Chapter 16: Caught in the Act (Part 1)

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the updated 2022 version of Chapter 16-Part 1. If you are re-reading this part, you may observe some changes from the previous version.

CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains references to stalking and harassment that may be upsetting for some readers. Please be mindful of these sensitive themes and other possible triggers. Remember to practice self-care before, during and after reading.

 Remember to practice self-care before, during and after reading

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LORELEI

"MARY HAD A Little Lamb?" Loki raised an eyebrow, reclining on his chair and steepling his fingers. "Are you sure about that?"

"A hundred percent," I said with a firm nod. Wala pa akong problema sa pagdinig kaya malabong nagkamali ako sa tunog na nag-register sa tainga ko.

"I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Moriarty's probably fond of nursery rhymes." He tilted his head up, staring at the white ceiling. "First, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Now, Mary Had a Little Lamb. What's next? London Bridge is Falling Down?"

I wondered what was the reason behind the criminal mastermind's choice of music. Baka dumating ang araw na hindi ko na gugustuhing makinig sa nursery rhymes dahil kay Moriarty. He was ruining them for me. "He's getting creepier, don't you think?"

"He's actually getting more interesting!" Loki smirked impishly as a glint of joy flashed in his eyes. "I'm curious as to what his ringtone is. BBC Sherlock's Moriarty had Stayin' Alive by Bee Gees. If he'd make the same choice, it wouldn't be surprising anymore."

Never pa akong nakapanood ng sinasabi niyang Sherlock kaya hindi ako naka-relate. It must be one of those modern adaptations of Sherlock Holmes that he had mentioned before.

Ngayong bumalik na si Loki sa favorite spot niya sa clubroom, pakiramdam ko'y buo na muli ang QED Club. Masaya ba ako na nakabalik na siya? Siyempre naman! Without his presence, this place did not feel like the way it used to be.

As promised, dahil okay na ang kondisyon niya, minabuti kong i-share na sa kanya ang nangyari noon sa ospital—mula sa Mary Had A Little Lamb tune hanggang sa paghabol ko sa lalaking nag-dial n'on.

"You should have told me about this keypad thingy sooner." Nabaling ang tingin ng mga mapanuring mata niya sa akin. "I would've been able to focus my undivided attention on figuring out what the digits are. Even if we know the tune, the list of possible number combinations is endless. If we hear it again, we'd know which keys to tap."

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata at ipinagkrus ang mga braso ko. Pilit kong inaalala ang eksaktong tune na narinig ko mula sa pagpindot ni John Baustista sa phone niya noon. Ang tanging pumapasok sa isipan ko ay ang pagsipol ng lalaki noong isang araw sa ospital. Baka nagkakanda-halo-halo na ang memory ko.

"Hindi ko na talaga matandaan kung aling part ng Mary Had A Little Lamb ang narinig kong keypad tone." Bumuntonghininga ako at marahang umiling. "But I have a feeling that one of the people from Clark High who visited the hospital has connections with Moriarty."

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