Chapter 37: Authentic Murder (Part 2)
"Leaving so soon?"
She stopped on her track at lumingon sa akin. "Nandito ka ba upang sunduin ang boyfriend mo?", nakangiting tanong niya sa akin. God, this woman is really pretty na hindi mo aakalaing isa palang magnanakaw.
"Gray is not my boyfriend."
"Mukhang hindi nga dahil iba ang kasama niya kanina. Sino ba ang mayabang na babaeng iyon?"
Thank God! I found someone who really understands how I feel about Math. Ang mga kakilala ko kasi ay agad na magaan ang loob kay Math.
"Where is the painting?", diretsong tanong ko sa kanya.
"Nang-aakusa ka ba?"
"Victoria, I knew that you used a devise that interrupts the burglar alarm and I know you went through the roof, probably through the air vent. I know you are a thief but I didn't know that you are a killer too", pahayag ko. Bigla na lamang napakunot ang noo niya na para bang hindi niya inaasahan ang sinabi ko.
"Ha? Killer?"
"Come on Victoria, alam kong pareho nating alam na pinatay mo ang may-ari ng painting na ninakaw mo. Why? Did he catch you on act?"
"Hindi ko alam ang pinagsasabi mo. Aamin ako sa pagnanakaw pero hindi sa pagpatay", sagot niya at bahagyang humakbang palapit sa akin. That's when I was able to take a glance on the van where Gray was lying. Maybe she knocked him out with anything that caused him to pass out.
"Tama ka nang sinabi mong dumaan ako sa bubong ng building para makarating sa hall na iyon at nakawin ang painting pero ang pag-aakusa mo na may pinatay ako, diyan ka nagkakamali. Walang tao sa silid na iyon nang kinuha ko ang painting."
"Really?"
She raised her brow at me. "Magnanakaw ako, hindi mamamatay tao."
"Yeah but you are a liar. Who knows you've been lying to me all this time", wika ko sa kanya. I was plotting a plan on my mind how to take her down. Mas matangkad siya sa akin but I have to trust my skills. I cannot let her go this time lalo na at malaki ang halaga ang painting na ninakaw niya and if she's lying, she also have to pay for the life that she took.
"Kung hindi ikaw ang pumatay sa kanya, then who?"
"Paano ko malalaman? Sa ating dalawa ay ikaw and detective so ikaw lang ang nakakaalam kung sino man ang pumatay sa kanya. Isa lang ang masisigurado ko, hindi ako o ang kasama ko ang pumatay sa kanya", Victoria said and tapped her foot. I know na atat na atat na siyang makatakas at posibleng nag-iisip na siya ng paraan kung paano makaalis doon. But I have to keep her longer; maybe she knew something about the murder. At maari ding mabawi ko pa sa kanya ang bagay na ninakaw niya.
"Why did you take Gray?"
She bit her lower lip and smiled. "Nakilala niya ako sa likod ng pagbabalat-kayo ko. Wala na akong ibang choice kundi ang pigilan siya sa pagpigil sa akin. Kaya lang ay hindi ako nagkaroon ng plano para sa iyo."
Muli kong sinulyapan si Gray na walang malay sa loob ng nakabukas na van. "What did you do to him?"
"Wala. Pinatulog lamang."
"Kung hindi nga ikaw ang pumatay sa biktima, why don't you stay and be a witness?, I asked her.
"Makikipag-usap ako sa pulis? Nagpapatawa ka ba? Allergic kaming mga magnanakaw sa pulis at gaya nga ng sinabi ko, hindi ko alam kung sino ang pumatay sa kanya. Pero may nakita akong babaeng may suot na raincoat at gloves."
Nahulog ako sa malalim na pag-iisip. Raincoat at gloves? The killer must have used those things when she fired the gun, to avoid gunpowder residue. Given that Victoria is telling the truth that they didn't kill Mister Carter, who could have done it? Ayon sa sekretaryang si Jenalyn, may alitan ang mag-asawa dahil sa painting and decided to divide their properties as well as end their marriage. Ngunit hindi iyon nabanggit ni Mrs. Carter. Sa halip ay sinabi pa niya na mahal na mahal nila ng asawa ang isa't-isa. Jenalyn said that the painting was fake dahil nandoon siya nang ipina-appraise iyon and she said that Mrs. Carter knew that it was fake. But why did she keep on pretending that the painting really cost 6 million pesos?
Victoria said that it was a woman who she saw wearing a raincoat and gloves. "Nakita mo ba ang mukha ng babae?"
She shook her head "Wala. Nasa taas na ako ng bubong at paalis nang dumating siya."
It only means that Jenalyn, the secretary or Mrs. Carter is lying. Isa sa kanila ang nagsisinungaling at isa ang nagsasabi ng totoo. "Do you have any idea that the painting that you steal isn't authentic?"
Bigla na lamang napatawa si Victoria. "Hindi gagana sa akin ang stratehiya mong iyan Amber. Kung nais mong mabawi sa akin ang painting, ikinalulungkot kong sabihin sa iyo na wala na iyon sa akin. Kinuha na ng partner ko at posibleng ngayon ay kausap na niya ang Italyanong tunay na may-ari ng painting at pinag-uusapan na nila ang presyo niyon."
"Italyano? Anong ibig mong sabihin? That painting was a counterfeit, they have it appraised."
Muli siyang tumawa na tila ba amazed na amaze siya sa pinagsasabi ko. "Diyan ka nagkakamali. Ang mga magnanakaw na tulad ko ay hindi basta-basta nagnanakaw nang hindi pinag-iisipan. Pinagplanuhan namin ito sa loob ng mahabang panahon at sigurado kami sa mga bagay na kinukuha namin. Ang painting na iyon ay ninakaw sa tunay na may-ari at ibinenta sa mag-asawa sa maliit na presyo. Nang nalaman ng tunay na may-ari ang lokasyon niya, pumunta ito sa kanya upang makipagnegosasyon tungkol sa pagbawi ng may-ari sa painting pero ayaw ni Carter. Sinubukan ng italyano na takutin siya ngunit hindi iyon tumalab hanggang sa napag-alaman namin ang tungkol sa auction na ito. Alam mo na ang mga sumunod pang nangyari."
Bigla na lamang pumasok sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Miss Jenalyn kanina
Basta napapansin ko sa kanya lately, he seemed paranoid. Something is weird with him. May isang pagkakataon na ini-lock niya ang sarili sakanyang opisina dahil may darating daw at papatayin siya dahil sa painting.
That's it! Mister Carter is being paranoid dahil sa naunang pananakot ng Italyano. Ngunit kung totoo nga ang painting na iyon and the real owner have gone all the way to get it back, ibig sabihin ay ang sekretarya ang nagsisinungaling! She knew all along that the painting is real! Nagkaroon siya ng interes doon dahil sila lamang ni Mister Carter at ng appraiser na binawian ng buhay ang nakakaalam doon! So she's the one who was lying and not the wife! Nagmamadaling tinawagan ko si Math at pagkatapos ng ilang ring ay sinagot niya ito.
"Math, the killer is -"
"I figured it out Amber. The secretary right?", she asked sounded so boastful. "Siya lang ang may alam kung anong oras papasok sa silid si Mister Carter. Ang ipinagtataka lamang namin ay nag-negative siya sa gunpowder test."
I mentally roll my eyes dahil sa kayabangan ni Math. But me being annoyed to her is least of my concerns now. Kailangan muna naming mahuli ang killer at maging ang magnanakaw. "She used raincoat and gloves."
"Oh, I see. I figured out that she's the killer but not the thief although her original plan is to steal the painting. Sa ngayon ay kailangan ko pang tulungan sina Detective Adler sa paghahanap ng magnanakaw. Have you found Gray?"
"Yeah."
"Good, talk to you later Amber. I am in the middle of the case now", maarteng wika ni Math at agad na pinatay ang tawag. What the hell?! Did she just hang up on me? Argh! That Mathilde Corazon!
"Mabuti naman at mahuhuli niyo na ang killer, ibig sabihin ay makakalis na ako", wika niya at tinangkang sumakay sa motorsiklo. I was fast to act before she can ride the thing. Sinipa ko iyon at agad na natumba. Like I said, I cannot let her go this time.
"Not so fast."
Nakakunot ang noo na napatingin siya sa akin. Bago pa man siya makatakbo ay nauna ko na siyang hilahin at akmang sisipain but she dodge my kick and it landed on the van. I did not hold back at muli siyang sinulong ngunit lahat ng atake ko ay naiiwasan niya.
"Ayaw kong makipaglaban sa iyo Amber."
"Why are you afraid of me?", I said and throw a punch which landed on her gut. She winced in pain ngunit hindi pa rin gumaganti at patuloy lamang sa pag-iwas. Tinanggal ko ang suot kong pumps upang makagalaw ng maayos at patuloy na umatake sa kanya.
"Hindi naman. Natatakot lang ako na baka masaktan ka kapag nalaban ako", wika niya habang panay ang iwas.
"Really? You are that strong?", I asked at sinipasiya ng malakas. She fell on the floor right where I left my shoes at bago ko pa siya atakehin ulit ay ibinato niya sa akin ang mga sapatos ko. I mumbled a curse when one hit me right on my nose.
"Sorry", she said at agad na tumayo. "Sabi ko naman sa iyo diba na huwag mo akong hayaang patulan ka?"
My eyesight is bad dahil sa malakas na tama ng sapatos sa ilong ko. I tried my best to endure it and gladly I was able to. I lunged towards her which caused us to fall near the van. Victoria got up first but I pushed her head on the van. She shouted a curse nang ilang beses kong iniuntog ang ulo niya at agd niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko. Now the tables were turn at ako na ngayon ang inuuntog niya sa van, only that she's holding back a little.
"You have to give up thief!", sigaw ko sa kanya nang makawala ako sa kanya. Damn! Ikaw ba naman ang ilang beses na iuntog sa kotse!
"Ikinaulungkot kong sabihin ngunit imposible ang sinasabi mo", wika ni Victoria. She's also holding her head and I know that she's a bit dizzy dahil sa ginawa ko. And this is my only chance. I lunged towards her again and tried to lock her arms on her back ngunit bago ko pa man magawa iyon ay naramdaman ko ang isang panyo na itinakip niya sa mukha ko.
"Sorry!", I heard her mumbled before darkness swallowed me.
***
Isang malamig na palad ang naramdaman ko sa mukha ko kaya dahan-dahang kong iminulat ang mga mata ko and found Gray looking at my face. Tanging ang mukha niya ang nakikita ko as I adjusted my head somewhere- somewhere in his lap?!
What the hell am I doing in his lap?!
Sa gulat ko ay bigla akong napatayo at inilayo ang sarili sa kanya but when I move abruptly, he was dragged with me and I felt my wrist ached. And then I realized...
"Why are we handcuffed with each other?"
Gray shrugged his shoulders at sumandal. "I was going to ask the same question."
I cringed when I realized the situation we are now. I know Victoria is responsible for this. Well I should be glad that she didn't cuff my ankle to Gray's wrist right? This is so kind of her. Yeah, so kind that I want to roll my eyes. Nasa loob pa rin kami ng puting van. Hindi na suot ni Gray ang itim niyang coat dahil nakapatong na iyon sa hita ko. Gray was left with his blue polo. It's probably Victoria who put the coat on my lap.
"It's Victoria."
"I know."
Napabuntong-hininga din ako at sumandal. "What are we gonna do now? Wait? Anong oras na?"
Gray glanced at his left wrist which wasn't handcuffed. "Almost 12."
Mas lalo lamang akong napasalampak ng upo. The auction for a cause ended at 10:30 PM at dahil sa nangyaring robbery at murder investigation ay mas na-extend pa iyon.
"Can we call anyone to help us take this off?", tanong ko at bahagyang itinaas ang kamay na nakaposas, including his. He made a face dahil doon.
"I did. I called Math but she's not picking up. I cannot call Alonzo at this hour. And I definitely don't want to go to a police station dahil siguradong marami silang katanungan", he replied at napakamot sa ulo niya, this time he was dragging my hand. Napalabi ako nang maramdaman ang sakit sa kamay ko.
I cannot help but be bratty. "Sigurado ka bang hindi ikaw ang may gawa nito?"
And I forgot that he is a jerk at times too. "Why would I do this?", iritadong tanong niya. He was using the usual cocky tone that he has.
"Ewan."
He looked away and mumbled something unclear to my hearing. "As much as I want to handcuff myself to you, I would never go deep as this."
"May sinasabi ka ba?"
"Wala!"
Oh great. Here comes his mood and I have to deal with this. Isn't he the most unpredictable guy that I knew? Nakatingin siya ngayon sa labas ng van. I was able to took a glance at his face and his brows were furrowed.
"Ano na ang gagawin natin ngayon?", I lamented as I tried to think of possible way to get out of his mess.
"Kailangan muna nating lumabas sa van na ito", wika niya at binuksan ang pinto sa dako niya, unknowingly dragging my wrist.
"Aray! Be careful!"
There was tenderness in his eyes at dahan-dahang gumalaw. He scoot on the side at bumaba sa van kaya sumunod ako. I got out of the van ngunit na-realize ko na nakapaa lang pala ako. Where the hell are my shoes? Sa pagkakaalala ko ay ibinato ko iyon kay Victoria kaya posibleng nasa paligid lang iyon.
"What are you looking for?"
"My shoes. I think it's just around here", wika ko at hinanap iyon, dragging Gray around. Hinawakan na lamang niya ang kanyang wrist upang hindi masyadong masaktan dahil sa suot naming posas. I looked around the nearby area ngunit wala akong makitang sapatos doon.
"Bakit mo naman hinubad ang sapatos mo?!", naiinis na tanong niya. I know he hates being dragged dahil sa kahahanap ko sa sapatos. Iilan lamang ang mga kotseng naroon kaya imposibleng hindi ko iyon makita. But I am still hoping. The last time I went barefooted was when I was picked up by the police after bumping with Zywon in a dim alley. Hell, that time I was mistaken as call girl.
"Ibinato ko kasi sa magnanakaw to save some jerk who's shouting at me right now!"
"I am not shouting!"
"What? You just happened to have a loud voice?", irap ko sa kanya. Okay, I am annoyed now. Kung ibang pagkakataon pa ay naging masaya na ako dahil balik na kami sa dati ni Gray. We used to argue before because he is a jerk (only that he is a lesser jerk than the other Vanders) and I am a brat and I still am.
"Look Amber, I am mad right now. Ano na naman ba ang pumasok sa utak mo at sumunod ka dito?", he brushed his right hand on his hair, tanda na nawawalan na siya ng pasensya. I cringed again dahil nakalimutan na naman niyang nakaposas kaming dalawa.
"Dahan-dahan sabi eh!"
"Sorry Mahal na Prinsesa!", he said sarcastically. "But I am telling you, there are no shoes in here!"
"How am I suppose to walk now?"
"By your feet", sarkastikong wika niya. Wow, thanks for being so helpful Gray Ivan Silvan. Really helpful.
I darted a glare at him and he just looked away at naghalukipkip gamit ang isang braso niya.
"Where's your car?"
Tumingin siya sa isang dako kung nasaan ang isang pamilyar na kotse. I guess wala na akong choice kundi maglakad papunta sa kotseng iyon na nakapaa. But we have one big problem.
"Where are we going now?", tanong niya. I grimaced at him and snorted. I was about to ask the same question too. Hindi naman pwedeng buong gabi kaming nakatayo lang dito at maghihintay ng himala.
"Dorm. Math can do something with this thing", sagot ko at iniangat ang nakaposas na kamay. I hate to admit it but I guess Math is the only person who can help us right now. That if she is still around.
But that is only possible if Math is still awake at this hour. Gaya ng sinabi ni Gray kanina, he's been calling Math but she's not answering. At gaya din ng sinabi niya, we cannot just go to a nearby police station for some reasons. I've been there once and I hate the mosquitoes and lip-biting maniac there.
"Maybe tomorrow. Ngayon ay kailangan muna nating manatili sa isang... hotel", he said and look away.
I never had dirty thoughts but I cannot help it and blush. Ilang beses na kaming natulog sa iisang silid but after his formal confession to me, I am reconsidering if I can allow myself to sleep with him. Masyadong awkward. But I have to shove the awkwardness for now dahil kung hindi ay wala kaming ibang magagawa kundi ang manatili dito sa basement ng hotel.
"Fine. Let's stay in a hotel", pagsang-ayon ko. Me and him in a hotel room. God knows I am not having some dirty thoughts.
"But... I have a problem", mahinang wika niya at bahagyang napakamot ulit sa kanyang ulo.
"What?"
"Victoria stole my wallet. Can you pay for our room? Please?"
What the hell?! Ano pa ba ang inaasahan ko kay Victoria. She stole my phone kaya hindi nakapagtatakang nanakawin din niya ang wallet ni Gray. Kaunti ang pera ko but I guess it's just enough to - Damn.
Hindi din pala pinalagpas ni Victoria ang 2500 ko. Kahit nga siguro barya ay sinimot pa niya. Good thing she left our phone and didn't take it along with the wallet.
"I've got a problem too", nakasimangot na wika ko sa kanya. Kung minamalas ka nga naman ng sobra. We both have no money so what are we supposed to do now?!
"What?"
"Wala din akong pera."
He pulled his hair out of frustration at mukhang nakalimutan na naman niyang nakaposas kami. Hindi na lamang ako nagreklamo ay ininda na lamang ang sakit na dulot ng panghihila niya sa kamay ko. I'm sure there are red marks around my wrist right now.
"Anong gagawin natin ngayon?!"
Wait. Did he just raise his voice on me? I know he is mad right now and so am I! Let me remind him na hindi lang siya ang nakaposas! And to refresh his memory, we were handcuffed to each other after I tried to save him and capture Victoria! Pagkatapos ngayon ay tataasan niya lang ako ng boses?!
"I told you not to raise your voice on me! Hindi ko kasalanan kung bakit nasa ganitong sitwasyon tayo", sigaw ko sa kanya. Galit ba siya kasi ako ang kasama niya ngayon?! Why? Si Math ba ang gusto niyang nakaposas sa kanya?! Ipagbuhol ko kaya silang dalawa!?
He closed his eyes firmly at pinakalma ang kanyang boses. "I am not raising my voice at hindi rin kita sinisisi dahil sa nangyari sa atin ngayon. Let's go to the car now."
He took a step at bahagyang nahila ako but I just remain standing. My wrist ached dahil naiipit ang balat ko sa bawat hakbang niya. Ngunit dahil umaandar ang katigasan ng ulo ko, I am not following him kahit pa matanggal tong kamay ko!
He took a step again, still dragging me while I maintained my poker face. He stopped on his track at hinarap ako. "What do you want now?"
I cocked my head on the side after giving him a meaningful look. Hindi ko na kailangan pang sabihin kung ano ang kailangan niyang gawin. He should know by now!
"Amber."
Hindi ako sasagot! Kunyari ay hindi ko siya naririnig.
"Amber, isa!"
Huh! He dared counting! Anong akala niya, hindi ako magaling sa numbers? I am always the Best in Numbers pupil in prep and elementary! Hindi naman sa pagmamayabang.
"Dalawa!"
Kahit maubos pa niya ang lahat ng numero sa mundo I will not follow him. Isali pa niya ang alphabet! Wala akong pake!
"Fine! I'm sorry!"
From looking on the side ay inilipat ko ang tingin sa kanya. I bit my lower lip bago humakbang palapit sa kanya. I heard him groaned but didn't say a word. Sumunod lang ako sa kanya and this time, he was dragging our handcuffed hand carefully. Nang marating namin ang tapat ng kanyang kotse ay may isang problema na naman kami. Ang pagpasok sa loob ng kotse.
"Go in first", wika niya at nakapamulagat ako sa kanya. And then what? Move my butt towards the passenger seat? Uh, this is so awkward. But I have no other choice. Pumasok ako sa driver's seat, dragging his hand with me so he needs to lean closer as I enter the car.
Halos hindi ako huminga habang magkalapit ang mga mukha namin. Seeing his face as close as this made me think of the few times that... Argh! What am I thinking?! No! No! No! Hindi ko pwedeng isipin iyon. Ininda ko na lamang ang sakit at nagmadaling umisod sa kabilang upuan. Gray cringed as he felt the pain as the handcuff bit his skin. Yep, hindi lang ako ang nasasaktan dahil sa lecheng posas na ito.
Nang tuluyan kaming makapasok ay umayos na siya ng upo. He was holding the steering wheel so he was basically dragging my arm. Kahit gusto kong sumandal ay hindi ko magawa. How unfortunate of me.
"Wala tayong pera at wala tayong pwedeng hingan ng tulong. What are we supposed to do now?", tanong ko sa kanya.
"You have no other choice."
Wait. He said "you." Bakit ako lang ang walang choice?
"What?"
"I have a duplicate key in the boys's dormitory. At wala ka ng ibang choice kundi ang sumama sa akin. It's Friday night at umuwi sa kanila ang dalawang roommate ko. Kapag sabado ay tanghali na kung magronda ang houseparent sa dorm ng mga lalaki. I guess that's your only choice", seryosong wika niya habang nakatingin sa manibela.
Wow. It has no difference in staying in a hotel with him ngunit dahil wala kaming pera ay wala nga akong ibang choice kaysa naman manatili kami dito sa kotse. See how things went? Isn't it great?
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-ShinichiLaaaabs