(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

She shrugged. "It serves many purposes. First, it keeps the prisons relatively
clear of all but the vilest criminals. Second, the sale of the convicted is used
to pay for any damages, costs, or fees involved in the case. Finally, the
convicted still serves a sentence from which they are eventually released...
supposedly as better citizens."
I was in over my head. She was talking to someone who woke up in a
Mortuary and slept in the gutters for the good part of two weeks. I was no
lawyer, and if she expected me to navigate through red tape and
paperwork... "This is all fascinating, but I don't see how I can help you."
"I... I need someone to find the missing document, the one that proves the
loan was paid. Or if you could purchase my contract, I could pay you back..."
She gave me a pleading look. "I can't spend the next five years of my life in
this ward, cutter. It will kill me! Surely you've noticed the illness shared by
all who live here?"
"Yes, the yellow skin and coughing..."
Trist nodded her head. "Yes, cutter. Please, can you find it in your heart to
help me..." She glanced at Annah, then looked at me nervously. "Please..."
I placed one hand on her arm to soothe her, "Yes, I'll help you. I have some
questions though... could you have misplaced the loan document?"
She shakes her head. "No, cutter. I am a very meticulous person. I kept the
document in a lock-box in my husband's study. It never left that room..."
"Do you think the loan document could have been stolen?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Why would anyone steal that, yet leave other
valuables be? It makes little sense to me."
"Well..." my voice took on a suspicious edge, "Maybe the lender stole the
document so that you'd pay for the loan twice..."
She looked at me in shock. "That... that is a terrible thought!" She hesitated
and then began to tap her chin with a finger as she thought. "But also a
most ingenious one, cutter. This Byron Pikit does strike me as a knight of the
post."
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