Krisanta Samira in 2030

Chapter 6

"Isa na namang hindi makilalang bangkay ang natagpuan sa Takiyo Bridge. Alamin ang buong detalye sa pagbabalita ni Yana Macablanca." ito ang bumungad sa akin pagbukas ko ng TV.

"Ngayon lamang alas-sais ng umaga dito sa ilalim ng Takiyo Bridge dito sa Takiyo ay natagpuan ang hindi makilalang bangkay na nakasilid sa isang sako. Gaya ng bangkay na natagpuan sa Malaya ay ganun din ang pagkakakilanlan nito. Manatiling nakatutok sa update."

Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko, dalawang araw pa lamang ang nakalipas matapos ang krimen sa Malaya ngunit may kasunod na agad. Whoever that criminal is, he/she is not an easy opponent, I admit that I underestimated him/her.

Many articles were written about the case. Some are claiming that it was just a coincidence yet some are arguing that it is not, the killer might be the same or an accomplice but I think this is no coincidence and the killer is not an accomplice either, there is only one killer, the crime is very similar , there is no difference. If other person did that then there must be even a very little difference  but none, there is only one killer. My instinct says so and I strongly believe it.

We are in the middle of discussing about the case when chief Dalton barged in. My teammates shut their mouths, they are afraid of chief Dalton.

"Detective Conrad! What do you think you are doing? The case is not yet assigned to any team!" Gusto kong ipagsigawan sa mukha ni chief na hindi kailangan pang hintayin ang pag-assign sa ganito kabigat na kaso, one must take action, time is gold and while they are busy assesing who will take the case, the criminal is roaming free and looking for someone to victimize.

"I'm sorry chief but this is a serious case, someone must move while..." hindi ko pa natatapos ang aking pahayag ay muling nagsalita si chief.

"Remember detective Conrad that you still have your own case to solve. As I was informed, hindi pa daw kayo nakakakuha ng lead o wala man lamang  kayong suspek and now you have time for other case? Are you serious?"

"Sir, this is not just another case, I think that it is related to our case."

"Are you saying that it is a case of serial killing?"

"Yes chief, I'm certain so please let us take this case"

"It's still very early to conclude that it's serial killing. No, other team, team 2 will take this case"

"Okay sir but will you be responsible for more wrongful deaths just in case?" Sa pahayag kong iyon ay natahimik si chief, I know thay he is affected, well, he can't bear to lose his job and I'm sure I hit his conscience. He then again looked at me.

"Okay Detective Conrad, this case is yours then. Just make sure that you will successfully solve this case and don't go out saying that it is a serial case, the same goes for all of you" he looked at my teammates.

"Sir, yes sir!" My team answered in unison.

"People might think that Metropolitan Police Force detectives are dumb. Whatever, no one will believe you anyway." Pagpapatuloy ni Chief.

"Roger that chief" I simply replied.

What chief said is right, no one will believe, there may be some doubts but it is outnumbered by the thought that the killer is another criminal, an accomplice.

" Intense Crime Team 1, gather up and we will resume our meeting. As you have heard what chief said, this case is now handled by us... officially." I reiterated to my team.

"Kap, are you certain about what you told chief earlier? Sorry Kap but I agree with chief." Jay stated while looking at me intently. I respect everyone's decision. I was about to answer when Keith answered him instead.

"Seriously Jay? Among the four of us, you're the only one who agreed to Chief Dalton. At first, I don't agree when other detectives are saying that you are the "slow detective" but now I doa and it suits you best." Keith said seriously but I know that he didn't mean it.

"Che! Baka nga hindi diba? I was just voicing out my opinion... and am I talking to you?" Jay insisted

"Just shut up Jay will you?" the silent  and serious Will stated making Jay shut his mouth. Well, unlike Dave and Keith, Jay is not afraid of me, maybe a little but in contrary, he can not handle Will's anger.

*kring *kring *kring*

I answered the telephone.

"Hello, this is Metropolitan Police Force Intense Crime Team 1, I am Detective Conrad. How can we help you?" I heard sobs at the other line.

"Hello... Mr. Conrad, I would like to report a missing person, my daughter." I immediately grabbed my pen and notebook habang iniipit ang telepono sa leeg ko.

"okay sir, calm down. When did you last saw her? And give me details about her, we'll try our best to find her whereabout."

" We last saw her last night, 8 pm po . Ang sabi niya ay lalabas lamang siya para magrelax at magpahangin pero hindi na siya bumalik pa hanggang ngayon. Her name is Shantal Pelida, 23 years old." I listed all the informations.

"Okay sir, rest assured that we will do our best in finding her."
This past few days, my team are very busy but we still don't have  and suspect, chief is right about that.

Out of nowhere, Jay mentioned about the newbie.

"Bukas na pala ang dating ng baguhan. Sana naman kasing galing ko siya para may maitutulong siya."

"You mean, kasing bobo mo siya para may kasama ka?" Pagsalungat ni Keith dito.

"Oo nga, bukas na magsisimula ang newbie. What her name again? Safria? Sarifa? Farisa? Ewan baka Firana, more like Pirana hahahhah."

"It's Saffira, Keith"

"Yieehh, Kap remembered her name, that's a first and it's a lady, you can't even remember our co-workers name"

"Shut up, Jay! Keith, find some info about Shantal Pelida"

"Copy Kap"

" Shantal Pelida, 23 years old, Nurse and living with her family at Takida Subdivision."

As far as I know, Takida Subdivision is just near Takiyo Bridge and the body is still unidentified, the chance of Shantal being the unidentified victim is great. My thoughts were interrupted by the breaking news of MBS...

"Narito ang mga nagbabagang mga balita sa oras na ito: President Sylvo, planong magpatayo ng bagong pampublikong paaralan; Suspek sa pagkidnap sa anak ni Senador Andong,guilty;  Pagkakakilanlan ng bangkay na natagpuan sa Takiyo Bridge, nakilala na; yan at iba pang mga balita sa pagbabalik ng Manila Broadcasting Station."

Matapos ang ilang adverisement ay muling nagbalik ang MBS.

"Ngayon lamang alas-diyes ay nakilala na ang bangkay sa Takiyo Bridge. Alamin ang buong detalye sa pagbabalita ni Leni Labrador"

" Ayon nga sa Manila Forensic Department, nakilala na ang bangkay sa Takiyo Bridge bilang si Shantal Pelida..."

Tama nga ang hinala ko. Shantal Pelida, the missing lady is the second victim.