I
Atty. Yhera asked the IT guy to replay the CCTV footage again and then she burst out. “Someone was inside the car already before Seigfred got inside!”
Mommy Lily together with Buddy and Tony and the Restaurant Manager quickly approached Atty. Yhera and checked the CCTV footage too.
“Look at that; the door in the driver side was a little open when Seigfred held the door and he suddenly stopped and froze for a while before getting inside with an obvious reluctance.” Atty. Yhera explained, pointing on the part in the CCTV footage that she was referring to.
“You are right Yher, I noticed it too.” Tony seconded, so with Buddy and Mommy Lily. The Restaurant Manager also nodded.
“We need to go to the police department and let them see it.” Atty. Yhera said while she stood up. “Meanwhile Sir, can you do me please a favor, I have here a blank USB, could you ask your IT staff to save the whole CCTV footage at least one hour before Mr. Seigfred and Ms. Rhoda arrived in your restaurant,” she added to which the Restaurant Manager agreed without hesitation.
After the IT staff recorded the said part in the CCTV footage, he handed it to Atty. Yhera the USB with the permission of the Restaurant Manager.
Thereafter, the group of Atty. Yhera drove to the Police Station where Seigfred and Rhoda’s case had been assigned.
At the Police Department, Atty. Yhera looked for the handling investigator of the case. Sadly, they were told that there is no lead yet ass to the whereabouts of Seigfred and as to who killed Rhoda.
“So what do you mean? It is still Mr. Seigfred Yee who is your main suspect for the killing of Rhoda?” With annoyance, Atty. Yhera asked the Head Investigator.
“I’m sorry to tell you this Atty. Yhera, but yes, the main suspect in the killing of Ms. Rhoda is still Mr. Seigfred.” The investigator confirmed who seemed to be just taking everything easy.
“Look, instead of putting Mr. Seigfred in your report as the main suspect, why not check again the CCTV footage and look keenly, so that at least you report something different today.” Atty. Yhera looked at the Head Investigator fiercely.
“Atty. Yhera, I know you are Mr. Seigfred’s fiancée, but do not come here bossing us around, commanding us what to do. We know what we are doing.” Irritably, the Head Investigator retorted at her.
“Oh yeah? So can I see your report of the case and let me see if you see what I noticed when I looked at the CCTV footage?” With raised eyebrow Atty. Yhera said.
Shrugging his shoulders, the Head investigator got the report and handed it to Atty. Yhera. “Here, everything is in that report.”
Atty. Yhera reached for the report and read it. She was furrowing when she finished reading the report. “Your report states nothing about what I noticed when I watched the CCTV footage, Sir. I, therefore, urge you to watch the CCTV footage again or I will be requesting this matter to be fully turned over to the NBI now for reasons of incompetence on your part and to your team?”
The Head Investigator was somewhat startled by what she said. “No problem Atty. Yhera, we will check it again.”
“Then please, check it now.”
The Head Investigator with irritation got a USB in his drawer and played it on his computer. When the CCTV footage was playing already, the Head Investigator was not even watching with seriousness.
“Wait hold on, stop to that point.” Atty. Yhera suddenly said and asked, “Did you notice something unusual in that part Sir?”
“Oh, I’m sorry? But it is the usual thing, he got inside his car and drove it.” The Head Investigator replied nonchalantly.
“I think, you do not deserve your position to be the Head Investigator of your team; I need to discuss this matter with General Patrocio. I will not allow this case to be put to the trash and let my fiance’s life at risk out there!” Atty. Yhera’s voice is shaking with anger and the Head Investigator was stunned.
Mommy Lily and his two best friends, Buddy and Tony were surprised too by the sudden outburst of Atty. Yhera.
“Let’s go, Mom, Tony, and Buddy. I need to visit General Patrocio so that this matter will be handed over to more competent investigators.” Atty. Yhera walked outside of the Police Station without looking back.
II
It was bad luck for the Head Investigator as General Patrocio is the Brother of one of the Senior Partners of the Law Firm where Atty. Yhera is working.
Atty. Yher made an urgent call to Atty. Patrocio and told him their problem with the investigating team of the case related to Seigfred and Rhoda’s case and Atty. Patrocio was pissed-off too. They have a very good relationship with Seigfred not to include the fact that Atty. Yhera is one of the best lawyers in their law firm. Without wasting any moment, Atty. Patrocio gave his brother, General Patrocio, a call and everything has been discussed. The popular General Patrocio promised to take immediate action on the matter.
At the Police Station, one of the junior investigators approached their Head Investigator.
“Sir, I guess you really need to review the CCTV footage. I also noticed therein something unusual and could be a hint for us to know where to start our investigation.”
The Head Investigator looked at his Junior Investigator and automatically played the CCTV footage.
They were watching the CCTV footage when his office phone rang.
The Junior Investigator answered the phone and his sudden clumsiness and stammering in the phone made the Head Investigator feel like rats ran into his chest.
“Sir, this call is for you. It is General Patrocio,” said the Junior Investigator while handing the phone to their Head Investigator, whose face abruptly turned to ashen.
“Bagobo?”
“Sir, yes Sir.”
“What happened to your investigation with the current talk of the town news? Seigfred Yee’s case I mean?”
“Err Sir, we have a report already.”
“I have read your report and it was crap. Bagobo, you were given the assignment to investigate a very delicate case of the most elite businessman in the country, who happened to be the fiance of Atty. Yhera Khareel Munzana; the fiercest lawyer that I have ever met. Now, if you love your job, move your butt boy, or else you will know what will happen next.” General Patrocio’s final words to the Head Investigator before cutting off his call.
The Head Investigator put down the phone with his heartbeat speeding into its maximum limit.