times." Gunn's eyes visibly darkened. "I hope you understand what I did and give me a chance, but if you decide not to, I'll accept it."

"This is the first time I've had a client like this," Vej muttered to himself and returned to his own car, which was parked not far away.

******

"S-Storage, hello," the young woman looked up to greet the customer who had just entered with a smile. He was a handsome, dark-skinned man. He had short hair and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The young woman could see very clearly the concern in the client's expression. The man did not respond. He took out a key card from his pocket, looked left and right, and walked directly to the door for storage rental customers.

Wasan stood in front of the room according to the number indicated on the key. He looked at the white door in front of him with his heart so heavy as if there was a great weight suppressing it all the time. The policeman's hands were shaking, which could be the effect of the alcohol or the fear that was eating him up inside. Whatever is behind this door is the answer to everything that happened. He would break the walls between Gunn and him. Wasan extended his hand to insert the key as he struggled hesitantly for a moment. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before turning the key and entering.

When the lights in the room turned on, the only thing Wasan could see was the gray plastic box on the floor in the middle of the room. The police officer slowly entered the room towards said box. His heart was beating so hard that he almost jumped. Wasan knelt in front of the box and reached out with his sweaty hands to open the lid.

"I'll meet you now, right?" Wasan said shakily before opening the lid.

The first thing he saw were many small boxes, including boxes containing syringes, needles, and medical gloves. Wasan reached out to pick up one of the boxes and found glass vials containing three types of intravenous drugs, namely potassium chloride, midazolam and morphine.

Wasan never felt so confused in his life. He put down the box and stretched out his hands to rummage through the things inside again and found another small wooden box. He took it out to hold it. Although the box didn't weigh much, Wasan could feel that what he was carrying in his hand was very heavy. The policeman opened the cover and found photographs of a group of people dressed in black and white receiving a condolence wreath from Dr. Gunn. Wasan did not understand why Gunn printed these photographs and kept them in a box. He took the photo out of the box and found another one. It was the same type of photos. It was also a photo of a group of people receiving a condolence wreath from Gunn, the only difference was that it was another family. When he looked at that photo, he saw another one that stunned him like he was cursed.

"I didn't bring the condolence wreath yesterday, so I offer it today on behalf of the hospital's home visiting staff."

An image from the past when Wasan met Gunn at his mother's funeral came back to him. The doctor, while still a stranger, carried the crown and gave it to Wasan. The nurse who came with Gunn took their photo.

The photo from that day was printed and kept in this box. Wasan looked at his own face and then at the beautiful, smiling face that belonged to Gunn with many questions in his head. At this moment, his gaze fell on a document folder under the box of medical gloves. Wasan put the box of photographs on the floor, took out the folder and opened it.

The first piece of paper was a document labeled: Mr Damrong Boonrit, 67 years old, Dc ICCA with lung and bone metastasis. The information below contained basic details of his address, house plan, family tree, illness information, mental analysis, beliefs, end-of-life care and treatment plan, and records of each home visit. . All the details were written in detail using medical terminology here and there. Wasan continued turning the pages until he reached the middle of the folder, when he saw a label that said.

Ms. Raweewan Khamboonreung

Wasan's eyes widened and he experienced difficulty breathing as his eyes read the last paragraph of the document with his mother's name on the label.

"The patient did not experience anxiety after the intravenous injection. She slept peacefully and the respiratory rate gradually decreased. The pulse remained for about 3 minutes until the patient went into cardiac arrest and passed away peacefully at 02:35 in the morning."

Wasan's hands suddenly lost strength and the paper he was holding fell to the ground. Wasan got in that moment the answer to the questions he had in his heart for many months. Now he knew why his mother was not on Dr. Somsak's list of victims, as well as the phrase his mother told him on the phone before she died.

"Wasan, don't be sad if I die. If I go, it will be my own decision. Please accept my decision."

"This isn't true, is it?" Wasan leaned down and hugged his own trembling body. He curled up on the cold floor. I knew the truth would hurt, but I didn't know it would hurt this much.

Wasan's tears flowed from his eyes and touched the ground. He wasn't angry that Gunn killed his mother, but the person he was most angry at was himself. For being so stupid and loving the murderer with all his heart. Wasan screamed at the top of his lungs. He cried and lamented. The young inspector who used to be proud of himself has now shattered into pieces like broken glass on the ground. He was so broken that it would be difficult for him to heal and return to his old self. "What do you want me to do? What do I have to do? What do I have to do, Gunn? I don't know anymore..."

"Inspector!" Kong quickly entered Wasan's brother's living room and was followed by Nurse Tum, who looked worried. The image they were both seeing was that of Wasan, half naked and unable to maintain his balance, lying on the floor and surrounded by empty alcohol bottles and beer cans. The young lieutenant was never so surprised in his life because the Wasan Kong knew would never be in this state. Kong rushed in and supported Wasan so he wouldn't fall and hit his head on the floor. He turned to look at Tum, "Should we take him to the hospital, Tum?"

"Let me take a look," the nurse took out the finger oximeter and blood pressure monitor he brought from his backpack and went in to measure Wasan's vital signs. Tum then looked at Kong with a more relieved expression: "All vital signs are good. He's probably very drunk. Let him rest and sober up first. If his symptoms don't improve, I'll tell Thongkham to take him to the hospital."

"Inspector Wasan was absent from work and did not go to the police station for many days. Fortunately, Thongkham called us, otherwise you would not have known that the inspector is in this state," Kong adjusted Wasan's sleeping position . "Tum, please help me put him to bed."

"I'll help you," Thongkham came in and helped carry Wasan's legs. They carried Wasan's body to a wooden bed, placed his head on a pillow and covered him with a blanket. Kong, Tum and Thongkham looked pitifully at Wasan. They didn't know what else to do. "I'm sorry I let Wasan drink like that, but last night he was very aggressive. He was indignant and refused to talk."

"At least the inspector decided to be drunk at home. If he had drunk in some bar, he would have been dragged onto the road by now," Tum said.

"He has been drinking every day since he returned home. Yesterday he left the house all day and came back in a terrible state. He didn't want to say what happened." Thongkham turned to Kong: "Lieutenant, help me. Wasan has probably been very traumatized. Right now my little brother is not the same person."

Kong nodded. "I know a psychiatrist. I will ask him whether the inspector should get treatment or not. If this is affecting his life so much, I think he should."

The three men heard banging on the stairs in front of the house. Gai, Thongkham's wife, ran in alarmed. "All..."

"What's wrong, Gai?" Thongkham asked.

The young woman pointed to the front of the house, "Do... Doctor Gunn came. He is standing in front of the house right now."

Kong was the first person to react. The policeman turned around and immediately strode out of the room. Tum and Thongkham looked at each other and followed each other. The tall doctor, in a blue shirt and gray pants, was standing with his head bowed in front of the house. He looked at Lieutenant Kong who rushed towards him while they only had the iron fence between them.

"I want to see Wasan," Gunn announced clearly what he wanted.

"Do you have the nerve to come and ask to see Wasan, doctor?" Kong began the battle of words immediately, causing Tum to run to grab the arm of the man he loves. Kong pointed at Gunn's face, "Someone like you should not be allowed bail. Go eat prison food. Go and accept the sin you have committed." The police officer pointed to the entrance of the alley and roared loudly: "LEAVE!"

Gunn calmly accepted Kong's banishment. Looked down. "Can I meet Wasan just once? Once is enough."

"You don't deserve to talk to someone as good as Wasan again. Just meet him again as a witness in court." Kong approached Gunn, "Or say it here and now, who else have you killed?"

Thongkham, Gai and Tum remained silent. No one else dared to talk to Gunn except Lieutenant Kong. Kan looked the lieutenant in the eyes. The doctor's face seemed sad and pleading, as well as mysterious as always.

"This is not the place to talk about that." Gunn turned to open the back door of his own car. He took out a large plastic box that looked heavy. "I'm worried that Wasan doesn't have a uniform to wear to work, so I packed up his clothes and personal belongings that were in my house. If you don't let me see him, I'll leave him here." Gunn carefully placed the box on the path in front of the door. "I'm just here for this. Please give it to Wasan."

"Gunn"

Wasan's low and energyless voice sounded from the front door. Kong quickly turned to look and found Wasan standing while clinging to the door frame. Thongkham quickly ran to take Wasan back to the house, but the young inspector resisted the pull. His teary eyes looked pitifully at Gunn. What Kong was seeing made his anger finally erupt.

"Wasan", Gunn tried to open the door and enter. Kong took out his gun from the holster on his waist and pointed it at the doctor. Gai screamed and Tum, who was next to Kong, backed away. Gunn quickly let go of the door and raised both his hands. He seemed alarmed.

"Look what you've done to Wasan. Remember it well and leave now!

GO AWAY!!" Kong screamed at the top of his lungs.

The doctor took a few steps back and looked wistfully at Wasan. Finally, Gunn returned and opened his car door, got in and got out quickly. Kong lowered his gun and his eyes followed Gunn's car until it was out of sight. Wasan fell to the ground and his eyes seemed distracted. Thongkham came forward to support him and took his little brother to the house.