Deceiving The Star [Cosmos Series#3]

Kabanata 16

Walang salitang bumaba ako ng kotse ni Archer. I heard him calling my name but I ignored it.

The siren is all I can hear. Nakapalibot sa lugar ang mga pulis. I saw a car in the middle of the yellow barricade tape. Napasinghap ako nang makilala kung kanino ang kotseng iyon. My mouth fell opened as my tears started rolling down my cheeks when I saw the car. My heart pounded beneath my ribcage. I clutched my chest as I gasped for air. Napatakip ako sa aking bibig gamit ang aking palad at tahimik na lumuha.

Dasher's car was a wrecked. Nakabangga sa poster ang kotse niya at tadtad iyon ng bala. Basag ang bintana ay mukhang binangga rin ang likurang bahagi dahil sa laki ng sira roon.

My knees wobbled as I tried to walked near his car but a policeman stopped me. "Ma'am, bawal po sa loob."

I looked at the crime scene inspector inside the barricade. He's busy inspecting Dasher's car.

Naramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin. I turned and saw Archer looking at the crime scene with his jaw clenching as his eyes darkened.

"Arch." Hilam ang mga matang tumitig ako sa kanya. "Magiging maayos siya 'di ba?"

"Archer," I pulled his suit when he didn't answer.

Marahan niya akong hinila patungo sa kanyang dibdib at doon na walang tigil na bumuhos ang aking mga luha. "He'll be alright, Sweetie," He whispered like he's also convincing hisself.

"Attorney Fonacier." Bahagya akong lumayo kay Archer nang marinig ang tumawag sa kanya.

I saw the inspector, he's now in front of us, directly looking at Archer.

"Inspector Soliman," Bati ni Archer at kinamayan ang inspector.

"I assumed Dr. Alterio's your client."

Archer nodded. "What happened? Did you saw something?"

"Sira ang preno." Bahagya pang napabaling ang inspector. "May nakita 'kong baril sa loob ng kotse, mukhang lumaban si Doc." Mariin akong napapikit at isinandal ang ulo sa balikat ni Arch.

"He definitely would," Archer whispered.

"Kung ganoon ang nangyari sa kotse, malabong mabuhay ang kliyente mo, Attorney." Nagpanting ang aking tainga dahil sa narinig. I heaved a sarcastically, audible breath.

I immediately faced the inspector as I slapped his face. "Astrid!" Archer held my arms. Para bang natahimik ang paligid at ang tunog lang ng aking sampal ang nangibabaw sa lugar.

Namimilog ang mga matang tinitigan ko ang inspector. I pointed my finger on him. Si Archer naman ay pigil nang pigil sa akin. "How dare you say that!" I shouted. "You aren't a doctor so shut the fuck up!" Marahas kong pinalis ang mga kamay ni Arch na nakahawak sa aking braso.

Matalim kong tinignan ang inspector bago bumalik sa loob ng kotse ni Archer. Marahas kong pinalis ang aking mga luha at ikinalma ang sarili. It took me a few minutes before I finally calmed down.

Bumalik si Archer sa kotse. His eyes darted at me. "You okay?"

Tango lang ang naisagot ko sa kanya.

He started the engine as he maneuvered the car.

"Kapag nalaman ko kung sino ang gumawa noon kay Dash." The side of Archer's lips rose. "Magkamatayan na." His voice became firm and dangerous.

A frown creased on my forehead. "I thought its Devaughne?"

He quickly glanced at me. "Huh? May sinabi ba 'kong Devaughne?"

I blinked. "You told me over the phone."

"Ang sabi ko, posibleng Devaughne. You didn't let me finish. Posibleng Devaughne, posibleng Stonesteel, posible ring Rozelli o Amherst, iyon dapat ang sasabihin ko kung hindi mo lang ako binabaan ng tawag." He looked at me with a mocking face.