Murder Case #201

CHAPTER 5- DOUBTFUL DETECTIVE

"Oh, a hairless frog!" exclaims Ma'am Niña in surprise as I encounter her at the gate of the garden. Her eyes widen as she takes in the unexpected sight. "So it's just you, Ma'am Lynn! It's surprising to find you here. What brings you to this place?"

"I'm just talking to Detective Ace," I reply honestly, noting the detective's presence behind me. Despite having my back turned, I can feel his aura and hear his approaching footsteps.

Ma'am Niña forces a smile, adjusting to the situation, and enters the garden, leaving us behind. No longer focusing on Detective Ace, I continue on my way to the faculty room, heading there directly. With no sessions scheduled for the 3rd and 4th periods, I decided to while away the time.

As the bell rings, announcing the start of the lunch break, I swiftly grab my sling bag and exit the school premises. Hailing a taxi, I quickly made my way to Xell Hospital.

Arriving at the hospital, I approach the front desk to inquire about Kira's whereabouts. The receptionist informs me that she is staying on the second floor. In this four-story hospital, the crime occurred on the fourth floor.

Taking the elevator, I ascended to the second floor. If the chase was initiated on this level, Kira might have sought assistance on the third floor.

With closed eyes, I listen attentively to the echoing footsteps resonating through the building. The sounds of two individuals rushing downstairs indicate that Kira descended from the upper floors.

Could she have gone to the rooftop?

Reacting promptly, I make my way to the rooftop, utilizing the staircase that leads upward. Recollecting the events, I realize that Kira was never pursued in an upward direction; it was always a descent. If she arrived at the rooftop before attempting her escape, it implies that she ventured there willingly. Perhaps she discovered something significant.

Obtaining access to the CCTV footage captured last night becomes imperative.

Retrieving my cell phone, I dial Lesia's number without hesitation. She answers promptly on the other end.

"Yes, Ainslynn?"

"Did you retrieve the CCTV footage from last night?" I inquire with urgency.

"We have obtained all of it, and our team has already reviewed the recordings. Why do you ask?"

"Did you find any footage from the rooftop?" I press on, hoping for a positive response.

"Rooftop? Wait..."

As Lesia contemplates my query, I survey the entire area, scrutinizing every corner with my eyes. A small, intriguing detail captures my attention—an abandoned handkerchief lying on the floor. Intrigued, I approach it slowly and pick it up, wondering if it holds any significance to the unfolding mystery.

"We have been unsuccessful in locating any footage from the rooftop. They claim that their CCTV cameras have been out of order for several days. Even on the 4th floor, there is only one functioning CCTV because they are currently renovating the entire floor. Do you think Kira manages to make it here... Wait, are you at Xell Hospital?"

"Thank you," I replied, concluding the call. I fixate my gaze on the handkerchief grasped in my hand. Its fabric and design strike a chord of familiarity.

Approaching footsteps prompt me to swiftly conceal the handkerchief within my bag. Uncertain whether to hide or allow whoever is approaching to see me, I choose to remain in my current position.

Soon, a woman emerges before me, dressed in a doctor's gown adorned with the Xell Hospital logo and wearing glasses.

"Hi," she greets me curtly, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Oh, I can tell you're a teacher at DA."

"Ah, yes," I force a semblance of normalcy in her presence.

"I have a cousin who works at DA, so I recognize the uniform you're wearing," she promptly explains. I offer a nod and a smile in response.

"May I know your cousin's name?" I inquire.

"Niña Torres."

Momentarily stunned, I realize that she is the very cousin Ma'am Niña referred to—an acquaintance of Kira's.

"I know Ma'am Niña." Once again, her eyes fixate on me, attempting a smile. However, beneath the surface, sorrow lurks.

"What's with your face?" I probe, already having an inkling of the reason behind her melancholy.

"I simply miss my friend. We used to spend a lot of time here," she discloses.

A surge of curiosity compels me to delve further into her narrative, hoping to gather any information concerning Kira.

"Where is she now?"

The shift in her gaze does not escape my notice. "She was the victim of last night's murder," she continues. Unsure of what to inquire about next, I am momentarily at a loss for words.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I heard the news as well. I hope they apprehend the killer."

"I hope so too. Kira is too kind to endure such a tragedy," she murmurs, stealing a glance at her watch before sighing. "I must go; my break time is over."

I merely nod, silently observing her departure. It all began on this very rooftop. Descending, I make my way directly to R#201, an area restricted and cordoned off with crime scene tape.

Upon entering the room, I lean against the closed door, as memories of the previous night's events flood back like a surging tide.

I compel myself to listen attentively to the sequence of occurrences that transpired within these walls. While the killer tormented Kira, a woman stood by, seemingly complicit. It was not until the woman was near death that she revealed herself.

I hear the chilling account of the killer extracting Kira's heart with his own hand, his laughter resonating as if it were the most precious gift he had received.

My attention fixates on the faintest sounds that reach my ears. After a few moments, they gradually become clearer. Those sounds emanate from a recording device in operation, capturing moments with subtle clicks of a camera, imperceptible to an ordinary ear.

I crumple to the ground, my legs giving way beneath me in a sudden surge of weakness. The thud of my descent reverberates in my ears, but I hesitate to unveil what lies ahead.

"What brings you here?" That voice slices through the air, yanking me back to reality. Slowly, I gather myself and confront the owner of the voice. "Is this what you consider necessary?"

"I know you're aware of the conversation between Lesia and me."

"I'm not like Lesia. I'm the captain of our team, which means I'm the one in charge..."

"Detective Ace, please," I implore, meeting his gaze with unyielding determination. "Can't you trust me? I'm not the killer, alright? No psychopath willingly approaches their enemy before committing a crime. I didn't kill Kira."

Unable to hold back my tears any longer, I yearn to explain the true connection between Kira's death and my foreknowledge of what will happen to the woman. Yet, deep down, I know they won't understand. They won't believe me.

"Don't tell me you possess the power to see the future, and that's how you know about Kira's case because that would only make me trust you even less."

Any flicker of hope that was taking shape in my chest dissipated entirely. I'm uncertain whether I should press on or not.

"Come with me to the station. We'll talk there," he declares, taking the lead.

I follow, shoulders slumped, gradually losing hope that I can be of any assistance in Kira's case.

Detective Ace's sharp gaze remains fixed upon me, a lingering doubt etched in his eyes. It signifies that he still doesn't have a solid lead. Apart from me, the information they possess only leads to dead ends.

"Get inside," he orders sternly. Without a word, I obediently slid into the police car he had brought.

As we journey on, my mind drifts far away. I contemplate what misstep I made in my past life to be cursed like this in my present existence.

"Life is life," I whisper, the words carrying a weight of resignation.

What if I hadn't stumbled upon the identity of the 201 case victim?

"I'm hungry," I blurted out, a sudden realization hitting me. I skipped breakfast and haven't had lunch yet. Perhaps that's why I felt weak earlier.

"Do you think you have the right to eat?" Detective Ace retorts sharply, a tinge of disbelief in his voice. I can't help but gasp at the accusation.

"I am still human, and hunger gnaws at my core." With delicate precision, I readjust the mirror positioned above, catching a glimpse of my neck imprinted with the unmistakable fingerprints of the man standing beside me. "Between the two of us, you possess the potential to be the killer. Just look at the bruising on my neck."

"I didn't mean to. You're incredibly stubborn."

"What I said holds the truth."

Suddenly, I instinctively shield my ears from an intrusive blast that pierces the air, causing a jolt of pain to reverberate through my head. I can't help but wince as the deafening echo lingers.

Detective Ace swiftly brings the car to a halt, his actions driven by surprise. I narrowly escaped pitching forward thanks to his firm grip on my arm.

"What in the hell are you doing? If you're bent on self-destruction, be my guest!" he snaps.

"There's going to be a collision between a car and a truck," I weakly utter, my muscles quivering and hands trembling.

"What? You've reverted to your nonsensical claims again! Can you please keep your mouth shut..." He abruptly cuts off, interrupted by a cacophonous sound that reaches our ears. Mere yards away from where the car is parked, a truck and a crimson car collide in a chaotic symphony of metal.

Once again, my heart skips a beat, and an unprecedented moment of witnessing an accident unfolds right before my eyes.

"What in the hell?" Detective Ace exclaims. "Who are you?" His unexpected question catches me off guard.

"I'm Ainslynn Quezon," I replied softly, my gaze fixed ahead. The accident has brought traffic to a standstill, with only the blaring of horns and billowing smoke filling the scene.

"Are you even human?"

"I'm not an animal."

Locked in a fleeting gaze, we both step out of the vehicle, compelled to investigate the commotion. Our passage is obstructed for the time being.

After a brief interval, an ambulance arrives, closely followed by a police vehicle distinct from our own. It likely hails from another station.

Observing Detective Ace as he retrieves his cell phone and places a call, I witness his conversation. "This is Detective Ace. There's been an accident on Road 8, in front of the G & R Building. We're unable to proceed, so we'll divert via Luis Avenue."

A shudder runs through me as he abruptly glances in my direction. Yet, to my surprise, he seizes my hand and swiftly pulls me back toward the car.

Now, Mr. Doubtful Detective, will you finally believe me?