The Culprit (UNDER REVISION)

Case 079: Frame-Up 👮

                           "Acquaintance"

ALEJANDRO
The day he waited came. He's getting ready to attend General Lambert's birthday party, or rather to say retirement announcement.

He picked up his cap and joined his co-police officers—who's waiting for him outside. Sabi ng hepe nila kailangan daw na sabay-sabay silang pumunta sa nasabing pagtitipon.

"Inspector, kailangan pa ba ng cap? Maayos na 'yong buhok ko eh," Ivan asked, but he just walked passed on him. The PO2 did nothing but to follow him.

Chief Asaytuno motioned them to get in the car. Nasa limang sasakyan ang dala nila. Pawang nga interns ang naiwan sa presinto para magbantay. Hindi rin naman sila magtatagal kaya ayos lang kung sabay-sabay silang mawawala.

They reached their destination in just an hour. The receptionist smiled at their Chief and lend them in. The hotel was decorated very well. Balloons with written 60th birthday was seen everywhere.

Pinili niya ang pinakasulok na mesa at sununod naman sa kanya ang kanyang team. Ang kanilang hepe ay nasa bandang unahan, pati na rin ang team nila Tobby at Matt. Naroon rin ang ama ni Tobby na isang retired general.

"Inspector, may problema po ba? You look tense po eh," Kath asked him.

Kath is right. Even if he don't see his face he knows that he look unease. He felt that anytime something will explode...not literally, but he feel something's not good will happen. Hindi rin maalis sa isipan niya ang mga salitang binitiwan ni Master George. Kung ano man ang ibig sabihin nito ay sigurado siyang may kinalaman iyon sa pagtitipon ngayon.

"N'andito rin pala kayo?" someone greeted them. He looked up and saw Mitch—the PO1 in San Simon Police District—smiling at them.

"Oh Mitch, Cheng, Shift, dito na kayo sa tabi namin?" Ella invited them but their inspector choose to sit in front. The policewomen just give Ella an apologetic smile before following their inspector.

"Hindi pa rin nagbabago mayabang pa rin," Ivan mumbled beside him. Obviously he's pertaining to Inspector Austria.

"Hello, good afternoon everyone!" The emcee greeted them. "We all gathered here to celebrate General Lambert's 60th birthday...and sad part to join him in his last day as a Sherlock Capitol and GENERALS' Head General." The emcee paused and flashed a sad smile. "Let's welcome on the stage....General Richard Lambert!"

The crowed applause. They're all smile while looking at the General who's on the stage.

"Hello everyone first of all... I want to thank all of you for making it today. I'm very glad to see all of you gathered here for my special day. I hope you're all doing good. I know everyone here knows that I'm going to retire. Yes...you heard it right. Matanda na rin ako and I want to spend the remaining days of my life with my family. You know being in service is really complicated. Having busy schedules makes you apart from your love ones. Kaya gusto ko rin namang makabawi sa kanila," General Lambert paused to smile. "I want to thank all of you for joining me, for almost four decades. Nagsimula bilang PO1 hanggang sa maitalagang general ng Capitol, n'andyan kayong lahat para tulungan ako at nagpabilis ng aking trabaho. But now is the time to say goodbye. But don't worry, I don't leave you hanging, of course someone will take over my place. Please be good to him, tulad ng ipinakita n'yo sa akin. Muli maraming salamat sa inyong pagdalo, please enjoy the rest of the nights. Good evening everyone!"

The crowd applause as General Lambert ended his speech. Some were teary eyed, while some preventing their tears to escape from their eyes. General Lambert was good, he serves Capitol for almost four decades not just a police officer but also a public servant. Kaya naman hindi nakapagtataka na maraming nalulungkot sa pamamaalam nito.