Challengers

21 : The Investigator's Conclusion

As someone who had always liked crime fiction since childhood, playing the part of the detective felt euphoric, but it was also frustrating.

Most detectives in books and shows would have days to investigate the crime, but Sayuri and I had to write an investigation report summarizing what could have happened last night with the limited information we obtained earlier.

Narinig ko ang pagbuntonghininga ni Sayuri sa tabi ko. "My gosh, ngayon ko na-realize na hindi talaga ako pang-mystery or crime genre. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba 'tong mga pinagsusulat ko."

I stared at the report I was writing, and immediately got embarrassed. Her concern was understandable as this wasn't her main genre, but if a writer like me who has written a mystery novel couldn't even win this challenge, it would seriously hurt my pride. Add to the fact that my teammates would surely tease me to no end if I failed, especially that guy.

Imagining his sneering face as he tells me how he would succeed if it were him was enough to disperse the doubt lingering in my head.

I drew a deep breath to regain my composure. Alright, let's focus.

Muli kong tiningnan ang notes ko at nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat. I made a four-part outline, each discussing the crime and evidence in detail. The first part was the Matters Investigated where I wrote the objective of the challenge: determining the circumstances surrounding the crime, finding the murder weapon, and revealing the murderer. Second, I narrated the victim's death under Facts of the Case, and then input my findings on the next part.

Isinulat ko ro'n ang mga dahilan kung bakit maaaring sila ang pumatay sa biktima. I wanted to at least exclude two names to narrow down the list, but everyone had strong motives to kill Mr. Gary, so I couldn't.

Napatingin ako sa staff na nagbabantay sa amin. "Uhm, excuse me? We can check the body again, right?" sabay turo ko sa crime scene na ilang metro lang ang layo sa amin.

The staff pondered for a few seconds. We were only forbidden to talk to the suspects after interrogating them, but they didn't say we couldn't check the crime scene again.

Nang tumango ang staff ay agad akong naglakad papunta sa cubicle ni Mr. Gary at naramdaman kong sumunod si Sayuri sa akin.

"Whoa, puwede palang i-check ulit?" she remarked while searching through the victim's table for the second time.

Tumayo naman ako sa likuran ng katawan na nakahandusay sa mesa. Leaning closer, I realized it was a stab wound and not a cut. Ngayon ko lang din napansin na sa upuan at mesa lang tumulo ang dugo niya. If that was the case, then that would change a lot of things.

First, he was probably stabbed while he was sitting. The blood splatters would have been bigger if he were stabbed while he was standing. The victim was also tall, but the wound's angle clearly showed that it was done by someone much taller than him. Unless there was a seven-foot-tall suspect, this was a proof that he was sitting when he was stabbed from behind.

Also, I discovered a huge clue after realizing the placement of his stab wound, and that would narrow down the list of suspects.

"Pero nasaan kaya ang murder weapon?" tanong ni Sayuri. "Tingin mo tinapon na ng murderer?"

"I'm sure it's still here."

I already had an idea where it was, but first, I needed to confirm my suspicion.

Matapos naming isulat ang report ay muling ipinatawag ang suspects. Now, we needed to announce who the murderer was.

"Nalaman n'yo na ba kung sino ang pumatay kay Gary?" tanong ni Arin.