The Power of Testimony

VIRGINIA PRODAN
to my work at the bank, armed guards had threatened my
trusted partner, Martin, and ‘persuaded’ him to turn over all
of Anna’s parents’ bank accounts, safes, and valuables.”
Uncle Carol turned to me. “What was I supposed to do?”
How could I answer?
“Boris returned to check on me. He even promised that
if I collaborated with him, he would help me find Anna and
her relatives. I felt so guilty, and I wanted to find Anna and
her relatives, so I accepted his proposition.”
I glanced toward the door, worried his raised voice would
bring in Uncle Antony again. Elena would punish me for not
keeping my uncle calm.
“Liars, criminals!”
“Shh! You told Uncle Antony you wouldn’t shout.”
He nodded and lowered his voice. I held my breath,
wondering why he was telling me this story, yet hoping he’d
continue.
“One day, as I confronted Boris about his lies, he picked
up the phone, and soon his guards arrived and put me in the
psychiatric hospital. That was the only place where I was free
to speak my mind—until nurses drugged me. Many were
not afraid to speak the truth there.” He shrugged. “But too
sad there.”
“How did Anna come to live next door to us?”
“At each orphanage Anna was sent to, she spent several days
answering questions from the police and other government
authorities regarding her parents and other relatives and the
type of safes, jewelry, and guns her parents had. Finally they
29