This was a tricky matter. Kurt was right. If Boris insisted on saving Alma, Kurt could get another daughter from Ronald. After all, it was Ann who got his son killed.
Boris’ frown deepened. He was smarter than me, so he knew he should stay out of this.
I grew frustrated. “You can take her away, no problem. I’ll call the cops right now. Ann Weeder killed your son, so the cops will arrest her. But if you take any of the girls away or kill someone here, the cops will arrest you, too. We’re not here to interfere in your business, but we can still call the cops.”
At once, a murmur erupted in the crowd. Many of the villagers didn’t register themselves at birth and were without birth certificates. If the cops were to come, many of them would be forced to register themselves and pay a fine.
Kurt sneered. “Sure, go ahead. I’m not scared of you. I’m the one on the suffering end, anyway.”
My threat failed to scare the shameless man. Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t dare to call the cops.
I stared at Ronald, who huffed, “You’re a bully! Ms. Stovall, call the cops. I’ll admit to everything.”
His reaction took me by surprise. I didn’t know he would come to his senses that quickly. Whipping out my phone, I announced, “Indeed. We shall leave this to the cops.”
If the cops were to deal with this, neither side would have the upper hand. Both Kurt and Ronald knew that well. They were considering their own benefits.
Indeed, before the call got through, Kurt spoke. “Well, what do you want? This has nothing to do with you, so I want you to stay out of this.”
I smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry. I too want to stay out of this. However, just like you, I wish to settle this matter ASAP.”
Kurt pursed his lips silently and waited to see what I would say next.
After a brief silence, I continued, “It’s illegal to take any of the girls with you as they are underaged and protected by the law.”
Kurt narrowed his eyes. “My son’s dead, and I spent the money without getting anything in return. Are you asking me to do nothing? Do you think I’m a fool? Or are you too innocent?”
Instead of refuting his words, I offered, “Of course not. If you trust me, why don’t you listen to my suggestion?”
“Sure, go ahead.” He nodded.
“Death cannot be reversed. Your son’s dead, and we cannot bring him back to life. The culprit who killed your son should be punished, but as you said, Ann had escaped. Now, we should sit down and come out with a solution in peace. I think the Weeders should give you back the one hundred thousand you paid them. That’s the least they should do.”
Kurt scoffed. “I’m not in need of money.”
I flashed a grin and added, “That has nothing to do with whether or not you need money. About your son’s death, I am in the opinion that you should hand all evidence to the cops so they can arrest the culprit. The Weeders can only offer monetary compensation.”
With an ugly scowl, he retorted, “Money? How much can Ronald compensate me? My heir is dead! How should he compensate me? By giving me his son?”
Ronald hung his head low and dared not utter a word. Instead, it was his wife who offered, “If you wish, you can have my daughter. She can bear your son. You’re only in your forties, Kurt. My daughter might be able to give birth to your son soon. What do you think?”
I got the shock of my life. After what I said, the woman still hadn’t changed her mind about giving her daughter away. It didn’t cross my mind that she would willingly let her daughter bear a middle-aged man’s child.
Ronald said nothing and appeared to agree silently.
Meanwhile, Kurt glanced at the woman, who had remained silent the whole time by his side. She was glowering at Ronald’s wife viciously.
