"I checked the CCTV cameras. It seems that some parts of the footage was stolen." Sandro told us. He was standing outside the car and Atticus just rolled the window down to discuss quickly with him. "May mga laktaw sa oras. The part when the murder took place is missing. For sure, the killer took it with him."

Atticus frowned. "Kahit iyong nasa parking lot?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He cleaned it well."

"Asshole." Atticus muttered under his breath. He seemed to be in deep thoughts as he rubbed his chin. "Sandro, can you possibly track every car parked in the vicinity that night? You might as well check the blackboxes, perhaps we can get something from there."

"I can do that, but it could take a few days." Sandro replied in an apologetic tone.

Atticus waved his hand. "No rush. Take your time."

Hindi na sumabay sa amin si Sandro dahil sasamahan raw siya ni Aster sa pag-iimbestiga. We were about to bid our goodbyes when he asked something.

"If I may ask, why are we prying into this case?" puno ng pagtataka na tanong ni Sandro.

His employer gave him a small smile. "Because our client is deeply involved in this case, Sandro."

The secretary seemed confused, but he didn't press further. Kumaway naman si Atticus sa kanya bago tuluyang magmaneho paalis.

"Why don't tell him the truth?" tanong ko sa gitna ng aming biyahe pauwi.

"Na ikaw si Stellar at hiniram mo ang katawan ni Gaia?" He laughed hysterically.  "Not a good idea, brat. As much as I trust him, Sandro is an extremely logical man. Hindi siya maniniwala sa atin."

I pouted. "Well, I can show him my wings."

"What? No." He clicked his tongue. "Don't damage my friend's emotional well-being. Leave him alone."

I rolled my eyes to him. Nakakabaliw bang makakita ng taong lumilipad? Sa bagay, baka lumuwag ang turnilyo ni Sandro sa ulo kapag nakita niyang may pakpak ako.

Ilang minuto pa akong nagmuni-muni bago ko mapagtanto ang sinabi ni Atticus kanina. "Wait, what did you mean that your client's deeply involved in my case? Sinong kliyente?"

He ignored my question. "I'll drop you at home. Stay indoors and do whatever you want, you brat."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Saan ka pupunta?"

"I have to meet someone." He offered as an explanation, looking at me in the corner of his eye.

"Sino?"

"Please," He heaved out a deep sigh. "Don't ask."

My lips quivered upon thinking of the possibility. Malakas ang kutob ko... at mukhang alam ko na kung sino ang tinutukoy niyang kliyente.

"You're going to meet with Conan, aren't you?" Hindi siya sumagot kaya muli akong nagsalita. "Sasama ako."

Bigla siyang napatingin sa akin. "You don't need to come. I can handle it myself." mabilis niyang sagot.

"If there's someone who must meet Conan Solaire, that should be me." mariin kong sambit kay Atticus. "Because of all people, I'm the one who can sense whether he's telling the truth or not."

Nanliit ang mga mata niya. "I don't want you to get hurt, Stellar. Going to that place is enough. You don't need to torture yourself and meet with the person who killed you."

"But maybe he didn't kill me, right?" I smiled to him. "That's why I was placed in this body. God wants me to save someone, and I think Conan Solaire needs my help. Despite the accusations against him, something tells me that he didn't do it. He didn't kill me, Atticus. That's what I feel."

There was a moment of silence between the two of us. I could see the frustration on his face, like he was having a hard time deciding whether to let me come or not. In the end, Atticus granted my wish.

"I respect you. If you really want to meet him, then I have no say on that." My heart raced wildly when he gently took my hand. "Just tell me if you can't handle being around him anymore. Aalis tayo agad."

I nodded to him then smiled.

Conan Solaire was in the custody of Camp Crame. He was the prime suspect so the police were given the permission to detain him. As long as the verdict of not guilty doesn't come out, he's bound to stay in this place.

And that's what I need to do: to get him out.

Because someone else needs to be in that place.

"Ilabas niyo si Solaire, may bisita siya!" One of the cops shouted. Umupo muna kami sa isang mesa kung saan naghihintay lahat ng bumibisita.

Atticus made an effort to calm me down by squeezing my hand. I appreciated the small gesture.

"Who are you?"

His sonorous voice dominated the noise around us. I mustered all my courage to tilt my head on the right. My eyes darted on his feet as he walked slowly to our direction.

And then I lifted my gaze to the man.

It's him. Conan Solaire.

Atticus pointed the vacant space in front of us.

"Good morning. Why don't you take a seat?"

He quietly complied. Hindi ko nagawang alisin ang tingin ko sa kanya habang nakaupo siya sa harapan namin. Halos pigilan ko ang aking hininga nang mapalingon siya sa akin.

"You look familiar." aniya at binigyan ako ng isang maliit na ngiti. "Have we met before?"

My lips parted. "That's... I don't think so."

"Is that so? Perhaps I've mistaken you for someone else." Conan turned to my companion. "So? To what do I owe this visit?"

"We would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind, Conan." Atticus placidly remarked.

"What if I refuse? I'm tired of being questioned." Conan smiled weakly. "No one believes my answer, anyway."

Nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya. Na ilang beses na siyang tinanong pero walang naniniwala sa mga sagot niya. Na kahit ilang ulit pa niyang ipagtanggol kanyang sarili, masama parin ang tingin ng lahat sa kanya.

"Tell us the truth, then. Maniniwala kami sayo." Atticus assured him then threw me a sideway glance. "Did you kill her? Did you murder Stellar Lumina?"

I waited in anticipation as Conan stared blankly at us. I was taken aback when I saw Gabriel watching us in a distance, still wearing his black suit. He smiled to me.

Go on and save him. I got your back.

Napangiti ako nang marinig ko ang boses niya sa isip ko. I know that he's always there to guide me.

"If I say I didn't, will you believe me?"

Walang sumagot sa amin ni Atticus.

"I don't remember anything, but what can I do? What can I do if my heart tells me that I didn't do it? That it's not me?" Tears streamed down to his cheeks. "I have been friends with Stellar for so many years. She was someone I admired, someone I looked up to. Why would I kill the woman I love?"

Atticus turned to me, dumbfounded.

My throat hurts. I don't want to hear this.

It was too painful to hear those words from him, that he loved me very much yet he was here, being punished for a crime that he never committed.

He was wronged. He was framed.

"I believe you." I whispered. "I know you didn't."

He seemed shocked by my words. Sandaling napatitig sa akin si Conan at kalauna'y bigla siyang napaluha. Yumuko siya at pasimple niyang pinunasan ang kanyang mga mata.

Thank you for the love, for the respect, for everything. I believe you, Conan. I really do.

Atticus placed a business card on the table.

"I'm Atty. Atticus Sylvensen VII." He proudly introduced himself. "If you would allow me, I'd like to represent you in the court. I will do everything in my power to prove your innocence, Conan Solaire."

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