LOHIKA 4: I See Murders [COMPLETED]

Chapter XXXI - Horologium

"Alam mo ba kung bakit hindi sumasama 'yang si Lt. Lim sa mga inuman ng tropa?" bulong ni tandang Sariin kay Detective Catalan. He had been watching the uneasy lieutenant across the table for a while. Naisin n'ya man na tulungang makatakas ang hindi komportableng binata ay hindi n'ya iyon gagawin lalo pa at napaggigitnaan ito ng Director at Deputy Chief.

Detective Catalan wasn't interested, but he automatically said, "Bakit?" Ang kanyang bibig at mga kamay ay abala sa pagtikim sa lahat ng klase ng pulutan na nakahain sa kanyang harapan. He didn't even throw a glance at the lieutenant the old man was talking about.

"Ipagawa mo na sa kanya lahat, h'wag lang uminom."

"Aah.. mababa ang alcohol tolerance," hula ng binatang detective. Nagustuhan n'ya ang lasa ng sisig at binabalak n'ya na mag-take out noon para sa kanyang ina na naghihintay sa bahay. At nang hindi na muling nagsalita si tandang Sariin ay napagtanto n'ya na tama ang kanyang sinabi. Slowly, he looked at the old man, "Seryoso?!" Hindi s'ya makapaniwala na hindi kayang uminom ng alak ng may kayabangan na lieutenant. Kung ganoon ay daig pa n'ya ito.

"Mismo," sagot ni tandang Sariin habang nakatitig sa tinutukoy na binata.

Detective Catalan diverted his stare to Jiho. His eyes widened at the sight of a glass full of beer the old Director was handing to the man with low alcohol tolerance. Pinanood n'ya kung paano pasimpleng napangibit at napa-iling ang binatang lieutenant. Kung paano nito kuhanin ang baso dahil sa nakamamatay na pressure na ibinibigay ng matandang Director. Somehow, he found it interesting to watch.

"Sir, ang... totoo ho n'yan," Jiho was having a hard time explaining his situation. He didn't want to reveal to everyone present at that table that he couldn't drink. Ayaw n'yang mapahiya sa mga katrabaho. His legs started to shake involuntarily.

"Lt. Lim, ipapahiya mo ba ang kagalang-galang na Director natin?!" galit na saad ni Deputy Chief Punongbayan.

Then suddenly, someone on the long table started a chant, "Iinom na 'yan. Iinom na 'yan."

Agad namang sumabay sa chant na iyon ang lahat ng mga police detective maliban kay tandang Sariin at Detective Catalan. Parehong napanganga ang dalawa nang napilitan ang lieutenant na inumin iyon hanggang sa huling patak.

The old Director was satisfied that he quickly poured another batch of beer for his favorite subordinate for that night. Again, he gave the glass to Jiho.