13 Unexpected

Lanie closed her eyes and sighed.

"I... I am not doubting myself. It's just that..." She can't continue what she wants to say, her grip became tight on the picture she was holding.

"Are these all?" She asked, changing the topic. Dra. Kyline just sighed.

"Is there any CCTV footage? They may have a security camera at the mansion." Dra. Kyline thinks for a few seconds. She even holds her phone and looks at it.

"I'm not sure. I think the authorities handling the case have those things," she said as she put down her phone.

Lanie nodded. After some talks, she decided to leave. When she went inside her car, she stared at nowhere. She needed to think of someone who has a connection to the police station.

Someone who knew something about the case. And she thinks she already knows who it is.

"Hello. I'm looking for Lieutenant Patrick Alvarez of Violent Crimes Division Squad Three," she asked one young policeman she first saw at the police station.

"Ah, he's still in the Interrogation Room. Please, sit while waiting, Miss." He also offered her a drink while waiting.

After 30 minutes, he finally went out to that room. "Lim, who's looking for me?" he asked and the young policeman pointed at her.

"Uh, Ms. Vergara? Why are you here?" He sat in front of her. He put down his notebook and pen.

"I want to talk to you about something," Lanie said. He tilted his head.

"What is it?"

"Some things about Gerpacio's massacre?" She said straightforwardly. He uncomfortably looked at the station. Making sure that someone didn't hear her. Hmmm. Based on how he reacted to it, she guessed this case was really... secretly ongoing, huh. He stood up and signaled her to follow him. They entered the glass wall room. They can see the people outside and they can see them, too. They were looking at them as if they were a couple who will fight anytime.

"It's soundproof. We can talk here... safely." He said and took a seat.

"So, what about that case?" Lanie handed him the envelope that Dra. Kyline gave her. Lieutenant Alvarez became serious after he saw the photos.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"The case is still ongoing, right? They only said that it was already close because years have passed but the suspects are still outside... living as if they did not do anything... bad and bloody. Anyway, I just want to know if there is any footage at the mansion that night. For someone as powerful and rich as the Gerpacios, it's impossible that there is no security camera there."

He took a deep breath before putting back the pictures and other evidence inside the envelope.

"You're right. There is some footage. It caught the crime but it was so blurred and dark. There were 3 unidentified masked people there. Until now, we don't know who they are because of the low-quality video. Except if there is someone who can identify them." He said while looking at her.

"Can I ask for a copy of that video, Lieutenant?" she asked, smirking. She saw that he was hesitant so she spoke again.

"In exchange for that, I will tell you the name of one of the 3 masked people in the video. And I think you are one of the authorities that are assigned to this case, right? I want you to update me about that man when you start investigating him."

"Man?" Lanie nodded, smirking.

"Deal, Lieutenant?" He was looking at Lanie with so much seriousness. He took off his necklace and got the rectangular thing in it. He placed it in front of her. It was not a pendant but a flash drive.

Lanie grabbed it and looked at it carefully. She nodded and put it to her empty makeup foundation. Lanie grabbed his notebook and wrote down her number before she stood up.

"Contact me if you found anything about him. Or maybe, go to my apartment. I know, you will find my address immediately." The Lieutenant nodded.

She opened the door. He stayed there sitting and watching her. A sad smile appeared on her lips before giving him the name of the person who is very important to the person she loved and treasured.

"Ondreaz Jaquinto is the name, Lieutenant." He was still sitting and thinking deeply.

"The runaway prince," Lanie added before leaving.

Lieutenant Alvarez remained sitting in the room while thinking deeply about who Lanie Vergara was. Why did she know that that man was Ondreaz Jaquinto when he did not even show her the video, he just gave her the flash drive that contains the video.

Meanwhile, the Chief received a call from the person who had the order to continue the investigation. Informing the Chief that they will have a meeting soon about the progress of the case.

Lanie needs to be brave. She must. As Kieffer said, she can reveal the truth at the same time, and protect the people who will be involved in this case. And no matter what she will choose, say the truth or not, those people will still be suffering. She just hopes that all of their sufferings are worth it in the end.

He, Ondreaz Jaquinto, is Jake's father. Alvarez better investigates him soon so Lanie can know what she will be doing next. Jaquinto's coming so she needs to solve this puzzle immediately.

The next day, Lanie busied herself again at work. Same routines. And she knows, ever since she got work here at the hotel, people here are... suspicious. But she just shrugged it off. Maybe, it's just her who always found people around her like that.

***

It's already November. One month before Christmas. It's been 3 weeks but Lieutenant Alvarez still hasn't contacted Lanie. On Sunday, Jake and his family will be here in Manila for their furniture business. They already saw a good place and most of their clients are here in Manila that's why there's a possibility that they will be staying here.

It's her day off today, and she's just here at her apartment. She will not visit Grandma today because it's just one day off. She needs to rest at least today.

She almost fell on her sofa when she heard someone knock at her door. Maybe, that is Lieutenant Alvarez? Finally! She quickly opened the door, "Why you took so-" she stopped when she realized who was in front of her.

He's not Lieutenant Alvarez.

Nor her friends.

But Tyler Lancaster.