Case Adjourned: Trials Of Justice

Chapter 3 • The Suicidal Reservoir (Investigation)

INGRID

I opened the envelope that Ron gave me earlier this day. Ilang araw ko na rin itong hindi nabubuksan since madaming nangyari noong mga nakaraan. But somehow, I'm gladly to open this envelope with a hope on the face.

I looked at the desk besides mine, it's Ron's desk that is left untouched in this office since he's gone to investigate my Dad's murder case. I recalled that he texted me last night stating that there's someone who taking his position in this office. Sinabi niya ring hindi isang abogado ang papalit sa kanya. Pero malaki raw ang maiitulong ng taong 'yun sa'kin.

Sumandal ako sa swivel chair na kinauupuan ko at inunat ang aking mga paa. Pagkatapos no'n ay sinimulan ko nang buksan ang envelope.

"The Double Suicide Case." I read to the title of the first sheet of paper I got. Inilipag ko 'yun sa'king lamesa at gano'n din ang iba pang papel na nakuha ko. Then, I read the details of the first paper I got once I finished taking all the papers in the envelope.

"Dianne Corpuz." I first read at the victim's name that is near at her picture. "Aged 26, found dead on November 8, 2016 at her apartment."

At the bottom part of the paper you'll found the picture of the victim's dead body. It's hanging from a rope that is tied at the ceiling of her apartment. However I don't know the exact part where the rope is tied because the picture is cropped. But it's okay, I think that isn't important.

Hindi ko maaninag ang mukha ng biktima dahil sa nakatakip nitong buhok. Kung titingnan mo nga, para lang 'tong eksena sa isang horror movie. Samahan mo pa ng dugong umaagos sa kayang braso dulot ng kanyang paglalaslas. Idagdag mo pa ang naglalawang dugo sa sahig at tilamsik ng dugo sa kanyang suot na pajamas.

Honestly, I can't think a possible reason kung bakit siya magbibigti at maglalaslas nang sabay. Sa lahat kasi ng nagpapakamatay ay siya lang ang naiiba. Who the hell would kill themselves in that way? Maybe one suicide attempt is enough but two? What the hell! Gano'n ba siya kagalit sa buhay niya? Or should I ask, who the hell is going to kill her like that?

I know for a fact that this is a murder case. Kasi kung kaso nga ito ng pagpapakamatay, hindi ito ibibigay ng police bilang isang court case. Siguro may anggulo ng pagpatay silang nakita rito. The stab wound on the victim's left abdomen could prove that. But the problem is, I can't tell what's the cause of that stab.

Nagawi ako sa sahig ng apartment kung saan nakabitin ang biktima. Do'n ko nakita ang isang tumumbang upuan, blade, at isang basag na vase. I think mula ang vase na 'yun sa side table na nasa gilid. There's also a landline telephone on it.

Bumalik ako sa pagbabasa tungkol sa biktima sa gawing itaas ng papel. Ayon dito, nagtatrabaho ito sa isang flower shop. Sinasabi rin dito na mayroon siyang problema sa pag-ibig bago siya mamatay. But it's not specified on what that problem is.

Bigla akong nakarinig ng ilang katok sa pintuan. Could it be?

"Pasok!" I loudly said. Agad namang bumukas ang pintuan at bumungad sa'kin ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng kulay dilaw na sweater. I also noticed that the tip of her hair is dyed blonde. Which suited to her maroon eyeglasses. She's also carrying a pink shoulder bag.

"Ms. Ingrid Roosevelt?" she asked while observing the whole office.

"Yes," I confirmed. "Ikaw ba 'yung papalit kay Ron?"

"Yep!" she said with a smile while extending her right elbow next to me. "I'm Dani Rayleigh, his cousin."

His cousin? "Nice to meet you!" sambit ko habang nakikipagkamay sa kanya. "You probably know me, Ingrid Roosevelt."