It has only been a little over 24 hours after Louella was laid to rest in their family's mausoleum when the police officially started their re-investigation of her case.
The investigators' first stop was the Bernardo Residence to inspect for whatever that they could use as evidence.
The Maid's Quarters also took quite some time to inspect. The Bernardos had 7 housemaids, 2 drivers, a cook and a gardener. The last took the investigator's interest.
2:00 P.M. / Maid's Quarters
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"Nasaan ka noong July 15, 2016?" The detective asked James in his small bedroom at the Maid's Quarters. It was a small house at the back of the Bernardo residence exclusive to those who worked for the family.
Cold sweat formed on James' forehead as the detective moved closer to him. "Inuulit ko, nasaan ka noong nabalitang nawawala si Louella?" he said. James looked around before answering the detective.
"N-nandito lang ho ako sa bahay ho." he stuttered, fidgeting with his fingers.
"Hindi ba day-off mo kapag Biyernes? Kapag nagtanong kami sa mga kasamahan mo sa labas, may makakapagpatunay ba na nandito ka sa bahay noong mga oras na yun?" The detective asked.
"Ho? W-wala ho." James said, startled which made the detective scoff.
"So kung walang makakapagpatunay na andito ka noong nabalitang nawawala si Louella, paano namin malalaman na di ka nagsisinungaling? Na hindi mo sinundan si Louella paalis ng bahay?" The detective said in a challenging tone.
"S-si Miranda ho. Siya makakasabi na andito lang ako."he muttered, looking on the floor.
"Si Ma'am Miranda? Di ba masyadong casual ang Miranda? Ganyan niyo ba tawagin ang mga amo niyo dito?"
James gulped at the detective's question.
"W-wala po." he muttered frantically, wanting to get out of the room soon.
"Siguraduhin mong nagsasabi ka ng totoo, James." The detective said, quite exasperated.
James sighed as tears started streaming from his eyes.
"A-amin na ho ako. Matagal na po kaming may relasyon ni Miranda. Noong binalita ni Lucas dito na nawawala si Louella, nasa kwarto ako ni Miranda noon." he said as his shoulders shook.
"At alam ni Louella? Alam ni Louella ang relasyon niyo ng nanay niya." The detective's assistant said in a conclusion.
"Opo. Nahuli kami ni Ma'am Louella, isang gabi nung wala si Sir Armando. P-pero kung iniisip niyo na ako ho ang pumatay sa kanya, di ko po yun magagawa kay Ma'am. Mabait na amo ho siya." he said as he continued to cry.
The detective looked at his assistant and nodded. "Tingnan natin kung totoo ang sinasabi mo James. Malalaman din namin ang totoo." The detective said before he and his assistant left the room.
