Murder In The Old Castle
LXV. Interview with Hermina
The old woman turned her body around, looking at the two detectives sharply. He looks old, but the firm image is still on his face. Reno Atmaja and Dimas sat waiting for the old woman to turn the wheelchair over to them. After a while, the woman named Mother Hermina began to make a sound.
“I know what you want to ask,” said Ms. Hermina.
“Where did mom know?” ask Reno.
“Before no police visited this place. But after the author's murder, I'm sure there will be police here. The author once lived in this home. Is my guess correct?” ask Mother Hermina.
“You're right. We are here to ask about the background of the writer who died,” Reno said.
“She has indeed lived in this orphanage, both with her twin brother. For two years living together, playing together, until one day the woman came.” Mother Hermina's words stopped.
“Mother Farida?” guess Dimas.
“Yes, Farida Yunitasari. The woman came to me with teary eyes, begging to adopt the twins, because she said that she fell in love with them at first sight. After completing the requirements, we finally released the twins to her,”, said Ms. Hermina.
“Yes, for the next story we've heard for ourselves from Ms. Farida. What we want to ask next is where did the twins come from?” ask Reno.
“That's a rather long story. That night, drizzling in March, I still remember. It was late when a car driven by a man knocked on my room. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a man carrying two babies in a sling. He just handed over, without saying a word, while handing over a sum of money that was quite large at that time,” recalled Mother Hermina.
“You know the identity of the man who gave the two babies?” ask Reno.
“I didn't know him at first. He himself was quite closed to me, reluctant to tell me about his background. But I saw him in his car, a woman with a gloomy face and crying. Maybe his wife or who. It was only years later that I realized one thing..”.
“What is it, Mom?”
“One time when I was watching television, in a show was seen the face of a wealthy conglomerate named Anggara Laksono. It was then that I realized that it was the rich man who came to me one night in March that.”
“Who is Anggara Laksono? Isn't he quite famous, Dimas?” reno asked, looking towards Dimas.
“Yes, appeared on television several times. In fact, he had launched a biography written by Madeline Rahma, the author who was reported missing and has not been found until now,” said Dimas.
“Hmm. This is really interesting. Do you know where Anggara Laksono lives? I don't think he lives in Jakarta,” guess Reno.
“No. Anggara Laksono is rumored to have a luxury castle far from the capital. Precisely in a castle in the tea garden area away from the capital. I don't know. I don't understand this myself. Later we find out the address of Anggara Laksono ,” Dimas explained.
“Good. Now let's trace the whereabouts of this rich man. Maybe he has more complete info about the twins,” said Reno.
“You want to go to Anggara Laksono's residence?” ask Mother Hermina.
“Iya Mom, we want to make sure about the twins. Who knows if he had contact with his twins. We should try everything possible to unravel this tangled thread.” Dimas.
“Then take care of yourself. Have you never heard of many writers disappearing since coming to Anggara Laksono's residence?” ask Hermina's mother again.
“Writer missing? Isn't that an old case?” ask Reno.
“Yes, that is indeed an old case that is not revealed. Police were unable to charge Anggara Laksono for not having strong evidence. Now the death of a writer is repeated, and related to Anggara Laksono. Looks like we do have to track down the rich man again,” Dimas suggested.
“Iya, Dimas. Let's break this tangled thread. We have a lot to finish.”
After making small talk, the two detectives implored themselves. Hermina's mother let go of them with a blank look, from behind the window. Diana Siregar returned to meet them, walking along the corridor towards the exit.
“Do you guys get the important information you want?” ask Diana.
“That's my contact number. If there is anything, you can contact me anytime.”
Diana Siregar gave Reno Atmaja a business card.
“Good. Thank you, Diana” Dimas said with a smile. They left the home, ready to uncover the next mystery.
***
Tiara Laksmi was polishing lipstick on her red lips, then smiling in front of the mirror. He looked at himself with pride. Adrianna looked at him from behind.
“Do you think Maira is prettier than me?” tiara asked as she turned towards Adrianna.
“You are much more attractive than that cheap lady, Tiara. Believe this. At least you don't care how many men you sleep with. Because it is a privacy thing that does not need to be boasted,” said Adrianna.
“Hmm. I saw the castle was deserted today. Four people went to the waterfall, and another to the city for medical shopping. Ammar was still sick in his room, and Michael went nowhere. Do you have a plan so that today does not feel boring?” ask Tiara.
“I don't know what to do. The castle is getting unsafe. It was still in my mind when Cornellio was held captive in that basement. How horrible!” adrianna.
“The basement traumatized me. Actually I don't want to go there anymore. But, it's really curious. Mumpung they do not exist, I want to see the contents of the dark spaces,” said Tiara.
“Jeez, don't look for your illness, Tiara! No one guarantees the basement is completely safe,” Adrianna said.
“I think the killer is out now. I can feel that feeling,” Tiara said.
A while later, Tiara's curiosity was unstoppable. He's getting ready to go down the basement. They were both ready on the basement window.
“You want to come?” ask Tiara.
“No I waited for you here only. If there is anything, you just scream.”
Tiara smiled. He entered the cellar slowly, confidently. Adrianna waited above, looking up at the window. He was worried that something bad would happen to Tiara. Tiara's figure disappeared in the darkness. Adrianna's getting restless.
“You okay, Tiara?” peekkik Adrianna's.
“I'm fine, Adrianna!”
A few days later, the atmosphere was still. Adrianna no longer heard Tiara's voice, nor was her figure invisible. Adrianna was overcome with anxiety.
“Aaaahh!”
Blaayam!
Suddenly from inside the basement came the sound of a woman's scream, and a slammed steel door. Adrianna's heart was racing.
“Tiara, are you okay?” peekk Adrianna from the window.
“Adrianna, help me!”
***