Amidst The Darkness

Chapter 2: Inspecting the Body

Lovers Lake
7:00 a.m

"You know that woman?" chief asked. I nod.

"She's the girl I've been looking for" I answered.

"Oh, poor mother"he sympathetically said.

I got near the corpse and inspect the body.

Left handed, gymnast, owned two dogs, and also a ballerina.

"One stab on the heart and two on the stomach. The estimated time of death is at 9:00 p.m to 9:30 p.m" I nod my head while he keeps on giving me informations.

"The crime was discovered by one of the employees at 5:30 a.m."

I excused myself and approach the forensic officers.

"Where are the victim's belongings?"I asked. The forensic handed me the plastic where the things of the victim was placed.

Wallet, lipstick and stuffs, pen, handkerchief, and receipts. Wait. Something's missing.

"The phone. Where's the phone?" I turned my head again towards the forensic officer.

"Wala kaming nakitang cellphone." saad niya. "At saka hindi naman lahat may cellphone"

"No. It should be here." I said. Paanong walang cellphone eh i-me-meet niya yung internet boyfriend niya?

There's only two possibilities why the phone's wasn't found. First, culprit took it with him. Second, the victim intentionally left it to the culprit for us to track down her killer.

If it's her internet boyfriend, then it's explainable. The suspect doesn't want to be exposed so he took the phone with him. But if she intentionally left it....

But I am sure of only one thing. The cellphone is in the culprit's possession.

7:45 a.m

I'm with the person who first discovered the crime.

"Bernard Cruz. Nagsimula akong magronda bandang mga 5:10. Naglilinis ako ng mga basura. Bakit kasi hindi sila makaintinding huwag itapon ang basura kung saan- saan?. May signage na nga, hindi ba sila marunong magbasa?"he stated.

"Pagkatapos kong maglinis sa silangan banda kung saan nagtitinda ng pagkain, sa hilaga naman ako pumunta. Mas maraming basura roon, dun kasi maraming tumatambay dahil sa laki nang space."

"Tapos, nagpunta na ako sa timog kung saan ko nakita ang bangkay, wala masiyadong pumupunta roon dahil matatayog ang mga dahon, grass, pati mga puno. Grabeng gulat ko nung nakita ko yung bangkay! Buti nalang wala akong  sakit sa puso dahil baka nahimatay ako." mahabang litanya niya. Umakto pasiyang mahihimatay sabay hawak sa dibdib niya.

"Wala po ba kayong napansing kakaiba?"

"Wala naman."sagot niya. "Kung wala kanang itatanong, babalik na ako sa trabaho."tumango ako at nagpasalamat.

I sigh. Nothing useful.

8:45 a.m
Bexhill Street

I'm here in front of my client's house. I took a deep breath before pushing the doorbell.

A tall man opened the gate. 5'8 if I'm not mistaken. Balbas sarado Ang mukha nito, probably ma'am Ely's husband.

"Anong kailangan mo?"he looked at me with judging eyes. I showed him my police I.D.

Pinapasok niya kaagad Ako. " May Balita na na tungkol sa anak ko?"he asked while we're walking towards the door.

Hindi ako sumagot. Binuksan niya ang pinto, nakita ko ang asawa niyang nakaupo sa sofa. Tulala parin ito at wala sa sarili.

I heaved a sigh. Looks like she can't handle the news I'm about to say.

"Ma'am"I called, trying to get her attention. She looked at me, and when she recognized me, she quickly stood up and came closer.

"Ano!? Nahanap niyo na siya!? Nasaan siya!?" she shouted in front of my face.

I didn't answer. I look at her sympathetically.

"Ano!? Bakit hindi ka makasagot!? Ha!?" I turned to her husband and signaled him. He immediately obey.

Lumapit siya sa kanyang asawa. Iminuwestra niya ang upuan at inalalayan itong makaupo.

"We found your daughter ma'am, but she's already cold."

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?" yumuko ako.

"Your daughter is dead ma'am, natagpuan siya sa Lo-" Hindi ko natapos ang aking salaysay nang bigla itong humagulgol.

Tanging iyak niya lang maririnig sa sala. I turned to her husband and saw him crying silently. I bowed my head
to express my sympathy.

Two minutes have passed but she still hasn't stopped crying. Her husband went to the kitchen to get water and give it to his wife to drink, then he caressed her back.

"Tahan na" he gently said. He turned to me and asked "Nasaan na siya?"

"Morgue" he just nod. I excused myself to give them privacy. I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms.

Losing someone you love dearly is a feeling that everyone wants to avoid. It's like losing a piece of your heart because they took it with them causing all the parts to fall into small fragments.

But, we don't have a choice. We have to endure that feeling for us to move forward. You may not be able to see them, hold them, bond with them, but the memories you made will always be with you.

They emerged from their home thirty minutes later.They were already dressed. Although ma'am Ely was decent, tears were still streaming down her cheeks. The indications that she emerged from a fit of crying are also obvious.

10:00 a.m
Warcester Hospital

We arrive on our destination at exactly 10:00 a.m. We stepped out of my car and went to the hospital mortuary.

We're now in front of their daughters body. I noticed the trembling of their hands while removing the blanket that covered their daughter's corpse. When they confirmed that it was indeed their missing girl, ma'am Ely sobbed uncontrollably. I could also hear her husband sobbing. It took almost three minutes. When the crying subsided, ma'am Ely spoke;

"Sino!? Dining pumatay sa anak ko!?" She shouted. Tears were still streaming.

"Pagbabayarin ko kung sinong hayop ang gumawa sa kanya nito." her husband muttered emphatically.

I nod to show my agreement. "Gagawin namin ang lahat para mahuli ang suspek sa pagpatay sa anak niyo. Just wait, I'll keep you updated to everything." I assured them.

"Salamat" he smiled weakly. I nod and gave them an assuring smile.

"Sir, may I have your daughter's phone number?"