A/N: The clash between the QED-4/Execom and Augustus begins!

LORELEI

TODAY IS the day.

Umagang-umaga pa lang, nag-meeting na kami agad sa execom office. Loki and I went there early. Halos kakarating pa lang yata nina Maggie at Rye noong dumating kami. Alistair came next, then Jamie after him.

Kung normal execom meeting lang 'to, other members would have been here as well. But since we're dealing with a serious investigation, Maggie locked the door and kept the conversation among the only people in the room.

"As you all know, mamayang gabi na ang solidarity night natin," paalala ni Maggie sa amin. "We may be having a plot against Augustus, but we still have to do our duties as execom members. Mamayang lunch time, aayusin natin ang interior design sa grand hall at ipe-prepare ang mga material natin. One of which ay ang mga confetti na ginupit n'yo galing sa mga crepe paper."

If we weren't investigating anything, cutting confetti would have been our greatest achievement as execom members. Mabuti na lang, pinayagan kaming imbestigahan ang liquidation reports ng Clarion. This would probably be the biggest case that we and the execom would solve, kung palarin.

"Now let's talk about the real plan." Ipinatong ni Maggie ang kanyang mga siko sa mesa at ipinagdikit ang kanyang mga daliri. We leaned a little closer to her dahil bahagya niyang hininaan ang kanyang boses. "The event this evening is only a smokescreen for what we're about to do."

"I think the more appropriate term is a cage," Loki spoke. When Maggie glared at him, he added, "...Madam Chair. We need to keep Augustus and the entire Clarion staff in the grand hall while we're executing our plan."

"Normally we can't stop them from leaving the venue and going elsewhere," sagot ni Maggie sabay hawak sa bridge ng kanyang salamin.

"But my Loki dear thought of a brilliant plan!" singit ni Jamie habang pinapaikot ang dulo ng kanyang naka-braid na buhok sa kamay. "Isn't that right, Loki dear?"

Loki nodded. "For my plan to work, we need the cooperation of the campus police under Inspector Morgan Morales. The last time we spoke about this, the vice president said he would persuade the campus police. Until now, we haven't heard anything from him. Was he slacking off? Or did he intentionally fail to convince Inspector Morales so he can botch my plan?"

Kay aga-aga, may episode na agad ng "Why I Hate My Brother?" Ni hindi pa nga niya natatanong mismo ang kuya niya, meron na siyang assumptions.

"Yesterday, when I was summoned by the student council, Luthor told me na kakausapin pa lang niya si Inspector Morales," sagot ni Maggie. "When Luthor says he's going to do something, he's really going to do something."

"He's only next door naman, 'di ba?" tanong ni Alistair sabay turo sa pader. "Maybe we can ask him directly if he's already talked to the campus police chief."

"Yeah, instead of making allegations about him not doing his part, mas mabuti siguro kung kakausapin natin siya, 'di ba?" parinig ko kay Loki. "Straight right from the horse's mouth."

"That's an insult to the horses," Loki muttered.

"Mabuti pa nga sigur—"

"The campus police has agreed to take part in your charade."

Biglang lumamig ang buong office ng execom at nanindig ang mga balahibo ko. That only meant one thing: Luthor's here. Napatingin ako sa may pintuan at nakita siyang nakatayo roon. Teka, ang alam ko, ni-lock ni Maggie ang pinto. How did he manage to get in without making a sound?

"My brother can walk through walls," Loki told me. I haven't said my thoughts out loud pero nahulaan niya kung ano ang iniisip ko. "He can appear in a plume of black smoke or emerge from a pentagram."

"Ha-ha-ha," I faked a laugh. Alam naman nating kahit gaano pa ka-powerful si Luthor bilang isang estudyante ng Clark High, wala siyang superpowers. Loki was exaggerating, obviously. Well he's always resorting to exaggeration when it comes to his brother.

"Forgive me for the morning intrusion." Luthor took a few steps forward. "I've figured that it's best to deliver the news in person."

"Your timing is impeccable!" Loki commented. "As they always say, speak of the devil and he shall come. We were just talking about you then voila! You're now standing before us. I don't believe in supernatural powers, but every time you make an appearance at the right moment, I might consider reevaluating my beliefs."

"Haven't you heard of the word 'coincidence'?" Luthor asked, turning to his brother. "I happened to enter this room the very moment you were talking about me."

"Or maybe you planted some listening bugs—"

"Guys!" I called their attention. "Let's focus on the matter at hand, okay? I-reserve n'yo na lang 'yang asaran n'yo after ng discussion natin. Isn't this Augustus investigation more important than your spite with your brother, Loki?"

Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya at nanliit sa kanyang upuan.

"So the campus police agreed sa plano ni Loki?" tanong ni Maggie. Now we're back on topic.

Luthor nodded. "At first, the inspector was hesitant. He doesn't want to involve or be involved with my brother. But after explaining that the investigation is not about Moriarty, but about a student who might be embezzling funds from the school, he reluctantly agreed."

I do remember the inspector telling us he wouldn't let us in the crime scenes again. However, Augustus' case doesn't involve any actual crime scenes and we're already working for the execom, so he might have realized that cooperating with us is okay.

"Did you explain my plan to him in detail?" tanong ni Loki.

"Of course, I did," Luthor answered. "I also gave him a copy of the step-by-step flow of your charade—"

"—with a note that—?" Loki interrupted.

"—with a note that he shouldn't tell anyone about it," Luthor finished. "I trust that the inspector will take our concern about discretion seriously, so we shouldn't worry about the plan being leaked."

I bet that Luthor would try every method in the book to ensure the inspector's cooperation. Gusto rin niyang mapabagsak si Augustus para sa kung anumang dahilan. Ito lang sa ngayon ang maiaambag niya sa investigation.

"Thank you, Mr. Vice President," Maggie said with a slight bow. "Now that our issue with the campus police is out of the way, nothing's gonna stop our plan now. Tama ba?"

"Wait!" Loki raised his left forefinger before turning to his brother. Sandaling nagkapalitan ng tingin ang magkapatid. "You have already done your part, Mr. Vice President. This is the part where you leave."

"A modest expression of gratitude would be much appreciated," Luthor replied, lifting his head. His figure cast a taller shadow over his brother. "Especially from the person who came up with the plan."

Loki stared at him for another second. "Is that what you're waiting for? The magic word?"

Napayuko na lang ako't napapikit ang aking mga mata.

"Kailan ba magkakasundo ang dalawang 'yan?" bulong sa akin ni Alistair.

Napakibit-balikat na lang ako. Honestly, I don't know kung magkakaayos pa ba sila. Luthor is on a personal secret mission that shouldn't be revealed to Loki. If the latter finds out, mas lalala pa ang relasyon nilang dalawa. That's why I'm guarding that secret with extra care.

"T-Thank you." Loki's words sounded like they almost got stuck in his throat. "Satisfied?"

Luthor only kept that blank face, which was similar with his brother's, and turned around. Sandaling nagkatagpo ang tingin namin. He may not be asking me a question verbally, but I believe I know what that gaze meant. I gave him a slow and reassuring nod. A simple message that everything's going well.

I really hope that's the case.

"So what's next?" Maggie asked as soon as the vice president left the room. "Makikipag-cooperate na sa atin ang campus police."

"Lorelei and I noticed something in the video that we reviewed yesterday," Loki replied. Inilabas niya ang kanyang laptop at iniharap ito sa amin. He played the video on the screen. "We found out that there's a false bottom secret compartment in Augustus' desk drawer."

"Secret compartment?" pag-uulit ni Jamie. "Pero para saan 'yan?"

"He's keeping a notebook there," paliwanag ko. "Naisip namin na may mga sikretong nakasulat sa notebook na 'yon. Maybe about M's organization? Maybe about his embezzled funds? If that's not the case, why would he go through the trouble of hiding the notebook in a secret compartment?"

"Our mission tonight is to steal that notebook from his desk," sabi ni Loki. "In order to make this plan a success, we need to make sure that no one's gonna catch us from sneaking into their office."

"And that's where your so-called cage will be put into use?" Alistair folded his arms. "Also the reason why we need the cooperation of the campus police."

Loki nodded. He then raised two of his fingers. "We need to split our team into two units: the charade unit and the infiltration unit. The charade unit will be stationed in the grand hall to ensure that none of the Clarion staffers can leave the venue. Meanwhile, the infiltration unit will sneak into the Clarion's office and retrieve the notebook."

"So we need to make sure na lahat ng staffers ng Clarion ay nasa venue," Maggie muttered. "We can assign our most trusted members para i-monitor kung nandoon na lahat sila."

"I will pick my men," Rye nodded.

"We can't start the charade until every piece is in our cage," Loki said. Sandali siyang tumayo at kinuha ang nakapatong na chessboard sa may lateral cabinet. He placed the board on the table and opened it. Isa-isa niyang itinayo ang mga black piece. "Once they're all inside..."

"The act begins!" Jamie exclaimed. "I know na hindi pa natin napag-usapan ang ilang specifics ng plan ni Loki dear, but I volunteer to be the dead body!"

I admire Jamie's spirit of volunteerism, pero naka-weird lang na gano'ng role ang kukunin niya. I thought she'd prefer to be Loki's assistant or something.

"Once the charade starts, the infiltration unit will go to the Clarion's office, pick the lock and go to Augustus' desk," Loki explained. He was moving two white pieces outside the board na parang naglalakad na tao.

"Remind me again," Maggie butt in, touching the bridge of her eyeglasses. "Ano nga ulit ang role ng campus police sa plano mo?"

"Ganito kasi 'yan." Loki cleared his throat. "A fake murder will happen inside the grand hall. The campus police will immediately respond. Because one of the event-goers is probably the murderer, the police will consider everyone in the venue a suspect. Therefore, none of them is allowed to leave. We're gonna use the protocol of the police that no one can leave the crime scene to temporarily detain the Clarion staffers."

Ipinalibot ni Loki ang mga white piece sa nakalupong na mga black piece sa gitna ng board. The white pieces formed a circle na hindi pwedeng basta-basta lusutan ng mga black piece.

"So you will be playing detective." Alistair pointed at Loki then at Jamie. "Then she will be playing the corpse?"

"Don't worry! I won't be playing as myself!" masiglang tugon ni Jamie. She sounded so excited. She'd be playing to play corpse basta lang makasama si Loki. "You're already aware about my disguise skills, right? Magpapanggap ako na isang random student! I still have a spare wig."

"Teka!" I raised my hand. "Kung ikaw ang detective sa crime scene, sino ang papasok sa Clarion office?"

"That would be you." Napaturo si Loki sa akin. "At first, I thought of making any of us play the detective. But it would be suspicious if I'm not present in the venue, right? I also need to monitor Augustus' movements during the charade. He might have a trick up his sleeve."

"Bale you and Jamie will be in the charade unit, while Alistair and I will be in the infiltration unit, correct?" tanong ko bago napatingin sa dalawang kasama naming execom officers. "And none of them is going to join us?"

"We need to be visible in the venue," sagot ni Maggie. "Augustus might sense that something's off if Rye or I am not present."

"That's correct," Loki nodded. "Alistair will be there with you just in case you need a bodyguard."

"Sure ka na ba na ako ang i-a-assign mo sa crucial task na 'to?" tanong ko kay Loki. Mabigat ang responsibilidad na ibinibigay niya sa 'kin. As in, sobra! What if may makahuli sa amin? What if hindi ko mabuksan ang door lock ng Clarion office at ang desk ni Augustus? All of our efforts would be in vain!

"I trust you, Lorelei." Loki looked at me in the eye. "I trust that you won't fail us."

Huminga ako nang malalim. I somehow felt relieved when I heard him say those words. Tapos bigla akong kinabahan. Dumami pa ang what if's na nasa isip ko. The pressure began to build up.

"We will be in constant communication throughout the charade," Loki said. "I will you tell you the status in the grand hall. You will tell me the status in the Clarion office."

Tumango ako. I hope nothing goes wrong later.

"Now that I have explained the entire notebook heist in detail..." humarap si Loki kay Maggie, "...do you still have any concern, Madam Chair?"

Napangiti si Maggie. "You have explained it very well. I have no objection. Let's try our best not to get caught. Basta kapag nasa alanganin na ang plano, we will abort the mission. We can't afford to create a conflict."

"I can feel that this plan will be a success!" komento ni Jamie na may kasama pang pag-thumbs up. Sana may gano'ng confidence din ako.

"Kung wala na kayong concerns tungkol sa notebook heist plan ni Loki, we can adjourn our meeting," sabi ni Maggie. "Don't forget na mamayang lunch time, mag-aayos tayo ng venue. Loki, kahit ikaw ang nakaisip ng complicated na plano, you're not excused from regular execom duties."

"Noted, Madam Chair," Loki acknowledged politely.

Lumabas na kami ng execom office at inakyat ang stairs papunta sa floor ng aming classrooms. Hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang posibilidad na pumalpak ang mission.

"Don't pressure yourself too much," sabi ni Loki. "As long as we keep the Clarion staffers in the venue later, we can buy you some time."

"Kasama mo naman ako sa mission mamaya," dagdag ni Alistair.

Napakadaling sabihin na huwag i-pressure ang sarili ko kasi hindi sila ang nasa posisyon ko. To be fair kina Loki at Jamie, mabigat din ang responsibilidad na mag-act sa harap ng maraming estudyante. They have to make the crime scene look real para ma-convince ang mga attendee, lalo na si Augustus.

"By the way, wala ka na bang napansing kakaiba kagabi noong nire-review mo ang video?" tanong ko kay Loki. Remember yesterday when I saw Augustus glancing briefly at the camera?

"What else should I have noticed?" tugon niya.

"Like napatingin si Augustus sa direksyon ng mga camera na in-install n'yo?"

Loki shook his head. "I watched the movements of his eyes very closely. Never did he look at any of our hidden cameras."

"Gano'n ba?" napabuntong-hininga ako. Baka namalik-mata lang ako kahapon. Baka guni-guni ko lang 'yon. If Augustus wasn't aware about our camera trick, he couldn't prepare a counter-attack. And that would make my mission—I mean, our mission—easy.

Nagkahiwa-hiwalay na kami ng landas. Upon reaching the third floor, Alistair and I turned left, Jamie turned right, while Loki went on climbing the steps.

Teka, 'di naman doon ang direksyon ng classroom niya, ah?

***

Buong maghapon na m-in-onitor ni Loki ang mga footage mula sa hidden camera. We may have already a plan in place for tonight, but things can change kung may nakahalata na mula sa Clarion staffers. Thankfully, Augustus didn't notice anything strange in their office. They went on with their usual student journalist lives.

Pagpatak ng ala-sais ng gabi, nagsimula nang magsidatingan ang mga attendee ng solidarity night. Everyone's in their semi-formal attire. May ilan pa ngang nagpa-make-up pa talaga at pinabongga ang mga outfit nila.

Alistair and I, being part of the infiltration team, did not bother to dress up. Nakasuot lang kami ng itim bilang camouflage mamaya sa dilim. Dinala ko rin ang lockpicking kit ni Loki para sa mission namin.

Kumagat na ang dilim. Nasa office lang kami ng execom mula nang magsimula ang party. Mabuti't naka-deploy ang lahat ng execom members kaya walang umiistorbo sa amin. We've been waiting for Loki's orders para simulan na ang infiltration.

"Relax ka lang, Lori," sabi sa akin ni Alistair.

"Naka-relax lang naman ako, ah?" pilit kong ngiti sa kanya.

Ibinaba niya ang kanyang tingin, sa aking mga tuhod. My knees were shaking. No matter what I say, my body was betraying me.

"Kasama mo naman ako kaya wala kang dapat ikabahala," sabi niya. "You're not alone in this mission. We're in this together, okay?"

Paulit-ulit akong tumango bago muling huminga nang malalim. Tama nga naman siya. Bakit ko ba sino-solo ang responsibilidad na 'to? Everyone's doing their share to make this mission a success.

BRRRT.

Loki is calling...

I put on my wireless Bluetooth earpiece. Alistair did the same. I answered the invitation to a conference call.

"The charade has begun. The police are already here. Proceed with the mission."

Nagmadali na kaming lumabas ng execom office. The Clarion office is in the east wing of the school building so we had to carefully traverse the hallway. Around this time, may mga nagpa-patrol na security guard kaya kailangan naming magtago sa kanila. We tiptoed on our way to the other side para hindi kami masyadong lumikha ng ingay.

Once we reached the east wing, nagtago muna kaming dalawa ni Alistair sa likod ng isang pillar. We checked kung meron bang paparating na guard. Dahil gumagamit ng flashlight ang mga nagpapatrol, we were immediately alerted kung may papalapit sa amin. Thanks to our black suit and the blanket of darkness, we managed to hide our presence.

"Finally," may buntong-hininga kong sambit. Napahawak ako sa earpiece. "We're already in front of Clarion's office. Patay ang ilaw. Naka-lock ang pinto."

"Augustus and all of his staffers are here. Maggie and Rye confirmed that no one has left the venue. We have to thank Inspector Morales for his cooperation. Anyway, start breaking into their office."

Lumuhod na ako sa harap ng pinto at inilabas ang aking lockpicking kit. Alistair used the torchlight on his phone para ilawan ang doorknob ng Clarion office.

I was about to insert a wire into the keyhole...

...when something unexpected happened.

"Excuse me?"

Halos atakihin ako sa puso nang marinig ang boses na 'di galing sa akin, kay Loki o kay Alistair. Madali akong napatayo at itinago ang hawak kong wire. I slowly turned to the direction kung saan galing ang boses.

Lagot na.

A man emerged from the shadows just a few meters away from us. Wala siyang gamit na flashlight at wala ring ingay ang bawat yabag niya. I would have mistaken him for a floating ghost.

"Shouldn't you be at the party?" tanong ng lalaking boses. Bigla niya kaming inilawan gamit ang kanyang phone. Isinalag ko ang aking kamay sa mukha ko para 'di masilaw.

I can't see his face clearly, but I could tell that he's a teacher. He wears the same the uniform as Professor Morayta. Humakbang pa siya palapit sa amin at may naaninag akong facial features niya. His black hair is swept back. He wasn't as young as my Math instructor. I can put his age at around late thirties or early forties, maybe?

"Do you have any business with the Clarion?" tanong niya. "They're all in the solidarity night event."

This is something that we weren't expecting. Sa lahat ng pwedeng makakita sa amin, bakit isang teacher pa?

"Hey, Lorelei? What's the matter? Did something happen? Why aren't you answering?"

"Napadaan lang ho kami rito," palusot ko. Sorry, Loki. Mamaya na lang kita sasagutin. We're in a pinch right now.

"Pauwi na rin ho kami, sir," dagdag ni Alistair. I guess he also wasn't familiar with the teacher in front of us.

"Ah, I thought you need something from the student publication," sagot ng teacher. "By the way, I'm the new adviser of the Clark Clarion. My name's Friedrich Rivera. You can call me Sir Rich. If there's anything that I can help you with, feel free to tell me."

New adviser? Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Sorry, sir, but your face isn't familiar," komento ni Alistair. "Bagong hire po ba kayo?"

"Ah, yes!" pagtango ni Sir Rich. "I got hired three weeks ago matapos magkaroon ng vacancy sa faculty. Naaksidente yata 'yong isa sa mga English instructor. Coincidentally, that same instructor is the adviser of the Clarion. So I took up his post."

Now that explains why it felt like he's a stranger to us. I may not be that familiar with every faculty member, but I could say confidently that I haven't seen his face before.

"Wait a minute..." Sir Rich squinted his eyes. "Aren't you two the students featured in the magazine cover of the Clarion? What do you call yourselves again? Ah! The QED-4! You must be Lorelei Rios and he is... what's your name again? Alistair?"

"K-Kami nga po."

"I enjoyed reading your adventures!" Sir Rich exclaimed. "I was reviewing the literary folio of the Clarion. May mga nabasa akong entries tungkol sa cases na sinolve ng QED Club. I must say I'm impressed."

I wasn't expecting na may fan kami rito. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?

"So tell me, are you investigating something right now?" tanong ni Sir Rich. "Is that the reason why you two aren't in the event?"

Uh-oh. He hit the bullseye. Loki was repeatedly asking me kung napaano na kami. Hindi ako makasagot sa kanya. Hindi rin ako makasagot sa teacher na nasa harapan ko.

Sir Rich smiled. "Mukhang hindi n'yo basta-basta pwedeng sabihin sa akin. Okay, do what you need to do. I will pretend na wala akong nakita rito. Good luck, QED Club!"

He waved his right hand before turning his back to us and walking away. 'Yon lang? He wouldn't report us to the guard?

"Lori, we need to act quick," Alistair whispered. "I don't think we should trust that man."

"Hey, what's going on there? Were you caught or something? Are you still even alive?"

Napahawak ako sa aking earpiece. "One of the faculty members saw us in front of the Clarion office. Hindi naman daw niya kami sinumbong sa mga security guard. For now."

"You have to make it quick. We can't trust anyone but ourselves."

Muli akong lumuhod sa harap ng pinto at kinalikot ang doorknob nito. I don't know kung swerte lang talaga ako o gumaling na ako sa art ng lockpicking, but I managed to open the door within a minute. Tumuloy na kami ni Alistair sa loob.

Ginamit ko na rin ang torchlight mula sa aking phone. After watching the footage last night, naging kabisado ko na ang pasikot-sikot ng office. Dumiretso lang kami hanggang sa marating ang cubicle ng editor-in-chief.

"Nandito na kami sa cubicle ni Augustus," report ko kay Loki. "I will now pick the lock of his drawer."

"Hurry up. If that instructor reported you, the guards will be there any minute."

Luck seemed to be on my side. Madali ko lang din nabuksan ang drawer ng desk ni Augustus. Nagkatinginan muna kami ni Alistair bago kami nagkatanguhan. He's been watching the door kung may paparating na bang guard.

Thank God that I didn't forget to wear gloves. Wala akong iiwang fingerprints kahit saan sa office na 'to kaya walang magagamit si Augustus na pang-trace sa amin.

I carefully pulled the drawer and slowly lifted the board that hid the secret compartment. Inside, I saw a notebook with plain black cover.

"I got it! I got the notebook!" nanginginig na sabi ko kay Loki. I was so happy that I made it! We made it!

"Take a peek inside and tell me what you see. Take a photo of every page while you can."

Nanginginig kong ipinatong ang notebook sa desk. Iniilawan pa rin ako ni Alistair. I prepared my phone for taking a picture.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim. This might be the item that we need to take down not only Augustus, but also Moriarty. Kung tama ang hinala namin, whatever's inside may be too sensitive or too shocking.

Ipinikit ko muna ang aking mga mata. Pagkamulat ng mga ito, I opened the notebook and read what's written on the first page.

I froze.

Natulala ako sa nakasulat sa unang page. Tumigil din sa panginginig ang mga kamay ko.

"Hey, Lorelei? What's in the notebook? Hey! Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I-Is this true?" Alistair's eyes widened in shock. Kinuha niya sa akin ang notebook at inilipat ang mga pahina na 'to. There were notes. There were photos. "Totoo ba na—"

"Lorelei? Alistair? Are you still there? What's in the notebook? Is it too shocking that you two have lost your voices?"

I wanted to say something, but words were stuck in my throat. May pumipigil sa akin na sagutin siya.

I can't read out loud what's written in the damn notebook.

"This is strange. Augustus is smiling at me. Anyway, are you two still there? What's in the notebook?"

I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. Nang magkalakas ng loob na akong imulat ang mga 'to, muli kong binasa ang nasa first page.

LUTHOR MENDEZ IS PART OF M'S ORGANIZATION:
An in-depth investigation into the student council vice president's involvement in the organization of the mastermind called "Moriarty."

q.e.d.

Should Lorelei tell Loki about what's written in the notebook?

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