Chapter 57

After Howard finished talking, he just clammed up and kept his eyes on the road.

Céline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" was playing on the speakers.

Classic tune, classic story-Jack Dawson saved Rose DeWitt Bukater with his life. In her old age, as she neared the end, she looked back on those days.

Even though Jack saved Rose, from the moment he sank into the ocean, Rose was trapped in her own cage, unable to let go or forget for the rest of her life.

Just like Howard. After his wife passed, he was stuck in his own prison. A guy could be fragile, could cry, could be broke, but he couldn't lose his fighting spirit. During that time, Howard was just a shell, drifting through each day in a fog.

In the end, the longing for his late wife and his own willpower helped him break free, or maybe, the cage was never really locked.

I never would've guessed that Howard, always so carefree and full of life, had such a past.

During this time, hadn't I been in my own cage too? I couldn't find joy, couldn't really feel sorrow. I never felt hungry, just living on autopilot, investigating cases non-stop.

People said that money could solve 99% of the problems. Perhaps those who believed so were fortunate, for the remaining 1% had the power to render the other 99% meaningless.

Like the caprices of fate and the chasm between life and death, insecurity was woven into our genes. People attempted to evade it through reading, learning, thinking, and managing money, but what was destined to come ultimately arrived. Obsession, effort, and fate-they were distinct and not necessarily intertwined.

"All things are like a dream, a bubble, a dewdrop, a flash of lightning. That's how you should think of them."

Alan used to read religious texts along with poetry and literature. He often recited this, and every time he did, he'd ponder it for a long time.

I didn't get it, but as I thought about it, I found myself saying it out loud.

Howard looked at me, surprised. "Didn't expect that. I thought you only read criminal and civil law. How come you're into religious texts too?"

I was a bit lost at first, not getting what Howard meant. After a moment, I said sadly, "Alan used to say this a lot. It just came to mind, and I recited it without thinking."

"Yeah, that's more or less the gist of it, though it might sound a bit ruthless." Howard paused, then said slowly, "But those who call it ruthless are usually the lucky ones. How fortunate... So, how do you understand it?"

I shook my head, not really knowing the true meaning. But thinking of Alan, the complexity of this case, and the fates of Tony, Lally, and Duke, I suddenly felt a bit clearer and said, "If everyone accepts fate and sees its true nature, then all actions are pointless."

"Law enforcers believe in law and justice, convinced that the truth will come out, the guilty will be punished, and the victims will find peace. As for fate, enlightenment, or nihilism, I might be confused by them, but I'll never stop moving forward," I continued.

"That's the spirit!" Howard said, giving me a thumbs up.

"Keep your eyes on the road, man. Why aren't we there yet? Are you sure about Tom's schedule today?" I asked, feeling more determined than ever.

We'd been driving for almost an hour since leaving the office, and it seemed like we were still far from our destination.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I asked him today, and he said he was busy with some business at a suburban insurance company," Howard replied.

"An insurance company?" I echoed.

"Yep, it's a foreign insurance company. There's only one in Sand Village. This guy's business is booming, even dealing with foreign insurance companies," Howard said with a hint of admiration.

I couldn't help but think about the huge insurance policy Zack and Tony took out for Tammy, which was also with a foreign insurance company.

Howard had mentioned before that Zack didn't handle the compensation for the demolition and fighting case in Sand Village; it was Tom who took care of it.

And now, just as I started investigating Zack after looking into Tony, Tammy, and Lally, Tom happened to be at this insurance company. Could there be a connection?

"Are you sure about Tom's perjury?" Howard asked.

"Tammy and Lally both gave false testimony. Now Tony and Zack can't clear their names either. If nothing unexpected happens, Tom not only committed perjury but also colluded with others and might even be directly involved in this case," I explained.

I briefly shared my suspicions about Tom and the orphanage but left out Alan. It was his secret, a painful memory he didn't want to bring up, and I didn't want others to know either.

"So, Lally, Tammy, Tony, Zack, and Tom all orchestrated that trial. Alan's death might really have nothing to do with Laura, but they insisted on putting Laura to death?" Howard was surprised that these seemingly unrelated people were all involved in the case.

"Yes, although I don't know why, all signs point to these people conspiring together," I confirmed.

Howard's lips curled into a smile, and the car's speed increased a bit. This rare smile, with pursed lips but slightly upturned corners, usually appeared when an investment succeeded or money was made. It was somewhat restrained but couldn't hide his inner pride.

"Do you know anything else?" I asked.

"No," Howard replied.

"Then why are you smiling?" I said.

"Think about it. Tom colluded, committed perjury, and tried to frame Laura. If he gets caught, he won't be out for several years, right?" Howard's smile grew even wider.

I was stunned for a moment, then nodded, still not fully grasping what he meant.

Howard glared at me and said discontentedly, "When he goes to prison, won't the market share be up for grabs? Then... don't blame me for being unkind. Achieving success too early isn't always a good thing for young people. Look at him, thinking he's invincible just because he has money and status, daring to challenge the authority of the law. When I visit him in prison, I'll have to give him a good lesson on the law. After all, I was a lawyer..."

"Nancy, why are you looking at me like that? I'm your boss!"