✔ 02 | Flames Of Madness [Soon To Be Published Under PSICOM]

CAPITULUM 25

DEATH headquarters
Eastwood
8:00 a.m.

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Kanina pa napapansin ni Detective Nico Yukishito ang pagbabago sa mga ikinikilos ni District Officer Rizee Mariano. She started tapping her fingers on the tabletop and kept glancing at her cellphone for the last few minutes. Para bang hindi ito makatingin nang diretso sa kanya at bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha nito.

'The first telltale signs that something has gone terribly wrong.'

Pinilit niya itong 'wag ipahalata. She was acting calm and composed, but Nico can easily see right through her mask. He's been a criminal profiler for months now, so he can easily conclude something from her subtle actions.

Kalmadong sumandal sa kanyang upuan si Nico at inubos ang kanyang kape. After a few more minutes, his eyes narrowed at the blue-eyed district officer.

"Something unfortunate happened."

"I-I'm sure that---"

"It's not a question, officer. Kaysa sayangin mo pa ang oras ko, mabuti pang sabihin mo na ang masamang balita."

Nico knew he was acting rude, but right now, time is important. Hindi nila alam kung kailan ulit aatake si Robinhood Arsonist kaya kailangan nilang paghandaan ang anumang delubyong dala ng demonyong 'yon. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Rizee. Ilang sandali pa, mahina siyang napamura at sumagot sa mahinang boses. Nakakuyom pa ang mga kamao niya na para bang kanina pa pinipigilan ang emosyon.

Nico saw her mask break before him.

"Tinext ako ng pulis na in-assign kong magsundo kay Janella, ang witness na nakausap ko. Medyo natrapik daw siya sa highway. Kakarating niya lang daw sa bahay nila pero wala roon ang dalaga," Rizee took in a deep breath and tried to hide her emotions, "N-Nang makita siya ng magulang ng witness, nagtaka raw sila dahil may pulis nang sumundo kay Janella kanina..."

Shit.

Nico's jaw clenched in frustration. He was half-expecting bad things to happen, but he wasn't expecting it so soon. At ngayong posibleng nakidnap ang kaisa-isang witness na makapagbibigay ideya sana sa kanila sa identity ng kriminal, iisa lang ang naiisip ng  detective...

"Mukhang naunahan na tayo ni Robinhood Arsonist."

Ilang minuto lang ang pagitan ng pagsundo ni RA kay Janella at ang pagdating ng totoong police escort niya. Kung sakali sanang hindi naipit sa traffic ang police escort at mas maaga itong dumating sa bahay ng witness, wala na sanang ganitong kadramahan.

It's really fucking ironic how a mere minute can make so much difference.

And this bothered Rizee even more. "Sa tingin mo ba isa sa mga kasamahan namin sa Eastwood police ang arsonist?"

"Posibleng pulis nga si RA. But my instincts tell me that he just dressed up as a police officer and acted like one."

Tumayo na si District Officer Rizee Mariano at huminga nang malalim. She fumbled with her phone. "Tatawagan ko na si Inspector Ortega tungkol dito. I've already texted for back up to check the neighborhood for any signs of the arsonist. Nanganganib ang buhay ni Janella sa kamay ni Robinhood Arsonist."

"Tell them to heck for a van or any suspicious vehicles. Oh, and look for any tire tracks or footprints."

"Noted."

Nico sighed, and fished out his own cellphone. Whether he likes it or not, he's obligated to make his own phone call. Agad niyang nahanap sa contact niya ang numero ng dalaga at tinawagan ito.

After a few rings, she finally picked up...

"Nova, we have a problem."

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