Sunshine

XVI

“THE Kahilom Serial Murder Case list another victim. A body was found at the foot of Mount Kahil at 4AM this morning. The body was identified as Jose Romero, Male, 41 years old and a resident of Kahilom. Initial findings concludes Jose as a victim of the serial killing case, making him the 9th victim…”

“Just how much more you want to get chewed? I heard you held a civilian here on a very crucial time? Do you know how serious you did if words get out? We could all get fired! You heard me, Rivera? Just what are you doing instead of putting the suspect behind bars? You really won’t do your job?”

“It was my fault, sir. I suggested the idea---”

“Ignacio.”

Carlos lowered his head and took a step back to his seat. Captain Rivera remained standing straight, swallowing Lieutenant Colonel Catalan’s morning sermon face to face and as his breakfast.

“This will be the last chance for your team, Rivera. I don’t really want to do this since I used to think you’re capable enough, but you keep on disappointing me. Listen. If someone will die again and you’re still this clueless on who’s the culprit, and if you continue your stupid acts and do something without actually thinking hard about it just like what you did, just please expect for the worst.”

Catalan left spitting on the floor. Marie stood up from her chair and prepared the mop. Catalan left stomping his feet, and bawled on the TV set when he passed on it.

“And turn that damn TV off! Why do you still watch the news when it only talks on how incompetent your team are? Is this the new way of getting a slap on your faces?”

THE meeting room is awfully quiet today which doesn’t happen very often, as everyone always has something to say. They’re all waiting for Juan to arrive with the autopsy report anxiously. Sighs, both heavy and loud could be heard at the room from time to time.

“We did it wrong. Let’s just face it. Now we just have to do it right.”

That was true, what Carlos just said. But no one really knows how to do it right exactly---that was something they didn’t need to word out just to be known.

The door swung open and Juan entered with a brown envelope in hand. He carefully closed the door behind him avoiding to make any sound, and went straight to Captain Rivera who’s looking at him intently. Juan handed him the envelope in a low voice. “No doubt, Captain.”

Captain Rivera nodded and took the envelope. He first looked what’s inside and passed it to his team to take turns. Juan quietly took his chair, quiet feeling down as the one who delivered the bad news.

“Let’s get this done for real. I don’t wanna hear Catalan’s woman-like blabber ever again.”

“WE need to start again. Let’s try to find what we’ve been trying ever since. The connection between the victims.” Captain Rivera started. After asking Juan to buy them some banana cue and buko juice from the stall across the police station, the team immediately went straight to business without leaving their seats in the meeting room. Taking the lead, Rivera stood in front of them with his buko juice in hand.

“All victims were born and raised here at Kahilom, except for Mendez who went here 8 years ago for school…” He referred to the 3rd victim identified as Ashley Mendez, a 20-year-old Accounting student who got a scholarship from Kahilom State University. “…and Jane Austin who got a job at the Mayor’s office. She never lived at Kahilom and had to travel for an hour to work.” He referred to the 5th victim, a 25-year-old who worked for the Mayor for 4 years.

“Not everyone was born here but all had a life at Kahilom somehow. Some left, some came back---everyone was not here all at the same time, except for this year.” Captain Rivera wrote 2015 on the evidence board. “Everyone was here 5 years ago.”

“2015? Was there a significant event at Kahilom that time?”

As if on impulse, everyone looked at Carlos with Adrian’s question. Rivera then gave out orders. “Try to find that out, Carlos. It’s better for you to do it since you lived here all your life. Anything from your memory could be helpful too.”

He also proceeded giving orders for the rest of the team members. Everyone hurriedly finished their food and went out of their separate ways. But not after with Juan’s question.

“What about Magbanua and Vicente, anyway?”

“Magbanua and Vicente…” a pause from Captain Rivera. “Let’s take them out of the picture.”

“WHAT are you doing instead of getting your task done?”

“I’m doing my job, Aguinaldo.” His words sounded as lifeless as himself. “Captain said anything from my memory could be helpful, right? I’m doing that now. I’m digging my rotting brain for some memories.”

“Stop saying stupid things you don’t really need to broadcast it.” Carlos calling Marie with her last name made her frown. Marie pulled Carlos’ legs slightly, shaking it. “And get down there. Are you a monkey? Why would you think on a top of a tree?”

“I don’t know why you still saw me here when I’m actually trying to hide.”

That made Marie look at the police station that’s still very visible from their direction. She didn’t understand what he’s saying.

“Whatever. Just get down there.”

Marie took a step back and Carlos made his jump. They both sat under the tree and Carlos gave his shoes for Marie to sit in.

“Did you know thinking sometimes requires another person? Now spill.”

“And that sometimes could be today?”

Marie rolled her eyes and leaned on the tree at the back of them and squinted at the bright sunlight. She raised both her hands to block the sun and waited for Carlos to talk. She waited for a whole minute.

“Capt said we will be taking Alex from the picture.”

‘I heard that, too.” Marie nodded, still squinting at the sun. “Now what? You’ve been wanting that, no?”

Carlos sighed. That made Marie face him, hands still over her head. “What was that?”

“It’s just that I’ve been wanting this but I don’t feel relieved like I thought I would be.”

Marie sat straight and wrapped her hands on her folded knees. She rested her head on it as she talked, all eyes on Carlos. “Is that supposed to be a problem? What’s really important is that it actually happened, right?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Carlos worded the rest in much lower voice. “As long as I think I’m still right.”

“All right! Now it’s time for you to do your job for real.” Marie motioned Carlos to stand up, which the latter immediately obliged. Marie took the shoes that saved her white jeans from getting grass stains and dusted it off with hands, and took Carlos’ feet to put it back. Carlos almost kicked her off in the process.

“What are you doing?”

Marie ignored the panicking Carlos and took her time tying the shoelaces. She tapped the shoes when she’s done and stood up, and dusted her hands together. “There you go. I think you need to run.”

Carlos looked at her more weirdly than he could. “What?”

“Nothing. I just thought you might have to run so I tied the shoelaces for you. That’s my thank you for lending those to me.”

Marie shrugged, then left leaving Carlos feeling more weirded out than ever, and also a little freaked out.