Chapter 34 – Bridge Over Troubled Water

The conspiracy of cat lovers, sans one Newfoundland, nursed their tea and digested their thoughts.

Suffice it to say, the proof was in the pudding.

“Mio is key,” Eppie said at last. “We find Mio, and we unravel everything.”

“Meow,” said Mr Yun Yun.

“I concur,” their Chinese giant spoke for Mr Kuma Kuma.

“Mr Lee,” their LA Times reporter turned to the Newfoundland. “Can you expand on our legal recourse for justice? I can publish; I am shielded by California’s Shield Law. The LA Times eats litigation for breakfast from people far more dangerous, powerful, and volatile than Senator Sanders. We also know the truth—Mio was violated, Eppie fell, discovery will be far more damaging than simply swallowing the story.”

Eric, catless, slapped his knees. “I am not a criminal lawyer or a prosecutor, but I can run some educated guesses based on anecdotes from my colleagues. So er… let’s say there is no recording. Everything Lim told us about William is double hearsay, inadmissible in court, and we’ll get torn to shreds. Lim also has a genuine relationship with Chen, and the betrayal, along with his history, does not lend him credibility as a witness for the prosecution. The Jury can believe him, but they can also note that he is out for his own interests once they find out that he knew Mio.”

He looked toward her. “Then there’s Eppie. She remembers nothing…”

“Sorry…” Eppie moped.

“And there’s Mio, who filed nothing, collected no evidence, such as a rape kit. She’s nowhere to be found. Now, assuming she has this recording, that might be construed as entrapment. Either way, William’s lawyers may argue unclear consent.”

Eric sipped his tea. “Conversely, a clear recording makes this absolutely prosecutable. The problem, however, as I said, is the chain of custody. Is the recording still original? Has it been tampered with? California is also a two-party consent state, though it won’t apply to sexual assault. If everything works out, and Mio is willing to put herself through the wringer, then yes, I think we can make a case. I know several reliable Advocates. The DA files charges against Chen. The Advocate will file for civil restitution, and Mio will receive her justice and her compensation.”

“I’d like that.” Eppie hugged yet another visiting tabby.

Eric shook his head. “The process is hard on the victims and their families. If Senator Sanders gets dragged into this, it may take years.”

“Can we leave Valorie out of it?” Eppie asked.

“Will William leave Valorie out of it? Should we? After all, she is the root of all evil. If I were to report this at all, I would report the truth in its entirety.” Lafitte continued to jot down the notes Eric provided. “Either way, I’ll clear this new information with our Legal as well.”

“So… how do we scour Fresno?” Eppie felt her mood grow dour. “Drive around?”

“I’ll head over now,” Lafitte surprised them with her go-getter attitude. “The Nikkei community isn’t exactly massive. I know the Basque community there, and I have my Stringer connections. I’ll start with the churches. Nikkei are Catholic, usually, and Catholic denominations in the area tend to know one another. If she and her parents fled, there’s bound to be traces with the local Parish. Maybe a Priest, maybe a community elder. You people stay put.”

“If William needs someone found,” Lim said quietly. “He’d probably ask me first.”

“True.” Lafitte looked him up and down. “However, on paper, you’re William’s right-hand man, remember? You helped her, but she doesn’t know that.”

Eppie raised a hand. “Do you think I would have told her that Lim is a good guy?”

“I reckon you would have.” Eric clapped. “Well considered, Eppie.”

“But will you risk it? Lim? Risk them running again?” Lafitte refuted their offer of helpfulness. “Eppie, you stay at LAPA. Do your LAPA things. Mr Wang, you stay in your lane and keep William off us. I’ll do my best to find her, inform her of what’s happening, gain her consent, and bring you the news.”

“We’ll wait for your call,” Eric said, finishing his tea.

Lafitte stood, having already packed her notes and her recorder. “Very well, then. Miss Fontaine. Mr Lim. Mr Lee. I am very glad we got to talk today. I bid you good health until we meet again.”

They watched the reporter go.

Eppie hugged her cat and inhaled deeply, filling every inch of her considerable lung capacity with cat scent.

“I’ll head off from the back,” Lim offered. “I took public transport here. Much harder to trace and follow. The timetables for trains and busses are so awful they couldn’t be replicated even if I tried.”

“We’ll leave after another half an hour,” Eric affirmed their compatriot’s offer of discretion. “Good luck, Lim.”

“Take care, Mr Lee. Eppie.”

Before the man left, Eppie left her cat and gave Lim a hug. “Thanks, Lim. I know it’s hard, doing all of this for us.”

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“I am doing this for me.” Lim hugged her back with one massively powerful arm. “Stay safe, Eppie.”

They watched him go.

Eppie hugged Mr Kuma Kuma and inhaled like a junkie.

“You’re going to ruin the few clothes you have…” Eric pointed at the cat hair.