Chapter 6

Hope.

In this endless darkness and despair, Teresa had given me a sliver of hope. It didn't matter that it was as weak as a candle flame guttering in the wind, liable to go out at any moment. Hope was still hope.

Eventually, the police car stopped before I was led into an office. Captain Jenkins tossed a document at me.

"Sign it!"

I shook my head. "My lawyer will be here soon. I won't sign anything before she arrives."

Immediately, Captain Jenkins' face flushed a bright red. As though he had heard the most ridiculous thing in the world, he scoffed derisively, "A lawyer? As if you could afford to hire one! Let me tell you right now that it's useless! No one can save you, no matter who comes!"

Following that, he seized my hand and forced me to grab the pen.

At that moment, the office door was shoved open before a woman dressed in professional attire strode into the room.

She took a second to process the scene before her, then she frowned slightly.

"Hold it." Her voice wasn't loud, yet it held an undeniable air of authority. "I'm Mr. Charles Luson's defense attorney, Teresa Kinsley. In a situation where my client has clearly expressed his refusal to sign, any attempts to force him will be considered illegal."

Captain Jenkins stared at the woman who had suddenly appeared, his face paling before going red. Releasing my hand, he scrutinized Teresa, noting the authoritative air she exuded.

In a less-than-friendly voice, he demanded, "Who are you? Who let you in here?"

Teresa took out an authorization letter and her attorney's license and smacked them down on the table.

"I was appointed by the legal aid center. These are my credentials and authorization letter. Now, I wish to speak with my client alone."

Captain Jenkins' expression turned ugly. He picked up the documents and scanned them carefully, as though he were trying to look for anything that was out of place.

Unfortunately for him, he failed as Teresa had done everything by the book. There was nothing he could nitpick on.

"Hmph! The legal aid center, huh…" he muttered disdainfully. Still, he didn't stop her from speaking with me. "You have ten minutes."

Face twisted into a scowl, he stalked out of the room along with the others, leaving Teresa and me alone.

I could hear her high heels clicking against the floor as she made her way to me.

At last, the footsteps halted in front of me, and the faint smell of paper, ink, and a cool perfume wafted into my nostrils.

"Mr. Luson," she started calmly. "Earlier, while we were talking on the phone, you said that your hearing was more acute than a normal human's. Could you elaborate on that?"

I hadn't expected that to be her priority concern right now.

"After losing my sight, my other senses, particularly my hearing and touch, became incredibly sensitive. From the frequency and weight of someone's footsteps, I can deduce their height, weight, and even mood."

Pausing briefly, I added, "I can even hear a lot of things that most people wouldn't notice."

Teresa was silent for a moment as she processed my words.

Then, she asked a vital question, "Have you heard anything unusual coming from the apartment unit across from yours?"

My heart abruptly started pounding.

"Yes," I answered softly. "Rebecca isn't living alone."