Case on a Silver Platter [Course 1]

Chapter 8: Hit Three People with One Symbol II (Weird Woes)

Kalliope

Mag-a-alas kwatro na nang magkita kaming muli nila North at Theia sa tapat ng College of Business and Accountancy building matapos naming maghiwalay kanina. We sat there and started to convene on what we have found out.

“We identified who those two students were.” Panimula ko. “The girl with long hair is called Sarah Acerdano at Hiro Sanchez naman ‘yong lalaki. Confirmed din na magkaklase ang tatlo, they were close friends also.”

“Trio nga raw sila sabi n’ong napagtanungan naming lalaki kanina. Parang magbe-bestfriend sila kung gan’on.” Dagdag naman ni Theia dahil magkasama kami kanina sa pagtanong sa lalaking ‘yon.

“Those two also didn’t leave the campus. Well, no one can. For some reason, the police were on standby at the school entrance.” North looked at us. “The school is on some sort of a lock down. And that can only mean one thing.”

“This case really is a murder one.” I muttered. “And the police are preventing the possible suspect to escape.”

That’s the only explanation on why they are guarding the gate. Kung simpleng insidente lamang ang pagkamatay ni Juanito, hindi na sila mag-aabala pang mag-abang sa may gate. And they seemed to be doing that discreetly as possible.

“Pero sabi niyo kanina na posibleng umaga pa lang ay nilason na si Juanito, ‘di ba? May chance na nakaalis na sa campus ang gumawa n’on.” Theia pointed out.

Posible nga ‘yon. The culprit had enough time to escape from the scene earlier before the body was discovered. If that’s the case, the police’s efforts in guarding the entrance would be pointless. Baka nagbabakasakali lang sila na matyempuhan ang may sala ngayon?

“They might be trying to prevent the culprit to escape, but they must have known the fact that Juanito possibly died that morning when he didn’t attend their classes.” Napahawak si North sa kaniyang baba habang nanliit ang mga mata. “There must be some other reason why they’re still here. Something that they know and we are not aware of, like what poison killed that student.”

May iba pang pakay ang mga pulis kaya nandito pa sila? What would that be?

“I bumped into our girl, Sarah Acerdano, earlier in the girl’s restroom. Sinubukan ko siyang kausapin pero aligaga siya at takot na takot. I can’t seem to talk to her properly dahil iba ang sinasabi nito.” I can still remember how she reacted and flinched relentlessly. Balisa rin ito at patingin-tingin sa paligid na parang may nakasunod sa kaniya. “Kung tama ang narinig ko, she’s muttering a prayer earlier.”

“Siya ba ‘yong sumigaw kanina sa CR, Kalli?” I nodded at Theia. “Nagulat nga ako kanina kaya dali-dali akong lumabas ng cubicle.”

“A prayer? There must be a connection with those two.” Bahagyang tumingala si North para makapag-isip. “Juanito was found holding a rosary. What could those mean?”

“Nasabi rin pala n’ong lalaki na kanina lang 2:30 pm hindi pumasok sila Sarah at Hiro. That serves as their alibi and proof of innocence.” Theia tried to recalled what that male student said. “Akala nga raw nila ay muling bumalik ang tatlo sa Watch Tower. ‘Yan lang lahat ang nakuha namin.”

“They went to the Watch Tower? I thought that that area was off limits because it was already in ruins. Why would they go there?”