The Incomplete Detective [Volume 1]

[13] Cryptic Cruncher

SEBASTIAN

DEAD END after dead end. Patuloy kaming tumatakbo sa isang karera ngunit hindi nabibilang ang aming pag-ikot. Seems like we're running on a treadmill. Nagpapakapawis lang kami, pero hindi kailan man makakausad.

"Kung ganoon, the case of Leonardo Enriquez was still considered as suicide?" asked by Lora, the second persona of Lola, who is sitting on the swivel chair of the club with her feet on the desk. She's scrolling down on her phone to check the online articles about the recent murder case.

Tumango lamang ako bago sumandal sa backrest ng folding chair bago tumingin sa aking magkahawak na kamay sa pagitan ng aking magkabilaang tuhod. Iniisip ko ang susunod na magiging hakbang namin matapos sumalpok sa isang panibagong pader.

The deceased Baileigh Fuente was not convicted with murder since the evidences were highly circumstantial. Walang solid proof na siya ang may kagagawan—though naniniwala pa rin kaming may kinalaman siya, at baka pakana rin ng kulto ang pagkamatay niyang disguised as suicide. We checked his place, but nothing important can be found.

Talagang malinis magtrabaho at mag-eliminate ng mga loose end ang kalaban. They won't hesitate to shower blood on the land just to put roadblocks in our path. Kung gusto namin silang talunin, we need to play faster. If we cannot overtake them, we won't ever find a way to flash the light in the darkness in front of them.

"Anong oras daw babalik si Dean?" buntong-hininga ni Lora. She was twirling her hair's right tail with her index finger, showing how bored she is on waiting. To not make assumption, she's just waiting for the news from her brother. I heard, may hinihinging tulong ang inspektor sa club.

"Patience, Lora," I sighed. "Darating din si Delvin kaya umupo ka lang diyan."

Binalot ng katahimikan ang buong clubroom. Naghintay pa kami ng kalahating oras hanggang sa bumukas ang pintuan ng aming silid. Delvin appeared standing at the doorway, raising a brown envelop held by his right hand, then shouted, "Good afternoon!" He smiled as he walked towards us. "Himala't pinag-absent mo si Lola, huh Lora? Napaka-rare kitang makita rito."

That's a question I am also asking to myself. Usually, hindi lumalabas si Lora kapag nasa campus except sa unit namin. Hinahayaan kasi naming mag-focus sa pag-aaral ang tunay na nagmamay-ari sa katawan niya.

The child with pigtails squinted her eyes at Delvin before gesturing a thumbs down in front of her chest. "Biglang nagkaroon ng early dismissal ngayong hapon. Apparently, teachers and admins will have a meeting."

Lora dodged the question—malabo na ang sagot niya ang kaniyang totoong rason. For sure, Lola will be joining her classmates after the dismissal of classes if there's no reason for her to be here.

"Meeting?" Delvin furrowed a brow habang inilalapag ang envelop sa table top—he took the diversion. Now, we will pursue a different topic, and what could I say? Delvin is clueless since hindi naman siya pumapasok sa klase.

Lora flicked her brows, fixing her sitting position. "When I hacked in the University database, I found the memorandum. Apparently, pag-uusapan ng mga admin ang recent suicide cases ng mga Mondragonian student."

My brows knitted in confusion. "Dalawa pa lang naman ang recorded, hindi ba? Isn't it way too fast for them to take action? Wala rin namang involvement ang school sa recent one."

"Actually, tatlo na," Delvin sounded serious. I darted a do-you-know-something gaze at him. "Well, natanggap ko lang kay Inspector ang balita kanina. Mayroon na namang nagpakamatay na mag-aaral ng unibersidad kagabi."

"Sobrang depress naman yata ng mga Mondragonian?" Lora asked, blowing her cheeks. "Though hindi naman natin masisisi ang mga nawawalan ng ganang mabuhay sa bulok na mundo natin."