"Misses Locsin, Evangelista, Ramos, Bernardo cousins and Salvador. What is your motive for solving a case of that kind? What. .what has prompted you to do these things? When have you started to be this advanced?" A Lieutenant by the name of Hannah Ying asked, "Those similar teenagers are set to be set-up in mind-set. It's something abnormal. It's something that common teenagers do not have this kind of hobbies. They usually have a kind of mind-set that only appropriates to their age. But you---to be as good as. . . . let us say, Detective Conan, Poirot and Sherlock Holmes are great detectives but in realities they are just an imaginative creation by a human."
"We just love it." Andy simply answered, "Is there any reason? Are we doing something wrong? Have our deduction been wrong? Our conclusion?" She bombarded them with questions, confidently.
They were sent to the supreme court for further questions about their works. It's personal and very private to discuss with them so they thought of doing it in a suitable place. There are specialists for their mental and emotional records, one consultant for advices and one judge to witness.
"Aren't you really going to talk about investigating and solving the case on the spot? It's been three hours. That's all we need to know." Annoyingly, Lendy Espinosa the hired consultant commented.
"You were thinking we are insane or obsess, isn't it?" Greg replied coldly.
They promised that only them would know about their investigations about illegal transactions committed by illegal organization, the Amaphe. They can't talk about it, it's about their friends (Jim, Aris and Li). They may show to the public but not their secret works because when it spreads, their lives will attract more dangerous threats and attacks if possible. Ken and Andy hold hands to calm themselves.
"Okay. Just like that, we'll give you time to prepare for what you're going to say about being your 'little detectives'." She quoted, "Children, you need help. You can't just keep your problem to yourself. You need our help, you need to get contact in reality or with us, adults." A psychologist, Dr. Sofia Glirod suggested.
"Solving such a serious and extremely dangerous cases like you did the other day. .it's very risky. Works like that are job for the FBIs, Deputies or any police department members. You are still 19 years old. There are many more things you have to do, not like this. Act like your age." Another psychologist commented, Dr. Israel Lorenzo.
Li itched her ear, annoyingly. Tired of listening other's concerns but no one understands their despairs, grieves and pains they felt inside. Longing for justice.
"What's wrong with that? What's our fault? If it wasn't for us, would the police have solved Mr. Ferrer's case?" Aris answered defiantly, "We're not crazy, Doctor. We're not lost in reality between the mind-set of a common teenagers. There are many things that others are not allowed to know." She leaned forward and smiled at her devilish smile, "We all have secrets, Doctor Lorenzo. Who knows. ." She leaned back teasing the shrinks and the others, ". .that all of you have darkest secrets." She winked, smirking.
"Order of the court!" The judge immediately reacted, he was caught off guard and so they thought, "This meeting is adjourned. You will be back this coming Saturday at exactly 0900 hrs. Now, I want you to do a homework, write down all your journal during the weekdays. Every single routine you act especially solving any criminal case."
Jim and Aris went out first for a retouch. They stopped when they noticed a man rushing to hide the camcorder. They immediately chased it to the exit stairs, making sure it was a spy. They're out of air because they run up the stairs from the 10th floor of the building but they care less. Jim suddenly jumped from the top of the stairs to the man's place, that's 5 steps down and 4 steps to the left. Since they were trained in CIA and IIS, it's no big deal for her. She grabbed the collar.
"Who are you?" Jim sighed.
He smirked, "I know you're smart enough to know who I am."
"What do you need from us? Why are you following us? Who sent you? Where are your companions? How long have you seen and heard inside?" Aris asked one after another, "Ha? ANSWER ME!"
The man just laughed, "Why are you afraid the public will find out that you've been mistaken for crazy?" He provoked the ladies, "You won't get any information from me." He pushed Jim hard. She fell to the ground and hurt her wrist as she landed.
"Jim? Aris?"
They both turned to the caller. The man took the opportunity to run away from them, he ran as fast as he can. Aris chased him but he's way too fast when Li and Andy saw them.
"Are you okay, Jim?" Aris asked who helped her stand up.
"Jim, Aris what are you doing there?" Andy asked from above, "We've been looking to the two of you."
"We'll tell you something later."
Jim picked up the camcorder the man had left, unknowingly. Even though it was damaged, she made sure the memory card was safe. Aris glanced back one more time to make sure nobody saw them.
"What happened to your hand, Jim?" Ken asked as they returned outside the court room.
"It's something I can't tell you here." Jim whispered.
"Let's go home now." Suggested Li.
The atmosphere of the house was full of laughter coming out from Greg, Ken, Aris and Andy as they are watching 'Beauty and the Bestie' with Vice Ganda's endless jokes. They're having their snacks --- popcorn, cookies and some drinks on the floor. Jim is on the sofa reading today's newspaper about them while Li is on the computer looking for some information about all the illegal organizations. Especially, the Amaphe Organization and the Black Organization's connection to the syndication of illegal products. They want to seek justice for their parents' deaths without even being manipulated by the FBI.
It's been 3 days since that incident with the man outside the court room happened, they are also writing a journal for their upcoming hearing. Excluding the incident they encountered.
"Sh*t, my stomach hurt!" Greg laughed when the movie ended.
"So noisy!" Li complained, "Can't concentrate here."
"Why are those two so serious?" Aris uttered, "You'll grow old early there, ugh. It's just information, you're doing investigations even on weekends. Such a killjoy."
"Since, it's the weekend now, why don't we just have fun outside?" Suggested Andy.
"Yeah. Like bowling, billiards or anything." Ken agrees.
"We're going out?" Jim said in surprise, "Did you forget? We're everywhere. It's no longer safe for us."
"So?" Aris replied calmly, "What's the matter? It's good that we're famous. We just had a rest day because we've been cleaning ourselves the whole week." She stared at Jim crossing her arms, "Look at my hands, they have callous already."
"Overacting, Aurosia. Are you the only one with that?" She put down the newspaper, "Why are we being punished for cleaning up? They should be thanking us, we're helping them solve the case right away without any delays."
"Exactly but duh, they're just embarrassed we took their pride as crime officers."
"My back hurts from cleaning the whole area. My beautiful skin keeps getting ugly."
"Tsss. Beautiful skin, my ass. You complain too much, Aris." Jim shut her off.
"Huh, why you? You thought I didn't know you put a lot of ointments on your little scratches on the skin?" She teased back.
"Hey, stop you two! The best thing is that we can just play badminton out there." Ken interrupted to shut the two before brawl happens, "The one who doesn't want to play just stay inside."
"I'll play!" Greg volunteered raising her hand up.
"Let's go !"
Li and Jim were left inside doing some investigations through information they got from anonymous data hackers while Aris and Andy are making sandwiches. Greg and Ken are noisily playing badminton outside. The sun just reached its peak.
"Li, do you know Kevin Jackies?" Jim asked as she approached the friend's seat holding the newspaper.
"Why?"
"Hmm, isn't this our former classmate in middle school?"
"Yes. So?" Li asked still eyes on the screen typing something.
"One of the top students at Harvard University." Her friend replied.
Li frowned at Jim, "Really?"
"But. .He is missing for weeks and is now wanted by the FBI and CSI, as well as IIS. Last seen the victim was the same as the day of Kelly's death. Does it bother you about the date?"
"What does Kelly's death have to do with Kevin's disappearance? His residence in the Philippines is so far away." Li turned back to the screen, "What are you thinking, Jim?"
"Yeah. I thought so but. .I read furthermore and Kelly's name was mentioned."
Li retrieved the newspaper from Jim's hand and carefully read the report, "Kevin's last call was Kelly? The time was 10:23-1:47." She looked at Jim, "What could be their possible connection? Two different countries in one single day."
"What did you say about Kelly and Kevin?" Aris interjected holding a tray, "Is it true what we heard is that Kevin Jackies was missing and on the very day of Kelly's death? Knowing that Kelly and Kevin were talking on the phone before the incident?"
"Kevin Jackies, as in the nerd we always bully, Li?" Andy asked.
"Yeah." Jim replied, "What were they talking about that night? I'm curious."
"Here are some more, Jim." She turned around the laptop to Jim.
"Just let us know." Andy.
Aris and Andy left in front of them. They don't seem interested today in resolving the case especially since the scene is not actual. The two are not fond of solving a missing or robbery case.
"Now that you mention about the convo. Kevin was a novelist under the name of George Simeon. He writes here about the activities of Amaphe organization or any illegal organizations. He seems to know everything about their secrets. It's not like he met the members and they kidnapped him or is he somehow a member? Is he dead? But what is Kelly's connection to his disappearance? "
"I remember Kelly mentioning back then that she had a brother studying in the States. She said he loves to write novels and sent her his brother's finished manuscript. She never mentioned a name, though but I think that is Kevin." Kelly's mother said the police took Kelly's belongings to investigate. We need that, too. Police can't have those."
"Hmmm-that's interesting but we can't do anything with Kevin. And as for Kelly's things, someone may have forgotten Kelly's police equipment. I need to go there."
"There's nothing we can do for now but I want to get a copy of his novel. I'm very much interested." Jim smirked. She loves to read books, "I just want to know something about Mom and Dad." Suddenly the tone of the girl's speech became sad.
"I don't know about you, Jim but let's better be. ." She closed her laptop, ". .joining with them outside. I miss the bond. We're wasting our chance to relax."
Jim smirked, "Yeah right. .we're killing the joy, Li. You know what, sometimes we deserve to feel peace."
"You cheated, Greg!" They caught Aris complaining of swaying her rocket in an irritated way, "You intentionally short serve so I don't get it."
"I didn't do that on purpose." Laughing, Greg replied, "Just shut up. It's just a game. Scores, Andy?"
"5-4. You're the lead, Greg."
"Hi!" One of their neighbors greeted, "You're on the headline now, girls." They also became friends with this woman who is quite in her mid-30s, has no family but works in a store.
"Eh?" Aris asked in astonishment.
"Congratulations to your friends. May you be careful."
Confused, they bowed in gratitude as the woman left. Jim showed the newspaper she read in the headline today with their name and a picture of the crime scene:
'Another day for a splendid praise to be given to the young sleuths of all times. They solved another murder case. Namely: Jim Evangelista, Andy Salvador, Ken and Greg Bernardo, Aris Locsin and Li Ramos.' Jim put down the newspaper back to her lap, "See? One picture contains thousands of words. And there's another newspaper about us from 'The Star'."
"But Greg was the one told Lorenz Termulo, the newspaper reporter." Andy reminded her friends.
"He's not the writer of this newspaper. It's unknown."
"WHAT ?!" Ken suddenly asked, "Impossible. I'm certain that he is the only newspaper reporter who was there."
"Maybe someone out there who had been eavesdropping the whole time." Aris said.
"I already know who." The five turned to Jim, "That jerk did." She closed her eyes in annoyance.
She was referring to Chace. They were with that person the whole time. Knowing that Chace is a son of the owner of Time's Newspaper Publishing Center. Included in the teenager's family business.
"Aysh. .It's really different when a rich man's son does everything." Li commented shakily, "But I'm somehow glad that many know about us so we can get more information. The more the better."
"Right." Agreed Greg, "If we can't find them, they can find us."
"Look at our pictures." At the same time, Aris grasped the newspaper, "My face is ugly here. Why did Chace choose this? My ged! Eh, it's like I lost my eyes there."
"You have a lot of discontentment in life, Aris. My picture is uglier." Andy replied, "Jim's angle is good that's why her "love" chose it."
"Me?" Jim reacted.
"We're finally on the public." Ken.
They had solved many cases before but they did not agree to go public, many wanted to interview them but the police blocked the news about them. They were separated for two years and given vacations in different places, but they didn't stop instead they solved the case, individually.
"It's good that we're known so that when someone needs help, we're the ones to take the lead." Greg boldly said, "It's my pleasure to help people."
"Did you think about what you were saying, Gregoria?" Li's eyes narrowed, "Our lives are at stake here."
"So, why isn't Kuodo Shinichi afraid to make his identity public, instead he's proud? Sherlock Holmes, even does stunts." She replied.
"They're fictions. Duhh." Li insisted.
"And to think Li, Aris and Jim are members of A." Andy added as Li and Greg turned to each other, "Did you forget?"
Jim opened her mouth to utter something instead she closed it. Nothing wants to come out of her mouth. Honestly, she's been investigating about the A organization before she found out she was a member. 19 years of existence they recently found out about their tattoo as a member. They thought it was just a scar from childhood mishaps. They don't even remember being fitted like that.
"They're the most infamous and biggest syndicate organization in the world. That group is also very secretive, we can't do further investigations. Unless, we get the novel of George Simeon." Li told them in a disappointing way.
"Even FBI, IIS and CIA agents can't do things like our parents did." Aris said proudly, "At least our parents were brave at that time. And maybe they will be more proud of us when we continue to be detectives and justify our needs."
"It's ugly of you to be so serious, Aurosia." Teased Jim, "Anyways, about the novel of George Simeon." She told them the rest of the story about Kelly and Kevin Jackies.
"I'll got there." Said Greg.
"I'll go with you, Greg." Volunteered Li.
"Ok. Let's do it later."
"I know the A members are looking for you now." Ken seriously threatening them, "Though, you're still unidentified to them."
"Kelminda!" Aris pouted.
*doorbell from their gate*
It was Li who approached, "Who are they?"
"Delivery."
"Eh?" She turned to her friends, "Who ordered something for delivery?"
Some of them shrugged, others hesitantly shook their heads. The five approached after Li signed the paper. They set the box down on the coffee table.
"What's that?" Asked Greg.
"Who sent that to us?" Andy.
"What's inside of that?" Jim asked, "Maybe a bomb. No sender and no return address."
Aris put her ear to the box, "There's no sounding timer."
"I'm sure it's not a bomb. It's a little lighter than a bomb." Li's comment.
"Maybe they're watching us out there, waiting for us to open the box. Better yet let's go inside first." Andy watched intently looking around. She's keen, too.
"Eh !! Maybe it's a prank. Or a gift because we're famous." Ken said smiling.
"Seriously?" Andy's eyes narrowed.
"Just being careful, duuh." Ken snouted like a kid, "Or maybe a client of ours to solve a case for him."
They went inside to inspect the box received from a delivery man whose sender was unknown. It's in a black box and it says something for them:
'Little Detectives,
I know what you are doing. Every move you make is under observation by my people. This is my gift.
-S '
"S?" They said altogether.
"Someone is already watching us." Greg justified Andy's doubt.
Automatically, Andy went to the window and watched the surroundings carefully and sharply. She locked the windows and door and closed the curtains.
"What the F ?!" Jim reacted, "What's in this box? Let's throw it away." At once she recovered from Li's hands.
"Jim!" Aris scolded, "What?" She asked the girls when their expression were asking. "We have to figure it out. Nothing is sure if we open it, it's not a bomb."
"Maybe you're right, Aris." Agreed Li.
"But we have to work on who is S." Ken joked, "He knows everything we do. We don't even know what his gender is. S stands for someone."
"Everyone really knows we live here. We're famous. We're always headlines. There's no one we don't know especially with real big time peps. Even syndicates know us." Greg said, nonchalantly.
"How did we become detectives?" Andy suddenly asked with a laugh, "That question's been bothering me."
Li shrugged, "All I remember is, we idolized Sherlock Holmes and then just imitated him."
"How did we become friends, girls?" Aris asked curiously.
"Eeeey, why are we questioning our existence. Let's open the box." Ken intervened.
Andy opened the box, she squealed out of shock and threw it away when she saw the contents. A pair of red shoes with blood around it, there's a knife and one fingernail with a ring. Fear shook them, trembled by the horrifying surprise from a gift. None of them moved or intended to pick up the box or kick the box away. Ambivalence is what they feel when it sinks into their minds. They opened their mouth in unison to utter words but decided to shut it. Not a word wanted to come out of their lips. Can't find their voices. They don't know what to do. It was a great shock to them. It was horrible. It was terribly absurd.
"I. .H-how ---" Greg bit her lip so hard she couldn't say anything.
"Let's investigate it." Li sat on the floor and covered the box again and put it on the table.
They sat on the sofa and looked at each other with those flabbergasted gazes. Jim and Ken fetched water from the kitchen without words. A deafening silence formed throughout their house. Thinking. Processing. Rewinding.
"What is S trying to say using that thing !?" Greg broke the silence.
"What does he want to happen? Why is he playing us like this? What does he need from us? What he/she or whoever is planning? Aris asked one after another as his friends turned around, "Who is S?"
"If anything. We'll investigate." Andy said.
"It's a trap." Li's only words after holding her breath.
"I have the same thought, Li." Agreed Jim.
"Let's call the police station." Suggested Ken, "Or maybe the FBI."
"No. When 'it'. . ." she quoted, ". .finds out we reported it to the police, we don't know what else it can do to us." Aris said. "Besides, didn't we promise each other that no one would know about what we are doing? What we have here, leave it here."
She's right. Their lives will be even more dangerous. Everyone's watching them. Every move they make is being watched by the staff of the so -called 'S'.
"The FBIs are against us, Ken remember?" Jim reminded, "They will only say 'Leave it to us' when they don't do a thing."
"Jim's right. This is something of a joke to them. They'll just think we're just being played by our peers." Greg said, "And secondly, when the police investigate us they might find out that Li, Aris and Jim are members of A."
"Right. The Amaphe thing. We haven't finished talking there. S-whatever doesn't know that about Li so he sent a message like this?" Andy asked.
"Andrea has a point." Agreed Greg, "Your parents are famous for making a history."
"But --- we don't like to be an Amaphe successors." Li replied, unbelievably.
"Could you be the key to our investigation?" Greg shrugged.
Jim looks at Greg intently, trying to sink in the words, "If. . .we claim this title, maybe we can find answers, right Li? We can get more information."
"Jim, our lives are at stake here." Aris replied, "By now, they already know about us."
"Yeah, but we need more information."
"Yeah, we need it.." Greg held Jim on both shoulders, "But not that way. We can't afford to lose friends like you."
"Your too dramatic. Ugh." Andy interjected, "So, what are we going to do with the box that was sent?"
Ken approached the box and picked it up, "We'll keep this and work, secretly on it."
"We have to be careful that S doesn't trace that system of our databases." Li reminded, "Let's put that in our forensic lab first."
Greg and Ken went down to their friends' underground forensic lab. That's where they do their investigation and make gadgets.
"This is insane." Greg commented, incredulously.
"Couldn't agree more, cousin." Agreed Ken.