Murder In The Old Castle
186. Lookouts

The hour hand has reached number seven. Dimas is neat and fragrant with his shirt soft. For laundry business, he can not handle himself because of the busyness. He uses laundry outside. He stared at her reflection in the mirror in the room. He just wanted to tidy up a little beard that was starting to grow.

After everything was done, he headed for the garage, preparing to head to the isolation house to replace Reno's duties. I hope nothing extraordinary happened last night. Day after day in the isolation house was passed with a tense feeling, as there was still a murderer inside there. As if they are racing against time, do not become the next victim.

His car came out of the garage, immediately hurtling towards the arteries of a busy city road that morning. Many workers from various circles are a little rushed to his workplace, mingling with other humans with various interests. Dimas should be extra careful, because a morning like this is the peak of traffic density. To reduce stress, he chewed gum while listening to the morning news through the car radio.

Meanwhile, behind Dimas' car, there was another car trailing at a distance not too close. Inside are Badi and Arland who will search for the location where the killer was isolated. They are not satisfied if the case is handled by the police. They have their own plans with the killer who killed Tari.

“About does he know we're following him?” arland asked while twirling the radio channels in the car.

Unfortunately no radio signal was caught, only a noise, because the car radio was not working properly. Arland snorts.

“I deliberately didn't take too close so he didn't notice. Because if he finds out, maybe he'll change course. We better follow with a distance rather far,” said Badi while continuing to drive.

“Awas there was a red light in front! Don't let us get stuck, immediately bring the car!”

Arland reminded. Up ahead, there was a fairly solid intersection. Dimas's car also began to slow down as the traffic lights had already turned red. Meanwhile, Badi's car also slowed down within two cars behind Dimas' car.

“Do not lose track. He was heading for a quiet suburb!” arland.

“Do not worry. I've had experience with this!” sunging Badi's.

The car returned to speed towards the outskirts of town. The atmosphere feels different from the city center, because on the edge of the city the streets are relatively quiet. There were only a few vehicles passing by. That's when Badi increased vigilance because maybe Dimas will suspect if there are other cars trailing. After all, Badi thought that Dimas had good instincts as a police officer. He must have known he was being followed.

Suddenly Badi and Arland were startled by a sudden radio noise. The rhythm of hip-hop music suddenly sounded loud although a little dashed.

“Fucking radio!” arland Ogat.

“He keeps on going. It seems like this place of isolation is a bit far away. The area around here began to rarely house residents, there are only gardens and hills,” said Badi.

“Don't Dimas outwit us!” Arland was worried.

“It doesn't seem like. He doesn't know yet maybe if we are following,” said Badi.

Dimas' car suddenly slowed down, then pulled over on the side of the road. Badi immediately responded to see that. He also pulled the vehicle on the side. The distance of the two cars ranged between two hundred or three hundred meters. Not too suspicious, because there are several other vehicles that pass on the highway.

Dimas got out of the car still chewing gum. He glanced to the right and left, to make sure everything was safe. He did not realize that there were other cars trailing, because Badi's car was parked far enough away. Dimas stepped onto the path unsuspectingly.

“He entered a small path! Come quickly, we follow!” arland said impatiently.

“Please a moment! Don't get too close. He knows!”

After some time, Badi moved his car closer, then parked not far behind Dimas' car. The two immediately came out, following the steps of Dimas who had disappeared into the small path leading to the isolation house.

“This location is really secluded right?” arland.

“Yes, I didn't even think there was a house around here. If from the road, it is not at all visible right?” said Badi.

They stepped along the path that began to climb, until finally met a large house with a walled iron fence. The house was covered by trees growing in the front, so it was not very visible.

“Is this the isolation house?” ask Badi.

“Entaih! But there's only this house around here. Maybe so. When viewed from the building, it is suitable for isolation because it is large and hidden. But the thing is, this front gate is locked, so we can't go in and look for information. There may be a housekeeper we can ask,” Arland said.

“Quiet! I've been anticipating!”

Badi took out the equipment from inside the waist bag he was carrying. He always carries this bag everywhere, because in it there are various equipment to solve unexpected problems. Badi immediately did a sprightly. He began fiddling with the padlock used to lock the front fence.

“It's just a regular padlock, so it's easy!” said Badi.

His words proved true. In no time, the front fence padlock is open. Now, they can enter the front yard of the isolation house.

“Arland, it looks like it is indeed here that house of isolation. I'd better get in, keep the position safe. You just go back home with the car. Later if I want to go home you will I call!” badi's orders.

“But ... how later if anything happens?”

“Do not worry! I can take care of myself. You take it easy, everything will be fine!”

Arland did not dare to argue. He believes that Badi can take good care of himself. He returned to the path, to go home by car, while Badi was ready to check the isolation house.

***

On the other side of the busy city, Raymond drove a girl in a worn-out car to a residential area not far from the city center. Along the way, the girl was just pensive, there was something she was thinking about.

“What are you thinking?” asked Raymond while continuing to drive.

The girl simply shook her head, throwing a look outwards. The busy atmosphere of the city makes the girl's mind more and more unbecoming.

“You need not be afraid. The killer won't be looking for you anymore because after this we'll be the ones to bend it ourselves. His identity has been cleared so he cannot escape. At this time Badi also knows the place of his isolation. He will not be able to go anywhere,” said Raymond.

“What will you do to him? Are you guys gonna kill him?” ask the girl.

“Ending him?” ask the girl.

“Yes, it could be. Wh why? You mind?”

“I think maybe he can be given one chance to improve himself,” said the girl again.

“The chance of life is once again given to people who are not psychopathic categories. But what we're dealing with is a sadistic psychopath. Giving yourself a chance to improve will be more like nurturing a cobra. He'll peck whenever he wants. I understand the world of crime very well, so I don't want to take any chances,” Raymond said.

The girl was at a loss for words. He just hopes to get the best solution from all the hassles that have occurred. He did not expect, now he entered in the vortex of this complicated case.

“Wait .. wait!” said Raymond later.

The girl turned to Raymond. It seemed like the man in the sword was about to convey something.

“It looks like there's still something you're hiding about this killer. I think you mind if we catch him. What the hell is it? What has he promised you?” urged Raymond.

“No... no! Do whatever you want. Nothing I hide,” said the girl a little nervous.

The car they were riding in finally stopped in front of a narrow alley mouth, so that the car could not get in. The girl asked to stop there. Without a word of farewell, he got out of Raymond's car.

“Hey ... “ Suddenly Raymond calling.

The girl turned around, pausing her steps. Raymond looked at him deeply.

“Remember! Everything's gonna be fine. If you need help or feel threatened. We'll be ready to help you. I gave you my number last night. Keep it well! Remember, assume we never met today. Whatever we're talking about is a secret, and I don't want anyone else to know,” Raymond said.

The girl nodded, then she continued her steps down the small alley. Raymond was still looking at the girl, until it completely disappeared from sight.

***

Reno immediately welcomed Dimas' presence with joy. He can't wait to tell me what he's been through last night, about the movie and the posters stuck on his bedroom door. This was an astonishing thing, as if the killer was giving a hint.

Before they exchanged tasks, they took the time to chat privately in a locked room, so that their conversation was not stolen.

“Maybe he is telling you, who will be killed next,” Dimas said.

“I went around yesterday to make sure that the children's room was locked and safe at night. I have also advised Mr. Paiman to focus on the house alone, no need to patrol far forward or behind. I learned from the events of Miranti, the killer in action while Miranti was in her room,” Reno said.

“But still we can't let our guard down, Ren. It could be that once the killer realizes that if we just focus inside the house, he will act outside as well. But I think it depends on the activities of the residents of this isolation house. We cannot limit the residents to indoor activities only,” said Dimas.

“You're right. Wherever it is, we must remain vigilant.” Reno mangosteen.

“Oya, yesterday I went to Gerru's residence to check the situation there. When I checked his room, I found a fact that was missed,” Dimas said.

“What other facts did you find there?”

“This is a fact about Alma and Ferdy. From my interview with Bu Delia, their kindergarten teacher, it turns out Ferdy and Gerry are not real cousins. Ferdy was adopted by the Gerry family. Only, Ferdy did not choose college when he graduated High School, but immediately worked. And what is rather surprising is the possibility of an affair committed by Alma. I found some photos of Alma in Gerry's room. The photo was scratched off his face. Perhaps this is a symbol of unexpressed hatred. But it was Gerry who killed Alma because of the affair?” said Dimas.

“Take note of all those new facts! We will relate to the events that have happened. Do not forget, before dating Rudi, Jenny also experienced turmoil. I don't know if these two girls have a relationship or not, which obviously the affair of romance seems so thick in the case of Jenny and Alma,” Reno added.

“How about Miranti?”

“If Miranti, I think she's an extra koban that wasn't planned at all. Same with Fani and Dance. Miranti was in the wrong place, so she became a victim of this crazy killer,” Reno said.

“Maybe it is so. I feel that, since this killer managed to finish off Miranti, he intends to take out the others. He accidentally sneaks into this room and leaves a note that may depict the next victim. But I think it's a little hard to guess. I hope the murder of Miranti will be the last in this house,” Dimas said.

“Iya hope so. Yesterday I also got a picture of the snake logo from Mr. Andika. I think it's clear that the snake logo on the jacket is very easy to recognize. But I doubt, is the logo just a trap or really describe the background of the perpetrator?”

“It's good that we also trace the origin of the image because there are many possibilities that we can explore. My feeling is that our goal is getting clearer and closer. The killer was actually getting confused. This is our chance to press and trap. I was thinking of using bait to lure this killer,” Dimas said.

“Do not! Don't use bait!”

“Why?”

“Too dangerous. I still remember the story of Mr. Ammar in the old castle. When he uses bait to provoke the presence of the killer. In fact, they almost burned to death in a warehouse because of miscalculation. Before deciding to use the bait, you have to think carefully with all the possibilities that occur,” said Reno.

“Hm, okay. How about starting tomorrow we don't have to take turns?” ask Dimas.

“You mean?”

“We both work here. I think soon all the guises of the killer will be revealed. I have bagged a name that I will reveal in the near future,” said Dimas.

“I also bagged a name as well. Do we suspect the same person? Try saying! Who's on your mind!”

“He is .... “

***