Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTERS 15. SEEK TRUTH

His conversation with the detective made him uneasy. He knows if the police are hiding certain facts, they may know something or have evidence about the killer. Was it? she's she? Have they found anything that could point to the killer?

Maybe his contacts in the capital newspaper knew someone who worked in the criminal section. He decided to call his old boss, Rangga Abhimanyu.

"I have a cousin in the lab" he said, after Jilena explained the situation.

"Will he talk to me?"

"depends. I'm sure he won't break the law or risk losing his job.”

“Hey, I was just trying to figure out who that woman was, and more precisely, when she was killed. If he can give me an estimate of age, height, race — you know, that kind of thing.”

"Maybe he'll do it if you can guarantee his anonymity."

"alright. You know me, I will never divulge my source.”

“If he wants, I'll ask him to call you. The same number?" ask Rangga.

"Yes. Thanks for the help."

Jilena downloaded the photos from her camera onto her computer and stared at her laptop screen. He looked at the photos one by one, looking for the best photos to use on the front page of the newspaper. He managed to take several photos, from different angles, before detectives stopped him.

From the photos, he could see that there was a bit of shabby cloth still left on the body, and some brass buttons were lying in the pelvic cavity, near the waist, and some were left behind, looks like they may be from blue jeans or shorts. In one of the photos, he noticed a silver chain-like object around the neck area with something oval hanging, looking like a pendant necklace. He looked at the photo carefully.

Taking a photo next to his body— noticed and tried to guess, maybe a button? Or is it earrings? He opened the image in his Photoshop software and zoomed in. Still, he didn't know what it was, it was too blurry. He sharpens the image, adds contrast and reduces the size. It's square with some kind of design on it—but what is it? Cousin Rangga hasn't called her yet. More details would add to the story's material, but he had no way of contacting the woman himself. All he could do was wait and hope he called.

As the afternoon turns night, time runs out and he has to put his story in. The Lembayung Post is not a big city newspaper. The printing staff did not work all night in the town of Lembayung, unlike they did in the capital. Jilena had to pick a photo and finish her story for the night. Most images show the investigator's hand or shoulder, or any other body part, interfering with the shot, so he chooses the cleanest and most eye-catching photo, and sends it to his editor, along with the story. He dialed Keenan Hadinata's number and he answered her call on the first ring.

“Keenan, this is Jilena. Material of my story I've sent you.”

"alright. I'll put it in the morning paper. I'll make the news on the front page."

“I also sent some photos. I'm hoping you can use it. ”

"That's even better."

“I'm sure I'll get more stories about this murder. I just need more time to uncover it. I will keep updating.”

“I know by having a reporter who once worked in a big city, it will benefit this city."

"Thank you, Keenan."

“Not much is happening here, so when something like this comes up, our readers will be surprised. They will keep following the news. When will you get the next detail? Could soon?"

“I can't say it, but I'll keep telling you. This is a murder investigation and the police are silent about the details, but I will continue to dig and follow wherever it leads.” the voice of Jilena vibrates because of the excitement — it feels happy to be back again active as a reporter, there is always a challenge in his job.

“That sounds fantastic, Jilena. But don't forget—“

“Forget what?”

"I still need you to cover weddings and social events."

...*******...

Jilena went to her father's study to check out the last file cabinet. After an hour of searching, she closed the closet. There's nothing. One of the drawers on the table caught his attention once again. He looked for the key to his father's keychain, but only the car keys and the house were there. Should he break it? Then he remembered Aunt Goddess giving a warning not to damage the precious antiques.

Can he pick the key? How hard is that? He tried metal nail file, ice breaker, hairpin, other locks—but no one could open that drawer. It looks so easy when he is watching in the movies. He wondered if his friend Jonathan, as a cop, might know someone he could pay to open it. He could call a locksmith, but what if there was something important and secret stored in the drawer? Gossip very quickly spread in that small town at lightning speed, he could not risk it.

Finally Jilena decided, tomorrow she will call Jonathan, but now—when she goes to Aunt Dewi's house to have dinner with the family. He likes that phrase—dinner with the family. He grabbed his bag and jumped onto the Roadster. As he drives towards his tantric house, he wonders if anyone would mind his way of driving this car? It is different from the old Toyota. Riding the Mercedez Roadster was an improvement, and he didn't have to worry about driving that car. Especially for a girl like her, riding a mercedes benz sport that looks cool.

When she arrived at Aunt Dewi's house, Ramira was already there, after—she told an employee to close the shop. Jilena watched on the terrace, there was a toaster, near the pool whose blue water glittered in the distance. After greeting Sarah and her aunt, she steps out through the door with a French design to greet her best friend. “What are you cooking?” Jilena closed the door behind her.

“Hei, Jil.” Ramey wrapped her arms around her shoulder and gave her a quick squeezing kiss. "Fish the salmon."

"Look good."

"I heard you started working at the newspaper today" Ramira said, lifting the Salmon steak with a metal spatula, checking its maturity. "Congratulations. I'm so glad you're staying here. ”

“Remember, only for a while.” Jilena wonders if she should tell Ramira her plans, but thinks she will hold off for a bit.

"I hope long." Ramira smiled broadly. “Maybe you will find something interesting to stay longer here.”

"We'll see." Jilena walks further up the terrace and looks into the tempting pool. “You swim?”

"I? in a suit?"

“Iya wear a suit! Don't you want to swim?”yelled Jilena "You're my best friend, Ramira. Time won't keep you swimming"

"Maybe." Ramira flips the fish on the grill.

Jilena walked back towards Ramira. “Hey, I want to ask you something ... What's wrong with Jonathan Benedictus?”

"What do you mean?"

“How's the story? What happened to him after SMA?”

Ramira smiles. "interestedly? He's handsome"

“No, no. That's not what I mean,” replied Jilena, trying to keep her voice flat and—kasual. “I mean, well, we were friends in high school and then we lost contact after I left. I've met him a few times since I came back and I just want to know.”

"Hm. Wanting to know or wanting to" Ramey looked at Jilena as if he was unsure. "He entered the police academy after completing his studies, then he went to college again in another city. He met a girl there and they got married, had a baby, then his wife left him.”

"What?" That's not what Jilena wants to hear.

“Yes, that's what happened. He brought his little family back here, to this small town and one day he woke up early and his wife had already left him.”

“How about the baby?”

“Oh, he left it here with Jonathan. The boy is about five years old now. ”

"He has a son?" Jilena's hand touched her chest which felt tight remembering something. The baby he gave up for adoption was a baby boy. Suddenly she felt a longing for her baby, which may now be big.

"Yes, Vino, the name of the cute boy, that boy is so adorable" Ramira replied smiling.

"I want to know. Does his face look like his father?” Jilena mutters.

“Yes, pity. Jonathan very nice guy.” Ramira has known Jonathan since childhood. They were born and raised in the town of Lembayung.

"How does he manage the time between work and his son?"ask Jilena again.

“Well, you know his parents still live here. His mother looked after the baby while Jonathan was working. I know Vino will be in kindergarten."

One of the doors with the French model opened and Sarah stepped in with a plate. "What are you talking about?”

"There's nothing special" Jilena said. “Object ordinary.” He beckoned Ramira by winking and walking in the room deep before Sarah could introgate him.