Sunshine

XVII

ANOTHER morning has come for everyone and also for the Special Task Force Team. But unlike all other mornings, the team has been receiving looks of distaste and disapproval from everyone else in the police force they come across with. It looks like the story of the team’s “incompetence” reached the force and has been the talk of the town over their morning coffees. It’s only about time they get reprimanded for it---this morning’s incident made the team mentally prepare for it.

“I know Capt said we should totally take Magbanua out of the picture, but I’m just really curious. Why Jose Romero was not followed by Love Lingerie’s fotogram before it happened? Does that mean we were wrong about it?”

But of course, today is still another workday for the Special Task Force Team. And as always, Juan Valencia’s curious mind and mouth is, again, on the roll today.

“No, it’s because he doesn’t have one.” Dela Vega stopped typing on his laptop as if he just realized what he said himself. “Right, he doesn’t have one. It’s because the next victim doesn’t have one!”

Juan raised an eyebrow at Dela Vega. Dela Vega stood up from his chair and repeated. “Right, he doesn’t have one!”

“Wait, what do you mean?”

Adrian Dela Vega looked at Juan Valencia with a new lit in his eyes. It’s saying he just found an answer to something that’s been bothering him for a long time. “You know, we were trying to figure out the next victim with the fotogram follows but we didn’t thought what if the next don’t have an account? That was why! That was why we couldn’t name anyone, Juan.”

“Yeah, sure? Okay I understand. But what could be else you’re thinking for you to be this excited? Fill me in will you?” Juan couldn’t understand why something so trivial as that, though it actually answered his question seemed like something so important to Adrian but since he looked like he finally found a way after being lost for some time while frantically typing on his laptop, he decided not to press on it anymore.

“But wait. Does that mean you still haven’t cleared them from your suspects’ list?”

Adrian looked at Carlos instead, who’s been listening to them from his seat. “Do we have any suspects aside from them?”

Carlos just stared back at him, then tightened his shoelaces and went out of the police station. Adrian shrugged and went back to his laptop, facing his busy back at Juan.

“WHAT brings you here?”

“You don’t have any costumers, right?” Carlos worded out what he’s currently seeing. The lingerie store is currently scarce of people, with only a few employees and Alex on the counter occupying it, including himself. “Can we talk?”

Alex stayed quiet but also didn’t do any that could show she wants him out. Carlos figured she’s just waiting for him to talk. Carlos nodded and looked around for the last time as if showing it to Alex. “And can we step outside for a bit too?”

“What would you like to eat?” Carlos asked as soon as they found a sit on the nearest cake shop. Alex didn’t answered him and called the waiter instead, and ordered a slice of chocolate cake and americano iced coffee. Carlos ordered the same coffee. The waiter left them to get their order which also left them silent.

A quiet piano sonata enveloped the coffee shop. Carlos pretended to recognize the Brahms piece and tried to look interested on it. In the end he gave up and just quietly stared outside the window until their order arrived. Carlos quietly thanked the waiter for it while Alex started eating, still mute. Carlos took a deep breath and broke the silence.

“I just want to sincerely apologize what happened the other day.”

Alex stopped gulping her food. Slowly she put her utensils on the table. Though her eyes are glued on the table and nothing else, Carlos knew she is now ready to listen.

She’s still the same, he thought.

“I’m really glad we met again despite how we ended. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to do anything. Actually I’m more happy seeing you doing good more than the idea of seeing you face to face like this again.”

Alex resumed to eating again, this time in the normal speed. Carlos sipped on his own coffee in an attempt to clear his throat.

“It would be shameless of me to offer friendship to you, right?”

Alex didn’t said anything but Carlos saw she agrees with what he has said. Carlos smiled and left to let Alex finish her meal alone. He knows Alex will enjoy her favorite meryenda combo more that way.

“MARIE, are you still with me?”

“With what?”

“Magbanua and Vicente.” Adrian spoke the next words in a whisper. “I’m planning on investigating them still.”

After Carlos left, the only ones left at the station aside from Captain Rivera inside his own office are Aguinaldo and Dela Vega. They didn’t noticed where Juan has left to, but they altogether assumed he went for some snacks. Unknowingly they also waited for their owns to come.

“Okay?” Marie made the face. “But do you really have to keep it a secret?” She asked referring to the whispering.

“Not really a secret, but I would like it to be as discreet as possible.”

“Why? Because of Carlos?”

“I don’t know. Every decision we made just made everything worst.” Dela Vega pulled his chair closer to Marie. “Now, what? Are you still with me?”

“What do you suggest we do, then?”

“Not doing anything.” Marie’s eyebrows met. She’s about to open her mouth but stopped after seeing Adrian’s determined face. She immediately gave up as she reminds herself his stubbornness and Carlos’ are actually on the same level. “I’m not actually confident about this, but I at least want to try.”

Marie sighed in resignation. “Let me hear it out first.”

“WE want to be assigned with another case, Captain.”

Without any greetings Dela Vega went straight with his intentions after knocking on Captain Rivera’s office. Marie who is at his back who got quite shocked by Adrian took alternating side glances on both. However, she kept her mouth pursed.

“We had our focus on the serial murder case but we actually couldn’t do anything. We feel so bad and thought we should take the responsibility as well. We are well aware too that giving the team only one assignment also took a toll on the force. Let us take some cases.”

“What are you sayi---”

Adrian immediately cut-off Captain Rivera.

“We know, Capt. That you had a salary deduction this month.”

Captain Rivera sighed. In tired eyes, though he didn’t mean to show he said. “You already discussed this with your other team members, right?”

Marie and Adrian only silently nodded, almost in unison.