Chapter 2: Crime's Complexion

I put the newspaper down and went to the door.

Wondering who might the person ringing the door bell, I took a peek at the peephole.

I opened the door as recognized who the person was.

"What are you doing here?" I timidly greeted him.

Yino looked at me with a grin expression on his face.

"I have a surprise for you!" His wide grin filled with excitement.

A silhouette caught my attention as it moved. Oh my! I hope he isn't--

"Psh! Drop that childish act," a man stated.

I blinked my eyes as I stared at the man. When did he arrived?

Yino laughed. "What? You're just gonna stare at Waldo Thelonious," he jested then giggled. His brows were wiggling.

I didn't say anything and just let them enter.

Thelo is here? Goodness gracious!

"C'mon, Cynwise. I know you're shocked but don't act like a statue there. Close the door and come here. Let's have a talk." As he uttered those words, it sends shiver down to my spine.

I did what he said, mindlessly. I'm still very shocked at his sudden arrival.

I cleared my throat as I sat down. "H-Hey! W-When d-did you arrived? I comported accordingly this past few days and I will for the incoming days," assurance inscribed at my voice. "Yino can and will prove it," I looked at Yino asking for an empathy.

Yino raised his both hands, "I invoke my rights against self-incrimination."

I glared at him. Can't he just go with flow?

"What are you talking about? You are so defensive. I just came here to check on you." Thelo looked at me innocently but the truth is, he is containing his laugh.

I rolled my eyes. "C'mon, Thelo. You came here all the way from New York just to check me? Don't you know social media?"

"Is it my fault worrying about my little sister who is one of the suspect in a crime? As far as I know, I let you came here for you to rectify things you need to. Not involving yourself in a crime," sarcasm was evident at his voice.

"What do you mean by involving? Where did you really came from? Don't you know innocent until proven guilty, too?" I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

He responded with a glare.

I smiled forcedly. "I'm...just...kidding," a fake laugh came out of my mouth.

Yino clasped his hands. "Anyways, I got a little info. All in legal."

We looked at him. "First," he raised his index finger. "...it's not good checking Ms. Fortalejo at the hospital. Once you go there, you are just indulging yourself at Fortalejos' wrath. Eena is in comatose, in a crucial state. She has 18 stab wounds and those were all deep." He sighed, "I know how your mind works, Cyn."

He somehow got a point. I wish I could visit Eena. With that number of stab wounds, she had gone through really hard.

"How's the investigation?" I asked.

Yino pursed his lips. "The crime is quite complex. All of the suspects do have evidences that will point each one of you. 'All of you'," he emphasized.

So, what does--

"What do you mean?" Thelo questioned.

Yino crossed her arms. "There is an initial C-Y-N written through her own blood at her left side."

Confusion crawled in my system.

"W-What? D-Does i-it mean--" I was cut off by Thelo.

He nodded,"The culprit wanted to set you up."

Among the three person; Darlene Manansala, Celestine Sevilla and Triptivo Lopez, who might be?

Or no one among them and an anonymous one, instead?

"For circumstantial evidences, Darlene Manansala could be. She has a strong motive and she got positive in drug test. In a particular that she was possibly craving or high that time. The forensic also found her fingerprints at the weapon used and at the neck of the victim. Celestine Sevilla could be, too. She has a substantial motive, substantial enough to provoke her from doing such crime. Since she was the last time who was with the victim and aside from Ms. Manansala's fingerprints, the forensic found hers at the weapon used," he well thought out.

If you will really see that angle and based on circumstantial evidences, the two would probably pass.

'But, hm, how about Triptivo?' I wanted to voice out that question but Thelo and Yino might misunderstood it.

"While, Triptivo," he cleared his throat. "...physical evidences were pointing him. The hanky which has a chloroform, the anklet and the sleeping pills owned by Triptivo were found at the crime scene. He might be point out since the two were caught arguing yesterday. They also have a competition between their shows."

"I don't think he can do that," my mouth withdrawn.

Though he may or may not a jerk now, but it's impossible for him to do such crime. Especially that Eena is his best friend.

With a forehead creased Thelo looked at me while Yino scowled at me.

Yino is really a bitter freak.

"Was that all the evidences found?" Thelo asked that responded a nod by Yino. "Hm, I believe Triptivo can't do that. Besides 'if' he was the culprit, he will clean up the mess. Knowing that moron's cleverness."

Yino shrugged, "Well, you have a point. He's an investigative reporter so he must be aware of everything."

"But, what if no one in the suspected person was the culprit? I mean, both Eena and Tivo are investigative reporters. I must say or most people say that the two were good at that field. They investigated different kind of crimes and different person who acted against the law. What if one of their investigations led them to this current situation? This might all a set-up to erase the two at their path." I assumed.

An idea popped up, "Right!" the two looked at me curiously. "When Darlene Manansala stated that they caught Eena and Triptivo arguing, Tivo said that Eena was involved in a perilous organization. He tried to convince Eena to give it to him."

"Wow, nickname basis!" I rolled my eyes at Yino. That was all he notice all along.

Thelo repeatedly nodded, "We can say that. But, how can you explain the involvement of your name?"

"Her assumption was acceptable Thelo. My source also hypothetically discussed to me that." Yino seconded. "The initials C-Y-N written was sort of scruffy. When I saw the picture, I observed something but I didn't tolerate it that much. If you will look intently, the C-Y-N initials could be T-V-T. Which we all know that initials were symbols of Triptivo."

As I have met the suspected persons, they were half suspicious. I might think the set-up angle.

Maybe Eena tried to erased the T-V-T initials that's why it somehow looked like C-Y-N.

"If we were looking at the set-up angle, I must say it was clean. A perfect crime to be exact. Nobody knows his/her connection to the victim and no traces led to him," he shrugged and lean his back at the backrest of the couch. "But, we all know that there's no such thing, 'a perfect crime'."

"Nice thought out," Thelo complimented Yino.

Yino sat down properly. "Thank you for your compliment at Atty. Yino Montecarlos. But, all I can say is 'basic'," he boasted.

"Oh! drop that, Yino. I wasn't complimenting you. I just say 'nice thought out'. Your mouth caught you out. For all we know, 'your source hypothetically discussed that to you'." Thelo emphasized what Yino mentioned earlier as he countered. That was savage. Nice attack.

I contained my laugh and instead I commented, "Burn. Want some aloe vera? or is toothpaste enough?"

Her rolled his eyes, "Pass. I don't have the capacity when you, Torres cousin, join forces."

"Uh-uh, Torres 'siblings' ain't cousin," Thelo corrected.

Thelo might be scary but sometimes he's clingy. Well, I can't blame him, I'm his only so-called sister. But the truth is, we were just cousins.

Yino cleared his throat. His face turned serious. "W-What if Thelo will be the accused?"

I want to smile but I chose to hide it. No matter how Yino loathed Triptivo, he can't evade the fact that he still care for him. Sometimes, I can't help but to blame myself. If it wasn't because of me, being hard-headed, there will be no flaw at their friendship, or brotherhood, I must say.

"Why bother? You are Prosecutor slash Attorney Yino Montecarlos. You are going to help him, aren't you?" Thelo said with a serious face. But I guess Yino sensed that Thelo was teasing as he rolled his eyes.

"Why don't you ask, Cynwise?" Yino countered.

I raised my brow. I wanted to take rebuttal but I don't want to eat my own words when that time comes.

"I invoke my rights against self-incrimination," I shrugged the smiled sweetly.

"Nice gloss!" he praised.

"Imbibed from a freak so the pleasure isn't mine." I smiled sweetly. 'It's you and on you,' I mouthed.

*****