Law America, the Devil's Agent

Chapter 87 You'll Be Grateful for Your Choice (Only one chapter, still brain-burning)

"Bang!"

A heavy punch slammed onto the folding table, making a dull thud.

The coffee on the table splashed out of the cup due to the excessive movement, spilling onto the spread-out voter list.

Patrick Donovan's hands were bulging with veins, and his knuckles were red from the violent impact, but he seemed to feel no pain at all.

Because the pain in his heart was even heavier.

His other hand was still holding the phone Link had handed him, his eyes glued to the videos on the screen:

The bullying of Andrew by his classmates at Sacred Heart Elementary School, and Crawford's molestation of Andrew —

Each and every one of these events was like a thorny whip, striking his heart fiercely.

The loud noise startled the staff outside the carriage, and some peeked in to check what was happening.

"Getout."

But all of them were blocked by Patrick's low growl.

The car door closed again, leaving only him and Link in the campaign vehicle.

"Is this really—my son?"

Patrick's voice was hoarse and low, like a murmur or disbelief.

After the desperate anger, the second stage began: subconscious avoidance and distrust.

He flipped his phone over and over again, looking at the photo repeatedly.

A dimly lit corridor, a priest in a black robe, his red hair bowed, his thin fingers gripping the edge of a picture book—

Every detail confirms a fact he had never noticed before.

This is the posture Andrew adopts every morning when he stands at his doorstep waiting for the school bus.

But in all these days, he has never had a proper conversation or spent time with Andrew.

He was so busy that he didn't even get to say a single word to Andrew.

Andrew remained silent and obedient as always, causing him no trouble.

Therefore, he overlooked many details.

When Andrew walked into the school gate with the sketchbook in his arms, his shoulders were hunched so low, as if he was trying to shrink himself into a point that wouldn't be noticed.

He thought it was shyness, something he took after his mother. He never knew it was escapism.

Looking back now, it must have been a conditioned reflex learned after being repeatedly hurt.

He recalled that Andrew had been quieter than usual at the dinner table lately, answering only when asked, and sometimes putting down his knife and fork mid-meal, saying he had a stomachache and going back to his room.

He initially thought it was just a child throwing a tantrum, or that the schoolwork was too stressful, and that he just needed to find some time to have a proper talk with him.

He always wanted to find a time, but that time was never scheduled into his campaign schedule.

He never thought of it.

While he was shaking hands with unfamiliar elderly people at the senior center, Andrew was huddled in his dormitory praying that the footsteps in the corridor wouldn't stop at his door.

While he was discussing community safety in the union representative's office, Andrew was being cornered alone in the hallway by the priest from the school he had personally chosen.

During his campaign dinner address to donors, promising to create a better future for the children in the community—

His own child was trembling as the hand representing the Lord's blessing pressed against his shoulder blade.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"

He roared angrily, as if he wanted to vomit his heart and liver.

After a long outburst of rage, he covered his head and trembled, sobbing.

Link observed everything, merely lit a cigarette, and did not disturb the behavior of the congressional candidate in front of him.

a long time.

Patrick raised his head again.

In those grey-green eyes, similar to Andrew's, all anger and regret were forcibly suppressed, replaced by an unusual calm and sharpness.

That was an instinct unique to someone who had spent years navigating the quagmire of Philadelphia politics:

No matter how heavy the impact, it will regain its footing in the shortest time and then start calculating its next move.

"Mr. Link, first of all, I want to thank you."

Thank you for telling me about this, and thank you for exposing this ugliness to me.

Whatever you say next, whatever your purpose, the fact that you brought these photos into this car today is already the greatest favor to me and my family.

I will never forget this.

His words were sincere and full of genuine feelings. Then he continued, changing the subject, and said, "But I also need an answer."

You and I are complete strangers. I have never seen you in any political setting, nor do we have any mutual friends or shared interests.

You are not a voter in my constituency, and I am not a client of your law firm.

You are a successful lawyer; you have your own career and your own clients.

There's no reason for someone like you to make a special trip to Overbrook and waste your time at our home.

Unless—unless this matter has some deeper connection to you.

Unless you come to me not just out of a sense of justice, but out of strategy.

So why did you investigate Sacred Heart Elementary School?

How did you take this photo?

"What do you want from me?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise appeared on Link's usually impassive face, followed by an approving nod.

Surprisingly, the congressman was not swayed by those strong emotions.

The praise is for his political acumen and logical reasoning.

This at least proves that the congressman he was looking for was not an incompetent fool.

The next moment, Link continued, "You're right, Mr. Donovan."

I didn't come to you out of a sense of justice.

The reason I am here, the reason I took this photo, and the reason I am standing in front of your campaign vehicle is because I am also acting on someone else's behalf.

My client is the parent of another student at Sacred Heart Primary School.

His child—

A boy of similar age to Andrew has suffered abuse in the past few months that is very similar to that of your son.

Systemic bullying from classmates, persistent abuse from clergy, and indifference and cover-up from the school administration.

During the investigation of this case, my team gradually discovered that this was not an isolated incident.

There exists a systematic network of abuse within Sacred Heart Elementary School and Sacred Heart Church, centered around Father Crawford and discipline chief Mosley, and which has been protected by the school administration and church leadership for a long time.

The victims are far more than just my client's children.

During our search for Crawford and Mosley, after visiting the schools in person, we discovered that your Andrew has become the next target.

After Alex left school, they needed a new prey.

Patrick didn't speak, but his jaw muscles tightened slightly.

Even if you forcefully suppress your emotions and rational judgment, can't you still hide your anger at what your child has been through?

There is room for further cooperation.

Link subtly caught this reaction, a slight thought crossed his mind, and then continued speaking.

"You want to know my strategy?"

My strategy is simple.

I cannot stand against the Sacred Heart Church and the entire parish legal team behind it alone. I need more voices, more witnesses, and more families willing to stand up in court.

So I found you by following the address and information.

I need your help.

At the same time, I think you also need my help.

We are on the same side, and our enemy is the same group of people.

You are not my client, but your son and the son of my client are being harmed by the same hand.

Patrick lowered his head, buried his face in his hands, pressed his fingertips against his temples, and remained silent for a long time.

When he raised his head again, he was filled with a deep weariness.

He pulled his collar down further, as if to give himself a little more breathing space.

"Mr. Link, you are a smart man. You were able to find me. You know I am currently running for office."

Less than two months until election day.

My competitors are watching my every move, waiting for me to make any mistake that can be magnified, or to participate in a controversial event.

Because only in this way can the stability I'm frantically maintaining be broken.

Link nodded noncommittally.

"If I were to publicly stand up now and accuse a clergy member at a church school of sexually assaulting my son!"

Have you ever imagined what the consequences would be?

In this district, in this community, and in the eyes of those devout Irish voters, the church is not the enemy.

The church is their moral standard, their spiritual home, and the foundation of trust they consider first when voting.

If you asked them to choose between me and the church, who do you think they would choose?

Gallagher doesn't need to do anything; he just needs to sit in his office, watch the news, and wait for me to burn my own ballot.

This is everything I've worked so hard for over the years.

It's less than two months away from me now.

Link nodded calmly upon hearing this, as if he had already considered the concerns and worries in his heart.

"I understand your concern, sir."

While gathering information, I learned about your current situation and the money and effort you have spent in your campaign for this position.

It's really tough to have your energy tied up with your children and family at this time.

But what I want to tell you is, what if I could handle this case so skillfully and gracefully that it not only doesn't cause your election defeat, but actually resolves both your current booming political career and family issues, thus complementing each other and leading to even greater success?

The gentleman opposite him paused, his eyes flashing, and said in a deep voice, "Attorney Link, what solutions do you have? Please speak frankly!"

Link smiled slightly.

"May I take this as a signal that you intend to get involved in this case, sir?"

"And you've also entrusted me to act as your full legal representative in your child's case?"

Patrick was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, countless complex feelings swirling in his mind.

He thought about his political life and his current, anxious campaign.

What he needs is stability and security.

Perhaps he doesn't need such a thrilling and risky move.

But then he remembered something else. He thought of Andrew, the fruit of his love, his beloved only son, and the only memento left by his deceased wife.

What he needs is justice and redemption.

Perhaps as a father, I shouldn't ignore and sacrifice his childhood for my own benefit, letting it become a shadow that he can never erase for the rest of his life.

Two forces collided wildly in his mind.

Finally, his gaze gradually hardened.

Look up at Link.

"Attorney Link, I need you."

[One large case detected. Accept the call?]

Link smiled knowingly.

"Yes, sir."

You'll be glad it was the best decision you've ever made.

[Case Acceptance]