Sunshine

XIII

“OLIVIA Magbanua became an orphan when her mother died while giving birth to her. Her mom was alone in life, so no one else could take her. From the hospital she was sent to Kahilom Orphanage. It is the only orphanage in the city run by the local nuns and sponsored by the local government.”

Adrian Dela Vega started. Using his own car he went to Kahilom Orphanage yesterday. He’s currently sharing the information he found on his short trip, including some photos from 13 years ago.

“Magbanua and Costales met at the orphanage when Costales’ political party did a volunteer work there as part of their campaign. Costales is just starting his political career at that time. Since then Costales started sponsoring Magbanua personally. He sent her to Kahilom State University where she got her degree in Fashion Designing, and also set up Love Lingerie for her.”

“Everything about them sounds fishy. What do you think made Costales personally sponsor Magbanua?” Juan asked. His next question is particularly for Carlos. “And she graduated from the same university as us? Then that means it’s possible Magbanua and Alex knew each other even back in college?”

“What’s that something have to do with this?” Carlos snapped. Juan raised her hands up in surrender then mouthed, “Chill!”

“You’re right. We should find out what made Costales support Magbanua. Though I’m not sure if finding out how Magbanua and Vicente met will help, but just in case.”

Everyone nodded at Captain Rivera, except Carlos who didn’t like the idea of meeting Alex to ask about her and Olivia that much.

“But Carlos this is a serious question. You really haven’t noticed Olivia back at college?”

“We went in the same college. What about you?”

They saw Juan’s hands up twice this morning. “All right. I understand.”

“WHO are you today?”

“Both?”

Carlos felt bitter inside by the question. Nevertheless he forced himself a smile. “I came here to ask you something related to the investigation, but I think it will benefit me somehow since it will resolve my own curiosity.”

“Then you’re here as a police officer.” Alex replied. She called an employee to attend the counter and replace her. “How may I help you, officer?”

“This may sound a bit personal but I will really appreciate it if you could answer the question.” Carlos stood straight and tried to sound more business-like. He took out his notebook on his back pocket and wrote the date for today then asked, “How did you know Olivia Magbanua?”

“I can’t seem to understand how that will help the investigation but sure, I will tell you. But please have a seat first.”

Alex lead Carlos to the pantry to avoid the crowding store. They both sat on the bar stool. Alex tried to offer Carlos a drink but he declined, saying the police officer won’t stay long. That made Alex nod and went straight to the point.

“I met her back in college. Graduation was just around the corner that time and I can’t actually remember how we met but we eventually got close and yeah, until we got here now.”

“You can’t remember how you exactly met?”

Alex shrugged then went on. “I was at the Arts and Sciences Department that time and I can’t exactly remember what I went there for, but that’s how we met.”

“You went to her department building and don’t know why?”

Carlos stared at Alex. She did not seemed bothered by the lost memory.

“Is that supposed to be a problem?”

Carlos shook his head to say no and to snap himself out of it. He rose on his feet and hurriedly pocketed back his notebook. “Thank you for your cooperation. I will come again in case I still have something to ask. I hope that will be fine.”

Carlos did not wait for Alex to reply and hurriedly left Love Lingerie. Alex followed him until the door and stared until the police car he’s driving left.

“WHAT made the mayor sponsor Magbanua? You found out?”

Marie’s hands froze on the paper she’s holding and looked at Carlos who announced his arrival through the question. Carlos went straight to his monoblock chair and rested his face on the table.

“We still don’t know. What about you? Got something?”

“I think it’s an encounter by chance.”

A small “ooh” escaped from Marie’s mouth. “Yeah, sure. But could you please elaborate?”

“They met when Alex, a Business Management student happened to be at the Arts and Sciences building.”

“That’s all?” Carlos nodded, head still on the table. Marie shrugged. “Well that’s fine we only tested the waters. We didn’t expect to get something from that though.”

Marie completely lost her interest and went back on reading the papers on her desk. The papers rustled with her breathing.

“But she can’t remember. Why she went to AS.”

That made Marie threw a quick glance at Carlos. She didn’t bother to look at him properly. “Why are you trying to find a fault on it? That could happen!”

Marie completely absorbed herself with the work in front of her. That made Carlos talk to himself, most likely. “You’re right. That could happen.”

“ANY movements so far? Any new information?”

“Not yet, Captain.” Adrian answered first. “I’ve been keeping my eye on the spycam but they don’t talk about anything else aside from business. No unusual movements from them too.”

Almost the same answer came from Carlos and Juan who took turns surveilling Olivia and Alex, and from Marie who was in charge of taking additional statements from the victims’ families. Captain Rivera sighed.

“Three days, we only have three days until a week pass. If we are right on the one-week cool down…” Captain Rivera encircled a date on the calendar. “Someone will die on this day, on 21st.”

“Will someone really die?” Juan asked quietly, obviously terrified by the words that came from his mouth. “We need to do something. We are expecting this and we need to do something about it. But what should we do, Captain?”

That made the atmosphere heavy----heavier than earlier and heavier than ever. The responsibility was clear to the Special Investigation Team the moment the team was formed, but it was only recently that they got slapped hardcore----that they felt the helplessness, and that they are lost.

Life, then death. They are mere humans who only had a job to keep peace and security and now a life is at stake depending on what they do. Who should they arrest? Who should they save?

“Do you really have to say that?” Marie shut her eyes tight. “We are all doing our best here. We could save them if we only knew how! We could stop the killings if we only knew who to kill to stop it! Do we really have to hear that from you? Do we really have to hear that from someone our team?”

“But if someone will die after all of this, then what is this is all for?” Carlos breathed, eyes not on anywhere. Marie sighed keeping her eyes closed.

“Whether someone will die or not we need to prepare.” Captain Rivera composed himself. He stayed calm and authoritative despite the presence of his disheartened team. “What about the i********: account? Did it followed someone again?”

“No, not yet.” Adrian managed to clear his throat. “I’ve been keeping my eye on it in case.”

“I’m sorry, everyone.” His team’s eyes flew to him. Antonio Rivera’s face stay the same and unchanging. “I know we look helpless right now and I probably sound the most helpless here but I won’t let anyone die again. Not like this.”