Chapter 193 - 7

But at least he would be alive and then he could at least try to get back to normal. It is difficult and takes time, but the victims of this type of violence are able to lead quite ordinary lives.

But Iwo Mężyński chose otherwise. Maybe he didn't realize how far all this was going to go. Maybe he was hoping that someone would hear him scream and help...

Andryszek chased these thoughts away. She focused on the conversation.

"Due to the collected biological evidence, we would like to ask you to voluntarily provide genetic material for comparison. This will greatly speed up our investigation."

Marczak did not answer right away. He stared at the desk as if considering all the options. Out of the corner of her eye, Andryszek noticed that her partner was smiling with satisfaction, as if he wanted to say: "I said he would not agree."

"I will do it," said Marczak. "Tell me where to report."

***

Marek Marczak, dressed in appropriate black, waited for someone to open the door for him. The staircase was old and narrow and the smell spreading through it was definitely not pleasant. The duty he was now about to fulfill was also not a pleasant one. However, Marczak was not someone who escaped from responsibility.

The safety chain fell off and the door swung open, revealing an elderly woman with careless waving and gray roots. She was of medium height, slim, and wore a black sweater, not new. She looked up at him with red, threadbare eyes and stared blankly. He didn't know if she recognized him or not, so he decided to introduce himself.

"Mrs. Mężyńska, I don't know if you remember me, I'm Marek Marczak..."

"You pig!" She exploded suddenly, throwing her fists at him. "Give me my son back, you beast!"

"Mrs. Mężyńska, I am very sorry, but..."

"Give him back to me! Give me back my Iwo!" She sobbed, still hitting him on the chest. "My Iwo, my love! If not you! If you hadn't taken him into this world of degenerates, he would be fine!"

"I don't know what you imagine..."

"You killed him! You killed my sweet…! My dear…!"

She sobbed and, no longer having the strength to beat him, slumped to the ground next to his feet.

"My sweet... My little son..."

Marczak looked down at her. He could clearly see her gray roots on the tousled sap. He focused on them so as not to admit the despair of this woman, her accusations.

After all, she was right. It was he who took Iwo from his family home and took him under his wing. He was his lover and protector. It was to him that he made his last call in life. Marek Marczak did not kill him, but he was guilty of his death.

His phone vibrated in his coat pocket. This annoying, dragging signal brought him back to reality.

"Please accept my condolences," he said, and freed himself of the sobbing woman.

The persistent phone ring freed him from this unpleasant situation. He gave him an excuse to leave Iwo's mother on the floor on the doorstep of her apartment and walk away. It was his secretary who wanted to contact him. He was grateful to her. He picked up going down the stairs.

"Mr. President, sorry to disturb you, but Mr. Bruno Kwieciński wants to meet you urgently."

"Kwieciński? He's not filming somewhere on the Loire right now?"

"He's in Warsaw. Specifically… he's here. He looks agitated and has declared that he will not leave until he meets you."

"Do you know anything more?"

"I'm sorry…"

Marczak has already reached the parking lot. He was opening the door of his silver car.

"Tell him I'll be there in three-quarters of an hour."

"Yes of course."

There was no point in rushing. Kwieciński was not his man. He did not make an appointment. Someone like Marek Marczak will not be rushing at breakneck speed at the request of some actor.

Okay, not some actor. Bruno Kwieciński was Dominik Śliwiński's greatest rival. He was tall, handsome, masculine. His physical conditions made him perfect for playing soldiers, policemen or gangsters. Recently, however, he has shone as a romantic lover, and although he did not take away Dominik's fans, he won some of their love for himself. Now, in the new production of Baptiste, he played the lead role that could make him an instant international success. The script was good and the character had great potential. That is why Marczak wanted it for his Dominik. The latter, however, refused. Then everything fell apart irretrievably between them.

Marczak and Kwieciński did not know each other well. They were never linked by business or any social matters. A polite 'good evening' at some party and a nod of the head from time to time that was all. Now, however, the twenty-six-year-old actor insisted on seeing him for some reason. It was quite intriguing.

Marek Marczak entered his office exactly forty-five minutes later. Kwieciński waited for him politely, although his face was showing signs of tension. He didn't look very well - Marek noticed it right away. Something was happening. But why did he come to him with his problem?

The manager held out his hand to him. Kwieciński's grip was strong but uncertain. Marek was convinced that the actor was in trouble. Troubles that can only be solved by someone like Marczak.

Kwieciński refused a cup of coffee or tea. This would be his third, he said. He drank two while waiting. He had three-quarters of an hour to meet him, and yet he did not go out anywhere, but waited tied up for Marczak's arrival. He must have been desperate. It's so sad, Marek said, smiling inwardly.

"So how can I help you?" he asked without showing much interest. Kwieciński sat in front of him like a very polite client, but his eyes were not polite at all. They were wild, like a man clinging to his last resort.

"I know you and Dominik were a couple," he announced in an attacking tone. "Very close."

"Oh!" Marczak was surprised very politely and smiled like a wolf looking at a lamb.

Kwieciński's eyes almost escaped, but they held the gaze.

"Was that the price for your support?"

Could it be ...?

"Dominik is a talent that does not have to pay for anything."

Bruno understood the hint. He gritted his teeth.

"Contrary to my reputation, I don't have to buy lovers" added Marczak. "If I'm with someone, it's because I feel like it. This is what I have in my private life but also in business."

Apparently what he said confused Kwieciński. It spoiled his plan. He looked as if he had lost all his confidence and was desperately looking for a new way.

"You want to change agency?" Marczak asked directly.

Bruno Kwieciński looked up at him. He had beautiful dark brown eyes. Not immensely black, as in Asians, yet attractive.

Yes, these eyes can be his asset. The boy plays face and body well, but he lacked something magnetic that would make you fall in love with him at first sight. He was sexy, especially when he took off his shirt, but he needed something more to conquer the audience forever.

"I like your eyes," added Marczak. "Remember that feeling you have in you right now. It will come in handy on the set."

The young man was clearly not stupid.

"You've lost your star," pointed out Kwieciński. "You have many promising actors, but no one who would fill the void at this point."

"If you care so much about working for me, something must have happened. What?"

In his tone, Marek demanded an answer. When he gets it, he will know how desperate Kwieciński is.

"On the set of this movie... Baptiste..."

"You had to grit your teeth and do it for England. Oh, sorry for the role. Have you come to me for a similar purpose?"

"A manager is someone trusted, someone who should look after his actor."

"I sold Dominik."

"What?!"

"That's why he left."

Kwieciński tried desperately to arrange something in his head, to process information, to understand. He was amusing and embarrassing at the same time. What could he imagine coming to Marczak, whose reputation he knew well? What was he thinking when he wanted to sell himself to him so that he wouldn't have to sell himself to the French? Better the devil you know than the unknown or what?

"I'll give you some advice, and it's absolutely free" Marek said. "Do not panic. Say no. Hit if you have to. You can. They won't throw you off the set because they've already spent too much of the budget. They don't want to risk a scandal either. If you stand up, they'll detach. But if you feel really threatened..." Marczak remembered Iwo and the circumstances of his death. "If you ever feel threatened by force, squeeze your eyelids shut and loosen your buttocks. It is not worth dying for such matters."