04 | Bones Of Terror

CAPITULUM 04

"Because the parcel contains the bones of a dead person."

Among all the answers he could've responded with, this was one of the last ones Nova expected. Bones? Inside a parcel? Using Nico's name and address?

'My gosh! And I thought I've heard it all,' she mused in thought.

Pero ano pa nga ba ang aasahan niya? Mula noong naging mag-partner sila ni Nico sa mga kaso, tila ba sinusundan na rin siya ng mga misteryo. Trying her best to mirror his unfazed attitude, she inquired.

"So, someone framed you for shipping the parcel. Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan, bakit ka nakakulong ngayon? Surely, Inspector Ortega would believe you over a fake booking..."

Nico frowned, as if he doesn't even want to remember that part of the story.

"Dahil hindi yun ang rason kung bakit nakakulong si Detective Yukishito."

Mula sa kanyang likuran, narinig ni Nova ang pamilyar na boses ng head ng Heraldic Eastwood Local Police department o mas kilala bilang "HELP" department. Maneuvering into the room with a stout physique and well-kept mustache, Chief Inspector Placido Ortega continued, "But I doubt our detective here would admit the real reason why he's temporarily in jail."

Hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ni Nova ang pang-aasar sa boses nito. Finally, he addressed her with an apologetic smile.

"Pasensya ka na at mukhang hindi maganda ang umaga mo, Detective Carlos."

"Not at all, Inspector Ortega. Sanay na akong hindi maganda ang mga umaga ko."

She then glared at Nico who avoided eye contact by reading his book again. Playing innocent. Nova always knew he was reckless, but this is just crazy!

"Is this the part where you're gonna act your age and admit your mistakes?"

"Ouch. Your words wound my ego, sweetheart."

"NICO!"

Maya-maya pa, napabuntong-hininga si Nico at itinaas ang mga kamay. A mock surrender that didn't match the mischievous glint in his eyes as he walked towards the cell's door. For a brief moment, Nico looked more criminal than detective.

"The bastard deserved every insult I threw at him---nothing physical, just words, I promise. But can you really blame me? Who in their right mind would contact a detective agency at 6:00 a.m. just to help him solve where his wife hid his goddamn game controller? Even Sherlock would be horrified!"

Sa kanyang tabi, natawa si Officer Rizee habang nakahalukikip. "It seems like DEATH is having a crisis at the moment. Gaano ka-bankrupt na ba ang ahensiya ninyo at tinatanggap na nila ang mga ganitong kaso?"

Nico shrugged. "Either they're going bankrupt or they love torturing me. Same thing."

Ang DEATH ay ang leading detective agency sa Eastwood ngayon, at mahigpit na katunggali ng ahensiya nina Nova. The fact that these two detectives were paired up despite being from rival agencies will forever remain an unsolved case for the both of them. Hanggang ngayon, madalas pa rin silang magtalo tuwing lulutas sila ng mga kaso.

'Ano na bang nangyayari ngayon sa DEATH?'

Sumasakit na yata ang ulo ni Nova sa circus show na ito.

Samantala, napailing na lang si Inspector Ortega at kinuha na ang susi sa selda. Para bang ayaw pa nitong pakawalan ang binata pero sa kabilang banda ay wala rin siyang choice.