Get Lost (III)

10:00 A.M. 

Manila National Police Station. Inside the Lieutenant's office and the leader of the Major Crimes teams. 

June 25th, the year 2018. Monday. 

He walked into their office. His teammates on the long table with the computers on stood up, greeting him. 

"Good morning, Lieutenant Dela Rosa!" they all cried out as Marcus signaled them to sit down again and continue their work. He was wearing his white polo shirt and tight jeans. He had plans to go to Margo Monteverde's funeral after a bunch of work in his office. 

He opened the glass door for the team leader's office and draped the jacket over the fluffy seat. He sighed as he saw different papers that he needed to sign and approve. 

Marcus looked over at the open window. He realized he has to ask his teammates about the murder case of Margo Monteverde. 

He hastily walked out of the door and called out to the second in command of him, Lieutenant Lirio. 

"Lieutenant Lirio, any updates on Margo Monteverde's case?" Marcus asked his colleague. It was sitting on his seat and his face was so close to the computer screen. His hair was the same as Marcus. He sighed, and was going to say something, but Marcus cut it off.

"And, Sergeant Kim, any updates for the forensic team's autopsy? We needed that for this murder case," Marcus announced. He turned around, grabbing the folders with the past cases of serial killers in Manila. He sensed something strange to his teammates. They all looked at each other. 

"What is it? Why do you all look so nervous?" Marcus asked, staring at every one of his teammates. Marcus furrowed his eyebrows. One officer stood up. 

"Mr. Dela Rosa... Mr. Rosario came here early in the morning, at about 8 o'clock. And he said something about Margo Monteverde's murder case," Mr. Roque muttered. Marcus creased his forehead out of confusion. 

"What about the murder case?" Marcus asked, gritting his teeth. It brought bad news to him. 

"He announced he will transfer the murder case of the late actress to another team. Mr. Rosario said the Violent Crimes Unit will be the one handling it today."  Marcus's astonished by that. He placed the papers back on its folders and dashed outside of the office. 

The police officers were saluting towards him and he nodded quickly. He needs to be courageous in that case. He knew his friends wouldn't be safe when someone else was holding it. Marcus promised that he himself will find that culprit. 

Marcus walked fast towards the office of the chief of the police Mr. Rosario and barged in there. He widened his eyes as he saw the head of the national security of the country and bowed down his head. Their chief detective cackled, introducing him to the Head of the National Security. 

"This is our head of the detectives on the Formal Bureau Investigation. The leader of the Major Crimes Division, Lieutenant Marcus Dela Rosa." Chief of the Police, Mr. Rosario, stood up from his desk and approached Marcus. 

He shook his hand towards the head of national security. Marcus turned to Mr. Rosario, saying about his business.

"I need to talk something to you, Mr. Rosario, if you may permit me. About the murder case of the late actress, Margo Monteverde," Marcus conveyed. The head of national security excused himself. Marcus glanced as he left out the door, grumbling at the Chief. 

"What is it, Lieutenant Dela Rosa? Is there something wrong about transferring the case to the other team?" Mr. Rosario asked as he sat down behind his desk. 

He sighed and retorted back, "Why the sudden change? We are in the progress of her case. I knew we could solve this right away. Not to mention I am still the Chief Inspector of the Major Crimes here, sir. It needs approval of my signature as well." 

"So, you said that I don't have the right to pass the case to another team, as you had said?" The Police General queried, which made Marcus look up through the ceiling out of dismay.

He exhaled and said, "No, sir. I'm puzzled why you transferred the case early this morning. And without my permission." 

The police general chortled at him, getting something from the rack. Marcus took a quick glance around the office. It amazed him at how clean the surroundings were. The national government pampered the old hunch right in front of him. The cold cases kept piling up, but he didn't care. 

"You know what they say about incapability, right?" Police General Rosario asked him. Marcus furrowed his eyebrows about how ridiculous his questions were. He stood up from the desk again, looking at the wide view of the capital of Manila at the large window. The broad daylight sneaking in on the other side of the office. 

"Yes, sir. I know what incapability means," Marcus mumbled. He didn't know how this conversation would go. 

"I believe in you, Marcus. But in your team, I am not impressed." The Police General looked back at him. His smirk offended Marcus's dignity. Marcus knuckled his fists and put it rapidly behind his back. 

"What makes you say that, Chief Rosario? My team was the greatest you had over the years. There was no way we can't solve this murder case," Marcus explained. He controlled his gritting teeth. He clenched his jaw a bit as the Police General turned around and faced him. 

"I don't think so, Lieutenant Dela Rosa. Accept the cold cases I had been assigning to you now and then. I will let the other Violent Crimes to handle the murder cases from now on." Police General Rosario walked back to his table. Marcus gasped at what he heard. He creased his forehead and scoffed a little.

He signed something on the clipboard and showed it to Marcus. He saw it was an agreement on the head of detectives and chief inspector signage board. The chief of the police wanted Marcus to sign it. Marcus can't help but to glare at the chief of the police no matter what he tried to control the anger that was rising. 

"Don't worry, the other team will solve the case neatly. And everyone will be peaceful about the death of the late actress. We will catch the killer for the goal of a one-month time span. You don't need to be anxious about that case, Mr. Lieutenant General. You still have more cold cases on your plate," the Police General mumbled, smirking at him.

Marcus darted his eyes everywhere and apologized, "I'm sorry, sir. But as the head of the detectives and the Chief Inspector, I will not sign that agreement." 

Mr. Rosario cackled at him and inquired, "What makes you so hard-headed now, Lieutenant Dela Rosa?" 

"I believe I can solve this with my team," Marcus retorted.

Mr. Rosario lifted his chin up to him and reminded, "What makes you say that you believed in them? They are just your temporary team, Marcus." 

Marcus widened his eyes and asked, "What temporary team were you talking about?" 

Mr. Rosario rolled his tongue and clicked it over the insides of his mouth. He looked at him rudely and weighed in the worst words Marcus had ever heard from the chief.

"If you decline to sign this transfer of murder case, I don't have a choice to change your teammates again. Or worse, I will remove your position as the head of detectives," Mr. Rosario spoke to him roughly. It made Marcus baffled in his place. He tightened the knuckle of his fists. 

"What are you suggesting, Mr. Rosario? That I don't have any other options besides the one you gave?" Marcus asked, infuriated about what he heard. Mr. Rosario nodded matter-of-factly as Marcus exhaled exasperatedly at him out of rage. 

"What will you choose, pass the case, or change your teammates?" Mr. Rosario questioned him while Marcus was glaring at him. Mr. Rosario raised his eyebrows at him. Marcus clenched his jaw and stared at the signage board that the chief of the police was holding in his right hand.