11 Silence (2/2)
”Sorry, Jane,” the young man says. ”But I was only telling the cops the truth.”
”Why don't you go get lost for a while,” the woman called Jane suggests. ”I need to talk with the 'cops'. You have no business here.”
Without another word, the young man called Robert suddenly walks away with his mop and drags the mop with him. He seems to be highly frightened of Jane. The janitress lets out a brief sigh as we watch the foolish SpongeBob mop away like he has been chastised by Squidward to get lost.
”I'm so sorry about that, madam and sir,” Jane says apologetically. ”But why have you come here? The investigation has been called off.”
”Did the de la Rama family say that?” I ask in a whisper.
”Madam, if you please, I do not want to discuss these matters at all,” she says dismissively. ”We are to know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, and say nothing.”
”Miss, we are doing our private investigation and we are not bound by the law or 'bribe' that had happened,” Mateo says. ”Please comply with our investigation. Since no one else would dare find the truth, we are here to devote ourselves to the truth and search for it anyway. Or, perhaps, you would rather let this mad killer at loose and go on another killing spree. Which would you want?”
”Sir, you do not want to mess with these people,” she says in a warning. ”The one we're dealing with is involved with the elite.”
”Don't bother yourself, woman,” I say flatly. ”We are already involved with the elite. How harmful can this killer be?”
”Have you heard that the mastermind already paid almost everyone – ”
”We know,” Mateo interrupts. ”We are not scared about that, woman. Say the truth. Tell the story and we will say nothing about you. We will keep your identity anonymous and the truth shall prevail.”
I cannot believe that we actually pressured this woman to tell the truth. I can understand her fears as a witness. I gaze into her eyes and all I can see are eyes of fear for she has seen what the elite can do at most and they can always get away scot-free for almost every crime they commit. I'm sick of seeing the elite do that. I'm here to take down anyone involved in the murder.
”Alright, I will tell,” she says.
Then, she tells a detailed account of what happened. Apparently, there were three murderers wearing ski masks and gloves. One made Mr. de la Rama unconscious with chloroform, one held his body tightly, and one was prepared to stab him with a knife. It was a silent murder indeed. When Mr. de la Rama was finally unconscious, the man stabbed him trice. One managed to call their apparent 'mastermind' but they were speaking in a foreign language that is why Jane did not know what they were saying.
As she was about to walk away, a man almost tried to make her unconscious but she pleads for her life. In exchange for her life, she must keep silent and their 'boss' will do the rest to silence the investigation. Jane agreed to their terms and she ran away in a frightened haste.
”I tell this to you right now,” Jane says once more. ”Do not cross with these people. Please, if you do not want to die, stop this.”
”We thank you for your cooperation,” I say brushing of her words. ”Your words will be helpful.”
Then, we walked away without saying another word. As we stepped out of the building, it seems that as if no murder had ever existed. There were no chalk markings, police tape, or anyone asking around except for us. Now, it truly confirms Mateo's investigation that no one will now dare to investigate this matter. It was as if money can truly silence almost everyone, but I will not be silenced. We will conduct our own investigation without the aid of the authorities.
”So, what do we do now?” I ask my partner for investigation.
”We try to find the men,” he says. ”I know it sounds crazy, but it will come around. This is far too dangerous to come around. If our national police can be silenced, then this person must be involved with the government as well.”
We were walking our way from the hospital to the nearest bus stop. As we walk, I have a terrible feeling as if someone is following us. Suddenly, I saw a man wearing all black carrying nothing at all that has been following us for a while. I only need to flash a grim look at Mateo to inform him and it turns out he feels it too.
We walk briskly to try to lose the stalker, but instead, when we went into an underground passage, another man that looks like the man stalking us came before us. We tried walking back but the first stalker is right behind us. We are all but trapped in this underground passage.
”Hand over the evidence,” the man says bluntly.
”No!” I exclaim.
”Little lady, your silence will be rewarded greatly,” the other says. ”Now, hand over the evidence and let's just forget this little incident, shall we?”
I looked at Mateo and it appears he is not willing to release the notes and the screenshots we have. We are journalists. We always push for the truth and inform the masses no matter what happens! The truth must always prevail. It only took one agreeing nod from each other that we are not going to release what we have.
”No,” I say once more.
And just like that, more of their men came and there was a dozen of them. I guess they are ready to take us away. They form a circle around us. They pulled their rifles out to point at us to threaten us into submission. Still, I do not flinch with what they're doing. I stood firmly and still without saying another word. Silently, I am praying the five decades of the rosary once more. I know that nothing can help me now and all I am asking for is a miracle to come from above.