Taves' residence
12:03 p.m.

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Nothing.

Nico's eyes scanned the abandoned living room one more time, just in case he missed something. Pero bukod sa normal na mga kagamitan sa sala at mga dekorasyong hindi na natapos, he doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata, napansin niyang tapos na sa pag-inspect ng mga silid si Nova. Behind her googles and protective face cover, she gave him a look that said "Wala rin akong nahanap na kakaiba, Nico."

Imbes na makampante, lalong naghinala ang detective.

Wala ba talagang foul play rito?

His mind automatically reeled back to what Mr. Taves said to the authorities. Ayon sa kanya, hindi naman daw pala-labas ng bahay ang biktima. Mrs. Taves spends most of her time doing household chores and taking care of their children. Hindi ito basta-bastang nahahawaan ng kung anumang sakit.

'Kung ganoon, saan niya nakuha ang virus?'

The possibility of murder is slim. Ayon sa initial report, wala na silang napansing kakaibang sugat sa katawan ng biktima.

The sound of his rubber boots filled the air as he walked closer to where they found the body. Naroon pa ang kalat at malaking mantsa ng dugo sa cream-colored carpet. 'It looks like the victim bled to death,' he also noted from the amount of blood. Unfortunately, it's not an uncommon characteristic of virus.

Nico pulled out a plastic ziplock bag and used a pair of tweezers to pick up the broken pieces of a mug. Baka-sakaling may makita si Scorpio rito.

'Baka may mapala pa kami sa lab analysis.'

Since it was difficult to verbally communicate with the biohazard suit on and a respirator on your mouth, sinenyasan na lang niya si Nova. Palabas na sana sila ng bahay ng mga Taves nang may aksidenteng natapakan si Nico. He picked up the object and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

'A rock?'

Pero nang sipatin ng detective ang bato, doon niya napansing may nakaukit na numero rito.

135

'What in the name of Sherlock?'

Upon closer inspection, he also spotted another image engraved on the other side.

Hindi siya pamilyar sa simbolong ito.

Agad niyang nilibot ang kanyang mga mata. Doon nila napagtantong malapit sa bintana ang lugar kung saan nila nahanap ang bato. At ang mas nakakapaghinala pa, may maliit na awang pa roon. As if someone created an opening small enough to slip a rock inside the house.

Noong mga sandaling 'yon, lumakas ang kutob ni Nico na hindi normal ang pagkamatay ni Mrs. Taves.

With the clues and the codes left on this rock, Detective Nico Yukishito was finally convinced...

"Another serial killer is playing with us."

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