Murder In The Old Castle
XXVII. A Thriller Novel
Maira was still amazed, standing expressionless. A few minutes before, it was obvious that he was being hunted by a black-robed figure who was very eager to finish him off. Now the blink of an eye of the figure disappeared from sight. Maira doesn't think. He does not feel hallucinated.
“Sorry before Maira. Are you drunk tonight?” ask Ammar. Simple question, but very piercing.
“I do drink alcoholic beverages, but I'm still sane. I felt the horror as the killer's steps hunted me down, even my neck was still injured by the choking of the cable. I'm really angry that you think all this is imagination!” Maira started to frown.
“I'm sorry, Maira. I really want to trust you. But reality says something else. You also see for yourself that the figure you are referring to is not in this room. You said you were locked in the reading room here. So where's the evidence? You think that figure is a ghost that can break through walls?”
Maira. It hurts that all his attempts to survive are simply pushed aside by Ammar. He cannot blame Ammar. Because in reality no one was found in the reading room. That figure vanished without a trace.
“Good. I don't care about anything you think. But I'm not a liar!” Maira. His feelings were upset, so he stepped away from Ammar.
“Wait!” prevent Ammar while pulling Maira's arm.
“What else?”
“I want to read the novel you said earlier.”
“OK. I'll find!”
Maira nodded. He rushed to the shelf where Michael Smith's novel was stored. Unfortunately, Goddess Fortuna does not want to side with Maira. Now the novel he just read is also not in its place. Someone took the novel.
“I'm sorry, Ammar. The novel also disappeared. Maybe the mysterious figure also who has taken it,” said Maira.
“So the novel also vanished?” ask Ammar.
“Iya. I'm sure I put the novel back in its place. But somehow I can't find it,” complained Maira.
“Forget that novel. If true, it might just be a coincidence. You need to go a long way about the novel you mean. You said it was Michael's author, right? Tomorrow morning I'll ask about the novel he wrote.”
“Terden! That's none of my business. My job is done. Whatever I say seems unbelievable. Yes, I am not a good woman like Adrianna or Tiara. But I'm not lying about this. Good night, Mr Police! Good Luck!”
Maira leaves Ammar Marutami alone. Secretly, he was also astonished. If what Maira said was true, where did the figure disappear?
The next day, news of Maira's attempted murder began to be discussed by other writers. Maira tells the story of the late morning meal, as the female writers were sitting enjoying the morning air in the garden chair.
The morning was quite lively, with peony flowers starting to bloom. The women deliberately spent time chatting while pampering themselves with lemon tea prepared by Helen. Maira's story was enthusiastically responded to by Tiara, and was underestimated by Adrianna.
“I can't believe you escaped that assassination attempt!” adrianna's Comments.
“Don't you! I who experienced it myself also still do not understand how I can escape the target of the killer. I still feel how the cable's tangle is strangling the neck. So painful! What a shock I can escape!” Maira opened the neck collar, revealing a blackened scar on her neck.
“Gosh!” hiss Tiara.
“How do you make such a good scar?” ask Adrianna.
“This is not an artificial wound, Adrianna. I know what's in your mind. You think I made up a lie, right? Cough, fine! I hope you feel what I'm going through. I want you to feel when your heart is beating hard, when someone wants to take your life. You will definitely feel that, Adrianna!” Maira started to frown.
“I will never be afraid of any threat! Especially with the story of a figment about a black-robed killer who can disappear in the reading room. That doesn't scare me at all!”
“The pride will destroy you, Adrianna!”
While the women were having tea in the garden, the men gathered in the living room. Michael was playing chess with Aldo Riyanda. Chess pawns become a battle arena for intelligence. Tactics will determine who first overthrows the king.
In another corner, Cornellio Syam was relaxing while enjoying potato chips, accompanied by small talk with Hans.
“Skak Mat!” aldo Riyanda said with a triumphant smile.
“I give up, Aldo! You are awesome!” praise Michael. This was his third defeat while playing chess against the mysterious genius.
“Other times you have to use killing instinct to subvert your opponent. Your hesitation in stepping makes the opponent's easy-to-read moves. Honestly, your movements were so predictable!” aldo Riyanda.
“I acknowledge your greatness, Aldo. But I'm gonna knock you down someday. Maybe I'm out of luck today.”
“I'm always ready anytime, Michael!”
The conversation came to a halt when Ammar entered the room with a serious face. He looked at one by one the male writers who were in that place.
“Today it's my turn to interview right?” Cornellio Sham got up from his seat.
“Not you! Today I want to have a moment with Michael!”
Hearing his name called, Michael asked back,” Me?”
!
“Yes, schedule will be exchanged with Cornellio. Because this is about important things that I want to ask you immediately,” saidAmmar.
“The important things? Hm. What like?”
“Like the novel you wrote ...”
“Hmm. Are you a fan of my novel? I guess not. Must be more than that.”
“I'm not a fan of your novel Michael. I told you your novel was ridiculous with no excuse logic. But this time, there's something serious between one of your novels.”
which “Novel?”
“How about we talk over coffee in the workspace?”
“It looks like an interesting proposal. I haven't talked about novels in a long time. Who knows after this you can share knowledge so that the novel I made is not too boring,” said Michael.
Not yet finished they finished the chat, Helen entered the living room. As usual, his face was always flat, without any expression. Perhaps the middle-aged woman had long since been able to spread a smile. Or it could be that his conscience is dead.
“I'm sorry to interrupt your chat, gentlemen! I just want to say that the food stock we have is starting to thin out. Someone has to take me to town to buy groceries. I can't drive a car, and Yoga is dead. I thought I needed one of you to drive to town!” said Helen.
“I'm ready!” chirps Hans.
Ammar Marutami scrunched his forehead. Stomach problems cannot be delayed. He obviously can't leave the castle right now. He agreed when Hans offered.
***