Chapter 4: Crime at the Museum

"You guys are talking more now huh," she said with a straight face but I can hear her teasing voice.

"We just wait for you to finished ordering our food." she nodded, but her eyes are still teasing. We get our foods then put the tray in the chair. Zavien fixes his round glasses and starts eating. Athena put down her bag and I arranged my seat.

"In fairness, their food is delicious!" Athena complimented. I bobbed my head.

After we eat, we go home already. Zavien volunteer to drove us home. "Thank you!" my mouth curved into a smile. I slide my door for me to enter. "I'm tired" I complaint while putting down the bs to that we have bought.

I took the remote and open the television to watch some news "One dead body found in a museum, the investigators still can't figure out who is the killer" that was said in the news. That one is interesting. Who would kill in a museum?

When I am bored, I usually read detective novels that's why I know some of the things that detectives do. I want to investigate that but I'm not in a position to do that. I'm still young. I didn't have better skills to do what detectives can do. I continue watching the news and it says that the museum is not that far from our school. But no, I should not entrench with that.

"Did you guys hear about the news?" that was the group of girls talking. I can see that many law students are interested in that. I thought it was only me, but I'm wrong. Almost all of the students here in Qahkil Law School or QLS.

"What about the news?" Athena asked me. She looks curious too. While we are seating, she rested her arms on the table "By the way, did you already read the Criminology Book that we buy?"

I also rested my arms on the table "Not yet," I answered, "I'm too lazy to read that." we both let out our laugh. That book is 1500 pages! I'm reading a book if I want and I'm not reading if I don't want to. I didn't want to pursue my self to do things that I didn't want to do.

"What is interesting about the law?" the lecturer asked. We are now in the class and nothing is new, we still have recitation.

I raised my hand and when the lecturer called my name, I stand up "Law is interesting just by hearing it. But one thing I love about it is the problem-solving. Some of the students now, don't want a problem-solving. But for me, it can make us more mature in making decisions because we don't just set aside the cases. We are finding the solution by doing step by step process. That's all." I sat down.

"You always have a great answer, Ms. Alphonse" the lecturer clapped her hand. "I can see that you want to be a lawyer. I heard that you started being curious about the law when you're just a child." I smile at our lecturer.

After our first class, we went to the cafeteria. "I want to sleep, not to eat" while Athena was saying that, she still keeps walking in the direction of foods. You don't want to eat huh!

I follow her steps on the way to the foods. "One pizza and lemon juice" I ordered. I need to eat fast for me to have some rest. Even though I'm not walking in class, I still feel tired. My brain is really tired!

We are finally on our seat, Athena was in front of me. "Can I take a bite?" I pointed my finger to her bread. That pumpernickel looks so delicious! I gave her a puppy eye.

"Sure," she gave me her bread. "Did you see Zavien already?" she asked. I looked around.

"No, I haven't seen him" That was the end of our conversation about him.

Now, we are reading about Republic Act No. 11131. "We haven't even finished the Criminology Book and now we're reading about this," she said after realizing it. "Blah blah blah" she tiredly said while reading every pages.

The Republic Act No. 11131 is about the practice of the Criminology Profession in the Philippines. I took out the Criminology Book that we bought yesterday. 'Abberatio Ictus- a mistake in blow' that what is said in the Criminology Book.

"What is the meaning of Absolutory Causes?" Professor Denice asked while walking around. "Ms. Alphonse any idea?" I suddenly stand up even though I didn't know the exact answer that she wants. What should I do!? I am panicking but I am not showing it to my co-students.

"Prof... Uhm, yeah uhm" I stop for a second to think what I should say "Absolutory Causes is when the crime is committed but for some reason of public policy and sentiment, there is no penalty. Exempting and justifying circumstances are Absolutory Causes."

"I thought this time you will not be able to answer my question, Ms. Alphonse" that was what I thought too. I fleeting upturning of the corners of my mouth.

"We didn't review that ha? How did you know about that?" my lips curved into a smile. That's the power of advanced reading!

While walking on the streets after our class, something pumps up on my mind. I remember the news! When someone got killed in a museum near Qahkil Law School. I know I should not go there because that's not a safe place right now, like what it said in the news. But I'm really curious about that!

When I'm in front of the museum, it has a barricade tape around it. I guess no one is allowed to go in there. There are no police here so I slowly step my feet into the museum. I'm now in front of some blood here. "What are you doing here?" I was startled when I hear a husky voice beside me. I almost jump in shock and shape my mouth circle. I know it's not the police because I know I heard this voice before.