Death
Someone’s POV
“Father, I found out that the Roshans’ land contract is fake. Here is also the list of farmers they deceived and killed. One of his antics is Malversation of public funds,” Atty. Verticio explained, one of the people my sibling trusts.
He is one of the well-known lawyers in this town. With the quantity of his opponents, even politicians are not sanctioned by him. Sometimes, he does not receive payment especially when his client is poor. He is a humane lawyer who does not work for money.
I set the coffee down on the table I had been waiting for.
“We need to find some witnesses,” Atty. Verticio continued, currently sipping coffee.
My brother looked at the evidence carefully. He entered his office and the Attorney followed. Their conversation was serious as if it would not be interrupted.
When they returned, I sat next to Father Kule, my brother. The age gap between us was too far but our habits did not go far.
“Don Emilio would surely has blaring sight for you. He came here the other day looking for you,” I said.
Don Emilio recently came here. I also wondered why he didn’t just go straight to the chapel to look for my brother. He also includes his staff.
I learned that they were hurt by the successive deaths of some farmers. They even claimed that there was an encounter between the military and the rebels so the two sides are teaching who is really responsible.
President Paez is one of them, he just died. Maybe it was just a month ago. He was one of the farmers who called for justice to reclaim his land.
He was close to my brother and he had such sympathy for him. Apart from being godly, he is also humane. I really think that the Roshans are already sitting on him. Especially as far as I know, they heard that he was gathering evidence to get him imprisoned.
“Let him go. I’m sure it will be over in a few weeks,” Father said calmly then Atty. Verticio nodded.
“Flora has some more of it. She’s actually helping me with this. You know that, Father, she’s close to the farmers.”
I went back to the kitchen when I remembered the soup I was cooking, which we like to prepare when there is a guest.
The kitchen was not far from the living room so I heard the door open and the guest continued. I briefly peeked at who they were.
It was Engr. Vitale with another man. As far as I know, he is also a friend of Father.
They made them sit down. They laugh as they start talking until the conversation seems serious. I am busy with what I am doing. I mixed the ingredients of the porridge while pouring the milk to it.
The silence was deafening so I looked for a moment. It was as if there was a lot of money being transacted but Father and Atty. Verticio refused to get it.
To my surprise, Engr. Vitale pulled out a gun. I never thought he would be able to do this. His hand trembled as he pointed it at Atty. Verticio.
Hermano next to him did not know what to do. He handed me his gun as I hurriedly hid under the table. He typed a number to call the police but no one answered. I just sent a message until I heard a series of gunshots.
“What are we going to do?!” Engr. Vitale’s companions freaked out.
“Find the evidence!” He growled at them.
Gently but quickly, I made my way out to the back of the house. The siren of the police mobil rang.
“Hurry up!” said Engr. Vitale. When I was sure that they left, I left from my seat. Atty. Verticio with multiple bullet wounds to the body. I almost lose blood because of what I see now.
Next was my brother lying down and almost swimming in his own blood. I couldn’t help but hug his cold corpse.
“Brother! Brother!” I almost lost my voice as I watched him.
I couldn’t help but to get lost in front of the police because of their slow response.
One of them knows me because he was my classmate when we were still in highschool. SOCO also came to find out the incident.
“Run away. I’m sure they’ll follow you,” he whispered. But I strongly shook my head.
“Listen to me, Karlos. If you don’t hide, they will follow you. I’m sure you don’t want to waste what Father worked for. Don’t you? Even what you worked for. Some of your fellow reporters have been killed. It’s not being investigated. If investigated, the case will be closed immediately.”
I was one of the journalists who covers about the massacres taking place in this area. But I didn’t have Presigo Paez killed, my friend covered it. He knew the detail that frame up just happened. Don Emilio himself here with Engr. Vitale whom they tortured first before killing. At first I did not believe his accusation against Engineer but now everything is clear to me.
“For now don’t show up for your safety first. Get away first,” he then tapped me on the arm.
“Our head knew this before it happened so we did not respond immediately,” he added. It’s good that his fellow policemen also know me.
Ever since I left that house far from the neighbor, I never set foot there again. I lived alone as another name until a fortune teller gained my trust.
I still can’t get justice out of my mind but I’m afraid it might end up in nothing like the previous attempts.
When I saw Presigo’s son, I was encouraged but that was still not enough.
I cleaned my brother’s grave, which I had not visited in months. It is far from Gurabo. He was buried in El Preve because that was the location of the first chapel he served.
They pretended that the culprit had killed my brother. I also heard that this was followed by the burning of the place where he and his wife used to live. It was found out that Atty. Erman Verticio was miraculously alive and he also died there later on. This is also probably the reason for Atty. Flora Verticio to hide, his wife.