Chapter 2: Interview and missing

     The drive took more than one hour, longer than what Catharine assumed. On their way, she recalled what led to Jennifer's home is an old tunnel. This could be a place to kill someone but then she remembered that Jennifer lived in Paradiso year ago and then she was not seen after that although she is not quite certain. Jennifer could have visited her parents before she was gone and then abducted by crazy people. What makes her sure that the death was made by more than one person is the strength it put to the victim. The bruises are proofs. She considered other factor; build of a person. It might also be possible but she's convinced the former one is true. There were small glimpse of humanity from the tunnel and Jennifer's house.

          

     Jennifer's home was a moderate brick house with garden outside just like her parents' home. Many plants are placed outside where the sun could reach its rays. Among these, Catharine can only name one which is Verbena. It hangs beside the house. On the patio, purple shamrocks were placed that embellish the dull color of the house. The grass mower was left at the right side of the house. When they reached the doorstep, Alex knocked three times to be greeted by a woman in her fifties. Both wearing civilian, Catharine showed his ID to the woman.

          

     "Good morning Ma'am Luisa Lorenzo. I'm detective Catharine Maximo together with my partner Officer Alex Perez from Paradiso City Police Department. We're here to ask questions about the decease Jennifer," Alex directly told her which cause the woman to be shocked. She gasp, taken aback by the news brought. Alex had an awful way of telling the woman her child is dead. Without warning, Alex entered the house. The inside is different from the outside color of the house, revealing a lively mood, it attracts people. There was three a family picture hanging upon the wall. On the small table beside the sofa, a girl that resembles Jennifer was placed, smiling without a tooth at the camera then a picture of her wearing T-shirt in age Catharine estimates to be in 18. She sat abreast to Alex.

          

     After a moment of being stagnant, Jennifer's mom tried to compose herself although it was an arduous task to do. She made her way to a chair and asked the full detail. She still has doubt. She can't quite believe that this has happened.

          

     "Jennifer was reported missing last year. Her dorm mate haven't seen her morning of September 14. At first she thought Jennifer just went to school earlier than practiced but when a day passed and no Jennifer appeared in the dorm, she went to PCPD and reported it," Alex explained.

          

     "Just this morning, we received a call saying that a dead body was found. We went and investigated to find out it was the same girl missing last year. She received a crazy force of sharp object inserted many times in her cervix which causes her death. We found her phone and read contents that might be helpful. Unfortunately, there are none. Either the culprit deleted it or Jennifer did but we think it's the former reason. It's already sent to the lab. We still don't have the result," added Catharine. This time Mrs. Lorenzo burst to tears. Having known the truth hurt her the most. Catharine tried to comfort her by patting her back. A gesture she thinks would somehow help. After a moment, Luisa excuses herself to get a hanky or tissue. Silence fell in the living room. Only the sound of breathing could be heard. Catharine looked up to Alex, her face blank.

          

     "You shouldn't have told her directly, you know. You could have settled down first and talk it out to her. Instead you bombed her with the news," she reproached him.

           

     "No use. She would still know it a minute later so why prolong it?" Alex confidently said, putting his arms on the armchair and crossing his legs. He could be inconsiderate sometimes, maybe most of the time. 

          

     Luisa returned carrying a box of tissue and a plate of cookies and offered the two. Said she was baking when they came. 

          

     "My Jennifer. I told her she could just stay with me, with OUR town but she refuses. She wants to be independent. I raised her alone, you know? Her father is a good-ole a**hole that left me when I was just carrying Jennifer. I-I can't believe it. Why did that happen?" She was fighting the urge to become hysterical. "truthfully, we even fought about the idea of her separating. I was against it. She did not listen to me. Even so, she visited me but it stopped a year ago. I thought she was just too busy. She wants to take care of things on her own so I let her. I did not expect this to happen to my Jennifer."

          

     "Do you know persons who might be enemies of Jennifer? It could help us know your daughter's killer," Catharine asked.

          

     "When she was still in this town, yes. She had enemies. That was high school. You see, Jennifer was gamey in a way she faced situations bravely by fighting. She imperils herself but I think that changed when she transferred to Paradiso City. Students to fought with her back then transferred to another country which I'm not certain of the exact name," Luisa explained while Alex jotted things out. Catharine haven't notice he brought a notebook. She on the other hand stored information on her brain. Determined they could not get any additional information, Catharine and Alex decided to leave.

          

     "Just call us anytime if you have information. If you need someone to talk to, we're a call away. If anybody threatens you, call the police immediately." Catharine felt sorry for the predicament Luisa is in. 

_____________

     A day passed by. It's Thursday. Information dispersed in Paradiso City so fast knowing that it is a small town. Catharine even heard voices from persons in the market asking should they stay longer in the City. Without prior notice, Catharine interject the conversation saying the PCPD is managing the case very carefully.

          

     Catharine is still laying in her bed, not asleep but just staring blankly at the ceiling, when her phone rings. Struggling to snatch it, she answered the call and put the phone to her ear. She estimates the time to be 2 in the afternoon yet she feels tired.

          

     "Hello?" The words are almost inaudible even to Catharine's own ears. 

          

     "Hi, Ms. Catharine Maximo. This is Carmela's adviser. Just wanted to know if you know where she is already. She's not in my class still," Announces Mrs.

          

     The information perturbed Catharine. Where could that lady be in now? She explained to the teacher that she tried calling their parents but Carmela didn't return home. As soon as the teacher hung up, Catharine hastily pressed number of her phone. 

          

     "Alex, are you in the department? I need to report something," Catharine said without preamble and didn't wait for the response of Alex. Carrying her bag, she hurriedly went to PCPD.

          The police desk was empty when Catharine reached the department. Jones, the police in charge in the area is probably on the rest room. PCPD is just medium, enough for twenty persons including ten police officers. She wasted no time and went directly to the office of Deputy Maxwell. He is a man in his forty with mustache and a belly matched with a scar on his forehead that is palpable. If anyone would see him, they would think he's a grumpy man but truth is he is quite the contradict of the adjective. The door was ajar when Catherine came. Opening it widely, she came to face the back of a swivel chair with Deputy Maxwell in it. She knew this gesture means the Deputy does not want to be disturbed but she does the opposite anyway. Calling his attention, she pulled a chair at the left beside a cabinet where folders are kept.            

     Deputy Maxwell, not moving talks in a vexed manner.

          

     "How many times do I have to tell you people that you can't disturb me while I'm in a middle of visiting my mind palace." His line reminded her of Sherlock. 

          

     "Sorry, Sir. It's urgent. My sister disappeared. Her adviser called me two times already; yesterday and today saying Carmela wasn't present," Catharine said.

          

     "You what? Sure she's not in your parents house or her comfort place? I don't know. Bar maybe?" Maxwell asked her.

          

     "I contacted our parents yesterday. She was not there nor had she drop by. She does not go to bar without informing me. Moreover, she does not go anywhere without notifying us except if it's school." Catharine is hysterical now. She forgot her politeness. 

          

     "Try to calm yourself Detective Maximo. We all know anger does not solve anything," he reminded. "Try calling your parents now. Who knows she is there slipping herself with uniform because she realized school's important." His joke didn't make her laugh. It annoys her definitely. With swift motion, she walked out. Relaxing herself, she tried to call her mothers landline. A ring then Cory answered her. 

          

     "Hi, sweetie. Have you seen Carmela yet?" her mother managed to ask first.

          

     "I was about to ask that first Mom. Her adviser called me and said Carmela is absent again. I am here in PCPD trying to talk things out with my Deputy but unfortunately, he believes Carmela is not missing, just chilling in the house or maybe in her comfort place," Catharine answered.

          

     "Where could she be right now? If ever she's down, she would try to call us. But unless you fought with her, she won't tell her whereabouts. But you did not,right?" Cory clarified.

          

     "No we did not Mom. What's there to fight about? But I'll try to go to Greysen's bar and see if I could find her there." Catharine was pertaining to the small bar near the town's machinery. Maybe, just maybe she could find her there. She out the phone to her pocket. Realizing her behavior a while ago to her deputy, she went to his office again. 

          

     With both palms on his chin, Maxwell looked to Catharine. "You done then. I forgot to hand this to you. This is the result of the phone you asked to be examined. Haven't touch nor read it. I thought it's better if you would get to read it first, detective." He relinquish a folder with data in it. She took and read it: 

Forensic laboratory examination

________________________________

Requesting an examination on cellular phone of Jennifer Spindler.

Result: The phone contains the victim's fingerprint. Moreover, it also includes another fingerprint from an unknown person.

           Catharine's expressions changed. She smiled knowing this is another clue to the mystery she named as Eency Weency, the mysterious nursery song that played when the body of Jennifer Spindler was found. She looked to Deputy Maxwell, "An extra fingerprint was found. We're on it. I still have to look for my sister though."