Case on a Silver Platter [Course 1]

Chapter 3: Pavel's Folklore

Kalliope

The arson incident have been solved and the culprit was already arrested. How ironic that the arsonist was also studying the field that put him behind bars. I should feel happy that the incident that caused us distressed was handled with justice. But I couldn’t.

The same thing ran in the minds of Theia and North as we were seated on a bench near the burnt fast food chain.

There’s still more to this than what we thought was the conclusion. Something bigger is behind this clever ploy.

“He introduced himself as the manager of Magic Table.”

Alfredo left those words before he was taken away by the police. In all technicalities, he also the one to blame for this incident. He coaxed Alfredo into commiting the crime by exploiting his vulnerabilities. The more I think about it, he’s becoming a more sinister man in my head.

Hilstheia sighed beside me. “Saan kaya ako mag-a-apply ngayon? I doubt that the shop would be reconstructed immediately. At kailangan ko ng pera.”

On her other side, North heard her woes. “Don’t worry, the manager will still take responsibility of what happened. He will act accordingly with the contract you've signed. I’m sure he will find an alternative.”

Tila napanatag ang babae dahil medyo sumigla na ang itsura nito. Sumandal ako sa back rest ng bench at tumingala. Pasado alas-sinco na at medyo dumudilim na ang langit. The golden hues in the sky is slowly turning into a darker color.

Naisip kong muli si Jean. Okay na kaya siya? Did she regain consciousness already? At may sunog din siya sa kaliwang kamay. Sana lang ay hindi iyon mag-iwan ng bakas. Tinignan ko ang laptop na nasa binti ko ngayon nakapatong. Mabuti na lang talaga at naisipan kong kunin ito kanina dahil nandito ang project naming dalawa. Mahihirapan kaming tapusin ito bukas kung sakaling nadamay ito sa sunog. Hindi rin makakatulong na injured siya ngayon kaya ako ang tatapos nito mamaya.

You must be asking how did we three ended up together? Well, after the police left, the manager, Mr. Perua also excused himself to discuss something about his lawyer and left. Inihatid niya na rin sa kani-kanilang bahay ang tatlong staffs na natira. Naiwan kaming tatlo rito at napagpasyahang maupo muna dahil kanina pa kami nakatayo habang isino-solve ang case.

“If you two want, you can already go to your homes. There’s nothing else here to stay for. The case was solved,” North turned to us.

Kahit na sinabi nitong wala nang dapat itagal pa rito, alam ko na meron pa siyang iniisip. At parang pare-pareho kaming tatlo. Hindi pa ito completely solved.

“What are your names again? I don’t think we already introduced ourselves.”

“Hilstheia Hernandez.”

“Kalliope Frias.”

“Nice meeting you two. I’m Nor—” hindi nito natapos ang sasabihin dahil sumabat si Theia sa kaniya.

“North Seamus Valdez.” She stated in a matter of fact tone. “The Governor’s son, SLU student, CAS Department, first year Psychology student, second child, one of the Eligeres. Oh, yes, we know you.”

Hindi lang si North ang nabigla. Pati ako napanganga sa mga sinabi ni Theia. How come she knew all of this information? Parang daig pa nito ang stalker kung mang-background check, ah. Kulang na lang kung ano ang birthdate, blood type, signs, at mga favorites nito para makumpleto.