Case on a Silver Platter [Course 1]

Chapter 6: Faint Inkling I (Familiar Sound)

Kalliope

What we thought to be a dead end in our chase at the arson mastermind seemed to spark once again. The uncanny similarities of the recent abduction incident and the past arson case was superficial. It’s hard to dismiss the possibility that the two are connected.

The Sports Festival continued as the second day came. Mas maraming sports events ang naka-schedule ngayon dahil tapos na ang opening kahapon. Nakaupo kami ngayon nila Mika at Renz sa may bleachers habang nanonood ng men’s volleyball. Kasalukuyan kasing naglalaro ngayon ang team mula sa department namin at kailangan daw suportahan at nandito rin kasi ang attendance ngayong umaga.

Nasa ikalawang set na ngayon ang laban at lamang kami ng isang set point. Tuwing nakakaiskor ang players namin ay agad itong nasusundan ng malakas na hiyawan mula sa mga nakadilaw. Our department are getting the hang of the game and is gaining momentum. The opponent team called for a timeout kaya nagtipon-tipon muna ang mga players kasama ang coaches nila.

From our team’s side, we can see our Science, Technology, and Society instructor Sir Jeremiah Castro coaching the players. On the sidelines, nakatayo naman ang ilang CEng council members upang mag-assist sa players na kasama. Even the College of Engineering Council’s Governor Harold Gutierrez graced the game. Napaka-hands on nito sa mga laro ng aming team dahil grabeng pagpaplano ang ginawa nito bago ang bawat laro. Not to mention its last week's hussle just to prepare for the games beforehand.

Matapos ang time out ay nagpatuloy na ang laro. And once again, our team emerged victorious on the battle. Nagsikamay na ang magkalabang koponan at nag-picture ang team. I can see some students with cameras are taking pictures also, wearing a maroon polo shirt. As far as I can remember, no college department team was assigned that color. May lalaki rin sa baba na nakasalamin na lumapit sa mga players namin. May dala itong notepad at ballpen. He scribbled something as he talked to the captain ball of our team.

Muli nang nag-ayang pumunta sa canteen ang dalawa para mag-lunch. Hindi gaya kahapon, nakasuot na sila ngayon ng casual na damit. We ordered our usual meals and started eating. And of course, hindi makokompleto ang araw na ‘to kung walang bagong issue sa Daily Gossips ni Mika.

“Guys, narinig niyo na ba? Lorenzo was right all along. Fake news na nakipagtanan si Jefferson at ‘yong Gabrielle sa CoEd. It turns out, na-kidnap ang bababe!” Bulalas ni Mika. “And what’s more shocking? Si Jefferson ang salarin! Can you believe that? Grabeng plot twist naman pala n’on!”

Right. The case that North, Theia, and I solved yesterday involved those two. Matapos namin matagpuan ang nakakaawang si Gabrielle sa apartment ni Jefferson kahapon, agad itong idinala sa hospital habang si Jefferson naman ay dinampot ng pulis. Nang malaman namin na hindi siya ang nagplano ng pagdukot, we went directly to the hospital to check on the victim. Mabuti at may number ni Azrael si North kaya nalaman namin kung saang hospital dinala si Gabrielle.

The three of us entered the room where Gabrielle lay on her bed, pale and bruised. Hindi gaya kanina, mas malinis na siya ngayon at may mga bandage ang mga sugat. Kausap nito si Azrael na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama. Tears were streaking out of the woman’s eyes and the man beside her wiped it. When Azrael took notice of our entrance, he stood up and motioned us to sit down.

“I can’t thank you guys enough in saving Gabrielle from Jefferson’s grasp!” He beamed at us, eyes wet. “Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kapag may nangyaring masama kay Gab.”