COLEMAN

I MIGHT be guilty of using drugs, but I wouldn't be guilty of plotting to murder Zack. Sumama ako sa dalawang police detective dahil tiwala ako sa pagka-inosente ko. I wanted to show them that I got nothing to hide, so I was willing to cooperate. Kung tutuusin, pwede naman akong tumanggi lalo na't wala pa silang warrant sa akin. But if I turned down their invitation, I might look more suspicious than I already was.

For half an hour, I was held in the interrogation room. Ako lang mag-isa sa kuwarto, nakatitig sa salamin na nasa harapan. I told the police detectives that I wouldn't speak without the presence of my lawyer. They respected my wishes and left me alone. Pero alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa sa kuwarto. Kahit hindi ko sila nakikita, malamang nasa likod sila ng two-way mirror, pinapanood ako at inoobserbahan ang mga reaksyon ko.

Stacy must be so worried about me. Ayaw niyang bitawan ang kamay ko kanina. No matter how much I tried to assure her, she wouldn't just want to let go. But she had to, lalo na't meron pa siyang audition sa lead role ng theater production. I didn't want her to miss that opportunity, the same way she didn't want me to miss any basketball practice. Sana'y hindi nakaapekto sa performance niya ang nangyari sa 'kin. She might get distracted by the mere thought of me.

But I was confident that there's nothing to be worried about.

Napalingon ako sa likuran kung nasaan ang pinto. Bumukas ito at sumilip ang isang police officer. He motioned his left hand inside while his right was holding the door. Pumasok ang isang babaeng naka-crown braid at nakasuot ng blazer. My attorney was finally here.

"How are you, Cole?" Tita Frigette Corazon-Mendez asked, looking at me with such concern. "Did they ask you questions and trick you into answering them without me around?"

"Pumunta sila sa gym kung saan po kami nagpa-practice kanina," kuwento ko. "They asked kung pwedeng tanungin ang bawat member ng team tungkol sa mugging incident na nangyari kagabi. Naka-varsity jacket daw kasi ang suspek. Dahil hindi siya connected sa Zafra case, nakipag-cooperate ako at sumagot."

"And?"

I let out a sigh. "After the interview, that male police detective told me that he got the details confused. It turned out na connected po pala sa Zafra case ang pagtatanong niya sa varsity jacket. That's when they invited me to come with them to this station. Wala pa naman po silang tinatanong magmula nang makarating kami rito."

Tita Frigette raised her gaze at the mirror and shook her head. "They tricked you into answering a question related to a case where you're being considered a suspect. I'm going to file a complaint after this interview. You shouldn't have said anything at all."

If I had known na connected sa case ang tanong tungkol sa jacket, hindi na sana ako sumagot pa. But the way the detective presented the question to us sounded like it wasn't, so I fell for his trap.

"By the way, Tita . . ." My head turned to my attorney. We looked at each other's eyes. "Thank you for not telling dad about what you saw and heard here yesterday. Alam kong kinulit kayo ni Dad para sabihin sa kanya kung ano'ng nangyari."

Tita Frigette smiled faintly. She shifted her gaze from me to the mirror. "Your dad is persistent. He reminds me of my husband. Hindi siya titigil hangga't hindi niya nalalaman ang sagot. But I managed to not give in to pressure kahit good friend ko pa siya. In the first place, it's not my story to tell."

I admired her for that.

"He must have asked you about it," she added, glancing at me again with squinted eyes. "Did you tell him?"

Mabagal ang pagtango ko. "Wala naman po akong choice kundi sabihin sa kanya ang totoo. Mas lalala kung magsisinungaling ako. It's better to confront the issue now than later."

"And how did he take it?"

I chuckled. "You know my dad, Tita. He's not fond of things that will put him and our family name to shame. He's extremely disappointed, that's for sure. Expected ko na sa kanya 'yon."

Tita Frigette held my hand and beamed at me. "As your Tita, I believe na may mabigat kang pinagdaraanan kaya nagawa mo 'yon. I won't condone what you did, but I hope that you'll find another way to cope with whatever you're feeling."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"But as your lawyer," she let go of my hand as her face became serious, "I'll advise you to stop from doing it because it will definitely get you into trouble. The police detectives here are sharp and clever. After knowing that you and some students from Clark University had a session, they can set up a sting operation and catch you and your friends in the act."

"Don't worry, Tita," I assured her. "I don't regularly resort to that vice. Kapag lang talaga sobrang overwhelmed na ako, doon ko naiisipang gawin 'yon."

She gave me a look as if she wasn't convinced.

I raised my right hand reflexively. "But I promise that I won't do it again! Stacy doesn't like it either. My dad might even disown me kapag nalaman niyang hindi pa ako tumitigil."

"I have a question," Tita Frigette leaned closer to me and whispered, "if they test you now, do you think . . ."

"No." I shook my head. "I'm clean. The results will be negative."

"Good!"

The door swung open for the second time since I had been here. Pumasok na ang aroganteng police detective at ang kanyang partner sa room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Detective Juste said, pulling one of the steel chairs across us. Gano'n din ang ginawa ng kanyang partner. "Our coffee maker is broken so I had to buy my afternoon dose from a vending machine."

"I hope that you will not pull off another stunt and trick my client into answering any questions related to the Zafra case," Tita Frigette said with a threatening smile.

"I apologize on behalf of my partner," Detective Verity replied. "Sinubukan ko siyang pigilan pero matigas talaga ang ulo niya. His methods are more often than not unconventional."

"That will get him into trouble someday."

"It already did. A temporary restraining order was filed against him and he was off that one case. But he's really, really stubborn."

"Hey, bakit mo ako nilaglag?" Detective Juste asked, nudging his partner on the arm. Humarap siya sa akin. "I'm genuinely sorry about my questions earlier. Sa sobrang bigat at dami ng mga case na hina-handle namin, napaghahalo ko na."

Hindi na ako naniniwala sa kanya. Mukhang sinadya niyang lituhin ang sarili niya para matanong ako kanina at makuha ang sagot na inaasahan niya. I wouldn't fall again this time.

"Shall we start? My client must be tired from the basketball practice," Tita Frigette asked. "What questions do you have for him?"

Nagkatinginan muna ang mag-partner bago muling humarap sa akin. Detective Verity laid out a photo on the table. I leaned closer to see it clearly. Isang taong may suot na varsity jacket at naka-cap ang nasa retrato. Hindi kita ang kanyang mukha. Hindi rin masyadong halata ang hubog ng katawan dahil sa suot niya.

"This photo is from the footage we secured from a barbituate retailer in the city. The person here bought potassium cyanide," the female detective said. "Based on the information we gathered, only members of your university basketball team have jackets with this design. Is that true?"

I nodded.

"Wala rin daw extra stock kaya imposibleng may ibang estudyante na makabili nito o may extra na pwedeng bilhin ang mga player," dagdag ni Detective Juste. "Tama ba?"

I nodded again. "We want it to be exclusive to our basketball team. Nag-o-order lang kami sa supplier na sakto sa bilang namin."

"Of all the players, you're the only one connected to the Zafra case," Detective Juste said, eyeing me intently. "So it's natural for us to think that you might be this person here."

"That's an unfair assessement," my lawyer said. "Since we're talking about possibilities and assumptions, someone from my client's team might have gone there to buy the poison. Maybe that person's going to use it for something else, and not exactly related to the Zafra case."

"Then let's confirm your whereabouts," Detective Verity said. Itinuro niya ang time stamp sa retrato. "Where were you on Monday of three weeks ago, between four and five in the afternoon?"

My eyes stared at the time and date. Pilit kong inalala kung nasaan ba ako noon. Was I in class? Was I in basketball practice?

"Sorry, but I can't remember," I answered while shaking my head. "Hindi ko nga maalala kung ano ang kinain ko kagabi. Ito pa kayang ginawa ko three weeks ago?"

Nagkatinginan ang mga police detective. May suspicious ba sa sinabi ko? I told them nothing but the truth. I doubt they could tell me what they did on the same day three weeks ago.

"You can't remember what happened? Then let's talk about something that happened recently." Detective Juste rested his elbows on the table and leaned toward me. "Natatandaan mo pa ba kung ano ang nangyari sa Guidance and Counseling Office dalawang linggo na ang nakararaan?"

I gulped. Huminga ako nang malalim at sumandal sa upuan. "Yes, I do. I went there and punched Zack in the face. Some students saw us kaya may witnesses na makapagpapatunay n'on."

"I'm curious: Why did you do that?" the male detective asked. "Base sa ikinuwento mo sa akin noong una kitang in-interview rito, it sounded like you have high respect for the vic. But something happened along the way, before the despedida party. Am I right?"

I had lost all my respect for him since then.

I sucked in a breath and locked myself into a staring contest with the detective.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," Tita Frigette advised.

I let out a sigh. "Alam n'yo na rin naman kung ano ang isa sa mga issue ko kaya hindi ko na kailangang itago pa."

"Cole—"

Lumingon ako sa katabi ko. "It's okay, Tita. I agreed to cooperate with them. I should tell them what they need to know."

"We highly appreciate that," Detective Juste said.

Muli akong huminga nang malalim. "Two weeks before the despedida party, kinausap ako ni Beatrice. Sinabi niya sa akin na may na-receive siyang copy ng test results kung saan nag-positive ako at ang mga teammate ko sa drugs."

"Go on."

"Inisip ko kung sino ang posibleng nag-leak n'on kay Beatrice," patuloy ko, sandaling napatingin sa ilalim ang aking mga mata. "The first person that came to mind was none other than Zack. Being the guidance counselor and my confidant, he knew what my problems were."

"Hindi mo ba pinaghinalaan ang mga kasama mo sa team?" tanong ni Detective Verity.

Umiling ako. "Damay-damay kaming lahat kung isa sa kanila ang nag-leak. Alam din ng coach namin ang results, pero itinago niya ito at dinoktor para maging negative ang resulta. Kung hindi sila, sino pa ba ang nakakaalam n'on?"

"So that's how you came to the conclusion that the victim was behind the leak?" Detective Juste asked. "But even if he's the one, how did he get a copy of the results? Only your coach keeps it, if we were to believe you."

I shrugged. "I confronted him in his office. I was furious kaya ko siya nagawang suntukin. Pasalamat ako dahil hindi niya ako inireklamo. Baka nagkaroon ako ng offense at naapektuhan ang pagiging varsity player ko."

"Did he admit to it?" Detective Verity asked.

I shook my head.

"Did you talk to him after the confrontation?"

"Only when he invited me to his party," I answered. "Kahit nasaktan ko siya, naisipan pa rin niya akong imbitahin. I took that as a sign of reconciliation. Nag-reflect din ako sa sarili ko. Maybe I quickly jumped to conclusions. Maybe I owed him an apology."

"Kahit na hindi pa kayo totally okay, pumunta ka pa rin doon?"

Tumango ako. "I asked him about it no'ng despedida party niya. He denied being behind it. Ang sabi niya, kung siya raw ang may gawa n'on, idederetso na niya sa Office of Student Affairs kaysa ipadaan kay Beatrice ng USC. The admins would surely act swiftly on the report and I'd be doomed."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Detective Juste at napabulong. "Kahit hindi siya ang nasa likod n'on, bakit pinadaan muna kay Beatrice ang results? Why not to the proper authorities?"

"Doon ko na-realize na baka mali ang assumptions at kailangan kong humingi ng sorry kay Zack," I went on. "He accepted my apology and told me that it's water under the bridge already, that he understood why I reacted that way."

"May idea ka na ba kung sino ang nag-leak ng test results?"

Umiling ako. "I can't think of anyone who could have done it."

"Let's assume for a moment that the victim did it. What do you think could be the motive? Bakit ka niya i-e-expose?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I have no idea. Wala naman kaming problema bago ko nalamang may tip na natanggap si Beatrice at bago ko siya sinugod sa kanyang office."

Detective Juste smirked. "Oooh. This is getting interesting."

"Juste!" Detective Verity glared at him.

"Oops! Sorry! Na-e-excite lang ako sa theory na naisip ko." The detective cleared his throat. "So let's talk about Anastacia."

"Eh?" Napakurap ang mga mata ko sa kanya. "Bakit siya damay rito?"

"We're checking the connection between each and every person involved in this case," he explained. "Mas maa-appreciate namin kung masasagot mo ang mga susunod naming tanong. They might prove to be very helpful."

"Are you aware that she and the victim had some sort of sexual relationship?" Detective Verity asked. "The video we found in the victim's phone suggested as much."

I took a deep breath as I looked down. When I exhaled, my eyes raised their gaze at them. "I am. For weeks now."

"Meanwhile, you and Anastacia seem to be quite close. Napansin kong lagi kayong magkasama. Kanina, magkahawak pa kayo ng kamay at parang ayaw n'yong bumitaw sa isa't isa. We can't ask the victim, but do you think he's aware that you two are, let's say, getting to know each other?"

My eyes looked up. "I'd say it's possible that he'd already sensed that something's going on between us. Matalas ang observation skills ni Zack. Malabong hindi niya napansin na nagiging close na kami ni Stacy."

"Is that so?" Lalo pang lumawak ang smirk sa mukha ni Detective Juste. "How about the—"

Knock! Knock!

Bumukas ang pinto at sumilip ang isang police officer sa loob. "Sir, may mga estudyanteng naghahanap sa inyo. May importante raw silang sasabihin at ipakikita."

"And who are these students desperate for my attention?"

"Uhm . . . Mga suspek daw po sila sa Zafra case."

My eyes went wide. Tita Frigette and I exchanged glances. Nandito sina Stacy, Beatrice at Desmond?

"Let them in. They might have something interesting to share with us."

"Roger that."

The police officer held the door with one hand while the other made a beckoning motion. Pumasok ang tatlong college student na kapareho ko ng uniform. They looked like they hurried their way to this station. I didn't expect to see Desmond here.

"Guys?" I cast each of them a glance, silently throwing the "What are you doing here?" question.

"Sir! Ma'am!" Stacy began. Hinabol muna niya ang kanyang hininga. "Hindi si Cole ang bumili ng potassium cyanide!"

"We have video evidence here." Ipinatong ni Beatrice ang dalang laptop sa mesa at may ilang clicks na ginawa. Ini-anggulo niya ang screen para makita namin ni Tita Frigette at ng dalawang police detectives. "Watch this very closely."

I saw myself entering the Guidance and Counseling Center at 3:35 on a Monday afternoon. Finast-forward nila ang video at p-in-ause muna thirty minutes later.

"May appointment si Cole kay Sir Zacharias sa araw na 'yan," paliwanag ni Desmond. "Sa hindi malamang dahilan, inutusan ako ni Sir na burahin ang records ni Cole sa calendar. Kung itse-check n'yo ang computer kung saan naka-log ang mga may appointment, hindi n'yo makikita ang pangalan niya sa araw na 'yan."

Tiningnan lang siya ni Detective Juste. Hindi ko masabi kung convinced ba siya o hindi sa explanation.

"Makalipas ang thirty minutes, lumabas si Sir Zacharias sa office suot ang varsity jacket ni Cole at isang cap," patuloy ni Desmond. "Naiwan si Cole sa loob ng kanyang office, mahimbing na natutulog matapos painumin ng tea."

Beatrice pressed the space bar button dramatically. Nagpatuloy sa pag-play ang video. Lumabas sa guidance office ang isang lalaking naka-varsity jacket. At first, I thought that was me. But I remembered that I didn't wear a cap. They're not my style.

"The person we see here wasn't Cole," Beatrice explained, pausing the video again. "Kung ita-track n'yo ang mga security footage, mapapansin n'yong lumabas ng campus ang taong ito. After an hour, bumalik siya sa guidance office, suot-suot pa rin ang jacket." Muli niyang p-in-lay 'yon at pumasok ulit ang lalaking naka-jacket at naka-cap.

"That was Sir Zacharias in disguise," Stacy pointed out.

"Thirty minutes later, doon pa lang talaga lalabas si Cole," Beatrice added. They fast-forwarded to the part where I exited the office, this time without my jacket. "Ginising na siguro siya ni Sir Zafra para sabihing oras na at kailangan na niyang umalis."

"At kung ipagko-compare n'yo ang footages na kita ang mukha ni Cole at hindi, makikita n'yo ang height difference sa dalawang figures," dagdag ni Desmond. "Ibig sabihin, magkaibang tao ang may suot ng varsity jacket na nakita n'yo."

"Teka," tanong ni Detective Verity, "kung totoong ginamit ng victim ang jacket ni Cole, bakit hindi niya 'yon ibinalik sa kanya?"

"Hindi pa namin alam," sagot ni Stacy. "Pero kung tama ang kutob namin na gusto niyang i-frame up si Cole para sa pagkamatay niya, baka balak niyang gamitin na ebidensya para lalong madiin."

"Natatandaan kong itinago niya 'yon sa isa sa mga cabinet sa office niya," sabi ni Desmond. "Sinabi niya sa akin na remembrance daw 'yon ni Cole sa kanya kaya hindi ko na kinuwestiyon pa."

"At paano ka nakasiguradong nandoon nga ang nawawalang jacket ni Cole?" tanong ni Detective Verity.

"I have a sharp memory," sagot ni Desmond. "Madali sa akin na tandaan ang mga bagay-bagay."

"Bravo!" Detective Juste began to clap slowly while shaking his head, also slowly. "We're just about to check the security footage to confirm the whereabouts of your friend on that day. But you delivered it to us."

"We still need to verify the authenticity of the videos," Detective Verity told him. "Kailangang galing mismo sa kung saan security office ang mga footage."

"Of course, of course!" Detective Juste stood and stretched out his arms. "I think I have figured this case out."

Sabay-sabay kaming napatingin sa kanya. Really?

"Sir Zack killed himself and tried to frame up Cole," Stacy said. "That's the only angle that makes sense here."

"You're half right. As soon as we confirm what needs to be confirmed," Detective Juste said, "we'll officially rule his death as suicide."

"Officially?" Tita Frigette repeated.

"He did kill himself, but by accident."

-30-

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