The Missing Hands

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Nang makauwi na ako sa bahay, inisip ko kung paano kami makakapagtanong-tanong sa mga estudyante. Classes have been suspended, and that's because the culprit is not yet found and it's dangerous, but how can we investigate thoroughly when that's the case?

Sabi nga ni Kith, "But one thing's for sure... He's not an outsider. The culprit can either be a student or a staff member here at Vivero College."

Napasapo ako sa ulo ko. My phone beeped, and it was a message from Kith, sa Messenger. It was a list of books and shows. It's a long list and I'm sure that it'll take me a while to get through all of it.

Maiandra Agustino: Thanks

I want to ask him about what I was thinking, pero mahirap e-explain sa chat, kaya naisipan ko mag-voice message na lang.

"I've been thinking on my way home, and I think that it must be hard for the police to investigate since the classes are suspended. Mahihirapan din tayo." sabi ko at sinend iyon sa kanya.

Na-seen niya naman agad ito at halos matapon ko ang cellphone sa gulat nang tumawag siya bigla! It took me a few seconds to answer it. "Hello,"

"Voice messaging is such a delay," panimula niya. "Yes, it's a bit tricky. I've been thinking about it, too."

"Can you ask your dad about what they're planning to do?"

"Nah, you can just ask him yourself."

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko. "The hell, why me? Tatay mo 'yon, kaya ikaw na ang magtanong."

"I'll send you his number right now," aniya at pinatay ang tawag!

What in the world is he thinking? Bakit ako pa ang gusto niyang tumawag kay Detective Andrade kung pwede lang naman na siya?

My phone beeped, and I sighed in defeat. I saved Detective Andrade's phone number, and it took me a few moments to muster the courage to call him. I'm involved in the investigation, kaya dapat na masanay na rin akong kausapin ang ama ni Kith.

"Hello, who is this?" sagot niya sa baritonong boses.

"Hello po, good afternoon. Ito po 'yung kaklase ni Kith."

"Oh, it's you! Bakit ka napatawag?"

"Pasensya na po sa istorbo pero, umm... I was just thinking... magiging mas mahirap ang pag-iimbestiga dahil na-suspend ang klase. What are you and the police planning to do, po?"

"The call I got in the restaurant earlier is regarding that matter. Unfortunately, hindi sumang-ayon ang principal ng school niyo na bumalik na kayong mga estudyante sa Vivero, pagkatapos ng nangyari. I totally understand him. Hindi lang naman siya ang may ayaw nito, kundi pati na rin ang mga magulang ng mga estudyante at ang mismong mga estudyante na rin. The students who saw the crime scene before the police could get there must be traumatized."

Tumango-tango ako. "Yeah, I understand... So, what do you suggest we do, po?"

"Even if we want to question other possible witnesses or the other people who were involved with the victim, we can't at this moment."

As far as I know, the police have already questioned all of Nikki's close friends, as well as the students who found her body. All of their alibis checked out. But the police haven't questioned the other people who were involved with her, like her exes. This is totally tricky because Nikki's circle sure is wide. We can't possibly ask each and every one of them.

"Natanong niyo na po ba ang pamilya niya kung may alam sila sa posibleng gumawa nito?"

"Yes, we already did, but they don't know anyone who could do such a thing to her. And we couldn't ask them properly because they're grieving." aniya at bumuntong-hininga. "I'm sorry, but the police have to delay the investigation. It's an order from the chief."