Chapter 17
472 Words
Keigan and I were in the interrogation room with Von Martin.
"Good morning, everyone. Let's begin." I greeted.
"Tell us sir, your company has recently bought a number of guns, of a particular model and caliber. Tama ba?" pagsisimula ni Keigan.
"Yes." answered Mr. Martin.
"Iyon lang ang mga b***l na nakarehistro sa bayan natin."
"Fun fact! I didn't know that."
"A murder was committed with one of those."
"Well, inspector. I am very sorry tungkol diyan. Pero hindi ang mga tao ko. I see two possible explanations. First -- not all guns are legally owned. Unless police is now doing an extremely good job, which I found surprising."
'Do I get involved?'
No, let Keigan handle it.
"So, ano yung isang explanation?" tanong ulit ni Keigan.
"Di ko kailangang sabihin sa inyo ito. One of my people had his g*n stolen. We reported it to the police ten days ago."
"Walang nakapagsabi sakin niyan." sabi ko. "We can check it easily. Keigan, go tingnan mo."
Keigan goes out, leaving us alone.
"Right, Mr. Martin, g*n or no g*n, meron pang ibang dapat nating pag-usapan."
"Nakikinig ako."
"Your daughter Valerie is nowhere to be found. At di mo pa siya nirereport na missing, hindi gaya nung baril."
"Oh, she's out of town for the last two weeks. Kasama ang kanyang ina, ex-wife ko."
"Have you checked on her?"
"No. I avoid speaking to my ex-wives."
"Di ka nag-aalala?"
"I hope inaalagaan siya ng kaniyang ina. She better be."
"Your people are not watching over her?"
"Ano?"
'My approach?'
Serious.
"It's known that you use your security company para sundin ang iyong problematic daughter around, sir."
"You are well informed."
"Alam ko."
"Kailangan mo akong intindihin, I can't have her do something stupid."
"So, are they watching over her when she is with her mother?"
"Yes, and they are not reporting anything suspicious. Ngayon, sabihin mo, anong about sakanya bat siya nasali dito?"
'How do I answer?'
Aha, directly.
"Her ex-boyfriend, Razen Stevens was murdered. Iniisip namin na may alam siya."
"Hmm... This is big. Bakit di mo siya tinawagan?"
"Di niya sinasagot."
"I'll get her to come to the station."
"It would be great."
Keigan comes back.
"So, inspector, nasan ang b***l ko?" tanong ni Mr. Martin kay Keigan.
"The case was reported to the police. Si Maxwell ang naka-duty dito."
"But it wasn't in the database!" angil ko.
"It's Maxwell. He...."
"...didn't get it right again. Kailangang may gawin tayo sa lalaking yan." suggest ko.
"Hahaha...some things never change..." Sabi ni Mr. Martin.
"Ano ibig mong sabihin?"
"Police incompetence." maikli niyang sagot.
'Ano sasabihin ko?'
Be cold.
"Sir, you are no longer needed here. Just make sure na yung anak mo ay magpapakita, OK?"
"All right, then. Aalis na ako. We'll stay in touch."
- Writer
