Eyes, Nose, Lips

02

Clandestine
_________

Jenna Araceno Sibalim, 24 years old, time of death: 4:45 AM, September 26, 2023.

"The victim suffered sexuāl abuse. The murderer rāped her and stabbed her many times using a knife. According to the results, physical evidence showed that there are injuries consistent with sexual assault; there are bruises to the genital area. DNA was also found on the victim, including bodily fluids or hair. . ."

I kept staring at the photos sent by Sir Colado. No matter how many times I looked at those, the method of killing the victims was always the same. One more thing that caught my eye was the Hummingbird sign on the left hand of the victims, which also appeared ten years ago in the Licarno family case.

"Officer Agoncillo? Officer?"

"Uy, Cy! Kanina ka pa tinatawag ni Deputy Chief Eva Colado. Bingi ka ba? O baka nagbibingi-bingian ka lang diyan?" narinig kong anas sa akin ni Shyra sa tabi ko kaya naman bumalik ang atensiyon ko sa diskusyon.

I was so distracted that I hadn’t even heard our Deputy Chief's voice.

"So, do you have something to share with us?" I heard her stern tone and noticed her raising her eyebrows.

"I noticed the hummingbird sign on all the victims' hands. As of now, there have been two cases like this—exactly the same. Walang pinagkaiba, pare-parehong may tatak sa kaliwang kamay ang mga biktima." I bit my lip and sighed.

"This isn't just the second incident this year; this serial killing began ten years ago. It started with a family, leaving all of them dead. The traces of the murderer still remains unknown." She added on my response along with her cold and expressionless stare.

"Are you referring to the Licarno family?" I doubtfully asked.

"Exactly! I handled this case last year, but still I can't find the whereabouts of the murderer. I have to catch that person; I have to catch him no matter what happens." She said clearly that it made me think she was suspicious.

Anong rason ang meron ka Deputy Chief Eva Colado. Why do you want to catch the murderer? Ano ang kinalaman mo sa kaso ng Licarno family?

"We need to interview the families of the victims. . ." I suggested.

"We can't do that in an instant, we need to process some papers."

"The only way to gather information and evidence is through the families of the victims. If you can't process the papers, ako na lang ang gagawa. I guess our Deputy Chief is busy." I looked at her in scrutiny, trying to mock her.
 
"Officer Agoncillo, processing the papers is not the problem here. Look, your attitude is way unprofessional. Huwag naman sana nating ihalo ang personal feelings sa trabaho." I saw her glared at me. She even raised an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry for being rude Deputy Chief Eva Colado."
 
I was in silence for few seconds. Kunot noo na lang akong napatingin muli sa mga litrato. Nanatili akong tahimik habang blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko.
 
I know you've been having a clandestine relation with that incident ten years ago. I will find out that soon.

"Well then, this discussion ends here, Officer Agoncillo please remain at this office. I have something to talk with you." Deputy Chief faked a smile but she doesn't seemed happy.

"Just wait for me outside the office." Mahinang bulong ko kay Shyra as she walked outside.

After a few minutes, Sir Colado was already walking towards us at the office. Just the three us. I looked at them and asked. "Do you have a special task with me, Sir Colado?"

"Deputy Chief Eva wants to say something to you, Officer Agoncillo." Seryosong sambit nito.

"I'm gonna say this once, I don't like your attitude, Officer Cypher Agoncillo. Pinapangunahan mo ng emosyon ang lahat and that's not what a Police Officer is like. You should learn to be patient." She said with a submissive tone.

"I would like to suggest the possibility of interviewing the families of the victims. . . may masama ba do'n?"

"Enough already, Officer Agoncillo. I can file for your suspension and apply disciplinary action—specifically, an involuntary transfer—for your rudeness. In this first case, you’ve already failed me."

Her voice is provoking me but I have to remain silent, baka ma-suspend pa ako sa kaso. And eventually, I left sighing at the edge of the table. I shifted my weight outside and have no choice but to apologized for my rudeness. "I expect you to remain as professional next time we had our meeting." She said

I nodded. That's sounds like I was so obedient.

___

"PARANG MAINIT yata ang ulo ni Deputy Chief sa'yo," natatawang sambit ni Shyra.

"Shut up!" I glared at her.

"Mag-iimbestiga ka pa rin kahit pinagalitan ka? Kapag 'yan nalaman ni Deputy Chief, suspended ka talaga," sabi niya, parang nanay na pinapagalitan ako.

"I'll risk my license for it; I know that woman has something to do with the case from ten years ago." I sighed, frustrated with myself.

This is one of the traits I hate about myself—taking charge of everything, even when it's dangerous. I can't help it; I want to serve justice for everyone. I know it has led to many arguments and frustrations, but it's just hard to control myself.

Because justice— it seeks to uphold moral and ethical standards, promoting equality and accountability in society. Pero ang nangyayari. . . nawawala na ang hustiya.

"It's up to you. May magagawa pa ba ako? You're still a kid, Cy. Deputy Chief Eva is right, you need to separate your feelings from work. Baka 'yan pa ang ikapapahamak mo."

I know I am partly unsure of what I am doing right now but I really wanted to know the truth. Hindi ko muna gustong isipin kung ano ang magiging posibleng mangyari pero tanging katotohan lamang makakapagpatahimik sa akin.

I just realize how things are so heavy. Since that incident happened, hindi na ako ulit nakatulog nang maayos. Parang bangungot na may gustong ipahiwatig.

"No, I'll be careful. You'll see, mahuhuli ko ang murderer." Sambit ko at bumuntonghiningang muli.

"You should prepare yourself, Cy. The murderer is still unknown. Hindi natin alam kung sino at saan siya ngayon. Baka nasa paligid lang—maybe one of us pretending," pag-aalala ni Shyra.

"I know, Shyra. I am preparing myself. I should prepare myself."