Murder In The Old Castle
211. Escorting

Niken's car stopped not far from Anita's house. The policewoman deliberately parked the car a little distance away, so as not to arouse suspicion. As per Reno's message, he deliberately did not wear a police uniform. She looks beautiful with a simple blouse combined with blue jeans, and not to forget sunglasses. He got out of the car, then down the sidewalk to Anita's house.

The road situation is not too crowded, because there is a middle-class residential area. The houses that line up are not so luxurious, but cannot be said to be simple. Rows of road shade trees grow large, so the atmosphere of the afternoon was not so hot. There were no pedestrians in sight other than him.

Niken opened the fence of Anita's unlocked house, then went straight to a small yard decorated with a small flower garden. Anita looked left and right, ensuring a safe atmosphere. The house is so quiet. He wished Anita was still inside and not going anywhere. The policewoman rang the bell near the door.

Shortly after, the door opened.

A young girl with slightly disheveled hair opened the door, looking surprised at Niken's presence.

“Anita Wijaya?” ask Niken.

“I-iya I'm Anita Wijaya. Whose mom?” asked Anita hesitating.

“Oh, I'm Niken. Actually I'm here because of Mr. Reno. He asked me to look at your situation, and I think you're fine,” Niken said.

“Oh, so .. sorry if I'm not polite. I didn't know Mom was a cop. Yes, Mr. Reno did say that he would ask a policeman to protect me. I ... I really did not think that this mother is a police officer, because she is not in uniform and looks beautiful,” said Anita with a shy smile.

“Jadi ... can I go inside?”

“Oh of course!”

Anita invited the policewoman to enter immediately. Niken looked around the conditions in the house, checking for possibilities and gaps that someone might be able to use to infiltrate. It checks the condition of the windows and doors, as well as other entry-access.

“Sorry, what would you like to drink?” ask Anita.

“Not to be too formal, Anita. Don't call Mom, just call Mommy or Sis. You make any drink whatever it takes. I went inside the front fence unlocked. It was intentionally unlocked or what?"

Niken spoke while examining the kitchen window made of wire gauze. According to him, this wire is very easy to pass. Only with scissors, someone with evil intentions would easily enter this window.

“Normally it's never locked, Mom. Uh, Brother .. sorry!”

“Never locked? That was your first mistake. What if the one who entered was a bad person? You know for yourself, in this neighborhood the atmosphere is very quiet. Even if you scream, no one will help you. I suggest you lock the front fence. And these kitchen windows, they're very easy to break. Maybe you can install a bulkhead or anything that makes it difficult for someone to get inside,” advises Niken.

“Oh yes, later I will have people come here to fix that,” said Anita.

After touring the house, Niken enjoys the warm lemon tea served by Anita. Both of them sit in the living room with a minimalist design.

“You live alone here?” ask Niken.

“Yes, Brother, I am a migrant from outside the island, and I have no one in this city. My relationship with Mr. Daniel was so close, so when I heard he died, I was devastated. Inexhaustible thought, why there are bad people who could finish his life,” said Anita sadly.

Niken just sighed, trying to ascertain whether sadness was an expression from the heart or just acting. Remember, the current one he was facing was an artist.

“I heard from Mr. Reno that later tonight you have a dinner invitation at a famous restaurant in the city. So you want to come?” ask Niken later.

“Sure, Brother. I will come because the meeting is important for the continuation of the film being made. Hopefully Mr. Govind Punjabi can provide the best solution for us,” said Anita.

“Later I will pretend to be a guest of the restaurant, so as to be free to watch over you, and not to arouse suspicion. But I can't take Mr. Reno or the other cops, because their faces are recognized. So maybe I'll be alone,” said Niken.

“Wah, thank you sister! Don't worry, it's safe. It's a place in a restaurant, so it's crowded and a lot of people. There is no way there will also be people who intend evil in public places like that,” said Anita.

“Everything is likely to happen, Nit. We can't take it lightly. I will watch over you carefully, however. No one should know that I am a cop. You also do not need to tell anyone that you have a special escort,” explained Niken.

Anita nodded in understanding. After a while, Niken said goodbye to Anita, and then met again at the restaurant. Before leaving, Niken really advised Anita to be aware of all the possibilities that occur.

From his pocket, Niken pulls out a gun and hands it to Anita.

“Use only in a desperate situation,” said Niken.

“Oh, no .. no. I don't usually use this. I'mfrightened. It's also against the rules, brother. Later Brother is in trouble if it is known to other police,” reject Anita.

Anita accepted the gun hesitantly. All his life, it was the first time he held a gun. During this time he only saw shooting scenes in the film. Although acting, he only plays drama scenes, never action scenes. This gun looks very strange and dangerous to him.

A moment later, he nodded. He did not need to drive Niken out, because the policewoman advised him to stay inside. After Niken's departure, he immediately checked what Niken analyzed earlier. It was true, his house had a gap that others could enter easily.

Honey, Niken didn't check until the warehouse upstairs, Anita herself forgot to check the warehouse upstairs. He hopes everything will be fine after Niken's death. He intended to go into the room for a moment, to lay down for himself for a while. However, suddenly on the dining table he saw a piece of paper written with a green marker. He was amazed to read the writing on the paper.

I'm already inside.

***

Before returning home, Reno took the time to check on Dimas. He can't wait for his co-worker to come back to help solve the case. According to him, although Dimas was younger than himself, Dimas was a brave and intelligent figure, but sometimes overflowing his emotions. After all, he desperately needed Dimas' existence.

Dimas was watching TV when Reno came with a box of martabak and Dimas' favorite moonlit cake. Without further ado, Reno sat in the middle room where Dimas was watching television.

“So this is just your job?” ask Reno.

“I just realized that living without any pressure is so much fun. I'm too tired of a lot of cases. So let me enjoy my days for a moment,” said Dimas take continued glaring at the television screen that aired the news broadcast program.

“When you will be back in charge. Tomorrow?” ask Reno.

“Maybe tomorrow, the day after, next week, or I don't know. Until my mood is back. Oya, how's Niken doing? He has any tasks?”

“Hopefully you'll be good soon huh Dim. I'm honestly starting to get confused about this case. Daniel may have been killed by one of the film studios with uncertain motives. Motives can be anything, because I found the conjecture more than that. Then came the new death threat. I've asked Niken to help address the threat, and I want to prove whether he can or not,” Reno said.

“Hmm, so you asked Niken to give protection to someone? So you mean?” ask Dimas.

“Yes, and he doesn't mind. I saw his profile, he was used to disguising himself as someone else. I thought, this would be very good because its existence is not known by many people. Maybe a criminal won't know where he's actually being stalked,” Reno said.

“OK I understand, but I hope he stays safe. I know he has a lot of experience. Someone has a weak point. Hopefully your decision to put Niken in to secure someone will go well. Well, so are you going to make a payment on those people?” ask Dimas.

“Sure, but maybe I wait until tomorrow. Mr. Daniel's body will be buried on San Diego Hill, and only certain people will be able to enter the funeral. I'd like to meet Daniel Prawira's remaining family. Maybe I can find one of the mystery pieces there,” Reno explained.

“All right, I'll be at the director's funeral tomorrow. It seems interesting to see many artists present at the funeral, although of course the situation is different. Let's see if everything goes well tomorrow!”

Reno nodded. Before long, he stood up and stepped near the window. His face still looked glum, like something was still stuck in his mind.

“You still look anxious. Does this have anything to do with Silvia?” ask Dimas.

“Not. This isn't about Silvia. I still think that the case I'm going to face is not an easy one. Just a month since the Ferdy case, a new case has emerged involving many more people. It's exhausting. I need a vacation, Dim! Really!” lamented Reno.

Hearing that Dimas just laughed. He took a piece of martabak, and chewed it.

“There is no holiday word for the police, Ren! Wherever you are, if there is a case, then your moral responsibility as law enforcement will surely be called. That was instinct. Even if it's just a small case like the theft of clothesline in the village, as a police officer you will not stay silent. So I thought, bullshit is the holiday!”

“Let me anywhere I need a new atmosphere, Dim.”

“OK I understand. Ren's. Later after this case is over, we take a leave of absence, and we will vacation together. You take Silvia and I take ... who is it? Haha. We can rent a villa near the beach or mountain, and we can break free from this daily routine. How?” fresh Dimas.

“Usul good anyway. You want to take Gilda?” ask Reno slurping.

“Amit-amit! I won't take him, ” Dimas replied with a laugh.

“Then we invite Niken!”

“Good! Great idea!”

***