Cold Case

Chapter 5: Suspects

August 10, 2021

   Mr. Lorente lost of words for what he heard from the young man in front of him, a professor from their university? Now, he has two primary suspects for the second case, a roommate and a professor. The first case about the man who jumped off the window from 4th floor is still unclear to them yet there is another case for him the he need to investigate.

  He massaged his forehead, he felt too much of headache just to find some clues but even the CCTV in the university can’t help him to provide a proper evidence or clue to point out if it’s suicide or homicide. It is really hard for him to answer all the questions from the head officers when even he, who works for the case did not know what is the answer, he felt frustrated and can’t help but groaned!

  His glazes settle to Callix, “can you detail what happened between the two then? What was the reason why Mr. Costales offended your professor?”

  “I don’t know if I have the right to talk about it, but that happened when we’re still in junior high. But I don’t think Mr. Madrigal will do something bad to Christ because of a simple thing like that and happened a long time ago.” Callix said, “Christian, like I said; he doesn’t choose who to bully, whether students or professor as long as he feels he is superior to us. Mr. Madrigal was just starting his career back then and new to the university reason he didn’t know about Christ bad attitude. He and Christian did not get along; I remember that time when Mr. Madrigal called Christian in front of our classmate to answer the question written on broad because he was too noisy. I think Christian felt embarrassed because of that, Chirst did everything to make Mr. Madrigal life miserable every day and he started to humiliate the professor in front of everyone.”

 “How about now, did Christian still humiliate Mr. Madrigal in front of everyone?” Mr. Cornel asked.

Callix immediately shake his head, “no, it last at least half of year before finally Christ lost his interest to Mr. Madrigal.” He answered, “Because he found another prey and that’s me.”

 Again, Kiro Lorente felt too much headache.

  “Do you have any contact information of Mr. Madrigal? We need to talk to him too about this case.”

“Yes, I have. I personally talk to him when I will not sleep in the dormitory, so I can avoid Christian especially if he invites his friends in our room.” He took his phone out of his pocket and searched for the professor contact number. Only a few were saved in his contacts so he could easily find what he was looking for. “Here, this is his number.”

 “Did he personally give his number to you?” Mr. Lorente asked out of his curiosity.

“Yes, he personally gives his number to his students who ask for it, why?” Callix looks confused.

“Nothing, I just wanna know. Cortel try to call Mr. Madrigal and tell him to come here for interview?” He asked his companion to do the call,” Mr. Cornel nodded and took the number and left to call Mr. Madrigal.

After minutes, Mr. Madrigal finally arrived at the police station. He looks so tired yet he didn’t hesitate to come.

He greeted the two officers and glace to his young student sit on the side.

“What are you doing here, Callix?” He asked. “Did they ask you about Christian?” He added and his glaze shifted to Mr. Lorente. “If you want to know about Christian, the person you asked is wrong, they are not even friends to begin with.”

Mr. Lorente nodded .I know, Mr. Madrigal that is why we call you here as his personal professor since Junior high. Can we interview you?” Kiro Lorente said with a smile plastered on his face, “Please take your seat as we start to ask you about Christian Costales, one of your student and your dorm mate.”

“Well, he only did start to dorm when he starts to notice Callix and bully him. I tried to separate their room but Christian pull some string they still ending up being a roommate, sometime I lend my room for Callix when Callix invites his friends to their room.” He said.

“So are you telling that you help Callix whenever he need?” Mr.Cornel asked and the professor nodded.

“Yes, you can ask him, but is that all you need to ask to me?”

“Not really, so we heard Mr. Costales and you are not in great relationship, why is the reason?” Mr. Lorente became serious.

“Not totally, to be honest he’s the one who doesn’t want me. Being professor I have a reason to teach them lesson if I think they need it but he felt offended and humiliate me.” The professor sighed, “I almost lost my first job because of him but I don’t think he deserve what happened to him.”

“Why you almost lose your job because of him?” Mr. Lorente again, asked.

“Well, that time no want to talk to me even my co-workers and students really have any power to help me. I only need a job that’s why I still work in there; I am relieved that after months of my living hell stopped but start for another person. I know what it feels that why I help Callix whenever he needs.”

“Okay, second question. This past few days, who among the students he offended,”

“I have no idea; it’s only started yesterday and Christian only back yesterday in dormitory.”

Mr. Lorente just nodded and takes down every word from Mr. Madrigal.

“How long do I have to be here?” Mr. Madrigal can’t help but to asked. “I still have class to attend.”

“After we ask everything we need to know.” Kiro relied shortly. “Next question, do you have any idea who will do something like that your do you have CCTV in that area?”

It was inevitable that Kiro would expect to have CCTV there because if none, the two primary suspects in front of him that can be the one who drugs Mr. Costales will be remain only as suspect, and the case will be unclear again like the first one.

“I think the front door of dormitory have so we can see if someone went out even if the call out is done. But I don’t think it can be help, if you need it I can help you to ask for a copy that night.” Mr. Madrigal said with confident.

Kiro doesn't know if he will be happy because there is a CCTV at the dormitory or will lose hope because it also doesn't seem to help him point out the suspect because it's just place in the front door. But maybe nothing will be lost if he still takes the copy of that day taken by the CCTV camera. He just hope that his guardian angel will help him if there is anything in this case because he is tired to hear the complaints of his senior and head officers.

“Good, then please help me get the copy that night. Can we go now to the university and ask for a copy?” He excitedly asked and stands on the chair.

“Yes, of course we can.” Mr. Madrigal answered calmly.

“Good, then let’s go. Mr. Cornel drive the other car with Callix, I will ride Mr. Madrigal’s car. Is that okay, Sir?”

“Of course, let’s go.”

They said goodbye to colleagues at the police station and traveled all the way to the university. Everyone was quiet; no one wanted to start to talk. Only the sound of the engine and their breath could be heard inside the car.

The two can feel the awkward atmosphere.

“So, are you suspecting me?” The professor suddenly asked.

“Well, it’s still under investigation so all the people who have connection to him will be suspect. I am wrong to that?” Now, the officer asked.

“No, to be honest it is better if you suspect all of us. When I start working in the university, I feel so good but now, I felt something strange.” He confessed.

“What do you mean?” Kiro was confused.

“You know, yesterday when the school year starts again. I felt someone watch the entire thing I do.” The professor said and sighed. “Hope you can investigate the strange thing happened in the University and catch the culprit.”

“But why are you talking like you really sure you are innocent?” Kiro can’t help being sarcastic.

The professor laughed, “Because I am. I have no to kill someone and I will never do such thing.”

Kiro looked at the professor who was smiling as he drove. Kiro doesn't know why but he feels the vibes the man gives have suddenly changed since they left the station, it was as if the person he was talking to was troubled and very tired but now his smile could not be erased from his lips as if he remembered a happy memory.