Murder In The Old Castle
XXIII. An Investigation
The stench on Ammar Marutami's nose grew stronger. The policeman left Adrianna, checking every inch of land around the place. He hoped to find something that could be used as a clue. He was sure something unusual was going on. The sound of the buzzing of flies caught Ammar's attention. His sense of hearing is sharpening.
Under the thicket of tea plants, Ammar found the origin of a pungent foul smell. The figure of the female corpse with blistered skin was almost unrecognizable, with maggots scattered here and there!
Maybe to a layman, the view looks disgusting. Since Ammar Marutami was an experienced policeman, he could only hold his breath. His heart was pounding, not out of fear but more from being concerned. Clearly in front of him was the decomposing body of the woman. His arms are gone, scarred by a sharp-toothed beast.
“Gosh!” Adrianna who came after Ammar, also witnessed the scene of the shoot.
Unfortunately mentally not honed strong, he immediately threw his face while looking for a place to vomit. Adrianna was soon able to identify the body as Karina Ivanova, based on the clothes she was wearing.
The discovery of Karina's decomposing body suddenly made the castle's inhabitants more worried, especially the women writers. Indeed, Ammar Matutami did not want to reveal the identity of the body. Unfortunately, Adrianna, who was already in shock, immediately told the findings to Tiara stammering.
“I actually saw it with my own eyes. Karina's body looks so terrible, I can't describe it. I just stayed away because I couldn't see it. The contents of her stomach, O Lord, I saw her ..” Adrianna's story.
“You sure? I was still talking to Karina before she bailed to the tea garden!” welcome Tiara.
“I'm sure! I remember the motof of the clothes he wore. I even asked her which clothes are from which fashion house?”
The two women were stuck. Adrianna's story then turned to the other residents. For the men, they were not too surprised because they had found Karina's body first. However, to the women, this news was as if terror.
How not?
At first they thought that the murders only happened to the original inhabitants of the castle, namely Anggara and Yoga. With the discovery of Karina's body, anxiety struck instantly, considering Karina was an invited guest. This means that death can come at any time.
While Karina's body can not be evacuated just like that, because the condition has been damaged. There was nothing to do but wait for the medical team from the city. It is estimated that this team will come several days, can not be fast because it has to take care of the autopsy of some victims who have been brought before.
The atmosphere of the castle became increasingly quiet as night fell. Ammar resumed the investigation in Anggara Laksono's private room, trying to read whatever was there. Includes a collection of photos that caught his attention. In one of the black and white photos, there is a photo of Anggara with a woman with a tiny baby.
Is This Anastasia? Thought Ammar.
He again opened the biography of Anggara. On page 64 of the book, it is written that Anggara Laksono married Anastasia Pratiwi without a child. Then who is the figure of the woman who took pictures with the tiny baby?
He saw the woman's face in the photo very different from Anastasia's self-portrait hanging on the wall. This woman is not Anastasia Pratiwi. Then, he saw at the end of the black and white photo, shown the time of taking the photo. The photo was taken in October twenty years ago. At least, the baby in the photo is around twenty-two or twenty-three years old now.
But who are they?
The puzzles get complicated. His investigation now turned to the Yoga room located at the back of the castle. The room was now empty, and it was creepy. Not much was found there. Ammar found many cigarette butts in ashtrays, alcoholic beverages and....
Something caught his attention under the bed. A women's panties decorated with pink lace. It's impossible for Yoga to wear panties like that. Ammar's thoughts immediately targeted the women in the castle. Soon he secured the panties, to be asked who the owner was.
Now Ammar is switching to Yoga closet. Unfortunately, he found only clothes and a picture of a woman hidden under a pile of clothes. Ammar observed the beautiful face in the photo.
“Rania ...,” des Ammar.
He never expected that between Yoga and Rania there was a special relationship. They are hiding that dark relationship. Now, Ammar just realized why Rania was hit hard with the death of Yoga. Or maybe this is just a charade?
Actually he wanted to ignore, but curiosity made him move and open the door. A young woman, in a sleeping kimono, stood at the door of her room with a frightened face.
“What's Maira?” ask Ammar.
“I'm so scared, Ammar!” maira said with an anxious face.
“Fear? Afraid what? Aren't you used to the atmosphere of this castle? I don't think there's anything scary here right now. Everything will be fine!”
“I haven't been able to rest since the discovery of the head piece in Tiara's room. Really, this is so horrible! I also heard a strange sound in my room. I'm so scared!” lamented Maira.
“oya? Stop hallucinating, Maira. Everything's gonna be fine. You don't have to worry. Later if there's anything you stay yelling and I promise will come soon,” promise Ammar.
“I'm afraid to sleep alone tonight!”
“Then? Who will you sleep with? I don't think Adrianna will accept you because there's a Tiara in her room. Rania is also unlikely to accept you because she is in a state of shock after the death of Yoga. Hmmmm. Or do you want to sleep with Helen?” tawar Ammar's.
“How about I just sleep in your room?” chirps Maira.
Ammar took a breath. As a man who is far from his wife, would be interested in Maira's offer that night hide the beauty of his body behind a sleeping kimono. Ammar firmly rejected him, although he had a glance at what was behind the kimono. Ammar could only admire in silence, with no desire to drag him further.
“I can't! Good night, Maira!” Ammar went back in, closing the door.
“Wait!” Maira.
Ammar abandoned his intentions.
“You want an interesting info about Karina? I wanted to let you know that you let me into your room!”
“Oh, sorry Maira! I can't take information from a suspect like you, because I'm afraid it won't be objective. So you better go back to your room and try to sleep because tomorrow I will talk to you!”
“I won't bid twice and ...”
Braak!
Maira's words were interrupted, when Ammar accidentally slammed the door right in front of her eyes. Annoyed with anger, Maira passed from before Ammar Marutami.
He returned to his quiet room, grabbed a crystal glass and poured himself an alcoholic drink.
“Hopefully this alcohol can calm the mind,” murmured.
***