Chapter 1: The Detective Triumvirate Plus One

AMBER

GOOD MORNING, Bestie!” masiglang bati sa akin ng kaklase kong si Jeremy. Naupo siya sa kanyang puwesto
na hindi pa rin naaalis ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. I know such smile, he’s up to something.

“What’s up?” tanong ko sa kanya. Mabilis na umiling naman siya habang nakangiti pa rin. “Come on, Jeremy, spill it.” I crossed my arms as I waited for his reply.

You know he’s up to something when his grin reached from ear to ear. He’s my bubbly classmate who was once a nerd kid at school that turned pun-throwing hottie—his words, not mine— after a life changing event. And what event? Well, one morning he just woke up and decided to remove his dental braces after few years of wearing them. Also, napagpasyahan niyang ayusin ang kanyang buhok na dati ay tila dinilaan ng dinosaur.

He shook his head and looked at the door. “Nothing—o, ayan na pala sila.”

Napatingin ako sa pintuan kung saan magkasabay na pumasok sina Math at Gray. Mathilde Corazon is a transferee from the City of Waterfalls, Iligan City. She’s a tech geek who’s fond of making something out of scrap that could be useful most of the times. Matalino siya at maalam sa halos lahat ng bagay. She likes to tell everyone she meets about all her achievements and milestones. Some might admire her for it while others find her boastful—gaya na lang ni Jeremy.
The guy with a straight face is my classmate Gray Ivan Silvan. He has keen eyes for observation and penchant for mysteries.

Pero wait, sabay silang pumasok ni Math? These two are hanging out a lot lately. Well, wala naman akong pake kung magkasabay man sila o hindi.

Gray tossed his bag on the chair beside me. “Good morning.”

Math kissed my cheek and greeted me a good morning too, like she always does. Agad namang tinakpan ni Jeremy ang pisngi niya nang akmang lalapitan siya nito dahilan para makatanggap siya ng simangot dito..

“Tuloy ang lakad natin mamaya, ah?” paalala na lang ni Math.

Yup. We agreed to go to the mall pagkatapos ng klase namin sa hapon.

“Thanks for the reminder, Maya!” masiglang sabi ni Jeremy at tumayo sa harap naming tatlo. Yup, he calls her ‘Maya’ dahil ‘mayabang’ daw. Jeremy stood in front of us, fixing the collar of his uniform. “So ngayong nandito na tayong lahat, I have a proposal.”

Agad na napasimangot si Gray. Gaya ng madalas niyang ginagawa, binabara na naman niya ang puns at kung ano-ano pang mga walang kuwentang ideya na galing kay Jeremy.

“It’s for the improvement of Detective Triumvirate—”

Sabay naman kaming napasimangot ni Gray dahilan para hindi na matapos ni Jeremy ang sasabihin. It’s just Math who looked interested in whatever nonsense he wants to discuss.

Math flipped her hair. “Jeremy, it should be Quadrumvirate! Triumvirate is only for three—”

“Hindi ka kasi kasali—oops, nasabi!” Jeremy immediately covered his mouth when he received a deadly glare from me at pagkatapos, nag-peace sign siya kay Math. “Mas maganda kasi pakinggan kapag Triumvirate, eh.” He’s really pushing that name he came up for us. ‘Detective Triumvirate Plus One.’

“Still!” apela ni Math. “Besides, I think I’m a better detective than Amber. No offense, ah? But I’m better in everything. In fact, I am . . .”

“Ayan na naman ang pagbubuhat niya ng bangko,” mahinang bulong ni Jeremy sa akin. I nudged him on the side and glared at him.

Every time Math boasts about her achievements, agad na napapatakip ng tainga si Jeremy o ‘di kaya ay sinasapawan niya ito. Sa akin naman ay walang problema. I’m used to hearing her talks about every thing that she’s good at. She can really walk her talk.

“Alright, alright. Detective Triumvirate Plus One. Ano, masaya ka na, Maya?” nakangiwing tanong ni Jeremy.

Math looked satisfied with that. “That’s better.”

“So, tungkol saan nga ‘to?” atat na tanong ni Gray. “And why mention your imaginary group?”

I agree. Ilang beses bang ipagpipilitan ni Jeremy ang pangalang ‘yan? That’s so corny.

“Let’s have a customize shirt we can wear to promote the group,” Jeremy said with a smile.

“No,” magkasabay na tanggi namin ni Gray.

Jeremy is really pushing this imaginary group! May nalalaman pa siyang customize shirt!

“Ang KJ n’yo talagang dalawa!” Bumaling siya kay Math. “Maya, it’s great, isn’t it? May shirt tayong may tatak na Detective Triumvirate Plus One. That way, we can promote the group at marami na ang hihingi ng tulong sa atin.”

Math widely smiled. “Not a bad idea.”

“See? C’mon, by wearing that shirt, mas marami tayong matutulungan at mas makikilala pa tayo. Gets n’yo ba ang punto ko? ‘Tapos eventually, magkakaroon tayo ng fandom. Hmm . . . Triumviranatics? Triumviranation? ‘Tapos, may lightstick pa!”

I rolled my eyes at inilabas na lang ang mga libro ko. “Keep dreaming, Jeremy.” Pfft, t-shirt? No, I’m not wearing that shirt! Never!

***

“OOPS! Sorry!” sambit ni Jeremy at napansin kong bigla siyang ngumisi nang nakaloloko. Unti-unti niyang ibinaba ang hawak na cup na aksidente niyang naitapon sa damit ko.

I frowned as I watched my top soaked in coffee stain. Nanatili akong nakasimangot habang iniisip kung gaano ako kadugyot tingnan. I would have punch his gut if ever the coffee was hot but thankfully, it wasn’t. How could he accidentally spill the iced coffee on me?

Agad na kumuha ng table napkin si Gray. Akmang pupunasan na niya ako ngunit napatigil siya nang tila may napagtanto. Nakataas ang kilay na napatingin ako sa kanya habang siya, nanatiling nakaangat ang kamay at nakatapat lang sa may dibdib ko kung saan nagkaroon ng mantsa ng kape.

Jeremy naughtily smiled at us at tila anumang oras, matatawa na rin si Math while Gray sighed before he threw the napkin at me.

“Wipe yourself,” sabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin.
Pinunasan ko nga ang aking sarili at napangiwi. Gustuhin
ko mang mainis ay wala na—nangyari na. Gagala lang naman kami na dugyot ako. “Paano ‘to? Gagala akong ganito?” Hindi ko napigilang maitanong.

Jeremy snapped his fingers and grinned at me. “I have a solution for that!”

Oh, please. No. Don’t tell me . . .

“Chaaaraaan!” bulalas niya at itinaas ang hawak na puting t-shirt na may print na Detective Triumvirate Plus One. Proud na iwinagayway niya ‘yon sa harap ko. “Don’t worry, I got you covered!”

I felt my blood boil to its utmost level. “You planned this all along, didn’t you?”

He shook his head at nag-iwas ng tingin. “Of course not. How could you accuse me of doing so? Ako na nga ang nagmalasakit na bigyan ka ng pamalit na damit, pag-iisipan mo pa ako nang masama.”

“I am not wearing that!” Hello, nakakahiya kaya! “It looks like I am really promoting that imaginary group! Ayaw ko.”

He unbuttoned his polo and showed me his inner shirt. “Don’t worry, hindi ka nag-iisa.” Napangiti siya kay Math na agad din namang hinubad ang jacket na suot.
They’re already wearing the shirt?! Kaka-propose niya lang tungkol d’yan kaninang umaga, ‘yon pala ay nakahanda na?

I saw Gray’s jaw dropped. Agad namang lumapit sa kanya si Jeremy at tinapik ang kanyang balikat. “Damay-damay na ‘to.”

He pushed him away. “Go away, Puns, I will never—”

“Oops.” Math grinned as she threw her straw toward Gray, also leaving stains on his clothes. Ngayon, parehas na sila ni Jeremy na malawak ang ngisi sa amin.
These two! Ang sarap nilang pagbuhulin!

Gray looked at me and let out a heavy sigh before frowning.

Looks like we have no other choice but to wear the shirt. Ugh! I’m gonna kill Jeremy for this!

***

PAGBALIK ko galing ng CR ay nakasimangot na ako dahil sa kahihiyan. Samantalang sina Jeremy at Math ay tuwang-tuwa naman. Because from the very start, they plotted this gimmick! Maswerte pa sila dahil umayon sa kanila ang lahat.

I sunk on my seat and took a sip of coffee. Pagkatapos, nagmasid ako sa paligid. We decided to drop by here in the coffee shop bago pumunta sa KTV na balak naming puntahan. Kaunting lakad lang ang distansya ng mga ito dahil pareho namang nasa loob ng mall.

It was Math’s idea to chill the night away. May gusto rin daw sana siyang ipakitang talento niya. As usual, she’s boasting again and this time, it’s about music. Sinabi niya kung gaano siya kagaling kumanta at kung ano’ng mga instrumento ang kaya niyang tugtugin. Humanga naman si Gray sa pagbida niya n’on, samantalang panay bulong naman si Jeremy sa akin ng kanyang komento.

It was early evening when we headed straight to the KTV and booked a room. Ito ang unang beses na nakapunta ako sa ganitong lugar. I’m not really fond of places like this because I don’t sing but Math insisted na i-try pa rin namin. So, I have no other choice but to go with the flow.

Makitid ang pasilyo ng KTV na na-reserve namin. I guess there were at least eight rooms inside at magkakatapat ang mga ito. Bawat silid, transparent ang salamin ng bintana pati na ng pinto kaya kita namin ang mga okupado na habang tinatahak namin ang dulo ng hall kung nasaan ang aming room. Everyone was enjoying the night lalong-lalo na ang pagkanta.

Nang makarating na kami sa aming room, umupo ako sa couch na nasa may pinto. Excited namang kinuha ni Jeremy ang remote.

“Ako ang unang kakanta!” masigla niyang sabi at pumindot na ng mga numero. Ilang sandali lang ay pumailanlang na ang tugtog na ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.’
Seriously, Jeremy Martinez?

He started singing with matching dancing pa. Kung hindi lang soundproof ang silid ay malamang na umalis na ako at iniiwas ang sarili sa kung anumang kahihiyan.

Mayamaya ay napagdesisyunan kong lumipat ng upuan. Pumwesto ako sa dulo ng long couch na nasa gitna, katabi ni Gray. Gaya ko, tila ayaw rin niyang ipahiya ang sarili.

“Gusto mo bang kumanta?” biglang tanong niya sa akin.

I forced a smile and shook my head sabay iwas ng tingin sa kanya. “No, thanks.” Maliban kasi sa wala akong talento sa pagkanta, ayaw kong ipahiya ang aking sarili.
Hanggang sa napadako ang tingin ko sa katapat na silid. Gaya namin ay tila nagkakasiyahan ang mga naroon at tila nagdi-disco pa. Malamlam ang ilaw sa loob ng KTV rooms and they made it seem like they’re in the disco club by playing their phone’s flashlight.

Biglang inabot sa akin ni Math ang microphone. “Amber, why don’t we have a singing showdown? Palakihan tayo ng score,” nakangiting wika niya.

Mahinang tinabig naman ni Jeremy ang kamay ni Math. “Bestie’s singing voice is only for Gray. Kung gusto mo ng kompetisyon, magbuhat ka na lang ng—” He groaned in pain when I stepped hard on his foot.

Kailan ba siya titigil sa pambabara kay Math? He calls her Maya instead of Mathilde or Math dahil lang nayayabangan siya rito. “I mean, kung gusto mo ng kompetisyon, ako ang hamunin mo!”

Huh, the audacity of this guy! He cannot even sing right! ‘Tapos, babasahin na nga lang ang lyrics, mali-mali pa! Wala sa ayos ang pagkanta niya at dinaraan lang sa mga segue niya na, “Sing with me!” O ‘di kaya naman ay, “Put your hands up in the air!” Kulang na lang, sabihin niyang concert niya!

Nagsimula na ang dalawang mag-agawan ng mikropono. Nagpaalam naman ako na gagamit ng banyo. As I reached the toilet’s door, I saw a signage that it’s under maintenance. At dahil naiihi na talaga ako, naisipan kong pumunta na lang sa CR ng mismong mall.

Palabas na ako ng KTV nang may nakasabay akong dalawang babae at isang lalaki. Agad ko namang naalala na sila ang nasa katapat naming room. I took a step backward and decided to just walked behind them.

“Are you sure Karla’s fine with JB?” tanong ng isa sa dalawang babae. She looked pretty with her perfectly curled hair matched with light makeup and red lips.

“Yup, don’t worry about her, Macey,” sagot naman ng isang babae. “JB maybe bad at times pero mapagkakatiwalaan naman siya.”

The guy turned to the latter with a smirk on his face. “Right, Krista, you knew him well dahil ex mo siya.” That statement made the situation awkward. Natahimik sila saglit and it was the girl named Macey who break the ice by tapping them.

“Huwag na nating isipin ‘yang mga isyung ‘yan, okay? We’re here to enjoy Karla’s birthday. I’m heading to the comfort room. Bilisan n’yo, ha? Kailangan ni Karla na magkape and it’s too lame to let her sleep the night away dahil sa kalasingan. Kailangan niyang i-enjoy ang birthday niya!”

The woman headed toward the direction of the comfort room samantalang sa kabilang direksyon naman pumunta ang lalaki at ang kasama nito na si Krista, probably to get coffee as what they agreed.

Hindi ako pamilyar sa mall kaya sumunod na lang ako kay Macey since she’s also heading toward the comfort room. Mahaba-habang lakaran din ang nangyari bago kami nakarating sa CR.

Although the mall’s about to close in about an hour and a half, may queue pa rin dito sa CR. I stood on the line behind Macey at halos sabay rin kaming nakapasok sa mga cubicle.

I took my time inside at nang makalabas ako ay medyo naligaw pa ako. I’m bad at directions most of the times kaya hindi ko na maalala kung saan kami dumaan kanina. Kaya naman napagdesisyunan kong mag-ikot na lang hanggang sa maging pamilyar sa akin ang lugar, but I guess I only made my situation worst. Ni hindi ko maalala kung anong palapag ang KTV bar na ‘yon. Ilang beses na rin akong tumawag kina Gray but none of them was answering my call. I wandered around for almost half an hour at no’n lang tumunog ang cell phone ko.

“Finally!” sambit ko nang masagot ang tawag ni Gray. “I’m lost.”

“Figured that one out,” sagot niya. “Where are you? I’ll fetch you.”

Napangiti ako. I appreciate how Gray shows his way of caring in his little ways. “Nasa third floor ako, sa may department store.”

“Okay, saglit lang,” wika niya at narinig kong tila may kinausap siya. “I’m sorry, something happened. May pinatay sa katapat nating KTV room. Can you return on your own? I’ll text you the direction.”

Napangiwi ako at sinubukang hindi magtunog dismayado. “Sure, sure. Thanks.” Then I rolled my eyes as I disconnected the call. Yup, call of detective duty above all.

Maya-maya, naka-receive na ako ng direction mula kay Gray through text message. Nahirapan akong sundin ito but thank goodness I made it through. When I arrived, nakasarado ang lugar ngunit nang makita ako ng isang staff member na nakauniporme ay agad akong pinapasok.

“Sinabi ng lalaki kanina na i-seal ang lugar hangga’t wala pa ang mga pulis,” sabi ng staff member sa akin.

“Inaasahan din nila ang pagdating mo.”

Agad naman akong lumakad papunta sa KTV room namin. Palapit pa lang ako ay bumungad na sa akin ang isa pang staff member at siyam na tao na marahil ay customers. They all looked worried habang nakatingin sa katapat na room namin. Umakma akong lalapit ngunit hinarang ako ng isang may edad na lalaki.

“I see, you wear the same shirt as those three. Isa ba kayong detective group?” tanong nito sabay ngiti.
I prevented myself to frown. This is why I don’t want to wear this shirt. Now people think we’re some delusional students who play detectives.

“Uh, this shirt is a joke,” sagot ko na lang at nag-excuse upang pumasok.

The room was the same as ours and nothing seemed different except for the woman lying on the long couch situated in the middle. Gray stood beside the woman, carefully examining her. He had that serious look on his face. At kapag gano’n ang hitsura niya, I know he hasn’t got much on the case.

“Bestie!” tawag ni Jeremy sa akin bago lumapit. He sounded fired up. “Our first case wearing our official uni—”

I glared at him. He always sounds excited when there’s a murder that happened! And I saw him pouted and gave me an apologetic look.

“Karla!”

Napalingon kami ni Jeremy sa lalaking biglang pumasok at sumigaw. Isa ‘yon sa nakita kong kasama sa barkada nila na nakikipagkulitan kanina, but it wasn’t the guy who’s with Krista to buy coffee. Malamang, siya si JB na pinag-usapan nina Krista at Macey nang sandaling nakasunod ako sa kanila. Speaking of them, they’re on the side, crying at halos hindi makapaniwala sa sinapit ng kaibigan.

“Karla!” sigaw uli ni JB at lumapit sa bangkay. “Ano’ng nangyari sa kanya?”

“Don’t touch the body,” Gray said with much confidence, although his forehead was creased. “We still don’t know the cause of her death since wala naman siyang wounds or injury. No visible puncture marks, no hint of poisoning, and others. Let’s wait for the police, make sure you all don’t touch any potential evidence that will give light to this case.”

“Hoy, ano ba?!” singhal ng isa sa mga nakatayo sa labas ng room. “Bakit ayaw n’yo kaming palabasin? At bakit kayo nakikialam sa trabaho ng mga pulis?!” The other people also started ranting.

It was Math who answered with a sweet smile, flipping her hair para mas makita ang print ng kanyang suot na damit. “Actually we’re some sort of aid to the police. Hindi namin kayo pinaaalis dahil ‘yon din naman ang gagawin nila kung sakaling nandito sila. We’ll seal the place until we can narrow down the suspects.”

Like always, Jeremy and I stood on the side, hulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. Math started to help in the investigation by giving some details she noticed. At ilang sandali pa, pinauwi na ni Gray ang ibang naroroon at pinaiwan ang mga suspect sa nangyaring krimen bandang 7:45 hanggang 8:20 ng gabi. Pinapasok ang lahat sa room for interrogation.  

Based on Gray’s first set of questions, Krista answered that she’s first to discover the body. Sabi niya, ginising niya ang biktima para ipainom ang kape pero hindi ito nagising and she later found out wala na itong pulso.
Apat ang kasama ng biktima. One was the guy named JB, the victim’s ex. Nang tanungin siya kung nasaan siya nang mangyari ang krimen, he said that he went outside to cool down himself. Nagalit nga ito dahil sa ginawang interogasyon ni Gray but the latter’s calm demeanor and confidence compelled him to answer.

The other was the guy named Erik. According to him, he’s with Macey and Krista earlier. He also claimed that he accompanied Krista to buy coffee and other stuffs to sober up the victim dahil sa kalasingan.

The girls, Krista and Macey, were asked too. Krista said, she’s with Erik habang si Macey, pagbalik niya raw sa room nila galing sa CR ay lumabas siya uli para bigyan ng space sina JB at ang biktima.

May isang lalaki pa na pinaiwan din kasama ng apat. Siya ang lalaking nakipag-usap sa akin kanina. He’s Sir Michael Batongbacal, an executive producer at BNC-12 TV Station.

Unlike the first four, hindi siya kasama ng biktima. He’s from one of the country’s biggest TV stations. Bakit siya naging suspect? ‘Yon ay dahil namataan siya ni Gray na nasa crime scene bago madiskubre ang krimen.

“What were you doing at this room kung nasa kabilang silid pala ang nirerentahan ninyo?” tanong ni Gray sa lalaki.

“I heard a loud thud from this room nang lumabas ako pero pagsilip ko, wala namang nangyayaring kakaiba—except for the victim lying just like that. Akala ko, tulog lang ito kaya hindi na ako nakiusyoso pa,” sagot ni Sir Michael Batongbacal.

Gray doesn’t look convinced with their statements. “Can anyone vouch all your alibis?” tanong niya sa kanila.

Si Krista ang unang sumagot sa pagitan ng kanyang hikbi at panginginig. “The coffee shop’s CCTV can prove my alibi. Medyo nagtagal ako roon dahil maraming orders bago ako. Also, if there’s CCTV in the supermarket, that will also do. Dumaan ako roon para bumili ng tubig since sabi ni Macey ay ubos na ang tubig namin.”

Napatingin ako sa dalawang cup ng kape at supot na naglalaman ng mga tubig at tissue paper. Nakalapag ang mga ‘yon sa gilid ng mesa, malapit sa biktima.

Mayamaya pa ay nahagip din ng mga mata ko ang walang lamang bote ng mineral water na nasa sahig.

“Ako naman, I don’t think anyone remember me at the Skygarden,” sagot ni Macey. “Like I said, I wanted to give JB and Karla sometime alone since . . . “ Napayuko siya at kinagat ang ibabang labi kasabay ng pag-iwas ng tingin.

What is it she’s trying to say?

“Since?” tanong ni Math.

She sighed before looking at JB. “Since medyo seryoso ang pinag-uusapan nila ni JB. Karla’s drunk but that somewhat sobered her up. They’re literally screaming at each other kaya umalis na muna ako.”

Gray turned his gaze to JB with scrutiny. “Was it true that things were a little heat up nang makipag-usap ka sa biktima? What exactly happened at ano ang pinag-usapan ninyo?”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni JB at galit na umiling-iling.
“I didn’t kill her!”

But if JB’s cocky, Gray’s more than that and he isn’t afraid kahit na medyo malaking tao si JB at tila malaki ang agwat ng edad nila.

“Then tell us what happened at ano ang pinag-usapan ninyo,” sabi niya.

The guy’s jaw clicked at napasabunot sa kanyang buhok. “This is insane. Bakit kayo nakikialam sa trabaho ng mga awtoridad? This is murder, not some game you guys can stick your butts around. Not because you have the word detective on your shirt doesn’t mean you can act like one! Nagmumukha lang kayong katawa-tawa.”

Yeah. I couldn’t help but agree with him.
“Bestie, siya ang killer,” Jeremy whispered, gritting his teeth.

“Paano mo nalaman?”

“Simply because he hates our shirt; only criminals hate it!” sagot ni Jeremy sabay tingin nang masama kay JB.

“Jeremy, it’s not enough grounds to consider him as suspect,” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Still, I hate him!”

I rolled my eyes and focused on the suspects. Mukhang hindi lang si Jeremy ang affected sa sinabi ni JB kundi maging si Math.

“Uh, excuse me? If you haven’t heard me a while ago, we’re detectives and we helped numerous cases as a group and individually. Last time, I helped tracking some bank robbers at malaki ang pasasalamat sa akin ng mga pulis. If it wasn’t because of my genius creations—” Napatigil si Math nang tumikhim si Jeremy. Kung hindi nito ginawa ‘yon, malamang na mahaba-habang usapan na naman ito.

“Wait,” nagtatakang sabi ni Gray at bumaling sa mga suspect. “Krista said, the coffee shop and the grocery’s CCTV can prove her alibi. ‘Her,’ not ‘their.’ If I remember it right, this guy Erik claimed that he’s with Krista during the time of murder.”

Right. ‘Yon din ang napansin ko. Kung magkasama nga sila ni Erik, she should have said ‘our’ instead of ‘my.’

Everyone turned to Erik who’s now pale.

“N-Naligaw lang ako,” ani Erik.

Their words somewhat put a confident grin on Gray’s face. He still didn’t flash his victorious grin so maybe he didn’t get that far yet on this case. Kaya naman habang abala pa si Gray sa pag-i-interrogate, nag-ikot muna ako sa crime scene. I made sure I didn’t mess up the potential pieces of evidence in the room.

The victim was lying on the couch na tila ba lasing. No injuries, no sign of struggles and all but she’s definitely not breathing. Anong technique ang ginamit ng suspect para patayin ito?

Gray ruled out heart failure. Ayon sa kanya, maliit ang chance na ‘yon ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng biktima. So I watched her nails closely ngunit walang skin na maaaring naiwan dahil sa pagkalmot kung sakaling nanlaban ito.
Posible ba ‘yon?

Umayos ako ng tayo at napadako ang aking tingin sa mukha nito. I can say that the victim was pretty, with her facial features more emphasized by her makeup. It’s sad to know such beauty isn’t breathing anymore.

“She’s pretty,” wika ni Math na nakatayo na pala sa gilid ko at matamang nakatitig sa bangkay. “Mukha lang siyang tulog. Ano sa tingin mo ang ikinamatay niya?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea yet.” Sinipat ko uli ang babae nang malapitan at agad na may napansing kulay brown sa kanyang damit na malapit sa neckline. Ngunit binalewala ko na lang dahil baka gravy lang ‘yon o ice cream na natapon nang kumain sila.

“This crime is perfectly executed na tila ba gustong palabasin ng culprit na unnatural death ang ikinamatay ng biktima. If her makeup’s smudged, I would think she’s pillow murdered.”

Posible nga ‘yon but there were no signs of pillow murder. Walang throw pillow sa loob ng KTV room, the couch’s foam are cannot be removed, at walang puwedeng magamit sa loob para pigilan ang paghinga nito.

“Na-check n’yo ba ang gamit nila?” mahinang tanong ko kay Math.

“Doing it now,” sabad ni Jeremy at pasikreto nang tiningnan ang mga gamit ng kasamahan ng biktima. 

Mula nang magdeklara siya na kami ang Detective Triumvirate Plus One, naging habit na niya ang magdala ng gloves, magnifying glass, at kung ano-ano pang gamit para sa aming lahat. He used the gloves as he went through their belongings.

“On Krista’s clutch, there’s nothing suspicious.” Jeremy put down Krista’s small clutch just enough for her wallet and phone. Pagkatapos, tiningnan naman niya ang mga gamit ni Macey. Unlike Krista’s, malaking shoulder bag ‘yon na maraming laman—wipes, tissue, perfume, cards na nagkalat sa loob, planner, and a huge makeup kit. Nothing was suspicious too kaya pasimpleng inilapag na ni Jeremy ‘yon sa mesa at sunod nang tiningnan ang gamit ni Erik. May nursery plastic bags doon na iba-iba ang laki. And it could be used to suffocate the victim!

“Posible bang magamit ‘yon?” pagkumpirma ko.

Math shook her head. “No. Look, the plastic is still sealed kaya ibig sabihin, hindi pa ‘yon nabubuksan. And it’s so small na kung sakaling takpan man niya ang ilong ng biktima, the victim will notice and will surely struggle.”
Kasalukuyan nang binubuksan ni Jeremy ang bag ni JB. “Syringe?!”

Bigla namang hinablot ni JB ang kanyang bag na ikinagulat namin. “Who gave you the permission to touch my things?! Ano ba’ng ginagawa ninyo?! Hayaan n’yo na ang mga pulis!”

“They’re on their way,” sabi ni Gray. “And we’re trying to let the curtain close before the culprit find any means to conceal his crime.”

To conceal the crime?

Maingat na sinipat ni Gray ang syringe na nakuha ni Jeremy. “And what is this syringe for?”

Hindi nakasagot si JB. Ilang sandali pa, nagulat kaming lahat nang bigla siyang sinuntok ni Erik sa mukha. “So you’re really trying to date rape her?! How dare you!”

The girls tried to separate the two nang magpalitan na ang dalawa ng mga suntok.

“Hayup ka! Wala ka nang ibang ginawa kundi paglaruan si Karla! You made fun of her when she’s still that old maid you used to date ‘tapos, ngayong nakita mong nakaayos siya, gusto mo siyang pagsamantalahan?! I heard about your plan mula sa kaibigan mo!” galit na singhal ni Erik.

“Alright! Aaminin kong ‘yon ang balak ko, but then, hindi ko ‘yon itinuloy dahil nakokonsensya ako!”

“Dapat lang!”

“As much as I want to witness how you two fight over a dead girl, I’d like to know first how the girl died.” Gray shot a glance at the two. “So, what’s this about?”

Ngunit hindi nagpaawat ang dalawa. Nagpatuloy lang sila sa pagpapalitan ng maaanghang na mga salita.

“Baka ikaw ang pumatay kay Karla!” sigaw ni JB. “Nagalit ka dahil binasted ka niya. At hindi ka niya binigyan ng chance dahil ako ang gusto niya!”

Muli silang nagbuno at nagkagulo roon. Macey and Krista pulled them away from each other.

“Ano ba?! Namatay na’t lahat si Karla, nakuha n’yo pang mag-away ng ganyan? Ano, magpapatayan din kayo? Puwede bang bigyan muna natin ng hustisya si Karla?!” mariing sabi ni Krista.

Angry Erik turned to her. “Are you planning saint now, Krista? Hindi ba’t galit ka rin kay Karla dahil kay JB? You and JB used to be lovers, right?”

Napansin kong unti-unti na namang napangiti si Gray sa mga naisisiwalat. Great. Now, he’s almost having enough information about this case.

“No! Dati lang ‘yon! Kaibigan na ang turing ko sa kanya!” Isa-isa niyang tiningnan ang mga kasamahan. “Why are you all looking at me with accusation in your eyes? Ikaw, Macey, hindi ba’t naiinis ka rin kay Karla? You said you hate how she dressed up like an old maid kaya inaayusan mo siya just like how you did tonight; kaya nasa kanya na ang atensyon ng mga lalaki kapag lumalabas kayo na isa ring ikinaiinis mo. Maraming bagay ang ikinaiinis mo sa kanya lalo na sa trabaho ninyo.”

Why do I have some thoughts at the back of my mind na hindi ko mapagtagpi-tagpi?  Lumapit ako sa mesa kung nasaan ang remote, mga kape, at mga tubig. The name written on the coffee cups was Krista’s at halos nangangalahati na ang isa habang wala namang bawas ang isa. It’s safe to assume that the other cup was for the victim.

Maingat na tiningnan ko rin ang plastic bag na naglalaman ng mga tubig at tissue. Kinuha ko ang resibo at tiningnan ang ilang detalye. The items were punched between the estimated time of death of the victim. Naroon lang sa resibo ang tingin ko hanggang sa mahagip na naman ng mga mata ko ang bottled water na walang laman at nakatumba lang sa sahig.
Patuloy pa rin sila sa batuhan ng mga salita at akusasyon. Now, we’re getting more information about their grudges to the victim. It’s clear that all of them have motive to kill her.

But wait, why are we forgetting about the man?
Mabilis kong nilingon ang lalaki na nasa may pinto lang. Nakita kong nakatingin ito kay Gray na may paghanga sa kanyang mga mata. He looked like he’s admiring how our friend was trying to solve the case. Don’t tell me may gusto siya kay Gray?

“It’s clear na lahat kayo ay may motibo na patayin ang biktima,” narinig kong wika ni Gray.

I heard everyone defend themselves habang nakatingin pa rin ako sa lalaki na hindi maalis-alis ang tingin kay Gray. Okay, I know Gray’s pretty popular with girls and even gays but I didn’t think older men will also like him.
Why am I annoyed on such thought?

Lalapitan ko sana ang lalaki para tanungin kung ano’ng koneksyon niya sa biktima nang bigla kong mabangga si Jeremy. He dropped the syringe he’s holding and it rolled under the couch situated on the right side of the room.

“Sorry,” sabi ko at saka yumuko para kunin ang syringe.
Agad namang kumunot ang noo ko nang makapa ko ang ilalim ng couch. Basa? Bakit basa ‘yon? The room was carpeted and it’s strange to find the carpeted floor under the couch wet. Konektado kaya ‘to sa kaso? Tumayo ako agad nang makuha ko na ang pakay ko.

Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na ang mga pulis, and thank goodness Gray knew them or else we’re already kicked out of the place. Inulit nila ang ginawang pagtatanong ni Gray matapos nitong ipaliwanag sa mga ito kung paano niya na-narrow down sa lima ang mga suspect.

“Dapat talaga sa paper factory ‘yan si Maya, eh.” I heard Jeremy rant on my side. “Tingnan mo, sabi nang ipaubaya sa mga pulis ang nangyari pero pumapapel na naman!”
Hindi ako nagkomento sa sinabi niya at nag-isip lang nang malalim. I tried putting the pieces together but I couldn’t come up with anything useful.

“Sorry for not picking you up.”

Napatingin ako bigla kay Gray na nakatayo sa harap ko. “Ha?”

“I should give you compass or anything like that dahil palagi ka na lang nawawala,” dagdag ni Gray.

“A-Ayos lang.”

“You seemed spaced out, did you find anything?” he asked and I slowly nodded. Maybe the pieces I found can complete the bigger puzzle he almost done.

“Everyone’s got a motive except for that man,” wika ko at bahagyang ngumuso sa direksyon ng lalaki na ngayon ay nakatingin sa akin. “He’s watching you all this time.”

He blinked few times. “At ano ang kinalaman n’on sa kaso?”

Uh, sinabi ko bang may kinalaman ‘yon?

“Wala naman, bet ka yata,” sagot ko.

Umakma siyang matatawa ngunit agad niyang pinigilan. “And?”

Ano kaya’ng nakakatawa?

“Basa ang ilalim ng sofa,” pambabalewala ko na lang sa tanong niya. Hindi ko na rin natiis na hindi sabihin at ituro sa kanya ang bumabagabag sa isip ko.

Gray was surprised for a while, and then he smirked as if he’s got something. Mabilis na kinapa niya ang ilalim ng sofa at pagkatapos, inilibot sa kabuoan ng kwarto ang paningin.  Now, he’s letting out that famous Gray Ivan Silvan victorious grin.

“Maybe it’s not really relevant to the case,” wika ko. “Isa pa, hindi pa rin tiyak kung ano ang ikinamatay ng biktima. We should wait for the autopsy report.”

“Alam ko na kung paano pinatay ang biktima,” he proudly claimed kaya napatingin sa kanya ang lahat maging ang mga pulis.

“Really, Gray?” Math excitedly said. “I have an idea too but I couldn’t find concrete evidence.”

“The concrete evidence is still in the culprit’s things,” Gray confidently said. “It’s such a petty trick that can be discovered sooner or later ngunit hindi na ‘yon inisip ng kriminal. Maybe that person is thinking of fleeing once the suspects are dismissed dahil sooner or later, the trick will be discovered.”

“Sino sa kanila?” tanong ng inspector. “Paano niya ‘yon ginawa?”

Diretsong tiningnan ni Gray si Macey. “It’s you, Macey.”
She froze in surprise ngunit ilang saglit lang ay nakabawi rin. “Ano’ng pinagsasabi mo? I told you, nasa Skygarden ako dahil nakita kong nag-uusap sila ni JB!”

“Yup, but you did your crime after he left,” sagot ni Gray. “You used her drunken state to kill her kaya nahirapan itong manlaban. You strangled the victim using the microphone wire from behind.”

“Pero, Gray, hindi ba wala namang strangulation marks ang biktima?” nagtatakang tanong ni Jeremy.

“There were strangulation marks, hidden in plain sight,” sagot niya.

Hidden in plain sight? Napatingin ako sa mga gamit ni Macey. That’s it!

Gray walked toward the table and grabbed some wipes from Macey’s things. Lumapit siya sa biktima at pinunas ‘yon sa leeg nito. Everyone gasped in surprise to see the marks caused by the microphone wire.

“You used the thing that’s in your makeup pouch—full coverage foundation and concealer. Also, the KTV room’s dim light added to the effect to make your crime seems perfect.

“Ginawa mo ‘yon matapos silang mag-usap ni JB to make him the primary suspect. But then some things were out of your control. You didn’t have enough time kaya nagpabili ka kina Krista to buy more time. ‘Tapos, itinapon mo ang natitirang tubig ninyo sa ilalim ng sofa since it’s suspicious to throw the water with the bottle in the trash bin. But then again, you didn’t expect na humiwalay si Erik sa kanya dahil balak nitong makipag-usap sa biktima.

“Maybe Krista told you Erik’s coming back so you panicked at aksidenteng naidampi mo ang foundation sa kanyang damit, leaving a trail of makeup. Hindi mo rin ‘yon napansin dahil agad ka nang lumabas ng room na ‘to at nagtago nang matapos mo na ang ginagawa mo.
“And it wasn’t true na si Krista ang unang nakadiskubre sa bangkay. It was actually Erik who stumbled on the wall sa gulat, thus creating a loud thud na siyang pumukaw sa atensyon ni Producer. He didn’t see you dahil sumilip lang siya at nang makaalis siya, you also flee and act as if nothing happened.”

“Natakot ako. . . .” pag-amin ni Erik. “Ayaw kong mapagbintangan lalo na’t hindi maganda ang huli naming pag-uusap. She slapped me for . . . kissing her. Galit na galit siya so I came to say sorry. Hindi ako makapaniwalang magagawa mo ‘yon sa kanya, Macey.”

Macey’s lips quivered and suddenly showed her true self— a woman of envy and rage. “Galit ako sa kanya! Siya na lang palagi ang magaling! Siya na ang matalino, siya na ang mabait. And then, when JB dumped her, nagpaturo siya sa ‘kin kung paano ang tamang pag-aayos—pagme-makeup. Guess what? Siya na ang maganda! Eh ‘di siya na! I hate how I worked hard while she work  normally pero siya palagi ang bida. Siya ang magaling sa mga mata ng lahat!” She started sobbing hard and expressed how much she hated her.

Mayamaya, nagulat kaming lahat nang lumapit sa kanya si Gray. “If you want to be better in everything, you shouldn’t have developed your envy toward others. Your envy grew stronger and you turned it to resentment. Instead of honoring all her success, you resent her for having great qualities instead of focusing on getting better. Shame on you.”

That just made her cry even more. She probably thought of the times when they’re still friends until she let anger, resentment, and jealousy changed what they used to be.

That’s how Gray closed the case that surprised everyone. We didn’t know another surprise awaits us before the night ends.