REYNARD

WHAT HAPPENED to me was quite expected. I already suspected that I might be walking into a trap, but I went there anyway. I wouldn't have known what's waiting for me if I didn't take the bait, right? What I didn't expect was the motive behind it. Phone ko pala ang puntirya niya. Sana'y minessage niya ako kung 'yon lang ang kaniyang target. Eh, di sana'y ipina-deliver ko sa address niya at hindi na niya ako kinailangang i-trap.

I might have lost something, but I also gained something else. Confirmed na in contact pa rin sina Michelangelo Jordan at Alaric Esteban. I couldn't call the former my best buddy anymore because his betrayal kinda hurt me. But I got a closer glimpse into what his motivation might be.

"What on earth where you thinking?!" Rie yelled at me. Nakapamaywang siyang humarap sa 'kin. The nurse shushed her and reminded her to lower her voice. "Alam mo nang trap 'yon pero pinatulan mo pa rin?"

After I fell unconscious because of a stunner—who would have thought that Michelangelo was bringing such a weapon on campus?—the guard found me in the locker room and brought me to the clinic. Nagtaka siya kung bakit 'di pa ako lumalabas makalipas ang higit sampung minuto kaya naisipan niyang mag-rounds. Kung 'di sa kaniya, baka inabot na ako kinabukasan do'n. Marumi at malamig pa naman ang sahig.

Rie rushed to the clinic around the time I regained consciousness. Instead na tanungin kung okay ako, mas inuna pa niya akong sermonan. She was posturing and shouting at me as if she were my mom or my wife who found me coming home late at night.

"My goodness!" She slapped her forehead and paced back and forth in the ward. "Pinakaba mo ako ro'n, ah? Ang akala ko'y napaano ka na!"

"I doubt my source would try to murder me," I replied, stretching my arms.

I kinda wished I had taken self-defense lessons in high school. Naprotektahan ko sana ang aking sarili mula sa atake kanina. It might also come in handy in the future, given that journalism could be a dangerous profession. Some journalists even risked their lives just to get to the bottom of the truth.

"Nakalimutan mo na ba ang sinabi ng guest speaker sa seminar natin noon?" tanong niya. "No story is worth dying for!"

I closed my eyes briefly and raised my right hand. "Can you stop moving around for a while? Nahihilo ako sa kalalakad mo. Baka mawalan na naman ako ng malay dala ng pagkahilo."

"Pasalamat ka dahil ginamitan ka lang ng stunner." Huminto na siya sa paglalakad at humakbang palapit sa kama ko. "Paano kung may masamang nangyari sa 'yo? Paano kung sinaksak ka niya o kaya pinuruhan ka sa ulo?"

"Then that would be one less competitor for you," I joked with a smile, but she looked me with a straight face. "Just kidding. But I appreciate your genuine concern for me. You didn't have to come here, pero pumunta ka pa rin. You should be on your way to your dorm by now."

"Hoy! Huwag mo ngang bigyan ng kahit anong meaning ang pagbisita ko sa 'yo! Kargo ng konsensiya ko kapag napahamak ka."

"If you keep this up, I might start getting some ideas—"

"Hay, ewan ko sa 'yo!" Tumalikod siya sa 'kin, ipinagkrus ang mga braso niya. "Nananahimik ako sa workstation ko, 'tapos dinamay mo ako rito sa gimik mo. I didn't even want to have any part in your sleuthing."

"Takot ka ba na baka targetin ka rin?" Sumeryoso ang aking mukha at tono. "Don't worry, I won't let that happen. You have my word."

Kunot-noo siyang lumingon sa 'kin, parang 'di makapaniwala. "Hindi mo nga na-defend ang sarili mo. Paano mo pa ako maipagtatanggol?"

"I have my ways." My tone softened and my face relaxed. I also flashed a reassuring grin. I might suck at hand-to-hand combat, but I had other tricks up my sleeve. Puwede kong tusukin ng pen ang aatake sa a'min.

"Basta huwag mo na akong pakakabahin nang gano'n. Muntik na akong atakihin sa puso."

"It won't happen again." I raised my right hand. "I swear!"

"Siguruhin mo, Rey. Dahil kung hindi, makatitikim ka talaga sa 'kin."

"By the way, were you able to do it?" I asked.

Rie turned around and nodded, pulling out her phone and showing me the screen. Naka-display ang kaniyang voice recorder app. "I managed to record your conversation with Michelangelo right before you ended the call. Medyo mahina ang boses n'yo, pero kapag in-enhance ang quality, maiintindihan mo ang takbo ng usapan n'yo."

"Send it to me so I can—" My words halted midway. Bigla akong napakamot ng ulo. "Oo nga pala, ninakaw niya ang phone ko."

"Ano ba'ng meron sa phone mo na 'yon at bakit pinuntirya ng source mo?" tanong niya. "They seem interested in the contents of your devices. First, the computer. Now, the phone."

"Either they wanna gauge how close I am to the truth or they're checking for something more personal," I joked again. She maintained her serious expression, unamused. "Of course, it's the former. I don't have any private photos and videos in there. You can check for yourself if you're curious."

"I'm not interested in your private photos." She rolled her eyes. Parang hindi siya mabiro, ah. "Meron ba silang makikitang content doon na related sa imbestigasyon mo?"

"I usually keep my audio interviews with sources on my phone. They're password-protected, so unless someone's a security genius, they can't easily access them." I shook my head slowly, looking down. "But there's nothing about Alaric or Brandon yet since I haven't found a whistleblower. I thought Mitch might be it, but he blew his chance when he stabbed me in the back. Or tasered me from behind."

"So all of this drama was for nothing?" She let out a deep sigh. "Ang akala ko pa nama'y mayayanig ang university dahil sa contents ng phone mo."

"Well, we'll find out in the coming days or weeks."

An unsettling feeling crept inside of me. I was confident, but not complacent. I still didn't fully understand who I was dealing with. The jury was out.

I THOUGHT my phone was gone for good. Right after the incident, I reported to the lost-and-found office in the admin building that my phone had been stolen. But two days later, they summoned me to confirm something. Miraculously, a housekeeping staff member had found a phone my description in the locker room of the gymnasium.

Once I had my device back, I checked the files and found that nothing had been deleted except Michelangelo's call log. That's all. Parang walang ginawa ang humawak dito. I found that bizarre. I then asked one of our CCS staffers to check for any installed malware that could access my data or copy my files, but he said my phone was clean. That struck me as bizarre, too.

Anyway, it's time to settle some scores! Betrayal could not go unpunished, and I intended to punish the backstabber Michelangelo Jordan. No'ng magkasama pa kami sa community service, naikuwento niya sa 'kin ang kaniyang basketball practice schedule. Knowing he would be in the gym around five in the afternoon, that's where I headed.

"Mitch!" tawag ko sabay ngiti at kaway sa kaniya, kunwari'y walang nangyari no'ng isang araw. Tumayo ako sa paanan ng bleachers para agad niya akong makita. "Puwede ba kitang maistorbo?"

Tumatagaktak na ang pawis niya at basang-basa pa ang kaniyang buhok. Dribbling the ball, he sprinted across the court and made a jump shot from the three-point line, living up to his nickname, "The Marksman." Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalaro na parang wala siyang marinig.

"Do you want me to tell them what happened two nights ago here?"

His teammates halted and exchanged confused glances. Napahinto rin sa pagdi-dribble si Michelangelo. Finally, his gaze settled on me. For a moment, I thought I was invisible to him.

"Let's take a break," he told his teammates as they headed back to the locker room. Kumuha siya ng towel at pinunasan ang pawisan niyang mukha. Glittering with sweat, he draped the towel around his neck as he approached me. "What is it, Rey?"

I stepped closer until we were face to face. A smirk formed on my lips. "You're really gonna pretend nothing happened here two nights ago?"

"Two nights ago? I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're hurting my feelings, Mitch." I pressed my right hand on my chest. "Parang wala tayong pinagsamahan sa community service, ah? Are you willing to throw away our friendship?"

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo, muntik nang magkonekta ang magkahiwalay niyang kilay. "Puwede bang maging straight to the point ka na? Hindi ko alam at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo."

"Bigla ka yatang nagka-amnesia? Naalog ba ng bola ang utak mo?"

"If you're just going to insult me—"

I held up my phone right in front of his face. His brows furrowed deeply. My thumb tapped the play button.

"Rey."

"M-Mitch! Ganito ba kayo magbatian sa basketball team?"

"Just give me your phone, Rey. I don't want to hurt you."

"Are you sure about that? Kapag may ginawa kang masama sa 'kin, puwede kitang i-report sa OSA. Baka mag-community service ka na naman kahit katatapos mo pa lang."

"I'll just deny it. The guard saw me leaving this building with my teammates. How can you accuse me of attacking you if I couldn't be anywhere near the gym?"

His eyes widened so much they almost popped out of their sockets. I would love to savor the look on his face, but I had more important matters to focus on.

"You thought I didn't consider your invitation to meet me as a trap? Lucky for me, I'm two steps ahead of you." My smirk grew wider as I pocketed my phone. "Before coming here, I called my confidant and asked them stay on the call so they could listen and record our conversation. Kung may mas malala kang ginawa sa 'kin, agad kang maituturo bilang prime suspect."

Napalunok siya ng laway habang nakatitig pa rin sa 'kin. Did he seriously underestimate me, the person who had already exposed powerful individuals in this university? That stung. I thought he knew me better.

"Your plan to make it seem like you left the gym and then returned was clever," I continued. "But this audio clip suggests otherwise. Natagpuan akong unconscious ng guard sa locker room kaya madaling ma-locate kung saan nangyari ang conversation natin."

"I-I can just claim that voice is not mine," giit niya habang nanginginig ang mga labi. "I can also claim an AI software recreated my voice. May teammates ako na willing mag-testify na kasama nila ako no'ng oras na inatake ka rito. Isa pa, you can't just use an illegal recording to accuse me."

"You're right." I nodded slowly. "In a court of law, this audio clip might not be admissible as evidence because I recorded it without your consent. But in the court of public opinion, what do you think the student body's verdict will be?"

His eyes narrowed into slits. "Ano'ng balak mong gawin diyan?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows? I might do what you did to defame Fabienne. I can write a post about you attacking me here. I can also give the clip to one of the gossip media accounts and ask them to make it viral. Marami akong kakilala sa kanila dahil nagpapalitan kami ng tea. Did you know that one of my exposés started out as a rumor from them?"

He turned his head away for a moment, teeth gritted in frustration. "What do you what, Rey? May gusto kang hingin sa 'kin kaya pinuntahan mo muna ako instead na gawin ang ibinabanta mo. Gusto mo bang lumuhod ako sa harapan mo at humingi ng sorry? Gusto mo bang mag-post ako ng public apology?"

"No! Why will I ask you to prostrate in front of your teammates? Kahit tinraydor mo ako, ayaw kitang ipahiya sa harap ng ibang tao. Ayaw ko ring mapatawan ka ulit ng community service lalo na ngayong papalapit ang next game n'yo. Congrats pala for making it to the semis!"

"So what? What do you truly want?"

I scanned the court thoughtfully, scratching my head. "I've hit a roadblock in my investigation. I need direction."

He sighed heavily, shaking his head. "My lips are sealed."

"But mine aren't," I retorted with a hint of menace in my tone. "You don't have to speak at all and put it on record. Just show me where the X on the map is."

He put his hands on his waist, pacing in front of me. After a few seconds of contemplation, he walked over to where the ball was resting. "Again, my lips are sealed. If you want answers, talk to the ball."

"Are you sure about that?" I watched him dribble the ball again. "Balak mo bang ibato sa mukha ko ang bolang 'yan para mawalan ulit ako ng malay at mabura mo ang audio clip sa phone ko? Just so you know, my confidant has a backup file."

"Talk to the ball," he insisted, dribbling across the court.

My eyes narrowed. Instead of heading back to the locker room with his teammates, he lingered on the cour, almost inviting me to inquire further. Maybe he wants to play a game?

Approaching him cautiously, I closed the distance to just a couple of meters so I didn't have to raise my voice. "Did someone order you to meet me and take my phone?"

He leaped from the three-point line, successfully scoring again.

Ah, now I get it!

"Does this person have something on you?" I pressed on. "Is that why you're doing their bidding?"

Muli niyang shinoot ang bola at muli rin 'yong pumasok. I knew it! That's why he claimed he had no choice. He was being coerced into this scheme!

"Is that person Alaric Esteban?"

He was about to release the ball, but pause briefly. Itinuloy pa rin niya ang pag-shoot, pero 'di agad pumasok ang bola. Nagpaikot-ikot muna 'yon sa rim bago tuluyang pumasok.

Not unexpected, but I needed more. "Has he coerced you into something against your will before?" I pressed further, watching his reaction closely.

Again, he hesitated on the second shot, but it found the basket. So Castiel's theory might hold water after all.

With him being unusually cooperative, it was time for the critical question. "Was he involved in Priam's failed assassination?"

Dribbling the ball closer to the hoop, he leaped high, aiming for a dunk. However, the ball ricocheted off the backboard instead.

So, no? Really? That person had nothing to do with it?

"Cap, akala ko bang break muna?" Bumalik na sa court ang teammates niya. Tch! Wrong timing ang mga 'to. "Bakit nagda-dunk ka nang mag-isa riyan?"

"Huwag kang masyadong magpagod, Cap!"

"Pasensiya na! Pinapakitaan ko lang ang kumag na 'yon. Walang bilib sa 'kin, eh." Huminto na si Michelangelo, hawak-hawak ng parehong kamay ang bola. Lumingon siya sa direksiyon ko. "Okay na? Satisfied ka na ba?"

I gave him a thumbs up. "I'm more than satisfied! You really are the Marksman. Thanks, and good luck in your next game!"

Leaving the gym, a smile spread across my face. The puzzle pieces were falling into place. While I wished Michelangelo had gone on record, this would suffice for now. Hopefully, I was on the right path.

Alaric, Alaric. I had no personal beef against the guy, nor was I investigating him merely on Castiel's say-so. What am I, a pushover? With his confirmed involvement in the lie that nearly ruined Fabienne, he was now squarely in my sights.

The tiger was a hunter, a predator. Now, its turn to be hunted had arrived.

3

NEXT UPDATE: The King returns.