DESPEDIDA GONE WRONG. What's supposed to be a memorable send-off party ends up in tragedy as the celebrant drops dead after making a toast. Of all the possibilities, murder seems to be most likely scenario. And the suspects? The four attendees who w...
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JUSTE
MAYBE THERE'S more to this case than meets the eye. Maybe there wasn't. It could be murder. It could be suicide disguised as murder. Or it could be an accident, which was totally anticlimactic.
Whatever the case might be, I had to visit the crime scene the next day. Meron na akong visual image nito sa isipan, salamat sa iba't ibang point of view na in-offer sa akin ng tatlo sa apat na in-interview ko kagabi.
"Hindi mo na ako kailangang i-escort," sabi ko sa babaeng nagda-drive sa sinasakyan kong police car. I was in the passenger's seat, drinking my hot latte. "Hanggang sa simpleng inspection ng crime scene ba naman, wala kayong tiwala sa akin? I'll just walk around and take a look in the house."
Verity was the one driving the car. She was shooting me glances as I spoke. Kaunti na lang, iisipin kong may crush siya sa akin kasi pasulyap-sulyap siya. But I'd rather not say that out loud. Baka batukan o sikmurain niya pa ako. She's good at martial arts, and only a fool would question her physical prowess.
"We're partners in this case, okay?" she said, glancing at me again. "Where you go, I go. I'm also under strict orders to keep an eye on you."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Ano ba sa tingin mo ang gagawin ko? Tatakutin ang mga college student na sabihin sa akin ang katotohanan? Babantaan na ibibitin ko sila nang patiwarik kapag walang umamin?"
"Knowing you, that's within the realm of possibilities."
"Fine." I sighed. "I'll let you accompany me in the crime scene—"
"I don't need your permission. I'll accompany you whether you like it or not."
"Sorry, wrong choice of words." I raised both of my hands, even the one that held the hot cup. "But I have a favor to ask. Pwede bang ako ang mag-drive pabalik sa station? I'm not comfortable na babae ang nagmamaneho para sa akin."
"Because driving is only for men, and women should just sit back and relax?" she scoffed. "I didn't know na sexist ka rin pala."
"Hey, don't put words into my mouth," I argued. Iningatan ko ang paghawak sa baso, baka matapon sa damit ko. "I'm not being sexist. Just a personal preference. Mas comfortable ako kung ako ang magmamaneho. Walang kinalaman ang gender mo rito."
"No," she said firmly. Nagmenor na siya dahil papasok na kami sa subdivision.
"Wala ka bang tiwala sa driving skills ko?" tanong ko. "I used to chase on-the-run suspects using this police car. Hindi mo ba narinig ang bulungan sa station? I'm one of the best drivers there."
"Wala akong tiwala sa 'yo," mariing sabi ni Verity sabay sulyap sa akin. "Baka kung saan mo pa dalhin ang kotse."
"Magda-drive thru lang naman ako, eh."
"Ako na ang magda-drive thru para sa 'yo," tugon niya bago siya huminto sa gate ng subdivision at kausapin ang guard. As soon as the gates were opened, she drove through the main avenue, then turned left and went straight ahead. "Hindi pa ba enough ag binili kong coffee para sa 'yo?"
