Alta Casta Academy

Chapter 24.1: A Reparte in the Coffe Shop II (Numbers And Alphabet)

The sun had already faded when I arrived at the coffe shop we agreed to meet. I saw him sitting at the middle so I quickly approached his table and took a seat accross his.

His expression were quite serious that I found my heart hammering nervously. I kept myself composed trying to hide the fear of him bringing bad news.

"Bad news," he spoke without even looking at me and I felt my chest pound more. I swallowed and prepared myself to listen to his story. "Remember Jasmine's case?" he started and I nodded. He took a deep breath before proceeding. "All of the suspects of the case are dead."

I stared with wide eyes at him and tried to open my mouth only to closed it again when words failed to make their escape from my lips. What? Why? How? Did someone kill them?

"They all took suicide," he said as if he was able to read my mind. "Yannie's found dead in her room with sleeping pills on the floor. Leo shot himself inside his prison cell. Lhane had her wrist slashed and the twins hanged themselves. The scenes of the crimes suggested suicide but I doubt there's more to that."

I looked at him with curiousity, still not saying anything but hoping for him to fill me with informations and his conclusions.

He seemed to read what I was thinking as he started to speak again. "Look at this." He fished something from his bag and placed them on the table and I quickly grabbed them as soon as I realized they were photographs of the crime scene.

I squinted my eyes as I scan the pictures. "Something's strange," I finally said as I continued with what am I doing.

"Of course there is," he said confirming my assumptions and sipped at his coffee. "Want a cup?" he invited and I shook my head no. I don't think a cup of coffee would help me with my problems. "Alright. Down to business." He muttered as he composed himself in his seat. "See the dots?" he asked and I nodded. "Something comes to your mind?"

"Ivan's phone," I answered, still looking at the pictures.

"Bingo!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers on me.

I lifted my head and stared at him. "They're connected. Is that what you're thinking?"

"Yes."

"You sure have a brain," I commented trying to lighten up the serious atmosphere surrounding us.

"Of course I have. I have always been a genius since I was young. Thanks for the compliment by the way," he countered with a sheepish smile and winked at me.

I gave him a look of disbelief and shook my head. "Ang hangin mo talaga. Well, since you call yourself genius, can you tell what's the meaning behind those dots?" I asked, challenging him.

"Beats me. I'm not a detective-wanna-be." he teased at me and I punched his shoulder but not very hard. He chuckled to my deed and I smiled. Somehow, the heavy ambience lighten up a bit. "So, what do you think of it?" he asked, going back to the topic.

"Hmm..." I drummed my fingers on the table as I ponder with my thoughts. "Guess I already have an idea," I told him, plastering a mischievous smile on my face.

He flinched from his seat but was able to regained himself immediately. He cleared his throat and asked with excitement, "Care to share?"

"The dots say it all. Though I'm a little confused on the last two groups of dots," I said as I leaned closer to him. "Look," I pointed at the picture, to the crime scene's of Yannie's suicide. "How many dots do you see?"