ANITIKOS SIMONS
Sanders and I drove westward away from Somerset’s place, trying to evade the person following us. The morning sun is surrounded by scattering clouds that warms the air. Unfortunately, someone is ruining this supposed to be wonderful day.
My job is dangerous and complicated, and at the same time it’s quite simple. I’m being paid by high ranking individuals to provide a first-class defense to a defendant charged with capital murder, and this requires me to fight and claw and raise hell in a courtroom. I create enemies, that’s why I trained myself to fight, not only inside the court but also outside my work. Handa na ako sa ganitong eksena.
“Left turn once the light had changed, and turn right later into the alleyway,” I instructed.
“Ewan ko talaga sa utak mo. Kung bakit kasi hindi na lang ikaw ang nagmaneho. It seems like you know this place well,” she complained.
“Increase speed,” I demanded. Hindi na kailangang ako ang nakahawak sa manibela. I can’t protect her if I’m at the driver's seat.
She furiously frowned at my response. Parang gusto pa niya akong bulyawan, instead, she immediately tread the accelerator.
I watched her carelessly shift the gears—pressing slowly on the clutch, delicately prodding the stick shift on the steering column—until the car reached its perfect speed. Mabilis niyang pinaharurot ang sasakyan. Tumingin ako sa side mirror. Sinusundan pa rin kami ng isang puting compact sport utility van.
Kung gaano kabilis magmaneho itong katabi ko, ganoon rin kabilis ang nasa aming likuran.
Tiningnan ko ang plaka ng sasakyan, walang nakalagay. License plate is temporarily removed. Paano nakakapasok sa mga check point ang ganito?
“Nakikita mo ba ang mukha?”
“No. Medyo malabo.”
I tightly gripped my seatbelt when Sanders maneuvered the car between two motorcycles. “Careful!” I exclaimed.
I heard a laugh. “Akala ko ba bilisan ko?”
“But not to the extent of killing us,” depensa ko.
Sumulyap ako ulit sa sasakyang sumusunod sa amin. Humigit-kumulang isang metro na lang ang layo.
Lalong binilisan ni Sanders. She’s good at this. “Huwag mong ibabangga ang sasakyan. This is not ours to destroy. Isang galos lang, insulto na abot mo sa may-ari nito,” I reminded.
“Draco will understand,” she said before accelerating the speed. Bahagya kaming nakalayo nang higit limang metro. Ilang beses pang lumiko si Sanders sa mga nadaraanan naming shops at malls bago nawala sa aming likuran ang van.
Bumalik sa normal ang paghinga ko nang bahagyang binagalan niya ang bilis ng sasakyan. I let out a huge breath.
“Didn’t know you’re a reckless driver.”
“I need to be reckless for my job. Don’t forget, I’m a detective,” she answered with conviction. “Saan na tayo pupunta ngayon?”
I looked around us. Malapit na kami sa Tagum City. “Kailangan muna nating puntahan ang laboratory kung saan namatay si Prof. Audra.”
“No, may naisip akong puntahan. Hindi ko ito naisip dati, pero may naaalala ako. Eleven years ago, there’s an old lab operated by my father before we transferred at St. Vitus.”
“Do you still remember the place?”
Tumango siya. “Hindi ko kabisado ang loob ng laboratory pero alam ko ang daan papunta ru’n. But it will take more or less than six hours to travel. Are you okay with that?”
BINABASA MO ANG
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