Page 81 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 9-12
“Well, it will take a while, but I think we can be a little optimistic. He even kept up on taxes, so you don’t have any liens to deal with against the deeds.”
“Just taxes on my Korean name because I didn’t know I was a US citizen making money abroad.”
“But you have an excellent advocate in Mr. Sathers. I’m sure he’s working that out already. Now, one more thing. As part of reclaiming the properties, we have the issue of your half siblings and their mother. The plan is to serve them eviction papers tomorrow.”
Jun closed his eyes and rubbed the spot between his eyes. “Because they’re living in one of the properties? I think I knew that.”
“We’ve confirmed that the occupancy agreement under which they’re living there was forged.”
“All of it was. That’s the point of this entire case.” Jun breathed out through his nose. “Do they have anywhere to go? Is there anything left for them that’s in their name?”
“Uncertain.”
“How much does the mother know?”
“We’ve interviewed her once. She claims to be blindsided by everything. We’re not sure if she’s an accomplice or not.”
“The kids aren’t.” Jun paced up and down, bouncing Habibi. Habibi didn’t need soothing. Jun did.
Damian stepped in his path. Jun flinched, not expecting someone to be coming up from right behind. He held out his hand. Jun gave him the phone. Damian put it on speaker.
“Sathers speaking. What kind of mercy or forbearance options does Mr. River have toward the kids? Can he grant them a limited-time permission? As long as it doesn’t weaken the case against Bak Sahyuk.”
Anderson coughed, and the sound of shuffling paperwork came from the other end of the connection. “We can file a stay pending investigation into options. According to our records, the two girls are US citizens, but their mother is South Korean. Mr. River is their only other family in-country.”
Jun’s eyes widened. “I’m considered their family?”
“Yes,” Anderson answered. “If the mother is arrested or deported—which is possible—you would be the girls’ first option as their closest relative. You have the right to refuse, at which point they would enter the system if they mother isn’t available to claim them. They don’t have South Korean citizenship.”
Jun shook his head, panicked eyes on Damian. It didn’t take a mind reader to know what Jun was thinking. Not more kids.
Damian locked eyes with Jun, his “work face” on. “Mr. River would prefer the girls stay with their mother as long as possible, preferable permanently. Let’s start by finding a legal way to grant them a stay in the house, at least a month. Surely you can get the evidence you need from it while they’re still there?”
“We’ve already searched it,” Anderson said. “Significant valuables have been secured, but we left basic living items.”
Jun took the phone back. “What do you mean you left basic living items?” How could they?
“Items over a certain dollar value were secured pending investigation.”
Jun dropped his head back against the wall, squeezing his eyes closed. “Did you leave beds?”
“We left beds.” The flat tone of Anderson’s voice left a lot of doubt about how much more than beds they had allowed the girls and their mother to keep.
Jun gritted his teeth. “Sahyuk has fucked one kid up. Let’s not help him fuck over two more.”
“We’ll take your wishes under advisement. I’ll see what we can do.”
“Thank you.” Jun hung up. Habibi complained about being jostled, and Jun kissed the top of his head, settling him.
“Want coffee?” Damian glanced toward the conference room.
Everything was still quiet. Thank goodness.
“Please.” Jun followed Damian to the break room.
Damian started loading the coffee machine with fresh grounds.
Jun grabbed cream from the fridge and poured some in a mug, then put it in the microwave. “What are my options for the girls? I don’t even remember their names right now.”
