Murder In The Old Castle
306. Mariah's Effort

Mariah entered the police station which was starting to be quiet that afternoon. Some of the police had already left the office, returned to their homes. Mariah went down the hall, looking for Reno's room. She had not been to the police station for a long time since her husband suffered a leg injury. He was looking around for where Reno's office was, because it looks like this police station is undergoing a lot of renovations.

A sweet-faced policewoman apparently saw Mariah's confusion. He immediately approached to offer her help.

"Sorry Mom, can we help you?" ask the policewoman in a friendly tone.

"I searched Mr. Reno's room" replied Mariah.

Mariah scrunched her forehead. He had never seen this woman's police officer before. Almost all police personnel know Mariah, so it's only natural that she felt surprised by the presence of the police.

"Oh, Mr. Reno just got home. Sorry. What's there to be? Let me tell you later?" said the policewoman.

Mariah was a bit doubtful. Ammar advised to convey the castle's events only to Reno or Dimas, not to others. He wanted to convey the message, but paused his intention when he saw Dimas coming out of a room. Apparently the young policeman was also preparing to go home.

"Oh, sorry. I'll just talk to Mr. Dimas" said Mariah.

Mariah leaves the policewoman who is none other than Niken. Dimas looked surprised to see Mariah's presence looking hasty. He thought, maybe something happened, because indeed Mariah rarely went to the police station if there was no important business.

"Mariah?" greet Dimas.

"There's something important we need to talk about. But I don't want to be here" said Mariah quickly.

They then agreed to speak inside Dimas' room. Meanwhile, Niken was curious about the two of them, because it was as if something was hidden. He walks over to Dimas's closed office, trying to steal the conversation between Dimas and Mariah.

"It seems serious, Mariah. What's up?"

Dimas invited Mariah to sit down. The woman sighed, then started talking. The atmosphere looked a little nervous and panicked. He turned to the left and right sides, making sure that the atmosphere around was safe.

"The situation is serious, Dimas. I actually wanted to talk to Reno, but she went home. So I thought, I better talk to you, ", said Mariah.

"Wait on! Is Ammar handling a case or what?"

"At first no, Dimas. However, something bad has happened in the castle. My High School friends and I were having a reunion at the castle, but it was only a few hours before the party arrived that something happened. One of our friends was killed in the pool toilet. And Ammar told me to keep this a secret, only the police should know, so as not to provoke the media and the public to come. Ammar also asked to send a team of investigators, but only you and Reno, as well as a medical team for evacuation. Please, you must act immediately, Dimas. My husband is in the castle alone with the killer who is still on the loose. I'm worried something's going on. I need to get back to the castle!"

Mariah said quickly, as she recalled the condition of the husband who was alone in the castle. Dimas tried to calm down and not panic. He heard the story from Mariah with enthusiasm.

"How many people are there in that castle now? Let's send a protection team later if we need to!"

" At first there were 11 people present at the reunion, but that did not include me and Ammar. Now, since one had died, there were only 12 people left. They are mostly married couples, but there are also those who are not couples" continued Mariah.

"Well, Mariah. Today too I will call Reno and we will move to the castle soon. You don't have to panic, and I'm sure Ammar can do preventive things first, while waiting for our arrival. I suggest that you return immediately and be accompanied by two policemen to return to the castle. I'll have the police make a warrant for the investigation into the castle!" said Dimas.

Suddenly the door of Dimas's room opened. A sweet-faced policewoman walked in and looked at them with a smile.

"Let me help you! I'm ready to be assigned to investigate the old castle case. I have been curious about the castle for a long time. Please Dimas, recommend my name to the castle" the policewoman asked.

"Miss? You eavesdropping on our conversation?" ask Dimas.

"I just accidentally heard your conversation. Please allow me to come to the castle!"

"Hmmm, actually we haven't trusted you since your failure to protect Anita and Renita, in the case of those artists. I don't know, whether I can recommend your name or not, the decision isn't in my hands, Niken!" said Dimas.

"He's the new cop, isn't he, Dimas? How come I never saw him?" ask Mariah.

"OK, I'd recommend your name, and nothing more. Whoever's on duty, that's not my authority. Mariah, you wait a minute. I'll take care of this, let someone escort you to the castle!"

Dimas brought a map, then moved out of his room. Niken just sighed, then smiled towards Mariah.

"So this is Pak Ammar's wife? Well I didn't expect. Mr. Ammar is a great cop, and his name is often mentioned. Proud to have a husband like her. But, actually the cases I solved more, just rarely appear in the media. Our experience was more or less just, I guess." said Niken.

Mariah just smiled, then got up from her seat. He looked at the sweet Niken. Mariah had little doubt about Niken's ability, as she was not a capable cop in her duties. He argues that Niken is nothing more than a big-mouth cop. Mariah hopes that Niken's name will not be included in the list of police officers who will serve in the old castle.

"I just wait outside" Mariah said with a smile.

***

Inside the old castle, anxiety crept up. Ammar hopes that Mariah will arrive at the castle soon. The seconds seemed to tick long. All the residents gathered on the front porch with anxious feelings. While waiting for Mariah, they were not allowed to leave the front porch. Ammar did not want to be careless, because he realized that the murderer was among them.

"Try to relax, Bang Ammar! Mariah will be back soon too. We're going to get the case over with, and we can have some fun" Lily said, staring at the worried Reno.

"If Lidya's murder could be found soon, we wouldn't be able to have any more fun. We'll get this over with. There are no more gatherings that invite this catastrophe" said Ammar.

"We've been planning this event for years, Bang. Due to Lidya's murder, we have to cancel this event? We entrust this investigation to the police and we will support one hundred percent. However, we will keep this activity, sir!" firmly Lily.

"We'll see what the case is like. Do not let, this reunion activity is the beginning of a catastrophe. You don't know anything about this castle. You never thought that this castle was a foreign place that you never imagined before" Reno said.

"Didn't this place ever be the scene of the massacre of writers some time ago?" chirps Maya Larasati.

"Yes, you're right Maya. The news went viral for several weeks in the media. There are so many horrible things in this castle that you can't imagine. Do not let this repeat itself to us" continued Ammar.

"You mean it's like De Javu?" ask Edwin suddenly.

"I can't deduce anything, but I smell the scent of darkness in this castle. I can feel something is not good here. We all need to be vigilant. A close friend can be the source of your death!" said Ammar again.

"Bang Ammar made us afraid" Lily murmured.

"I want to go home!" scream Nadine suddenly.

The young lady's parasites paled, and looked depressed. He looked down and cried, starting to cry hysterically.

"Fuck this crazy reunion! I don't feel any benefit from this ridiculous activity. You guys just came here to take your lives? You want to be slaughtered one by one here? Go home! I'm going home!"

"Please that crazy wife of yours, Ryan! You should never have taken him to this place!"

Rosita started to get emotional. Ryan could only be silent, then tried to hug the wife who was in a depressed state. The newly married couple did look the most depressed among them all, in contrast to Jeremy and Stella who looked very calm, as if nothing had happened. Even in times like these, Stella can still chew gum casually.

"All of you calm down! No one can leave this place. Okay well? We'll catch the culprit soon!" ammar firmly.

***

Note:

Sorry for the late ups lately, because the author is homecoming, so in addition to the busy activities, the signal is sometimes unfriendly. However, the author will keep trying as much as possible. Thanks for the support.