Crimetime
Page 14
Ricky rubbed his eyes, as though trying to erase a memory. “He ruined her. That night after the fight at the gambling den, he boasted to me how he had dumped her for cheating on him with the VP. Those animals. The two of them. They destroyed someone pure and good. And then they both turned their backs on her. Julyen.” He spat out the word. “Please. It sounds like sliced vegetables.”
“Cuff him,” Tuason told Joshua. For the first time, she found no satisfaction out of saying those words. She doubted if the fiscal would charge both Ricky and Boy Anay with Justin’s death. It would only bring reasonable doubt into play.
Once seated at her desk, Tuason took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes. It made sense now, why Ricky accepted being Justin’s PA. It kept him in touch with Amanda. In his mind, it put him in a position of taking care of her. He had wanted Justin dead not because of envy or jealousy. He had wanted Justin dead because of what he had done to Amanda. It had been okay to see them together, as long as she was happy. Tuason sighed. If there was one thing she learned in this case of dreamers, liars, and manipulators, it was that wishing something to be one way does not make it so.
She took out Bernal’s report from her pocket and winced. It would have been so easy to stick Boy Anay with Justin’s murder, and avenge her father’s death. She puffed her cheeks and blew out air. So easy. But at great personal cost to Bernal.
She ripped up the report. Next, she tore the wrapping off a Hershey’s dark chocolate bar. Boy Anay will eventually make a mistake, then I can send him away for a long time, she consoled herself as she bit into the bitter chocolate. Still chewing, she took a Toblerone out of her drawer and set off for the crime lab.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My cup of gratitude overflows. I owe great big thank yous to wonderful people who have helped shape this book:
My parents, Rufino and Josefa Fres, as always, for unstinting love and support. My mother, who earned her Masters Degree in her fifties, back when self-reinvention was not yet in vogue, showed me that it’s never too late to start something new.
National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose for reading and encouraging; Dr. Paolo Manalo for early reads and spot-on observations. I owe Paolo the name of SJ Tuason, particularly the still-unrevealed SJ part.
Katzi F. Santos, my gem of a daughter, who has always been my first reader and cheerleader, for razor-sharp comments; my favorite son-in-law, Joey L. Santos for the technical support that every boomer needs.
Mary Jane F. Ampil, my sister and gracious gateway to law enforcement officers; Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Jasmin for sharing her knowledge of crime detection and police procedures; veteran newspaperman Nonnie Pelayo. Having said that, I plead guilty to any and all errors.
And last, but by no means the least, Karina Bolasco, Crimetime’s first godmother; Andrea Pasion-Flores and Ani Habulan who took over; Anvil staff for support; and Migs Cabreros and Jordan Santos whose enthusiasm helped turn my manuscript into this book you are holding right now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maria L. M. Fres-Felix is a U.S.-educated Economist turned fictionist. Her first book, ‘Sup? won the Grand Prize in the Pilar Perez Medallion for Teen Writing. Her third book, Boy in the Platinum Palace and Other Stories was a finalist for the National Book Awards 2015. Crimetime is her fourth book.
She has won several Palanca Literary Awards and Philippine Free Press Literary Awards.
Though hobbled by two left feet, she loves dancing.
Also by Maria L. M. Fres-Felix:
• ‘Sup?
• Making Straight Circles: Short Story Collection
• Boy in the Platinum Palace and Other Stories
Visit: facebook.com/marialmfresfelix