Highschool Detectives (File 1 Part 2)

CHAPTER 3: VACATION GONE WRONG

For the record, not everyone has the opportunity to gain privileged access to Amethy High as I did. Rivon revealed to all of us that Xavien was the reason I received a perfect score, even though I was the only one capable of deciphering Mr. Morris' code.

On the other hand, Xavien recognized me the day he yelled at me while honking his car horn. I will never forget that day. Iyon ang araw na nasilayan ko ang masungit niyang mukha na gusto kong lamutakin sa inis.

I know he has his reasons why he didn't tell me what he already knew in the first place at ipinaliwanag niya naman ‘yon sa akin—to protect me from his father's organization.

Sa hindi inaasahan pagkakataon, nasabit din pala ako ng makilala ko si Valerie aka Rivon. She was the main trap in our friendship at pinaniwala niya kami na mapagkakatiwalaan siyang tao. I even shared some of my secrets with her, ayoko na lang balikan ang mga alaalang iyon.

My purpose in Amethy High is not just to study and learn from different subjects, but also to hone my deduction ang critical thinking when solving a crime. It was hard to accept at first, dahil sa unang pagpasok ko pa lamang dito ay hindi na naging madali. And few months later, I was able to adapt to their environment at kung paano ang routine sa eskwelahan.

"So deal?" pag-aalok ni Xavien.

Napahawak sa baba si Ciandrei and I can see the doubtful expression on his face.

Nagdadalawang-isip pa siya kung tatanggapin niya ang alok ni Xavien.

"You're still good at negotiating, Xavien. And I'm totally impressed by your offer," may paghanga na sambit ni Ciandrei.

Well, kahit ako ay hindi inaasahan na sasabihin niya 'yon.

"Then it's a yes," Xavien stood up at humakbang papalapit sa lalaki. "You can tag along with us to discuss the case. Just make sure that your deduction would be interesting to solve it, I have high hopes to your own wits and prowess, Hermion."

Tinawanan lang siya nito saka tinapik ang kanyang balikat. Nagpatiuna na akong lumabas ng pintuan. Hindi kalayuan sa kinatatayuan ko ay natanaw ko ang isang pigura ng lalaki na nasa loob ng kotse, habang nakabukas ang bintana nito.

I guess he's waiting for us too long. Kanina pa kasi kami nasa loob, and we're still processing what happened. Gayon pa man ay nakatuon na ang atensyon namin sa isa pang kaso.

Nang makapasok kaming apat sa sasakyan ay lumingon sa amin si Mr. Morris, while Ciandrei is sitting on the front passenger seat.

"Here's the other details, Amie. Pwede mong I-check diyan ang mga nakuhang ebidensya sa crime scene." May inabot naman sa akin si Mr. Morris na isang blue documents at tiningnan ko ang nilalaman nito. "As for Xavien-"

Xavien quickly interrupted him. "I already scanned the files last night, kaya alam ko na ang ibang detalye tungkol diyan. We just need to get ahead at the crime scene."

Nagkatinginan pa sila ng ilang segundo saka tumango si Morris at itinuon ang atensyon sa manibela.

"If you say so," Morris retorted.

Pinaandar na niya ang makina at nagsimulang magmaneho. We're heading to the crime scene, and based on the victim's profile, mahigit isang buwan na pala mula nang mangyari ang pagpatay sa 23-year-old na babae.

She's Anaia Raquel Maddison, half Filipino-American model na galing sa mayamang pamilya. The news about her spread like wildfire here in London-she's popular, by the way. The news about her went on for weeks, at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin umuusad ang kaso niya.

The investigation about her death is still unknown because there's no single trace of the killer-from footprints to fingerprints o kahit na anong ebidensya tungkol sa taong ito. That's why we're heading to her house right now para makakuha ng iba pang detalye tungkol sa pagkamatay niya.