Chapter 13: And Then There Were None

"How far have you gone Alonzo?", tanong ni Gray sa kasama na abala sa kakatingin sa nagkalat na mga panggatong sa paligid. There were also bloods scattered on the ground at abala ang mga pulis sa pag-iimbestiga sa paligid.

The two teens wandered on the area but the police don't mind their presence. Bakit? It is because their presence is highly recommended by one of the police detectives na si Detective Tross. Ayon sa kanya kanina, the two are his apprentice at magandang training ground para sa dalawa ang presensya nila sa crime scene.

The police discovered a body, bludgeoned with an axe on his back. Sa initial investigation ng mga pulis, nalaman nilang ang biktima ay si Roger Berido, isang may-ari ng upholstery shop. He was found at his yard in an unmanly state. His body was already moved for further investigation. Through the help of the experts, they knew that he died around 11 PM last night based on his postmortem.

"Something's off Silvan", Khael said as his eyes focused thoroughly on the area. Kahit tila tutok siya doon, it seems that his mind is wandering somewhere. "Do you remember the case last week?"

"Which one?"

"The poisoning at the Lagrosas Residence. Hindi ba't nakapagtatakang may nabasag na figurine sa lugar kung saan natagpuan ang bangkay ng biktima?", Khael asked.

"And? Hindi nakapagtataka iyon, maybe she struggled when she tasted the poison kaya nasagi niya ang figurine."

"No, think outside the box. Then there's yesterday's case. We figured out that Diana Manalo died because of pillow murder at hindi dahil sa bangungot gaya ng inisyal na imbestigasasyon ng mga pulis. We figured it the moment we found the fresh mascara mark on her white pillow which gives us the clue that she was pillow murdered. And there there's a broken figurine on her bedside again just like the previous murder. And now here, with this broken jar figurine on the yard", Khael said as he tried to make Gray follow his point.

"Ibig mo bang sabihin may koneksyon?"

Khael nodded his head. "Sabi nga nila, at first murder you find the motive. On the second, find the connection. Third? Well I guess we have a serial killer on the loose."

Napaisip din si Gray sa sinabing iyon ni Khael. He was trying to connect it by following the trail that Khael has given. "Tama ka Alonzo! Now I get it! There's a pattern!"

Lumapit si Detective Tross at nakiusyoso sa usapan nila. "Pattern? What do you mean Gray?"

"Yes Detective Tross. The way of murder, the figurines. Doesn't it rings a bell?", Gray asked turning to Khael and Detective Tross. The detective looked puzzled and shook his head.

"Silvan's right! I guess our killer is somewhat addicted to Agatha Christie's crime novels!", pagsang-ayon ni Khael sa sinabi ni Gray. His facial expression was as bright as Gray's after having some light in the case.

The detective waved his hands in front of the dreamy boys. "Wait, kayo lang yata ang nagkakaintindihan. Ano ba ang ibig ninyong sabihin?"

Gray let out a victorious smile. "This case is connected to last week's poisoning case and yesterday's pillow murder."

"What? I mean paano niyo naman nasabi?"

Tinuro ni Khael ang basag na jar figurine sa tabi. "Do you see that broken thing? Hindi ba't may ganyan din- not really a jar but any figurine on the two previous murder?"

"And the pattern. First is poisoning. Then pillow murder", Gray added.

"I still don't get it", Detective Tross said.

"We think this is a serial killing based on Agatha Christie's book, And Then There Were None."

When the detective still looked puzzled, Gray explained how it was connected with the book that they were talking about. "Agatha Christie's novel depicts the same murders like these. One choked his little self. One overslept himself. One chopped himself in halves. And just like the story, every time someone died, there is a broken figurine."

Tila nailawan naman ang detective."Ah! Ngayon ay naiintindihan ko na!", the detective said in delight. "I will inform the HQ about this and we'll contact you for further details."

When the two set forth back to Athena High School after they ditched the class ay napag-usapan nila ang tungkol sa kasong iyon.

"Bakit pakiramdam ko ay may kulang sa reasoning natin Silvan?", wika ni Khael habang naglalakad sila patungo sa dorm nila sa Athena.

"I also sensed that there is a missing piece", Gray replied. "Why don't we question some people na may involvement sa mga biktima? Pero kailangan muna nating tanungin si Detective Tross kung sinu-sino ang mga pwedeng sangkot sa serial killing na ito."

They called Detective Tross and they were able to come up with three person na konektado sa tatlong biktima. First was Ariana Galdo- isang abogada. Dati niyang kliyente ang naunang biktima and she lost the case. Naging kliyente naman siya ni Roger at nagkainitan sila nang hindi nagawa ng huli ang para sa upuan ng kanyang kotse. Second was Max Alcaraz. Ex-boyfriend ni Ruffa Lagrosas na siyang unang biktima dahil nilason. Pinsang buo naman ito Roger. The last one was Luxel Clavio. Ex-boyfriend ito ni Diana at dating nakaalitan ni Roger at kakilala nito ang naunang biktima.

Una nilang nakausap si Luxel. Ikinuwento nito ang dahilan ng paghihiwalay nila ni Diana. Ayon dito, it was all of a sudden na naging malamig na sila sa isa't-isa kaya napagpasyhan nilang tapusin na lamang ang relasyon. Anim na buwan na ang lumapas mula nang maghiwalay sila. Ikinuwento din nito ang naging alitan nila ng huling biktima na si Roger. Ayon dito ay maraming nakakaalitan na customer dahil hindi nito name-meet ang target date ng mga pinapagawa ng kanyang mga customer. Ang naging alitan umano nila ay normal lamang sa pagitan ng mga business owner at akliyente.

Sunod nilang nakausap ay si Ariana Galdo. On their first approach, the lady was rude and has an attitude. Mabuti na lamang at kasama nila si Detective Tross na bahagi ng pulis kaya nagkaroon sila ng alas upang pumayag ito na makausap nila. Ayon naman dito ay hindi naging maganda ang koneksyon niya kay Ruffa Lagrosas. Ayon sa kanya, kinuha siya ng biktimang si Ruffa bilang abogado but she eventually lose the case at naging sanhi iyon upang magkaroon ng higit sa kalahating milyon na civil liability ang kanyang kliyente. Kay Roger naman ay gaya pa rin ng nauna nilang kinausap. Service-concern problem. Ngunit ang nakapagtataka ay may nakita silang libro ni Agatha Christie sa bag ni Ariana.

Khael cleared his throat bago nagsalita. "Mahilig ka pala sa mga libro ni Agatha Christie Miss Ariana."

The woman, naturally snob scowled at him. "Bakit? May masama ba?"

"Hindi naman po. Katunayan ay mahilig din ako niyan. I have all the adventures of Poirot."

Tila nakarinig ito ng magandang balita. "Talaga? Ako din pero kakasimula ko pa lamang. Naimpluwensyahan lang naman ako ng kapitbahay kong si Clifford. Speaking of him, kakilala niya si Roger at Ruffa. Weird kasi ang isang iyon at kakaunti lamang ang kinakausap. Mas gusto pa niya na magbasa."

Nagkatinginan sina Gray at Khael na tila ba parehas sila ng iniisip. They turned to Detective Tross na tila naintindihan din ang iniisip nila. Agad silang nagpaalam kay Ariana at tumawag si Detective Tross sa HQ upang humingi ng search warrant at magpadala ng backup. When they were able to obtain the necessary things, nagpunta sila sa apartment ni Clifford.

Pagdating nila doon ay agad na kumatok sa pinto ang isang pulis, a guy opened it but he still puts the safety lock on.

"Clifford Romualdez, mga pulis kami at may search warrant."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito sa gulat. He immediately closed the door at nakarinig ng mga pulis ng mga lagabog. The man must have been finding a way to escape kaya napagpasyahan ng pulis na sirain ang pinto. When they were inside, they were surprised to see a shelf full of books by Agatha Christie. Iba-ibang edition iyon. Nakabuklat din sa mesa ang mga kung anu-anong papel na puro akda ni Agatha Christie. It was no wonder that the man was so addicted to the writer. Kahit ang dingding nito na may corkboard ay puro rin mga clips sa mga akda ni Agatha Christie. On the center table, nakabuklat ang libro na And Then There Were None. It just strengthens the suspicion and they were able to seize Clifford na nagtatago sa cabinet. He was brought to the police HQ ngunit hindi ito makausap ng matino ng mga pulis. Mukhang may sakit ito sa pag-iisip.

Nang nai-detain ng mga pulis si Clifford Romualdez ay napagpasyahan ni Detective Tross na dalawin ang puntod ng mga biktima ng serial killing. The police are now positive that the killings will be stopped dahil nahuli na nila ang psycho na serial killer.

"He must have been affected too much with the flow of the novels kaya isinabuhay niya iyon", komento ng police detective. Kasama niya ang dalawang batang detective.

"Agatha Christie's works are really riveting but he have gone overboard", dagdag ni Khael. Patungo sila ngayon sa puntod ni Ruffa Lagrosas, ang unang biktima. Pagdating nila doon ay may lalaking nakatayo at nakasuot ng sunglasses.

The detective cleared his throat to make the man be aware of their presence. Lumingon naman ito sa kanila at ngumiti. "Hi, kaibigan ba kayo ni Ruffa?"

"Ah, no. We're part of the police na nag-imbestiga sa serial killings."

"Really? Oh, ako nga pala si Max Alcaraz. I used to be Ruffa's boyfriend kaya nakakalungkot na malaman ang tungkol sa sinapit niya. Ibig bang sabihin ay maging ang dalawang ito ay bahagi din ng pulisya?", he said at tiningnan sina Gray at Khael.

"No, these kids are my apprentices", Detective Tross replied at tinanggap ang palad ni Max. "I'm Detective Tross Delano."

"Ako naman po si Khael Alonzo."

"I'm Gray Silvan."

Ngumiti si Max sa kanila. "I was really sad when I hear the news about Ruffa. Matagal din naman ang pinagsamahan namin. Muntik na nga kaming magpakasal."

Marami pa ang pinag-usapan nina Detective Tross at Max tungkol sa biktima samantalang iba naman ang pinag-uusapan nina Gray at Khael. Naglalakad sila papunta sa pinaradahan nila ng kotse at nasa likod sila nina Max at Detective Tross.

"Alonzo, there's a thing that is bothering me in this case", wika ni Gray at sinadyang hinaan ang boses. "Something's not right."

"Ang mahalaga ay nahuli na si Clifford. Grabe ang koleksyon niya ng mga libro, daig pa niya ang robot collection ko sa dami ng libro niya."

"No, listen Alonzo. Ano ba sa tingin mo si Clifford?"

"What's your point Silvan? Well he is a lunatic Agatha Christie fan! Baka nga halos ma-memorya na niya ang laman ng mga aklat nito", Khael commented, feeling annoyed with Gray's question.

"Exactly! You said it already! Halos mamemorya na niya so he would less likely to commit mistakes kung sakaling ginamit man niya ang pattern ng pagpatay sa And Then There Were None. But look at the murder", Gray said trying to make Khael paint the picture in his mind. "Try to remember the version of the nursery rhyme there."

Pilit naman na inalala ni Khael ang kanta. He started saying it in a low voice. "Ten little Soldier Boys went out to dine. One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little Soldier Boys sat up very late. One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little Soldier Boys travelling in Devon. One said he'd stay there and then there were seven. Seven little Soldier Boys chopping up sticks. One chopped himself in halves and then there were six- that's it Silvan! He skipped one! Sa kwento ay may bahagi na naiwan si MacArthur sa baybayin, dead after being whacked! The killer escaped the pattern and that is a remarkable mistake!"

"That is exactly my point Alonzo! Clifford followed the pattern of Marston and the Rogers death ngunit nalimutan niya ang kay MacArthur!"

"Which means na posibleng-"

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa. "We got the wrong guy."

"Maybe he only hide nang malamang hinahanap siya ng mga pulis dahil na rin sa binabasa niya. He didn't even fight when he was seized."

Nahinto sila sa paglalakad ng tumigil din sina Detective Tross. Saka lamang nila napansin na nasa harap na pala sila ng kotse.

"It's good to see you Detective", wika ni Max. "Mauna na rin ako. And by the way, I heard na nahuli niyo na pala si Clifford. That man is a psycho. Sinong mag-aakalang ang mga libro niya ang magtuturo sa kanya? Mabuti na lamang at hindi siya umabot sa puntong sasabihin niya na And then there were none." Max even laughed after saying it and as if it's a cue, nagkatinginan si Gray at Khael.

"How do you know that that's the book reference of the murders? The police released the info that Clifford was caught because of his books but they never said the specific title", Gray said firmly. Tila nagulat naman ito at unti-unting napaatras.

"Ah-eh just a guess. I-iyon kasi ang pinakakilala-"

"Or it could be that you did it and frame Clifford. For a super fan, imposibleng magkamali si Clifford."

Nataranta ito at agad na tumakbo but Detective Tross chased him at agad naman itong nahuli. Clifford was released while Max faced the consequences of his murders. Napag-alamang hindi pa pala ito nakapag-move on kay Ruffa at nagalit ito ng malamang may iba na ang babae. He also killed his cousin Roger dahil nalaman nito ang panglalason niya sa nobya so he killed him to silence him. Si Diana naman ay ang kanyang bagong ka-date pero pinatay niya ito ng magtalo sila. He framed Clifford dahil alam niyang hindi ito papalag dahil na rin sa sakit nito sa pag-iisip. He thought his plan was perfect but it turned out that the plan has a loophole na siyang nagturo sa kanya. But still there is no perfect murder plan.

***

"Gray....."

Gray gently opened his eyes at isa-isang tiningnan kami. Nakahiga siya sa kama sa infirmary and it's almost an hour mula nang naroon siya. Pagkatapos niyang himatayin kanina ay agad siyang dinala ni Ryu at Jeremy dito. Ryu received a call kaya magmamadali itong nagpaalam sa amin. He's been saying something which sounded like nursery rhyme? Hindi rin kasi masyadong klaro ang pinagsasabi nito. I guess he's dreaming.

"Thanks God! I thought we're going to lose you", Jeremy said excitedly at akmang yayakapin si Gray but the latter pushed away his face. "Ang arte! Oh, by the way, you're talking on your sleep."

I gently smiled at him ng umupo siya sa kama. "How do you feel Gray?"

"Just a little bit dizzy. Napanaginipan ko kasi ang isang kaso na nilutas namin ni Alonzo dati", he replied. He also gave me a sweet smile and that's when I realized something. Sinuntok ko siya sa braso at agad naman itong napangiwi sa sakit.

"Aray! Para saan ba yun?", he asked as he rubbed his hurt arm. He looks so cute in his messy hair.. Wait. Cute? Bakit ko ba pinupuri si Gray?!

"Para yan sa kahibangan ninyo. At bakit naman kayo maglalaro para may isang lumayo sa akin? Ako ang magde-decide niyon!", wika ko sa kanya. He only pouted when he remembered what happen before he passed out.

"Who won the game?"

I rolled my eyes at him. Wow, may gana pa talaga siyang magtanong kung sino ang nanalo. "None of you scored even once."

He looked away bago nagsalita. "Ayokong lumalapit si Ryu sa iyo." Eh? Why? Is there something that he is against his cousin?

"Why?"

"Kasi nagseselos siya", Jeremy said while coughing. We both gave him a glare and he ignored it while giggling. Just then, the curtain was opened at iniluwa niyon si Math. She wore a very worried facial expression as she dashed towards Gray. She throws herself to him and hugged him tightly.

"Gray! I was so worried", she said with teary eyes. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ni Gray at sumiksik sa leeg nito.

Seriously?

Math ang OA mo! It's just overfatigue! Hindi naman sinabi ng resident doctor na may taning na ang buhay ni Gray. Tss.

"Oh no Maya! You're wishing for your death again."

"Okay lang ako Math", wika ni Gray when Math withdraw herself.

"I'm sorry Gray. Ang busy kasi, I have done so many things. Sino ba kasi ang nagsabing maglaro ka?" Math glared at me kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at siya ang unang nagbawi ng tingin. If she means that it was my fault, mauulit siguro ang nangyaring eksena noong nakaraan kung saan may kasabunutan akong estudyante, but this time it would be Math and not Honey.

"I'm really fine Math." Tumayo si Gray at luminga-linga sa paligid. "Where's the nurse? Pwede na siguro akong lumabas." Tumayo na siya sa kama at sumunod kami sa kanya. Like the usual, Math clung into his shoulders like a leech. Tss.

"Math, baka mabinat si Gray sa kakakapit mo", Je said to Math. At dahil dakilang papansin si Math, she just stuck her tongue out at him.

"Gusto mo bang paglamayan ng maaga?"

"Like you would dare."

"Bakit sinabi ko bang ako? Ahemm Bestie", Je said coughing again when he said Bestie. Hindi ko sila pinansin at sinamahan na lamang namin si Gray na magfill-up sa mga necessary papers para sa record sa infirmary. Nang makalabas kami ay mas lalo lamang kumapit si Math kay Gray.

"Gutom ako, kain kaya tayo?", Jeremy suggested and everyone agreed. While on our way ay naramdaman ko ang braso ni Je na umakbay sa akin. I gave him my death glare but he only smiled at sumabay sa lakad nina Gray at Math.

"HAAAY! I really want to eat with my Amber. Try kaya natin yung monggo doon sa cafeteria. Masarap daw iyon at healthy pa", he said. He got some loose strands of my hair and brushed it at the back of my ear.

What the hell is he doing? I swear if do it gain I will surely punch him.

"Puns", tawag ni Gray sa kanya ngunit tila wala itong narinig. He even pulled me closer to him and I wasn't able to move in surprise. Hey, what is he up to?

"Puns."

"You should eat more often Be, look at you, ang payat mo."

Wait.

What?

Be?

Who's Be?

"And you have to sleep early at night, nagkaka-dark circles ka na sa mata. Let's agree, dapat cut-off na ng tawag natin ang 10 PM. Oh, no. 10:30 pala. Alam mo namang mami-miss agad kita Be."

Teka teka teka.

Cut-off time? Tawag? Kailan pa kami nagtatawagan gabi-gabi? And since when did my name become BE?

When I looked at Gray, he was- eh? Hindi pa ba siya okay? Bakit parang hindi maganda ang pakiramdam nito? His eyes are dark and it was piercing directly to Jeremy. But Je ignored it hanggang sa makarating kami sa cafeteria. He even opened the door and pulled a chair for me.

"Wait, Jeremy are you two-", Math paused at pinagdikit ang dalawang daliri.

"Hindi pa pero kapag may babagal-bagal, mauunahan ko, syempre", he said while giggling. "O-order na ako ng monggo para sa ating apat. Mabuti yun para mainitan si Gray."

He left and went to the counter samantalang naiwan kaming tatlo doon. Ang awkward tuloy ng ambiance. When Gray coughed few times, agad itong dinaluhan ni Math at binigyan ng tubig.

"Ayan, wag mo kasing pinapagod ang sarili mo kaya nauwi sa ubo at overfatigue yang sipon mo", she said while caressing Gray's back. "Mag-water therapy ka mamaya ha?"

Tss! Inulit lang naman niya yung sinabi ng doktor kanina! Eh kung ibuhos ko kaya sa kanya yang pinagyayabang niyang tubig?!

"Take your med too. Ingatan mo kasi yang kalusugan mo kasi kayamanan yan, diba Amber?", Math said turning to me and I immediately nodded. Mabuti na lamang at dumating na si Je dala ang mga pagkain namin.

"Ikaw din Maya, kayamanan ka", Je said. Lumawak naman ang ngiti ni Math sa kanya. She was surprised to hear such sweetness from Jeremy.

"Really Je?"

"Oo. Kaya dapat sa iyo, binabaon sa lupa Hahahahahahahahaha." He laughed so hard at inirapan naman siya ni Math. Well Je is right. Ang sarap niyang ibaon sa lupa.

Jeremy put the bowl in front of us. Hindi ko alam kung ano iyon basta maraming monggo. Uh, ah basta ba walang lason at nakakain, ayos lang. Kinuha ko ang kutsara at nagsimulang kumain. So far it doesn't taste bad pero kakaiba ang lasa. Hindi naman kasi ako kumakain ng monggo. I looked at them at gaya ko ay nagsimula na rin silang humigop sa sabaw. Wala namang nagreklamo sa kanila.

"Bakit parang iba yata ang lasa ng monggo ko?", I asked and looked at them. They looked at each others bowl pero wala namang pinagkaiba ang mga iyon.

"Patikim nga ng monggo mo", Gray said and he immediately scooped a spoonful of the soup in my bowl. He tasted it and blinked few times, carefully assessing the taste of the soup. "Hindi naman ah. Heto oh, tikman mo rin ang monggo ko."

I gulped few times and looked at him. Monggo daw niya. He offered his bowl at napatingin naman ako doon. That's when Jeremy pushed his bowl gently at nagsalita.

"Heto Be, tikman mo rin itong monggo ko", he said while grinning. Heck. What was the grin for?!

Pinagpalit ko ang tingin sa monggo ni Je at Gray, wondering which bowl should I taste. In the end, I decided to scoop on Jeremy's bowl and tasted it. Bago ko pa man malunok ang sabaw, we heard a loud thud na likha ng bangko sa cafeteria. It was Gray who harshly stood up. Padabog na inilapag niya ang kutsara sa bowl. Some of the soup even spilled on the table.

"Uwi na ako", he said loudly at agad na tumalikod. Before he can step away, tinawag na siya ni Je.

"Gray!"

Gray stopped but he didn't look back. Umabot pa ng limang segundo bago ito lumingon. I can feel the tension between the two of them. Kahit si Math ay naramdaman din ang tensyon na iyon.

"What?", he asked with dark eyes. The one which resembles Cooler's kapag seryoso ito.

I thought Jeremy will apologize kahit na hindi naman namin alam kung ano ang ikinagalit nito. But he didn't. Sa halip ay inilahad niya ang kanyang palad sa harap ni Gray.

"Bayad mo."

For a second, I thought Gray would pour the soup on him. He sighed like he's controlling his temper at may kinuha sa bulsa niya. Agad niyang inilapag sa mesa ang isang 100 peso bill at tuluyang lumabas ng cafeteria. Padabog din niyang isinarado ang pinto.

"Anong problema nun?", Math asked nang kami na lamang ang naiwan. I immediately shrugged my shoulders and looked at Jeremy.

"Aba'y ewan", he answered. "Ang laki yata ng problema niya sa monggo ko."

I guess that's it. Ang monggo yata ni Jeremy ang dahilan. Tsk!

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs.

Disclaimer:
The case was inspired by Flowers for your grave, JSYK.