Chapter 001:
The Combustion Case

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ZANE

"I've got a class with Sir Aguilar later," Raine said, walking calmly back to her room, leaving Aunt Clara and me behind. "That's more important than whatever that man wants me to do. Besides, I need to get ready—I refuse to be late."

"What about your client downstairs?" I asked. "He came at this hour, so it must be important."

Raine, always intent on being early for class, glanced at the clock on the wall. Her gaze lingered, as though each passing second was weighing on her.

"All right, Auntie, let him in," Raine said, her gaze drifting briefly towards us before she turned on her heel. Auntie headed downstairs, her footsteps fading as she went to greet the visitor once more.

"Here? Inside the apartment?" I questioned, watching her move.

"It won't take long," she answered, her tone clipped as she disappeared into her room without looking back. "And I can't waste time. Good thing we don't have classes at N.A.U. today."

࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

"Please, tell us everything—don't leave anything out. And if possible, be quick about it," Raine said, settling into her chair facing the kitchen.

I grabbed my phone, ready to jot down notes. It was the least I could do to help the both of us.

"I had car trouble," the man in his forties began, his voice trembling, fear flickering in his brown eyes. "I had to stop in a spot where there weren't many people around."

He sat in my favourite chair, facing the wall, while Raine sat across from him. I quietly took my place on the long sofa, listening intently.

"After I fixed the car, someone suddenly knocked on my door. When I opened it, a woman was standing there," he continued, his voice still unsteady.

"How old was she?" Raine asked in a sharp tone.

"She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, maybe twenty-six," he replied, glancing at the floor. "She asked for water, and said she was extremely thirsty."

I glanced at Raine, her interest visibly deepening. She sat up straight, her head resting on her right palm, which was propped against the sofa's arm. Her eyes remained locked on the man, seeming to watch his every move.

"I gave her the water and drove off," the client went on. "But I hadn't gone far when I saw her—her whole body was engulfed in flames in my rearview mirror."

"The woman's body was completely consumed by flames? That's terrifying and kind of impossible," I thought.

"I quickly went back for her, but... only her feet were left," the man stammered.

"Let me guess. You ran away, didn't you, sir?" Raine asked.

"I was scared! I thought they'd lock me up, so when I passed by your place, I figured I'd come and see you," the man replied.

"You just left the woman there?" I asked.

"I called the cops right away. I left before they got there," he answered.

A notification flashed on Raine's phone as she quickly turned it toward me.

"Detective Suarez," I read quietly.

Following that was a number, and the message displayed on the screen was from Detective Inspector Ferrer.

"Is that the police? Are you going to report me?" he asked, panic creeping into his voice.

"If you're really innocent, you've got nothing to worry about," Raine replied. "Do you really want to live with a guilty conscience for the rest of your life, sir?"

Raine glanced at me just as the man suddenly slumped forward, his body collapsing into the chair in front of us.

"A new detective in the group is letting us go there. She's a friend of mine, so you shouldn't run into any problems," she told me.

"You shouldn't run into any problems? What do you mean—"

࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ

I hopped into a taxi and headed to the location they'd mentioned. When I arrived, the police were already there, their attention shifting to me as I stepped out.

"Wait, you're not—" one of them started, but I cut her off by lifting my phone, displaying the video call with Raine. Unfortunately, her camera was off, and her microphone was muted.

"She's with me, ma'am. I'm Zane Nuñez," I said, and she stepped aside, letting me through the police tape at the edge of the road.

"Detective Inspector Ferrer mentioned that Raine might be able to help, so I agreed to let you in. After all, I have nothing to lose," said the woman with 'Suarez' stitched on her vest.

"Except if stricter officers than Detective Cruz find out. Luckily, the local police chief is letting us in; otherwise, we could've ended up detained," I thought.

I felt calm until I checked Raine's chat messages, which made my stomach drop.

Adjust the camera. All I can see is your face.

"How about you just turn on your microphone?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice.

I had just finished showering and was preparing to head to class.

"Suit yourself with the typing," I said.

Where are the remaining feet?

I followed her instructions and aimed the phone's camera at the severed feet. The upper parts were charred, but the lower parts seemed relatively intact. A sweet, smoky smell lingering around.

"From what I can tell, this is all that remains of her," Detective Suarez remarked.

Ask Detective Suarez if they have spoken to the witness.

I just held the message up for the officer to see, and she read it intently. "The police spoke to the witness over the phone before I arrived this morning," she said.

"It must have happened around three hours ago, right, ma'am?" I asked.

"Yes," Detective Suarez replied, nodding.

I examined every corner of the remains, noting the details, before turning to my colleague to share what I'd found.

The feet hadn't been moved.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind, a detail from one of the books in her apartment.

What's your theory, Doctor?

"We're a long way from earning a doctorate, Raine, so let's not go there yet," I said. "But what if the water she drank was the detonator?"

"You've got one minute left, Raine," Detective Suarez said, glancing at her watch. "We need to track down the person who reported this and get what's left to the coroner."

"Could he be a suspect?" Raine asked, sarcasm lacing her voice as she briefly activated her microphone, then quickly switched it off again.

"He could still be a person of interest. He mentioned the water he gave her just before the crime," Suarez replied, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications.

Adjust the camera, Zane. It's making me dizzy, especially since I'm walking here.

"You could've just said you couldn't come because you had class, couldn't you?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

Since when did you become sarcastic?

I was about to mute her messages when another one came through.

Wait.

...

"I hope this still counts within the minute," I muttered under my breath.

Think about it: only he and the woman were there. Isn't the woman also suspicious?

And I know it wasn't a good idea for him to leave the scene. That alone drew suspicion, making him a suspect, but believe me, this man isn't capable of murder.

"Ms. De Verra, can you please just turn on your microphone?" Detective Suarez asked, her voice steady yet laced with impatience as she leaned closer to my phone.

Raine sent a photo, and as we looked at it, it revealed the man sprawled on the sofa where I had left him.

He has a heart condition, judging by how he breathes. He's fearful, on several medications, has children he's still raising, and a wife who loves to cook. Why would he commit murder if he's happy with his life?

What's the motive?

Raine activated the microphone, and we were met with the voice of someone else. "What are you saying? A heart condition?" It was our client, with confusion present in his voice.

"It was just a recording," Raine cut in, though I couldn't tell if she was joking or serious.

"Are you really heading to your school, wherever that is?" I asked. For months, ever since I discovered she was taking two college programs, I had no idea where she was studying Forensic Science with Mr. Aguilar, a law enforcer we'd met before.

"Look around," she instructed. "There might be something there that could help you."

Detective Suarez started to pace around the room, her sharp eyes scanning every detail, while I panned the camera, capturing the scene from different angles.

Behind me was a vast forest, with rice fields stretching out ahead. The houses were scattered far to the left, while the road to the right led to the town of Nueva Aurora, and if you went straight, it would take you to the city.

"Raine, are you talking to someone?" I heard Mr. Aguilar's voice over her line.

"It's nothing," Raine replied.

"You're coming with me. I'll take care of your companion," he added.

"Is he a policeman? Is he a—" our client's voice started to ask, but Raine cut the call before he could finish.

"Where exactly is Raine?" I thought.

After scanning the surroundings, Detective Suarez returned to my side. "Someone's looking for you," she said as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Who?" I asked, glancing at my phone, hoping Raine would call again. After a moment, I shoved the device into my pocket, frustration creeping in as I adjusted my black slacks.

I glanced to the right side of the road and spotted a black vehicle approaching. As the number plate came into view, recognition hit me— it was the De Verra family's driver behind the wheel.

"What could possibly be happening now? Am I about to be kidnapped again? Or perhaps Raine is his target this time," I asked myself.

"Get in," he said, his voice steady as he gestured towards the car.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," he replied. "But first, fix yourself up. Did you even take a bath?"

"Where could we be heading?" I wondered as I stepped into the car, relief washing over me that I had showered before leaving the house. A sense of unease crept in—was something important about to happen?