The Culprit (UNDER REVISION)

Case 032: The Warden's Death 👮

"Maiwan ko na muna kayo, I know you have a lot of things to catch up," paalam ni Chief Asaytuno bago lumabas ng sarili nitong opisina para bigyan sila ng privacy.

"Warden what brought you here?" excited na tanong niya. There's a few person who see this side of him. At isa na roon ang warden.

"Wala naman, masama bang dalawin ka?" anito at ngumiti.

Kilala niya ang matanda, alam niyang may nais itong sabihin ngunit nagdadalawang isip. "Warden kung ano man po 'yon 'wag kayong mahiyang magsabi sa akin. May problema po ba sa trabaho?" may pangamba sa boses niya.

"No, I'm perfectly fine Iho, gusto lang talagang kitang kamustahin."

He nod but still isn't convinced. If the old man was hesitate to tell him his problem. Well he can figure it out himself.

"Warden may gusto nga po pala akong malaman mula sa inyo," alam niyang wala nang plano ang warden na sabihin kung ano man ang bumabagabag dito kaya iniba niya ang paksa. Pagkakataon na rin niya ito upang tanungin ito tungkol sa mga bagay na gusto niyang malaman na ito lang ang makakasagot.

"Ano iyon iho? May gumugulo ba sa 'yo?"

"Wala naman ho, I... I just want to... I..." he can't say what he want to ask. The topic was still sensitive for him.

"Ano 'yon iho, tell me?"

"I'd like to see my father's death investigation record," he said when he finally composed himself. If he's hesitate to ask, wala siyang malalaman.

"Alejandro...."

"I try to find the record but Chief said, all the records was transfered to GENERALS' office," he cut the warden sentence. He don't want to give him a chance not to answer his question.

"That's true Alejandro, there's no file of your father's death here in Capitol," the warden answered and bowed his head.

"But Warden, you handle my father's case right?" pamimilit niya dito. Bata pa siya noon ngunit alam niyang hinawakan nito ang kaso ng pamilya niya.

"At first yes, I was the team leader of the special investigation team who handled your father's case, but when the factory has been raid, they summoned us to submit all the records to the GENERALS office. Since then, sila ang humawak ng kaso, lahat ng kaso related sa drug factory na iyon including your father's case. If you think that I have a copy of the record, I'm sorry to say Alejandro but there's no record left in my hands. They forced us to submit all the records to their office."

"Warden please...?" he plead. His voice was horse and he doesn't care even if he look like a puppy pleading his master to fed him.

"I handle your father's case just for one week. After a week, nang ma-raid ang factory wala na sa akin ang records. Kung meron man akong copy, hindi rin sapat iyon para malaman kung anong gusto mong alamin."

"Warden...."

"I know that you already know that your father's case was related to RDV's cases. I advise you to focus on him. Kapag nahuli mo siya, you will also have a chance to clear your father's name. Alam ko ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit mo pinili na maging isang pulis. 'Wag mong sayagin ang ilang taong ginugol mo sa pag-aaral. Don't put the justice in your own hands. I, myself, wanted to uncover the truth. But for now let's focus on RDV, siya ang stepping stone natin para nalaman kung anong nangyari sa tatay mo ten years ago. Maniwala ka sa akin anak, hindi kita bibiguin."

"Aasa ako Warden... kayo na lang po ang natitirang pag-asa ko."

"Makakaasa ka anak...Alejandro."

•••
The next day, Warden Dominguez body discovered dead sitting at his desk, alone in the locked office. He did not commit suicide and there was no weapons in the room.