MISSION & SECOND LOVE

CHAPTER 2- Julia’s Death

I

Criselda heard knocks at their door. When she opened it, she saw two men in police uniforms. She furrowed. “Yes? Anything Sir?”

“Mrs. Criselda Santanina?” the younger Policeman asked.

Criselda nodded.

“Can we come-in Ma’am, we just need to ask you some few questions.” The older policeman speaks this time.

Criselda opened wide the door. “Please come in.”

“What is it Sir?”

“Ms. Santanina, where were you yesterday night at around ten to eleven o’ clock in the evening?” The first question of the older policeman.

“I was just here in the house Sir with my three year old son, waiting for my husband to arrive from overtime work. Why are you asking sir?” Cresilda asked back.

“Do you have anyone or anything that can prove that indeed you just stayed at home last night?” the younger policeman inquired again.

Criselda with narrowed eyes sharply asked the two policemen, “What are you up to?”

“Ms. Santanina, just answer us please,” said impatiently by the young policeman.

“You can check our CCTV Sir.” Cresilda said flatly.

Upon checking the CCTV, the two Policemen left Cresilda’s house apologizing and informing her that her husband’s mistress, Ms. Julia Andayanin has been found dead this morning in a vacant lot on the way to the village where her family lives. She died because of multiple stab wounds in her heart.

She was the Police’s prime suspect since based from the investigation; it was she who has an altercation with Julia prior to her death.

Her husband, Rodelio was also removed from the list of suspects because the two Policemen clearly saw in the CCTV that he arrived home at ten forty in the evening with clean clothes. It will be impossible for him further to arrive in his home in Paranaque at that time if he killed Julia Andayanin in Binangonan of almost the same time.

The two policemen once again were at Cresilda’s house, two days after their first visit.

“Ma’am Santanina, where is your husband?” the young policeman asked while trying to look around inside her house.

“He is not here. He is in the hotel now where he is working.”

The two policemen seated on the sofa.

“Ma’am we just would like to warn you, please tell your husband to be careful.” The old policeman stated seriously.

Cresilda’s forehead creased as she heard what the policeman have said.

The older policeman continued what the younger one has started. “Ms. Santanina, we had a thorough investigation. It seems like the killer of Ms. Julia Andayanin is the same killer of the past murdered cases. They have the same number of stab wounds in their hearts. Aside from that all other victims have almost the same background. They have one thing in common. They are lovers and the women to whom these dead men had their affairs are married women. All of them received twenty-three knife stabs wounds in their hearts. These lovers who have been killed further have the same history; they were regular customers of a secluded cheap and old hotel in the city, where you had an altercation with Ms. Julia Andayanin, days ago.”

Cresilda shivered upon hearing the policeman’s story. “Oh my God Sir, do you mean to say that most probably, my husband might be the next target of the killer?”

The two policemen nodded.

II

The next day, Cresilda brought her son to her parents, who are both retired teachers. Their house is just five blocks away from her house.

“Mom, I need to do some work, I need to leave Manuel with you today.”

“Of course, we will take care of Manuel. Come here our cute grandson.” Cresilda’s Mom got Manuel from her smilingly.

Cresilda went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). She walks directly to the office of the NBI director.

“Uncle Ted, I need to tell you something.” She said after closing the door of the office.

“Have a seat Cresilda. I learned about your husband’s trouble.” The NBI Director said without any smile in his strict face.

“That’s the reason, why I am here Uncle Ted.” Then Cresilda told her Uncle Ted her plans.

The NBI Director nodded. “You have my blessing Cresilda. Just be careful, I never assigned you to any risky cases at the onset that you volunteered to become one of our bureau’s secret agents. But this one, it might be too risky. I know you can take care of yourself, but please be careful. You still have a small son to take care.”

Cresilda nodded and after saying thank you to the NBI Director, she excused herself and left his office. She has in her hands, her Uncle Ted’s recommendation and endorsement. Her next destination is at the police station.

She looked for the two policemen who visited her house when she arrived at the Police Station of Binangonan, Rizal.

“Sir, can I talk please to the head investigator of the Julia Andayanin’s case.” She requested from the two policemen, who heeded.

Police Senior Inspector Dante Albas read the endorsement and recommendation of the NBI Director that was handed to him by Cresilda.

“What’s in your mind Ms. Santanina?” the Senior Inspector asked Cresilda with a serious tone.

Cresilda with a relax voice lays down her proposed plans on how she will participate in solving the multiple murder cases, which involved Julia Andayanin lately.

“My husband’s life is at risk, so I am here not only to protect him but our family as well.” Cresilda stated with conviction.

“If that’s the case Ms. Santanina, we will start our cooperation. Wait for my call. We will discuss and plan out for our first move.” Police Senior Inspector Dante Albas agreed. Seriousness in his tone never lessened.

Cresilda nodded. "I will be waiting for your call Police Senior Inspector Abas. I will treat this as a very special personal assignment. The success of this assignment might be a way to regain the good family I once dreamt and have, which I am slowly loosing now." Cresilda said with sparkles of sadness in her eyes.

Police Senior Inspector Abas  shot her a glance, "Be careful then. This assignment can make or break you. This assignment is very risky that might cause your life if you will not be too wise and careful."