Crime In Love Line

Chapter 32

"Only one man went for the shoot to Mrs. Niah Salcedo. But everything was planned by a group of force named 'Oscuridad'."

My hands were trembling as well as my lips, unabling me to utter a single word. I tapped my fingers through the table, refusing to have eye contact with any of them, including my brother.

"We had a witness who's also a member of the aforementioned group. She dropped the names of every single member of Oscuridad."

I closed my eyes, knowing that I could digest no more information.

"One of those people was Jiro, Lianne." Rinig ko ang boses ni kuya Ethan. Nakayuko pa rin ako at madiin na ipinipikit ang mga mata.

"The witness refused to give more information about our investigation. However, when she's in our hands, she commits suicide."

Kinurot ko sa ilalim ng lamesa ang sariling mga hita. I can't process. I can't open my mouth to talk.

"Now we want you to tell us the truth, Ms. Salcedo. Do you know anything about this? Can you help us locate the residence of Oscuridad?"

Finally, I opened my eyes and gave each of them a sharp glance. Huminto ang pag-ikot ng mga mata ko kay kuya.

"How are you so sure that your witness tells no lies?"

"Lianne!" Binantaan ako ni kuya.

"Jiro is innocent! How come you're involving someone in this case na hindi naman—"

"You're defending a criminal, Lianne!"

"Shut up, kuya! Paano naging—"

"Did he attend mom's funeral? No! Did he show up in her burial? No! Was he acting strange to you since that incident? Yes! May itinatago 'yang lalaking yan sa'yo! He's a fucking criminal!" Kuya Ethan roared.

I was stunned for a minute. I felt my chest tightened so I had to get a grip from my shirt. My vision was now blocked by the tears pooling through the corners of my eyes.

"Lianne—" sinubukang kuhanin ni kuya ang mga kamay ko ngunit iniiwas ko ito. He turned around to the men. "Just...give her time to process."

I was locked up with my thoughts. Ako ang tanging nakakakilala kay Jiro. I know his traits, from good to bad. But none of it was an urge to join a group of criminals to take down innocent lives.

Malinis naman ang pamumuhay niya, di'ba? He's just an ordinary college student with a burning passion that leads toward his dreams. He's just...a person. Someone who's thriving to be someone.

I'm a living witness of how good of a person he is. Kung gaano mapagmahal at maalaga si Jiro.

But how can I anticipate everything when it's right in front of me? When his actions were already an existing evidence to have doubts on him.

"T-tell me more about the dialogues of the witness..." I uttered with a weak voice, only staring at my legs down the table. I can't afford to look at anyone. I can't afford to lay my eyes on these cruel surroundings.

"Someone paid Oscuridad to terminate your mother. There's already an investigation running about it. Ngunit mas mapapadali ang paghahanap sa nagpapatay sa mommy niyo, kung mat-trace natin kaagad ang Oscuridad."

"Morales was seen on the airport on the exact day your mother was shot." Nagsalita ang isa pang lalaki. "Is that enough to hear?"

I remembered the day at the airport. The day he stopped responding to my messages. Kaya ba ganoon ay dahil, alam niya ang magiging pagkamatay ni mommy?

There are too many questions. Too many fucking questions.

I clenched my fist, wanting so bad to refuse to believe them. But this is about the fucking death of my mother. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang mararamdaman. Mourning for my mom's death, anger towards the people behind this, or excruciating pain towards this revelation about Jiro.