✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 07

Eastwood Forensic Crime Laboratory
(EFC Lab)
1:30 pm

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Detective Nico Yukishito stopped in front the door and peeked through the small glass window. Nakatalikod sa kanya ang medical examiner, at mukhang abala na naman sa paglalaro ng jack stone, picking up the human teeth one by one with ease.

A small smile.

'Indeed, the old man still loves his unusual and morbid games.'

Nang pumasok na siya sa loob, ni hindi ito lumingon sa kanya.

"Watch your step, Nicodemus."

But it was too late. Aksidenteng natisod si Nico sa mga kahong nakakalat sa sahig.

"Damn Sherlock!"

Mahinang natawa si Scorpio at nilapitan ang detective. He outstretched his hand and offered to help him up, "Magpasalamat na lang tayong hindi napuruhan ang utak mo, Nicodemus. Magiging malaking kawalan sa Eastwood kapag nawala ang number one detective namin."

Nico straightened his jacket and sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me by that awful name?"

"And how many times do I have to remind you that I won't?"

"Point taken," he agreed. "May mahalaga ka pa bang gagawin ngayong hapon bukod sa paglalaro ng jack stone?"

"Sa katunayan, wala naman," sagot ni Scorpio at nagtungo sa refrigerator niya. Hindi na nagulat pa si Nico nang kinuha nito ang dalawang ham and cheese sandwich katabi ng isang preserved na utak ng tao. Kung hindi lang siguro naka-ziplock bags ang mga ito, he'd probably suspect cross contamination and question his decade-old lifestyle. Maya-maya pa, lumingon sa kanya si Scorpio at ngumiti, "Let me guess, you broke the procedures and took something from the crime scene, again?"

Sinalo ni Nico ang hinagis nito sa kanyang sandwich.

"You know I never favor the procedures, anyway."

Sumandal ang detective sa gilid ng examining table at kinuha ang mga ebidensyang nakalap niya sa kanyang bulsa. The moment he placed the items onto the surface, agad na kumunot ang noo ng matanda.

"Maiintindihan ko yung basag na mug...pero bakit may bato?"

Nico just realized how strange this might be. Nonetheless, he answered, "We're working on Mrs. Taves' case. Namatay ang biktima sa sakit na hinihinalang mula sa isang virus."

"Taves? Oh, God..."

"Kilala mo sila?"

Tumango si Scorpio. "Nakikita ko sila minsan tuwing nadadaan ako sa elementary. The wife was a kind woman who likes knitting. Madalas niyang hinahatid doon ang mga anak niya... May her soul rest in peace."

"Well, I doubt that. For some reason, her husband suggested a foul play. Nang imbestigahan namin ang lugar kanina, nakita ko 'yang bato sa crime scene. It has a number and a symbol imprinted on it," Nico finished and pushed the sandwich aside. Gutom man o hindi, wala siyang balak kumain ng sandwich na na-stock katabi ng kung kanino mang utak.

Meanwhile, after taking a bite out of his sandwich, Scorpio took his forceps and studied the item. Inayos nito ang kanyang salamin sa mata at pinagmasdang maigi ang nakaguhit sa bato.

"Mukhang may dahilan nga kayo para maghinala."

"We suspect that a killer exposed her to the virus."

"Posible nga," pangsang-ayon ni Scorpio bago binaba ang bato. "But I might know someone who can help you decipher the symbol. Teka, hanapin ko muna 'yong business card niya..."

Ilang minuto lang nawala si Scorpio. Pagbalik niya, nilapag niya ang business card sa examining table at inusog papalapit sa detective. Agad namang napasimangot si Nico sa nabasa. "At sino naman 'to?"

"Inaanak ko. He's a bit anti-social, but he's a great scholar and symbologist. Tawagan mo na lang siya."

Tumango si Nico at kinuha ang business card, kahit pa nag-aalinlangan pa rin siya kung makakatulong nga sa kaso nila ang taong 'to. Speaking of the case, he needed to call Nova to see if she had any updates.

"Scorpio, if you find anything on these items---"

"Tatawagan kita agad. Alam ko," the old man smiled. Maya-maya pa, sumeryoso ang ekspresyon nito. "And if you're really dealing with a virus, mag-iingat kayo sa kasong ito. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagdakip ng isang kriminal, kung hindi sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng sakit. Lives are depending on you and your partner. Try not to get exposed, Nicodemus."

The concern in his voice made Nico remember why he lets Scorpio call him by his full name. Dahil higit sa lahat, si Scorpio lang ang nakakakilala nang lubos sa kanya. This old medical examiner was his mentor and father-figure ever since he was a kid.

"I'll keep that in mind," he assured him. Nang tumayo na siya para umalis, tinuro ni Scorpio ang sandwich na hindi pa niya nakakakain.

"Keep that in mind and keep that sandwich, son. Alam ko ring hindi ka pa kumakain."

The two of them laughed good-heartedly. Pero nang paalis na sana ng laboratoryo si Nico, with both the sandwich and the business card stuffed in his jacket, muli siyang bumaling sa matanda nang may naalala siyang tanungin.

"Bakit nga pala ang daming kahon dito?"

Just then, Scorpio's face looked several years older as he calmly answered.

"I'm retiring soon."

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