✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 15

"Inspector Ortega, ano nang planong gawin ngayong posibleng magkaroon ng pandemic dahil sa isang serial killer?"

"Dr. Fabella, natukoy na ba ng ECDCP ang virus?"

"Bakit wala pang nilalabas na guidelines tungkol dito?"

"Nagkakaubusan na ng supply ng mga alcohol at face masks kanina sa mga local grocery stores, anong masasabi ninyo?"

"Ano nang progress ng top detectives ng SHADOW at DEATH sa kasong ito?"

Detective Nico Yukishito felt another headache coming its way. Nanood lang siya sa TV, pero pakiramdam niya siya ang nai-stress sa tanong ng mga journalists. Paano na lang kaya kung pinilit pa silang umattend sa press conference? He sure as hell wouldn't last a minute and either walk out of the buzzing hall to go to the nearest coffee shop or hide under the table to evade their inquiries.

Dumako kanyang mga mata kina Inspector Ortega at Dr. Fabella na isa-isang sinasagot ang kanilang mga tanong. Much to everyone's irritation, their answers remained vague which, in turn, led to another round of questions.

Walang-ganang kinuha ni Nico ang kanyang mug na nakatapong sa tumpok ng academic journals at kalmadong humigop ng kape. He tossed the empty mug afterwards, not caring about the loud crash behind him.

'Kung paano nila naha-handle ang ganitong mga bagay, I guess I will never know.'

Pero sa lahat ng mga "sagot" at paalalang binigay nila sa media, iisa lang ang nakapukaw sa atensyon ng detective...

"---ayon na rin sa kagustuhan ng opisina ng mayor, ipagpapatuloy pa rin natin ang normal na operasyon sa bayan. We can only advise the public to not panic and be wary when going outdoors. Hangga't hindi namin natutukoy ang virus, makakabuting laging magsuot ng face mask, gumamit ng alcohol o hand sanitizers, at maghugas ng kamay. This is in order to prevent any further infections. The Eastwood Police and ECDCP will do our best to contain the situation, with the help of our best detectives," Dr. Fabella stated, even though he looked like he was troubled that they didn't get the mayor's full cooperation on this case.

Napangisi si Nico, 'Scripted, huh? How I wish they came up with better lines.'

Ilang sandali pa, bumaling ang head ng ECDCP kay Inspector Ortega na mabilis na dinagdag, "We'll update you on the progress of this case. Inaabisuhan namin ang lahat ng taga-Eastwood na doblehin ang pag-iingat---mula sa virus at mula kay Unknown Disease."

The screen of the mini-television turned to black as Nico pressed the power button on his remote control. Binalik niya ito sa lumang garapon ng creamer sa kanyang harapan at huminga nang malalim. Goldilocks momentarily raised her head when she heard him sigh, pero agad rin itong bumalik sa pagkain. 

While leaning on this favorite blue couch, the detective stared up as if he can make a spectacular discovery on the ceiling like what René Descartes did when he discovered the stupid Cartesian plane.

His mind automatically recalled the conversation they had with Maestro.

["Now, listen... See that symbol?"]

'Obviously.'

Nonetheless, the two detectives did as they were told. Tiningnan muli ni Nico ang kakaibang guhit sa bato...