Excelium III: End Point

Kabanata 17

"Where are you heading?" Kaagad na tanong ni Ero nang patuloy na naglakad palayo ang dalaga pagkalabas nila ng opisina. "As far as I am aware, that isn't where we'll be holding our conversation, Zai."

Asta stared at Zai's back as she walk away with no reply. Akmang susundan na ito ng doktor ngunit isang kamay sa balikat ang pumigil dito. She looked back to Asta who's giving him a stern gaze as she shakes her head. Ibinalik ni Asta ang kaniyang mga mata sa likod ng dalaga. "Belair St. Block 12, room 15. We'll be waiting there."

Nang mawala na sa kanilang paningin ang pigura ng babae ay binitawan ni Asta ang balikat ng lalaki at tinaasan ito ng kilay. "Even soldiers have times like this, are you dense? You quack."

--

"You weren't the type to lay low, so I was suprised not hearing anything from you," Rui maintained his eye contact with Trois. "The others as well weren't exactly worried about your well-being. We were more worried for those who you'll encounter. You have a rash character, after all."

Walang komentong ibinigay ang kausap. Simula nang dinala ito sa interrogation room ay walang ingay ang narinig mula dito. Nanatili itong nakatitig sa binatang nasa kabilang banda ng lamesa habang hindi nakikitaan ng kung anumang usual na emosyon ang mga titig nito.

"Are you gonna remain silent?" Hindi pa rin sumagot ang binata. Rui sighed and slid the folder to Trois' side. Mula sa binata ay ibinaba ni Trois ang kaniyang tingin sa isang litrato ng nakatalikod na lalaki na naglalakad papasok ng isang establisyemento. "Why is Shane snooping around the black market? Quite bold for someone like him."

"Don't know." kaagad na sagot ni Trois.

"We found out you were in contact with him for the past four years, surely you know." Rui's eyes sharpened. "Was he the one who instructed you to head to General Yan and Clay's location? Why?"

"Don't know. To kill you?"

Rui's brow twitched. "To kill me...? Shane did?" Trois didn't confirm. Hinila pabalik ni Rui ang papeles at ipinihit ito paharap sa kaniya. He stared at the picture as he tap his finger on the table. He must've realize I'm a nuisance, though it is shocking to hear it was his order. Aside from that, it's good we confirmed these two were indeed been in contact. He was also informed I was initially assigned to that task, did he plant someone here?

Tumingin siya kay Trois at muli itong tinanong. "I don't think you're lying. Then that means you just follow his orders around and you won't even ask about his activities?" Katulad ng kanina ay walang ibinigay na kompirmasyon ang lalaki. Rui's eyes squinted. It's a relief I decided to investigate into Shane's movements. I found some things that are barely usable but with this, I don't think I can ignore that coward's presence any longer. It's annoying.

Tiniklop niya ang folder at idiniretso ang kaniyang likod. "So? You voluntarily locked yourself here to wait for an opportunity to aim for my head?" He smiled. "That'll be a problem, on your part of course."