Gunned Down (Chasing Dreams Series #4) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 29

"Are you gonna kill me, Arnuevo? Let me go."

Sa kabila ng pananakal ko ay kalmado pa ring nagsalita si Chief Cristobal. But I was too shocked to make a move, so he freed himself from the handkerchief.

"I'm sorry, Sir..." nataranta ako at dali-daling sumilip sa kanyang likuran para alamin kung may iba pang tao roon.

I don't understand... Someone was there. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Hepe na kasalukuyang hinihimas ang namumula niyang leeg. Was he following me, then?

"Do you have a question for me?" he asked strictly.

I tied the handkerchief around my fist, getting ready to attack him just in case he was planning to do something bad.

"What are you doing here, Sir?"

Meeting my gaze, he paused for a moment. "I'm a senior officer, Arnuevo. My personal life doesn't concern you. You're still suspended. Is this what you're doing for the last few days?"

He walked away and stood in front of the door behind me. Napalingon ako nang narinig ang pagpindot niya sa codes. Namilog ang mga mata ko hindi sa kadahilanang may unit siya rito, kundi dahil natatandaan ko 'yung maliit na detalye sa hoodie'ng suot niya.

Dahan-dahan kong binunot 'yung sulat sa loob ng bag ko. "May I ask you, Sir?"

Now in his serious demeanor, he glanced at me. "Fire your question, Arnuevo."

"Since when did you become a messenger?" Itinaas ko 'yung sobre. "You... It was you. You were the one who gave this to me."

The door was completely unlocked, but he couldn't push it open. Hindi man siya nagulat sa narinig, ngunit ang bahagyang pagkunot ng kanyang noo ay senyales na hindi niya ito inaasahan.

Itinuro ko 'yung suot niyang pang-itaas. "The little hole at the upper left side of your hoodie... Natatandaan ko 'yan, Sir. I chased you, remember?"

What are the odds, huh? I didn't recognize that it was him 'cause his body built was concealed into that thick cloth. I've never seen him in a running shoes, so it was understandable that I didn't notice the height difference when he was wearing his usual work shoes.

Halos malukot na 'yung papel sa higpit ng pagkakahawak ko. "What's the meaning of this, Sir? Did you get your hands dirty? Did you also lose your morale?"

"Stop right there, Arnuevo. It's not what you think. I'm not an enemy..." nananatili pa rin siyang kalmado.

"Then who the hell are you? Meeting you here wasn't coincidence..." Mas lalo kong itinaas 'yung sobre. "Why did you write this letter? What do you know about my father's death?"

"I'll explain everything, but not here." Binuksan niya 'yung pinto. "Come in. I rented this unit for the secret mission."

Hindi ako nagdalawang-isip at 'agad sumunod sa kanya sa loob. Pinindot niya 'yung switch ng ilaw at binulaga ako ng malaking blackboard sa living room na may nakadikit na mga larawan ng iba't-ibang tao. Makikita ang dalawang laptop at patong-patong na folders sa center table. Nagkalat ang disposable cups ng kape sa ibaba no'n at iilang papel. Nakadikit naman sa glass walls 'yung mahabang lamesa kung saan nakalatag ang iba't-ibang klase ng baril at mga posas.

"Sir, this is..." I was speechless.

Ngumisi si Hepe. "Have a seat, Arnuevo."

Lumapit ako sa sectional sofa at umupo roon. Binigyang-pansin ko 'yung blackboard at napanganga na lang nang nakita ang larawan ng mga kabaro naming may mataas na ranggo. Syempre, hindi mawawala sa target list sina Edwin, Gemma, at Martin.