Patricia Chavez
Chapters 15. Betty Friedan's Cemetery

Black clouds hang in the sky, accompanied by raindrops accompanying the funeral of Betty Friedan in the public cemetery complex, Minnesota. The cloud that hangs on Carl's sad face as if it were inhabited by the universe. Her tears broke as Betty's coffin was lowered to her final resting place. Heart's broken. The daughter that he has been caring for, caring for and teaching with love, so that he grows up to be a smart and kind child, must go in a sad way.

"I'm sorry, Layla. I failed to look after our son." Carl's wailing as he gathered in front of the grave of his late wife next to the grave of the late Betty.

Still fresh in Carl's memory, 12 years ago, he stood in the same place to bury his beloved wife's body. Layla has to go for good after a struggle bears the fruits of their love to the world. Carrying the little Betty who was still red, Carl at that time tried hard for the sake of their children who were in his arms. But right now, he had to be tough on himself. Must persevere through lonely days alone. It seemed that there was no longer any reason for him to survive. Carl Friedan is at the lowest point of his life.

"Sir, we're sorry." Abraham and his daughter Ruth said they experienced it after the funeral procession was over and the mourners were gone.

"Thank you, Master" Carl tried to smile.

"If there's something you need, don't hesitate to call me. " Said Abraham later.

"Good Sir. Of course."

"Then, we'll excuse yourself."

"Please Mr." Carl answered briefly. Abraham and Ruth left. Not long after, Carl remembered something that still stuck his heart. "Mr Abraham."

"Yes sir." Abraham halted his steps and turned his back upon hearing Carl call his name.

"Have you received a package from me?"

Abraham was silent for a moment. "Already Sir. The package arrived at our house two days ago."

"Thank God. The morning before the incident, my daughter was very worried about the matter. The last thing he worried about before we parted, was your daughter's book." Abraham turned to his daughter Ruth who was still bowed. Carl then continued his words.

"I don't know what really happened behind the events of that time. But I do believe the person in the surveillance footage is not my son. I know him very well. Because I raised and educated her with my own hands. He's a good, gentle-hearted kid. It is impossible for him to do such a thing. I feel something strange here. Including the last incident that took his life." Carl stared intently at Abraham who looked wrong.

For a while there was no sound between them. Only the sound of wind gusts moving leaves on the branches of trees carrying bone-piercing cold. Rinai the rain started to subside.

Feeling no need to debate that, Abraham decided to end their conversation.

"Mr Carl. Once again we offer our deepest condolences. We deeply regret this incident. I don't know what would happen to me if the same thing happened to me. We hope the police will fully investigate the case, so Ananda Betty can rest in peace. And you can continue life with a peaceful heart." Abraham breathed his breath. "Mr Carl, I'm sorry I can't linger here. For that, we beg you." Abraham bowed to him a little, as a sign of a request for permission to leave the place. "Let's go baby." With Ruth in hand, Abraham passed from the place.

The conversation of the two adults did not escape the observation of two men in black suits. The two men approached Carl, who was visibly still deeply grieving, sitting in front of the graves of two people he loved dearly.

"Good day, Mr. Carl. " One of them said hello first. Carl, who was bowed, spontaneously raised his face.

"Good day." Carl answered briefly.

"I'm Lieutenant Troy Oswald and this is my associate Lieutenant Andre Sayegh. Do you remember, we met in the hospital. Right in front of the IGD."

"Ohh Lieutenant Troy. Of course I still remember you."

"Before, we mourn the passing of your daughter, Betty."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"certain Lieutenant. Can I help you?"

"We accidentally stole your conversation with that guy. If we may know who he is, sir?"

"Oh. That's Mr. Abraham Handler and his daughter, Ruth. My late daughter's classmate."

" Oh so. What exactly happened?"

Carl then recounts the origin of the doom that had befallen Betty and the strangeness she felt towards the event. Lieutenant Sayegh recorded the important things from Carl's narration into a small notebook.

Lieutenant Troy seemed to think for a moment. "Mr Carl, you know your daughter very well. There must be a reason, why did the late Betty strongly reject the allegations made against her? Have you asked the reason for that?"

Carl was downcast to hear the question posed by Lieutenant Troy. "That's the mistake I've made, Lieutenant. I never asked my daughter the reason she refused to take care of the surveillance footage."

"One more strange thing I think, Mr Carl?"

"What is that, Lieutenant? "

"Who exactly had Betty met before the incident? If Betty had done it, of course she knew who it was and what were they talking about? Does it have anything to do with Ruth's book loss or not? "

"You're right, lieutenant. Why don't I ask Betty directly. Why don't I find out the truth about the surveillance footage first?" Lirih.

"Mr Carl, did you have any CCTV footage of Ruth's disappearance? "

"No Lieutenant. I think maybe right now the tape's still on Mr. Robert, my daughter's homeroom teacher."

"Then I'll try to ask him."

"Oh yes Lieutenant. Is my daughter's autopsy results out? "

"It's Master."

"Then, has there been any progress from the investigation that the police have conducted? "

"Mr Carl, it is very difficult to prove the true cause of the victim's fall from the second floor based only on the results of the autopsy and the investigation of indirect evidence. For this we ask for your patience. We will continue to investigate. So we can find out the exact cause of your daughter's death. Once there's a meaningful development, we'll definitely report it to you."

"All right Lieutenant. I'll wait for the good news from the police. I hope it's not too long."

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