Cold Case

Chapter 6: Chills

Finally, they arrived at the University. They catch some students’ attention that glance at them and started whispered to each other. A professor and police what an odd view for them.

Kiro’s POV

I can see how the students glance to us as we arrive, how I have no time to deal with this kind of thing. I walk toward where my partner is.

“Hey, Cornel we will go to the CCTV room first before then to the dormitory. Let’s check if something left behind that will help us about the case.” I said in lower voice, we need to secretly deal it. We still have no idea who will be the real killer.

“Okay, let’s do that.” Cornel just nod but his attention is not on me. I shift my glaze to where he was looking for.

“Hey, why are you looking at them? Is there something wrong?” I ask but he just shakes his head.

“No I just wondering what if in those bunches of students, the killer is one of them and happily and freely does what he or she wants?” He click his tongue, “more to that, what if it not one, what if they are more than two and help each other to cover their crime?”

“Woah, I did not expect you thinking the same. I was also wondering what if one of them is the killer and they try to act like innocent. If our speculation is right, it will be hard for us to know who the killer is really.” I said and sighed.

I almost laugh when he also sighs out of frustration, how many weeks or months they will investigate it just to know who is the killer?

“Let’s go,” I said and start to walk where Mr. Madrigal is, “please guide us where is the CCTV room.” I said to Mr. Madrigal and smile.

“Sure, I am willing to help you.” I said.

Mr. Madrigal starts to walk so we followed him.

We enter the building 5 and took the elevator to the 5ft floor. I can’t express how I feel when the elevator start to go up to 5ft floor, I was nervous and excited to watch the CCTV record that day. I was hoping that I can see at least one or two clue that can point out who is the other suspect or the real killer.

I was in my deep thought when I hear the sound of the elevator stop, we walk in the hallway toward in the room where there are note in the upper part of door, “staff only”. Mr. Madrigal knocks on the door three times but no one answer.

“Please try again to knock.” I said to Mr. Madrigal.

Again for the second try, Mr. Madrigal knocks on the door numerous times and finally someone open the door.

“Yes, what do you need?” I man in late thirties ask. He looks like just awake from deep sleep.

I walk beside Mr. Madrigal and take out my police ID and give it to the man, “Hi, good day to you. I am from xxx police division, the one holding the case that happened here. I want to request to see the CCTV footage that night.” I calmly said.

The man looks at us, as if he makes sure we are telling the truth that we are from xxx division.

“Okay, please make your way in.” He said after minutes and opens the door widely.

He’s only one there to operate and watch the CCTV all day. He starts to search the records from that day.

“Are you the only one who stays here always?” Cornel asks, and the man just shakes his head.

“No, there are two more people who replace me for time to time.” He explain while keeps scrolling the records.

“How about that night, are you the one who schedule to guard here?” Cornel, again ask the man.

“Yes, I am the one who is here that night.” He said, “Oh! Here is the video record that night.”

I immediately sit next to him and watch the video. At around 7 pm, the men from their respective classes started arriving. There were men pushing each other in the hallway while walking and there were just quiet ones.

Not even one of them I missed a face, but I didn’t see Mr. Madrigal, Callix and Christian that time. Until the hallway became quiet and I only see a few students entering the dormitory.

Although I wanted to fast forward it, I didn't do, I don't want to miss a bit tiny detail in the video I'm watching. Even a minute or a second is important to me. Even though my companions didn't want to admit it, I can see the burden in there muscle.

As for me, since I was in my first time in my work, a series of videos I had to watch then order from the head office. So now it's not that hard for me to sit and watch all day.

The time went to 8pm and then 9pm and finally I can see the familiar face of Mr. Madrigal entering the dormitory. That is the only I can see but I take down the time, next is Christian with his friends. They look happy chattering on the hallway while entering the dorm too.

“Do you have CCTV in the library too?” I ask and the man switches to another computer and start to scroll down.

“Here is the video in the library that night. Do you want to watch it too or take the copy only? The person in-charge from this time will be arriving soon.”

I looked at the watch I was wearing on my right arm, it was only then that I realized that 3 hours had already passed.

“Oh! sorry about that. Can we just ask for a video from morning to night that day and this morning?" I politely ask.

“Yes, if the investigation is really needed, why not?” The man answered and took a flash drive to the side and transfers all the video there.

It took a few minutes to transfer the files so when the other in-charge to guard the CCTV room arrive the man first say goodbye to us and left. The new person with us look like only in his late 20’s but he look so serious and not even try to talk to us.

“Here, all the videos you need are finish to transfer.” The man said and handed the flash drive to me. He looks to my eyes like there is something he wants to say but he can’t do it.

“Oh, thank you.” I said, and took it.

“Do you still have anything here?” He innocently asks reason for me to smile and shake my head.

“No, we only need this. Thank you for cooperation.” I said and good bye.

While we were walking, Mr. Madrigal stops and faces us, “I still have something to do, can I leave the two of you now?”

I glance to Cornel, “well, you can leave us know thank you for cooperation.” I said and vow.

He starts to walk away from us calmly.

“I am starting to feel uneasy about this case, Kiro.” Cornel said when he finally beside me.

“Why? Are you not confident that we will find the culprit for all the crime we investigate?” I jokingly ask him and smirk.

“Not that, but look how calmly that professor even he is one of the primary student we had. He know it to still he help us for the CCTV video.” His face gave it all what he’s thinking.

“So what do you want to point out?” I sneer.

“I just want to tell you that what if the entire culprit is calm like him and do the crime meticulously without a trace because they are calm while doing it?” He looks horrible.

“Then let’s calm down too.” I bend down to him and speak again, “let do this without investigation without rush like how they plan the crime in their hand.” I playfully said and wink to him.

If I were to tell the truth I would be scared too. Fearing that we might not even know who was real criminal among those people around us, what if later or tomorrow there is another victim?

How will we answer all the questions from families and professors who rely on our investigation? How can we prove that the head officers right that they were put us to this case?

“Easy to say, but how can we calmly investigate this two consecutive crime in just two days in the same place. What if later or tomorrow, someone will die again? How can we calm down, please tell me then?”

I just shrug my shoulder and walk first.

“I don’t know either, Cornel.” I said.

You just got to be kidding me.” He hisses and I just laugh from his reaction.

I was about to speak again but my phone suddenly ring, speaking of the devil.

“Our head is calling~” I whisper and answer the phone. “Hello Sir, good morning.”

“There is no good in the morning Mr. Lorente. I heard that there is someone died again? You still don’t know who is the culprit in the first case yet there is another one, are you sure you can do it?” I can hear the disappointment in his voice but what can I do? It’s only been hours or days since the first case, why they ask for result everyday as if catching a criminal is easy.

“I assure you, Sir we can do it just give us time to do our job. There are so many people around the crime scene and there’s no CCTV or witness in the area.” I know he will not listen but I still trying to explain.

“Tsk, I don’t need that kind of explanation, Lorente what I need is result! good result.” He said, “Back to work, make sure the next time I call you, there is progress in the case you holding.” He added and hangs up the call.

I put my phone back to my pocket and back to the car.

Cornel is already inside his car, I was about to enter too when my phone vibrate again. I was about the feel annoy when I thought it was head officer again when I suddenly freeze when I see the content of the message.