"Can we talk to you?" Andy asked to the victim's four acquaintances.
"I don't know if what this reporter is saying about you is true but I don't have time to play with someone like you." A cold response by the man with blonde hair and it stood up to leave.
"Then, that will make you more suspicious, Mister." Andy insisted that Ken kicked her, stealthily and this also stopped the man from leaving.
It turned to them and laughed out loud, "So, I was right you've been suspecting me the moment I raised my hand, huh?"
"Naturally." Andy didn't want to lose, "In fact, it's a normal process, Sir."
He burst out a silent chuckle, "Ok, then, I'll stay here. I'm not afraid of anything because I'm innocent."
"We'll see then." Andy challenged him.
They are now sitting on a sofa. The four stood side by side while two young detectives sat in front of them. Others in attendance were on the sidelines, talking indiscreetly and some already left. They found out that Mr. Ferrer organized this party and his brother is the owner of the house in New York according to the story of the four suspect. They had been working together for 8 years before the victim became a bank manager three years ago. The girls thought that the man with blonde hair had a motive to cease the life of Mr. Ferrer. One of them was enemy of the victim recently because of something about the bank. They are identified as Keir Gonas with the brief case, Henry Sarsales with the blonde hair, Pia Brillianes the smoker lady and Sergio Marasigan a man with a notebook.
"Do you have any more questions?" Pia asked bored after puffing her last cigarette.
"I told you not to smoke in front of me!" Henry complained.
"Eh, I want you to get out of here if you don't want to get burned." The woman didn't want to go away and then turned to the man next to Mr. Gonas, "Can I borrow a lighter, Tito?"
Keir reached into his pocket, "You're a heavy smoker, Pia."
"It just makes me happy."
"We just want to know what else your connection to the victim other than you're at work together." Ken asked.
"I have no other connection with him. I mean, I'm just new to the company." Disgusted, Henry replied.
"My friend Herman and I were from high school and we went to work together." Keir's story.
"Me?" Pia said, "He's my godfather, Tito Keir was my one and only uncle who took care of me when I was 8. Herman put me in the bank as his assistant."
"So, you have a motive to kill him because you know the moves of money or password ---"
"What the hell are you talking about? !!" The woman exclaimed, angrily, "Do you doubt that I killed my Godfather?"
"Pia, just calm down. You're innocent, I know you."
"I'm really innocent, Tito. F*ck this!"
"Uhm — how about you, Mr. Marasigan?" Ken asked the financer who's been silent the whole time.
"I-I'm new. So I don't know Mr. Ferrer that much. T-There was a t-t-time we had a drink, talk about the b-bank."
"Why is he stammering?" Andy asked at the back of her mind, "May I see the notebook you've been holding the whole time?"
"S-Sure." He handed it with shaky hands, "R-records o-o-of t-the money."
Ken let out a deep breath before Andy opened the notebook. It shows the date of the money's records --- withdrawals, deposits and others. Almost every day a large amount is deducted and taken.
"Why is there a tear in the middle?" Ken asked in surprise.
"Huh?"
They looked at Mr. Gonas's broken briefcase on the side of the sofa and was opened accidentally, which the owner immediately fixed it. The kicker was about to pick up the paper that had been thrown away but Keir immediately grasped the paper away as if afraid that someone could read it.
"I'm really sorry."
"Next time look, carefully where you going!"
They were shocked when it got angry. Andy observed him putting the paper in his jacket pocket.
"Chace?" Ken blatted.
"Hi, Little Detectives. I see you're here. Where are the others? Jim?"
"Investigating."
Their conversation was interrupted when they heard the noise of a police patrol car.
Andy didn't pay attention, "When the crime happened at five o'clock in the afternoon, where were you?" She asked, "Specifically." Where would he be?
"I was at home at that time. 6 was the starting time, I was sick when I left the invitation card at home so I came back." Explained by Mr. Gonas.
"When you came back, did you see your invitation card right away?" Ken asked curiously.
"Pia found it in her car when she came she even caught up with me so we came here at the same time." Then he sucked on the pipe he was holding.
"And why was your invitation card found in Miss Brillianes' car, Mr.Gonas? Hope you don't mind me asking that."
"I probably left it when we got home from work."
"So, he's alibi is with you?" The woman nodded at the girl's question.
"Mr. Marasigan, may I know your alibi?"
"When I arrived, I caught up with them just as they were entering the gate."
Andy stared at it in surprise because his stuttering was gone. Can't look directly into their eyes.
"Hen ---"
"Ok, I was here that time, I was just talking to the waiters. If you want proof, ask them." At the same time, he pointed to the waiters at the bar counter.
"May I ask why you came here so early when the party starts at 6?" Andy asked thirstily.
"Mr. Ferrer sent me here to discuss the new project in Pangasinan. I was the contributor."
"Very well said, Mr.Sarsales." Nodding she said.
They looked away when they heard the voices of Aris and Li talking to Inspector Eletera now. He knows them but there is no denying the Inspector's displeasure with what they are doing. This kind of investigation is a grave importance before the proposal is implemented. They didn't care having a hard time investigating because they have detective tools and they know the process.
"Inspector." Ken ordered as she approached them.
"Leave this case to us." It was an unsympathetic response.
"You six should go home." His companion insisted, Ken realized it was the Inspector's assistant.
"That's what they said, Inspector." Introduction by one of the members of Inspector Eletera's team, "The body was found at 7:45 pm. A stab wound to the spinal cord caused its death and according to rigor mortis it was two hours dead when they found it. There was a lump on the head .Half-buried. There are footprints of shoes with no design on the soles. Before the corpse was found, the whole area was blacked out. I also asked the first person who saw it before blacking out, she saw it when she went to the garden talking to a friend on the phone. That's all inspector. "
"Touché." Nodding, he said, "Start investigating the crime scene." He addressed his team and faced again the young detectives, "Whatever you're thinking, you can leave now."
"Are we right, Miss Brillianes?" Li suddenly blurted out that made the investigators and the people who were still in the house stopped.
"What?" The woman asked in astonishment. She was obviously trembling, "Me killed my godfather? Are you crazy?"
"Wait, Miss Ramos what are you saying?" Inspector Eletera was shocked as everyone else.
"Are you accusing her?" Henry asked them angrily.
"Please, go home. I'm not happy with what you're doing right now. This situation is very serious. It's not a good joke." The old man pleaded, "Jayme, take these six to their house."
"Yes, Inspector."
"That you know who the suspect is." Jim finishes the broken line of Li's sentence, "You're the only one who knows so you can set up the circuit breaker."
"WHAT?!" Pia stood up in annoyance, "I don't know what you're talking about! The accusations you're making are no longer funny."
"I told you. Are you kidding us?" Ken noticed that Henry had been holding back about something.
They all have the perfect alibi for the two suspects. It's hard to read their expression which is just so serene.
"How did she do that? We don't have much evidence to accuse her. If only there was such a thing." Disgustedly, Andy commented on his naughty thought.
They gathered in one place to discuss their respective theories. Everyone's waiting, impatiently.
"Are you sure about the killer?" Ken asked confidently, "That's also what I thought when I asked the suspect. But the alibi was so perfect when I asked earlier."
"We have been looking back and forth at this picture, Jim." Aris complained while looking at the captured photo of the crime scene over and over again.
"Because I saw something weird in his hand."
An invisible bell suddenly hit their minds. The six looked at each other thinking the same thing. They smirked looking at the suspect.
"Yeah." Jim reacted.
They simultaneously examined the offender whom the police spoke to. Inspector Eletera is asking them some follow-up questions.
"Right now, I can sense the killer's changing its alibi. Highly confident that Inspector Eletera will not ask us about their alibis." Greg's comment, nodding while the left corner of her lips are raised.
"I know you've solved the case, right?" The newspaper reporter whispered, "Your faces look very serious."
"Are you going to write an article about us?" Greg asked.
"It depends, Miss Bernardo."
"Well, we're ready for you to write while we solve this."
"Really?" He can't believe that he was given a privilege to write on the spot.
They ignored the man and approached Inspector Eletera with confidence. Eyes are on them, eating them alive, full of judgments.
"Inspector, let us illustrate the crime. Let's go to the crime scene." Greg flashed a sly smile.
There was nothing the police could do but to follow them since they had to finish it now. Inspector Eletera is interested in what they will do and see, personally investigating.
"Pia, you were the one who shot the victim who caused the internal bleeding that ended in its breathing." Aris' opening story when they reached the crime scene.
The audience gasped in surprise. The woman screeched. Her make up smeared on Henry's shirt as he comforted her.
"What? Does that mean the one who killed Mr.Ferrer was Pia? Impossible!" Henry shouted, "It's all bullshit." His face turned crimson and eyebrows bridged.
"I-I can't do that." The girl said shakily. She was pale and bare.
"Hey, Locsin? What are you saying?" Inspector Eletera asked.
"Hija, I can charge you with libel for saying that. I know many good lawyers." Mr.Gonas reacted and comforted his niece, "You're not funny anymore."
"Tito, stop. You believe in me, right?"
"Sure, Pia. I love you, okay? I made promise to my sister."
"No, she didn't kill Mr. Ferrer." Andy cut off the dramatic scene.
"Then, why did you say she hit it with an iron that caused internal bleeding that ended the victim's breath? What do you mean by that?" Inspector Eletera asked confused.
"I don't understand what you're trying to convey." Chace groaned behind Jim, "Jim? Are you sure about this?"
"Just listen, Christian." Jim whispered back at him narrowly.
She can't handle her heart any longer. It makes her shiver down her spine and gives her goosebumps. God, she wished this guy would vanish right now.
"First of all, to get the victim here, the killer called him, no doubt. He was sent here to talk about work."
"Mr. Ferrer did not consent the offender for something related to their work. Maybe they were arguing about it." Li second, "Mr. Ferrer saw that he was holding a knife so the victim was ready to run but the killer caught him before he planned to escape. The spinal chord was hit which was lethal. And you, Miss Brillianes saw the scene. You chose to keep quiet about it."
Pia breathed laboriously. There's fear and in denial in her eyes. Her face turned paler and paler. Earlier she was shaking and it seemed like her body was giving in to the stress she was feeling right now.
"When the killer left, you approached the victim and he saw you, he grabbed your torn dress to ask for help. You had no choice but swatted his head with the iron next to the pit." Aris said, "You did not intend to kill Mr. Ferrer but you want. .you need to protect the suspect. Then you looked for the shovel when you found out that he was no longer alive, you were panicked. You were going to bury the corpse when someone called you."
"Then you went back to your house and pretended as if nothing happens then you came here with your Uncle." Greg said, "But what was your reason, Miss Brillianes, that you came here during those hours?" Inspector Eletera asked.
The girl could not speak due to fear and anxiety. Not a word wanted to come out of her mouth.
"The reason is ---" She kept on biting her lips, hesitantly.
The team waited as the wind blows. A cricket chirped into the silent night.
"I followed Henry if he has a girlfriend." She finished the sentence with her head bowed down.
"Pia..." They thought so that the young man would be really surprised but it failed them, maybe he knew it for a long time.
She looked at Henry, embarrassed and hurt. Stared at him full of affection in her eyes. Begging for a reciprocal feeling.
"Henry, I've wanted you for a long time." Pia lowered her head again when she said the last word. It took a while to raise her head and gaze at him, she expressed, "Ever since I entered Ninong's office. When I saw you, I knew I would love you. You're the only one who makes my heart flutter but you see me as your younger sister. "
"Pia.. .I didn't k-know you see me as someone you love, I thought as a brother. Why?"
The six didn't know if the man was happy or frustrated or whatever the feeling was they couldn't find the right words. It seems like it's normal to him about girls being attracted to his charms.
"Because you were so blind, Henry!" Pia yelped, full of pain and anger, "You always have another woman with you whenever you go to the office. As for me, you always scold me. Yes, I'm a heavy smoker but I did that on purpose because you only care every time I smoke and I really like you who worry about me. My heart rejoices when your attention is on me." The girl begins to sob.
An awkward silence deafened the scene. Only Pia's low whining plaintive sound of despair engulfed the tranquility of the night.
"That's enough drama!" The newspaper reporter said, "The investigation is not over yet. Save it on your honeymoon."
"So, you mean Miss Brillianes was an accessory of the crime?" Inspector Eletera asked in consternation.
"You can say that."
"Henry can also commit the crime, he also has a motive for Mr. Ferrer. You can kill him because Mr. Ferrer also did something to. . .blackmailing. I know it's personal but you have to explain to the police." Andy insisted.
"Henry?"
"He's not the killer either, Inspector." Li immediately ordered.
"So, who is really the killer?" An irritated question from a colleague of Inspector Eletera because he was confused, "Why are you still turning everything around?!"
"Before we say that, can you explain, Mr. Marasigan how do you know the ins and outs of the house? If only you and Mr. Ferrer would meet?" Li asked, "And to think you don't know his brother either."
Everyone turned to him at what the girl said. Astonished, everyone awaits his answer.
"B-because ---"
"You've been here the whole time. The one who came in as you when the party started was your secretary." Ken looked behind him as his assistant stood there, "Since the guards don't pay much attention to the guest's face as long as they see the invitation card."
"Mr. Marasigan, can you explain what they're saying?"
"I — I was ---"
"No, he's not the killer too, Inspector. He just came here to the house because he had plans to buy it. So," Aris turned to Mr. Gonas, ". .that leaves to the last person."
"Mr. Gonas?" Simultaneously, the four stared at him.
"Uncle. ." She barely spoke his name, throat had dried out.
"As I will proceed, Pia Brillianes as unexpected and unplanned accessory of the crime, was the one who set the circuit breaker that caused a blackout throughout the house --- inside and out of the house." Andy's end.
"Mr. Gonas, when we interviewed you, you said that you came here with your niece. What if I said to you that you did it over and over again in this house to make your alibi perfect?" Asked Jim.
"At 5 pm, you came here when Mr. Ferrer sent you and you did the crime. You thought any second he'll die so after you stabbed the victim in the spinal chord, you left immediately before the party organizers doubted. But what you don't know, your niece saw you. And came back to you again and like Pia pretended that nothing happened. " Li ended their deduction.
"ENOUGH! ENOUGH!" Pia shouted at Jim's friends and then burst into tears, "Tito, tell them they are wrong. They are just children, they have nothing against your power."
Mr. Gonas held Pia on both shoulders, wiped her tears, "Pia, whatever happens I'm here, ok? I won't leave you. What they say is not true. I'm kind. I'll prove to them they were wrong of accusing me. "
"But Tito ---"
He confronted the six, "What is your evidence against me?" Mr. Gonas asked defiantly.
Aris took a deep breath, "The ripped note about the money record held by Mr. Marasigan. And the official receipt of the market budget in your jacket pocket. You ripped this because you were afraid that Mr. Ferrer would find out that it was written in your name that contributed so much money beyond the budget contract. You pocketed the extra because that's what you talked about with a client. "
It was as if cold water had been poured on the alleged killer Mr. Gonas and trembling he took the receipt from his pocket.
"Mr.Ferrer hired Mr.Marasigan not only as financier but also a private detective. He's been working for five years." Smirked Li, "Right, Mr.Marasigan? You pretended as if you barely know Mr.Ferrer."
"H-How did you find out?"
"When I heard you talking to the waiter."
"Oh. We were talking about his family. I know you heard word by word."
"No, I just got the meaning when you said 'he's changed'."
"As we were saying, that's why you got angry when your brief case was opened, the appeal you took immediately was thrown away." Andy smiled at Mr.Gonas.
"Mr. Gonas?" Inspector Eletera called softly, "Are these six right?"
"Tito.. .Please don't ---"
"Pia." Mr. Gonas replied weakly, "It seems that the reporter is right, they are the college detectives."
"Tito, no. Please I don't want you away. I'll come, in fact I was an accessory."
"Pia, you have to stay. I only did it because I don't want to hurt you, our business has gone bankrupt, I owe Herman a lot, three years after my payment deadline and you are the one he wants as my payment. He was not your real godfather, it was his twin that he imprisoned and used his brother's power. I hope you will forgive me, Pia. " Crying explanation by Mr. Gonz.
"Tito—" Pia sat down when she lost strength in her legs, "Why? Why?"
"I'm sorry, Pia. I ---" He matched it, "I love you so much, Pia so I did it. I also think I won't do it but he blackmailed me that when I don't do what he wants to do that he plans to kidnap you. That leaves me no choice but to shut him forever. "
They heard the groan of the victim's wife who had been silent before and not a word came out of her lips.
Mr. Gonas approached the six and looked into teary eyes, "I was amazed." A voice in disbelief betrayed his pride.
"How did you find out?" Henry asked.
"When we saw the position of the knife, only a left handed would match it and when I observed Keir puffing his pipe and wrote down something." Jim replied, the most observant of them.
"Jim..." Chace's voice was unbelievable, "You're so sharp."
"As expected from the girls." Shaky comment by the reporter who introduced himself as Lorenz Termulo. "This could be a killer headline tomorrow."
"Get Keir in the patrol car." Inspector's order.
After everything was cleaned, Mr. Gonas and Pia were taken to the police station to explain and for the detention process. And Henry was hurt when he found out how Pia felt and being an accessory of the crime. He could not believe what was happening. The victim's brother, who was imprisoned in the basement there and was sent food every day, was rescued and was well taken care in the hospital for recovery. Mr. Gonas said that he did not regret killing Mr. Ferrer because he believed he deserved what he did to his brother.
'Well, another case was solved. Haaaayyy, it felt good to solve the case in the madling time, but then again we were punished. We had to go to school and finish the leftover projects and whatnot. We are ready to face the public, though. This could lure the organization.'-Li Ramos.