I Hate You, Inspector

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

ERIDETH'S POV

The addicting coffee aroma attacked my nose and the aesthetic ambience of the shop relaxed me for a bit. I can just relax here and enjoy myself but I am not here to do that.

"Here is your order, Ma'am," magalang na wika ng waiter at nilapag ang order kong hot chocolate coffee.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang buong coffee shop. Tahimik na nag-uusap ang mga tao sa kani-kanilang table. My eyes were then fixed to the man we've been following for hours. He is sitting at the third table in front of mine. Kung kanina na mayamang maganda at mestisang babae ang ka-date, at sumunod ang isang kilalang socialite, ngayon naman ay isang babaeng mayamang maganda at balingkinitan.

"Gosh... he's a total playboy," I mumbled with total abruptness when he kissed the girl torridly.

Napaiwas ang tingin ko at napatikhim na lamang. He kissed the half-breed girl and the social butterfly awhile ago, too! Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Detective Iggy na kapapasok pa lamang. Umupo siya sa harapan ko at nilapag ang dalang briefcase sa table. Napabuntong hininga ako.

"Are we here to catch him in action? That man is less suspicious." Bumuntong hininga ulit ako at binalikan ng tingin ang gawi ng lalaki. Ngayon naman ay pinaglalaruan niya ang buhok ng babae. "Imbes na paratangan siyang suspect sa nangyaring abduction, mas kapani-paniwala pang isa siyang manlilinlang, a gold digger." Kasi puro mayamang babae ang ka-date. Girlfriend niya ba talaga lahat iyon?

Tila nasamid si Detective Iggy sa aking sinabi kaya nabaling ang atensyon ko sa kanya. I throw him an innocent look when he burst a loud laugh. Napatingin tuloy ang ibang costumer sa katabing lamesa.

"He's not the suspect I am talking about and absolutely not a gold digger," natatawang sambit nito.

I raised my eyebrow. "We wasted five hours following that playboy and now you're telling me that he isn't even part of this investigation because he's not a suspect?" I spat rudely accompanied by my stressed rolling eyes. At sa loob ng limang oras na iyon, nakatatlong date siya! Paano siya hindi nabubuking?

Binigyan niya ako ng nakakalokong ngiti. "Look, Erin," he paused. "I brought you in my work because uncle asked me to look after you..."

"This is how you work? Stalking a stranger? Paano mo matatapos ang kasong hawak mo kung nandito ka at walang ginawa kundi sundan ang lalaking iyon?" I stated a fact while raising my eyebrows.

Now my cousin looks stressed. Umawang ang kanyang bibig para magsalita pero hindi niya itinuloy.

"Go and finish what you've started. I am so bored here! I should've stayed home and watch movies in my room." Nagpatuloy ako sa pagrereklamo hanggang sa may tumawag sa pinsan ko.

"Iggy," galing sa baritonong boses ng isang lalaki na sinabayan ng isang tikhim.

Tumayo agad si Detective Iggy at umaliwalas ang kanyang mukha. I look at the person standing on my cousin's side and to my horror, it's that playboy! Speaking of the devil, tsk!

"I told you to stop following me," matigas nitong sambit at walang kabuhay-buhay na nakatitig sa pinsan ko.

"I texted you the reason. Your day off is done and you need to work. Sinundan talaga kita dahil alam kong gagawa ka na naman ng rason para hindi siputin si Deputy Esquivel."

I stood to not look dumb. Hindi man lang ako pinasadahan ng tingin ng lalaking iyon. Matangkad siya kaya bahagya akong nakatingala sa kanya.

"I'm handling two cases at the same time. I'm at the peck of unveiling the truth and the mystery that lies behind the mass murder case in Columbus Mansion," panimula ni Iggy.

"And why are you here? You won't get answer from me when I know you can handle your cases," masungit namang untag ng lalaki.

Who is this man by the way? Bakit kung makapagsalita siya ay mas mataas ang ranggo niya kaysa kay Iggy?

I scanned him. He is wearing slacks, buttoned long coat, and a pair of tictac shoes. Matangkad siya kaysa kay Iggy. He has hooded eyes with a curved long eyelashes, thin kissable lips, long pointed nose, and thick eyebrows na maayos ang pagkakakurba. There's a lightning-shaped scar on his left cheek. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko nang mapasadahan ng aking tingin ang kanyang pangang bahagyang nakaigting. His Bro Flow hairstyle has accentuated his male feature. His presence is screaming authority as he stood beside my cousin.

Alright, he is pogi... okay? Kung hindi ko lang alam na playboy ito...

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin nang masulyapan niya ako. There's something in his hooded eyes that tell you that he can also be dangerous.

"Do your job properly and don't date anyone if you haven't done your report." He glanced at me again. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"This is my cousin. She's the only daughter of your Senior Inspector Sullivan. Erin, this is Inspector Moral La Pierre, my boss," pakilala ni Iggy sa akin.

Napaawang ang bibig ng lalaki at nakitaan ko ng pagkamangha ang kanyang mga mata. Mabilis akong pinasadahan ng tingin pero agad din itong nag-iwas ng tingin. Ako naman ay nagulat dahil inspector pala itong sinusundan namin kanina!

This playboy is an inspector, can you believe it!?

"What do you need from me then? I'm done with my political case. If this is about the abduction of Senator Denver's daughter, I told you to handle the case alone." Napabuntong hininga siya tila ba problemadong-problemado.

"I'll handle it alone, inspector. I received a call from the headquarters awhile ago and they need you to solve a murder case of a famous model, Brianna Alistair." Seryosong nagpapaliwanag ang pinsan ko pero siya ay parang nauubusan na ng pasensya.

Inayos ko ang buhok ko at kinuha ang bag ko para mauna nang lumabas sa coffee shop na iyon. Kagagaling ko lang sa school at sinundo ako ng pinsan ko dahil bilin ng aking papa. My parents went out of town for the celebration of their anniversary. Nagpaiwan ako dahil gusto ko silang magsaya ni mama.

Kakaupo ko pa lang sa backseat ay nagsipasukan na sina Iggy at ang inspector na playboy. Mukhang nakulitan iyong inspector sa pinsan ko kaya sumama na lang para matapos na.

We arrived at the crime scene and everyone is busy doing their jobs. The suspects were gathered in the living room, sitting on the couch while the investigation is going on.

"Inspector La Pierre!" The police head shook hands with him.

"How's the investigation?" he asked while eyeing the whole area and the busy people.

"Slow progress. We've gathered their alibis too but I guess you want to check them for yourself." The man handed him a folder.

He nodded and accepted the folder. They started walking as he scans the report. Sinulyapan ko ang pinsan kong matamang nakikinig sa sinasabi ng police head. Tahimik naman akong nakasunod sa kanila. Wala rin naman akong magagawa kung magrereklamo ako.

"These are the victim's friends. Ang sabi'y imbetado silang lahat dahil gustong ibalita ng biktima ang tungkol sa kanyang nalalapit na kasal sa kanyang kasintahan." He pointed at the man sitting on the single couch. He looks pale, shocked, and is mourning.

My cousin drew near him and asked some questions. Sumagot naman nang maayos ang lalaki kahit naiiyak na ito habang nagkukwento.

"Aren't you going to get bored? You can stay on the car, we'll be quick here," baling sa akin ni Inspector Moral. Napasulyap ang police head sa akin at ngumiti ito. I didn't return his smile.

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. Mukha naman siyang taong walang pakialam pero naappreciate ko ang maliit na gesture niyang ito.

I shook my head. "I'll stay here and watch you finish the investigation," sagot ko. Ayos lang kung matagalan, magtitiis ako. Hindi rin naman ako maihahatid agad ni Iggy dahil busy siya rito.

"Alright." He licked his lips and turned himself away to start asking the suspects' alibis.

Bahagya ko rin tuloy binasa ang mga labi ko. What the heck, Erin! Bat ka nahahawa sa lalaking iyan?!

Lahat ng kaibigan ng biktima ay suspek. Pinagbawalan silang lumabas ng bahay hanggat hindi natatapos ang imbestigasyon. Walo silang lahat na magkakaibigan kasama iyong biktima at lima sa kanila ay mga babae. Lahat sila umiiyak maliban sa isang babae na mukhang natatawa lamang habang sinasagot ang mga katanungan ni Iggy.

"Brianna is a total b***h! Matagal na talaga siyang may saltik sa utak kaya hindi talaga malabong suicide ang nangyari!" sigaw nito sa pinsan ko.

Why would she commit suicide. Eh diba nga ikakasal siya? Isn't she happy?

"Amber what the hell are you talking about!? We are friends!" singit ng isang babae at inawat ng isang pulis dahil sinubukan niyang sabunutan iyong Amber.

Napaawang ang bibig ko. Don't tell me ito na iyong scene na magtatraydoran ang mga babae dahil may lakas na ang isa para sabihin ang kanyang tunay na saloobin.

"Ms. Amber, we are only asking for your alibi. We don’t buy shits here. Where were you when the crime happened?" Inspector Moral asked nicely but he seems to be losing his cool here because he's massaging the bridge of his nose.

Kumalma ang mga babae. Sumeryoso silang lahat at matinding katahimikan ang bumalot sa paligid.

"I was on my way to the balcony to smoke when Brianna said she'll go upstairs to get something," Amber confessed. "Everyone can attest to that!" Tumango naman silang lahat.

"What about you, Ms. Ritchie?"

"I saw Amber went to the balcony while I came back to the kitchen to get another bottle of rum," sagot nung Ritchie.

"Who can testify that you went on the kitchen and not to follow Brianna upstairs?" my cousin asked.

"I went on the kitchen with Klint!" agad nitong sagot sa isang iritadong boses.

The man named Klint looks shocked but immediately composed himself and nodded. Mukhang walang nakapansin sa naging reaksyon nito. Well, he's still shocked because his friend died. Who wouldn't be surprised? Naagaw lang ng atensyon ko ang suot niyang gusot na scarf. Kinda strange for me since it's not cold here in the Philippines unless it's a new male fashion. Napansin ko lang na pinagpapawisan siya ng matindi katulad nung isang lalaking katabi. May iniinda ata siyang sakit dahil napapapikit siya. He gritted his teeth. Sa lahat naman ng maayos tignan sa mga babae na less suspicious ay iyong katabi ni Amber na hindi pa nagsasalita.

"Kitchen, where else, Mr. Klinton?" tanong ni inspector.

"Lumabas na ako sa kusina," sagot naman ni Klinton.

Binalewala niya ang sagot ni Klinton. Napataas ang kilay ko dahil hindi naman specific ang sagot na iyon para sa akin. He went out and then what? Lumabas siya ng kusina at bumalik sa living room o lumabas ng bahay? But then I didn't mind it though.

"What about the rest of you, where were you when the crime happened?" si Inspector Moral habang may tinitignan sa folder na hawak, mukhang nirereview nito ang sinabi nila kanina.

Nagtaas ng kamay ang pangatlong babae sa kanila, ito iyong tinutukoy ko. "I stayed here in the living room while reading some of Brianna's books." Nakalapag ang maraming libro sa table, nakabuklat pa ang isang libro.

"Me and Ezra went out of the house…" the third man thrilled and blushed.

"Went to do what?" Detective Iggy asked impatiently.

"To make-out, obviously," the girl named Ezra said with a grin on her face.

Alright. I understand that these ladies are of legal age but I don't know, I feel awkward hearing her say those words confidently. Is it because I am inexperienced when it comes to that kind of stuff?

Nagsitikhiman ang mga pulis pati si Inspector Moral bago nila balingan ang panghuling lalaki na kasintahan ng biktima.

"I went upstairs with my girlfriend. We talked a bit before I decided to go downstairs because she said she wants to surprise us. After all she went on her room to get something. We were all gathered here in the living room but thirty minutes has passed, Brianna didn't show up so I decided to check up on her… and… I saw the blood... the k-knife was..." He began to cry.

Brianna Alistair was found stabbed on her chest, lying on the floor of her room. Iyon ang sinabi ng police head kanina. Nagpatuloy ang imbestigasyon. Naglakad-lakad ako dahil nangangalay na ang mga binti ko. Nang makita kong tinitignan nina Iggy ang mga kuhang litrato'y gusto ko na agad lumapit. Kaso napapalibutan sila ng mga pulis at isa pa hindi naman ako detective. Lumapit na lang ako ng kunti, tama lang para marinig ko silang nagsasalita.

"There's no fingerprints on the murderer's weapon," ani isang pulis.

Hindi na iyon bago dahil sino ba namang mamamatay tao na mag-iiwan ng bakas?

"Of course the murderer wants to play safe. Plus this can't be suicide because there's no fingerprints of Brianna on the murder weapon. The culprit made a mistake here. If he is smart, he will think logically to let Brianna touch it but he can't outsmart me," he said with smirk on his face. The look on his face will tell you that he already figured out something. "Something's strange here." Sabay lahad ni Inspector Moral sa isang picture na hindi ko kita. "Didn't you just miss something? Bring me the report of the coroner and call the Forensic Team. I want a thorough analysis on her fingernails and neck again."

"Ang talas ng mata," bulungan ng dalawang pulis na nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa akin. "Iyan ata iyong ipinagmamalaking Inspector ni Deputy Esquivel."

"What? Aren't we going to focus on the way she was killed?" Napabaling naman ako kay Iggy.

"Exactly. She died before she was stabbed. The murderer strangled her before stabbing her on her chest to mislead us," he probed a point while pointing his forefinger on one of the pictures.

People who heard him throw my cousin a knowing look, something that only them know. Hindi ko na nasundan pa ang kanilang usapan nang lapitan ako ng isang pulis at inabutan ng sandwich at mineral water. Kausap ito kanina ng pinsan ko. Mukhang inutusan niya.

"Matatagalan pa ata kaya binilin ni Detective Iggy na bigyan ka nito."

I accepted it.

"Maupo ka po muna, Miss."

Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang umupo sa upuang inilahad nito sa akin hindi kalayuan sa kinatatayuan namin. I sat there and ate my sandwich. Come to think of it, I should be bored but I didn't. This thing excites me though. Magugulat si papa nito kapag nalaman niyang tumagal ako ng ilang oras dito.

Ilang oras ang lumipas at naglalaro ako sa aking cellphone nang bumalik sina Iggy.

"Finally we'll end the long night here." Masigla na ngayon ang inspector. Everyone anticipated his next words.

Tumayo ako para lapitan ang pinsan kong paminsan-minsan akong sinusulyapan. Agad nitong hinubad ang coat na suot niya at isinuot sa akin. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang lamig.

"I'm sorry. Inaantok ka na ba?" he asked.

I smiled at him. "Ayos lang. Hindi pa naman ako inaantok." I checked the time and it's already ten in the evening.

Pinatayo nila ang mga suspect.

"Mabilis lang 'to. The inspector found who the culprit is."

His words stunned me but Inspector Moral's words stunned me more and the crowd.

"Mr. Klinton Duboah, you are under arrest on suspicion of murder of Brianna Alistair," he said lightly.

Nagkagulo silang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Inspector Moral. Pati ako ay nagulat. I glanced at my cousin who looks so proud looking at the inspector. He looks so proud of him.

"Dapat sa lahat ng suspect si Deroy ang kahina-hinala dahil magkasama sila!" Iyak ni Ritchie na sinabayan ng iba sa kanila.

"No. We found red thread on her neck with an evidence of the victim being choked to death and a small strand of hair on her nail. Klinton strangled her using a scarf and stabbed her to mislead us. Further investigation, we found that the small strand of hair is Klinton's. Probably because Brianna tried to hold onto something while he is strangling her, positioned on her back." Napatikom ang bibig ng iba sa sinabi ni Inspector Moral.

"No! I didn't do anything!" Klinton protested.

"The only person who wears cloth here is him and to be specific he has a red scarf. It is supported too because both Deroy and Baron have medium hair length," Inspector Moral said impatiently while giving signal to the police to handcuff the culprit. "Pumunta lang ng kusina si Klinton para kumuha ng kutsilyo. What did he say to you, Ritchie, before he went out before you? Hindi siya nagtagal, hindi ba?" now he asked Ritchie who testified that they went to the kitchen together.

Tumango si Ritchie. "M-Magpapahangin siya sa labas," aniya sa isang nanghihinang tinig.

"Now Baron and Ezra, did you saw Klinton outside?"

They both shook their head with widened eyes when reality dawned on them.

"Amber, did you saw Klinton?"

"No. It's because I went inside the living room after I finished one stick of cigarette."

They gave Klinton an accusing stares.

"I really went out! You didn't saw me because you guys were busy making out!"

"Yes you went out. Umikot ka para hanapin ang scaffolding hindi ba? At alam mong katabi lang ng kwarto ni Brianna ito," bored na bored na untag nito.

Hindi nakapagsalita si Klinton kaya nagpatuloy ang inspector. "Don't even think of denying it in front of me. You sprained your left ankle from rushing down after you did it right?"

Nagpatuloy pa ang mga deduction ni Inspector Moral hanggang sa umamin na ang suspek. Guilty siya at inaming kaya niya nagawa iyon ay dahil sa matinding galit. Nagwala pa iyong boyfriend ni Brianna dahil nalaman niya ang katotohanan na si Klinton pala at Brianna ay pasekretong nagde-date. In a nutshell, Klinton killed Brianna because he can't accept the fact that she is marrying Deroy.

Sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari at namalayan ko na lang ay ihinahatid na ako ni Iggy sa bahay kasama ang inspector.

"I knew you'd solve the case immediately! But the twist there is very... Akalain mong may namamagitan din kay Klinton at Brianna. Napangunahan ng selos ang lalaki." My cousin keeps talking and talking until I felt an eyes staring at me like a hawk preying on me.

Napangiti ako nang hilaw dahil panay ang titig ni Inspector Moral sa akin. I am sitting on the backseat while he's sitting on the passenger seat, nakalingon ang ulo sa akin na para bang sinusuri ako. Nagmamaneho naman ang pinsan ko.

"You are the only daughter of Senior Inspector Sullivan?" he asked with a hint of suspiciousness.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I raised my eyebrow and he did the same. Parang hindi siya titigil kung hindi ko siya sagutin nang nagtaas-baba ang kanyang kilay.

"Yes," sagot ko na lamang.

Naroon na naman iyong tingin niyang parang hindi makapaniwala o namamangha. I'm sure he is wondering why. I am not exposed to my father's work or anything that is related to my parents works. My mother runs a Law Firm since she is a judge and here I am taking my own path opposite to them. Unang beses kong tumagal sa pinangyayarihan ng crime scene dahil ayoko talagang sumasama sa mga ganoon. I am a graduating college student taking architecture. Taliwas sa gusto ko ang natapos ng aking mga magulang. They supported me with my own decisions kaya ayos lang ako.

"How old are you?"

I hesitated to tell him but in the end I managed to answer him.

"I'm twenty-one."

Agad siyang tumalikod sa akin at umupo nang maayos nang marinig ang edad ko. Tumawa nang malakas si Iggy kaya nakuha niya ang tingin ko.

"Not my cousin, inspector," seryoso nitong sambit. "Your charisma won't work on her," he said with a smirk on his face.

Hindi ko iyon nakuha agad pero nang makuha ko naman ay agad akong napangiwi. Hindi rin siya ang mga tipo ko no!

"Shut up, Ighirie Sullivan," he said frustratedly and looked outside the window. "I'm not up for that. Knowing that she's Senior Inspector Sullivan's daughter, It'll be a career suicide."

"Oh come on, inspector. Alam ko ang mga tipo mo'y kaedaran mo. Stop playing around and be open for a serious and intimate relationship already. Tumatanda ka na," ani Iggy bago niliko ang sasakyan papuntang subdivision namin.

How old is he ba?

"It's either I save lives and solve cases or lay down on bed and cuddle with my woman."

I rolled my eyes heavenward. As if marunong magseryoso ang isang ito. Nakatatlong date nga sa loob ng limang oras lang!

Umingay ang cellphone ni inspector dahil sa isang tawag. He groaned after reading the name of the caller.

"It's either you take that call or you lose one girlfriend again," natatawang untag ni Iggy na sinabayan ng halakhak ni Inspector Moral bago sinagot ang tawag.

Napairap na lamang ako. Oh god! He really is a total playboy!