48

Past and Present Collision

"Some events in the past can alter what is ahead of us."

"What! My job partner is dead! How?"
The chief handed a note. It was allegedly from Private Investigator (PI) Elmer.
"Who wrote this? Elmer?" Shana seems doubtful.
"I also share the same sentiment that you have. The penmanship might be very close, but his ways tell me otherwise. In three years working with Elmer, he never made a disappearing act without personally telling me of his whereabouts," the chief recounted.
"Do you think Sir, he is still alive?"
"I am clueless. I don't want to doubt his wife but it seems that, eventhough she wanted to have the verification conducted, she showed little interest on starting up investigation. I don't want another PI to disappear... or die in vain."
"This is not the first time that a private investigator (PI) vanished, right?"
"In our job, we expect to meet death along. But we always hope that our end will be meaningful, has a purpose. For one to die without any chance of risking it in order to save a helpless soul is a worthless end for a PI. The more noble act, sacrificing for a job partner even to the point of death."
"I cannot understand your point Chief. Is there something that I need to know?" Shana kept on pushing for things to be clear.
"You are a rookie, you will not understand it yet."
"Yes I am! But Chief, how will I grow if you will not impart in me such wisdom in the job. Please help me comprehend things."
"You really remind me of him, a stubborn partner."
"What do you mean? Am I as effective as your buddy once?"
"Don't flatter yourself. You got his persistence, but the skills, I doubt it."
"You really are a discouraging leader. A pessimistic head of this group. I will prove to you that I can become a very good investigator. The time will come that I can."
"I guess, that time comes fast. Shana, the way I treat you, has a purpose."
"Here you go again. I am a rookie, and a late bloomer too. Please clarify things for me."
"A week ago, three persons died. One from our town specifically in Sitio Quatro, the other two from the town of Naga in District 3. This occurrence seems normal especially on our pandemic period. But something should not go unnoticed. They are not all males, they are working in different fields. Two are married, one is single, one is annulled. But all share the same age range, at 40 more or less. Right now we are still trying to confirm. But you know what happened?"
"What Sir?"
"The data of Statistics Offices were hacked. Intentions were not clear. But for me, I have an idea why. But I am already old. Someone needs to do the job."
"Me? But I am a rookie!"
"You are a rookie, but you are fearless. You are also careless sometimes so I am giving you a very good partner to look after your ways."
"How about my partner on vacation?
"This sounds negative but I guess he did not take a leave nor he is missing. He might have been killed already. So we have four casualties last week."
"How sure are you Sir on your speculations?"
"He turned 40 the other day."
"So?"
"What did I tell you of the other victims rookie. You still need to eat a lot."
"What should I do now, I mean where do I start?"
"Meet the SPArtans, at Peña Street. I will be there at 8:00 pm. Come alone."
"Got it Chief! Can I go now?"
"GET OUT OF HERE YOU ROOKIE!" the chief disabled the soundproof mode and slams the door after pushing Shana out.
"He is so mean to her. I was never treated that way in my rookie years," Kiary commented while Shana leaves with head bent in shame.