The Murder of the Beloved

Chapter 51

Johan looked at Dinda in surprise. How could Dinda be so certain? His manner of speaking and attitude was full of confidence. Is it a sign that his instincts have worked again or just a mere estimate? Indeed, he himself had the same conjecture only he did not dare to say it.

"But the corpse can't be hidden for long." Irene expressed her opinion. "Sooner or later we'll meet."

"Dad acted correctly by having Frida's friends report. It is impossible for the police to suspect the person who actually reported. It's been proven and there's evidence that Dad went to the bank and the flats, too" Dinda denied Johan's concerns.

"The logic is so. But I could have been considered theatrical. There was once a missing persons case where the killer pretended to be in search and after the corpse met he pretended to be sad."

"Dad has an alibi. On Friday night we were together. While at the same time Frida is seen people go alone riding bajaj." Dinda reminded.

"More, Dind." Johan was more relieved. It is indeed uncomfortable feeling afraid of being suspected for actions that he did not do. "I didn't think about it."

"It's a pity that we lost track of Bram with Frida's disappearance" Maya lamented. "Where can we possibly accuse Bram of being the cause of Frida's disappearance?"

"Yes. It's impossible. Unless someone saw him with Bram at the last moment of his life. Who did she meet when she left Friday night?" johan asked, with no one able to answer that question.

"I didn't find any pictures of Bram at home. Either alone or with my mother. It's all been brought. If there is, the photo can be shown to people in flats. There must have been people who saw him coming there once."

"Not necessarily Dind. Seeing Frida go away on her own, it was likely that they made an appointment to meet outside the compound. Bram doesn't want to be seen."

"He's very clever" complained Dinda.

That night, beside Irene, Johan expressed his feelings, "I feel guilty, Ren. If I hadn't made an attempt to approach Frida, she might not be missing right now. There may be people who feel threatened by my actions to try to get rid of them."

"Don't think so. We don't know for sure. There's no way we know for sure why he's missing. So don't torture your thoughts and feelings right now. Remember what you did to find the truth. And if your conjecture has a point, then surely we are on the right path as well. You've made the evil one scared. If he's innocent why should he be afraid?"

"Thank Ren. You have calmed me down. What happens when I don't have you?"

"And so is Dinda?"

"Yes. And so is Dinda."

They hugged. There is tension, fear, and anxiety, but there is also calmness.

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The day after that Desi called Johan. "She hasn't appeared yet" he reported in a sad voice. "So how is it?"

"We have to report. Now?"

So accompanied by Johan, the two women went to a nearby police station to report Frida's disappearance. There the report was recorded. A photo of Frida that Erni found was submitted to complete the mentioned features. They were advised to search Frida's family address to be contacted and notified. Of course the most concerned with the case is the parents or their families so that next they take care of.

After delivering Desi and Erni back to their flat. Johan went to the bank. His feelings of responsibility and sympathy for Frida encouraged him to do whatever he could.

The security guard who had spoken to him immediately recognized him. "Bu Frida hasn't come in yet, sir," he told me.

"It is precisely for this that I intend to meet his superiors. Can you help?"

Johan is reunited with a serious-faced woman who introduces herself as Saraswati, the manager. Without wasting time Johan recounted the case of Frida's disappearance without a trace and lastly he had reported the case to the police. "Two of his housemates and his neighborhood no one knows where the address of his family members, Mom. But they need to be told. Maybe you know or someone here who's familiar enough with him can help?"

Saraswati was surprised. It becomes serious if after knowing that the case is a police affair. If not helped completely then the image can be negative. Moreover, Johan told it with a worried expression. Enough to cause horror. What happened to Frida?

"Wait a minute sir. I don't know myself, but I'll try to find information from Frida's friends."

Johan knew, that in a short time Saraswati will cause an uproar in the environment of the bank employee. A colleague of theirs vanished for days without a trace. It's good that it's also a stir. Thus information is easier to enter.

A quarter of an hour later Saraswati returned to meet Johan with a girl. He introduced both. "This is Linda, her closest friend to Frida. He knows about Frida's relatives who live in Jakarta. Please, you guys talk."

"Thank you for your help" Johan said before Saraswati left them.

"I know Frida's address sir." Linda handed me a piece of paper she had written. "I've been invited there by Frida."

Johan received the paper and watched it for a moment. "Then can you take me there to tell me? They already know you, but I'm still a stranger. And I promised the police to find Frida's relatives."

"But I can't leave the office now sir. If it's five I can."

"alright. Five o'clock I'll pick you up here."

At the appointed hour, Johan and Linda visited Frida's uncle's house, who introduced himself as Emil. There Johan repeats his story about Frida, as he had told Saraswati and Frida's two flatmates. Frida's uncle and aunt looked surprised and worried. But Johan tried to calm down, "Don't think like that, father and mother. We hope it's okay."

Mr. Emil promised to take care of the case for the next. Soon he will go to the police to corroborate the report that Johan has made with Frida's two flatmates. After reaching an agreement Johan gave his business card. "Please contact me if there are any new developments sir. I'm always willing to help as much as I can."

Finished with the affair Johan felt some of the burden that overcame his mind had been lifted. Whatever relief Irene had given before, that she did not feel guilty after all the burden was still there. He was searching for the truth, but it probably had terrible consequences. There is still a thin hope, that Frida is actually still alive and healthy walafat although it is not clear whereabouts. But how narrow is that hope!

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