Bente-Quatro 2 - Star Witness (Completed)

18 - 1000H

A/N: Ang nakaraan.... laking gulat nang dalawa nang magpakilala ang matandang babae sa harap nila. Oo Mel at Charo, kapareho ng pangalan ng nawawalang star witness. May hawig pero hindi magkamukhang-magkamuka. Hindi rin magkasing-taas. Ibig sabihin, hindi sila kambal. Mabuti na pong malinaw ang mga bagay-bagay.

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"Ako si Manang Eugenia. Ano'ng kailangan n'yo?"

Maine was the first to recover from their momentary shock at finding another Nanang Eugenia. "Mrs. Eugenia T. Domingo po?"

Richard and Maine in disguise were supposed to be playing a middle-aged couple, but this lady is clearly older than them. She's wearing what looks like a senior household helper uniform.

There was a slight pause as the lady studies the couple in front of her.

But her eyes, sans eyeglasses, were clear when she looked straight into their eyes and responded, "Oo, bakit?"

His years of experience in audit tells Richard that the old lady is not bluffing. So does Maine's experience in dealing with complainants and witnesses.

So her name is really is Eugenia T. Domingo.

Now they have a problem. There are now two Eugenia T. Domingo. Who is who?

Either the old woman in front of them is telling the truth or she's a damn good actress. Or she's hiding something.

The old lady must have become suspicious of their intent and made up her mind. Without finishing the conversation, she started closing the gate on them if not for Maine's quick reflex who stopped her from doing so.

"Galing po kami sa isang Law Office sa Baliuag, Bulacan. Legal assistant po ni Attorney Perez. May pinadala kaming registered mail sa address na 'to kamakailan lang kaya lang po nag-return to sender. Napag-utusan po kami ni Attorney na tiyakin ang inyong address bago kami magpadala ulit ng sulat." Sensing that Richard will go straight to the point and reveal their identities if she lets him be, Maine took over the conversation.

Another pause before the old woman answered again, with none of the entertaining way of talking of the 'other nanang Eugenia'.

This Manang Eugenia in front of them is all seriousness. Not even a hint of a smile. "Nasaan ang sulat? Dala n'yo?"

"Hindi po namin dala ngayon pero galing po sa kamag-anak ng namatay n'yong asawa na ayaw muna magpakilala. Ito po ang ID ko."

Maine pulled out an ID showing the logo of the Legal Clinic but partly covering the name and picture. The logo will usually catch first the attention of the eyes, depending on how fast your fingers are.

And Maine is quick to the draw. It always works.

Richard understood his partner is doing. She's indirectly verifying the details given to them by the other 'Nanang Eugenia' when they took her statement.

"Eh sino naman 'to?" The old lady points to 'Richard'.

Maine had to scramble for an answer before Richard could do so. "Aahmm, asawa ko po. Driver po ni Attorney. Siya na po ang maghahatid nung notice pagbalik. Ano nga po pala yung T. na middle initial n'yo?" hhhmmm... So Bulacan and dead husband checked out to be true or she would have denied it.

It was further corroborated by the old woman's next words. "Yung T ay Tuazon. Bakit hindi sa bahay ng mga hipag at bayaw ko sa Baliuag hinatid?"

Richard proudly anticipated how Maine will answer the question. It's a tough one. But fascinating nonetheless, how fast she's able to spin these stories. Just like how she found a way to extricate them. many moons ago, when they were stopped at a police checkpoint in Bulacan that fateful night.