Mystery Solved

Edmund walked over to our neighbor’s house to get a clearer account of how they turned over the wallet to one of our drivers. While we- Tony, Jerald, Julienne, I, etc. waited at the garage.

Based on the circumstances, Jerald could be the one because the descriptions given by the one who turned over the wallet, Leo, fit him. Medium build, may hitsura, mukhang body guard daw, hindi mukhang construction worker. He’s the only one there on saturday morning at around 7 am.

Me——— “Jerald, nasan ka nung sabado ng umaga?”
Jerald—– “Natutulog mam”.

Medyo I became a little doubtful when he said natutulog pa sya at 7 am.

Me——— “Hindi mo narinig nag door bell?”
Jerald—– “Hindi ho, tulog pa ho ako”.

Edmund’s SUV was blocking our way so Oyen and I had no choice but to wait. While waiting at the garage, I started opening the drawers of an old cabinet that’s stored in the garage. From my peripheral vision, I saw Jerald watching me.

On our way to the office, I phoned Deo, who was present last saturday but on-leave yesterday.
Me———- “Deo, anong oras ka pumasok nung sabado?”
Deo——— “Mam, 7:58 ho”.

Deo said he didn’t see anyone in the garage, but he heard the laborers were already working in the kitchen. Their foreman, Allan, came a few minutes after Deo.

It seemed like all arrows pointed to Jerald. But mahirap magbintang unless there’s a clear evidence. I couldn’t wait for night time so our neighbor’s driver could identify the culprit.

Jerald drove for us to the office. While we’re in the car, I made parinig, sana wag itapon yung wallet, kunin na lang yung pera. Cancelled na lahat yung credit card, at yung ATM, wala namang pera si Nyke, siguro P20,000 lang. Cancelled na rin.

While we’re at the office, Edmund called and told me to take a picture of Jerald to show Leo, our neighbor’s driver, to avoid any confrontation. At baka raw matakot yung si Leo, hindi maituro si Jerald.

I made Jerald collect some of my garbage so I was able to take his side-view picture.
From the office, I dropped-off Oyen at her swimming class, then I proceeded to Shangrila Mall to look for a graduation gift for my son.

I went home at 8:00 pm. When our vehicle was already infront of our house, I told Jerald “dumiretso ka muna, doon, may-itatanong ako dun sa guard”.
He scratched his head with his right hand.

Me——– “Jerald, bumaba ka, hanapin mo yung driver nila”.
He got off. I did too.

Guard——– “Mam, dalawa silang nakakita, pero yung isa hindi na babalik mam kasi reliever ko lang yun. Ilan ba mam sila dyan driver?”
Jerald was the one who answered. He even added, “hindi bodyguard”. I didn’t understand what was that about but maybe because the neighbor’s guard said he gave the wallet to a bodyguard.

Umalis na kami, wala yung driver, kasama daw ng amo. I just requested the guard to send him to our house pagdating nya, kahit anong oras.

8:30 pm Edmund and I had dinner. I stayed in the kitchen for a while, while Edmund went up to the room and watched tv.

9:20 pm, our landline started ringing. kinutuban na agad ako. Alam ko na.
We’re not expecting any visitor. At wala rin kaming inuutusan para lumabas.
The only time our landline rings is when the village security office is calling.

Security——– “Mam, good evening, may gustong lumabas ho”.
Me————– “Sino?”
Security——– “Driver, si Jerald”.
I knew it. Flight is a sign of guilt although not all the time.

Me————– “Hindi sya nagpaalam, wala siyang gate pass”.
Security——– “Mam, pabalikin ko dyan”.
Me————– “May dala bang mga gamit?”
Security——– “Meron mam. Pabalikin ko dyan”.
Me————– “Padala ka nga ng security dito”.

I ran up to our bedroom and informed Edmund that Jerald was trying to leave with his belongings. Edmund went down.

We went to our gate, and so fast naman, Jerald was already there, with his maleta and another paper bag. Naka barong pa rin sya. The security people were just watching.

Edmund told him that our neighbor’s driver identified him as the one who received Nyke’s wallet. At first he said he didn’t get it. Then he wanted to go in the garage. I let him in and he showed me where he hid Nyke’s wallet. Inside the balikbayan boxes na nakapatong dun sa cabinet. Kaya pala he was looking while I opened the drawers this morning.

He gave me back the wallet. I inspected it and the P2,000 and $1 were gone.
Jerald—— “mam wala akong ginalaw dyan”.
Walang ginalaw eh nawal yung mga pera (laughs).
Edmund told me huwag ko ng bawiin, hamo na sa kanya na lang. Plus he got his sweldo yesterday.

Mystery solved.

Me——— “Jerald, na-tempt ka? May sweldo ka naman, maayos ang trato namin sayo dito. Sayang, maganda ang trabaho mo. Kung ipakulong kita eh sulit ba yung dalawang libo?”
Jerald—– “Mam, na tempt lang ako”.

Edmund——— “Kaninong gamit yang mga yan?”
Jerald——— “Sa akin sir”.
Me————- “Pinakialaman mo ba yung gamit ng mga marines?”
Jerald——— “Hindi ho”.
Me————- “sigurado ka? hindi mo ginalaw gamit nila? Naku, ha-hantingin ka nung mga yun”.

Me——– “Tart. kakasuhan ba natin si Jerald?”
Jerald—- “Mam, di ba sinoli ko na naman yung wallet?”

I just said that to scare him.
I turned him over to the security and told them to ban him from entering the village ever.

Case of the missing wallet solved.