A The Mark Of A Stallion Novel:CLAIMING THE VIRGIN'S BLOOD (Published)

Chapter 7.1

Sandro was restless. He never felt this kind of worries all his life. He was walking endlessly on the veranda of his mansion while sipping his favorite wine from the glass on his right hand. From the veranda, he could see a group of media people clustering outside the gate of Montreal compound. He knew what each of these people want, a news scoop. Bawat isa ay gustong makakuha ng konkretong impormasyon tungkol sa nangyaring holdapan at sa bangkay na natagpuan sa loob ng storage room ng Montreal museum.

A heavy sigh escaped from his throat. The recent hold up incident was easy to explain to these people. What really troubling him now was the cadaver of his worker who was obviously killed in a horrible way inside his territory. Ngayon lang nangyari ito at hindi siya handa para sa ganitong suliranin.

Nakarinig siya ng mahihinang katok sa pinto ng kanyang master's bedroom kasunod ay ang dahan-dahang pagbukas niyon. Sumilip mula sa likod ng dahon ng pinto si Gab. Like him, he looked upset.

"Come in, Gab," he said dryly. He knew Gab very well. He was a jolly person. His unusual appearance today signaled that something was bothering him also. "Ano'ng sabi sa autopsy report, Gab?"

"According to the report from the crime laboratory, Mang Victor could have been killed using a very sharp axe. The killer might be very strong for he did it in just one strike. Aside from that, there are marks of fingers and hands on his nape and neck which indicate that he was probably strangulated using the killer's bare hands. There were also broken bones on his ribs, hip and legs which means that he was thrown from a distance."

"So Major Mondragon was right." He clenched his fist. "My God!" Ano'ng klaseng kriminal ang pwedeng gumawa ng ganoong karumal-dumal na pagpatay? At bakit napakalakas ng loob nito na gumawa ng krimen sa lugar na maraming tao?"

"But something more horrible incident happened last night near the Montreal property, Sandro."

"What?'

"Isang bangkay ng dalaga ang natagpuan sa masukal na bahagi ng Ligaya Drive kaninang umaga, Sandro, few meters away from the boundary of Montreal property. Malinaw na pinagsamantalahan muna siya bago namatay o pinatay."

He unconsciously wiped his face with his bare hand. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig. Tagaytay City was one of the most peaceful places in the upland area of Cavite. That's why when his parents who both came from Bulacan bought a property here when he was still young, they decided to put up their business here. Bukod sa tahimik ay palakaibigan, masisipag at masayahin ang mga naninirahan dito. Kung may krimen man ay mangilan-ngilan lang ang mga iyon at hindi brutal katulad ng naganap ngayon.

"I have to cancel all the tours and activities in the museum, Sandro. Hidi natin puwedeng ipakipagsapalaran ang buhay ng ating mga guest kapalit ng halagang ibabayad nila. The police maybe right, the killer may just hiding near or somewhere inside the compound and is waiting to attack again anytime."

"You are right, Gab. You just did the right thing. And kindly handle also the media outside the gate. Be careful not to harm the business when you answer their queries. Ikaw na muna ang bahala. I know you know what to do. I trust you so much."

"Okay. Major Troy Mondragon is at the sala. He wants to talk with you."

"Okay. I'll see him in just a couple of minutes," he said while putting down the wine glass on the round table in front of him. He watched Gab as he silently left the room.

He flung his one hand on his face and pressed his fingers against his temple. Medyo mabigat ang pakiramdam niya ngayon. Malaking pera ang mawawala sa kanyang negosyo kapag hindi nila na-solve ang krimen. But who cares? He had enough money. Even if he closed the museum, it won't affect his billions. But he was thinking of his employees who were supporting their families through their job in the museum. Another thing was that, his parents loved this business very much especially his father who was a famous archaeologist. For the sake of his employees and his parents, he would continue its operation. What was needed now was to catch the killer so that the museum could go back to its normal business again.