Chapter 4

Ayashi's POV

When I was young, I was always dependent on my brother. Walang mga araw na hindi ako umaasa sa kanya, I always look up to him like he's the second to the best. Siya yung tinuring kong pangalawang hero sa buhay ko, I treasured my brother so much. Everyone knows that but one day, everyone got confused when I suddenly started condemning my brother. 

I started hating the man I once called my hero. 

"Are you sure na ikaw na ang magdadala nito sa headquarters ng kapatid mo?" Tita Ysabel asked as she started preparing my brother's dinner, "You're probably still shock about what happened earlier, don't you think it's better for you to call it a day? Ako na lang ang maghahatid nito."

When I was still living in Japan, my brother is living in Tita Ysabel's house. I heard that he always comes home whenever he is done with his duty but since when I arrived, he's been avoiding me ever since. 

It's not like I'm complaining or something, I honestly like it that way.

"Thanks for worrying about me but I'm fine," I said, trying to be sound convincing, “you're the one who needed rest. You're working since earlier, so let me at least do this.”

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

She sighed deeply before she handed me the paper bag that contains Lancelot's dinner. 

"Be back before it gets darker okay? Hindi pa natin alam kung ano ba talaga ang motibo ng mga umatake sa atin kanina." Nag-aalala at seryosong usal niya. 

I don't want Tita Ysabel to be involved in the case I'm working on. Those guys, are they really desperate to hide the truth about Linette's death? Those bastards will gonna pay for attacking us. As if a little threat like that would make me shiver. 

"I'll be going now, magmomotor na lang po ako."

"Sige, mag-iingat ka sa daan."

Pumunta ako sa garahe upang tignan kung nandoon pa ba ang motor na nakatago lang doon, when I saw the motor, I quickly started its engine and drove off. 

While on the road, I can't help but to think. I have a prime suspect about Linette's death, I mean it's clearer than the water. Halatang-halata na siya ang may pakana nang pagkamatay niya sa unang tingin pa lang, but the shoot out that happened earlier isn't her doing. 

The suspect may be the one who killed Linette but the suspect isn't a type of person who will gonna know that we're up to this case, and it's also obvious that she doesn't have any capability to hire skilled men to eliminate me.

Base on her looks, she's just a normal citizen who can eat thrice a day. She has no power to pull out that charade.

Pinarada ko ang motor sa harap ng headquarters, kahit gabi na ay medyo marami-rami pa rin yung mga tao. I went inside the police station and I was immediately welcomed by sobs, shouting and people that almost punch each other. Ganito ba lagi sa police station? 

"Nawawala ka ba miss?" I glance at the man who just spoke, "O baka kaya ay may hinahanap ka?"

Just by looking at the way he acts and dresses, he must be one of the superior here. He is wearing a different uniform from the other police officers, his hair is messy, his jaw line is perfectly well shaped, he has a pointed nose and a very pinkish lips. 

Maybe when God showered human kind with gorgeousness this guy is probably in heaven, busy on donating some of his gorgeousness. 

"I'm not, I was just wondering where Chief Lancelot's office is located." Napadako ang tingin ng lalaki sa hawak kong paper bag na may lamang tupperware. 

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Sayang ka miss, late ka na. May jowa na kasi si Chief kaya hindi na uubra ang ganyang mga istilo sa kanya." Nagsalubong naman ang dalawang kilay ko dahil sa kamanduhang pinagsasabi niya. 

"Excuse me?"

"May gusto ka kay Chief Lancelot ano?" Napapalatak siya, "Huwag ka na magdeny halatang-halata na din naman kasi. Dinalhan mo pa siya ng dinner, sayang naman yan. Tiyak ay hindi niya yan kakainin."

Does this guy think that I am someone who likes Lancelot romantically?! For petesake, he's my brother. 

"Gavin, I told you to come to my office but why are you still here? I've been waiting for almost ten minutes." Base on the voice I heard, it's probably my brother. 

The guy who was talking to me earlier quickly salute on my brother. 

Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang hindi mapatingin sa folder na hawak niya, could it be important? 

"Ahh, I was just going to send this young lady home. He brought dinner and..." nilapit niya pa ang bibig niya malapit sa tenga ng kapatid ko, "...she is obviously one of your admirers."

Was that supposed to be a whisper? I could hear it clearly. 

My brother glanced at me and was immediately shocked upon seeing that his lovely sister is here. 

"She's my sister Gavin, you should've told me that she's here." The guy named Gavin was left in shock, "Why are you here, Ayashi?"

"Tita Ysabel is tired so she told me to deliver your dinner to you," I lied intentionally, "are you busy?"

"Not at all, I'm just going to check the autopsy report of Linette." He responded. 

Jackpot. 

"Oh, I should better get going."

"How about we should talk for a little inside my office." He insisted, I can clearly feel that he's grabbing any chance he got just so he can talk to me. 

"Sure, I'm not in a hurry tho."

I looked at my phone when I feel it vibrated inside my pocket. 

From: Calvin the chismoso

Nakuha ko na yung laman ng locker ni Linette, there is so many stuff in here. Ikaw ba? Nasaan ka?

Received 6:37PM

To: Calvin the chismoso

If you already have the stuff inside her locker, wait for my signal. Kukunin ko pa yung phone and if I'm lucky enough, I might access the autopsy report.

Sent 6:37PM

From: Calvin the chismoso

Should I salute for that? Kakaiba ka kasi.

Received 6:38PM

Binulsa ko muli ang phone ko tsaka binalingan muli ng tingin ang kapatid ko na naghihintay na sa akin. 

We went to his office together with the man who suspected me to be one of my brother's admirers. Umupo ako sa isang bakanteng upuan tsaka ko sila hinintay na makaupo.

"Chief, heto na pala yung autopsy report na hinihingi niyo sa akin kahapon. Medyo natagalan kasi ang daming requirements na pinaparequired si Doc Gemma akala mo naman kung sino ang may malaking  sinusweldo."

Lancelot took the envelope from him. 

"Hayaan mo na." My brother looked at me, "You probably don't know my sister. Her name is Ayashi, yung lagi kong kinukwento sa'yo dati. She's also in the same school with your brother."

Brother? 

Napakamot si Gavin sa batok niya. "Don't even let me start with that, I'm pretty sure your sister is intimidated with my little brother. That young man is very secretive and strict, hindi ko alam kung saan nagmana yun eh hindi naman ganon si Mama at Papa."

"Just let him, alam mo naman ang mga kabataan ngayon."

Hold on, are they talking about Giovanni? This guy in front of me is Giovanni's older brother? Sheesh, they seem to be far from being siblings. 

They don't have anything in common. Mas kapani-paniwala pa siguro kapag si Calvin ang kapatid niya, bungangero kasi yun. 

"Anyway, I'll get going chief."

"Sure, keep up the good work Officer Lewis."

He saluted again before he left my brother's office. He sat down on the swivel chair before he placed the envelope above the table. 

I roamed my eyes around to look for the phone, the phone might be here. 

"Vixen..."

Napatigil ako nang tawagin niya ako gamit ang pangalawang pangalan ko. 

"Hmm?"

"I saw the way you smiled at Giovanni the other day and I know that smile more than anyone," seryoso niya akong tinitigan, “what are you planning? You're not gonna smile like that without a reason."

I guess my brother still knows his little sister well. 

"I'm curious about Linette's case, I made a bet with Giovanni. I wanted to know every angle of the case and you know pretty well that I won't stop until I get what I want."

It's been six years when I have a private talk with my brother, I can still remember his promise on our parent's grave. He promised to protect me from anything that may harm me, I never heard him promising the justice for their death.

I just don't understand what made him do that.

"I know that you won't stop even if I tell you to stop, you're hard headed." Pinagsiklop niya ang sariling mga palad, "So I made some calculations that there would be a possibility that you will steal Linette's phone from me, I already calculated everything kaya inunahan na kita."

"If you already calculated my plans in stealing the evidence then you are probably done calculating what your next move gonna be," naningkit ang mga mata ko, “so what are you gonna do?"

Without a word, he opened the drawer before he took something before he placed it on the table. I tried hiding my reaction when I saw the familiar phone that is on a plastic container. The screen still has a crack on it. 

"It's not actually an act of stealing, since I heard from Tita Ysabel that you're under the training of the Secret Security Intelligence and that you also have your own investigator license then it wouldn't be bad to hand this evidence to you." He uttered, "You're also good in fixing electronics, right? So you can fix that phone, I will give you a permission to find out what's inside the phone before you can give it back to me."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

Did I heard it loud and clear? He's actually letting me have the most exclusive and only evidence they have?!

"I already emailed you the copy of the autopsy report."

"Why are you helping me? This is so unlike you.”

"Would I let you access this if I can solve the case on my own?" Umiling siya, "There is someone who is stopping me to solve the case, my action is being monitored so I can't solve the case freely."

There is someone inside the police force that monitor my brother's actions? Who could it be?

"By the way, may pareho bang kaso dati na kasing tulad sa kaso ni Linette?" I asked. "I'm sure there is atleast one case that is exactly like hers."

"I already send it in your email too, you should check it out."

Our conversation was interrupted when the door suddenly burst open, a man wearing a police general uniform walked inside. I understand that he is almost like a superior but seems like nobody taught him how good manners should be executed.

Sumaludo agad si Lancelot sa kanya, mabuti na lang ay agad ko sinilid ang cellphone ni Linette sa paper bag na dala ko.

"Good evening General Reyes." Puno ng galang na bati ng kapatid ko sa kanya.

I glanced at my watch to check the time. I guess Calvin will be waiting long.

"Good evening Chief Lancelot, did I interrupt something?" Mababa ang boses na pagkakasabi ng heneral. Napangiwi ako.

Lancelot was about to say something but I got the chance to speak first.

"Sadly, you did." I crossed my arms without glancing at him, "If you only learn how to knock maybe my conversation with my brother would end well, you can't just bust in into someone else's office even if you're a high ranking official or not." Kinatok ko ang mesa, "Simpleng katok, knock knock. It's just a simple act of good manners, even preschoolers know that."

Pinanlakihan ako ng mata ni Lancelot pero binalewala ko lang yun.

"Excuse me?"

"No, excuse me." I stood up as I took the tupperware from the paper bag before I handed it to my brother, "I should probably get going Lancelot, I still have so many things to do. Take care of yourself."

Akmang maglalakad na sana ako palayo nang magsalita muli ang lalaking yun.

"Hold it right there Miss," puno ng awtoridad nitong usal.

I looked at him coldly.

"What? You're going to hold me back too?" I rolled my eyes, "Just like what you did to my father when he is busy on solving that case? What you told him again?" Umakto ako na para bang nag-iisip, "Ahh yes, this is the exact words you told him. Stop solving the case or you’ll regret it." I glance at him once more, "Am I correct? Or do you want me to fill in with the details? I hate to spoil people when their curiosity kicks in."

Takang napatitig sa akin si Lancelot habang si General Reyes ay natulos lang sa kinatatayuan niya, I really hate to see those people who has a connection with my father. I mean, this general here is my father's bestfriend.

If Dad is still alive, will he continue calling him that if he finds out about the truth?

"Just who are you..." mahina niyang sinambit yun pero hindi naman ako bingi para hindi siya marinig.

"Ayashi Vixen Yamamoto is my name, General Reyes." Hinawakan ko ang seradura ng pintuan, "Can I give you one advice, general?"

He didn't say anything but I continue to speak.

"If you ever have a pet snake at your house, this is a great advice for you." Pinihit ko ang seradura ng pinto, "I advise you to keep your distance from that snake while you still have time, because most snakes bite. Do you wanna know what happens to those people who got bitten by snakes?"

I felt him looking at me intensely.

"They die."

"Was that a threat?"

"Why? Do I have any reason to threat you, general?" I smiled when he went silent, "Oh well, I gotta go. See you at home, brother." I bid my goodbye before closing the door.

Naglakad ako papalabas habang iniisip pa rin ang heneral na yun.

I don't even want to get the cat out of the bag just yet. We'll see what happens to them but for now, let's just focus on Linette's case. I took my phone before I compose a message to Calvin.

To: Calvin the chismoso

Change of plans, go directly to my house. I live in Nightmare subdivision, I'll tell the guard to lead you the way.

Sent 6:50PM

From: Calvin the chismoso

Bakit Nightmare subdivision?  Katakot ha.

Received 6:50PM

To: Calvin the chismoso

Huwag ka na puro satsat at pumunta ka na.

Sent 6:51PM

I slid the phone back to my pocket before I drove off, when I finally arrived at my house I was quickly greeted by loud laughters and chattering inside the living room.

I guess Calvin finally arrived, ang bilis naman ata niyang nakarating.

"Oh Ayashi nakarating ka na pala," usal ni Tita Ysabel, "hindi mo naman sinabi na may bisita ka palang darating.”

"Well, nagpaalam kasi si Calvin sa akin na gusto niyang may kachismis kaya inimbita ko na."

"Hoy Ayashi, hindi ako chismoso."

"Pwet mo may piccolo." Binalingan ko ng tingin si Tita, "Tita Ysabel, may gagawin lang kaming project sa kwarto ko."

"Anong project yan ha?" Nanunuyang aniya nito.

"It's a project about how fast a sperm can reach the egg cell, the teacher told us to find it out ourselves so technically we're doing a demonstration in my room. Happy?" Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Calvin.

"Hoy Ayashi, ano pinagsasabi mo."

Tita looked at me, her eyes widened in surprised.

"Joke only." I said in a serious tone, "Chismoso, let's go. We got work to do."

"Do you need any snacks?"

"Thanks but we're good. Goodnight Tita, love you." Huling sabi ko bago hinatak si Calvin papunta sa kwarto ko, I notice the bag he's carrying, I guess he really have it.

Sinara ko ang pinto ng kwarto bago ako umupo sa kama. "Come on, spill the beans.”

Dahan-dahan niyang kinuha ang laman ng bag niya habang gamit ang isang pares ng gloves. He showed me the things inside Linette's locker and I was even more disappointed about what I saw.

"This is not too much to fuss about," nakangusong sambit ni Calvin, "may mga bagay na nasa locker niya na hindi kailangan pero may nakita akong interesante."

"What?"

"She has been receiving this unopened letters," itinuro niya ang dalawang envelope, "siguro during summer class na nandiyan ang sulat na yan. I opened it out of curiosity and I somehow found out that this letters is supposed to be a death threat."

A what?

"I guess the suspect is Kaitlyn, I know her hand writing well." 

"Finding out the suspect is easy but figuring out what she did to kill Linette would be hard." 

The victim received two letters that is meant to threat her life and she didn't even notice it since she didn't have any chance to open her locker, Kaitlyn—her best friend—is the suspect but gathering evidence would be hard.

"I can try accessing the CCTV footages before the incident, baka may makuha tayong sagot doon."

"That sounds a good idea..." I crossed my arms, "...then I should try fixing Linette's phone."

I looked over Calvin's direction, I can't tell him that I have the autopsy report. It's just too early to trust him.