Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 40. THE THREAT BACK FROM JILENA

Jilena back off a little. “I'm a news reporter, Mr. Arsyanendra. Journalists investigate and discover the truth. I wouldn't do my job if I didn't do it by looking for facts wherever they lead me.”

Arsyanendra's attention was on Keenan. “Do you believe this nonsense? It seems, this girl defied my orders.” He darted out of his chair and turned to Jilena. “I warn you, Miss Jilena —go to hell, I warn you both — You stop harassing my family and dig into my life or you both will be very sorry. You work for me.”

"You can't threaten me because I could have exposed all the Arsyanendra family secrets. And remember carefully, if anything happens to me then my friends will expose all those secrets to the media. You understand what I mean, sir? Maybe you remember my son? The grandchild you don't admit to?"

"What did you say?" the man clenched his hands full of anger. He stepped out and slammed the door so hard that the windows rattled.

Jilena and Keenan stared at each other in silence for a moment. Now what? Keenan was the first to speak. “I know you asked people for murder stories. Are you sure you should talk to Mr Arsyanendra's wife? What did you mean?” ask Keenan confused.

"I'm doing my job."

"I know, I know, but is there no other way?"

Obviously he took Arsyanendra's threat seriously, fearing losing his job. Jilena stood up, shook her head, then placed her hand on the edge of Keenan's table. “Let me tell you, boss. The dead woman was Ramira's mother.”

"Are you sure?"

"I." Yes, Detective Wira has not told him about the DNA results but, just the image inside the pendant was enough for him to prove that the skeleton found was Mariana Ramira's mother.

"What does this have to do with the Arsyanendra family?"

“In addition to the fact that her body was found around the Arsyanendra family lake house, Mariana.” Jilena stopped before she told him everything, wondering if she should tell Keenan before she told Ramira.

“What?”

Jilena leaned forward on the table and lowered her voice. “It should remain

be secret for now, okay?”

Keenan nodded in agreement.

“Mariana had an affair with Mr. arsyanendra thirty years ago and he—hamil. There is a very clear possibility that Ramira is the daughter of Arsyanendra.”

His eyes widened when he heard the news. He doesn't believe it at all.

"But you can't tell Ramira," urged Jilena. “I haven't told him—aku—ingin waiting for DNA— confirmationbut I'm not sure if I should wait. What if someone else tells her?”

“He won't hear it from me, I promise. Now, tell me what else you found out."

Jilena explains everything she's found so far and how she and Detective Wira are looking for other evidence. “He tried to trace the last whereabouts of Mariana's lover, a man named Hendra baskoro. He could be the killer, but if he doesn't, maybe he can lead the cops to the real killer."

Because if he's not the culprit, there's a good chance Arsyanendra's family is involved, because they have a million motives to get rid of Mariana.”

“Included Noah? I heard you two were dating.”

"Yes, in high school."

"Do you think he's capable of killing?"

“He was about nineteen at the time, depending on when Mariana was killed. He also had a good reason to kill, with millions of legacies at stake, it's possible, to be honest I hate to think about that. Love and money are two of the most common murder motives.”

"And you're sure Mariana never told Ramira who her father was?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

However, that thought did not occur to Jilena, until Keenan had just—turned her, but it was possible that Ramira had known it earlier but she chose to be quiet for many years. Is there any chance that Ramira had a heated argument with her mother when Mariana told her that she was going to leave her? Is Mariana telling the truth? Did he end up dying somehow, at Ramira's hands? That doesn't make sense—does it? Jilena was fed up.

"Are you okay?" Keenan asked. Keenan's question restores his consciousness. "I'm fine."

After a few minutes of clearing his mind and his stomach started to stop turning. He got up from his chair, signaling their meeting was coming to an end.

"Of course we want to be the first to crack this story when the police find the killer, Jilena, but please try to stay under Arsyanendra— radar for both of us.” Keenan said.

As Jilena was on her way home, Detective Wira called her again.

mariana's. They can identify him by his dental records.”

"Funny, Mariana doesn't seem to be the type to take care of her teeth" Jilena said, thinking about her being drunk most of the time.

“She's met Dr. Edi Nugroho since he was in his twenties. He was retired and graduated, but he was my dentist too, and I remember seeing him there a couple of times, so I asked for his notes to the office. Looks like he's got a pair of filled cavities and a crown on his upper molars in his thirties.”

Jilnea is surprised Mariana will pay cash for a crown. It wasn't cheap, though, he thought if he was in enough pain, and with twenty-five million from Arsyanendra every month, Mariana could make money.

“The forensic team also found something else. I probably shouldn't have told you this, but I can use all the help I can get.”

"What's that?"

“Wait a minute, I'll tell you, but as I warned earlier, you should—keep it a secret, and promise me this doesn't do anything else, that you will not print this news until the case is solved—or there will be hell to pay for both of us.”

“I promise, I promise. What'sthat?"

“Yah ..” she started reluctantly, “ada black plastic comb found with that body. It had several strands of light-colored hair on it. Fortunately, one of the hairs still has the root attached.”

"I don't remember ever seeing a comb." Searching for his memory, he recalled seeing something that looked like buttons or cufflinks, but not a comb.

“I think it was wedged under the body, like someone might have dropped it from his pocket when he put it in the hole.”

"Hendra Baskoro maybe?"

"Can be. Still haven't found her whereabouts, but I'll keep looking.”

"Who else do you suspect, Detective?" ask Jilena.

“I can't say it, but I know you want us to search the Arsyanendra lake house, so maybe this is our chance. If the DNA matches one of them, then…"

Apparently the detective was also suspicious of someone in Arsyanendra's family.

"How do you propose getting DNA from one of them?" ask Jilena.

“I'm not sure yet. There must be a way to get it without them knowing it, because if they find out, we will feel the wrath of Mr. Arsyanendra. Sure." the detective paused, as if he was hesitant to continue, "I can—ask for your help? As a civilian, you can do things I can't do—that's what I want to say."

“I'm happy to help, Detective, but I have to think about how to get it.”

A tone rang out in Jilena's ear, warning her of an incoming call. Glancing down at the phone screen, he saw that incoming call from Jonathan. "I have to go, Mr. Wira. I'll come back to you."

He switched calls. "Hello, Jonathan."

“Hey, I only have a minute to talk, but I just got the news that I have—approved to start working as a detective and I want to share this news with you.”

"Oh wow. That's amazing!" yells. "When did you start?" ask Jilena.

“My field workouts start tomorrow. I have been assigned to work with Detective Wira.”

“Oh, yes, Wira. That's cool."

“You called her first name? How did that happen?”

“I have my own way,” she replied, trying to sound mysterious, but she could not help but laugh out loud. “However, seriously, we should celebrate. Any ideas?"

"How about I take you out to dinner and dance at The Sawah Cafe?"

"What's that?"

“This is a new restaurant place near the cool countryside. They have good food, good music. The place is really fun, maybe you can sing for me later, there is live music there.”

"Sound fun. pick me up at seven?”