The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 50

"Do you know where he lives? Maybe he's sick, so I can look at him."

"To my knowledge he lived in the Tanah Abang flats, but what flat number exactly I don't know."

"Thank you sir." For Johan, that information was enough. Even if the flats have many blocks, he will try to find them. Surely the complex has a manager that foam quizzed.

Johan immediately headed for Tanah Abang. He was determined to find what he was looking for as soon as possible. But he also had a bad feeling. By not entering Frida's work that day, it means Frida didn't lie to her yesterday. Let alone dating, for work he did not do it. Is Frida sick or...?

After parking his car in the yard of the bunk house, he looked for the manager's office. A half-old man greeted her with his greeting and sat down after she made her point. "I'm looking for a flat from Frida's mom who works at the Bank, but don't know which block and what number's flat."

"Well, what a coincidence sir. Who is this father? Is it his family?"

"No. I'm a friend of his sir. Yesterday I had an appointment with him, but he didn't show up. I went to his office and he didn't go to work. I was worried that if he was sick, then I meant to see him."

The half-old man who mentioned his name with Mr. Amin noticed Johan's face for a moment. "I don't think I've ever seen my father."

Johan smiled. "Of course sir. I have never seen my father either. But I'm just stepping on this place now."

"Sorry sir. It doesn't mean anything. I said it was a coincidence, because Frida was again fussed by two of her friends. They're reporting because Frida hasn't been home since Friday. Both of his friends work nights. Frida is working her day. Usually when Frida comes home the others have left. But the two of them came home early in the morning and Frida was not there. At first they thought Frida was staying somewhere else, but when she left she would usually write a letter on the table. That time there was no notification letter. So, how many days have you been up until now? Three days huh? Stupid job again." Mr. Amin nyerocos.

Johan thought for a moment. "On that Friday, did he get back from his office, sir?"

"Yes. I know for sure because I saw him still wearing 8 uniforms that afternoon. Fast walk. He didn't see me."

"Then she left again afterwards?"

"That's for sure."

"Someone saw it, sir?"

"Yes, there's."

"Who's he going?"

"He's alone, he's good with steel."

"Good steel?" Johan was astonished for a moment.

"Oh yeah, someone said he called earlier. He usually calls there, sir. The public phone. There's no phone in the flat."

"Then, he promised on the phone." Johan concluded.

"looks like. If you know the address of his family, please search there. It doesn't feel good to lose people."

"I don't know, sir. Maybe his two friends know?"

Mr. Amin shook his head.

"Are his two friends now, or have they left for work? I want to question them."

"Well, they're gone this afternoon, sir. Come tomorrow afternoon."

"Where is flat, sir? I can go straight there."

***

Tomorrow, on Tuesday, Johan checks into the bank. Frida hasn't been to work. Only then did he rush to Tanah Abang. Frida's two friends, who introduced their names as Erni and Desi, were delighted and relieved that someone had asked Frida. "Maybe I can help you find. Kasian if he's missing."

Johan looked at the two girls whose looks were quite attractive in turn. "I wish I could get a statement about Frida. I honestly only knew him for a few days. So I don't know much about him."

Desi and Erni looked at each other. "Well, Frida was lucky to get attention

people like you. Where the hell does he know him? Most in the bank, huh?"

"That's fine" Johan said. "I made an appointment with him but he didn't show up. That's why I'm looking for her in case she gets sick. He hasn't been home since Friday. That's what Mr. Amin said."

Desi allowing. He repeated the story that Mr. Amin had told.

"Did you two not know where his parents or his family's address was? Please check there. Send a letter or phone. Who knows if he's there."

Erni shakes. "I'm sure Frida can't just walk away without her clothes on. The suitcase is still there."

"His letters?"

"Well, how dare. Drawers and closets locked. And the key is always in his bag. If we unload and then the guy goes home, well he can go on a rampage."

"Did Frida have a boyfriend and go out with her often or did she come here often? Maybe you both know him, too."

Desi and Erni looked back. Is the question voiced by someone who feels jealous?

"Don't get me wrong" Johan quickly explained. "If you know the man, he can certainly be questioned."

Desi and Erni both shook their heads. "Mas certainly thought, since we were one house then we knew a lot about Frida. That's incorrect. We rarely get together. One goes, the other comes. One sleep the other awake. Those are our days. And if it's holiday we'd rather go out. It feels like it's here."

"But there has to be when you meet, right?"

"Yes. There's the. But just for a second. At best talk briefly. Never about the person being talked about. And who's Frida's best friend? We don't know and never see. Strange, but real."

"When Frida hasn't been home for a day or two, I suggest you go to the police."

Desi and Erni were shocked. "Huh? The cops? Should that?"

"Of course it is necessary. You yourself feel strange and unnatural. So that could be a reason to report. Shouldn't there be solidarity?"

The two dumbest girls. Then they whispered with each other.

"Mas Johan" said Erni. "We are afraid of the police. But if we really have to report will Mas accompany? It's nothing, ma'am. We are afraid of being harassed. Sometimes girls like shit in that one thing."

Now it's Johan's turn to be confused. Actually, he didn't want to get involved. What if he is suspected? But he was already involved. "alright. Here's my phone number. Let's wait till tomorrow. It's not good to wait long. If he hasn't come home yet, call me."

The news that Johan brought home surprised Irene, but not temporarily with Dinda. "Frida must have died" he said sadly. "Add another Bram victim."

****___****