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Chapter 8: Missing Files
Simula nong nangyari sa Kyung Island, we're just kept it all. Naghahanap rin kami ng tiyempo ni Min kung paano kakausapin si Miss Jenny tungkol sa maaaring kinalaman ng boyfriend niya sa mafia. Wala din namang mawawala. We just want to know who was the real behind those cases kasi lahat konektado. Una sa case ni Miss Jenny at noong isang araw lang ang nangyari kay Mrs. Flores. Can it be that they are all just connected?
"Hey Charity! Mukhang mabigat ang iniisip mo ah?"
Napalingon ako kay Duri.
"Nothing. And can you please stop calling me with my second name?" sagot ko. Isa pa, wala akong ganang magsalita.
"Fine. But if there is something wrong, well, just leave it for awhile. You know, those problems that we can't easily to handle sometimes we just need to leave them for a while, so we can think of something how to solve it. And don't stop me from calling you Charity, it suits you more than Selene." usad niya sabay ngiti.
Tama siya. Pero hindi ako mapapalagay sa tuwing naiisip kong maaring may konektado nga ang lahat sa mafia na sinasabi niya, ni Sir Florence. And that necklace na maaaring pagmamay-ari ng boyfriend ni Miss Jenny or from the mafia itself.
Duri was really something. At isa pa wala na akong magagawa kung Charity nga ang gusto niyang itawag sa akin.
Bukas na ang Halloween Party and I will leave the thoughts raging in my mind first. I hope it would be peaceful.
"Old code was invented in about 2001 by Ronan Hindle to pass notes in class. It is designed to confuse teachers. The letters have evolved a lot over the course of years. Any examples?"
I raised my hand since alam ko ang tungkol sa old code ni Ronan. Sir Lee really meant it. Well, what do I expect on him?
"Yes Ms. Martin?"
"For example the symbol Nail used to look like 'zz' and the symbol Hox and Eye were shape 'I' and dash, several of the names have also changed. Hox was called 'Hii', Eye was called 'Hodash' and Nail was called Zidum. Kaxe was also once called Kixpa."
"Very good Ms. Martin. Any example again?"
I saw Min is raising his hand. Mukhang kanina pa niya itinaas ang kanyang kamay pero ako ang unang tinawag ni Sir.
"Go on Min!"
"I will use Latin Old Alphabet in my name as a substitute, 'MarEyeNail'. Mar is for M, Eye is for I and Nail is for N." turan ni Min.
Our classmates are staring on us. Tsk. I really don't like attention.
And back to the topic, some suspects uses codes in cases in order to confuse people. But, it was their clues. Suspects are really playful and wise.
"Mmmm. Notable features. Each symbol represents a letter of the Latin Alphabet." napalingon ako kay Duri. He also knew something about Old code.
"Yeah, it was about Notable Feature Duri. Very good you knew about it. Thank you Duri, Selene and Min. So, as of that time, old code use for solving cases. Some ancient people discovered about it and that's why they used it as a code for decode a code and create a code to decipher by their genius friends and covered their crimes. Old code was based on the Old Latin Alphabet but being distorted enough so that the letters cannot be guessed."
"But Sir, why they are using codes in a case if they know that someone can decipher it?"
Napalingon ako kay Gyeong. Yes, she is right. Napaisip naman saglit si Sir Lee.
"Oh well, it might be because they love to thrilled someone. They make people to feel intense, so they will be distracted and fulfilled what they are aiming for by simply creating such codes."
Nasa bahay ako habang nanonood ng Detective Conan nang biglang napansin ko si Kuya na papunta sa akin at parang nagmamadali.
"Aalis muna ako Selene." usad nito.
"Where are you going?"
"To Japeth, nawawala raw kasi ang mga files niya sa business nila and that's why he called me for help."
Files? 20 na si Kuya Japeth nong pinamana na sa kanya ng mga magulang niya ang Food Industry Business nila. His parents trusted him so much since he was the only child. And that problem might destroy their trust on him.
"Anong klaseng files Kuya?" wika ko at agad na tumayo.
Since it's just 4 in the afternoon at wala akong ibang gagawin, I have a time to investigate. Mukhang gusto kong malaman kung sino ang gustong sumira kay Kuya. Ano ang motibo niya?
"Tungkol sa investor nila na si Mr. Chua. That files was about their business contract since Mr. Chua is one of his big investors especially outside the country."
"Wala ba siyang copy?"
"Iyon na nga eh. Ang original copy niya ay biglang naglaho na parang bola, at may pirma yun ni Mr. Chua. Ang ibang copy naman ay meron pero nasunog na yung parte na may pirma niya. It means, magiging invalid ang business contract nilang dalawa at uulit na naman si Japeth sa paggawa ng bagong contract. At isa pa kung gusto ng nagkanaw nito na kunin ito, bakit may itinira pa siya? At kung susunugin na nga lang, bakit sa may pirma lang. And Mr. Chua doesn't like people trying to use his electronic signature. He always prefer the contract with his signed signature personally." sagot ni Kuya.
Mmmm. My speculation might be correct. This case might be intentionally done by the suspect. Intensiyon niya talagang sunugin ang papeles especially ang pirma ni Mr. Chua. And it will destroy again someone's trust. Huh. It was really exciting!
"Of course if I was in Mr. Chua's position, I will not let someone use my electronic signature unless it is only the way. Hmmm, then gumawa na lang siya ulit at ipapirma ulit kay Mr. Chua." tugon ko.
"Kahit gagawa siya ulit, nasa States si Mr. Chua at tsaka di yon magpapaistorbo. He will stay at State for 3 months. At paano yan? Maghihintay pa siya ng 3 months since next week would be the opening of their New Food Industry Business." usad ni Kuya at nagsimula na itong maglakad.
"Sasama ako."
Napahinto si Kuya sa paglalakad at humarap sa akin.
"No. Maghintay ka na lang dito. At isa pa susuotin mo na naman ang disguise suit mo."
"Kuya, please?"
He sighed.
"Fine. Lets go!"
Yes!
Nasa opisina na kami ni Kuya Japeth. And I'm wearing my disguise suit again.
"Ki Martin!" pambati ni Kuya Japeth sabay apir sa aking kapatid.
Tsk. Looks like they were still in high school days. Tsktsk.
"Japeth." tugon ng aking kapatid.
"Sino yang kasama mo?"
"Ah, it's Detective Sandra. She wants to help about your problem."
"Oh, I see! May kaibigan ka palang Detective. That's nice dude."
"Yeah." ani ni Kuya sabay tingin sa akin ng masama. Hala. Grabe siya. Tsk.
"So paano nawala ang papeles mo?" puna ni Kuya.
"It goes like this. Habang nandito ako sa opisina at ginagawa ang speech ko sa opening by next week ay may narinig akong kalabog sa labas. Hindi ko lang yon pinansin, pero ilang beses ko yung narinig kaya agad akong tumayo at tumingin sa labas. Nang nasa labas na ako wala namang kakaiba. Kaya bumalik ako sa opisina, pero nabigla na lang ako nang nakakalat na ang mga gamit ko. Una kong hinanap ang papeles at wala na ito sa lalagyan. Ang hard copy naman ay may sunog ang may pirma. Ngunit nong lumingon ako sa table ay may napansin ako kaya binasa ko ito."
"Pwede bang patingin?"
Sumang-ayon naman si Kuya Japeth kaya ibinigay niya sa akin ang papel.
Agad ko naman itong binasa.
Eareyeglowhoxtahccearearnaileknnq
II-3 IX-3 IX-3 V-3 II-1 II-2
It seems na may alam ang nagnakaw sa Notable Features.
Muli akong napatingin kay Kuya.
"Pwede mo bang sabihin kung sino ang maaaring gumawa nito?"
"I have only 3 persons na maaaring may kinalaman sa pagkawala ng papeles ko."
"Can you tell it?"
"Oh, of course! Kim Untal, 25 years old, my secretary. Eli Santiago, 26 years old, one of my employee and Inigo Lee, 27 years old, my vice executive."
"Anong ginagawa ni Miss Kim kanina at saan siya pumunta?"
"She was in the office too, pero agad naman siyang umalis bago ko narinig ang ingay na iyon. And after that, hindi ko na alam kung saan siya pumunta."
"Si Miss Eli?"
"She was in the CR pagkatapos ko itong tinawag kanina before I'd heard that sound."
"And Sir Inigo?"
"Pagkatapos lumabas ni Kim dito sa opisina ko, siya namang pagpasok ni Inigo. Pero di din siya nagtagal at umalis na. Nagmamadali daw kasi."
"Alam mo ba kung bakit nagmamadali siya?"
Napaisip naman saglit si Kuya Japeth.
"May pupuntahan pa raw siyang ka-date sa isang Seafood Restaurant."
I excuse myself to them, at agad na naglibot-libot sa buong opisina hanggang sa may nakita akong mga sulat.
Oh my love
You are like a water
Who flows down thru my body
Caress me
Where you, and me is forever
-Kim
I'm alone
When you are happy
But I am not ashamed
When you once love me
Te Amo
-Eli
Brotherhood
You can stick with me
We are friends and buddy
It's Inigo Lee.
-Inigo
It seems they really meant on their words.
I decided to decipher first the code. It might be possible na maaaring code ito para mahanap ang papeles.
Eareyeglowhoxtahccearearnaileknnq
II-3 IX-3 IX-3 V-3 II-1 II-2
It was Notable Features sa first words. Ear is for E, Eye is for I, Glow is for G, Hox is for H, Tahcc is for T, Ear E, Ear E and Nail is N. Eighteen. A number?
Maaaring edad, serial code or floor.
eknnq
I think it's a floor. What letter comes before F? It is E then and so on. II-3, IX-3, IX-3, V-3, II-1, II-2. Of course, it is a Roman Numerals.
2 6 6 5 2 2 3 3 3 3 1 2
What's with the second correspond numbers? Kasi sure ako the first Roman numerals was the given numbers, 2 6 6 5 5 2. Maaari kayang letters siya? Mmm, 2 is B, 6 is F, 6 is F, 5 is E, 5 is E and 2 is B. Wala namang correspond words yan eh. What is the other way to decipher it?
Bigla naman akong napalingon kay Kuya Ki na halatang seryoso na nakatingin sa kanyang cellphone.
I stared on his phone. Napakasimple talaga ni Kuya, kahit cellphone keypad lang ang gamit.
Wait–
Agad akong lumapit kay Kuya at kinuha ang cellphone niya. Mukhang nagulat pa ito pero ipinaubaya na niya sa akin ang cellphone.
"Sorry, may titingnan lang sandali."
Before I exit the inbox na na-open na ni Kuya, nakita ko saglit ang text message.
Pinatawag ka ni Boss.
Pinatawag siya ni Boss?
Napalingon naman ako kay Kuya at nakatutok lang ito sa akin. Hindi ko na lang yun pinansin at pinagmasdan ang cellphone. Directly at the keypad.
2 6 6 5 2 2
Sa keypad na cellphone ay may numbers every collaborated letters.
Sa 1 may ABC, sa 2 may DEF and so on. Sa 2 may equivalent na 3, it means it was C na correspond sa 3. Sa 6 may MNO na may equivalent pa rin na number na 3, which is the corresponding letter was O since mula M ay pangatlo ito.
3 3 1 3 1 2
I looked at the next number, it was still 6 and the corresponding number is 1. So the letter in the number 6 na may corresponding 1 ay M. Mmm, I know this.
It's ComLab!
"Let's go at Comlab, I deciphered the code." utos ko kaya sumunod na lang sila.
Pumasok kaagad kami sa comlab sa 18th floor. And there, we saw the file na nakalagay sa unang computer.
Kinuha agad yun ni Kuya Japeth. Mmm. I was amazed on the paint na nasa comlab. Napakaganda. May isang babae na mukhang panglatin na damit. Wait!
"Sir anong lahi mayroon si Miss Kim?"
I directly stared kay Kuya Japeth. Bakas naman sa mukha niya ang pagtataka dahil umabot ng ilang segundo itong nanatiling nakatingin sa akin.
"Sir?" muli kong tanong.
"Oh sorry! She is a half Korean."
"Si Miss Eli?"
"A Latin."
"Si Sir Lee?"
'A half latin also."
Mmmm. There are two half Latins.
Back to Sir Inigo, pumasok siya sa office after Miss Eli. And Miss Eli was in the office before the sound pero lumabas ito at pumunta raw sa CR.
"Let's go back to the Office again! I already know who is the suspect." usad ko at bumalik kami ulit sa office.
Nilibot ko ang tingin sa buong office. Until I saw the other door. I stared on the windows too and it is close.
Napatingin naman ako kay Kuya Japeth na nakatutok sa akin at bumaling rin ang tingin ko kay Kuya Ki. And now, they are both puzzled. I guess, it's time then.
I sighed.
"It was Eli." usad ko.
Bakas naman sa mukha ni Kuya Japeth ang pagkagulat pero nanatili siyang tahimik.
"Bakit si Eli?" tanong ni Kuya Ki dahil mukhang hindi pa ata pumuproseso sa isip ni Kuya Japeth ang isinawalat ko sa kanya.
"She said she will go to the CR, right? Pero limid sa kaalaman ni Sir Japeth ay pumunta lang pala ito sa likod, and entered the second door."
"Paano mo naman nasabi?" muling tanong ni Kuya Ki.
"Gaano kalayo ang CR dito? Anong oras nangyari ang pagnanakaw? At nakabukas pa rin ba ang CR sa ganoong oras?"
In my periheral view, mukhang napaisip ng malalim si Kuya Japeth.
"Oh! Now I remembered! It was already 9 in the evening. At sirado na ang CR non."
I smiled.
"At isa pa, she is a half latin. Mahilig siya sa Notable features na kamakailan lang ay nasagutan ko."
"But also Inigo is a Half Latin, right?" tanong ni Kuya Ki na sinang-ayunan naman ni Kuya Japeth.
"Well, that was not only the reason. If we will base on their handwritings, pa-cursive kasi kay Miss Eli while kay Sir Inigo was just a simple one. Take a look on this code, it was a cursive form at isa pa Notable features are for Latin people because it was their Ancient Old Alphabet and Code. May naaalala ka bang may nabanggit si Miss Eli about sa Notable features?"
Napaisip namang muli si Kuya Japeth.
"It wasn't Notable but she says she knows about Old Latin Alphabet kasi kilala niya si Ronan Hindlo daw? Ewan."
I smiled.
"It is Ronan Hindle who invented Notable features in 2001." usad ko.
"So, sa tingin mo anong motibo ni Miss Eli?'
"I don't even know since ex girlfriend ko siya. Wala na kaming masyadong komunikasyon maliban na lang kung may business meeting since she is one of my employees."
"Ex girlfriend huh? Maybe she still loves you like what she wrote on her note na nabasa ko sa mga files mo sa cabinet."
Mukhang nagulat naman si Kuya Japeth pero mukhang napaisip ito sa sinabi ko dahil nag-iba ang kanyang emosyon.
"Yeah. That must be, ibinigay niya kasi yan after I broke up with her." salaysay nito
"Thank you Ki and Sandra. Kung hindi ko yon nakita siguro ay maaaring di na ako pagkakatiwalaan nila mama at maging ni Mr. Chua."
"No worries Japeth, I'll be your back-up."
"Hahaha. Like our high school days!"
"I am a sidekick you mean instead, right?"
"Hahaha. Definitely!"
"Hahaha."
Yeah, after the negative vibe awhile ago, here we go again, like nothing happened. Napairap na lang ako sa tinuran ng dalawa at nagsimula ng maglakad.
Pero bigla akong napangiti. Mmmm. Kahit ngayon lang naman, I will not be respectful to Kuya Ki.
"Let's go Ki Martin!"
Napatigil naman sila sa kwentuhan at base sa instinct ko, mukhang namumula na sa galit si Kuya dahil sa inasal ko.
"Ah. Sige Japeth mauna na kami ni Miss Sandra."
"Sige, sauulitin Ki! Miss Sandra salamat ulit!"
Napatango naman ako at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad.
"Good job Charity." usad ni Kuya Ki nang nakarating na kami sa bahay.
"Asan don? Sa hindi pagtawag sa'yo ng Kuya?" sarkastiko kong wika na pinipigilan lang ang tumawa.
He patted my head.
"You are always stubborn. Don't do that again."
Tsk. Suplado talaga eh.
"Matutulog na ako." usad niya at nagsimula ng maglakad.
I sigh.
And I remembered something!
Pinatawag ka ni Boss. Does it mean something? Sinong Boss?
I stared on him.
"Pinatawag ka raw ni Boss?" usad ko kaya naman napahinto siya sa paglalakad at gulat na napatingin sa akin.
Pero agad din iyong napalitan ng poker face. Diyan magaling si Kuya eh.
"It was my friend. Boss ang tawag namin sa isa't isa." walang emosyong wika nito at tuluyang naglakad papunta sa kwarto nito.
I know it was not that about. Lahat talaga ng tao may itinatago. And I will surely find out your secret soon, Kuya Ki.
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