THE DARK SIDE

CHAPTER TWO

THE WIFE presented herself with elegance, a surprising calm demeanor that contrasted with Athenz's expectations. Beside her was her teenage son, Donovan, whose striking resemblance to Mr. Wilang evoked a pang of longing within Athenz. At thirty-five, he reflected on the possibility of a family of his own. A fleeting image of happier times crossed his mind, a memory he quickly dismissed. He resolved to move forward, determined to leave the past behind.

"How are you holding up Mrs. Wilang?" He asked.

The woman maintained a composed exterior as she sat with her son, but Athenz sensed the underlying sorrow. He knew she was silently grieving, her strength evident in her effort to shield her son from her pain.

"Honestly, it can't get worse." She held her son's hand and tried to blink the tears away. He was reminded of how her mother's hand held his when his father never came back from a mission. He never saw his mother wept a tear. Not when his father's comrades knocked on the door to deliver the worst news they could ever receive. Not when they handed her his father's dog tag and even when they were saying their last farewell. But he knew her mother cried every night after she tucked him to bed and thought he had gone to a slumber. He knew, because he was there, sitting outside the door.

"Maam, I know this is hard for you. But we really need to ask you to answer the following questions. It would really help us with our investigation."

"Okay." Her voice almost cracked. And he can see those tears at the corner of her eyes.

"I was told you were in La Union when things happened"

"Ahm.. yes. Me and Donovan, my son, we're there to see the beach. We actually planned to go as a family but Dom said he had to take care of an urgent matter."

"And do you have any knowledge on what it's all about?"

"NO. I'm sorry, Dom won't actually discuss matters about his business to me, specially confidential ones."

"And this is one of those?"

"YES."

"Did you notice anything that seems off with your husband the past few days?"

"NO. He is always busy. You know? Coming up here almost every day to monitor the business. I knew it the moment his business kicked off that he will be a busy man."

"Mrs. Wilang, do you know anyone that might want to hurt your husband?"

"What? No! He's a wonderful man! My husband? I can't imagine someone who would do anything to him? Wa-wait, I thought- someone told me it was a suicide?" She seemed really startled with the news and this time she didn't manage to keep her cool.

"Mrs. Wilang, we have enough reasons to believe that your husband did not commit suicide. That is why, I need you to focus. I know this news is a big blow but I need you to think of anything from the past few weeks that you might think helpful." Well, political rivalry is still their primary focus but something tells Athenz that this is not just about politics.

"Oh my God! You're saying he's murdered?" The tears were already out of the cage. She is now full of tears while her son, Donovan, is trying to calm her down.

"Maam, I'm saying that it's only a possibility-" a high possibility at that " we just need to sign this to authorize the autopsy, and we really need this maam." He handed her the documents and he could tell that she is really reluctant. Well, whose wife would like to cut open her husband anyways?

" Is that really necessary?" This time it was Donovan who fired the question. He was pale, shaking and his eyes were wet and red. Probably from crying on their way here.

" We found a syringe in the room where we found your father. Also, investigators concluded that the shot was not made in a contact range, he only got small amount of gun powder on his hand. Which means your father might not be the one who pulled the trigger Donovan."

The young man fell silent for a moment and looked at his mother then he did what he did not expect him to do. He smiled. A smile of reassurance.

" It'll be okay mom" Mrs. Wilang hugged her son and signed it before returning the document. Athenz asked one of the policemen to run the papers so Guane can start the process and turned back to the mother and son.

" Now, I need you to tell me if there are any changes with your husband's behaviour these past few days."

"Ahmm... Okay... This past few days, I noticed he's much busy? I know he's busy but you know- his phone won't stop buzzing, he leaves everyday."

"He even missed the parent-child culminating in school" Donovan added.

" Do you know what he's so busy about?"

" I don't know exactly, but I once overheard him talking about a new medicine but he was so angry about it. I even heard him saying he might take legal actions if it didn't stop." Athenz noted it down to his tickler and thought about the syringe he found at the scene.

"Do you know the name of this new drug?"

"I don't know. I never heard of it." Mrs. Wilang answered.

" What about who might want to hurt him?"

" I don't know but if it's about politics, I don't want to point fingers but we know there is only one person who's also running for mayor."

Of course he had expected that answer. Mr. Green was the only one except for Mr Wilang who filed candidacy for Mayor's position and now that the former's dead.

ATHENZ was amazed by the elegance of Mr. Green's home. It actually looked like a mansion. It has a very tall wall and an eye catching gate. The first floor is a combination of gray and green while the second floor is glass walled. He can also see that arched swimming pool at the back.

He was escorted inside and was told to wait for Mr. Green

A framed family portrait, approximately 37 by 39 inches, drew his attention. Mr. Green was formally attired in a black suit and green tie, while his wife wore a simple yet striking dress. To Mr. Green's left stood a robust and distinguished man in a laboratory coat. On Mrs. Green's right was a woman with long brown hair, wearing glasses and a military uniform.

"Those are my beautiful daughter and handsome son."

"Good day Mr. Green. Your children are really beautiful. Thank you for seeing me." He offered a handshake which the politician returned with a sigh.

" I know why you're here Major. I've heard many things about you. I hope you'll be able to put an end to all this before the election period."

"We're trying our best Mr. green."

"I've actually been expecting you. Anyway, I was visiting the home of elderly when things happened. The nurses and elderly will back me up. Look, I know I am the most obvious suspect but believe me, I have nothing against Dom. He's a great businessman, he contributed much in our city's economy."

After asking the basics, Athenz thanked the man and went off. The rain was pouring when he stepped out the front gate and ran straight to his car. He was about to open the door when he noticed a paper clipped under his wipers. He snatched it and got inside before he gets totally drenched.

He checked the note and it read.

"CLOSE THE CASE."