Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 34

Chapter 34

"We already trace the bank account that was used." Castiel opened some files on the wide monitor in front of us. We're inside of some office or technical room here in Ronoua Headquarters. It showed some numbers and photos I am not even familiar with. "Thankfully, they only used one account for all the transactions."

I eyed the monitor carefully. I assumed what Castiel showed us was some IP address. I crossed my arms on my chest and silently observed everything. Rohen was just standing behind me, also silent the whole time.

Ever since the rumors about him came out, we didn't have the time to talk about it. Maybe because of the cold walls starting to build between us when I rejected his proposal, or there are just more important things we should pay attention to. Like this.

We can't just run and catch our breath because of everything that has been thrown at us lately.

And we just really showed up here together because of the investigation.

"And? That helped solve everything?" I turned my direction to Castiel with a lot of questions plastered on my face.

He stood up straight after operating the monitor, he put both his hands on his waist where his gun was hanging. "Made the investigation faster and easier." sagot nito. He started walking towards us and stopped two meters away from me, he also crossed his arms on his chest. "We tracked one account, it also has one IP address that was so hard to find. Thanks to our hacker for cracking it overnight." he chuckled but seriously was all on his face.

There will be no way you can joke around a Ronoua like him. Hindi mo mahuhuluan kung anong naglalaro sa utak niya, kung natutuwa ba siya o bigla na lang pasasabugin ang ulo mo.

"And what did you find out?" tanong ko ulit. Hindi na makapaghintay.

"Masyadong maingat kung sino man ang totoong may-ari ng account na ito. It was under a woman named Dessa Galiano. Fifty five years old. Nagrun kami ng background check, at sampung taon nang patay si Dessa Galiano." may inutusan itong mag-open ng isa pang file sa amin at nakita ko ang fake information ng bank account. "She was based in Cebu, but the transactions were made from Manila under her name."

I gasped silently. This is something else. They used a deceased person for cover up?

Nagkatinginan kami ni Castiel. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang paglapit sa amin ni Rohen kahit nananahimik lang ito.

"They bought her personal information to build an account." konklusyon ni Castiel.

Napahinga ako ng malalim. What kind of person will do this?

"Hindi na ito bago sa kalakaran ng mga illegal at mayayamang tao, to cover their crimes. Same patterns, same techniques. Which made it easier for us, because we're used to this. Encountered it many times." patuloy ni Castiel.

"So? Did you find out who was really behind the account? You got the IP address right?" I probed again. I could feel my body getting tense but I knew whatever I heard was just the start. I need to prepare myself.

Castiel commanded the computer guy again and a map showed on the big screen. He tapped it and it directed to some street in Mandaluyong. Ngunit nanliit ang mata ko nang lumabas ang isang pangalan doon. Sumulyap ako kay Rohen na nakatingin rin sa screen bago binalik ang mata ko doon.

I swallowed hard and I started to panic inside.

"Lamirez law firm. Did it ring a bell? Sounds familiar to you?" harap sa akin ni Castiel.

Sinalubong ko ang titig niya. Naiyukom ko ang kamao. Why didn't I think of this? Hanap kami ng hanap sa mastermind, bakit hindi ko naisip na baka malapit lang siya? O nasa paligid ko lang siya?