CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER ONE: SUICIDE OR MURDER

Vanessa enrolled her in a school in America and it was there that she began to discover her hidden interest in solving crimes and different types of cases.

It was the first day of school, just nine years after the accident, an anticipated thing happened.

Raine was at the library when she heard someone screamed. It came from the lowest part of the building.

She stood up from her chair. Leaving the book at the table.

She struggled to huddle towards the other students hoping to find out what happened.

Her eyes widened when she saw a senior highschool student lying around the floor of the teacher's comfort room. Dead.

Ms. Cassandra Collins was the one who screamed. According to her, she was the first one to saw the victim at that area.

The teacher immediately called the police department and also the ambulance who then quickly responded.

Vanessa was called, too. She was a private investigator just like Raine's mother.

"Just stay here, Raine. It's very dangerous. The culprit might be still lurking around the area," replied her aunt. Seeming to be a little overprotective. " Are you alright? Let me check if you have scratches!"

" Auntie, I'm not the reason why you came here, remember?" she reminded sheepishly.

" Oh, right! I'm just so happy that you're alright!" Vanessa responded.

For Raine, her aunt was a little more overprotective than her mother.

While the police and the school staffs  were tackling about everything that happened, Raine saw a strange mark at the victim's neck.

She eagerly inspected the area, hoping to find more clues about the real incident.

The others taught that the student might commit suicide but for her, it might be a murder.

The police then interrogated all the school staffs one by one at the headmaster's office.

"I was just inside my office since I came here at school," said the school Headmaster.

"We are all at the cafeteria. Miss Claire, our new co- teacher, gave us free snacks for her blowout," replied the professors.

" Every teacher was there except Professor Collins," added another professor.

" You're right! I don't think I saw her there with you," Miss Claire agreed.

" How did you find the victim, Professor Collins?" the Inspector asked.

" I am the adviser of Section 5 of the senior highschool students. When I checked the attendance, I noticed that one of my students was absent even though I saw him when I was passing on their locker room. After my class, I went to the comfort room to put on my lipstick. At the time I opened the door, I saw Johnny lying there dead!" Professor Collins responded. Her voice shivering in fear.

It was on our recess when the crime happened. Every students were obviously at the cafeteria, the library, or at the basketball court to see their favorite team practicing.

Recess nang nangyari ang krimen. Lahat ng mga estudyante ay malamang nasa cafeteria, sa library, o kaya naman sa basketball court habang nagpapractice.

Ang biktima ay si Johnny Rutherford, labingwalong taong gulang ng Section 5 - Senior High. Kilala siya sa pagiging bully sa mga nakababatang estudyante sa paaralang ito.

"You said that you saw him at the locker room. After that, haven't you noticed something suspicious happening?" Vanessa asked.

Professor Collins was still trembling as if she was hiding somthing from them. " I noticed that he was bullying his classmate. He was pulling her hair. Then Ms. Claire Francisco separated the two and lectured Johnny."

"Yes, I lectured Johnny. This is not the first time he bullied that girl because of her dark skin and curly hair. But after my lecturing, I don't know anything that happened next," Professor Claire added.

"Did the victim have a problem about his family or his schooling?" Vannessa asked.

"Since his parents died two years ago, he began to change. He started to bully other students here and from that time his grades fell. We pitied his grandmother who was left to care for him and that is why we just let him passed," replied the oldest professor teaching at the school, Professor Gomez.

A taxi came in the school with Johnny's grandmother in it. Tears began to fall down her wrinkled face as she saw his beloved grandson. She bursted with tears as she watched Johnny being taken to the ambulance.

Inspector Smith sight. His eyes full of pity. "In this case, Ma'am, there is a probability that this is just an accident. He just slipped on the slippery floor," he spoke.

The floor was indeed slippery as the water from the open faucets mix with it. But who? Who among them killed Johnny?

"Your necklace is amazing, Professor. Where did you buy that?" Vanessa asked Professor Claire.

"Uh, this? My sister gave this to me." The professor leisurely touch her fabulous necklace while she was showing it to Vanessa.

After a while, the bell rang symbolizing the end of recess time.

"Alright, ya'll. Breaktime's over. Go back to yer classes," said the Headmaster. 

"Uh... How about us, Sir? Our classes will begin thirty minutes from now," asked a senior highschool student.

"Reina's right so technically we still have thirty minutes of break time ahead of us," her friend stated.

"You should probably head back to yer room, too. I'm sure ya'll just interrupt the investigation," added the Headmaster.

"And did you forget that we have a quiz today?" Mrs. Gomez asked.

"Oh, right! Gosh!" the senior high students gasped.

"Now head back their and make sure you review your notes. When I see anyone fail, you will see your foolishness!" she shouted to her students.

Raine, together with the others, went back to their quarters.

For Raine, it might be easier to think when she's inside her room.

For now, I have a ninety five percent chance that he or she is the real murderer, she thought. Taking a glance to her culprit.

"Forgive me, Inspector, co-teachers, dear Headmaster. I'm sorry if I overreacted to my students," Professor Gomez spoke.

"Oh, it's alright, Mrs. Gomez. You did a great job on giving them discipline," Vanessa replied with a smile.