Killing Code (Under Ukiyoto Publishing House)

Chapter 5

Tumayo ang matanda. "I'm going home now. I will call you if the Police update me. Please help me contact Stell. Maybe he can pick up your call. Hindi ko alam baka galit sa akin ang anak ko." Malungkot ang hitsura nito. "Anhin ko ang kayamanan ko kung mawawala sa paningin ko ang Unico Hijo ko." Naihilamos nito ang mga palad sa mukha nito.

"Makikita rin natin si Stell. Hoping he was in a safe place. Pero alam mo naman si Stell." Euro smiled.

Pilit ni Mr. Brien ang ngumiti. "Thanks for the time guys. I gotta go now." Nagsimula na itong humakbang palayo.

"Beware of white rose petals. Kung mayro'n mang kumakalat na mga talutot ng puting rosas iwasan mo na lang." Pahabol na sambit ni Kio na siyang tumigil kay Mr. Brien sa paglalakad.

Lumingon si Mr. Brien at nagtatanong ang buong mukha nito. "Why, Hijo?"

He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say, but he said, "I don't know why, but please be careful of the white rose." But he wished that everyone is aware of the white rose. He reasoned that since it was the murderer's ruse, he shouldn't become overly fixated on white rose petals.

Mr. Brien nodded and turned to walk away.

"What do you mean by aware in a white rose?" tanong ni Sky na lumapit kay Kio.

Tumayo siya. "Please use your head occasionally to look into what was happening."

"Fuck." Sky cursed.

"Kio was right," said Euro. "We ought to keep the white rose in mind. It appeared that the events of today and Kai's case were connected.."

"Nah, I was the one who said that yesterday." Xero grinned.

"Okay, sir I'll put a credit next time." Xero laughed.

"I think nagbalik ang taong pumatay kay Kai and this time baka tayo naman ang gusto nitong patayin. May nagawa ba tayong mali?" biglang naisip ni Kio at tumingin sa kawalan.

"Mukhang may punto ka. Pero sana 'wag naman gano'n. As far as I remember wala akong nagawang mali o kasamaan sa kapwa ko," Xero said defensively.

Hinarap ni Kio si Euro. "Can you bring me to Xewo's office?"

Mukhang hindi nito ginusto ang ideya niya. "But I'm sure he loves his work, and Xewo can't ask for case reopening."

"Just bring me to his office." He shouted.

Huminga nang malalim si Euro. "Calm down man."

"So, magkita na lang tayo mamaya," ani Sky. "Usual place."

"Yes, how about you Xero?" tanong ni Kio kay Xero.

"I'm going home with Sky."

"See you later," said Sky. The two turned their back and walked away.

Euro leads the way to the second floor of the building kung saan naroon ang office ni captain Ken Xewo. Euro knocked on the door three times before he opened it. Euro stepped in and while later ay muli itong lumabas at hinarap si Kio. "You can talk to him, I'll wait here."

He pushed the door slowly and stepped in. Tumambad sa kaniya ang captain, bata pa ito base sa pisikal na kaanyuan nito. Sa tantiya niya ay nasa twenty-three o twenty-four ang edad ng captain. He sighed profoundly at umupo sa client's table. May mga brown envelopes na nakalapag sa mesa nito.