Murder In The Old Castle
349. Morning Coffee

Mariah's reprimanded voice made the figure who had just entered the kitchen startled, then she turned to look towards the source of the voice. He seemed to be misbehaving, because he did not think that there was anyone else there.he thought everyone was already in bed in the early hours like this. Especially now that it feels very cold biting, it will certainly make sleep more soundly. The figure stopped his steps, pretending to be ordinary.

"Ma-Mariah? You-you haven't slept?" ask that figure.

"Not yet asleep, but I woke up. I'm looking for Ammar, but I think he's on guard around here. Then why are you so early this morning behind there?" ask Mariah suspiciously.

"I .. I, uh, I was feeling very stuffy in my room, so I walked for a little wind. It turns out that at dawn outside it is very cool. Different as the air in the room" said the figure with a smile.

Mariah simply replied with a small smile on the tip of her lips. He did not want to believe just the words of that figure. It was clear from the movements and gestures of his body was hidden. Mariah had also seen earlier, if this figure was like restless waiting for someone out there.

"I think you better get back to the room. You know that conditions are not safe at the moment. Someone just saw a mysterious figure wandering around here, and luckily you didn't see him in person" Mariah suggested.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Mariah. I'll be right back in the room. I don't want to leave my wife in the room alone. You're right, the situation is too dangerous now" said the figure.

Mariah nodded. He knew that the figure of the man he met looked flushed, as if stripped naked by Mariah for enduring embarrassment. He was still misbehaving, with unfocused eye movements. Mariah actually felt anxious to see it. Until in the end, he decided to directly tell the truth to the ptia, without further ado.

"I know who you're waiting for outside, Ryan. Sorry, I'm not interfering with your personal affairs, but you have to stop this. I can't bear to see your wife betray you like this. Nadine is my best friend. Now the condition is not good in the room, but you just leave it quietly," said Mariah without further ado.

The figure that turned out to be Ryan was instantly speechless, unable to say anything more. Mariah's words that were as if they were arrows instantly tore her sanity apart. Everything Mariah said was true, but she was unable to defend herself or evade. He was silent for the sick who were waiting for the trial. She wondered, how did Mariah know about what she was doing outside? Or does he have an inner eye capable of reading one's mind?

"I'm sorry, Mariah," Ryan murmured.

"I should be sorry, Ryan. I can't interfere in your personal affairs. I love Nadine but all the decisions come back to you. You can't have this pretend relationship forever. I'm sure, maybe Nadine knows, but she chose to be patient and quiet. I didn't even talk to him about this myself, really. Even though I know, I don't want to leak this to Nadine" Mariah said.

Ryan was still standing there, not knowing what to say. It seemed like a lot was filling his mind, but he was at a loss as to how to reveal. This made Ryan uncomfortable. Actually, Mariah felt pity, then he invited Ryan to sit in a high chair facing the kitchen table.

"Purpose you for coffee, and you can tell me that you have a problem with Nadine. Who knows if I can help you. You guys are okay, right?" ask Mariah while making coffee for Ryan.

Ryan was still agitated. He glanced out of the kitchen, then sighed. Something filled his mind, so he couldn't focus. Before long, Mariah sat down in front of Ryan, thrusting the man a cup of hot coffee.

"Ryan's? You're listening to me, aren't you?" ask Mariah again.

"Oh, yes Mariah. Of course I'm listening to you," replied Ryan quickly.

"So how? Are you and Nadine okay?"

"Yes, Mariah. We're doing just fine. I love Nadine very much. There's no way I'm just gonna leave him alone" Ryan said softly.

"Then why are you still seeing Maya?"

The deg!

Ryan's heart was pounding, not expecting Mariah to ask him directly like that, without any further ado. He almost choked while drinking his coffee. A moment later, he tried to catch his breath, before explaining to Mariah.

"I'm .. I was wrong and meant to end it" Ryan murmured.

Mariah just nodded, but slightly doubted Ryan's words. He himself was also confused, why it was as if many problems overlapped at the same time in this castle. At a time when they should focus on how to avoid the threat of murder, personal problems arise that are quite disturbing.

Mariah lost her sleepiness instantly. In the meantime, he was about to go back to the room, to get back to rest, but the caffeine from the coffee he drank began to work. Ryan still looked agitated, as if he had lost all the words he was about to say. Mariah feels Ryan hasn't been completely honest, there's still something she's hiding. The two of them were silent for a while.

"Ka-kalian .... "

Suddenly a female voice appeared in the kitchen. Ryan and Mariah simultaneously turned their heads toward the source of the voice. Nadine, who was still wearing a sleeping kimono, stood near the entrance. His round eyes stared at Ryan, as if asking for an explanation. Mariah responded immediately, she did not want Nadine to misunderstand this incident. He stood up immediately.

"So Ryan felt cold in the room and into the kitchen to make coffee. But unfortunately he had trouble finding coffee grounds. I was also accidentally in the kitchen, so I just made it. Sorry, Nadine, don't worry, we didn't do anything. So unfortunately Ryan is with you, he doesn't want to wake you up. Uh, did you wake up this early?" mariah said while trying to smile.

Nadine just nodded. He didn't seem to want to say anything this morning. Ryan also responded immediately to the situation. He stood up from his seat, hugged his wife and took her away from the kitchen, leaving Mariah alone.

***

Morning greeted the castle and its surroundings. The gripping night had passed, replaced by a bright morning atmosphere, with birds chirping in the trees. The sun is still not visible, still getting ready in the eastern horizon. Its reddish light dyed the sky. Dew still sticks to the foliage, while the weather is a little foggy. Oxygen-rich morning air like this makes the body feel fresh, very suitable for walking or calming the mind.

Rosita was already awake, getting ready in the side yard wearing sports clothes. She was waiting for her husband to get ready. The plan today was to take a morning walk around the castle. Saturation began to hit, especially stressful events still occur. Rosita was about to forget for a moment by enjoying the morning atmosphere around the castle.

"Where are you going, Ros?"

Suddenly appeared Lily who had just woke up that morning. He apparently wants to also enjoy the morning air that feels different today. The thick fog still enveloped the plantation, and also he felt the oxygen content in the air was abundant. Lily was still wearing her nightgown, wrapped in a jacket. He squirmed his body to the right and left, throwing away all the fatigue that was afflicting his body.

"I'd like to take a walk around here for a while with Edwin" Rosita said.

"A walk around here? Did you get permission from Mr Reno or Bang Ammar?" ask Lily.

"Around here anyway, not far into the forest or waterfalls. After all, it only runs along roads and open spaces. I know that walking in a quiet place is dangerous. I'm not going alone anyway. I'm going with Edwin, so I think it's safe" Rosita said.

Before long, Edwin was also ready with a casual t-shirt and training pants. He was wearing a hat, making him look more handsome. Lily took off the couple's departure with a bland smile. Sometimes he feels a bit envious when there is a partner who looks happy in front of him. He can only hope.

After she changes her nightgown, Lily intends to go to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Mariah gave her cooking shift, after Maya was on duty yesterday. Lily accepted the task without much protest and asked. Although his cooking skills are not very great, he will try to do his best.

Mariah has ordered the location of the food that must be cooked this morning. Food supplies were dwindling, so this morning Mariah had to go to the city to shop, because the supply of groceries that had originally come from Ramdhan, had a delay.

"Can I come with you?" nadine asked Mariah.

"I can't, Nadine. But Bang Ammar gave orders to all the inhabitants not to leave the castle for the time being. Sorry yes," refused Mariah.

"There's something I want to talk to you about" Nadine murmured.

"Yes, a little."

"Later after I come home from Nadine city, I plan to have another meeting after this. We have to act immediately, because last night the figure appeared again he had time to chase after Lily. We have to be vigilant in anticipation of this" Mariah said.

"Yes, fine. It'll be tonight, Mariah!"

After finishing everything in the kitchen, Mariah went to the room to get ready. In the room, Ammar was waiting. He informed us that there had been an early morning murder earlier today. The unfortunate thing has happened to Aditya. Mariah looked tensely anxious to hear all that. Fear was getting into his soul. Really, he felt very guilty about this incident, but on the other hand he was also confused, because he did not know what to do. It's as if the killer is playing with a cat.

"This morning you must go to the city. After finishing shopping, as usual, inform the police to pick up Aditya's body. See Dimas about the development of this case. The castle is in a state of emergency. We no longer know which is the friend and which is the opponent. All gray, I want to get important information about what Dimas brings about," said Ammar.

Mariah just nodded. I don't know why he feels unsettled. Before leaving for the city, he made sure that the car was in good condition. He felt that what happened to Ramdhan was a valuable lesson. He checks all the functions of the car, be it the brakes and engine, ensured in good condition.

After everything was done, he drove the vehicle to the city. The main purpose of today is the supermarket, to shop for food needs and others. He will also visit a police cantote to inform him of Aditya's murder. Actually, there was one more place he wanted to visit. He hoped, getting answers to this prolonged puzzle.

***

Juned today still had to go inside the basement back, to make sure that all was well. While remembering the sequence number of the room used to place Aditya's body, he went down the hallway while directing the flashlight to all directions. In order to relieve his craving, he tried whistling. This hallway is always spooky and haunted, no wonder anyone is reluctant to enter it. However, due to the task, Juned had to enter.

But just a few steps he walked down the hall, suddenly a voice called out.

"June! Waitaminute! I'm coming!"

Juned turned away, finding Jeremy half-struck running towards him. Juned was surprised, from where Jeremy knew that he was going to the hallway, even though Reno had kept this incident a secret so as not to cause panic. Juned tried to calm down to see Jeremy coming.

"How is Aditya doing? With you guys finding them?" ask Jeremy.

"Who did you hear from?" ask Juned.

"I know it's a secret. Last morning upon waking up, I accidentally stole a hearing between Mr. Reno and Mr. Ammar. They were whispering about Aditya's discovery underground. But I didn't hear it too much. That's why I followed you, it turns out you came in here. I just want to make sure Aditya's condition. Yesterday he accompanied me into the basement. I hope it's okay" said Jeremy.

Juned meggeleng weakly, while staring blankly ahead. He wanted to tell the truth, but he stopped. It is better for Jeremy to see Aditya's condition which is now lifeless in a room. He did not answer Jeremy's question, while continuing his steps down the hall.

"Where are we?" ask Jeremy.

"We're going to Adit's place" Juned replied.

"Where is he?" ask Jeremy again.

Juned did not answer Jeremy's question as he continued to move on. Arriving at the intersection of the passageway, Juned suddenly felt a little confused. It was a bit forgotten, the order number of what rooms were occupied by Aditya's body.

"What number is it?" mumbled Juned.

"What number?" ask Jeremy again.

"Eight or seven?"

"What number is it?"

Duk ... duk ...muk!

Not to mention they reached the room where Aditya's body, suddenly heard the sound of the wall being hit. The voice did not seem far away, but they were not sure. Jeremy almost jumped to hear that voice. He had a good hearing, to better convince her.

"There are people banging on the wall .... "

Jeremy whispered while looking towards Juned. The policeman did not seem too interested in the voice, because he often heard strange noises in the hallway. Let alone the sound of people hitting the wall, even sometimes the sound of clapping hands or laughing he had heard. He did not take Jeremy's words seriously.

"By number seven!" juned said loudly.

He hurried to room number seven from the corner of the hallway, where Aditya's body was kept. The curious Jeremy immediately followed Juned's steps. He did not want to miss, because the hallway he passed was completely foreign. He had never passed through this hall before. He did not want to get lost in this hallway alone, let alone there were mysterious strange sounds in that place.

Once in the cubicle, Juned opens the door, and shows Jeremy, Aditya's true condition.

"You saw Adit's condition, Jer!"

***