LORELEI

NAWALA ANG antok ko nang marinig ang bulungan ng limang hotel staff na nakasabay namin. The elevator stopped at the fifth floor where our room was located, but I did not get out. Luthor, who stood on my right, shot a sideward glance at me, mentally asking why we remained inside.

Hindi ako lasing. Ni hindi nga ako nakainom kaninang nasa bar kami. Conscious din ako na sa fifth floor ang kuwarto namin. But due to my insatiable curiosity on what had happened, I decided to follow the scent of the crime scene.

The elevator stopped at the third floor. Pagkabukas ng pinto, nagmadaling lumabas ang mga hotel staff at nagmamadaling tinakbo ang kahabaan ng hallway. Nagpahuli kaming lumabas ng kasama ko. We followed behind the hotel staff who joined the others in front of Room 303. Some, mostly the female ones, had their eyes widened in shock and even covered their mouths. May iilan pa ngang napatalikod at halos nasuka.

"Bakit andaming staff diyan sa labas?"

"May nangyari ba sa kabilang room?"

"Natatandaan n'yo pa ba kung sino ang guest na naka-check-in diyan?"

"Hindi, eh. Pero mukhang VIP yata."

Pati ang guests sa ibang room ay na-curious siguro kung bakit nakalupong ang staff sa tapat ng isang hotel room.

Luthor, of course, protested with my decision through a meaningful gaze. Though we were in a clsoed space, I couldn't feel his aura that sent chills to me anyome. His eyes that lacked vibrance were telling me to leave the case alone to the authorities and that we should go back to our room. Wala ni isang salitang lumabas sa bibig niya pero alam kong gano'n ang kanyang iniisip.

While the security personnel wearing faded blue barong was busy trying to calm the curious crowd, I saw a window of opportunity. I was about to take a peek when Luthor grabbed my wrist. Pasimple akong nagpumiglas para hindi agaw atensyon sa ibang kasama namin.

"You shouldn't get yourself involved in this case," he said, staring at me with his piercing eyes while shaking his head. "You are here to relax, not to get yourself busy. And it's past midnight already. We should get some sleep."

Sa patong-patong na isyung nasa utak ko, hindi ko masabing mabilis akong makatutulog. There's too much on my plate, thanks to the left and right revelations, courtesy of Jamie and Loki. I left them alone in our suite. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa nila. Bahala sila roon.

But if Loki were to hear about the crime here, he would certainly get off his bed and ride to the elevator in his pajamas. Hindi niya papalampasing na hindi maging involved sa imbestigasyon.

Before, that's perfectly okay to me. But at the moment? No. The situation would become awkward between the two of us. No matter how many glass of orange juice or alcoholic beverage I drink - if Luthor had not stopped me earlier at the bar - I wouldn't easily forget the betrayal he did.

A betrayal of trust is one of the most serious crimes that a man can commit to another. And that's exactly what he did.

Kasalanan din ng lalaking 'yon kung bakit ako nagkaganito. If the old Lorelei were here, she would have not cared who died in this hotel room or how that person died. She would just look ahead and continue walking as if nothing happened.

But my months of exposure to Loki's methods changed my perspective, obviously. I could have followed Luthor's advice to leave this case alone and return to our room. That would be my option if the victim committed suicide since there's no need for a thorough investigation. But if it's murder? That's a totally different set-yp.

I must admit that there are two factors why I went here: First, I'm curious as to what happened to the chairman. Second, I do not want to see the lying drama queen and her king who's fond of keeping secrets even to the person closest to him. I couldn't stand being with them in one room even for a minute.

Perhaps getting myself involved in this case would distract me from all those thoughts. The only problem was that this place isn't Clark High. This isn't Angeles City either. Whoever's in charge of this case might not allow us to assist.

Wala pang barricade tape sa may pintuan ng kuwarto at wala pa akong naaninag na police car mula sa bintana. The police might still be on the way here. That meant I still have enough time to check the crime scene.

"Lorelei," Luthor called my name when I got my hand free from his grasp. I pretended to not have heard anything and approached the room. Bukas ang pinto kaya kitang-kita mula sa labas ang nakahigang bangkay ng isang middle-aged na lalaki sa kama. The bedsheet was stained with rose-colored blood, as well as the chest part of the man's polo. Mapapansin din ang tila kutsilyong nakatarak sa katawan ng lalaki.

Inilibot ko pa ang aking mga mata sa kuwarto para maghanap ng visual clue. I wish I could get a closer look. No choice. I had to make the most of what I could see from a distance. Sa tabi ng kama, nakakalat sa sahig ang isang susi. Basag naman ang isang panel ng bintana, at may mga bubog sa tapat nito. The hole on the glass window could only fit my fist, but not one man who could have used it for escaping.

"This isn't our business." I had goosebumps when I felt Luthor's breath near my ear. "The police are coming to this hotel as we speak. Let's leave it to their capable hands."

Kung gusto niyang bumalik na sa suite namin, he may do so. Hindi ko siya pipigilan. Susubukan kong makatulong sa imbestigasyon sa kasong ito.

From what I saw, mukhang pinaslang ang lalaking kinilala bilang owner ng hotel. The possibility of a suicide was slim.

"May problema tayo!" sigaw ng isang lalaking hotel staff na kakalabas lang ng elevator at huminto sa tabi ng iba pang katrabaho niya. "Baka matagalan pa bago makarating ang mga pulis dito. May karambola kasi sa intersection, halos walang galawan ang mga sasakyan doon."

"Ano?" pagulat na tugon ng security personnel. Halos nakakalbo na siya. Sa tindig ng pangangatawan niyan, mukha siyang bouncer sa isang club. Nabasa ko ang pangalang naka-engrave sa kanyang nameplate: Jojo. "Gaano katagal bago sila makararating dito?"

"Kalahati hanggang isang oras pa raw, chief."

Jojo clicked his tongue. "Marami nang nakikiusyoso sa kung anong nangyari. Pwede ba nating i-move ang katawan ni chairman?"

He was about to enter the hotel room.

"Teka, sir! Mas mabuti kung wala kayong gagalawin sa crime scene," I called him, forcing him to turn to me with an irritated look on his face. "We must preserve it until the police gets here."

"Sino ka ba?" tanong niya sabay krus ng kanyang mga braso. He was trying to intimidate me by show how large and broad his body frame. "Naliligaw ka bang guest sa floor na 'to?"

"I'm a... detective," nag-aalinlangan kong sagot. Almost every hotel staff let out a giggle as if I was joking with what I had said. Who would believe me, a girl who has not reached legal age, to be capable of solving cases?

"You are amused, but the lady beside me is telling the truth," Luthor spoke, putting his hands behind his back and standing face to face with the security head. "You can check it in our campus police records, as well as in the Angeles City Police Department. She had aided the police in closing cases."

"Baka naman tumulong siyang mahanap 'yong mga nawawalang pusa."

I appreciate him coming to my defense, but the people around us looked more confused than convinced. Iniisip siguro nila na kathang-isip lang ni Luthor ang mga sinabi niya o kaya'y nababaliw na kami.

"Kakapanood mo ng detective drama 'yan kaya iniisip mong detective ka na rin," pabirong tugon ni Jojo, pailing-iling. "Kailangan naming i-move ang katawan ng chairman. Ipaubaya n'yo na 'to sa mga mas nakatatanda sa inyo. Ang mabuti pa, bumalik na kayo sa inyong room ng boyfriend mo. Why don't you do something else while we do our job?"

Bo-Boyfriend? Why do people easily get the wrong idea?

"Let me clarify that part. He's just my friend," I explained, jerking my thumb towards Luthor. "At standard protocol na huwag gagalawin ang bangkay hangga't hindi dumarating ang mga pulis. Were you not taught about that during your training?"

"Lorelei," Luthor once again called my name. Alam kong offensive ang huling sinabi ko. Pero hindi ko sila pwedeng hayaan na guluhin ang crime scene. Baka nga ang security head na 'to pa ang pumatay sa chairman. He might be looking for a way to hide something.

"Miss, ano ang ipinupunto mo?" naiinis na tanong ni Jojo. "Gusto mo bang ipamukha sa amin na mas alam mo ang tamang procedure sa mga ganitong sitwasyon?"

"Oo, dahil na-train na siya pagdating sa crime scene investigation."

Napalingon kaming lahat sa kaliwa nang may lumapit na lalaking matikas ang tindig. He put his hands inside his pockets as he stood before us.

"Hugh," Luthor muttered, recognizing the face of one of his father's bodyguards.

Ilang oras ko ring hindi nakita ang pagmumukha ng lalaking 'to. He did not have the guts to face us after he and his brother intentionally left us behind the island. Teka, nasaan na ba ang kapatid niya? At saan sila nagsusuot noong nakabalik na kami rito sa hotel?

"Excuse me? Sino ka naman, sir?" kunot-noong tanong ni Jojo. Mas dumagdag pa ang sakit ng ulo niya.

May hinugot sa kanyang bulsa si Hugh at ipinakita sa lahat. "NBI agent on holiday Hugh Iniguez, at your service. At ang babaeng pinagtatawanan n'yo kani-kanina lang ay isa sa mga trainee ko."

"N-NBI?" bulong ng ibang hotel staff sa likuran namin.

National Bureau of Investigation, ang agency sa ilalim ng Department of Justice na nag-iinvestigate sa high-profile cases. I never thought that he would be part of that organization. Sorry to be judgmental pero wala sa itsura niya.

"Narinig ko sa front desk na male-late ang mga pulis dito kaya naisipan kong puntahan na mismo ang crime scene para inspeksyonin," sabi ni Hugh, itinago ang kanyang ID card. "I work at the Bureau's Death Investigation Division and I thought of lending a helping hand until the police gets here. Would you mind if I and my apprentices make an initial examination of the crime scene?"

Kumurap ang mga mata ni Jojo, tila iniisip kung dapat bang pagbigyan ang request ni Hugh. The man who requested access to the crime scene is a government agent, and he's the best one they've got while the police were not yet around.

"Mas may alam kayo kaysa sa amin pagdating sa ganitong sitwasyon," Jojo heaved out a sigh. "Sige, pwede n'yong pasukin ang crime scene."

"Thank you," Hugh bowed. Bago siya tuluyang makapasok sa hotel room, lumingon ulit siya sa security head. "For now, kindly put the hotel on lockdown. Wala muna kayong papaalising guest. My instinct tells me that the man over there was murdered. Ayaw naman siguro nating makatakas ang pumatay sa kanya, tama?"

Tumango si Jojo sabay labas ng kanyang radyo. He was about to inform the security guards at the entrance hall.

"At bigyan n'yo rin kami ng disposable gloves, if you have any," pahabol ni Hugh. "We do not want to leave any fingerprints on the crime scene. Baka kami pa ang maturong suspek. Thank you!"

Umalis muna ang security head at sinamahan ng ilang hotel staff. May iilan pa sa kanilang naiwan sa labas, curious sa kung ano ang tunay na nangyari sa chairman.

Pagbalik ni Jojo, inabutan niya kami ng tatlong pares ng disposable gloves at sinuot ang mga 'to. Luthor at first hesitated to wear his. This might be his first time to be in an actual crime scene investigation. The last time he was in a room with a murdered person was when he confronted Cedric at the abandoned warehouse.

Dahil kami ang pag-asa ng hotel na 'to sa initial investigation, nakatutok sa amin ang ilang pares ng mga mata.

"Show me your hands," I ordered our hesitant colleague.

"What?"

I grabbed Luthor's hands and forced the gloves on them. The two of us were supposed to be trainees of an experienced investigator. Mas magmumukhang kahina-hinalang kung makikita ng mga taong nakapaligid sa amin na hindi namin alam ang ginagawa namin. Dapat kaming sumunod sa script dahil kung hindi, mawawalan kami ng access sa crime scene.

When we were all set, pumasok na kaming tatlo sa hotel room. Strangely, studio-type ang kuwarto niya kaya kahit nasa labas na kami kanina, kitang-kita ang queen-sized bed kung saan nakahiga ang kanyang bangkay. Sa bandang unahan ang kitchen at ang maliit na dining room. Nasa mesa ang isang tray ng pagkain. Nakalahati ang rice pati ang steak.

What caught my attention was the utensils. Meron kutsara't tinidor, as expected. But there's something missing on the plate.

We went further into the room, near the bed where the bloodied body rested. Inilibot ko muna ang aking mga mata sa mga bagay na nasa paligid. On the cabinet's handle, a coat and longsleeved shirt, as well as a necktie, was hanging. Was the victim supposed to change his clothes?

"I was not aware that you are an NBI agent," Luthor addressed Hugh, staring at the key lying on the floor near the bedpost.

"I was an NBI agent," natatawang sagot ng kanilang bodyguard. Muli niyang ipinakita sa amin ang ID na inilabas niya kanina. "Your father asked us to create a forged identification to make it appear as if we are still in service. He said it might become handy someday. This is the first time na ginamit ko 'to."

"Ano?" I protested, looking over my shoulder to see if the people outside the room heard him. "Alam mo bang pwede kang makasuhan kapag nalaman nilang expired na ang ID mo at naglakas-loob ka pang i-identify ang sarili mo bilang NBI agent?"

But Hugh laughed off my concern. "Mr. Mendez can bail us out anytime. Kahit na retired na siya, meron pa rin siyang connection sa loob ng law enforcement network. At hindi rin nila malalaman na out of service na ako kung hindi n'yo ako ibubuking. The good thing about me lying is that you have gained access sa crime scene."

Lying, huh? The face of the best actress awardee named Jamie flashed in my mind. I'm becoming allergic to that word, thanks to recent events.

"But this is not our turf," Luthor argued. "We have no business in investigating this case. I understand that your sense of justice might have been triggered after finding out about the initial circumstances. But-"

This is the third time he expressed opposition to what we were doing. And frankly, it's becoming more of an annoyance.

"Kung gusto mong bumalik sa taas, pwede ka nang umalis," I told him bluntly, turning to him. "Sir Hugh and I will remain here and aid in the investigation and bring whoever killed the chairman to justice."

He smirked. He freaking smirked! "Is this really about seeking justice for the dead? Or is this just your means of running away from people who, you think, have wronged you?"

I only stared at him before averting my gaze elsewhere. When we were at the bar earlier, I had not told him a single thing about what happened at the hotel suite. Tinanong ko lang siya kung bakit nagsisinungaling ang ibang tao.

But should I expect less from Loki's brother? No, that would be mistake. He was able to put the puzzle pieces together that would paint the picture of what might have happened. Masyado sigurong obvious sa mga ikinikilos ko kaya nahalata niya.

"You may escape from your problem for now," Luthor spoke amidst the silence. "But sometime later, you will have to face it. The inevitability is clear. You can take as many detours as you like, but the destination will still be the same."

Thank you for your wise words. Wala akong intensyon na takasan kung anuman ang problema. I know pretty well that I will have to face Loki and Jamie again. Sa ngayon, I just need some time for myself.

I chose not to respond to Luthor's comments and focused my attention on the case at hand. There was nothing unsual near the bed where the victim's corpse was lying, except for the key on the floor and the window with one pane that had a fist-size hole.

Hugh produced his phone and took some photos of the corpse. Lumapit din ako sa bangkay para makita nang malapitan kung paano siya pinatay. Luthor stood behind me. He appeared repulsed by what he saw. Salamat sa mga kasong sinolve ng QED Club, na-desensitize na ako sa mga madudugo at brutal na crime scene.

Nakapikit ang mga mata ng biktima at bahagyang nakabuka ang bibig. Nakadiretso rin ang mga kamay niya. He sustained at least three stab wounds in the chest part. Nakatarak pa rin ang kutsilyong malamang ay ginamit sa pagpaslang sa kanya. From how the victim was lying on the bed, mukhang pinatay siya habang nagpapahinga.

Lumingon ako sa tray ng pagkain sa mesa sa dining room. The knife in the victim's body must be the same missing knife on the plate.

"Rigor mortis has already set in," Hugh muttered, cautiously moving the victim's stiff neck. "That would put the time of death at around four to six hours."

Napatingin ako sa clock display ng aking phone. "It's one-twenty in the morning already. If you are right, he was killed between seven and nine o'clock."

If the crime was committed hours ago, the perpetrator could have already escaped. Wala na ring silbi ang hotel lockdown na ni-request ni Hugh, maliban na lang kung nandito pa rin sa hotel ang salarin.

"We need to know who went in this room between those hours," I caressed my chin, still gazing at the stab wounds on the corpse. "That would limit our suspect list."

"You are beginning to sound like my brother," Luthor commented, checking the shattered glasses near the windowsill. "This is what he's been teaching you the past few months?"

"We have dealt with a number of cases before," I replied, looking at him over my shoulder. "There's no way I wouldn't learn a thing or two about his methods."

Nakatambay pa rin sa labas ng hotel room ang mga staff, maging ang ilang hotel guest. When I took a peek outside, they greeted me with curious looks on their faces. May mga nagtanong kung ano ang nangyari sa loob, but I only smiled in response. I panned my head from left to right, gazing at the ceiling. At the corner of the hallway near the elevator lobby, there's a security camera installed.

"It looks like we won't be having a hard time identifying our suspect." A smile formed across my dry lips. "That security camera over there is going to tell us if someone suspicious knocked on this door and went inside to commit the crime."

"I am no detective and I do not have the makings of my younger brother." Biglang sumulpot sa likuran ko si Luthor. "All I can do is trust your deductions about this case."

Tumingin ako sa kanya. "Kanina ka pa nagyayayang bumalik sa suite natin. I have already told you na pwede mo na kaming iwan ni Hugh rito."

"I'd like to see this case through," he answered.

Sumuko na siguro siyang i-convince akong ipaubaya na lang sa mga pulis ang imbestigasyon. If he wanted to stick around, that would be fine with me.

Now's the time for some inquiry. Tumingin ako sa anim na hotel staff na nakaabang sa may pintuan. They all looked anxious. "May we know when was the last time you saw the victim alive?"

"Nakita namin siya sa entrance lobby, magse-seven o'clock na yata," sagot ng babaeng may nameplate na Jodie. Hanggang panga ang haba ng kanyang buhok, natatakpan na ang kanyang mga tenga. May suot din siyang pabilog na salamin na may transparent na frame. "Kakagaling lang mula sa meeting ni boss noon. Sinamahan siya ng isa pang staff papunta sa kanyang hotel room."

Itinuro ni Jodie ang babaeng hotel staff na naka-pigtails. She was still terrified as she was biting her nails. Her name, according to her nameplate, is Olivia. "Na-Nagpasama si boss sa akin papunta sa kanyang kuwarto. Gusto sana muna niyang magpahinga bago ang party."

"Around what time ang party?" tanong ko.

"Saktong twelve midnight," sagot ng bellboy na may pangalang Kenneth. "Magbibigay siya dapat ng speech kanina. Sinubukan namin siyang tawagan, pero walang sumagot. Around thirty minutes bago ang event, pinuntahan namin ang kuwarto niya para gisingin siya, kaso hindi pa rin niya kami sinagot."

"That must be around the time we saw the fireworks," Luthor whispered to me. Naalala ko nga na noong nasa bar kami kanina, nagliwanag ang kalangitan gamit ang iba't ibang kulay ng fireworks.

"If the celebrant was not present in the party, then why did you proceed?" I wondered. "Birthday niya ang isine-celebrate n'yo, 'di ba?"

"Our boss is strict with time," Jojo the security head interrupted. "Ayaw niyang nale-late kahit one minute ang mga event namin dito sa hotel. Kaya kahit wala pa siya, inii-start na ang mga gathering."

"At saka akala namin, may pakulo siya," dagdag ni Jodie. "We thought na sinadya niyang huwag sagutin ang mga tawag namin para i-surprise kami sa party. Last year kasi, sinabi niya sa amin na hindi siya makakarating sa celebration. Nagulat kami nang makitang siya pala ang taong nasa loob ng mascot na kinontrata namin para sa event."

Well, I can't blame them why they decided to go ahead the party. But surely, the culprit took advantage of that fact.

"Who discovered his body first?" I asked next, my eyes observing the facial expressions of each staff. I may not be an expert on reading microexpressions, but I'd try my luck to see if any of them shows any sign of joy from the chairman's death.

"Ako," sagot ni Kenneth sabay taas ng kanyang kamay. "Nang hindi siya nagpakita sa party at nang hindi pa rin siya sumagot sa tawag namin, doon na kami kinabahan. Naka-lock ang pinto kaya hindi kaagad namin nabuksan at na-check kung ano ang kalagayan niya."

"At doon na nila ako tinawag," sabi ni Jojo. "Hawak ko ang mga master key sa hotel kaya nagawa naming buksan 'yan. Kaso pagbukas ng pinto, bumungad sa amin ang duguang katawan ni boss."

The door was locked, but the key was inside the room. Sa pagkakatanda ko sa door lock sa suite namin, kailangang i-lock mula sa labas ang pinto. We have to check later kung pareho ang lock dito sa room ng chairman.

"May we know kung sino-sino ang mga huling nakakitang buhay sa biktima?" sunod kong tanong.

Out of the six hotel staff, Olivia, Jodi and Kenneth raised their hands.

"Ga-Gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, sinamahan ko si boss sa kanyang kwarto," kuwento ni Olivia, hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagkagat ng kanyang mga kuko. "Nag-stay siguro ako rito ng five hanggang ten minutes. Inutusan niya kasi akong i-massage siya nang saglit. Ayaw ko noong una, pero wala akong choice kundi sumunod kasi siya ang boss."

Sunod na nagawi ang tingin ko kay Jodie na siya namang nagkuwento. "Nasa reception desk ako nang makatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa phone ni boss. Bandang seven-thirty na siguro 'yon. Nagpahatid siya ng steak sa akin para sa dinner niya. Buhay pa siya at that time kasi nag-joke pa siya sa akin kung pwede siyang subuan."

So she's the one who brought in the half-eaten steak on the dining table.

Kenneth was last to share the last time he saw the chairman. "Lagpas eight na noong ihatid ko sa room niya ang kanyang susuotin para sana sa party. Naabutan ko pa siyang kumakain sa loob. In-offer-an pa nga niya ako, kaso tumanggi ako."

That would explain the coat and longsleeved shirt hanging on the cabinet's handle.

"Sunod kong nakita si boss nang buksan ni Chief Jojo ang pinto," malungkot na dagdag ni Kenneth, napatingin sa sahig. "Hindi ko na in-expect na makikita ko siyang may tatlong saksak at wala nang buhay rito."

Base sa kanilang mga statement, ang pagkakasunod-sunod ay: unang pumasok si Olivia sa room kasi in-escort niya ang chairman. Sunod na pumunta rito si Jodie para maghatid ng pagkain. Past eight o'clock pumunta naman si Kenneth para i-deliver ang susuotin ng chairman sa party.

If the bellboy was the last person to see the chairman alive, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think that he might have killed the victim. But it's too early to conclude. Kulang pa ang data sa kamay namin.

"Teka! Sa tingin ko, pinatay ang aming boss after eight-thirty," pahabol ni Olivia kaya napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya. "Hindi ko siya nakitang buhay pero may na-receive akong call mula sa kanya. Matutulog muna raw siya kaya ni-request niyang huwag siyang iistorbohin hanggang dumating ang oras para gisingin siya. You can check it sa call logs ng front desk phone."

That's more than thirty minutes after the bellboy went to the chairman's room. Ang ibig sabihin, buhay pa siya around that time?

The only way to verify the statements of the three hotel staff was by checking what the security camera saw. Humarap ako sa security head na si Jojo sabay pakiusap, "Can you check the security footages between seven and nine, and confirm what these three hotel staff said?"

He nodded. "Walang problema. Para sa ikalulutas ng kaso sa pagpatay kay boss."

Kung kanina'y tinatawanan niya ako, ngayo'y mukhang sineseryoso na niya ang mga sinasabi ko. I appreciate him and the others being cooperative in this investigation.

"Do you mind kung sasama ako sa 'yo?" Hugh emerged from the hotel room. Tapos na siguro niyang kuhanan ng litrato ang iba't ibang anggulo sa crime scene. "You need another pair of eyes to see kung may off sa footage na itse-check mo. In the meantime, my apprentices would continue searching the crime scene for any clues that may have been left by the killer."

"Paki-check na rin kung may nagtangkang pumasok sa room ng biktima mula nang umalis ang bellboy," pahabol kong habilin. I can't disregard the possibility that there might be another person involved in this crime. But if only the three hotel staff were caught by the camera, it's fairly obvious that one of them is the killer.

Iniwan muna kami ng security head na si Jojo kasama si Hugh. Only Luthor and I were left in the room.

Nilapitan ko ang bintanang may basag na pane. I tiptoed my way to the windowsill so as not to step on the glass shards on the floor. Mukhang walang sign of struggle sa pagitan ng biktima at ng pumatay sa kanya, kaya bakit may butas ang bintana? Was the hole related to the case or was it a clue intended to mislead the investigators?

"Question?" Once again, I turned to the hotel staff. "Nang pumasok kayo sa room na 'to, napansin n'yo na bang basag ang bintanang 'to?"

The three witnesses shook their heads slowly.

I took a closer look at the shattered glasses on the floor, then raised my gaze at the jagged fist-sized hole on the window pane. I could see no reason why there would be such an opening here. Through the crack, I took a peek outside and saw the city lights from afar. My eyes looked down. If someone tried to break into this room through the window, he must be a real life spiderman. Why? Dahil wala siyang pwedeng tuntungan sa bintana o sa pader.

Luthor only stood at the center of the room, watching me do all the detective stuff. Wala akong maaasahang input sa kanya because as he said a few moments ago, he is no detective.

But there might be something that he could help me with. Dahil dadalawa na lang kami rito, it may be safe to ask him a question.

"This is not related to this case," I stood closer to him, my eyes shooting sideward glances at the curious crowd outside. "You preached earlier that I will have to confront my problems sooner or later. Before I want to know something first."

Luthor returned my gaze with his usual cold stare. "Fire away."

"During your stint in Moriarty's inner circle," I lowered my voice, just in case someone was trying to eavesdrop. "Was the name 'Jamie Santiago' ever brought up by any of your friends?"

He looked apparently surprised by my question. The liar of the year Jamie claimed in our confrontation last night that she's working for the young criminal mastermind. If there's any truth in it, Luthor should have heard of her.

"Stein spoke once or twice about that person," Luthor began. He has my undivided attention. "It appeared to me that he respects him. That was quite a long time ago."

Him? But the potentially award-winning drama actress Jamie is a girl. "Teka, parehong Jamie ba ang pinag-uusapan natin? I was referring to the Jamie of the QED Club, not any other Jamie."

"Oh," Luthor mumbled. "I thought you were asking about the late student council president. As for your friend, I can't recall any instance that Stein or any person in the circle mentioned her name."

Wrong choice of word. Jamie is not my friend. She used to be.

But he said something about the other Santiago, Jaime, the brother of our dishonest club member. Kung tatama ang pagkakatanda ko, Professor Jim told us that the late student council president wanted to investigate the mysterious deaths in Clark High two years ago that were believed to be Moriarty's earlier works. But unfortunately, he died.

"But why would Stein respect the late student council president who wanted to expose him two years ago?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that," Luthor replied. "But as you have probably noticed, Stein respects those who try to challenge him. My brother, for instance, cannot be touched by anyone in our organization. Stein does not hate him. He admires him."

"That's... strange."

The only difference between the two persons respected by Stein is that Loki remains untouchable to this day while late student council president Jaime got killed in an accident. An accident that, according to the best-liar-that-the-world-has-ever-seen Jamie, was plotted by the criminal mastermind.

I felt a stabbing pain in my head. Masyado na ring late kaya siguro hindi na nakakayanan ng utak kong i-process ang mga bagong impormasyon. At may kaso pa kaming iniimbestigahan ngayon. I'd finish this first before dealing with another mystery.

"Back to work," I told Luthor. Lumingon ako sa pintuan kung saan nag-aabang ng update ang mga hotel staff. The only way for the killer to get inside this room was through that door. Sabi ni Kenneth, naka-lock ang pinto kaya kinailangan pa nilang tawagin ang security personnel para gamitin ang master key.

Nilapitan ko ang mismong pinto at sinuri ang lever nito. On the exterior, the keyhole seemingly matched the dimensions of the key on the floor. On the interior, there's a turnkey knob that needed to turned to lock the door. Kung ila-lock ang pinto mula sa loob, kailangan lang pihitin ang turnkey knob. Pero kung ila-lock ang pinto mula sa labas, kailangang gamitan ng susi.

Ang tanong: Pagkatapos patayin ng killer ang kanyang biktima, paano niya na-lock ang pinto mula sa labas kung naiwan sa loob ang susi? Assuming that he had no duplicate key or he did not steal the master key, there's no way that he could have accessed this room.

"My brother once told me about a locked room case," Luthor spoke behind me, also inspecting the doorknob with his scrutinizing, dull eyes. "Do you think that this is one of those instances?"

"I can't say," I answered, shaking my head. "Kailangan ko ulit makausap ang security head para itanong may pagkakataon bang nawala ang hawak niyang master key. Posible kasing dinuplicate ito ng killer para magkaroon siya ng access sa room."

"Is it possible that killer stole the chairman's key and locked the door from the outside? Then he found a way to return the key inside to make it look like a locked room scenario," Luthor said after satisying himself with his personal inspection.

"We can't deny that possibility," I nodded. He may not be a detective, as he claimed, but his angle was worth looking at. "But how in the world did he manage to leave the key here without re-entering the room?"

"Perhaps the hole on the window pane will enlighten you on the trick." Luthor put his hands behind his back and walked toward the window. "From outside, the culprit could have thrown a rock to create this hole. Once there's an opening, he threw the key next, which landed near the bedpost."

"What an interesting deduction coming from a manipulative mind."

I was startled by just hearing a familiar voice coming from outside the room. Napapikit ang mga mata ko at napabuntong-hininga nang makilala ko kung kanino galing ang boses na 'yon.

I slowly turned around. Loki was standing at the doorway.

q.e.d.