"Catch Me, Attorney." (Law Series #4 || Season 1 & 2)

PART NINE: "Same Dog, Different Collar."

"Lyle Heimsworth..."

I can't move nor talk. All eyes were on him, and he didn't seem to like it.

Agad na napatayo si Hale at ganoon din ako. Si Prosecutor Jax naman ay nasa pinto at nakangiwi. Halatang hindi nito malaman ang gagawin ngayong nakita ni Lyle na kasama niya ako at binisita pa si Hale.

Hale, on the other hand, looked like he was panicking. Pinagpapawisan ito at namumula ang mukha.

Lyle remained silent for a couple of seconds. At dahil nga walang emosyon ang mukha niya, hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresyon niya.

Why he wasn't shocked? Was he expecting me to be here?

"L-Lyle..." nauutal na sabi ni Hale. "Anong... ginagawa mo rito?"

Lyle looked at him with bored eyes. Whether he was just observing him or mocking him inside his head, I can't distinguish which.

"Is there anything—"

"My mom sent you a meal," putol ni Lyle kay Hale. His voice was as emotionless as his face. "The police are inspecting it."

Doon ako napatingin kay Hale. Bahagya itong ngumiti.

"Salamat," sabi nito. "Naka-uwi na mom mo?"

Tipid na tumango si Lyle pero makikita mo na hindi ito interesado.

"I went here to see you just in case my mom asks if I really went here," Lyle said without even a bit of sincerity in his voice. "I'll go."

"Sige," sagot ni Hale. "Ingat..."

Lyle looked at him and turned his back without looking at me—as if I was someone nonexistent.

Inilagay ni Lyle ang kamay niya pabalik sa bulsa ng coat niya at nagsimula nang maglakad. Ilang segundo lang ay natigil ito sa paglalakad nang magsalita si Hale.

"Salamat, Lyle..."

I looked at Hale and he was getting emotional.

"Salamat... sa pag-alala sa 'kin," sabi nito at ngumiti nang malungkot. "You're the first one... who visits me from the class."

Lyle wasn't moving or saying anything. Nakatalikod lang siya at hindi manlang lumilingon. In a snap, he walked away again without even responding or acknowledging Hale's statement.

Nang mawala siya sa paningin namin ay agad na pumasok si Prosecutor Jax sa loob at isinara ang pinto.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" nagpa-panic nitong tanong. "BAKIT NANDITO 'YON?!"

Hindi sumagot si Hale at lalong nagsimulang maging emosyonal.

"May nakaka-alala pa pala sa 'kin..." bulong nito at naluluhang ngumiti.

"Hale, hindi ito ang panahon para riyan," sabi ni Prosecutor Jax. "Bakit nandito si Lyle? Alam ni Lyle na ako ang prosecutor ng kaso mo. Ngayon, nakita niyang kasama natin si Reign. Hindi tanga ang batang 'yon!"

"Pinagdala lang daw ng pagkain," sagot ko at napalunok dahil nagsisimula nang kabahan.

"I know but why?!" tanong ni Jax.

"N'ong nakulong tatay ni Lyle, my family is one of the few people who didn't turn our back at them. Lyle's parents are obviously just... returning the favor," sabi nito.

Nasapo ni Jax ang noo niya at hindi mapakaling nagpalakad-lakad sa loob.

"Paano na 'to?" tanong niya. "Nakita niya lahat! Hindi natin alam ang ugali ng batang 'yon!"