Chapter 205 - 8 That Party...

The agents introduced themselves as Wasiak and Krysiak. Dominik didn't bother to remember their first names, and he probably won't remember their last names either. The arrival of agents from the Central Anticorruption Bureau on his doorstep was too much of an shocking experience for him to bother with such details as the names of the agents.

The Central Anticorruption Bureau is a government agency that fights corruption among the authorities, high-ranking businessmen and public order officials. They don't bother with a corrupt traffic cop, they target his bosses, and those at the highest levels.

What, then, were they doing on the doorstep of a small actor who had no connection whatsoever with anyone who was even a low-ranking government official?

Dominik felt unease in his heart. He was well mannered, however, and although he had no idea what it was about, he invited the two men in and offered them something to drink. Since it was a hot summer day and they were wearing suits, they asked for a glass of water.

"I admit that your visit is a complete surprise for me," said Dominik, sitting down in the armchair. His guests were on the couch.

One of them, the older one, I think Wasiak, said:

"Five years ago, on July 16, in a villa near Wilanów, there was a party organized by your former manager, Marek Marczak. This party was attended by many guests from the world of politics. Do you remember them? You were one of the guests."

Dominik struggled to suppress a trembling of unease. He hoped the agents hadn't noticed his reaction. Dominik might have been an excellent actor, but in his private life he could not pretend or lie.

"It was five years ago," the actor smiled faintly. "I was still a kid back then. I remember there was a party, but not much else," he lied.

"According to our information, you were not a frequent guest at this type of event. On the contrary. Shouldn't you then remember it?"

The agent was right. He remembered this party.

"Yes," he admitted, "but for personal reasons. I suppose I have the right not to talk about them?"

"Of course," the other agent, Krysiak, quickly agreed. "Mr. Śliwiński, we don't mean your private experiences. We have received a report and are investigating a possible crime at this party. Do you have any idea what this crime might be?"

"You are from the CBA, what kind of crime could that be other than bribing some high standing person?"

The agents looked at each other.

"But a bribe can take many faces and shapes," explained Krysiak. "Sometimes the provision of certain services in return for certain favors ..."

Dominik turned pale. Certain services? Like the sexual services? Why is Krysiak talking so much around instead of directly? Is he suggesting…?

The actor's cheeks immediately flushed red.

"I don't know what you're implying, but I don't like this conversation. This party was five years ago. I was only twenty at the time. What do you want from me about this party? Guest lists? Lists of these boring old politicians and judges?"

"No, Mr. Śliwiński, list of your colleagues from the agency. Lists of people who wanted to appear in the industry at that time, but disappeared from this industry without a trace. People who were at the party but never made a career. "

Dominik felt something very unpleasant in his heart.

"And why would I have such a list?" Śliwiński asked. "I didn't organize this party, I just went to it. There were over a hundred people on it! If you want a list of invited guests, please report to Marek Marczak, not to me."

"Mr. Śliwiński", Wasiak's tone of voice became rebuking. "As a good citizen, do you feel obliged to help with the investigation?"

"As a good citizen, I am informing you that this conversation makes me uncomfortable as the officers use forms of pressure on me. I have not been informed whether the investigation is pending in the case or against the person, I have not been informed in what capacity I am being questioned: the suspect or the witness or the victim ...? Do you think you can come to my house and just request detailed information about an event five years ago? Then I think you should leave my house."

Dominik rose, as did two agents, albeit reluctantly. Wasiak looked angry, Krysiak looked embarrassed. Nevertheless, Krysiak took out his business card.

"Mr. Śliwiński" he said, "for the sake of the investigation, we cannot provide the information you are asking. The matter is very serious and very extensive. I understand we surprised you and you have a right to be upset, but we really care about this information. Both you and many of your colleagues at the time had no idea about some of the deals you were drawn into. Our investigation is not to harm young, unaware people, but to punish those who took advantage of their innocence. You understand, don't you?"

Dominik nodded reluctantly.

"Please take my business card and calmly think about everything" asked Krysiak. "Now you are surprised, but when you get it together in your head, you may remember something. Pretty please."

The young actor picked up a business card. He no longer felt the anger inside himself, but the unease not only stayed but grew as well.

"I'll think about it," he promised, but only because he wanted to get these men out of his house as soon as possible.

When they left, Dominik felt a sudden rush of nausea. But it wasn't any violent, unstoppable attack that would have forced him to go to the bathroom. But he felt the need to lie down.

That party...

Śliwiński broke away from the door and headed towards the stairs. He stumbled on the first step and hit the wrist of his left hand painfully. The pain was good, however, as his sharp impulse woke him from that strange stagnation into which the visit of CBA agents had set him in motion.

When this party took place, Dominik was very young and very stupid. Taken from home as a seventeen-year-old boy, he had not yet had any life experience, nor even a proper education from home or school. His mother, Helena Śliwińska, was a wonderful woman, but a bit too religious, so Dominik, although always very polite, experienced a kind of rebellion against religious orders and prohibitions, and besides, he was then fascinated by Marczak and bewildered by the new world.

On the day of the party, Dominik was Marek's lover for a long time and their relationship was then at its best. It was a period when the young Śliwiński were able to do anything for him, but Marek really carried it in his arms and treated it as his only happiness. It was their best time.

At that time, Dominik felt that he was loved and Marek did everything to assure him of his love. Śliwiński was his number one in his heart and in the agency. Dominik belonged to Marczak so much that he did not actually notice other people. Śliwiński was in love then, so all he saw was his man whom he loved. Love is blind, isn't it? Everyone else around didn't exist. They were at best the backdrop for his great and beautiful romance.

But that party...

Dominik struggled up the stairs. His mind, due to the impulse of pain, became clearer, but his body became heavier.

It was even harder to realize how stupid and naive he and Adrian were then.

Adrian Amon, a little younger boy who wanted to be an actor. Dominik did not know if the boy had talent, but he knew that he had a lot of determination and even more dreams. He also had nice blue eyes that lost their brilliance at one point and then Dominik couldn't see Adrian anymore. It just happened at that party five years ago.

At that time, the naive Dominik Śliwiński knew nothing and did not understand anything. Wrapped in love, he saw nothing but Marczak. He did not see that Adrian was not the only one.

What exactly happened to Adrian Amon? In fact, Dominik never heard that name again, nor saw his face. He knew, of course, that Amon was his nickname, because the boy wanted his last name to be easier to remember, and he thought his real name was too hard and too colloquial. He wanted to be noticeable and remembered. Meanwhile, his colleague, Dominik, had only remembered him now when agents asked about the party and the services it provided.

Services that no one should ever provide.