The Culprit (UNDER REVISION)

Case 066: Child Exploitation

                      "Mission Completed"

ALEJANDRO
He was shocked when he saw the list of the missing children. Attached there, is their address and parents contact number.

"I think I know who's the culprit."

"Talaga Inspector?" Ivan eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes, but we still need a concrete evidence."

They went back to the police station and they was greeted by a college student who's crying in the front desk.

"PO1 Cañete, anong nangyayari dito?"

"Eh ito kasi Inspector, pinipilit na nawawala raw 'yong tatay niya pero wala pang 24 hours. Pinayuan ko siya na bumalik na lang kung wala pa rin mamaya ang tatay niya, pero ayan... iniiyakan lang ako." nakalabing sagot ni Kath na tila nakukunsume sa babaeng kaharap.

"Miss, kailan nawala ang tatay mo?" Bumaling siya sa babae na wala pa ring tigil sa pag-iyak.

"Kanina lang po alas-dose ng tanghali," the girl answered in between sobs.

"Saan ba siya huling nagpunta?"

"Sa school po, he's a school bus driver po and lagi naman siyang umuuwi after niya maghatid at sunduin ang mga bata, pero kanina hindi po siya umuwi ng bahay."

"We'll help you to find him," he assured the girl, which Kath protested.

"Pero Inspector....wala pang 24 hours nawawala ang tatay niya!"

"PO1 Cañete, this case is connected to missing case reported here earlier."

"Ano Inspector, na-kidnap din 'yong tatay n'ya?!" Ivan and his stupid question.

"No, someone disguise as a school bus driver and fetch the 17 students at St. Mary Learning Center. If you're going to review the list PO3 de Jesus, mapapansin mong magkakalapit ang address ng mga bata, meaning they're have same way pauwi sa bahay nila, that's explain, na iisang school service nila," Niel explained and looked at him asking for a confirmation.

Sinalubong niya ang tingin ni Niel at tumango dito. "Tama si SPO1 Ty, Miss, pwede mo ba kami samahan sa operator n'ong school bus?"

"Sa paradahan po? Sige po." the girl wipe her tears. She look calm now.

"SPO1 Ty, maiwan ka muna dito, PO2 de Jesus come with me."

Pumunta sila sa operator ng school bus. Kung saan din ipinaparada ang naturang sasakyan. Nakausap nila ang operator at sinabi nga na kinuha ng tatay ng babaeng kasama nila ang susi at nagpaalam nga na babiyahe na.

They check the parking lot and their they saw the driver tied up in a van with tape on his mouth.

"Tatay!" umiiyak na lumapit ang babae sa tatay nito. Kinalangan naman ni Ivan ang matanda.

"Anak..." ani ng matanda nang mawala ang pasak sa bibig.

"Mr. Nakita n'yo po ba kung sino ang kumuha ng school bus?"

"May mga takip po sila sa mukha, naka-bonet din po sila. Puro itim ang suot nila," his voice was horse. Namumugay rin ang mga mata nito. Marahil ay napagot ito sa  ilang oras nito sa ganoong posisyon.

"Sige po, maraming salamat po."

Bumalik sila ni Ivan sa presinto at umuwi naman ang mag-ama sa bahay ng mga ito. He heaved a sigh of relief. He find a little hope and he's sure they're near to solve the case. He promised to himself that he will work hard to capture the culprit behind this series of missing case.