The Incomplete Detective [Volume 1]

[03] Trace of Yesterday

SEBASTIAN

THE GAME we have been playing for the night is all about tricks and deceptions. One must outwit the other party to keep everything from falling apart, and must learn to think three steps ahead before making a single move. However, there is a major flaw on our opponent's strategy—it was used against us.

"Ano'ng sinasabi mo, Sebastian?" tanong ni Delvin habang nire-restrain ang nakadapang magnanakaw. "Isn't this the person who attacked you? Alalahanin at pagmasdan mo siyang mabuti."

Umiling lamang ako. This thief wears the same jacket, and has the same height of my attacker. Gayunpaman, malaki ang pagkakaiba nila sa laki ng pangangatawan. Idagdag mo pa ang magkaibang amoy ng pabango nila.

"Ang ibig sabihin lamang n'on ay mayroon siyang kasabwat." Delvin gritted his teeth as he glared at the captured thief. "Kanina ko pa iniisip ang posibilidad na 'yon, pero dahil sa sitwasyon natin, isa lang ang mapo-focus nating gawin. Wala akong oras para i-check ang power room para alamin ang mechanism na gamit ng magnanakaw para putulin ang daloy ng kuryente."

Kung naisip niya 'yon, dapat sinabi niya kaagad sa akin. Puwede naman kasing ako ang tumungo sa power room para magtanong sa mga operator d'on. Instead, Delvin, distrusting me with the information, allowed one enemy to escape. "What should we do now? Should we call the cops? Or try to find his accomplice?"

"No, mayroon na tayong hawak na isa rito." Delvin shook his head, making a serious expression. "It will only take a matter of time and questions para tuntunin ang kasabwat niya. I cannot leave this guy, at mas lalong 'di kita puwedeng hayaang kumilos nang mag-isa."

I frowned upon hearing his last line. Why not allow me? It will be convenient for both of us.

"'Di ko sinabi sa 'yo ang posibilidad na mayroong kasabwat ang magnanakaw dahil baka magpumilit kang asikasuhin ang pag-iimbestiga r'on." Isn't he caring? Disgusting. In a war, a general should learn to dispatch his troops decisively. "Don't think about it. Makatakas man siya ngayon, 'di naman siya makakapagtago sa batas nang matagal."

"Mga ugok! Ano'ng pinagsasabi n'yong kasabwat?" nanggigigil na hirit ng nahuli namin. He suddenly shifted from calm to aggressive mode. "Hayaan na ninyo ako! Pakawalan ninyo ako!"

Delvin pulled both arms of the thief toward each other, overstretched. Napayuko na lamang ang malaking lalaki habang umiihip ng hangin. The devil asked, "Sabihin mo sa amin, sino at ano ang kailangan ninyo ng kasabwat mo?"

"Wala akong kasabwat. Sinasabi ko na sa inyo!" Hearing them shouting, I became cautious as I moved towards the door, closing it. We cannot afford others to hear and witness this torture. "Ipakulong na lang ninyo ako kung gusto n'yo. Tama na! Aray!"

Of course, a criminal won't reveal its accomplice. Mas mabuti pa sanang umamin na lamang siya. Sa kaniyang pagtanggi, mas lalo lamang siyang napapaghalataan. When everything was laid down perfectly, but an idiot failed to do a part—that's a huge blow to the mastermind of this intrusion.

I tried to remember the recent events as much as I could. Kailangan kong makaisip ng paraan para mapalabas ang mga sagot sa bibig ng taong ito. I need to taunt him if needed. Human speaks a lot when their emotional state gets disrupted.

First, the characteristics of his accomplice. Natatandaan kong mayroon siyang slender na pangangatawan. It can throw a good chop to knockout someone, and has a scent of sweet rose. Could it be a female with experience in combat sports? Or a shemale?

Natatandaan kong napasandal ako sa elevator door nang napatumba ako. Yet, I woke up in a different position. Malamang iniba ni Delvin ang puwesto ko or maybe the attacker. Kailangan din naman nitong makaalis bago makarating ang kasama ko. Kailangang mabuksan ang pinto pero nakaharang ako r'on.