Mariana's Location Detected
The room fell silent for a moment. Haryono lit a cigarette.
Satrio: "Nagini's the needle-throwing expert, right?"
Haryono: "Isn't a tracker risky if discovered?"
Satrio: "Yeah, isn't our tracker bigger than a needle?"
Tina chuckled.
Tina: "The tracker is a needle, sir."
The two men were stunned.
Haryono: "A needle?"
Satrio: "What do you mean?"
Tina: "I modified our tracker to be embedded in a needle, which Nagini threw."
Again, the men exchanged impressed looks.
Haryono: "Does it work?"
Tina pressed a button on her laptop.
Blip!
The large monitor came to life.
Tina: "Take a look."
A map of Mount Merapi's slopes appeared, with a red dot marking a location.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Tina: "This red dot is our tracker, sir."
Haryono: "Mount Merapi."
Satrio: "Yogyakarta."
***
The Large Building on Merapi's Slope
Tina adjusted her glasses again as they slid down her nose. Her chin-length hair fell straight and black.
Tina: "Let's zoom in on that red dot."
The monitor screen displayed an enlarged view of the red dot's location.
And there appeared a large building surrounded by a high wall.
Haryono: "Is this Mariana's location?"
Tina: "According to our tracker, this is definitely where Mariana is."
Satrio: "We have to move quickly."
Haryono: "Right. Before Mariana changes her mind and leaves the country."
The smoky room fell silent for a moment. They paused to sip coffee and take a drag from their cigarettes, while Tina remained focused on her laptop.
Haryono: "Tina, prepare the official report for the next meeting."
Satrio: "We'll set the date for Mariana's arrest."
Haryono: "And remember, this information must not leak."
Tina: "Yes, sir!"
Tina closed her laptop.
Bleszt!
The monitor screen went dark automatically.
***
Stealing Glances
Back at Kemang Raya Café.
After finishing their meal, Burhan and Nagini sipped their orange juice. They were silent—no conversation.
Only occasional stolen glances. And each time their eyes met, a shy smile appeared.
Suddenly, Burhan's phone rang.
He picked it up. On the screen: Tina.
Burhan looked at Nagini.
Burhan: "One moment, Nagini… it's Tina calling."
Nagini simply nodded.
Burhan: "Hello, Tina. What's the news?"
Tina: "We've had the meeting. Conclusion: we're going to arrest Mariana. Her base is in Jogja."
Burhan: "Good, Tina. A sly criminal like Mariana must be captured and brought to justice."
Tina: "But, Mr. Burhan…"
Burhan: "What is it, Tina?"
Tina: "You've been assigned to the field. Along with Tono and Rudin. Go straight to Jogja!"
Burhan: "But, Tina…"
He glanced at Nagini, a little surprised.
Tina: "You were chosen because of your success in cracking the human trafficking case to Thailand."
Burhan looked again—Nagini was still watching him, smiling.
Burhan: "But, Tina…"
Tina: "This is a direct order from the top!"
Tina's voice was firm!
Burhan: "Understood, Tina!"
He hung up and looked at Nagini.
Nagini kept smiling at him. Burhan returned the smile.
His heart was a jumble—nervous, happy, and thrilled.
***
Departure to Jogja
Meanwhile…
Giono had returned to Seroja Indah Apartments near the University of Indonesia.
He was driving a white Avanza. In the very back seat sat a black case filled with military equipment. At a glance, it looked like a sniper rifle case.
He opened the car door, stepped out, and closed it again.
Then he called Karsiyah, who was still on the second floor of the apartment.
Giono: "Hey, Karsiyah. I'm here!"
While holding her phone, Karsiyah opened the apartment window and looked down.
Giono waved up at her.
Karsiyah: "Mbelgedes! Alright, No. We're coming down!"
She hung up.
Karsiyah: "Rani, Rina—let's go meet your uncle."
Rani: "Okay, Mak!"
Rina looked toward Ngatmo.
Rina: "Come on, Dad. Uncle Giono's waiting downstairs."
Ngatmo only nodded.
The four of them headed out. After locking the apartment door, they too.
To be continued
