Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 35. INVESTIGATING EVIDENCE OF TRANSFER

"Look at what the cat was carrying," joked Sarah as Jilena joined her and—Ramira in her tantric kitchen.

"Sarah, be nice," Aunt Dewi reprimanded, following behind Jilena.

"Hi, here," said Ramira as she inspected the dishes in the oven. "What do you want to drink?"

“She can come early and help,” murmured Sarah as she came back noisily cutting fruit on the table.

Aunt Goddess wrapped her arms around Jilena's waist and kissed her on the cheek. “We're glad you're here with us, baby.”

"Thank you." Jilena smiled at her aunt before turning her attention to Ramira. "I want iced tea, but I can make it myself."

“Why don't you make drinks for us too?” Ramira suggests, removing the lagsana from the oven. “Plate and glass are already on the table.”

Jilena went to a very large stainless steel fridge and picked up a pot of iced tea and orange juice. “Did you check all the details of that bank last night?”

"Most of all," Ramira answered, cutting off the lagsana. "Surprisingly, all have a transfer amount of twenty-five million, at the beginning of the month of each month.”

Sarah brought a plate of fruits to the table. “We can do everything, Jilena, if you want to come and help.”

"You're right. I should have come.” Jilena put the teapot on the table. "I'm sorry, Sarah.”

Sarah's gaze met with Jilena, as if she was surprised by her sister's apology.

The silence between them, the discomfort between the two girls was visible. The tense atmosphere was broken by Ramira who next asked.

"So how do we know where the payment came from?"

Twenty-five million are transferred each month. Where did the money come from? From Who? That's a very good question. Jilena turned to Ramira. “I'll call Detective Wira, he should know what we've found and see what he can do. The police have the resources to find such information. The thing is, whether or not they will share with me is another story."

"Can't Jonathan help?" ask Ramira.

Jilena took a piece of melon from the plate and put in her mouth. "Maybe. Did I tell you that she took the test for the detective position?”

"Hmm," interrupted Aunt Goddess, "Detective Jonathan Benedictus.I like to hear that name.”

Jilena smiled. "What a great name." The conversation during the meal went better than before. Perhaps Jilena's simple apology has softened Sarah's attitude towards her, at least for the short term.

"I can't go on for long" Jilena said after the meal ran out. “I need to contact Detective Wira and tell me about bank deposits. I hope he will cooperate with us. You don't mind delivering this to them, do you, Ramira?”

“All in my car. The box is quite heavy. Let me go and help you."

Jilena says goodbye and follows Ramira to her car. Ramira took the box out of his car. “Sarah doesn't seem to talk much at lunch.”

"I think my apology got him out of his game."

“But seriously, Jilena, I hate to see you two at odds.I hope you can make the right decision. Jilena gave Ramira a forced smile. "I'll try."

...*...

It was Sunday, Jilena called Detective Wira on her phone. There's no way he's in the office today unless he gets a good lead on his investigation.

"Hello, Miss Jilena."

"How do you know it's me?"

“New app called Caller ID. What can I do for you?"

He didn't expect her to keep his number on his phone. "I'm impressed, Detective.”

“Don't mind that sarcasm. What's up?"

“I want to find out if you already have a definite identification of that skeleton or not."

"Are you asking if it's Mariana?"

"Yet. Hopefully they can tell me for sure tomorrow. Are you looking for new material for your story?"

"Of course, I want to be the first to report it."

“I'm doing everything I can to help you, Detective, so I hope you will give me—.”

“I can't promise anything.”

"Well, Mr Wira .. May I call you Mr Wira?"

The detective snorted.

“Pak Wira, I'm sure people of your caliber can be counted on to do the right thing."

"Speaking sweetly to me won't help, Miss Jilena."

"Can't blame a girl for trying." Jilena chuckles. "But seriously, Detective,

the reason I called is I have a little information for you. In return, I'll ask you to do something for me."

“If you have information, you better hand it over. I can sue you for interfering with this investigation.”

"Oh, relax, Detective," Jilena joked. If he could be more friendly with her, maybe he would—get more information. “Princess Mariana found several bank statements of hers showing regular monthly deposits transferred to her account—an amount of twenty-five million, at the beginning of the month of each month.”

“It can't prove anything. Maybe he had a car accident and got a monthly payment or something.”

"I didn't think of it, but would Ramira not know?"

“Did you know everything about your parents' finances when you were little?"

“No, I don't think.” Maybe Aunt Dewi will know if Mariana there had a— accident. "But that could be a clue, right?"

"What do you think this means?" Hero asked.

“Hardening, maybe.” Or child support, but Jilena's not ready to say suspicion just yet. “We won't know until we find out who put that money in his account every month. Can you know?”

“It will take quite a long time. It's Sunday, so I can't even start digging up information until tomorrow."

“Oh, and a little more information—Mariana's last boyfriend, supposedly fled out of town with her, his name is Hendra Baskoro. Can you track it?”

“It could help, if the woman turned out to be Mariana. I would see what I could get about her, once the lab gave me a positive ID that it was Mariana. Otherwise, it would just be a futile pursuit.”

"If you can tell me what you found—"

"Depends on what I find," said Wira. “After all, this is an open murder investigation.”

“Remember our deal, Detective? I'm helping you, you're helping me? I reminded you, have you promised me? ”

"I never agreed to that."

“Oke, how about this? I'm helping you solve this evil and make you the hero of Lembayung City, and in return you're giving me the first chance at that story.

"What makes you think I need your help?"

“For one thing, I'm not law enforcement Mr. Wira, so I have no constraints, and I know how to dig up facts for a story. People are more likely to tell me things they won't tell the police.”

She laughs. “As I said in lake—Keenan Hadinata has rented a bulldog.”

“Does that mean yes?” ask Jilena "You agree to help me?"

...*...