Chapter 5 Body!

The next morning, Joana found herself back at Arthur's office, the events of the past few days weighing heavily on her shoulders. She had barely slept, the worries and fears gnawing at her as she prepared to meet with him again. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. James's betrayal, the fire, Martha's pregnancy. She needed answers, and she hoped Arthur could help her find them.

The familiar buzz of the city faded as Joana stepped into the quiet, sophisticated lobby of Arthur's office. She made her way to the reception desk, where she was greeted by a pleasant receptionist who quickly informed Arthur of her arrival.

Moments later, Arthur emerged from his office, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he saw Joana. "Good morning, Joana. I'm glad you came back. Please, come in."

Joana followed him into his office, the room filled with rich wood tones and soft lighting that somehow made her feel a bit more at ease. Arthur motioned for her to take a seat, and she did, feeling a flicker of gratitude for the calm and professional environment he provided.

"I wanted to update you on what's happened," Joana began, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Last night, my house burned down. Everything was destroyed. I'm pretty sure it wasn't an accident."

Arthur's expression shifted to one of concern. "I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot right now. Have you been able to gather any evidence or information about the fire?"

Joana shook her head. "That's the problem. I went to retrieve the security footage from my house, but it was all burned to ashes. There's nothing left."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "I see. In that case, you have a couple of options. We offer two types of services: one is purely legal representation. If you choose this, I can defend you in court based on the evidence you're able to present."

He paused, giving Joana a moment to absorb the information. "The second option is more comprehensive. It includes not only legal representation but also investigative services. I'll help you gather evidence and build a case from the ground up. It's more costly, but it could be crucial in proving your case."

Joana felt a pang of hesitation. The thought of dragging Arthur into her mess was uncomfortable. She had barely known him, and now she was considering making him a part of her personal disaster.

"I don't want to be a burden," Joana said softly, her eyes meeting Arthur's. "I'm not sure if it's right to involve you in all this."

Arthur's gaze was steady and reassuring. "You're not a burden, Joana. If you're in need of help, it's my job to provide it. And if you're struggling with the decision, just remember that having the right support could make all the difference."

Joana took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision. "Okay. I'll go with the investigative service. I need to know what really happened, and I need to make sure I have all the evidence I can get."

Arthur's expression softened. "We'll get to the bottom of this. First, let's visit the site of the fire and see if we can find anything useful in the ruins."

Joana nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. Arthur stood and gestured for her to follow, leading her out of his office and towards his car. The drive was quiet, the city passing by in a blur as Joana tried to steady her nerves.

When they arrived at her former home, Joana's heart sank. The place was a charred skeleton of what it once was. The blackened remains of walls and furniture were scattered across the property, the air still thick with the smell of smoke and ashes.

Arthur's demeanor was professional, but Joana could sense his concern as he carefully navigated through the debris. They walked through the ruins, Joana pointing out where things had once been, her heart heavy with memories of the life she had lost.

"Be careful," Arthur cautioned as they moved through the wreckage. "The site might still be unstable."

Joana nodded, her eyes scanning the area for anything that might help. As they moved towards the back of the house, Arthur stopped abruptly. Joana followed his gaze and froze.

Among the ashes and debris, a burnt body lay partially exposed. The sight was horrific, the remains barely recognizable. Joana's stomach churned as she realized the implications of what they had found.

Arthur's face was grim as he approached the body cautiously, his professional demeanor never faltering. "This complicates things," he said quietly. "We need to call the authorities and make sure this is investigated thoroughly."

Joana's mind raced. The fire was no longer just a personal tragedy, it had become something far more sinister. The body in the ruins meant that someone had died in the fire, and it raised questions about who and why. Was this an accidental death, or was there something more to it?

Arthur turned to Joana, his expression serious. "We'll handle this, Joana. I know this is overwhelming, but we'll make sure everything is investigated properly."

Joana nodded, feeling a mix of fear and determination. The discovery had changed everything. Her fight was no longer just for justice, it was now a fight for the truth.

As they waited for the authorities to arrive, Joana looked around the scene, her heart heavy with the weight of what had happened. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Arthur's help, she hoped they could uncover the truth and find a way forward.