WHO IS THE KILLER?

TITLE: "WHO IS THE KILLER?"
WRITTEN BY: @Perfectbutnot


Amber's POV

I felt a cold breeze onto my face as I look to Je, smiling annoyingly, "I knew it! I knew na pupunta nga kayo!" He said as he opened wide the door of the house. "Pasok kayo, dali! Baka mahuli pa kayo ng mga barangay."

Sumunod naman kami sa kanya, ngunit bigla niyang pinahinto si Math, "Hep! Hep! Mag-disinfect ka muna, Maya!" He said as he was grabbing something in his pockets.

"Bakit ako lang ang sinisita mo? Gray and Amber are still not disinfecting yet pero pinapasok mo agad sila." Pag-protesta ni Math.

"It's something special for you kaya ikaw ang in-una ko." He said at inilabas ang maliit na spray.

Math smiled sweetly, "Something special? Then what is it?" She asked.

"It's anti-buhat-bangko spray for you! Ipinaghalo ito na alcohol with moisturizer and a holy waterー" Hindi naituloy ang sasabihin ni Je dahil bigla na lang pumasok si Math, with matching bangga sa balikat ni Je. "Aray naman, Maya! At saka, teka! 'Di ka pa nag-di-disinfect!"

"Stop it puns." Sita ni Gray sa kanya. Je only pout and looked at Gray. After disinfecting we decided na mag-tipon-tipon sa living room. We sat on the nearest sofa as we observe the house. It's clean yet the the things there seems old.

I looked at Je and asked after we put off the mask, "Why did you bring us here?"

He looked at me then smiled, "Di ba puwedeng miss ko lang kayo?" Gray glared at him, "So you only bring us here for nonsense excuse?" Gray asked.

Je laughed, "Of course not! Bakit ko naman pag-ti-tipon-tipon ang mga miyembro ng Detective Triumvirate Plus One here in the house? Siyempre may i-so-solve na naman tayong kaso."

"But we're in quarantine, Je. How do we supposed to solve a case if we're not allowed to go to the outside?" Math asked.

"If we had Online Classes then we also had Online Cases." Je smiled genuinely as he grabbed his laptop from his side and place it on the middle of the table. He opened his laptop at bumungad agad ang Online Cases sa screen.

"What's up with the Online Cases? At saka kaninong bahay ba ito?" I asked as I raised my eyebrow.

"This house is has something to do with the case that we'll solve." Je said and looked at us. Napatingin tuloy ulit ako sa kabuuan ng bahay. "This house was own by one of the people who is positive in COVID-19 and died last week. But don't worry! They already spray disinfectant here in the place." Pagpatuloy ni Je.

"Paano ka nila pinayagan na mag-stay dito, Puns? It's impossible na pinalusot lang nila ikaw dito." Gray said. I agree, hindi nila agad-agad papapasukin ang kung sino man dito.

"Para-paraan lang! At siyempre secret na iyon kung paano ako nakalusot." He said and smiled genuinely. "So, according to them, they only spray disinfectant here in the house, pero wala silang ginalaw ni-isa." Dagdag nito. Hinarap niya ang laptop niya sa kanya at nag-simulang mag-type. "Itong mga videos na ito ay mga sagot ng possible na suspect sa investigation."

"Now, paano mo nakuha iyang mga videos?" Math asked and looked to Je.

"Why not asked Zywon for that?" Je replied. Wait, si Zywon pa ang kumuha ng mga videos?

"So, kinulit mo rin siya by calling him at 3am in the morning katulad ng ginawa mo saamin?" Gray asked.

Je laughed again, "Bullseye, Abo!" He exclaimed. Should I feel sorry for Zywon? "Anyways, let's focused on our case and watch the videos, alright?" Je requested pagkatapos ay tumango naman kami.

Hinarap niya ang laptop at pumwesto na rin para makanood rin siya. At hindi naman nagtagal ay ini-start niya na ang video. "Hi, I am Joseph, the victim's neighbor, bestfriend, at ako rin ang tumawag sa hospital." Pagpapakilala ng lalaki sa video. "That time, it was my daughter's birthday. Si Cy, ang biktima, ay inaanak niya ang anak ko kaya dinalhan ko siya ng handa noon. Ilang beses na rin ako kumatok sa pintuan pero hindi pa rin niya binubuksan ito kaya nag-alala na ako at di na nag-dalawang  isip na pumasok sa bahay." Dagdag nito.

I saw his body trembling as he continue to speak, "When I saw him, he was lying on the couch kaya agad akong tumawag ng hospital. Noong idinala namin siya sa hospital I found out that he was infected by this new virus named COVID-19." He said. "Kaya noong sinabi saakin ng doktor na kailangan kong i-quarantine dito sa hospital ay di na ako nag-alanganin pa dahil natatakot ako mahawa ang pamilya ko." Pagkatapos niya sabihin ito ay pinause na ni Je ang vid.

"Nakakapagtaka lang dahil after no'n ay negative naman si Joseph noong tinest siya. And also, he said na wala na siyang ibang kinausap bukod sa nakausap niya sa phone." Wika ni Je.

"I feel something fishy in this case. But I can probably solved it sooner or later." Math said. I saw Je frowned as he comes closer to me.

"Bestie, I should've spray her with this anti-buhat-bangko that I've made for her." He whispered and I only just ignored him.

We continue and play the next video,  "H-Hello, I-I'm Sarah, the victim's girlfriend." Pautal-utal na sabi ng babae sa video. "T-that time I cheated on him. Nagsinungaling akong nasa ibang bansa, pero ang totoo ay may kasama a-akong iba." She wiped her tears on her cheeks but it didn't help to stop her tears. "Kasalanan ko ang lahat ng ito! I-If... If only I stayed his side ay di mangyayari sa kaniya ito!" She said at patuloy na humagulgol.

Je paused the video then looked at us, "What do you think about this girl Sarah?" He asked.

"Parang napaka-imposible na pinatay niya ang boyfriend niya. Remember, she's with somebody else." I said as I looked again on the screen.

Gray nodded, "I agree but that doesn't mean we will let our guard down to her." Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpatuloy na muli kami sa panonood.

"Ako nga pala si Louise, ako ang nag-deliver ng in-order niyang Pizza sa aming restaurant." He said calmly while playing his hat na may logo ng restaurant na kaniyang pinapasukan. "Noong mga panahon iyon, ilang beses akong kumatok sa pinto. Siguro nga limang minuto ako naghintay bago niya bukas ito." Dagdag nito.

Itinigil niya ang paglalaro sa kaniyang sumbrero at tumingin sa kamera. "Nakaka-pangilabot ang tingin saakin ng kasama niya. Hindi ko mawari kung lalaki ba ito o babae dahil ang dilim doon sa loob ng bahay." Sabi niya while his body is starting to trembling. "Kaya that time ay agad akong umalis at nagpatuloy sa pag-de-deliver."

Je paused again the video and looked at us, "Madilim ang bahay? Nakakapangilabot na tingin? What do you think guys?" Je asked.

"Maybe iyong tinutukoy ni Louise na nakakapangilabot ang tingin sa kaniya ng taong iyon ay posibleng killer." Math replied.

Je just nodded and then we continued to play the video, "I'm Joi, the victim's childhood bestfriend." Pagpapakilala ng babae. "At that time, tumawag siya saakin para pumunta doon. Nagulat ako no'n dahil biglaan ang pag-imbita niya saakin. As soon as I got there, nagulat ako ng nagkakagulo sa bahay niya. I asked one of the person who is trembling as hell and asked what happened. He said he also doesn't know kaya sumunod na rin ako sa hospital." Dagdag nito and then looked on the ground. "H-hindi ko man lang siya nakausap ng maayos. O di kaya naman makasama siya ng matagal." Wika nito at patuloy na ngang umiyak.

Je paused the video again, "This video was the last. So what do you think about them?" Je asked.

"I think I found the culprit, but I still need to find some evidence. Maybe sa bahay na ito natin makikita." Gray said and then stood up. "Let's investigate this house."

We started to investigate the house. Naka-assign si Jeremy sa kitchen, tapos si Math naman ay sa living room, habang kami ni Gray ay sa mga kwarto ng ikalawang palapag. Pumasok ako sa isang kwarto, at hula ko ay kwarto ito ng biktima. I wandering around as I looked suspiciously in a small tape recorder. I grabbed it and put it in my pockets. Mamaya ko na ito papakinggan kapag nagtipon-tipon na kami sa living room.

I saw some pictures on the wall. Mostly ay sila ng girlfriend niya ang mga pictures. I looked at the laptop and opened it, hoping that I'll have some clues here. Ini-spray-an ko ng disinfectant at pinunasan ko ang keyboard at ang pointing device bago buksan ang laptop. When it's finally opened, agad lumitaw ang 'please enter your password' sa screen so I looked on the keyboards. I focused my eyes on the letters and numbers that are almost faded. Hoping it will lead the way to know what is the password.

I started to press the faded numbers and letters and successfully opened it. The password is actually 'May_28'. Nang bumukas ito ay bumungad sa screen ang google. He was researching about Dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. Bakit niya ni-research ito? Perhaps he also have it?

"Amber, tara na, we need to go to the living room." Gray suddenly speak behind my back kaya muntik na ako mapatalon sa ginawa niya.

"Next time, knock the door. Huwag mo 'kong gulatin." I said as I grabbed the laptop carefully and hold it. I saw Gray frowned.

"Bakit mo dadalhin iyan?" Gray asked.

"It has something to do about the case." Sabi ko na lamang at pumunta na sa living room. I saw Math and Je was sitting on the couch. And as usual, nagkukulitan na naman sila.

"Maya, I think COVID-19 is really funny." Je said to her.

Napataas naman ako ng kilay. Why would he think COVID-19 is funny? Hindi biro ang nangyayari ngayon. "Why?" Math asked.

"Kasi COVID-y siya HAHAHAHAHA!" Je laughed then he started to hit the couch by his right hand and hold his stomach by his left hand. We just looked at him and not laughed kaya napasimangot siya. "Grabe, ang kill joy niyo." He said and then started to pout.

I just rolled my eyes and sat on the nearest chair. Agad naman sumunod si Gray after no'n. "So, ano-ano ang mga nahanap niyo?" Gray started.

"I found his phone under the couch that we were sitting right now." Math said and place the phone on the middle of the table. "The password was May_28. I also opened---" I cut her off.

"Wait, May_28? Pati rin sa laptop niya ay ganoon din." I said.

"Ah, I remembered May 28 was the day he died." Je said as he put his hand on his chin. Maybe he knew that he will die on that day? But how?

"The last person he texted is Joi." Math said and opened the messages. "Nakakapagtaka lang dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang pinaguusapan nila." Math said and then the confusion also started to hit me.

We read the messages and like Math said, it was really confusing. Why? Joi only send the lyrics of Joy to the World. "Baka inaasar niya yung sarili niya?" Je said.

"That doesn't make any sense, puns." Gray replied. "But anyways, do you also find some clues too?" Tanong ni Gray.

"As for the kitchen, I only saw two mug and two plates on the table. So Louise is not lying na may kasama siya." Je said. "I also saw this thing too." Je out the little bottle from his pockets.

"There's no label on the bottle." Math said as she looked closely on the bottle.

"What about you, Abo? Do you find some clues in the guest rooms?" Je asked Gray.

"About that, I only found this diary. The other pages were burned kaya hindi natin rin ito maiintindihan." Gray said as he put the notebook on the table and opened it. Tama nga siya, the other pages were burned. But then I saw 3 words that caught my attention.

"Wait stop at that page." I said tapos ay hinablot ang notebook mula kay Gray. "Dissociative Identity Disorder..." I whispered but enough to hear.

"What's up with that disorder, Bestie?" Je asked.

"May_28 and this disorder, I also found those in his laptop." I replied and place the laptop on the table. "I also found this small tape recorder, I decided to listen the record with you all."

We decided to play the record after that, "Cy!" a deep voice from the tape recorder said and then giggled. Though, I know na hindi ito totoong boses ng kung sino man ang nasa likod nito. "You're now having fun in your new life? Sana all." Pabirong sabi nito. "Though, I am sorry, since that fun will end soon. Kaya kung ako saiyo? Samantalahin mo na ang natitira mong oras."

We all looked at each other and then we continue to listen, "Nakakapagtaka, why do you still enjoy all of those kahit peke ang lahat na nasa paligid mo? Joseph was actually a fake bestfriend of yours, Sarah is cheating on you all this time. While Joi? She still had feelings on you pero she's hiding something." The unknown person added and then laughed. "Hmm, how will I kill you? Rippin' your face apart? Stab you on the heart?" Tumawa ito ng nakakaloka tapos ay nagpatuloy sa salita. "Can't wait, Cy. I can't wait." Sabi nito bago matapos ang record.

"I think Louise is the killer. Dahil siya lang ang hindi nabanggit sa record." Je said and then looked at us.

"Hindi pa rin sapat na ebidensya iyon, Jeremy." Math replied. "I think it is Joseph. Kung fake bestfriend talaga siya ni Cy ay di siya dadalhan ng handa. And also, he wouldn't be so concerned about Cy noong ilang beses na siyang kumatok."

"How about her girlfriend, Sarah? It seems like she's just acting earlier. At saka, baka siya ang merong Dissociative identity disorder." I said.

"No, I think it's Joi." Sabat naman ni Gray. "Look, Joi send Cy the lyrics of Joy to the world right? It seems there's really clues here." Dagdag ni Gray and grabbed the phone at pumunta ulit sa conversation nila Cy at Joi. "Also, Joi said earlier na may tinanong daw siyang lalaking nanginginig sa takot at kapitbahay pa ito ni Cy. Joseph is the only one Cy's neighbor who bravely went here and Puns said na wala na siyang kinausap na iba except sa nakausap niya sa phone right?" We all nodded. So the killer really is Joi?

"But what about the message? Anong connect doon, Abo?" Je asked.

"The other identity of Joi was named as 'Joy'. J-O-Y" Gray replied. "Maybe Joi named her as Joy o kaya naman iyon ang code nila Cy at Joi na may binabalak ulit na masama si Joy." He scrolled up at nakita namin ang old messages nila Cy at Joi.

"Take a look at this, minessage na naman ni Joi si Cy ng lyrics ng Joy to the world. And then, Cy replied 'papunta na ako diyan. Ako na bahala.' Joi is really important bestfriend of Cy's." Gray said and looked at us.

"So the case was solved, Joy, the other side of Joi, is the killer."

---

I heard my phone ringing kaya kinuha ko agad ito. Je invited me to a video call kasama sina Math at Gray so I decided to answer it.

"Guys! Tama nga si Gray! Joy, the other side of Joi, was the one who killed Cy." Je exclaimed. "Dinala nila si Joi sa isang mental hospital para at least mas safe doon si Joi." Je added.

"So ano daw ang rason kung bakit nagawa ni Joy iyon?" I asked.

"The reason is because of jealousy. Joi and Joy are both in love with Cy. Pero noong nagkaroon ng kinakasama si Cy ay nagselos ang dalawa. Mas nagseselos si Joy and Joy doesn't want that feeling. Instead of killing Sarah, she decided to kill Cy since she rather saw his dead body than saw Cy with another girl again." Pag-explain ni Je. "May dinagdagan pa siya actually na sobrang nakakatawa. Ang sabi niya, 'hindi man ako si Katy Perry pero in another life I would be your girl'." Sabi ni Jeremy at tumawa ng malakas.

"She really said that?" Gray asked habang pinipigil ni Math ang tawa niya.

"She really did! Hindi siya mukhang psycho though, mukha siyang comedian." Je replied.

"Tapos ikaw di ka rin mukhang comedian, kasi para kang psycho." Math said. "Biro lang!" Dagdag pa nito.

"Maya, ipadadalhan talaga kita ng anti-buhat-bangko spray diyan. Don't worry free shipping. Sabihin mo lang 'salamat shoppee'." Je said.

Napasimangot si Math, "Bahala ka nga diyan."

"Ano ba ang nangyari doon noong araw na namatay si Cy?" Pagbago ko ng topic.

"Sabi nila, maagang pumunta si 'Joy' sa bahay ni Cy dahil nga papatayin niya ito. Cy already knew about it, na mamatay na siya sa May 28 dahil sinabi ito ni Joi noon sa kaniya. Usually kasi sa mga may disorder na katulad na ganito, you won't remember what you did since your other personality controls your body that time. Pero some of it ay maalala mo. And I guess Joy didn't remember na sinabi ni Joi about Joy's plan to Cy." Pag-explain ni Je.

"So ang nangyari that time, Cy ordered a pizza hoping that the delivery man will be able to help the situation his was in, but he failed. So inisip niya na siguro hayaan na lang niya si Joy na patayin siya noon. Since, it was his fault kung bakit nararamdaman ni Joy at Joi ang selos." Je added. "So about Joseph, magsosorry na sana siya noong pumunta siya dahil sa pagtataksil na nagawa ni Joseph kay Cy. And then ayun na nga, nakita na niya na patay na si Cy" Je explained again.

"So that's what happened." Gray said.

"Anyways before this call end sagutin niyo muna ang quiz ko." Sabi ulit ni Je.

"Wait, may gagawin na pala ako. Sige babye!" Math said.

"Wait Maya---!" Je just groaned when Math finally end the call. "So, kayong dalawa na muna ang sasagot sa aking---" Gray cut him off.

"I hear something, I guess my mom is calling me downstairs. Sa susunod na lang ulit. Bye Puns! Bye Amber!" Gray said and ended the call.

"Abo naman eh!" Je exclaimed. "What about you bestie? Ikaw na lang ang pag-asa ko." Je said.

Magsasalita na sana ako when I heard Filter barked. "You heard that? I think Filter needs me. Sa susunod na lang ulit Je." I said and ended the call.

I giggled after that I was glad na nag-solve na muli kami ng case ng magkakasama. T'wing namimiss ko kasing mag solve ng cases ay naglalaro lang ako ng detective games o di kaya naman ay manood ng riddles sa YouTube and Facebook. I do really miss them sa buong three months ng quarantine.

I was glad that Detective Triumvirate Plus One was solved a case again.

On Wed, Jun 17, 2020, 3:45 AM ALC <[email protected]> wrote:
TITLE: "WHO IS THE KILLER?"
WRITTEN BY: Perfectbutnot

Amber's POV

I felt a cold breeze onto my face as I look to Je, smiling annoyingly, "I knew it! I knew na pupunta nga kayo!" He said as he opened wide the door of the house. "Pasok kayo, dali! Baka mahuli pa kayo ng mga barangay."

Sumunod naman kami sa kanya, ngunit bigla niyang pinahinto si Math, "Hep! Hep! Mag-disinfect ka muna, Maya!" He said as he was grabbing something in his pockets.

"Bakit ako lang ang sinisita mo? Gray and Amber are still not disinfecting yet pero pinapasok mo agad sila." Pag-protesta ni Math.

"It's something special for you kaya ikaw ang in-una ko." He said at inilabas ang maliit na spray.

Math smiled sweetly, "Something special? Then what is it?" She asked.

"It's anti-buhat-bangko spray for you! Ipinaghalo ito na alcohol with moisturizer and a holy waterー" Hindi naituloy ang sasabihin ni Je dahil bigla na lang pumasok si Math, with matching bangga sa balikat ni Je. "Aray naman, Maya! At saka, teka! 'Di ka pa nag-di-disinfect!"

"Stop it puns." Sita ni Gray sa kanya. Je only pout and looked at Gray. After disinfecting we decided na mag-tipon-tipon sa living room. We sat on the nearest sofa as we observe the house. It's clean yet the the things there was seems old.

I looked at Je and asked after we put off the mask, "Why did you bring us here?"

He looked at me then smiled, "Di ba puwedeng miss ko lang kayo?" Gray glared at him, "So you only bring us here for nonsense excuse?" Gray asked.

Je laughed, "Of course not! Bakit ko naman pag-ti-tipon-tipon ang mga miyembro ng Detective Triumvirate Plus One here in the house? Siyempre may i-so-solve na naman tayong kaso."

"But we're in quarantine, Je. How do we supposed to solve a case if we're not allowed to go to the outside?" Math asked.

"If we had Online Classes then we also had Online Cases." Je smiled genuinely as he grabbed his laptop on his side and place it on the middle of the table. He opened his laptop at bumungad agad ang Online Cases sa screen.

"What's up with the Online Cases? At saka kaninong bahay ba ito?" I asked as I raised my right eyebrow.

"This house is has something to do with the case that we'll solve." Je said and looked at us. Napatingin tuloy ulit ako sa kabuuan ng bahay. "This house was own by one of the people who is positive in COVID-19 and died last week. But don't worry! They already spray disinfectant here in the place." Pagpatuloy ni Je.

"Paano ka nila pinayagan na mag-stay dito, Puns? It's impossible na pinalusot lang nila ikaw dito." Gray said. I agree, hindi nila agad-agad papapasukin ang kung sino man dito.

"Para-paraan lang! At siyempre secret na iyon kung paano ako nakalusot." He said and wear a genuinely smile. "So, according to them, they only spray disinfectant here in the house, pero wala silang ginalaw ni-isa." Dagdag nito. Hinarap niya ang laptop niya sa kanya at nag-simulang mag-type. "Itong mga videos na ito ay mga sagot ng witness sa investigation."

"Now, paano mo nakuha iyang mga videos?" Math asked and looked to Je.

"Why not asked Zywon for that?" Je replied. Wait, si Zywon pa ang kumuha ng mga videos?

"So, kinulit mo rin siya by calling him at 3am in the morning katulad ng ginawa mo saamin?" Gray asked.

Je laughed again, "Bullseye, Abo!" He exclaimed. Should I feel sorry for Zywon? "Anyways, let's focused on our case and watch the videos, alright?" Je requested pagkatapos ay tumango naman kami.

Hinarap niya ang laptop at pumwesto na rin para makanood rin siya. At hindi naman nagtagal ay ini-start niya na ang video. "Hi, I am Joseph, the victim's neighbor, bestfriend, at ako rin ang tumawag sa hospital." Pagpapakilala ng lalaki sa video. "That time, it was daughter's birthday. Si Cy, ang biktima, ay inaanak ng anak ko kaya dinalhan ko siya ng handa noon. Ilang beses na rin ako kumatok sa pintuan pero hindi pa rin niya binubuksan ito kaya nag-alala na ako at di na nag-dalawang  na pumasok sa bahay." Dagdag nito.

I saw his body trembling as he continue to speak, "When I saw him, he was lying on the couch kaya agad akong tumawag ng hospital. Noong idinala namin siya sa hospital I found out that he was infected by this new virus named COVID-19." He said. "Kaya noong sinabi saakin ng doktor na kailangan kong i-quarantine dito sa hospital ay di na ako nag-aalanganin pa dahil natatakot ako mahawa ang pamilya ko." Pagkatapos niya sabihin ito ay pinause ni Je ang vid.

"Nakakapagtaka lang dahil after no'n ay negative naman si Joseph noong tinest siya. And also, he said na wala na siyang ibang kinausap bukod sa nakausap niya sa phone." Wika ni Je.

"I feel something fishy in this case. But I can probably solved it sooner or later." Math said. I saw Je frowned as he come closer to me.

"Bestie, I should've spray her with this anti-buhat-bangko that I've made for her." He whispered and I just ignored him.

We continue and play the next video,  "H-Hello, I-I'm Sarah, the victim's girlfriend." Pautal-utal na sabi ng babae sa video. "T-that time I cheated on him. Nagsinungaling akong nasa ibang bansa, pero ang totoo ay mag kasama a-akong iba." She wiped her tears on her cheeks but it didn't help to stop her tears. "Kasalanan ko ang lahat ng ito! I-If... If only I stayed to his side ay di mangyayari sa kaniya ito!" She said at patuloy na humagulgol.

Je paused the video then looked at us, "What do you think about this girl Sarah?" He asked.

"Parang napaka-imposible na pinatay niya ang asawa niya. Remember, she's with somebody else." I said as I looked again on the screen.

Gray nodded, "I agree but that doesn't mean we will let our guard down to her." Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpatuloy na muli kami sa panonood.

"Ako nga pala si Louise, ako ang mag-de-deliver ng in-order niyang Pizza sa aming restaurant." He said calmly while playing his hat na may logo ng restaurant na kaniyang pinapasukan. "Noong mga panahon iyon, ilang beses akong kumatok ng pinto. Siguro nga limang minuto ako naghintay bago niya bukas ito." Dagdag nito.

Itinigil niya ang paglalaro sa kaniyang sumbrero at tumingin sa kamera. "Nakaka-pangilabot ang tingin saakin ng kasama niya. Hindi ko mawari kung lalaki ba ito o babae dahil ang dilim doon sa loob ng bahay." Sabi niya while his body were starting to trembled. "Kaya that time ay agad akong umalis at nagpatuloy sa pag-de-deliver."

Je paused again the video and looked at us, "Madilim ang bahay? Nakakapangilabot na tingin? What do you think guys?" Je asked.

"Maybe iyong tinutukoy ni Louise na nakakapangilabot ang tingin sa kaniya ng taong iyon ay posibleng killer." Math replied.

Je just nodded and then we continued to play the video, "I'm Joi, the victim's childhood bestfriend." Pagpapakilala ng babae. "At that time, tumawag siya saakin para pumunta doon. Nagulat ako no'n dahil napabigla ang pag-imbita saakin. As soon as I got there, nabigla ako ng nagkakagulo sa bahay niya. I asked one of the person who is trembling as hell and asked what happened. He said he also doesn't know kaya sumunod na rin ako sa hospital." Dagdag nito and then looked on the ground. "H-hindi ko manlang siya nakausap ng maayos. O di kaya naman makasama siya ng matagal." Wika nito at patuloy na ngang umiyak.

Je paused the video again, "This video was the last. So what do you think about them?" Je asked.

"I think I found the culprit, but I still need to find some evidence. Maybe sa bahay na ito natin makikita." Gray said and then stood up. "Let's investigate this house."

We started to investigate the house. Naka-assign si Jeremy sa kitchen, tapos si Math naman ay sa living room, habang kami ni Gray ay sa mga kwarto sa itaas ng bahay. Pumasok ako sa isang kwarto, at hula ko ay kwarto ito ng biktima. I wandering around as I looked suspiciously in a small tape recorder. I grabbed it and put it in my pockets. Mamaya ko na ito papakinggan kapag nagtipon-tipon na kami sa living room.

I saw some pictures on the wall. Mostly ay sila ng girlfriend niya ang mga pictures. I looked at the laptop and opened it, hoping that I'll have some clues here. Ini-spray-an ko ng disinfectant at pinunasan ko ang keyboard at ang pointing device bago buksan ang laptop. When I finally opened it, agad lumitaw ang 'please enter your password' sa screen so I looked on the keybords. I focused my on the letters and numbers that are  faded. It will lead the way to know what is the password.

I started to press the faded numbers and letters and successfully opened it. The password is actually 'May_28'. Nang bumukas ito ay bumungad sa screen ang google. He was researching about Dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. Bakit niya ni-research ito? Perhaps he also have it?

"Amber, tara na, we need to go to the living room." Gray suddenly speak behind my back kaya muntik na ako mapatalon sa ginawa niya.

"Next time, knock the door. Huwag mo kong gulatin." I said as I grabbed the laptop carefully and hold it. I saw Gray frowned.

"Bakit mo dadalhin iyan?" Gray asked.

"It has something to do about the case." Sabi ko na lamang at pumunta na sa living room. I saw Math and Je was sitting on the couch. And as usual, nagkukulitan na naman sila.

"Maya, I think COVID-19 is really funny." Je said to her.

Napataas naman ako ng kilay. Why would be think COVID-19 is funny? Hindi biro ang nangyayari ngayon. "Why?" Math asked.

"Kasi COVID-y siya HAHAHAHAHA!" Je laughed then he started to hit the couch by his right hand and hold his stomach by his left hand. We just looked at him and not laughed kaya napasimangot siya. "Grabe, ang kill Joy niyo." He said and then started to pout.

I just rolled my eyes and sat on the nearest chair. Agad naman sumunod si gray after no'n. "So, ano-ano ang mga nahanap niyo?" Gray started.

"I found his phone under the couch that we were sitting right now." Math said and place the phone on the middle of the table. "The password was May_28. I also opened---" I cut her off.

"Wait, May_28? Pati rin sa laptop niya ay ganoon din." I said.

"Ah, I remembered May 28 was the day he died." Je said as he put his hand on his chin. Maybe he knew that he will die on that day? But how?

"The last person he texted to is Joi." Math said and opened the messages. "Nakakapagtaka lang dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang pinaguusapan nila." Math said and then the confusion started to hit me.

We read the messages and like Math said, it was really confusing. Why? Joi only send the lyrics of Joy to the World. "Baka inaasar niya yung sarili niya?" Je said.

"That doesn't make any sense, puns." Gray replied. "But anyways, do you also find some clues too?" Tanong ni Gray.

"As for the kitchen, I only saw two myg and two plates on the table. So Louise is not lying na may kasama siya." Je said. "I also saw this thing too." Je out the little bottle from his pockets.

"There's no label on the bottle." Math said as she looked closely on the bottle.

"What about you, Abo? Do you find some clues in the guest rooms?" Je asked Gray.

"About that, I only found this diary. The other pages was burned kaya hindi natin rin ito maiintindihan." Gray said as he put the notebook on the table and opened it. Tama nga siya, the other pages were burned. But then I saw 3 words that caught my attention.

"Wait stop at that page." I said tapos ay hinablot ang notebook mula kay Gray. "Dissociative Identity Disorder..." I whispered but enough to hear.

"What's up with that disorder, Bestie?" Je asked.

"May_28 and this disorder, I found them in his laptop." I replied and place the laptop on the table. "I also found this small tape recorder, I decided to listen the record with you all."

We decided to play the record after that, "Cy!" a deep voice from the tape recorder said and then giggled. Though, I know na hindi ito totoong boses ng kung sino man ang nasa likod nito. "You're now having fun in your new life? Sana all." Pabirong sabi nito. "Though, I am sorry, since that fun will end soon. Kaya kung ako saiyo? Pansamantalahin mo na ang natitira mong oras."

We all looked at each other and then we continue to listen, "Nakakapagtaka, why do you still enjoy all of it kahit peke ang lahat na nasa paligid mo? Joseph was actually a fake bestfriend of yours, Sarah is cheating on you all this time. While Joi? She still had feelings on you pero she's hiding something." The unknown person added and then laughed. "Hmm, how will I kill you? Rippin' your face apart? Stab you on the heart?" Tumawa ito ng nakakaloka tapos ay nagpatuloy sa salita. "Can't wait, Cy. I can't wait." Sabi nito bago matapos ang record.

"I think Louise is the killer. Dahil siya lang ang hindi nabanggit sa record." Je said and then looked at us.

"Hindi pa rin sapat na ebidensya iyon, Jeremy." Math replied. "I think it is Joseph. Kung fake bestfriend talaga siya ni Cy ay di siya dadalhan ng handa. And also, he wouldn't be so concerned about Cy noong ilang beses na siyang kumatok."

"How about her girlfriend, Sarah? It seems like she's just acting earlier. At saka, baka siya ang merong Dissociative identity disorder." I said.

"No, I think it's Joi." Sabat naman ni Gray. "Look, Joi send Cy the lyrics of Joy to the world right? There must have been really clues here." Dagdag ni Gray and grabbed the phone at pumunta ulit sa conversation nila Cy at Joi. "Also, Joi said earlier na May tinanong daw siyang lalaking nanginginig sa takot at kapitbahay pa ito ni Cy. Joseph is the only one Cy's neighbor who bravely went here and Puns said na wala na siyang kinausap na iba except sa nakausap niya sa phone right?" We all nodded. So the killer really is Joi?

"But what about the message? Anong connect doon, Abo?" Je asked.

"The other identity of Joi was named as 'Joy'. J-O-Y" Gray replied. "Maybe Joi named her as Joy o kaya naman iyon ang code nila Cy at Joi na May binabalak ulit na masama si Joy." He scrolled up at nakita namin ang old messages nila Cy at Joi.

"Take a look at this, minessage na naman ni Joi si Cy ng lyrics ng Joy to the world. And then, Cy replied 'papunta na ako diyan. Ako na bahala.' Joi is really important bestfriend of Cy's." Gray said and looked at us.

"So the case was solved, Joy, the other side of Joi, is the killer."

---

I heard my phone ringing kaya kinuha ko agad ito. Je invited me to a video call kasama sina Math at Gray so I decided to answer it.

"Guys! Tama nga si Gray! Joy, the other side of Joi, was the one who killed Cy." Je exclaimed. "Dinala nila si Joi sa isang mental hospital para at least mas safe doon si Joi." Je added.

"So ano daw ang rason kung bakit nagawa ni Joy iyon?" I asked.

"The reason is because of jealousy. Joi and Joy is both in love with Cy. Pero noong nagkaroon ng kinakasama si Cy ay nagselos ang dalawa. Mas nagseselos si Joy and Joy doesn't want that feeling. Instead of killing Sarah, she decided to kill Cy since she rather saw his dead body than saw Cy with another girl again." Pag-explain ni Je. "May dinagdagan pa siya actually na sobrang nakakatawa. Ang sabi niya, 'hindi man ako si Katy Perry pero in another life I would be your girl'." Sabi ni Jeremy at tumawa ng malakas.

"She really said that?" Gray asked habang pinipigil ni Math ang tawa niya.

"She really did! Hindi siya mukhang psycho though, mukha siyang comedian." Je replied.

"Tapos ikaw di ka rin mukhang comedian, kasi para kang psycho." Math said. "Biro lang!" Dagdag pa nito.

"Maya, ipadalhan talaga kita ng anti-buhat-bangko spray diyan. Don't worry free shipping. Sabihin mo lang 'salamat shoppee'." Je said.

Napasimangot si Math, "Bahala ka nga diyan."

"Ano ba ang nangyari doon noong araw na namatay si Cy?" Pagbago ko ng topic.

"Sabi nila, maagang pumunta si 'Joy' sa bahay ni Cy dahil nga papatayin niya ito. Cy already knew about it, na mamatay na siya sa May 28 dahil sinabi ito ni Joi noon sa kaniya. Usually kasi sa mga may disorder na katulad na ganito, you won't remember what you did since your other personality controls your body that time. Pero some of it ay maalala mo. And I guess Joy didn't remember na sinabi ni Joi about Joy's plan to Cy." Pag-explain ni Je.

"So ang nangyari that time, Cy ordered a pizza hoping that the delivery man will be able to help the situation his was but he failed. So inisip niya na siguro hayaan na lang niya si Joy na patayin siya noon. Since, it's his fault kung bakit nararamdaman ni Joy at Joi ang selos." Je added. "So about Joseph, magsosorry na sana siya noong pumunta siya dahil sa pagtataksil na nagawa ni Joseph kay Cy. And then ayun na nga, nakita na niya na patay na si Cy" Je explained again.

"So that's what happened." Gray said.

"Anyways before this call end sagutin niyo muna ang quiz ko." Sabi ulit ni Je.

"Wait, may gagawin na pala ako. Sige babye!" Math said.

"Wait Maya---!" Je just groaned when Math finally end the call. "So, Kayong dalawa na muna ang sasagot sa aking---" Gray cut him off.

"I hear something, I guess my mom's calling me downstairs. Sa susunod na lang ulit. Bye Puns! Bye Amber!" Gray said and ended the call.

"Abo naman eh!" Je exclaimed. "What about you bestie? Ikaw na lang ang pag-asa ko." Je said.

Magsasalita na sana ako when I heard Filter barked. "You heard that? I think Filter needs me. Sa susunod na lang ulit Je." I said and ended the call.

I giggled after that I was glad na nag-solve na muli kami ng case ng magkakasama. T'wing namimiss ko kasing mag solved ng cases ay naglalaro lang ako ng detective games o di kaya naman ay manood ng riddles sa YouTube and Facebook. I do really miss them sa buong three months ng quarantine.

I was glad that Detective Triumvirate Plus One was solved a cases again.

#

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top