Murder In The Old Castle
V. Knives
What is meant by a lounge is a spacious room with a European accent, complete with a fireplace. A set of classic patterned sofas are in the middle of the room, next to a mini bar that is so luxurious. Abstract paintings hang on the walls, side by side with ornaments collected from different parts of the world.
Tiara found the room still quiet when she met. Aldo Riyanda was sitting comfortably on the couch eating a magazine quietly, unaware of Tiara's presence.
“Against waiting?” greet Tiara.
“Tiara? Oh yea. They said after lunch,” Aldo Riyanda closed the magazine.
“What do you read?” ask Tiara.
“National Geographic. Exploring the amazing culture of ancient Egypt, and dismantling the tombs of Pharaohs in the pyramid,” said Aldo Riyanda.
“I don't really like history. My historical value is bad. Let alone ancient Egypt, the history of this country is much that I do not understand,” said Tiara.
“Learning history is very interesting. Events in the past will be a reflection of many events in the present. It will even feel like a kind of deja vu. Humans need to study history, in order to learn,” explained Aldo Riyanda.
In Tiara's heart, he greatly admired this young man. His insights are so broad. Tiara feels like a drop of water in the ocean. The eyes of Aldo Riyanda imply that he is an intelligent figure.
Before long, the other writers began to arrive at the lounge. As agreed, they will gather to conduct an initial investigation into the killing of Anggara Laksono on his birthday. All gathered, taking seats scattered throughout the room. Even Rania who also appeared to be present.
Rania, who had previously looked in shock at losing her master, this afternoon she appeared fresher with a flowery blouse and black A-line skirt. His smile grew, although it still left a bit of pain in the heart.
“Ada are not present?” ask Michael Smith.
He was the only one standing in the room. His eyes swept around, staring one by one at each of those present.
“Good, I thought everyone was present. Each one please tell me what you did all night until morning. Remember to tell honestly! I can smell your lies,”
Michael Smith took his place in the high chair of the mini-bar, then prepared a small book to record things that if important. At first glance, no one thought that he was a novelist. It looks like a professional detective.
“Start from whom?” ask Aldo Riyanda.
“Ladies first maybe ..” says Hans Christopher.
Everyone looked at each other, waiting for each other to make a sound.
“Good. I'm headfirst. After dinner, I went straight to my room and went to bed. There's nothing I've done. Nor did I hear anything mysterious that night,” said Maira Susanti.
“You sure that's all you do?” hans' gaze suddenly pierced Maira Susanti. The young lady was a little nervous looking at his gaze.
“Iya. Nothing else,” replied Maira Susanti again.
“You forgot something important, Maira,” Hans Christopher smiled meaningfully.
“I don't know what you mean, Hans!”
“Alright, I'll be clear. That night I couldn't sleep either, and I decided to find a friend to talk to. I was confused as to who I was taking. So I decided to chat with Tiara Laksmi. Is that right, Tiara?” the vampire face turned its gaze towards Tiara.
Unprepared beforehand, Tiara was a little surprised her name was called.
“Eh, yes. Hans had a chat with me in the room,” Tiara replied hesitantly.
“You sure you only chat?” search Maira Susanti.
Tiara nodded quickly.
“OK. We just chatted for a minute. Then I decided to go out and visit Maira's room. You remember that, Maira?” hans' gaze turned toward Maira.
“Hmm. Yes of course I remember,” Maira replied timidly.
“And you remember when you lay naked beside me?” hans said piercing.
Instantly, everyone in the room held their breath. Maira Susanti's face paled in disgrace in front of the other writers. He just fell silent. His mouth was tightly locked, without a word spoken.
“Enough!” cut Michael Smith. He added,” We are not talking about someone's privacy. Whoever you slept with that night was your business, Hans!”
“OK. I just relayed my alibi kok,” Hans smiled in satisfaction.
Tiara held her breath. She was grateful, Hans didn't touch her that night. He might be stripped naked in this room.
“Next?” ask Michael Smith.
“Karina? Didn't we meet in the kitchen that night?” ask Michael.
“Iya. Actually I was really thirsty that night, because it was a little hot in my room. So I went to the kitchen to get a cold drink. But I didn't hear anything suspicious. I think, all have slept because they are tired,” explained Karina.
“Then what did you do that night, Michael?” ask Cornellio.
“That night I couldn't sleep. Believe it or not, I hear screams. I thought it was an animal voice, but only then did I realize it was a voice that screamed in pain. Curiosity, makes me want to leave the room, and once in the kitchen I meet Karina,”, said Michael.
“But I didn't hear any sound that night!” karina.
“One more thing you need to know, that stuck in the chest of Mr. Anggara is not a dagger, but an ordinary kitchen knife. Someone had slipped into the kitchen and picked up a knife to finish off the poor old man,”.
Everyone was still silent, hearing Michael's explanation. The afternoon feels a little sultry. Michael's explanation changed the atmosphere to a bit tense. Each of those writers dissolved in his own mind.
“Then just scribble my name from the list of killers, even the location of the kitchen I do not know!” aldo Riyanda.
“So morning, Helen came to me. He reported that not only one kitchen knife was missing. But a set of knives! That means, the knife was still kept by the killer somewhere. Mind if I check your rooms one by one?” ask Michael again.
“You can rummage through my room whenever you want,” seductive Maira Susanti while biting her lower lip.
No one cares.
“OK. Anyone else want to convey his alibi?” haggard Michael.
“Honestly, I was that night walking to the front garden,” Cornellio Syam later said.
“What are you doing there?” search Michael.
“I got bored of being in the room, then I decided to look for the wind in the park. So quiet. Actually, I also heard that scream in the morning. But I didn't care at all, because I thought it was a hallucination,” Cornellio said.
“There again? Adrianna's? Aldo?”
The two writers who were asked shook their heads.
“I quickly slept that night,” replied Adrianna quickly.
“I too!” connect Aldo.
“OK, we start the room slashing from the top room!”
Everyone agrees with that decision. To maintain neutrality, they check the room together, so that there is no chance of the owner of the room hiding something.
They looked from room to room. Every gap and cupboard they check one by one, even the suitcase is also dismantled. But from some rooms they still have not found any suspicious items.
In order to walk quickly, they split into two groups. The first groups were Aldo, Tiara, Cornellio, and Karina. The second group was led by Michael, Hans, Maira and Adrianna.
“It looks like the killer is smart. It is impossible to hide the knife in the room!” said Aldo. They're checking Hans's room. Just like other rooms, this room decoration also feels old-fashioned and creepy.
“Nothing is suspicious here, except this..,” Cornellio suddenly put three magazines with pictures of naked women on the mattress.
“Magazine porn?” ask Aldo.
“Who would have thought that vampire-faced man with a brain was so perverted!” gelak Cornellio's.
“I guess she'll be happy to read your novel,” Karina said as she glanced at Tiara.
Tiara was silent. Right now there was nothing stored in his mind. He just followed the process of the abuse with misgivings.
Suddenly, Michael bursts into Hans's room, carrying a set of kitchen knives he has been looking for.
“Me!” said Michael. He lifted some kitchen knives that had been put in a clear plastic container.
“Where?” ask Aldo.
“In room Tiara Laksmi!”
***