02:43 P.M.
Manila National Police Station. In the office of Lieutenant Dela Rosa.
July 20th, the year 2018. Friday.
"I have something to ask you, isn't it obvious?" Xian retorted back as Marcus was still holding the piece of evidence paper behind his back. It contained the fingerprint test. The one that's mailed to the station's address early this morning. It has been three to four weeks they have been in a hindrance to solve murder cases because of that. The machines were breaking even if they brought a new one.
Marcus' assumption because of breakage of scanners may lead to the culprit in Margo's case.
Xian brought out his cell phone in the front pockets of his shorts. He was shaking because of the unfathomable pain caused by standing too long. He swallowed as he pressed the recording message.
Xian held out the cell phone, letting the other wooden crutch to fall on the floor with a loud thud. Marcus was so surprised by what he heard. He stared at the message on Xian's cell phone as it stopped and it replayed over Marcus's head.
Marcus was certain that they were alone inside the investigation room. But why did it come out? Did someone record it behind their back?
"Lieutenant Dela Rosa. The bracelet that's found on the crime scene of Margo Monteverde right at the top of the hood of her car. It's positive about Katrina Fajardo's fingerprints. The forensic team sent it over through the international forensics for the test. The scanners have been out for almost three weeks now."
The message repeated inside Marcus's head. He still tried to compose himself to face Xian with confidence. Xian gritted his teeth, leaned over his crutch. The numbness felt through his leg. He still didn't want to let his guard down. Holding the cell phone right in front of Marcus's nose, he faced him with dignity.
"What is the meaning of this?" Xian hissed as he felt the tears that were gonna fall down on his cheeks. It was justifiable. Somehow, Xian could connect his strange actions to the message. Xian glanced at Marcus's hands over his back. Marcus was hiding the fingerprint results.
Marcus opened his mouth, tilted his head on one side, and pretended to furrow his eyebrows. He swallowed and felt a lump in his throat as he looked straight into Xian's eyes. Xian's hands were now shaking with rage as he held the cell phone still and waited for Marcus's banter.
"I don't know what it was, Xian. If you will have to bother me with significant evidence, you need to come here with an important notice. Don't barge in the station without permission, Mr. Santos." Marcus played the formal way. After all, Xian only barged in here to confront him. Xian would be an erupting volcano, he assumed.
With his sorrow over Margo's death, Marcus felt guilty by passing over the case now.
"What are you saying, Mr. Lieutenant?! It wasn't significant evidence because it involved your best friend, Katrina Fajardo?!" Xian bellowed. It made the officers passing turned their heads. Marcus clenched his jaw, took a quick look at everybody.
He closed his eyes, raised his right hand, let it fall to his sides, and mumbled, "Xian, please. I am not the one who was handling the murder case of Margo anymore. It's transferred to another team. As the team leader of Major Crimes, I can't barge in with this kind of inadequate evidence you were showing to me!"
Marcus huffed an air. Who was that who recorded their conversation? He looked down at his feet abrasively. Marcus realized he wasn't skeptical about this important evidence he was illegally holding. The last thing he wanted was a ban from the station. Punishable by an illegal handling of evidence by another case.
He can't do any legitimate investigation through Margo's case for now. Unless the Violent Crimes Division asked for their help.
Xian scoffed at him and retorted back, "This was a piece of inadequate and negligible evidence for you?! How come you became a lieutenant if you disregard this message?!"
Marcus darted his eyes everywhere and muttered, "Xian, please. Do not make any scandal here."
Xian snickered to him and repulsed, "You think I am making one, Mr. Dela Rosa?! I am talking some sense into your narrow mind! You're foolish enough to decide this evidence I was showing you was inconsequential?! You know all of this, Mr. Lieutenant!"
Xian inhaled a lot of fresh air and took a one-step towards Marcus while limping. Marcus froze at his place when he still tried to conceal the paper behind his back. He felt his heartbeat getting faster than usual. Xian was looking through his eyes conspicuously.
"Why are you turning a blind eye after everything has happened, Marcus? They clearly stated it like that. It was her. It was Katrina, your best friend," Xian censured. Marcus ingested his pride and fell his hand back on the sides of his hips while still gazing at Xian. He glanced at Marcus's hands and he closed his eyes.
Xian felt the tears reminiscing Margo's face.
"As a lieutenant, I am always fond of solving murder cases so easily. But today, Xian, I don't know what to feel. How can you put your best friend on the list of suspects we have for the murder case of Margo?" Marcus articulated. He looked down at the tested results. Xian glanced at the paper, hitching it when Marcus tore it apart.
Marcus let the papers fall down at their feet and he looked up at Xian with tears on the verge. He ingurgitated in rage as he looked at Marcus with flame in his eyes. Xian let the only one left of his crutch fall on the floor and stood straight, which made Marcus widened his eyes. Xian pushed Marcus with all his might to the wall, as he didn't feel any bluntness, numbness, and pain right through his leg.
Xian tightened his left arm while pushing Marcus's neck towards the wall. Everyone in his office came out and cried out their leader's name.
Xian looked at him with insanity as he shrieked, "Why are you doing this, Marcus?! Why can't you face the truth?!"
Marcus grabbed a hold of his left hand and was trying to remove it from his neck. His teammates went out of the door. They quickly pulled Xian away from him as Marcus held his neck while steadying himself. The two lieutenants on his team were now holding a violent Xian, who was now screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Are you okay, Mr. Dela Rosa?" Ms. Kim asked him as he nodded and looked over at the screaming Xian.
"You are not an honorable lieutenant, Marcus!" Xian shrieked and Marcus signaled to the two to unclasp both of their hands from him. Xian shrugged off their hands and took turns glaring at the two officers. Xian felt the intolerable pain in his right leg. His whole body shook, but he still pointed directly towards Marcus.
He shook his head belligerently and pointed out, "We both know who killed her, Marcus. Open those goddamn eyes and face with reality. Everyone can be in danger if you don't know how you can resolve this. After all, you have the power to investigate as if you are the police, but we are no match for you."
Marcus pursed his lips, felt Xian's words stuck in his heart. He was right. He was the police. Marcus needs to solve this right away.
"Does conscience ever come into your mind? Somehow, my words can now wake you up from the tragedy we are now facing," Xian muttered. He tried to get his wooden crutch when one of Marcus's teammates gave it to him. Xian got the two from them rashly and hobbled right towards the corner stairs. He held the crutches on both of his sides.