Chapter IV: A Dark Day

Lieutenant Collins just finished his coffee, his fourth this morning. Three weeks passed and not even a clue on the perpetrator of Raymond McMillan’s murder. The most respected and celebrated CSI agents from Los Angeles were actually called upon by the government to examine the crime scene. Initial report indicated that the murderers were adept in what they do. Not leaving any evidence plus the fact that the site was contaminated in more ways than one, left the investigators in the dark. The nagging headache hit Collins again today trying to listen to the taped interview of the old guy who found the body in the dumpsite. The elderly was more than willing to impart his experiences in the dumpsite all these years rather than answering the queries regarding the body. Coupled that with a not-so-fluent English, the interview was a sure nonsense and by all means a waste of time.

Crimes of this nature are usually forgotten easily by the media, but not this one. The slain person was a prominent figure in the business world, a world synonymous to power and influence. Raymond had so much potential and a very bright future… Well that is if you exclude his bitchy fiancé Angel Perez in the equation. In fact, the transportation industry attributed the success of Pinoy Air to his leadership and nonconforming albeit risky decisions.

The young officer was at a loss, a huge wall staring at him in the face. Just an hour ago, Mr. Collins received another call from Mrs. McMillan inquiring about the progress of the investigation to which he answered the usual “were doing our best” thing. The victim’s father fortunately had a successful heart by-pass surgery which was triggered by the news of his son’s death. Right now, the officer has nothing to go forward with except some of Raymond’s personal things which have not so far helped in any way.

Collins took a nap. Maybe the headache would go away.

Rizniel was rummaging through his folders and portfolios earlier than usual today. He was so eager to finish his activities lined up for him that he actually forgot to brush his teeth and hastily sped off to Le Grimaldi. His office was not the usual workplace of an executive; this was more of a hide-out where he did all of his more important work. It is located just right below his executive office, where he meets guests and does all his official business. The ‘office’ underground is known only to the architect and a couple of workers. Almost all furniture here is made of Brazilian rosewood including his long worktable. At his right side are two personal computers, four large security monitors that can focus on every inch of the hotel in a few strokes of the keyboard, and a set of sophisticated equipment full of buttons for thermal imaging, GPRS, and versatile multi-channel audio-video system. From his desk, Riz can actually go anywhere in the world without actually leaving his room. He can actually access all the rooms in the establishments as well as the bathrooms. The state-of-the-art equipment he has here is more than enough to run a fairly big organization.

He accidentally brushed a stack of paper on his left and a box full of 4mm DDS-5 data tapes drops to the carpet. Rizniel took it and nonchalantly put in back on top of the heap. The label on the tape baffled him. It said “New Year Brokeback.” New year what? Riz was more perplexed than before. Located at the right end of his room are two large media cabinets mounted on the wall. It neatly organizes his precious dvds and media tapes in groups according to relevance. Tapes that are left to wander in his desk are usually trivial and ready to be thrown in the trash. He picked up the small tape and seriously considered on playing it, but decided against it and threw the cartridge in the trash canister. Riz got back to his folder.

When it comes to sophistication and grace, Lynette Buencamino stands out in the crowd. She had been a consistent honor student, graduated summa cum laude in college, took her masters in business administration at Kellogg School of Management and finished her doctorate at Harvard. She is now the COO of her family’s business, Barritz Corporation, engaged in poultry and meat processing and packaging. 30 years young, Lynette is one of Camp Rock’s most sought after. One bachelor pursuing her these days is Sean Calloway. They met through a common acquaintance which was somewhat just a cold introduction. But after bumping into each other a couple of parties after that; Sean finally mustered enough courage to take her out on a date.

Lynette took the day off to visit the saloon and have a makeover. She needed no alteration at all but for her this is quite a big day. It’s been a year since she went out on a date. Men lacked the nerves to ask her out, she’s is just too complete, perfect. Sometimes she hated herself for being that. They’re going to dine in the famous floating resto-garden of Tranquil, owned by Sean’s family, of course. It was once a tradition for the man to fetch the lady at her house, but that like all traditions, they evolve with time. They decided to meet up at the doorstep of The Cathedral. Lynette actually liked it, she found it cute for Sean to suggest they meet in a church on their first date. Barring any unforeseen incidents, this date might end up where it started, church.

Ms. Buencamino, stunning in an Armani dress, started her Red Alfa Romeo car 8C Competizione and off to her first date in a year. It’s hard not to notice her.

Rolly started knocking down a couple of RHs as soon as the clock stroke noon. He was with his usual group of friends, dumb kids with rich parents in their natural hang-out, Burnin Joe’s. The restaurant offers eat and drink all you can from twelve noon to six in the afternoon. San Miguel Beer’s RH is their favorite booze here combined with their specialty, chili hot burger patties, it’s a temptation they cannot turn down every Friday. At first glance, it is ironic to see these rich kids getting wasted in a drink-all-you-can bar, but admission here on Fridays needs management approval. Only rich, powerful and famous people are allowed inside. It’s like a secret gathering of influential people who wants to get wild and throw all inhibitions out of the window but far from the scrutinizing eye of the public.

Today’s show was extraordinary. Sexy ladies in kinky dress serve the orders and names were called out every hour to come up on stage and dared to body shot another customer of opposite sex. Long tables abound the floor closely positioned that patrons sit back to back and side by side with the adjacent table. Several private rooms were available at the back for people who want to bring their petting and necking one notch higher. The whole establishment was dramatically lighted red to recreate the Sodom and Gomorrah scene.

Rolly and his rich amigos came out of Burnin’ Joe’s past seven, well past their alcohol tolerance. The restaurant management tried to offer them drivers to take them home but Royce insisted. What Royce wants, Royce gets. He zigzagged his way to his new SUV and almost scraped the door of the car parked next to his. Upon entering, he turned on his mp3 player right away and Eminem’s latest hit echoed throughout the entire parking lot. They sped off.

Five minutes later, doing eighty kilometers per hour, Rolly ignored a red light at the intersection of Figueroa and Magallanes. He lost his grip on the steering wheel and swerved to the left, they crashed head on to an incoming car. Rolly’s pal on the other SUV chasing behind, bumped them in the rear sending Rolly’s car fifty meters away. Chaos ensued.

The senior janitor made his usual round in the first two floors of the hotel where the administration offices are located. Only he can go in and out of these offices and he had earned it through the years. He collects the trash and used utensils in these offices. He prioritizes cleaning Rizniel’s office. He never bothered to ask why his boss needs two trash cans; needless to say he is not aware that the other can was used for the room below. Well, what the heck! Both of the cans don’t have trash in them almost everyday anyway. As long as he does his job diligently, paid on time, respected and loved by co-employees. Other people’s garbage would be none of his business. The old man contemplated.

And what does he know? One of the garbage actually has something in it! Well good for you! The boss finally found a way to make use of you! He smiled. He was tempted to slip in his hand and find out what it was. He hesitated after realizing that it could be something disgusting. Curiosity got the better of him and down his snooping flimsy fingers in the trash. It was something like a cartridge, whispered thank you to his god that it wasn’t something sickening as he feared it would be. The janitor was worried that snooping around the boss’s garbage might cause him his job. But who cares? Nobody’s around! He took the tape and slid it in his pocket.

Sean was devastated. He had just been stood up in a date with Lynette. What could have happened? She’s not answering her phone; her secretary said he took the day off; and he was here for about two hours. She lives just blocks away, approximately twenty minutes, even in heavy traffic. A nun approached Sean.

“Can I help you my Son? I noticed you been standing there for two hours now. Are you afraid to enter the house of the Lord?” The nun asked

“Oh! Good evening sister, I mean mother, or uumm” He was uncertain how to address her. “I’m really sorry I am not sure what to call you.”

“Sister is just fine my lad.” The nun reassured her.

“Yeah. Umm sister, I’m supposed to meet up a lovely lady here for a date. I don’t know what happened; she’s not answering any of my calls!” Disappointment is clear in his voice.

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry to think that she might be in some sort of trouble but didn’t you hear there’s an accident a couple of blocks away? It’s a very big pile-up. They closed Figueroa.”

“Oh my God! I’ve got to go mother, I mean sister. Thank you for the information.” Sean dashed to the gates.

“You’re welcome. God bless you!”

It was huge pile-up. There were a total of 15 cars reduced to rubble by the accident, sending the downtown traffic to a complete stop. The city’s elite Emergency Rescue Unit Force arrived in five minutes, like many other bystanders, the ERUF men were shocked by the enormous wreckage in front of them. Paul Rama, the designated team leader tonight, immediately barked instructions to his men. In his initial assessment, this must be some sort of a car chase and connected to a crime that unfortunately ended in this mess. But his theory instantly changed when he saw the wreckage of a very expensive Sport Utility Vehicle, the Hummer H5, the only one in the state. He doesn’t have to see who’s driving it and it may be too prejudicial for Paul to conclude but even a devout catholic like him can’t help it. Alcohol and narcotics should have a hand on this mishap and no doubt started by these rich kids. He watched as Rolly’s body, bathed in blood, was carefully taken out of the car. It may have been the result of this horrific setting, but he swore he saw a sneer in Rolly’s face. Asshole!

The accident amounted to 15 damaged cars, 6 dead bodies, and 16 seriously injured, including a lovely lady in red being pulled out of her undistinguishable car. At that same time Sean arrived. He fainted, good thing his guardian angel was behind to catch his fall, in the person of Paul the ERUF team leader.