Chapter Five: Suicide or Murder (Part III)

"Wala na bang kahit anong tao maliban sa inyo ang nakakita ng krimen?" pagsisimula ni Inspector Reed habang nakalingon sa crime scene.

"A few students have witnessed the fall of the victim from the rooftop," sagot ni Flare at tinuro ang taas. "I quickly told one teacher to bring them back to their rooms since it'll be etched on a student's mind if the victim's body would get stared at."

Karamihan ng tao, nag-iisip agad ng mga nakakatakot sa mga isip nila once na makakita sila ng bangkay. At ang mas malala pa'y kung makikita nila na may dugo ang bangkay. Zombies are one of the fantasies on their imagination. Well, that's fiction pero 'yon ang mostly nasa utak ng mga tao kapag nakakita ng patay na tao.

Well, fiction is fiction anyway. Going back to the case, lumingon sa kain si Inspector Reed at tinanong, "Ayos ka lang ba na kasama ka uli ni Flare sa pag-iimbestiga?"

I shrugged my shoulders. Hindi naman big deal sa akin na makakita ng patay na katawan. Besides, wala namang nakaka-thrill sa school dahil puro school activities lang.

"I will stick with him as long as he wants me to be his so-called assistant," sabi ko habang lumingon kay Flare.

Nakatingin pa rin siya kay Inspector Reed. "She will investigate with me. Don't even question it, inspector."

"Oo na, oo na, hijo. Gets ko na." Kinamot ni Inspector and kanyang ulo at tumalikod sa amin. "Oh, siya na. Kailangan ko pa i-check kung mayroon pang makikita sa lugar ng krimen. 'Wag kayong masyadong lumayo. You're witnesses."

"Hmm... Ngayon ko lang uli nakita ang Inspector na 'yon ah."

My eyes flashed to Lucas, who is walking towards us habang nakalagay ang mga kamay sa pockets ng kanyang uniform trousers.

Huminto siya sa harap ni Flare at lumingon dito. "Are you in good terms with that man again? I thought na ayaw mo ng magkaroon ng koneksyon sa kanya?"

Here comes Lucas' statement again. Pang-ilang beses na kaya siyang nagsabi ng hindi ko maintindihan habang nasa paligid ako?

"Ha?" 'Di ko mapigilan na sambitin 'yon.

"Ah, oo nga pala. Nandito ka rin pala, Mavis. Want another background story about this guy?" Lucas pointed to Flare with his thumb.

Flare sighed. "And yet you said that she can't be trusted," he mocked and tilted his head. "Did you just eat your words, smug?"

Lucas gave him a pouty look and leaned into me with his left hand hiding his mouth as he whispered.

"Alam mo, Mavis. Minsan malakas manukso 'yang Sherlock wannabe na 'yan. 'Wag ka rin magtiwala diyan masyado. Apakalaki ding manipulator niyan."

I arched an eyebrow. Talaga? Well, you can't judge the book by its cover. Baka nga manipulator siya. I can't judge someone stupidly.

"You told her I'm a manipulator, you stupid smug."

Napatingon ako kay Flare na nakasandal na sa malapit na dingding at nakahalukipkip habang masama ang tingin kay Lucas.

Lucas smirked. "What? It's true though. You're a great manipulator. You can't have the most bodies if you aren't."

To be clear, hindi 'yon bodies na sexually kaya?

"It's not sexually, it's on killing," sagot ni Flare. Mahina ang pagkakasabi niya ng part na "killing" kaya bumaba rin ang kanyang boses.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Hindi ko pa naman sinasabi tanong ko."

"And you're obvious to see your question written on your face," pagbalik niya.

I gave him a pouty look. Gosh! Eto talagang lalaking 'to! Onti na lang talaga at kukuha na ako ng lubid para matali ko siya't maibato sa nagagalit na apoy.

"Song thrush."

The nickname snapped me out of my trance and looked up, meeting his black eyes. Mayroon ding emosyon na medyo kinagulat ko.

"Come with me."

He pulled my hand and tugged me firmly but softly. I let him drag me into the hallway.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko, pambasag sa katahimikan sa pagitan namin.

I will entertain him in just a few minutes while he is dragging me. He is too focused on the case and one of the evidence of that is him, dragging me.

Hindi siya sumagot.

Nasa bandang hagdanan na kami ng rooftop. Kahit na gano'n, I tried to distract him. "Ano ba kailangan mo at pupunta pa tayong rooftop?"

Hindi na naman siya sumagot.

Binuksan niya ang pintuan at malakas na hangin ang bumungad sa amin. Napapikit ako ng aking mata at hinayaan si Flare na i-guide ako.

I blinked numerously to get rid of the after-effect of the light on my eyes and looked at Flare.

Lumapit na siya sa barandilya at in-inspect iyon. Lucas said there are stains of blood in a certain part before the victim fell down.

Huminto si Flare at tinitigan ang barandilya. He crouched down and stared at it for a while.

The wind blew hard. My uniform danced with it while my hair touched my face sideways. Flare's hair flying forward as his back is in the direction of the wind.

"Song thrush, what do you think of this case?" tanong niya at lumingon sa akin.

Huh? Why is he asking me?

"Is it a suicide..." Tumayo siya at nilagay ang kanyang mga kamay sa pocket ng kanyang uniform trousers. "... an accident... or a murder?"

The wind suddenly blew harder. Flare is facing me now, staring at me, waiting for an answer to come out of my mouth.

There is not enough evidence to prove his assumptions on this. Whether suicide, accident or murder, wala pang ebidensya. Ang tanging nalalaman lang namin ay mayroong dry blood sa barandilya, tatlo silang pumunta sa rooftop, and the victim died by falling down from the rooftop. If iisipin mo, there will be a conclusion that he took suicide while his best friend and girlfriend is trying to stop him. There is also a conclusion that he was forced to fall down by pushing him. Also, render him unconscious before pushing him down.

That's all we know and yet, Flare wanted me, who is just a beginner to unravel a case, to make a decision on how the victim died. "Give me a sec," I said and went near the dry blood.

I crouched down the same as Flare before and stared at the blood. The part of the metal bar is slightly bent like something was hit on it, hard. It is only a little bit of blood but it plays the part of the evidence that the victim has forcefully banged on the back of his head on the bar.

Kung iisipin kung ano ang mas malapit na conclusion sa ebidensyang ito ay...

Lumingon ako kay Flare at aking isinagot ay, "Murder."

Tinitigan niya lang ako matapos kong sumagot sa kanya. Iyon bang titig na kinukwestiyon niya buong pagkatao mo.

Bakit ba naman kasi niya ako tinanong kung kukuwetiyonin din naman niya sagot ko, 'di ba?

I'm not a detective and a smart-ass analysis addict like him to know the correct answer to this case correctly like him.

Ang pagkakatitig ko sa kanya ay napalitan ng isang masamang tingin. Seryoso ba naman kasi ang mukha, apaka!

"Hm."

My eyes widened as I saw the side of his lips curve up and his eyes are smiling while looking at me. This is the second time I've seen him happy.

Wow, ang swerte ko naman. May nakain ba ako at para ngumiti sa harap ko si Flare?

He walked towards me and pat my head slowly with a grin on his face before turning his back on me, grabbing my hand, and pulling me out of the rooftop.

Napakusot ako sa aking mata habang nakatitig sa likod ng ulo nang lalaking yelo na 'to. No comment? Ganun lang. He asked me a damn hard question and now, he will just grin at me and pulled me like nothing happened. Seriously?

"Hey, Flare. Tama ba sagot ko o hindi?" tanong ko. Hindi na kasi ako makapaghintay ih.

"I would rather say I'm fond of you." His voice went deeper than usual but it is sweet—no, not as honey. Hindi pwedeng ma-define sa kanya ang pinakamatamis at masarap na pagkain na 'yon. It seems like... a sweet mango. Rough but sweet.

My heart skipped a beat. Sa sobrang lakas ng pagtibok ng puso ko, ramdam ko na hanggang tenga ko ang pagpulso no'n.

Teka nga lang. Why do I need to get involved this despicable feeling get through with me dahil lang sa sinabi niyang interesado siya sa akin?

"Uh, can I ask kung baket interesado ka sa akin?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

Tinanggal ko sa isipan ko ang mga malisyang imahinasyon ko. He took a glance at me and walked a little bit slower. Hawak-hawak niya pa rin kamay ko. Parang ayaw na niyang bitawan yata eh.

"No reason. I just got interested in you. You're interesting, song thrush. A really interesting person to observe," he answered.

Hindi ko napansin na binitawan niya ang kamay ko kung hindi pa siya naglakad nang may malayong distansya sa akin. I caught up to his pace and we walked standing right next to each other.

Nakarating na kami sa harap ng university. And like just right on cue, Friar walked towards us with a grumpy look.

"Saan na naman ba ikaw pumunta ha, Flare? And you pulled Mavis again with you!" She glanced at me with an apologizing look before glaring at her own brother. With matching pameywang pa.

"Inspector Reed is looking for you, Sherlock wannabe. Don't want to get that old man get mad at you not being here after you told him na 'di ka aalis. At dinamay mo pa ang magandang dilag na 'yan," turo niya sa akin.

"Correction, Lucas: 'Wag daw masyadong lalayo, hindi 'wag aalis," sabi ko.

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Same difference."

Lumapit sa amin ang isang officer na kasama ni inspector at pinasama kami sa kanya. Pumasok kami sa police tape na nakapalibot sa crime scene. Itinaas ni Flare ang tape para makapasok ako ng maayos.

Nang makapasok na, kaagad napukaw ng tingin ko ang dalawang babae na kasama ni Inspector Reed. Naka-uniform din sila katulad ng sa amin at parang kinakabahang naghihintay sa interogasyon ng mga pulis.

Lumapit kami sa kanila at tinanguan ni Flare si Inspector Reed. "Mayroong nagdala dito ng dalawang 'to, hijo. Pinaghihinalaan na girlfriend at girl best friend ng biktima," turo ni Inspector Reed sa dalawa.

"Other information besides the suspects?" tanong ni Flare.

Sasagot na sana si Inspector Reed nang kunot-noong nagtanggal ng pagkakahalukipkip ang isang babae at sabay sabing, "Suspects? Ba't niyo kami inaakusahan agad as suspects?"

"We do not accuse you." Flare glanced at her. "You're referred to as a 'suspect' because you're from the crime. If you will remain silent, I will not further think that you are really the killer of the victim."

"May masama rin bang magulat?" iritang tanong ng isa. "At saka, why is the son of this university trying to get involve with the police's case? Hindi 'to laro."

"I know. Have you ever heard of my club?"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Sino ang hindi nakakaalaman no'n? Kalat sa buong school ang sunod-sunod na pagpunta ng students do'n na kailangan ng tulong and yet, you never accept cases which are like 'a piece of cake' to you."

"Then, if you know what type of club I'm in, I suggest you close your mouth and hold your tongue in," he said. His words felt sharp as he gave only a one-second glare at the woman.

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ng unang babae pero hindi 'yon pinansin ni Flare at humarap kay Inspector Reed.

"Please continue, inspector."

He faked cough before continuing, "As what will I say earlier, hijo, mayroon pa kaming nakuha. Mga letra."

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may ibinigay siyang litrato kay Flare. T R I N I. Ayan ang nakasulat na mga letra sa litrato.

"Galing 'yan sa crime scene. Pinicturan na lang ng isang officer ko."

"Is it still fresh?"

Umiling siya. "Dahil hindi naman nakakatagal ang dugo at madaling dumikit sa semento, matutuyo siya agad. Ilang minuto na rin siguro ang nakalipas."

"Not minutes. An hour," lumingon si Flare kay Inspector Reed at winagayaway ang picture. "An hour had passed. Time ticks faster than before." He glanced down again at the picture. "I have seen this as I observed the corpse. He is right-handed. Forefinger has a little blood on the end."

Wow, nalaman niya kaagad 'yon ng isang tinginan lang sa crime scene. Wala pa ang mga pulis no'n nang makita niya ang bangkay.

"These letters aren't complete," komento niya. "What's the name of the victim if I may ask, inspector?"

"Nathan Revera. The cause of death is between 11:30 to 12:00." It's around the time na natapos ang pag-eensayo ni Flare sa soccer niya. "The possible time of death is tinulak siya galing sa mataas na lugar."

"Thank you for the name and the additional info, inspector. Here's the picture." Binalik niya sa inspector ang picture. "I analyzed it so, you could bring it back with the forensics team."

Tumango si Inspector Reed at saka iniwan kami kasama ang dalawang babae. Mayroong isang officer na nagbabantay sa amin sa gilid kung may mangyari mang gulo.

"Now, let's start the interrogation..." Nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa paketa ng school trousers niya at tumingin ng diretso sa dalawa. "... shall we?"

Sobrang napakalaki ng tension sa pagitan ng titig ni Flare at ng dalawang babae. Ako lang ata dito ang mukhang naiipit sa mga makakamandag na tingin nila sa isa't isa.

"Song thrush." Kaagad akong napatingin sa kanya. "What do you think the word would be if we finished the letters we previously saw before in the picture?"

"Ha?" 'di ko mapigilang sambit. Ayan na naman siya sa kanyang biglang pagtanong sa akin. "Uh, it's a letter related to a name?"

"Yes, but what name?"

"Trinity? That's the close one," mabilis kong sagot sa kanya. That's the only thing that appeared to my mind when I saw the letters.

He hummed with satisfaction and looked over at the two again. "Now, who's Trinity?"

The first girl looked with an arch eyebrow at him. "Are you serious? Alam mo na kung sino kami 'di ba?"

"This is an interrogation, my dear. It is not a hulaan contest for me to obviously put the answer right off when I wanted to," he fired back.

Marahas na napabuntong-hininga siya at sumagot, "Fiona Trinity Valenzuela."

Flare glanced at the second girl. She rolled her eyes and answered, "Eve Trinity Pietro."

"What is your relationship with the victim? Where were you between 11:30 and 12:00? Miss Valenzuela, state your location and active actions during those times," sunod niyang tanong dito.

"Girlfriend ako ni Nathan. Naghihintay ako kay Nathan no'n sa bench. Same building rin. Antagal ko ring naghintay no'n. I even skipped classes para lang ma-meet siya pero 'di siya dumating."

"Mayroon pa bang nangyari after no'n?" tanong ko. I need to ask them questions as well. Ayokong nakatunganga lang ako habang nag-i-interrogate si Flare.

She nodded. "He texted me. Sabi niya may titignan daw muna siya sa rooftop via message. May naiwan raw siya do'n."

"Anyone who could confirm your alibi?" tanong ni Flare.

"Mayroong malapit na guard sa akin no'ng nakaupo ako sa bench. Pwede niyo itanong si manong kung gusto ninyo," aniya.

Flare nodded and looked at the second girl. Tinitingnan-tingnan nito ang kuko niya na akala mo magiging claws na sa sobrang haba. And to think na ang design pa ng cutix ay hot pink na may stone jewels.

Flare asked the same question at her pero hindi siya nito pinansin. Patuloy sa pagtingins siya sa kanyang kuko. Tumilansik pa nga ang dila dahil mat natanggal na isang stone jewel sa kanyang kuko. Nagmura rin siya at sinisi ang parlor na naggawa ng kanyang kuko dahil daw 'di malakas ang kapit ng glue nila para 'di matanggal ang stone jewel. Inulit muli ni Flare ang tanong pero wala pa ring imik ang babae.

"Baka naman, ate, anong ginagawa mo ng mga oras na alas onse y media hanggang alas dose ng mamatay ang biktima?" taas-kilay kong tanong sa kanya.

Yet, no answer and just looking at her goddamn hot pink nails.

Ah, ganyan pala ang gusto niya ah. Sige. Let's force a way in para makasagot ka sa interrogation na 'to. I rolled my eyes and say the questions in a sassy, irritating voice as I could possibly make.

"For the f*cking information, Miss Eve Trinity Pietro, stop looking at your ugly nails because one: it does not fit you, and two: it's just beautiful because of the color, but it still does not fit you because of your rude attitude and f*cking answer the goddamn question!"

At sa wakas naman ay nakuha ko ang atensyon ng babae pero tinaasan lang ako niya lang ako ng kilay. Nanlalaki rin ang kanyang mga mata. "Who are you to start demanding an order to me?! Baka hindi mo alam, ang pamilya ko ang pumapangalawa sa negosyo ng pamilya na," turo niya kay Flare. "My mother's a police general at ang Dad ko, isang government official with a high rank, of course. Kaya kung ayaw mong mapatungan kita ng kaso, tumahimik ka na lang."

I laughed and looked her in the eye. Her expression looks flustered suddenly as I took a step forward towards her and hold her chin, brushing my fingertips light in touch.

"At sa tingin mo matatakot ako sa sinasabi mo?" Lumayo ako sa mukha niya at kumuha ng panyo para punasan ang mga daliring humawak sa mukha niya. "Why would I be scared? Pakulong mo ako. Hindi ako natatakot. And also, a government official and a police general have certain rules to oblige. Law ang sinusunod nila, hindi ang gusto ng anak nila."

"Tumahimik ka! Tatawagan ko si Mom ngayon to hold you captive!" sigaw niya sa akin. Halatang naiirita at nagpapanic na siya sa 'king sinabi.

"Your family could be removed from their position with a snap, my dear." Pumuntang harap ko si Flare. His hands are behind his back, clasped together. His chin is up and his dominating aura appeared. "My family owns a legal mafia group, higher than the position of your father and dominating your mother's profession. I could turn the game if you want to continue this further."

I could imagine na ang mga mata niya ay parang isang alpha, matalim ang pagtingin habang may ibinibigay kilabot sa isang maliit na wolf. Ganun na ganun ang tingin kong senaryo ngayon sa harapan ko.

Eve glared at Flare, trying to match the intense stare and fight back but to no avail, she failed and puffed before answering.

"Ako ang girl best friend niya. Nasa labas ako ng classroom no'n. Hindi ako pinapasok ng first teacher namin dahil sa dress code at pagiging late ko. May hawak rin daw akong softdrinks kaya nalaman na pumunta akong canteen. Like," she rolled her eyes. "Anong pakialam nila? This is my life, duh. No one can dictate it."

Flare nodded and turned to look at me. Nagtataka akong nakatingin sa kanya. Ano na naman kayang ipapagawa sa'kin nito?

"Stop questioning my acts and just do what I will tell you," aniya na ikinagulat ko.

Sumimangot ako. "And here you are again, binabasa mo na naman ang nasa utak ko ng walang paalam."

"I need you to go to the ABM-11 classroom. Find a man named Alejandro Quinto there," he whispered near my ears.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Talagang in-ignore niya ang reklamo ko. "Mayroon bang kapalit ang pagpapagawa mo sa akin ng mission na 'to?" bulong ko pabalik sa kanya.

Nakita ko kumunot ang noo niya. "To close the case. What else you think is the kapalit?"

I smirked. I guess I'll be the one going to enjoy teasing Flare today, not Lucas. "Oh, Mr. Detective. Kailangan may kapalit. Assistant mo ako 'di ba? You should give me what I want after this," panunukso ko with matching nanunuksong ngiti.

Napabuntong-hininga siya at napailing-iling. "I have no time to play games, Mavis. We need to get the case close as possible."

Bumagsak ang ngiti sa labi ko at tumalikod sa kanya nang may kasabay na paghalukipkip.

"Hmph. Fine. Gagawin ko ang gusto mo sa isang kondisyon na makakapunta uli ako ng bahay mo."

Napailing-iling siya at kung hindi ako nagkakamli ng tingin, nakita kong onting nakakurba pataas ang gilid ng labi niya. He gestured for me to go and I did.

I went inside the campus, passing through Friar and Lucas who didn't say anything about my actions, and went ahead to search for the ABM-11 classroom.

But then...

"Ah!"

Napahinto ako ng takbo at binalanse ang sarili ko, napahawak sa ulo ko. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at sinamaan ng tingin ang nakabangga sa akin ngunit kaagad nawala ang inis ko nang makita ko kung sino iyon.

Napadako ang tingin ko sa mga tattoo sa braso niya, ang red tinted hair sa dulo ng kanyang buhok at mga piercings. Teka.

"John Walter. From ABM-11 Section A, right?" sabi ko. "Can you help m—"

"You're with that detective again."

Napahinto ako sa pagsasalita nang marinig ang malamig niyang boses. Kung kay Flare ay parang bangkay lang sa sobrang walang pakiramdam at pagkalamig, si John ang definition na kasing lamig ng Antartica ang boses.

"Excuse me?" kunot-noo kong sambit.

Tinitigan niya lang ako ng ilang minuto bago sumagot, "He's dangerous. Stop sticking on him."

Ano bang mayroon kay Flare at lagi nila akong niwa-warning-an tungkol sa kanya?

"N-0000."

Parang natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko at nawala lahat ng nasa isip ko nang marinig ko ang codename na 'yon. Napatitig ako sa kanya.

Paano niya nalaman ang codename na 'yon?

###