Snow White is a Gangster (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Chapter 32: An Unexpected Alliance

"Can we trust whoever that is?" Tanong ko.

"We don't need to trust him. He's only loyal to money and money is what we have." And he gave me a knowing look. Agad kong kinuha ang mga cash mula sa cabinet at inilagay sa bulsa ng aking jacket. Ipinasya kong dalhin na lang ito sa halip na suotin. I didn't want to add up to Detective Penber's ridiculous choice of clothing.

"Let's go. Audrey is already waiting for us," aniya.

I frowned, "Audrey?" Ulit ko sa sinabi niya.

Instead of responding, he just winked at me. I felt uncomfortable about having another companion in this mission. I couldn't trust Detective Penber alone, what more if I had another one to deal with.

Nag-aalangan akong sumunod sa kanya palabas ng Vinea. Naglakad kami pabalik ng gusali na pinaglapagan ng chopper subalit sa halip na magtungo sa roof top ay sumakay kami ng elevator pababa ng basement. Maingat kong hinigpitan ang kapit sa baril ko na itinatago ng aking jacket. This could be a trap. Nang bumukas ang elevator ay bumungad sa akin ang may kadilimang parking lot. Hindi ko mapigilan ang kaba ko habang naglalakad kami sa harap ng mga kotse. Tumigil siya sa isang makintab na pulang Mustang. It was like an upgraded classic car. Mas tila mukhang bago ito kumpara sa dinala niya sa mansion dati.

"I want you to meet my Audrey Hepburn. I spent a lot of money to upgrade and polish her. She's gorgeous, isn't she?" Malapad ang ngiting pagpapakilala ni Detective Penber sa kanyang kotse.

Tumangu-tango ako habang sinisipat ang sasakyan. I have this space in my little heart for classic cars. "Impressive," komento ko.

Mukha namang nasiyahan siya sa aking reaction kung kaya naman ipinagbukas niya ako ng pinto na tila isa siyang maginoo. Agad siyang sumakay sa driver's seat at pinaandar ang kotse palabas ng gusali.

"I thought you got here in a chopper," wika ko.

"I didn't. Tres would not let me step in his precious little dragonfly. And I prefer the long drive. It helps me make peace with myself. I wouldn't mind sailing in the sea with my Audrey," sagot niya.

His admiration for his car was pretty obvious. I decided not to engage in a conversation with him while he was driving. He was a little bit chatty talking about missions and how we should save someone's life even though it wasn't worth saving. Itinuon ko na lang ang aking paningin sa bahagi ng Eremitia na hindi ko pa nakikita. Matapos ang halos dalawampung minuto ay nakarating kami sa isang lugar na may mga lumang gusali. Sa una ay aakalain mong mga bakante ang mga iyon kung hindi sa mga mangilan-ngilang mga tao na naglalakad sa paligid niyon.

"This is a perfect crime scene,"  seryoso kong sabi nang huminto siya sa isang lumang gusali. Mahina siyang tumawa at saka lumabas ng pinto. Bago ko pa buksan ang pintuan sa harap ko ay nakaikot na siya at ipinagbukas ako na parang isa siyang maginoo.

"It is a tenement, your highness. This is usually where people who can't afford mansions live," wika ni Detective Penber.

"But we're getting weapons here. A poor man who has a gun in his hand is up for a crime," I stated while checking the area. It was definitely an unfriendly neighborhood to live in.