Bente-Quatro 2 - Star Witness (Completed)

Final Flashback - #5

A/N: Babala (asawa ni Babalu): Hindi muna po magpapatawa si otor at baka hindi maitawid ang kurbadang ito ng kuwento at pulutin tayo sa kangkungan.

I know you'll find loopholes in the plot details, tapalan na lang po natin ng Vulcaseal. Marami po akong binili. Pasensiya na po sa nakayanan.

There will be a lot of references from Book 1 so you might want to refresh your memory if you have time.

I thank you.

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Richard rubs the back of his neck in frustration as he paced the length of his kitchen floor, with his phone glued to his ear.

The letter from NLRC was dated more than two weeks ago while the restraining order was signed by a judge two days ago and will last for 6 months.

Talk about efficiency in the government when it's convenient.

What more, the only person he thinks who can shed light on the two communications he received is not picking up her phone.

"Maine, Maine, pickup please."

But the only voice he hears after the nth ring, after the nth call, is one of the most unwelcome message ever recorded.

"The subscriber cannot be reached. Please try your call later."

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The phone in question kept ringing inside the bag of the owner who is busy meeting with her visitors at the conference room.

PAO Office - Conference room

Atty Maine listen intently as the residents of the barangay, where Richard took her when she got "abducted", started telling their stories one by one, all 12 of them.

Different cases of illnesses experienced by their children and children in the barangay. Infants born with defects, as well as animals.

"Kaya nga sabi ni Doc. Ann baka daw matulungan mo kami. Biruin mo yon, abugado ka pala talaga!"

"Si Doc Ann po?"

"Oo, bumalik pa siya kasama ng ibang doktor. Nag-medical mission sila ng sarili nila at hinanap yung mga pasyente na natingnan nila dati. Nagpasama pa nga sila sa may ilog tapos kumuha ng sample na tubig."

"Buti nga po nahanap namin kayo. Kasi biglang nawala si Ser Ritsard. Nabanggit ni Doc Ann baka daw nagkasakit. Totoo ba? Magaling na kaya siya?"

So she knew that Richard got shot? Why is Doc Ann updated about what's happening? And why the continued interest in the health of the barangay people?

"Atty? Atty? May sinasabi ka? Bakit parang kinakausap mo sarili mo?"

"Huh? Wala po. Si ser Richard ba? Oo, medyo nagkasakit nga siya pero puwede n'yo siyang makita mamaya. Siguradong masu-surprise yon."

"Uyyy bakit alam mo, Atty? Hehe, kayo na ba? Bagay kasi kayo."

Natigilan si Maine, suddenly conscious that she's revealing too much. "Pag-usapan na lang po natin itong inilapit n'yo. Pa'no ko po kayo matutulungan?"

"Gusto sana naming itanong kung ano ang puwede naming maging aksyon, dahil mukhang wala kaming maaasahan sa mayor o kahit sa kapitan ng barangay namin."

"Oo nga Atty, bago mahuli ang lahat at magkasakit lahat ng bata sa barangay o magkamatay ang mga alaga naming hayop."

"May ilang options po kayo ayon sa batas. Pero hindi magiging madali. Kung mapapatunayan natin na apektado ang buong barangay sa ginagawa nilang pagtatapon ng nakakalasong kemikal sa lugar n'yo, puwede po kayong mag-file ng class suit."