Murder In The Old Castle
187. Go home

Badi walked into the front yard that looked lonely. He still maintains vigilance, lest anyone else know of its existence. He wanted to ascertain in advance whether it was true that this large house was indeed used for the killer's isolation. Badi settles between trees to trees, approaching the side yard which also looks deserted.

The residents in the isolation house had just finished breakfast, and there was no activity outside, so they were unaware of Badi's presence in the yard. Badi moved towards the side courtyard. From behind the densely growing jasmine flower, he peered back, noticing the sturdy old house building standing up.

Badi did not see any attacks around the building. In his heart he hoped that he would not enter the house wrongly. At first glance, the building looks uninhabited. Badi moved back to the backyard that was no less quiet. However, he could see a small house behind the large main house. He also saw a middle-aged man cleaning up a vegetable crop deliberately planted to fill the empty land.

Badi remained vigilant, lest the middle-aged man find out his whereabouts. Because, he did enter by damaging the padlock at the front gate. If the middle-aged man knew, maybe he would be considered a person with bad intentions. He returned to the entrance that connected the kitchen. Before he got in there, he peeked into whether the situation inside the kitchen was safe.

In the kitchen, Ms. Mariyati was cleaning up the leftovers used for breakfast this morning. She was washing the cutlery in the sink. This opportunity was not wasted by Badi. He believes this woman is concentrating on washing, so he can sneak into the house. It was done immediately, before Ms. Mariyati realized its existence.

Now Badi is in the area in the house, precisely in a hallway of rooms occupied by male residents. Badi was confused, where he was going. This house looks quiet and empty. If there were a person there, of course he would be considered a thief or a person with bad intentions.

Suddenly, Badi heard the footsteps and voices of people who were conversing while he stood. For a moment, Badi was confused about where to go. He immediately went into one of the rooms there. He did not know whose room, which he obviously did not want his whereabouts to be known to someone for now. It turned out that the voice of the person conversing was getting closer, and would probably enter the room where he was hiding.

Forced, Badi immediately hid himself under the bed. Sure enough, from under the bed he could see a pair of legs entering the room where he was hiding. From the legs he saw, it was clearly a man's feet, because using long pants and the shape of his feet were indeed men's legs. He could not confirm whose leg it was, but he overheard a small conversation between two men.

“So you'll fight Mr Dimas tonight, Lex? Look closely at his strategy. He looks like a genius, but definitely has a point of weakness. Lena I managed to bend yesterday, now I just have to wait for you. I'd love to play with you,” said the first voice.

Badi could not confirm whose voice, which he clearly heard two voices of men talking was still young.

“I can definitely beat Mr. Dimas. I think your win over Lena is still not official, because Lena has not actually lost, just that she does not want to continue the game. Maybe if there is time you have to fight against him back,” said another voice.

“Can't be so either. In any sports game, not wanting to continue the game can be interpreted as giving up. So yeah ... why does it continue? I just want to see who among you is the winner, and will later fight me in the final round,” said the first vote.

“OK, okay. Let's see who gets to be called the King of Chess!”

“Oya by the way, this morning our schedule is what? Will Mr Dimas give you training materials or how?”

“If you see the schedule, nine o'clock in the morning, Mr. Dimas will invite us to explore the back area of the house. We will work to make warning boards around old wells, so that no one else falls into the well, ” said the second voice.

“Yes I want to get ready first,” said the first voice.

Badi heard the sound of the door closing, but he still saw one of the talking men still in the room. Badi just listened, trying to analyze from the conversation of the two of them. He thought that he was not at home, because one of the men mentioned Dimas. The name was no stranger to him. If there really is activity outside, then the house is empty, and he has a chance to track down the whereabouts of his sister's murder figure room.

Badi glanced at his watch. Now it is eight more than thirty minutes, this means there is still about thirty minutes left for the occupants of the house to get out. He tried to be patient under the bed, while waiting for the right moment to come out. In fact, he was beginning to feel uncomfortable. His legs were getting tired, but he tried to be patient.

***

On a lonely roadside, with many ravines and hills, a taxi stopped by the road to pick up Gerry who was ready to go home. He stood by the side of the road, escorted directly by the Old Man and his grandson, Ratri. Gerry's condition has gradually recovered after the accident, but he still has to rest a lot and should not do much activity. To walk he is still not normal, so must be helped. Although Old Man is no longer young, but he has extraordinary energy, so he can still help Gerry.

Before leaving the grandfather and grandson, Gerry felt very moved because these days they have helped him from the accident. He imagined, if they did not find his body in the car, it could be ascertained he would rot at the bottom of the ravine. Gerry was so grateful to them.

“Part yourself well yes, Son!”

The old man told Gerry, making Gerry even sadder to leave them. Moreover, he saw the eyes of Ratri who seemed not to allow him to leave. However, he realized that his presence in the Old Man's residence would make the family's life burden increase. He did not want to be too much trouble, so he had to go back to his own home. In his heart, he promised to repay all the good they had done to him.

“Sister Gerry will be back here right?” chirps Ratri suddenly.

Gerry smiled, nodding. He rubbed the pretty little girl's head. He never had a brother. His meeting with Ratri was an extraordinary thing for him. He felt something he had never felt before. He thinks it's incredible.

“Kakak will always remember this place, Ratri. Later if there is time, Brother will come here again. Or, later the brother who will invite Ratri to play games to Brother's house. There are lots of dolls and toys, and you can play as much as you can. We can also walk to the Mall, shop, swim, eat, anyway later we can be equally Ratri. How?” said Gerry.

“Ratri, Brother Gerry should go now .... “

The old man reminded his grandson. The little girl's paras turned sad, but a second later turned excited at the thought of the extraordinary things Gerry said. After everything was ready, Gerry got into the sky-blue taxi. He was also sad, but he had to leave the place.

As the taxi began to move away, Gerry waved at the grandfather and grandson, until they were nowhere to be seen. Gerry was overjoyed, as he was able to return to his residence. Though he thought he would not survive when the car he was riding fell into the abyss. In fact, he can still breathe until this moment, even though there are some wounds on his body. No problem, because the wound will heal, the important thing is that he is still alive today.

As the taxi enters the busy city, Gerry's feelings overflow. In the end, he could let go of the yearning with this city. For a long time he had not seen the tall buildings, luxury vehicles passing by, and busy cities like this. He can't wait to get home, spending time pampering himself with a glass of hot chocolate or a bag of popcorn, while enjoying the series on NetFlix. Yeah, that's what he'll do when he gets home.

Gerry stopped by the ATM to get some money. Fortunately, he still held a wallet that contained important documents, so he had no trouble taking money and did not need to take care of lost mail.

When the taxi entered the residential gate, the security guard on duty looked surprised to see the whereabouts of Gerry. For a long time they have not seen the existence of one of the residents of this one housing. Instead they thought that Gerry was one of the victims of that horrendous serial murder.

“Mas Gerry?” asked one of the security guards, after seeing Gerry in a taxi.

Gerry just smiled while nodding his head politely. He did not expect his departure the last few days was quite surprising to many parties. He did not know how to fix his domestic assistant when he saw his return. Did he think he had seen a ghost or what?

The taxi arrived in front of Gerry's house. He felt astonished in front of the magnificent building. His condition remained the same, just like the last time he stayed. He stepped into his formula with confidence. He pulled the bell home, hoping that he would be greeted immediately like a hero who had just arrived from the battlefield.

Her housekeeper opened the door, found her employer standing in front of the door smiling. The housekeeper was half strangled to see Gerry's return. He did not expect that his employer would return home safe. Without much ado, he immediately helped Gerry into the room. He saw Gerry whose condition is still not too good. Fortunately, he cleaned Gerry's room every day, so whenever the room was always ready to be occupied.

Gerry immediately threw himself on the bed, looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. He just wanted to rest for a moment.

***

Exactly at nine in the morning, all the residents of the isolation house had gathered in the side courtyard. As per the schedule listed this morning, they will hold filial work behind the house. They will install warning boards on the site of old wells, so that no one else is mired in them.

“So today we will give wooden signs at some well points that are considered dangerous and deep. For the sign itself has been prepared by Mr. Paiman, so later we just install it. During this activity, I hope that nothing separates from the group, so all must stay together. And remember to be careful because there are a lot of holes. Can relax as long as it remains serious and I hope everything is installed until noon. Are you ready?”

Dimas gave instructions out loud. All the residents nodded. Meanwhile, Gilda and Wandi monitored also around the place. Dimas was somewhat surprised by Gilda's appearance. He did not expect the beautiful journalist to live with them in an isolated house. In his heart, he actually felt uncomfortable when there was Gilda there. Sometimes the young woman could not distinguish between work and personal affairs. He was a bit lazy dealing with Gilda.

After the instructions were completed, Dimas deliberately approached Gilda and Wandi who were standing up to hear enthusiastically.

“Not expecting you to be here,” said Dimas.

“You're shocked? Don't worry, I won't be weird. I made a deal with Mr. Reno, so take it easy. I will not interfere with your investigation. Instead, my presence might help you find the killer,” Gilda said.

“Thank you Gilda, but I honestly feel unhelpful with your presence. On the contrary, your presence might make the residents of this house feel uncomfortable. They're not used to being watched and their freedom will be a little compromised.” Dimas said.

“I won't do anything. Just chill. I do everything with the limits of reasonableness. You can ask one of the residents if I mess with them. I know they don't like me, still yeah. I'm just running errands. Don't think I'm comfortable here too,” said Gilda.

“Well, I hope you get what you are looking for here. And one message for you, Gilda. This is the most important of all,” Dimas said.

“What message is it?”

“Try to stay alive in this house. That's what matters!”

Dimas spoke as he left Gilda who was riled up by the words. He thought the killer would not be after his life, so he felt relaxed and ordinary.

***