25-1 Rani and Rina in Pink Jackets
Meanwhile, at the University of Indonesia campus...
Students bustled through the hallways toward their classrooms and bulletin boards.
On a bench in the garden, a pair of twin girls in matching pink jackets were chatting.
Rani: "How long has it been since we called Mom and Dad back home?"
Rina: "About a month, Rani."
Rani opened her course book while Rina flipped open her laptop.
Rani: "Ever since we met Uncle Giono, I've felt… close to him."
Rina: "Me too. Even though we just met, it feels like we've known him since we were kids."
The twins giggled and smiled brightly.
Rani: "Mom never told us she had a big, tall brother."
Rina: "Exactly! If he's Mom's brother, no wonder Uncle Giono is so strong."
The girls stood up as their class was about to start, walking together toward the lecture hall.
***
25-2 KPK Obtains Evidence of Mariana's Crimes
On the third floor of the KPK headquarters…
Tina, Satrio, and Rustam sat at a long table facing each other. At the far end, a huge monitor was mounted on the wall.
They were holding a closed-door night meeting—9:00 p.m.
The monitor displayed files and satellite images of Kembang Setaman Nightclub.
Tina: "All leads point to this place."
Rustam: "Do we know who owns it?"
Tina: "Mariana."
Satrio: "She's not just the owner—she's the mastermind behind illegal operations involving our own members."
Rustam: "Gambling, drugs, human trafficking, prostitution…"
Satrio: "And other criminal activities that threaten the nation."
Rustam: "Weapons smuggling into Papua."
Satrio: "We can't let this stand."
Rustam: "We need solid evidence to take Mariana down."
***
25-3 Tina's Data on the Monitor
Tina: "Mariana is protected by corrupt high-ranking police officers."
Rustam: "Arizal and Diono, for starters."
Satrio: "Both of them are frequent visitors at Kembang Setaman."
Rustam: "So far, we've already arrested insiders linked to Mariana's operations."
Tina adjusted her glasses and looked at the laptop connected to the big monitor.
Tina: "Take a look at the monitor."
Satrio and Rustam turned toward the screen.
Tina: "Here is the proof of Mariana's crimes."
The footage showed Mariana bribing Arizal and Diono, a phone call with Kuntadi about human trafficking in Thailand, another with Bimo ordering the execution of Nagini and Burhan, and a conversation with a Myanmar arms dealer.
Both men shook their heads grimly.
***
25-4 Tina's Data is Solid
Satrio: "Is this evidence solid, Tina?"
Tina: "Absolutely, sir. It's from KPK and police intelligence."
Satrio: "How did you get the CCTV footage?"
Tina (smiling as she pushed her glasses back into place): "I hacked their CCTV system, sir."
Satrio: "And the bank account records of Arizal and Diono?"
Tina: "I hacked the banking system too, sir."
Rustam shook his head in admiration.
Rustam: "In an investigation, is hacking even legal?"
Tina: "I got clearance from the Attorney General's Office."
Satrio: "And this was done quietly as part of a covert mission?"
Rustam: "Exactly. A little illegal to catch the truly illegal."
The three chuckled.
***
25-5 KPK Moves on Mariana
Rustam: "It's time we make our move."
Satrio: "Agreed. We'll form a joint team."
Rustam: "Clean, trustworthy police units, plus task forces from Criminal Investigation and Densus 88."
Satrio: "We'll prepare the warrants and secure the target in three days."
Tina glanced at the clock on her laptop—11:00 p.m.—and closed the lid.
Bleszt! The monitor switched off automatically.
Satrio: "This is a major mission. We have the evidence. Mariana is no easy opponent, but we can't back down."
The three exchanged determined nods.
Satrio: "Meeting adjourned."
Fadli: "And remember—this cannot leak before the operation."
They looked at one another in silence. The hunt had begun.
They rose from their seats and stepped out into the quiet KPK building, the night deepening outside.
***
25-6 Sawitri at Kembang Setaman Discotheque
Tina was still curled up on her soft bed, the apartment's cool AC making her reluctant to get up. She pulled the blanket closer.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She opened her eyes, grabbed the phone, and glanced at the wall clock—10:00 a.m.
She sat up lazily.
Tina: "Hello, Mr. Burhan?"
On the other end, Burhan held his phone to his ear. Nagini sat across from him at a café table, two glasses of orange juice between them.
Burhan: "Tina, new info! Is it true Sawitri was spotted at Kembang Setaman?"
Tina: "Yes! We got the CCTV footage from our cyber team."
Burhan: "What's her condition?"
Tina: "Strange. She looks fine. Relaxed, even—sitting with Mariana, the Big Madam herself."
Burhan: "You mean Mariana?"
Tina: "Yes, Mr. Burhan. She's talking and smiling comfortably with Mariana."
Burhan: "What do you mean?"
Tina: "Sawitri doesn't look like a kidnapping victim, and she doesn't seem under duress."
Burhan frowned and glanced at Nagini.
Tina: "In fact, Mariana seems protective of her."
Burhan: "Send me the footage, Tina."
Tina: "On it."
She hung up and sent the file.
***
25-7 Nagini & Burhan Hunt for Mariana
Burhan handed his phone to Nagini.
The screen showed the CCTV recording—Sawitri seated on a plush sofa across from an elegant woman in a black kebaya: Mariana, the Big Madam.
Nagini stared at the screen.
Nagini: "That's Sawitri?"
Burhan: "Yes. But oddly enough, she looks fine."
Nagini: "She's not afraid at all."
Burhan: "Exactly. And Mariana is treating her well."
Nagini: "Whatever the situation, we have to bring Sawitri back."
Burhan: "True. But we'll need a support team—these people have guns."
Nagini: "I don't care, Burhan. I'm going to get her out of Kembang Setaman."
Burhan: "Nagini, we need—"
Nagini: "Are you coming or not?"
Burhan exhaled sharply.
Burhan: "Alright. I'm in."
-
**"
25-8 Giono Hunts Mariana
Giono examined his weapon, then turned to Wardoyo.
Giono: "Give me the exact location. Which building has the best vantage point?"
Wardoyo opened a digital map on his tablet.
Wardoyo: "Here… an old building near the nightclub's back parking lot. Clear line of sight, no obstructions."
Giono studied the spot.
Giono: "Good angle. Height's perfect. Wind won't be a problem."
Wardoyo: "And it's well hidden."
Giono nodded slowly, eyes sharp.
Giono: "Tonight, I hunt."
Wardoyo looked at him with both respect and concern.
Wardoyo: "May your bullet find its mark, No."
Giono stroked his SPR-3 sniper rifle.
Wardoyo: "Remember—this target is no ordinary person."
End of Chapter 25
To be continued chapter 26