The Missing Link

013. Red Letter

13
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THEY placed the letter inside their flat, keenly aware that others might see it and panic. The following day, after attending Sunday mass at the nearby church, situated two kilometres from their residence, they sent the letter to be tested by Dr. Samantha Ferrer’s staff, then they returned home by tricycle, the early morning sun heralding the start of another week.

As they approached their flat, they noticed a young girl playing alone within the metal fences, engrossed in a game of hopscotch. “Good morning, Ma’am! Good morning, Sir!” she greeted them with a bright smile. She was the daughter of the boarders living at No. 218A, a sweet child who held a particular fondness for Raine, despite Raine’s indifference towards children.

“Good morning, Agatha,” Zane greeted.

They were about to open the door to the left-side common room with their key when it swung open. The woman who opened it was Mrs. Nuñez, now preparing for church as well. “You two really do attend the first mass, don’t you?” she asked.

“Yes, Auntie. What about you?” Zane replied.

“Raine has been my companion for some time, but now I find myself going alone for weeks,” she answered after a moment’s thought.

“Oh, I— Raine didn’t mention that,” said Zane, surprised. “You didn’t tell me. I could have arranged to come a little later.”

The three finally entered the common room, and Zane hung his black folding umbrella on the hook by the front door.

“No need, dear. I was only joking,” she said, waving her hand, though a hint of seriousness lingered on her face.

“Then why do you seem upset?” Zane inquired.

“I went into your flat to check things again. I saw it covered with papers,” Mrs. Nuñez replied.

“Those are Raine’s papers. All those criminal cases that keep—” Zane began, only to be interrupted by Raine.

“Are you certain that’s the reason, Zane?” Raine asked.

“There were papers with images of bloody things I don’t even want to see. You’re sharing an apartment with another person, young man, and those images might trigger others, or perhaps if some of your students managed to enter your home and see them,” she admonished, leaving Zane silent. In her hand, she held the book he had borrowed, with several pages already folded.

“Ooh,” Raine gasped, as if she already knew what would happen next, then headed towards the stairs, pretending she wouldn’t see or hear it.

“I may be your aunt, but I am still your landlady. This book was meant to be returned weeks ago,” Mrs. Nuñez said. “I have been searching for it for days; I don’t like losing any of my books. You could have simply told me you had it and asked for an extension.”

“I… I am so sorry, Auntie,” Zane stammered, his heart racing with embarrassment. Glancing outside, he noticed the ten-year-old Agatha listening intently.

“I am deeply disappointed, young man,” Mrs. Nuñez said, taking the book with her as she entered the café on the right side of the building.

“Well now, Agatha. Do you see what happens when you misbehave?” Raine asked, shifting her body towards the two while halfway down the stairs.

“Don’t do what I did, Agatha. That’s bad,” Zane spoke, almost in a whisper. “Just please don’t do it or tell anyone I did that. Please.”

Agatha nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll be good,” she replied before returning to her hopscotch.