Apollo's Crib: A Sinister Fate

EP.21

Sydney Liu's sudden demise shocked the entire Taipei. The news about her passing is all over the mainstream media. Everyone is concerned about the life of a young adult, who's life was cut short. Audrey and Cecil couldn't believe the news and it made them totally scared for their own safety. Investigation says, her death could be a suicide case pero itinanggi ito ni Audrey. Walang problema ang kaibigan at marami itong pangarap sa buhay. Paano ito magpapakamatay?

"She's not the type of a girl who will kill herself for no reason!" singhal ni Audrey sa mga pulis. Nasa Neihu Police Department siya para itanggi ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng mga ito. Si Cecil naman ay nasa bahay lang nito at takot na lumabas, malakas ang pakiramdam nito na maaaring pinatay ang kaibigan. Ngunit malaki ang palaisipan sa kanila kung sino ang may gawa niyon o kung sino ang may malaking galit sa dalaga para patahimikin ito ng tuluyan.

"Miss Cheng, did you know that your friend is suffering from family problems?" sabat ni Ricky. Inilapag nito sa harapan niya ang copy ng mga text messages ni Sydney sa ama at ina nito. Noon lang din niya iyon nalaman dahil hindi naman nagkukwento ang kaibigan sa kanya.

"What?!"

"See, you know nothing! So, please stop making a scene here. Don't embarrass yourself, okay?" ani Ricky. Sina Katrina at Cherry naman ay tahimik lang habang nasa desk ng mga ito. Habang si Welbert ay nakatungo sa silya nito na waring may malalim na iniisip sa kasulok-sulukan ng utak nito.

"I can't believe this! Can't you do a reinvestigation. I mean, their must be something that you guys didn't noticed! There's something wrong with her death. "

"Are you telling us that we did not do our job?!" madilim ang mukhang sita ni Ricky.

Napabuntong-hininga ang dalaga. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa naging kinahantungan ng pagpunta niya sa presinto.

"Look Miss Cheng, we know that you're devastated for losing your friend, but according to autopsy report, she died of being electrocuted and drowning. There is no foul play in the area. We retrieved her phone and there is no signs that she is being attacked." ani Cherry sa kanya.

"Besides, she fed the koi fish without asking permission from the caretakers. She intentionally did it, she even hide from the cctv's because she is afraid of being caught." ani naman ni Katrina na hindi na nakatiis.

"She must slipped accidentally and fell," ani muli ni Cherry.

"It's funny! You told the whole interview that she killed herself. And now you're all telling me that she accidentally died. Tell me which of your theory is more accurate?" gigil na tanong ni Audrey.

"You crossed the line, Miss Cheng. Are you telling us that we are making up stories or making lame excuses? You don't know anything and don't even try to act like a tough lady here." ani Ricky, madilim ang mukha nito na nakatitig sa kanya. "You should leave now or I'm going to put you in jail, to reflect with your wrongs."

Laglag ang balikat na lumabas siya mula sa presinto at naglakad patungo sa kinapaparadahan ng sasakyan niya.

Pasakay na sana siya sa kotse ng tawagin siya ni Welbert. "Excuse me, can you give me minute?" tanong nito. Tinitigan niya ang lalaki at kapagkakuwa'y bahagyang tumango.

"What are we going to talked about?" tanong niya.

Pumasok sila sa Moss Burger para mag-usap, pumwesto sila sa sulok kung saan walang tao.

Inilatag ng kausap ang mga larawan ng isang lalaki na nakaitim na hoody. Nakasunod ito sa bawat galaw ng kaibigan habang nasa park. Dangan nga lamang ay hindi na ito nakuhanan sa bahagi kung saan natagpuan ang bangkay ni Sydney.

"We are eyeing him as the suspect of the killing." ani Welbert.

"If he is the suspect, why did you made us believe that it was suicide?" takang tanong ni Audrey.

"It was a tactic to make the suspect lose his guard. He will believe that he come out clean. In that way, we can move easily and it's not hard for us to investigate the crime."

Audrey finally understand what he's trying to say. "I understand, thank you for your explanation."

"Actually, I'm not supposed to tell you this but I think I have to. We have to make sure that you and Cecil won't be hurt until we capture the assailant."

"Why? What about me and Cecil?" takang tanong niya.

"I'm afraid that he's after you, Miss Cheng." tahasang wika ni Welbert.

Bigla siyang kinabahan sa narinig. Hindi kaya si Dylan ang may gawa?

"What should I do?" nanginginig na tanong niya.

"Nothing, don't do anything that will make him think we are up to something. If possible, act as if nothing happened." suhestiyon nito. "Do you still trust us, do you?"

She nodded. "Yes!"

"Good! Now, we keep going. Go back to your home and relax. We assigned someone who will make you safe. Don't worry, you will not feel that you are being watch, take care!" ani ng pulis. Isinuot na nito ang sumbrero at patalilis na umalis. Hindi na nito napansin ang pigura ng isang lalaki na papasok sa kinauupuan nila. Lumigid ito para hindi makita ni Audrey, nakakuyom ng mahigpit ang mga kamay nito dahil hindi nito narinig ang usapan ng dalawa. Wala tuloy itong ideya kung ano ang pinag-usapan ng mga ito.

SINICA'S BOUTIQOUE, ZHONGSHAN DIST, TAIPEI

"What's the news?" tanong niya sa driver na si Elvis nang lumapit ito sa kanya.

"They're moving like the usual Madam." sagot nito.

"Nothing interesting?"

"Nothing as of now, aside from seeing each other before going home."

"Where could that be?" usisa niya.

Tahimik na inabot sa kanya ni Elvis ang isang maliit na papel na naglalaman ng address ng tinatanong niya. Nahigit niya ang paghinga nang mabasa ang nakasaad sa maliit na papel na iyon.

I guess, we should stop here, tell your dog to stop sniffing around. I don't need it anymore." aniya.

"Sure thing, Madam!" sagot ni Elvis.

"Leave me alone for now, I'll call you if I need you." utos niya rito.

Pagkalabas ng tauhan ay nagmamadali siyang nagtungo sa kinaroonan ng mini-bar niya. Kumuha kaagad siya ng baso at sinalinan ito ng alak at nilagok ito. Nanginginig ang kanyang mga laman sa nalaman. Pakiramdam niya ay sasabog ang ulo niya sa galit ngunit kinailangan niyang magtimpi. She's not ready to lose everything just because of her husband's infedility.