Chapter Nine
The Executioner was always glad to see his Indonesian friend Rukma. He considered him a joy to work with. It was not easy to find a reliable local crew in any city, and Jakarta was no different. But Rukma was that rare street-smart guy who could also be relied on to be 100% honest.
“I must tell you,” said Rukma, with a great air of seriousness, “I never thought that I would have an American friend. Because I am not educated or rich. But then I met you. And now we are friends. And do you know why?”
“Why?” said The Executioner, in a half reply to Rukma’s rhetorical question.
“Because even though you are American and I am Indonesian, we are friends. We are friends because we are both crime-inals…craminals.”
“Criminals. We’re criminals. But please tell the women that we are outlaws. It sounds better.”
“Yes, and criminal work makes us friends. I’m glad,” said Rukma, grinning widely.
“That was very heartfelt. Thank you.”
“Put that word in your translator app, please.”
The Executioner typed in ‘heartfelt’ and showed the translation to Rukma.
“This is not a word for outlaws, man!” said Rukma with exaggerated disgust. “Be hard! Say hard things.”
“Well, speaking of hard things…let’s talk about the job.”
“Yes, OK. Let’s make business. Americans are very rude and want to talk business very fast. No tea. No food. No beer. Only business.”
“Right, here’s the deal, if you are done crying. It’s another runner. But he just arrived in Jakarta and he may leave at any moment. I don’t know. So I need you to grab him tonight from a hotel.”
“No problem,” said Rukma confidently. “We use girl. Honey trap is best trap. Sooo sticky.”
“Yeah, no. That’s not going to work on this guy. I want you to take him from his hotel room by force.”
“Oh, that’s expensive. Hotel security is difficult.”
“Yeah Rukma, some hotel boy and one old lady who cleans the rooms. That will be so difficult. I hope you survive,” said The Executioner as sarcastically as possible.
“Cameras, man. Cameras everywhere in hotels.”
“Then cover your face. I’ve seen you in action. You own a mask. Your entire crew owns facemasks. You are like the Indonesian Olympic snowboard team, bravely facing a winter chill.”
“I didn’t understand any of that. You speak English poorly,” said Rukma.
“Your face. Cover it with a face hat.”
“Oh yeah, why you think I don’t know that?”
“Great. That’s solved. But there is another small problem.”
“Oh no. Sounds expensive!”
“Yeah, the guy you are grabbing has a very dangerous friend.”
“No, man, no. Why do you make danger for me?”
“Yes, it’s not the usual easy job. That’s why I’m paying you triple.”
“Triple means what?”
“It’s more than double.”
“So, double again? Four times bigger?”
“No. Three times higher.”
“Oh, I still feel danger. Who is the runner’s friend?”
“It’s an American woman that may or may not be traveling with him.”
“Ahahaha! Ha!” laughed Rukma in the most fake way possible. “Girls are not dangerous. I’m not scared of a girl, man.”
“Dude, seriously. This is the 21st century. You need to respect women. And this woman is a killer, I guarantee it.”
“I’m so scared of American girls. So scared.”
“Rukma. Listen to me. You need to be scared of this one.”
“OK, I’m very scared. And also I am afraid. And I respect women. Now give me the location for this runner.”
The Executioner was not sure that he would see his friend Rukma alive again.
Department of Student Loans, Kidnap & Ransom Page 20