WITH EYES TO THINK (Completed)

CHAPTER 49: ARSON CASE (Memory)

CHAPTER 49

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"MAY NAKAAWAY ba kayong hindi taga-rito? For us to know if may possibility na outsider ang gumawa nito sa inyo."

It's already 11 in the morning when the Police-Detective, Rudolf Magindugon, went back to the Corteses to ask some details that would help the case.

They were talking just in front of their house. The police- detective was holding a small notebook and pen to take some notes.

"Mayroong naging competitor dati, pero hindi naman namin masasabi na aabot sila sa ganitong punto," sagot ni Puferto. Siya ang mas nakakaalam nito kasi siya palagi yung lumalabas sa probinsiya para sa pag-import at export.

"During our investigation outside, we could reconsider na ito pala ay isang aksidente. May nakita kaming empty lamp sa tabi ng kulungan n'yo ng mga hayop. Baka ito ang pinagmulan ng sunog. However, still, we are convinced na ito ay sinadya. Either way, we will find more evidence to support which is which," the detective stated.

The couple slightly glanced at each other and gave the detective a nod.

"Thank you, Mr. Detective. Kung may katanungan pa po kayo, feel free to ask," saad ni Teresa. Sumilip siya sa likuran ng detective pa bigyan ng isang tango ang isang lalaki---ang fire expert.

Police-Detective Magindugon showed his smile. "Walang problema, we're here to help."

"Kain po pala kayo, malapit ng mag tanghali," paanyaya ni Teresa sabay lahad ng kaniyang mga kamay patungo sa loob ng kanilang bahay.

"Nako, huwag na. Doon na lamang kami kumain sa tabi-tabi. At saka, hindi pa naman kami nagugutom. I also believed in what Sherlock Holmes, my idol, said that brain best work with an empty stomach," pahayag nito sabay hawak sa kaniyang tiyan.

"Kung ganun po, mag-ingat na lamang po kayo," Teresa told him.

The detective then slowly puts his small notebook inside his pocket located on his chest, together with the pen. "Huwag kayong mag-alala sa amin. Oh, siya, ipagpapatuloy na namin ang imbestigasyon," sabi niya sabay talikod na sa mag-asawang Cortes.

Teresa and Puferto, on the other hand, also turned their backs to get inside their house.

However, nakailang hakbang pa lamang ang nagawa ni Rudolf Magindugon ay nagsalita ulit siya, dahilan upang matigil rin ang mag-asawa.

"Before I forgot. The police called us a while ago na sinarado muna ng panandalian ang daan patungo sa ibang baryo. This is to insure that if ever one of your neighbors was held accountable for this case, incase someone tries to escape," sabi nito sabay harap muli sa mag-asawa. "But, no worries, best detective in town is here. Mayamaya lang, we could finally give our conclusion."

Then, he and the fire expert continued walking.

With what the detective just said, Teresa's and Puferto's eyes widened. Parang napako ang kanilang paa sa kanilang kinatayuan dahil sa gulat at pangamba na kanilang nadarama. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa na may parehas na reaksiyon sa mukha.

"Well, well, well..."

Mula sa kanilang emosiyon, dahan-dahang napalingon ang dalawa sa boses na bigla nilang narinig. And there, they saw the three ladies... again.

"E-Eudora..." nauutal na tugon ni Teresa sa nagsalita. Pagkatapos ay tumingin siya sa dalawa pa. "Sansa, Deli, b-bakit ulit kayo---"

"Bakit ulit kami naparito?" the woman named Eudora scoffed. "Akala ko ba hindi n'yo na lang paiimbistigahan ang nasunog n'yong sakahan? Look, our neighborhoods were stuck. Pinagbibintangan n'yo ba kami?" with that, the three both raised their eyebrows.