CHAPTER 43: SUSPECTS

"Any update?" Red asked his secretary as they got off the chartered plane.

"I am sending people to investigate your mother and Ms. Sofia, sir... We are also trying to find out which island they went to. Once we know where they are, we will send people to check the place, sir..." Ms. Dein said to her boss.

"How long will it take? They can't just hide! What if my wife is in danger? Did you already call the police? I don't care if they bring my mother to the police station to be investigated. They should do everything they can to find my wife. I'm willing to pay any amount." Red said while his eyes were filled with anger.

Three hours have passed since they received the call from Manang Fe saying that Chelsea has not returned home. As time passes, Red's worry increases. He can't calm down and can't focus because of everything he's thinking about. All he can do now is pray nonstop for Chelsea's safety.

Meanwhile, the three of them had a small celebration. They are now in the living room, enjoying the moment of Chelsea's disappearance from the mansion. They all drank the wine together. They can't get the smiles off their faces, as if they won the lottery.

"Finally, we've disposed of the trash here in your mansion, Auntie!" Maxine said with a big smile. She stood up and raised her wine glass. "Congratulations to us three!" She added.

Madame Buenavista and Sofia nodded and picked up their wine glasses and drank them together.

"Now that the plague in our lives is gone, I'll make sure that my son will choose you." Madame Buenvaista said while holding Sofia's left hand. Sofia immediately blushed at what was said. "Auntie... I'm not in a rush when it comes to that kind of thing, let's give Red some time..." She said while hiding her eagerness for something she has been dreaming of for a long time.

"We'll pretend that the plague has escaped and left my son and because of that we will have the opportunity to do other things that will further ruin their relationship. Of course, we wouldn't be able to do all of this if it weren't for you Maxine... Thank you... I know that being a Garcia runs in your blood, but you are different from your sister. It's good that you are here to help us with this plan. Because of that, what do you want in return for your help?" Madame Buenavista asked Maxine. Maxine smiled softly at what she heard.

"Auntie, you don't have to thank me because I only did this because I wanted that woman to disappear from the world. My life will never be peaceful if I see her breathing." Maxine said while looking far away.

While the three of them were busy talking, the police arrived. They didn't notice it, so they were shocked when the police headed straight for the living room.

"Good evening Madame Buenavista, sorry for our sudden visit here. We are here to question you about the sudden disappearance of Madame Chelsea Felise Buenavista, the wife of your son Mr. Red Chandler Buenavista." One of the police officers said as he headed for the mansion.

Fear and panic appeared on the faces of the three of them. They didn't expect their plans to be countered this quickly. They didn't expect the news to reach Red and for him to take action so quickly.

Sofia swallowed her saliva when she realized what was happening. She only now realized that their plan had too many holes. "Ah--o-officer, p-please come in..." Sofia said without thinking and pointed to the sofa for the police to sit on.

Madame Buenavista took a deep breath before speaking, "Manang! Please prepare drinks for our guests." She instructed Manang Fe, who immediately obeyed and rushed to the kitchen. "What's the problem? Why did you come here at this hour, officer? Is something wrong?" Madame Buenavista asked, trying to hide her fear.

Police Officer Macario Diaz, one of the police officers who came to the Buenavista mansion on Ms. Dein's orders to investigate, cleared his throat and straightened his clothes before speaking, "We received information that Madame Chelsea Felise Garcia is missing. According to what we know, the three of you were with Madame Chelsea before she was reported missing... Do you have any information about Madame Chelsea's sudden disappearance, Madam?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked, raising his tone.

Madame Buenavista did not immediately answer the police's question. She swallowed nervously and began to evade the question, "Madam Buenavista, I repeat my question, do you have any information about Madame Chelsea's sudden disappearance, Madam?" The police repeated the question.

Madame Buenavista stood up immediately, "Can we discuss this in private, officer?" She asked. The expression on Police Officer Macario Diaz's face changed and he furrowed his brow.

He cleared his throat before answering Madame Buenavista's question, "That seems like a good idea, Madam Buenavista. Since you also want our conversation to be private, we invite you to be questioned separately." Police Officer Macario Diaz said sternly. The three of them were shocked by what they heard. They would be in even more danger if they were separated. However, because they would be more vulnerable to the accusations against them if they rejected the invitation, Madame Buenavista nodded and invited Police Officer Macario Diaz to her room, while Sofia and Maxine did the same in different rooms, with one police officer to question them.

As Madame Buenavista and Police Officer Macario Diaz entered the room, Madame Buenavista immediately spoke with anger in her voice, "Are you accusing me, officer, of the disappearance of Chelsea?!" Madame Buenavista asked angrily.

"I haven't said anything yet madam. We're just here to question you, not to accuse you. You don't have to be afraid if you haven't done anything wrong, right Madame Buenavista?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked seriously.

Madame Buenavista composed herself. She was thinking that she couldn't make a mistake with every word she would say because they would both be put in trouble. "Your tone in asking makes it seem like you're claiming that I really am guilty... Be careful with the questions you're asking me, you might forget who you're questioning, Police Officer Macario Diaz." Madame Buenavista emphasized her name.

Police Officer Macario Diaz couldn't help but laugh at Madame Buenavista's words. "Madam, we haven't even started questioning yet, but if you can defend yourself, it seems like you're already being accused of that matter." Police Officer Macario Diaz said.

Madame Buenavista was taken aback by his words. She took a deep breath and sat down on her office chair. "What are your questions, I'm very busy today and I need to rest, so let's finish this so you can leave with your companions." Madame Buenavista said seriously.

"I only have a few questions, madam Buenavista. Can we start now?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked, and Madame Buenavista nodded.

"According to the information given to our office, you were with Ma'am Chelsea before she was found to be missing. So madam Buenavista, where did you go while you were with Ma'am Chelsea?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked while preparing his pen and paper.

"We planned to unwind first... Chelsea was really with us earlier, but she suddenly left without saying goodbye." Madame Buenavista said while looking away from the police officer in front of her.

"Hmm... But you didn't answer my question madam. I'll repeat it... Where did you go while you were with Ma'am Chelsea?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked again.

"To a private island..." Madame Buenavista forced an answer.

"Private island? Is this owned by your family?"

"No."

"Then whose private island is this?" Police Officer Macario Diaz's questioning was starting to get heated, while Madame Buenavista was getting restless.

"The Silvestres'... We just went there and left immediately. We didn't stay long because according to their staff there, there was supposed to be a strong storm before nightfall, so we went home early in the afternoon. If you're asking when Chelsea left, I don't know... Maybe less than an hour after we got there, because we didn't see her when we started eating..." Madame Buenavista told her story directly, trying to make eye contact with Police Officer Macario Diaz. She was trying to resist his suspicious glances so she wouldn't seem guilty.

"Where is this private island that you're talking about?"

"In Batangas. Aren't we finished yet, officer? You've asked me so many questions. I think that's enough to help find Chelsea... If she's really missing. And why are you looking for someone who doesn't want to be found? She left on her own without saying goodbye, it's not my problem if she doesn't want to show herself anymore. She's just wasting our time." Madame Buenavista said and turned away.

"Can you give us the complete address of the private island that you're talking about madam?" Police Officer Macario Diaz asked again.

"Don't you know what a private island means? You can't just go in there because it's owned by the Silvestres and if you insist on going there, you need a search warrant first. Plus, the storm is probably already starting in that place, so if I were you, I wouldn't waste time and just let Chelsea be. She'll come back on her own, especially since she's using my son for money." Madame Buenavista said with some anger.

"I understand that madam. That's why I'm asking you now for the complete address of the place so we can conduct a search warrant. Our job is to find Ma'am Chelsea and not listen to your suggestions. Based on what you're saying, it seems like you have a lot of resentment towards Ma'am Chelsea..." Police Officer Macario Diaz said while he was busy writing something on his notepad.

Madame Buenavista didn't answer. She was speechless and seemed to have a blank mind. She rubbed her finger and was thinking of what to say next when Police Officer Macario Diaz suddenly stood up from his seat.

"That's all madam... Since you can't answer my questions, we'll just ask your companions. Thank you for your cooperation, madam Buenavista." Police Officer Macario Diaz said and nodded before leaving Madame Buenavista's room. Madame Buenavista was left speechless and stunned at her desk.

After leaving Madame Buenavista's room, Police Officer Macario Diaz immediately went to his companions and they talked about the information they had gathered. They spent more than half an hour talking and after they finished, they immediately gathered the three in the living room.

"Based on the information we gathered from the three of you... Madam Buenavista, Ms. Sofia Silvestre, and Ms. Maxine Garcia... You are now suspects in the disappearance of Ma'am Chelsea because of the different stories that came from you. We invite you to the precinct to gather more details and, if you are truly innocent, to prove it." Police Officer Macario Diaz said and approached Madame Buenavista to escort her out of the mansion.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." He added and forcibly took the three to the precinct.