The Culprit (UNDER REVISION)

Case 077: Stalking The Chief 👮

                                   "Chief"

ALEXIS
"Master George!" Alexis rushes towards Master George direction as he entered their office. Worried was written all over her face.

"Alexis, you look so worried...what happened?"

"Master George, galing dito si Alejandro, hinahanap ka. I thought you committed a crime, so, I asked him, but he answered that he have some important matter to discuss with you. What it is Master?"

"Hey ganyan ba ang pagkakakilala mo sa akin?"

"Ha?"

"You thought that I committed a crime? That thought really crossed your mind?"

Alexis bowed her head. "I'm sorry Master, naisip ko lang kasi...s'yempre pulis si Alejandro, but I didn't really entertain that idea... Master, 'wag ka na magtampo sa'kin.

Master George messed her hair. "No, I'm not mad, I was just joking around."

Alam niya nililiko lang talaga ni Master George ang usapan para 'wag na siyang mangulit. But she will not stop until she know the answer.

"So, ano pong dahilan?"

"Naalala mo 'yong Casa de Vega? When you dress like a proustite?"

Alexis mouth twitched when she remember how she looks like at that time. She even ride a motorcycle in that dress, buti na lang makapal ang short niya pang-ilalim.

"Yes Master George, anong tungkol d'on?"

"He just asked me kung nakita ko rin ang taong nakita niya doon n'ong araw na 'yon and I answered yes."

"Sinong naman ang taong 'yon Master?"

"Inspector Mathew Sandoval."

Mathew Sandoval: the traitor.

Alexis was satisfied with Master George answer so she don't ask any further.

ALEJANDRO
Master George's words confuse the hell out of him. Sino ba talaga ito at ano ang mga nalalaman kay RDV? Base on his story, he's also RDV's victim. Pero ano pa nga bang nalalaman nito tungkol sa pagkatao ng kriminal?

He decided to stalk Chief Asaytuno, he can't imagine their Chief, whom he idolize was a traitor. He honestly hate himself for judging their chief. He also hate the idea, but he want to make sure. He have to be sure.

"SPO1 Try, pwede bang ikaw muna ang maiwan dito? I have some important things to do."

Niel rubbed his nape. Alam niyang gusto na rin nito ng magreklamo pero hindi lang makatanggi sa kanya.

"Basta po Inspector, bilisan n'yo lang."

Tumango siya at dali-daling lumabas ng presinto. He hopped in his motorcycle. He adjusted his helmet—to make sure that he hide his face carefully—before starting the engine. He secretly followed Chief Asaytuno's vehicle. He want to know his whereabouts: who he meets and what he does.

Sa kamalas-malasan naman niya ay naabutan siya ng red lights kaya tumigil siya. He heaved a sigh and did nothing but to stare at chief's car who's slowly fading from his sight.

Ilang sandali naman at umasad din ang mga sasakyan. He hates to overtake the other vehicles but he have no choice. Kailangan niyang sundan ang hepe. After a few minutes of racing with the cars. He saw Chief Asaytuno fortuner's stopped in from of the mall. Ano naman kaya ang gagawin nito sa mall?

Nakita niya ang Chief na pumasok sa isang fast food chain. Maliit lang ang stall na iyon at siguradong makikita siya nito kapag pumasok siya sa loob. Nagpasya siyang maghintay na lang labas.

Sa tantsya niya ay trenta minutos ang lumipas at nakita niyang lumabas ang hepe kasama ang anak nito. Marahil ay nakipag-kita ito sa anak sa mall. Sinundan niya muli ang kotse ng hepe. Natungo nito sa GENERALS. There's nothing suspicious about that, his Chief usually go to the GENERALS to report their status in SCBI. Nang lumabas ito ng opisina ng GENERALS ay bumalik naman ito sa presinto nila.

Wala naman ito ng pinuntahan o ginawa na kahina-hinala. Gusto niyang isipin na inosente ang hepe niya, pero hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ang nga salitang binitiwan ni Master George. Hindi naman nito siguro sasabihin iyon kung walang dahilan. Pero umaasa pa rin siya na sana ay walang masamang ginawa o ginagawa ang hepe niya.

He came out from his reverie when Ivan entered his office.

"Inspector, pinapatawag tayong lahat ni Chief sa office niya."

"Did he mentioned why?" he asked.

Ivan shrugged. "Hindi ko rin alam."

Tumayo siya at sumunod dito. Ilang sandali lang at narating nila ang opisina ng hepe. Naroon na halos lahat ng kaaamahan nila. Naupo si Ivan sa bakanteng silya habang siya naman at nanatiling nakatayo malapit sa pinto.

"N'andito na pala kayo," ani ng kapapasok lang na hepe. Pumunta ito sa unahan at tumingin sa lahat. "Galing ako sa GENERALS kanina, Sa susunod na linggo ay 60th birthday ni General Lambert  he's expecting us to come. Hindi lang iyon simpleng birthday celebration kundi retirement na rin niya. He will also announce who will take over his position. Sana lahat kayo makarating."

Alejandro nose twitched. Ano naman ang gagawin niya sa birthday celebration ng isang General? Paniguradong puro pulis at pulitiko ang dadalo sa nasabing selebrasyon. He don't want to waste his time listening speech from a glib politicians.

"Yes Chief, of course we'll come," sagot ni Tobby at ngumiti sa hepe.

"Inspector, ikaw pupunta ka?" tanong ni Ivan na nasa tabi niya. Hindi siya sumagot kaya itinuon ulit nito ang atensyon sa harap.

"That's all! I just want to inform you all... you may all go back to your works."

"Yes Chief." Sumaludo ang mga pulis sa hepe bago isa-isang lumabas ng pinto. Except for Alejandro, who froze on his spot.

"Yes Garcia, may kailangan ka?" tanong ng hepe nang mapansing hindi pa siya gumagalaw sa pwesto niya.

Tinitigan niya lang ito. Ano nga kaya ang ibig sabihin ni Master George? He still hoping na sana inosente ang Hepe. Napalapit na rin naman siya dito sa ilang taong pagtatrabaho sa Capitol. He respect him so much and look up on him. Isa ito sa mga taong hinahangaan niya.

"Wala po Chief, I'll go ahead."

Chief Asaytuno nodded in respond. Tumalikod na rin siya at lumabas ng opisina. His phone vibrated on his pocket. He pick it up and answered the call.

"Hmmm?" tipid na sagot niya.

"Are you invited in General Lambert's birthday celebration?" Master George asked at the other end.

"Yeah, but I have no plans on going there."

"Bakit 'di ka pumunta?"

"Why should I?"

"Inuutusan kita Alejandro pumunta ka...."

"Why?"

"Basta pumunta ka, you might see suspicions person there."

"Are you using my connection---" he stop midway of his sentence when the person at another end cut him off.

"We will both benefits on this!" he hear Master George heaved a sigh at the other end before hanging up the call.

He furrowed his head as he return his phone on his pocket. Master George never fail to give him headache everyday.

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