The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 41

By the time he was still across the street, ready to cross the zebra cross, his eyes were already busy observing the atmosphere at the stop. Some people are there. Not so much that it is easier to observe one by one. There are men, women, old and young. Then his eyes were fixed on a dashing figure whose characteristics were as mentioned by phone earlier. The man watched her for a moment and then his gaze was fixed on his bag. So rest assured Frida. He was satisfied for the truth of his conclusion and was delighted by it. From the middle of the road he threw a smile.

Johan shines a finger at Frida. They call each other names. Johan invited Frida to sit on an empty bench. There was only one teenage girl, Dinda, sitting there reading a magazine. In accordance with the previous agreement, Johan arranged their sitting position so that Frida was next to Dinda although not too close. Thus it was easier for Dinda to observe Frida without being noticeably obvious. It's just that Dinda couldn't notice Frida from the front.

"Don't call me mom. I'm not married yet. Call me Frida. It tastes better" said Frida with her familiar style.

"Alright Frida. I said I didn't have to ask much. All I want to know is one. As you know, does Lilis like to gamble?"

Frida was stunned for a moment. He answered without hesitation. "Actually I don't know much about Lilis' activities. Especially about gambling. But as I recall, he once invited me to play cards a lot. I think he's playing around like a fourty one. But he laughed and said it was a toy for children. What he meant was to play with money!"

Johan's gaze not only led to Frida but also to Dinda who was quietly inching closer. Coincidentally next to Dinda there were people willing to sit down as well. So Johan was sure, Dinda could definitely hear as well. "Where's the play, Frida?" ask Johan.

"Well, he didn't say Mas. Maybe because I don't want to. I told you, how can someone like me play. Where's the money from? Even if I work in a place where the money is sack, but it is not my money. My salary is small. Going home can only take the bus."

"You didn't ask?"

"No. What's the point of asking if you don't intend to."

"When did he take you?"

"Well, when? I don't remember it."

"About."

"Perhaps a month two months ago" said Frida hesitated.

"Have you met her often?"

"Quite often. He comes once a month to collect his deposit. Oh yeah, I know him for that. The deposit will be kept in our bank."

Johan nodded. He predicted that. But not yet certain. Lilis could have gotten to know Frida elsewhere. "You're familiar with Frida?"

"Not really. He's a good guy. I like him. Sometimes he likes to take me for a walk. Like when you see the property exhibition. It was there that I introduced her to Bram who became her husband later. Too bad their marriage age is so short."

Next to Frida came a loud cough. Frida looked over with a disturbed feeling. Dinda looked away and covered her mouth with her hands. Johan smiled silently. "Yes, what a pity," said Johan.

"Oh sori Mas. I forgot that you're Lilis' ex-husband."

"It's okay."

"Why do you want to ask that question?"

"Soalah Lilis has no more property to be passed on to her son. It's all drained. He said he was finished at the gambling table. That's why I'm curious, is it true that Lilis likes to gamble."

Firda. Does he feel pity? Should I feel pity? "What a pity," he commented in a soft voice. "I also knew when he withdrew his deposit. But of course he didn't say what the money was for. I have no right to ask."

Johan nodded. "Yes that's right. Can I ask you again?"

"Can. As long as my bus hasn't come, we can still talk."

"What if I take you home? We can chat while we walk."

"It's okay."

Frida thought of Bram. The man must have been upset that his home address was found out by Johan. He should be careful. Doesn't he not yet know what the real motivation of Johan to question him?

"Ah, no need to."

"Is it because someone is going to get angry?"

"Yes. That's how it is" said Frida in fact. Though he knows the meaning of Johan is not the same as his own thinking. He has no girlfriend or fiancee.

But the answer was that Johan was not urgent anymore. He did not feel the need to know Frida's home address because it was enough with his office address. Why bother looking for a home address when he meets Frida at her office, or at this stop?

"You've known Bram for a long time?"

"He's also my bank customer."

"May I know where Bram's office address is? What's the name of the company?"

"So I know he's a property entrepreneur. Well, the name of the company I don't remember anymore. Why don't you ask the Lilis family?"

"I represent them to find out."

Suddenly Frida's enormous curiosity arises. "What's the matter anyway?"

"For us Bram is a mysterious person. Then there are things that need to be straightened out about Lilis. He said, Lilis likes to gamble and spend her fortune at the gambling table. But as far as we know, Lilis isn't that kind of person."

"Oh, so. So Lilis died in an accident?"

"Yes, fall down the stairs."

"Fall alone?" frida asked, but soon after asking she realized it was not worth asking like that. But it's too late to pull back.

"Do you think anyone dropped him?"

Quickly Frida shook her head. "Of course not."

"But there must be a reason why you ask like that" Johan urged. His instincts capture that Frida's question has a background.

Frida became a little nervous. He looked away from Johan without realizing that in doing so his face became more clearly visible to Dinda. "Ah, there is no reason. Sometimes I do like to throw stupid questions," he said slowly. Then his head held high when he saw the bus approaching the stop. His face became bright. "Well, that's my bus already coming!" girang. He jumped to his feet.

Johan stood up as well and observed the new bus coming. Thamrin street department. He reached out to greet Frida. "alright. Just get here, Frida. Thanks though. Can I call you sometime?"

"May, may," said Frida without looking.

A moment later, Frida jumped onto the bus and vanished from sight. Johan and Dinda watched as they walked towards the place where their car was parked.

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yaaa continued