Night Walker Detective

V1 - Chapter 4

‘The detective and his criminal wear version of the same mask,’ – Jane Roberts

-Donovan’s POV-

Last time that mama asked me about my dad, I pretended to not hear anything she has said. Mas mabuti na kung ako na lang masaktan sa aming dalawa, dahil paniguradong mas masasaktan akong makita na nahihirapan si mama, dahil siya na lang ang natitirang importanteng tao sa buhay ko.

And that made me think of something.

“Ma, anong nangyari?” tanong ko kay mama pagkarating ko sa bahay. May nakapagsabi na sa akin kung anong nangyari pero gusto ko pa rin marinig kay mama ang lahat.

“D-donovan, ang p-papa mo… ang p-papa m-mo,” hindi niya matapos ang sinasabi niya dahil sa patuloy niyang pag-iyak.

“Ma…” hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. Ang nasa isip ko lang ngayon ay ang kaligtasan ng pamilya ko. Pero pamilya pa nga ang mayroon ako kung kaming dalawa na lang ng nanay ko ang magpapatuloy sa buhay?

I was 24 years old nang malaman ko na nakapasa ako sa licensure exam bilang police. Grabe ‘yong saya na naramdaman ko dahil makalipas ang ilang taon matutupad ko na ang pangarap ko at ni papa na maging magka-trabaho kami. But how I can accomplish that dream kung wala na ang papa ko?

Detective Moreno, colleague of my father, informed us that my dad has gone missing and they found his lifeless body in the river after a few days. Hindi na masyadong makita ang mukha dahil ito ang unang tinamaan ng sasakyan.

Ilang beses kong sinabi sa kanila na si hindi kay papa ang katawan na ‘yon at maaring buhay pa siya pero hindi nila ako pinaniwalaan. Nakita rin nila ang mga personal na gamit ni papa malapit sa bangkay kaya malakas ang paninindigan na siya nga ‘yon.

Isa pa sa masakit na katotohanan ay nawawala na pala si papa ng ilang araw ay hindi man lang naming napansin.

Matapos ang lahat, buong magdamag umiyak si mama, hindi siya kumain ng dinner at hindi rin siya lumabas ng kanyang kwarto. She believed na si papa nga ‘yong katawan na nakita kanina pero hindi pa rin ako naniniwala.

Alam kong buhay pa si papa kaya naman ginawa ko ang lahat para mapatunayan ‘yon.

Ngunit sampung taon na ang nakakalipas pero wala pa rin akong sapat na ebidensya.

Nagawi ang tingin ko sa video na nasa harapan ko. Watching these videos was a step closer to the truth. At kapag nalaman ko na ang totoo, how would I react? Matutuwa ba ako? Magagalit? O malulungkot? I don’t know anymore.

Naisip ko, kung buhay nga siya, bakit hindi siya nagpaparamdam? Bakit hindi siya nagpapakita sa amin ni mama? Bakit hindi niya sabihin na buhay at humihinga pa siya?

Ang daming tanong na tumatakbo sa isipan ko. Ang daming posibilidad na pwedeng magpatunay na buhay nga siya pero marami ring patunay na wala na talaga siya.

After the last video was played, I reclined in my seat as I relaxed my shoulder. I don’t know what to believe anymore. Maraming variables na pwedeng i-manipulate para makuha ang sagot na nanaisin ng isang tao. Ugh! I hate this feeling!

Tinignan ko ang clock display sa cellphone ko. It’s already four in the afternoon. The clock is ticking. Agad akong nagbihis at nagpalit ng damit, kailangan kong kumilos habang may oras pa ako ngayon.

Lumabas ako ng unit at nilakad ang kahabaan ng hallway hanggang sa makarating ako sa elevator. I hope that everything would go well at makuha ko ang kailangan ko.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago sumakay sa sasakyan. When I gathered enough courage, I started the engine at dumiretso sa Casa Bernina, hindi naman gano’n kalayo kaya mabilis din akong nakarating.

“Detective Donovan!” my lips turned into a smile when I heard a familiar voice. Agad akong lumingon sa gawi niya at kinawayan siya.

“Detective Gallardo,” I greeted him. “It’s been a while,” I said as I sat in front of him.

He’s the private investigator that I hired when I’m investigating my father’s case. Nakalimutan ko na napunta rin pala siya rito sa San Bernin.

Looking at him reminded me of the past, on how eager I am to solve the case. For a second, I thought of continuing what I have started. Pero nakapag-desisyon na ako kanina na titigilan ko na ang kaso.

“Yeah, it’s been a while,” ngumiti lang ako sa kanya bilang sagot. May nilabas naman siya na brown envelope na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. “I found something that might interest you. Wanna check?”

“Sure, what it is?”

“Here!” he held the brown envelope to me. I waited for him to say more, pero wala na siyang sinabi. Bago ko tinanggap ay sinuri ko muna ang envelope. I frowned when I saw the picture, this was clearly a group photo taken in the hospital.

I clearly saw my father, smiling in the picture. Sa kanan naman niya ay may nakaakbay na isang doctor na sa tingin ko ay halos ka-edad ko lang din. Sa kaliwan naman ay si Detective Moreno at iba pa nilang ka-trabaho.

“As I was browsing to my files, I saw that photo,” panimula niya at sumandal sa kanyang upuan. Agad naman akong napatingin sa kanya. “The man beside your father is Theodore Williams and Mikael Williams respectively. Mikael Williams and your dad were close since he become his client.”

I don’t find anything that might interest me but I can’t say that since he might have some more that might catch my attention.

“Hmm… mukha ngang close sila,” I commented while touching the face of my father.

“If I remember correctly, that Theodore Williams was investigated before because of medical malpractice. Pero hindi siya nakulong dahil kulang sa ebidensya.”

“I see. I’ll keep this picture then.” I said. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya at itinabi ang picture na hawak ko.

Agad akong nagmaneho pabalik ng apartment. Kung kanina ay nawala lahat ng iniisip ko ngayon naman ay nagsibalikan at nadagdagan pa.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto para magbihis. Mukhang hindi rin ako makakakain ng dinner dahil nawalan na ako ng gana.

“Hay, Donovan, umayos ka, first day mo pa naman bukas,” I mumbled to myself as a calm my mind.

This will do right? I just need to distract myself.

“Aha!” I said as if a light bulb appear on my mind. I forgot to inform Detective Gallardo regarding to my decision earlier.

I grabbed my phone to call Detective Gallardo. Nawala rin sa isip ko kaya hindi ko nasabi no’ng nagkita kami.

I dialed his number and he answered after three rings.

“Brent,” I greeted him.

“Kakakita lang natin kanina,” he chuckled. “Napatawag ka?”

“Just wanna inform you na hindi ko na itutuloy ang investigation ko para mahanap si Papa,” I sighed. “It’s been ten long years pero wala pa ring progress ‘yong case.”

“Why change of mind? Ang tagal mong trinabaho ‘tong kaso na ‘to?” yeah, I remembered how desperate I was before.

“Just because,” I replied, ayoko nang pahabain pa ang usapan.

“Okay,” he continued after a long pause. “Just call me if you need anything. Bye, bro.” he said and I hung up the call.

-----

It’s Monday morning and my alarm pulls me from my sleep, which was a really good night sleep to me. I ease out of bed and prepare myself to work. Today’s my first day and I cannot afford to be late. I don’t want to leave a bad impression to my colleagues.

After I took a shower, I put on my uniform and tie. Dahil unang araw ko pa lang naman ay need kong magpakilala ng formal, buti na lang din at hindi ko nakalimutan dalhin ‘yong uniform ko. I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and a mug of hot coffee.

Bigla ko tuloy naalala dahil tuwing pumapasok ako ay lagi akong pinaghahandaan ni mama ng almusal, though marunong naman akong magluto.

Mabilis kong tinapos ang pagkain para tuluyang maghanda papasok. Hindi pa naman ako late pero excited akong pumasok. Iba talaga ang epekto kapag gusto mo rin ang ginagawa mo, kahit na minsan mahirap, nakaka-stress at maraming struggles, tuloy pa rin dahil gusto at mahal mo ang ginagawa mo.

Pagkatapos maghanda ay agad akong pumunta sa parking. Hindi ko maiwasan mag-isip ng kung ano-anong bagay, kung anong mangyayari sa unang araw ko? Sinong makakasama ko sa isang team? Sinong partner ko? Kung anong kaso ang una kong hahawakan?

A detective is a police officer, and I as a detective, my duty is to detect criminals, by in-depth investigation of cases. When solving a crime, we, detectives, conduct a criminal investigation that seeks for all the facts about the crime to help determine the truth – what happened and who is responsible for such act.

-----

“Detective Portman, nice to see you again,” bati sa akin ni Colonel Martinez.

“Good morning, Sir,” I greeted him back.

“Sakto maaga ka today, papakilala ko sa’yo ang magiging team mo and we’ll hold a meeting seminar for the students’ detective,” nice, may pa-seminar din pala rito. “Can we get you as a speaker impromptu?”

“Sure, sir, no problem.”

“Then, what are we waiting for? Let’s meet your team,” at nauna na siyang maglakad to lead the way.

Arriving at the third floor, we enter the room on the left side. Bumungad sa amin ang mga cubicles na may tambak na bulto-bulto ng papel. Dumiretso kami sa kanang bahagi ng opisina at may apat na lalaki ang lumapit sa amin.

You’ll be assigned here in Violent Crime Unit 1 and this will be your team members,” at isinenyas ang kamay niya paturo sa mga lalaki.

“Detective Roman Villares, Sir,” inabot naman niya ang kanyang kamay kaya tinaggap ko ito. At isa-isa naman silang nagpakilala.

“I’m Detective Juan Jose Roxas.”

“Detective Angelo Ventura.”

“Detective Raphael Angeles.”

“And I’m Detective Clayton Raynolds, your partner, Sir,” masayang bati niya. Mukhang siya rin ang pinakabata sa amin.

“Nice meeting you guys, I’m Detective Donovan Portman and I’ll be your team leader,” pakilala ko sa kanila. “Let’s work well together.”

“So, boys, let’s get to know each other later. Hihiramin ko muna si Detective Portman for the seminar,” pagkatapos magpaalam ay dumiretso na kami ni Colonel sa auditorium kung saan magaganap ‘yong seminar. Pagpasok sa loob ay halos mapuno ang venue. Hindi ko in-expect na ganito karami ang a-attend.

Since mostly student ang audience, basic information about being detective and testimonials lang naman ang sinasabi ng speaker. The seminar is all about being detective. Kaya naman pala kinuha rin akong speaker ay dahil hindi nakarating ‘yong dapat na magsasalita.

Buhay nga naman parang life. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, napapansin ko lagi na lang akong nagiging second option.

“Detective kayo na po ang susunod,” tumango lang ako at naghanda na. Sobrang biglaan lang din naman kasi kaya kung ano man masabi ko mamaya, goodluck.

“Detective’s task is to gather, organize, and use information appropriately,” I took a deep breath before I continued. “People may lie, tell the truth, or might tell half-truths, but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily criminals. And you must stick to the case for as long as you think reasonable.”

“Solving crimes belong to the entire police force and investigation is a coordinated departmental effort. Investigation relies on the assistance of other individuals and agencies, as well as, major assistance coming from the public in obtaining information,” I smiled and take a pause before I speak again.

Magsasalita na sana akong muli ng biglang may magtaas ng kamay.

“Yes?” I called him.

“Detective, I do have a question,” he paused and then continued what he was saying, “I heard that you also know how to profile a killer, can you give us some tips?” I smiled before I answered his question.

Well, I do have a background for criminal profiling but I choose to be a detective. Mas gusto ko na ako mismo ang huhuli at mag-iimbestiga kaysa ang kumilala lang.

“People normally ask if it’s a nature that creates a serial killer. But, it’s actually both, and more. Masasabi ko na ang genetics natin ang nagsisilbing baril, ang personalidad at pag-iisip natin ang umaasinta at ang personal experience natin ang nagsisilbing trigger.”

“How come po?” tanong ng isang estudyante na nasa harapan. Mukhang interesadong-interesado sila sa sinasabi ko kaya naman nagpatuloy ako.

“Lahat ng narito, lahat ng tao ay p’wedeng maging killer. Our genetics serves as potentiality to be a killer, but the personality and psychology are the filter through our personal experiences. For you to identify the killer, you look on how the crime was committed and it will lead you to why the crime was committed. And you’ll know who committed the crime.”