Murder In The Old Castle
LXXX'S CHAT. The Trip to The Castle
The car that Reno and Dimas were riding down the winding road that cut through the hills. Along the way they saw only a vast expanse of tea gardens, no houses or signs of life. In some parts, it looks a gaping chasm deep enough, with a dense grove of trees.
“It looks like we're heading for another world. The world is very far from civilization,” said Dimas while enjoying the rest of the wet cake in plastic wrap.
“A remote place like this is the perfect place for someone to commit a crime, hide evidence, or hide a crime victim. Just try to imagine! When someone is killed around this place, then the body is put in a sack, and thrown into the ravine there, who will know?” Reno speculated.
“True. But there is an exception ...”
“What is it?”
“If there were an eyewitness to a crime, it would be easy to track. Even if there is a victim thrown into the ravine there, but if there are witnesses with whom the last victim met, it will certainly be another story,” refuted Dimas.
Reno just smiled a little.
“Yes. That's kind of awful. And of course weird. Do you think there was a crime inside the castle? I smell a foul scent from there. Some kind of evil stuff that's been stockpiled for years. I yesterday checked the old archives, and found out that Anggara Laksono may be responsible for the disappearance of some writers in the past, and the disappearance of the famous writer Madeline Rahma. The author who wrote the biography Anggara Laksono, then disappeared when the book was published,” Reno said.
“Sounding terrible. Why then is the case not continuing? Is there not a single police officer who is interested in dismantling the case? ”
“Entahlah. The police don't have enough evidence to arrest Anggara. But after I thought deeply, that's not the main cause.”
“Then what?”
“Laksono members is a rich-rich ba*fish that is influential in all circles. In the past, Anggara had a close relationship with the police. Plus a lot of corrupt cops back then. Of course, with some money can silence closed Anggara cases for years,” Reno explained.
“Gosh! How do you know all that, Reno? I never knew that the reputation of our police in the past was so bad,” said Dimas astonished.
“Riset. I did a little research on the data I collected from the internet over the last twenty years, and looked at the photos that were circulating. In one of the photos, Anggara Laksono once held a big party at one of the luxury hotels, and invited all the police members to party. What do you think is the tendency behind all that?”
“Excellent!”
“Well, from the data I got that I concluded that there is a big secret Anggara hidden in his little kingdom. An old castle far from civilization. Do not be surprised maybe there later we will find something surprising,” said Reno.
“What if the old man bribes us with money or maybe blocks this investigation?”
“Tak problems. I'm not a good cop, but I'm not corrupt. I take no bribe, no matter what is offered to me. I will finish this case to completion,” Reno added.
“Good! I support you!”
“And one more fact!”
“What is it?”
“Yesterday when I opened the archive about our role model detective, Ammar Marutami, I discovered the shocking fact that Ammar's wife was the niece of Anggara Laksono.”
“What...Are you fu*king serious?”
“Yes. Very seriously Dim. We'll soon be in this vortex. Prepare yourself well. Because maybe what we are dealing with is not just anyone!”
Dimas was silent, still dissolving in his astonishment. There are so many secrets that he does not know. This is a new experience in the history of his career. He can't wait for an opportunity to dismantle the intrigue-filled high-class crime.
***
Ben didn't feel like he was in the room all day. After breakfast, he came out of the room to look around. The atmosphere of the castle looks quiet and a little gripping. He ventured to walk through the backyard. His eyes were fixed on the former ruins of the burning warehouse. The remnants of wood that became charcoal and burnt items were still scattered. He was surprised, this fire seemed to have occurred in a short time. He could still smell the charcoal that had just burned. He picked up a charred iron pipe, guessing what happened in this place.
“This building was once a warehouse ...”
“Oh, sorry Sir. I was just looking around. Doesn't mean anything,” said Ben hesitated.
“Tak what. I just regret you being in this place. You should be in a private room in town listening to your favorite K-pop or band. Trust me, this is not a good place for you.” Michael explained as he looked at Ben with pity.
“What ... what exactly happened here?” ask Ben.
“I'm sure you don't want to know. It's too complicated to tell and it might upset your mind. My advice, whatever happens, stay in your room, if you need to lock the door. The beauty of this place is a mere falsity. Behind this is all the darkness that envelops,” said Michael.
“But this makes me curious. Does this have anything to do with the log cabin inside that forest?”
“Cottage in the forest? What are you talking about?” michael asked with a frown.
“You don't know?”
Michael shook his head, then said,”Tell me, son! What you found in the forest!”
Ben took a breath. He told me what he had seen in the woods. An old log cabin, with a crate containing a human skeleton, as well as an opaque identity bearing the name MAD.
“Mad? Mad ... Mad. This name seems familiar. Mad ...” Michael tried to remember.
“Entahlah. It might not mean anything. Forgetit. Maybe I was wrong. Perhaps the human skeleton was the skeleton of a suicidal person or a madman. Sorry for telling you,” Ben said.
“I'm curious now. Looks like I have to see myself there,” Michael said.
“Do not!”
“Why?”
“Oh, I mean .. sorry. I had no intention of getting in the way, but the atmosphere in the cottage was gripping in my opinion. He's pretty much hidden behind trees and shrubs. I don't think it's a good idea to go to that place. That's why I moved to this castle for that reason too,” Ben said.
“You don't understand, Son. The castle is just as scary. But fine. I'll delay my departure there, even though I'm very curious about the MAD name you mentioned earlier. Maybe after this I will try to find more info about this.”
“Sorry. I want to ask you something ...”
“What do you want to ask?”
“Are you a cop?”
Michael smiled while shaking.
“Do you think?”
“I don't know. Because I heard there's a cop in this castle too. But right now I only find writers.”
“Gosh! I am an unknown writer. I'm Michael Artenton, detective novel writer, but not a cop. You are right, there is a police officer, but he is currently injured in the leg until he has to rest.”
“Thank you for the information,” said Ben hesitated.
“No problem!”
Michael leaves Ben agitated. He looked around. This old building holds a gripping mystery. Maybe the author is right, at this time he should not be in this place.
***