"Wala nang buhay ng matagpuan ang labing-pitong gulang na babae sa isang abandonadong kotse malapit sa ilog ng Foster Homes kaninang alas syete ng gabi. Ayon sa mga pulis inaalam pa din nila ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng biktimang kinilalang si Fatima Serrano."
Natuon na lamang sa screen ng TV ang aking paningin ng marinig ko ang pangalang binanggit ng news reporter. Panibagong biktima nanaman. Karamihan sa edad na nabibilang sa kinse hanggang desi-otso anyos na babae ang natatagpuang patay sa pareparehas na abandonadong lugar. Binuklat ko ang journal ko para isulat nanaman ang panibagong kaso.
Bukod sa parepareho silang nasa 15 to 18 years old at pareparehong babae, hindi din maipagkakailang magaganda ang mga estudyante. Aside from the gauge above, wala pang ibang findings ang mga pulis, pang-apat na sa mga victim ang natagpuan ngayong week palang. Well you can say na baka nagkataon lang na que ver, they're just coincidence and no valid connection at hindi parepareho ang suspect sa serial killing. However, upon killing these girls, merong isang mark na makakapagpatunay na isa lang yung killer nila, yung tatak sa noo ng mga victim. The word "animus" we can say that the suspect somewhat imaginative, a great serial killing plotter.
I picked up my pen and start scrabbling on my note, for a time being, iniisip ko pa din kung ano bang ibig sabihin ng animus. Napadako ang mata ko sa corner ng kwarto ko. I had the hint already, and it's on the tip of my tongue, pero I keep on having a hard time, telling what's the meaning.
"It means soul in Latin." I whispered to myself before writing it down. I feel like this time, I would be able to know who's the suspect.
I've been following up this case eversince the first victim appeared on the news, a woman at the age of 19. Well, aside sa talamak naman talaga ang murder and assault these days, kapag nakapagproduce ka at least one interesting case with valid source, you will be promoted in an instant, and instant promotion means higher salary for a woman like me living independently in a cramp apartment.
I hurriedly grabbed my bag and tied my hair before wearing my shoes. Perks of living alone, you don't need to say goodbye, as it is one of the hardest and most awkward thing to do.
Pagkababa ko sa first floor ng apartment na rinerentahan ko, one of stray dogs along the street just welcomed me with wagging tail, he is Buchokoy. As usual I gave him my spare bread since people from this street are too cruel to pets. I pat his head before zipping my bag and heading my way. Dumiretso na ko sa Police Station to investigate or rather, ask regarding the case.
"What do you need?" bungad agad nung babaeng nasa assistance area. I picked out one of my ID so I can start to confer authority for the documents I need since the Freedom of Information Act requests often take a long time. Nagbabakasakali, since the case is public, authorized official can provide data with regards to the current case investigation.
"Hi, it's Kaira Reyes, " I extended my arms for a shake hands which she easily accepted. I raised my ID for a verification. "I'm from Time Scope Research, one of the junior journalist there. I'm here to ask for a document regarding the cases na nangyayari sa Foster Homes. The Fatima Serrano na namatay along with other informations about sa same previous case this week lang."
She looked at my ID before writing my name on the logbook and smiled before handling the ID to me.
"There you go. Pwede ka munang umupo sa waiting area, tatawagin ko lang si captain." I smiled at her before sitting on the chair, it's a little crampy since meron ding ibang tao sa loob. This is one of those days where there are tons of cases be it minor or major. Minsan naman, kapag siguro wala sa mood gumawa ng krimen yung mga tao, halos walang tao sa station.
Primero Forte is a city with sparkling lights scattering all over, with too much gimiks at night, it is also one of the crowded city of the country making it having a very high demands when it comes to protection. People, are really burning bridges.
"Ms. Kaira Reyes, you can go inside now." the woman from before went to my direction then to her usual place, I stood up from my seat and and turned the doorknob clockwise after waiting for 15 minutes. In one corner of the room is a man in uniform, sitting on his chair, facing the table loaded with too much documents.
"Please sit down." nagbubuklat sya ng documents ng makapasok ako. I heard gossips about him, he's quite competent, an honest public servant of the law. Umupo na ko habang hinihintay syang matapos sa ginagawa niya.
"Miss Kaira do you have specific documents in mind that you want to have? Since we're not going to confide informations to anyone, if only you catch my drift." he said while clasping his hand and pressing it on the table. I smiled at him before placing my notes on the table along with a flashdrive.
"How about we trade?" I said while holding the flashdrive which instantly caught his attention.
"What do you know?" he asked before leaning backward on his chair. He seems to be very tired. Even his dark circles under his eyes are really visible.
"See it for yourself." I pushed my note in front of him. He pick it up before skimming through the pages, flipping it right after he read.
"I've been following the case eversince it started, captain. So let me go straight to the point, I know that you saw the mark on the victim's forehead, which might be one of the scheme upon serial killing..." I looked at him before continuing.
"And I am aware that you know that aside from their age and gender their is other gauge behind serial killing. Meaning, there's only one suspect which I assumed that both sides have the connection. I just need the personal information of the victim, or maybe their residentials."
"If you're planning to interview their parents or guardians, we already did..." he looked at me and breath deeply, he placed my note on the table and raised his hand as if he's asking for something. I handed over the flashdrive. He sat straight on his chair, giving me a sure look on his face.
"And yes, they have the gauge and connections. Two are from Act Foothill Academy, two are also from Lisabona Theatre Academe." he said while opening the document and letting me see some of the informations.
"Both schools focus on theatre acting. In conclusion, they are trainees in Theatre or, they're already stage actors." I said while sitting comfortably, writing note on my pad.
"That's quite good assumption you have there. No, not just assumptions but a fact. Aside from that we're still conducting the investi—" I cut him out by standing up.
I smiled at him before grabbing my notes on the table, placing them inside my bag and walked to the door's direction, opening the it.
"That's enough for me. Please give me a copy of it so I can start investigating."
I already know where to start gathering informations.