Irise Delegnere (ALIVE'S Book 3)

by Faulina Arif

  Without giving any chance to 3 villains that standing in her left side to attack her, with unbelievable speed she stab her small knife to the left thigh of one villain near her, then she quickly rotate the knife before taking it out from that man in quick succession. That man howled in pain, he fall to the floor and rolling around while holding his thigh with both of his arms.

  Fahri that can do nothing only watch that incident with his mouth opened wide.

  Meanwhile, 2 man that still standing in her right side and 2 man that before hitting Fahri becoming pale, cold sweats appearing at their face. They releasing Fahri just like that and quickly running away from that spot.

  Without any intention to let them go, Sekar run toward a nearest man, with a low posture she precisely cut his leg tendon, he fall to Sekar's left side and rolled fall to the floor, he yelled in pain. Sekar spinning her body to the left, so that she doesn't fall because of her low posture. Then at amazing speed she draw a small pistol from her left thigh and without even a slight doubt, she aiming at those running villain with her left hand. And then she shoot 2 out from 3 villain that still running. Those bullet precisely hit their heart and making them fell crashing to the asphalt with blood splashing around.

  Only 1 thug left and he run while peed at his pants. Sekar burst out her laughter by looking at that pitiful villain. All people around that place becoming scared and disperse in the first gun shot. The café owner even directly closing his café and hide there.

  "Uncle, come!"

  Sekar walking fast toward one of those villains cars that was left, with a trembling body Fahri directly follow Sekar. They leave that place and Sekar is the one that driving.

  Fahri looked at where Sekar is. Unlike what Fahri was thinking, Sekar is not a weak and normal girl. From that incident he can see it well if Sekar is a master of fighting and weaponry. Even all her movement can’t be read and too fast for his eyes to follow. An appearance sure can deceive. Behind her beauty, her composed attitude and her way of clothing, who would have thought that a young girl like Sekar always keep a weapon and can kill anyone without any doubt. She even feeling very happy and didn’t have a slight of regrets or any burden in her minds. Fahri didn't know why, but her attitude is a little bit strange in his eyes.

  Ignoring Sekar happy smile, Fahri trying to extract some information."Sekar, did you know about those people? I think they wanted to kidnap you."

  "Who knows? I don't know what their motive when attacking us. But in a glance they looked like a mafia, they had no doubt when attacking us or even killing us on that spot. Well, no matter. They are still so weak." Answer Sekar with a belittling voice.

  "But you are so great. I can only stood there like a statue and can't do anything at all." Fahri amazed.

  Sekar laughing while her mouth was open widely, she looked very happy and truly enjoying this rare occasion that she recently experience.

  IRISE DELEGNERE

  Two days has passed after that incident in Saint Gloria old church. At this time Zafar have to stay at Reyn workshop with the others. Reyn recommend it because in any case, Zafar now is targeted by that organization. It is unsafe for him to roaming around and let him be seen to public.

  In fact Zafar is objected, but he doesn't have any more choice. Zafar didn't know where to go. No family that he can count on or even still cared for him. Zafar could go to Shela'splace.But nothing can Shela do to help Zafar because she still stayed with both of her parents. Zafar is not close enough with her parents and it will be strange if Zafar choose to hide there.

  Now Zafar is not only losing his house, but now he lost his job too. For almost 2 weeks Zafar stay hidden in Reyn workshop and it made him can't go to work. In any case it is impossible for him to get back to his office especially after Hengky's death. The news should be spreading in his office and Zafar seems can't confront all of it. It is impossible for him to pretend that he knows nothing when in reality he knows it all.

  Zafar looked at Aria that is reading a book in the living room.

  Zafar should listen to Aria more. There is a small regret in his heart added by a doubt. If Zafar know nothing and didn’t try to search the truth, his normal life surely still be fine until today. Zafar can undergo his daily routine like usual, working hard in his wonderful office, finishing his college and get a title he always dreamed off, and can save his money to make Shela happy. Yes, Zafar truly wanted to spend his time with Shela and marrying that female idol. All this time Shela always stay patient dealing with the likes of Zafar that always ignorant, he rarely call her by phone moreover meeting face to face. Zafar house is burned to ash and Zafar is disappearing. Shela must be very worried.

  But is it fine if Zafar doesn't know anything and walk on these days like a common citizen? Is that a wise choice? Zafar is in doubt. Even though he was regretted all of bad incidents happened, but Zafar didn't want to become a stupid man that knows nothing. Indeed, all of that not only made him confused and doubted, it even increased his stress. He doesn’t know what should he do at this time.

  Zafar come into the living room and take a seat at Aria left side. A doubt once again filling his mind, should he talk to Aria? Of course she still annoyed toward Zafar and he realize it well. Although in these past days they often passed with each other accidentally, but she never for even once looked at Zafar. It is like he's just an invisible man.

  "I . . . I am sorry, for that incident two days ago." Zafar voice is trembling and deep, implying that he was fully regret it.

  Aria stayed quiet. She still looked at the book in her hand and busy reading each word that printed in that book without heeding Zafar words.

  "I am truly sorry and regretted it, I am sorry."

  Aria stopped reading her book and take a short breath."Those sorry is not meant for me." Aria answered while her eyes still looked at the book.

  A guilty feeling cut his heart deeper. After he saw that news in television and reading the newspaper on his own, Zafar truly feel devastated. His hatred toward himself become more bigger. However he can't do anything. He will do anything and wanted to do those things that he can to redeem his fault for the death of those victims.

  "I didn't know that Hengky will betray me. He is my close friend, we are working in the same office, I truly believed in him and . . ."

  "Conveying your feelings?" Aria interrupted Zafar's word and looked at him sharply."I don't care with your problems." Aria closing her book and then standing in front of Zafar. Aria half-bowed then grabbing and pulling his shirt collar rudely, she looked at Zafar face closely with sharp eyes full of anger and hatred."The things that I regretted is . . . When I am not killing you at-that-time!" Aria releasing her grip harshly followed by a piercing words.

  Zafar gulped. His neck is hurt and Aria image when she beating him come across his mind and it made his heart rate increased accompanied by cold sweat in his face. No more words that coming out from Zafar's mouth.

  Zafar had no evil intention in his mind or even wanted to offend Aria. However it as if Zafar always saying a wrong word and it always provoke Aria and unleashing her anger. And after what happened, Zafar can only looked at Aria walking away with a sad eyes.

  IRISE DELEGNERE

  At earlier dawn Fahri is arrived at his home. After parted ways with Sekar, Fahri decided to visiting a karaoke with his old friends and spend his time there. At least by doing things that he likes, Fahri can forget every problems that always disturbing his mind. Drinking an alcohol is a usual things for Fahri. And no matter how much he drinks, that old man can never get drunk.

  A sun is not yet set from the horizon when Fahri opening his house door. While loosen his tie that still circling at his neck, Fahri walked through the living room. Like usual, all lights in his house still turned off and that is a sign that his wife and daughter still not waking up.

  After having fun of course Fahri is felt tired. That is the things that Fahri want until he partying all night, so that Fahri can sleep well without much thing
s to worry. He thinking in his mind to quickly change his clothes and go to sleep. For today he will not go to his office. Maybe this weariness can bring him to deep sleep, replacing his rest time that always never fulfilled in this few month since the case started.

  After entering the room door that before is not closed, Fahri searching the light switch that located behind the door and turn it on. A bright light blinding Fahri that reflexively closed his eyes. Fahri exhaling his breath and turned his back at the door, and at that time Fahri shocked to see his wife leaned weakly in front of the wardrobe with both her eyes closed.

  As if Fahri's heart jumped off from his Chest. And his body trembling by looking at the blood stain in the floor that now was dry. Fahri immediately approaching his wife and embracing her.

  "Tika, wake up! Tika! TIKA!!" Fahri shaking his wife body several times.

  Tika is unmoved. Her eyes shut tight and Fahri can't feel any pulse or breaths at her wife. Her night gown full of blood stain and there is a slash wound in her right shoulder and waist. Fahri cried hysterically while embracing Tika's body in his arms. Hoping that she can heard his cry and there is a chance so that he can help his beloved wife.

  Suddenly one terrible thought come across his mind. In panicked state, Fahri releasing his arms from Tika's body and leaving her body there. Fahri running like a devil on fire toward his daughter room that located in second floor. Ignoring his shortness of breath, sweat that wet his body and intense trembling that he felt, Fahri quickly go through the door of his daughter room that half open.

  Fahri looked around, but there is no blood stain anywhere and his daughter was not here. Fahri returned to the first floor and checking to around the house while yelling his daughter's name. However there is no one answering and he can't find his daughter.

  An unstoppable tears coming out from his eyes. His mind is very tired and his body become more weaker. He doesn't have strength anymore to endure the reality that he must face, suddenly Fahri's body fall down to the floor and he become unconscious.

  Murder Case

  Unimaginable how surprised Ichsan and Sofian was when they know that Fahri's wife is killed. Leaving the job that they handle, both of them go to Fahri's house at once with a hurry. Even though at this time, Ichsan and Sofian did not handling this mission to investigate the incident that befall Fahri's family, but both of them especially Ichsan trying to investigate this case with his experience and skill which he had.

  Ichsan and Sofian approaching Rudi, a detective that being trusted with this case. Since this morning Rudi and his team at Fahri's house. They was busy handling this case, doing a deep investigation to find a prove, chronology, and conclusion.

  "Mister Rudi, can I look at the victim body?" Sofian Asked.

  Trying to behave decently, Sofian which not included as a team in this case intentionally asking a permission.

  Rudi tilting his head to take a glance at Sofian. This man that now 43 years old know who Sofian is and how much achievement that he had. At first when he knows that Sofian transferring to their office, Rudi is hoping that Sofian will entering his team and becoming one of his subordinate. But Rudi superior was deciding Sofian will be Ichsan partner. Even though they had only a small case, but there is so many case that Ichsan and Sofian solved when the two of them cooperating. And suddenly both of them become famous and succeed at stealing many people attention. Of course it made Rudi unhappy. Rudi is not only sidelined but he was lost from all other things. Social jealousy was felt deeply in his heart, Making Rudi is not interested anymore, he even disliking Ichsan and Sofian.

  "Okay, but don't disturb my subordinates when they are investigating."

  "Yes, sir!" Sofian nod and then leaving Ichsan side.

  Ichsan slip his left hand to his trousers left pocket."Do you find any finger print?"

  Rudi stopped to check the desk drawer and standing up from his crouching position. Although he doesn't like Ichsan that no more than a rival for Rudi, Rudi still can't ignoring his co-worker at the same office just like that. Rudi didn't want to be seen as a bad person from another people only because he considered envious toward Ichsan.

  "They are experienced, because of that there is no finger print." Rudi looked at Ichsan

  Ichsan looked at the floor and with his right hand he rubbing his chin. His habit when he is seriously thinking was seen clearly in Rudi's eyes.

  "Do you think . . . " Ichsan looking back at Rudi."Do you have a conclusion for this case?"

  Rudi nodded."Yes, just look what was happened." Rudi looked around him.

  Ichsan eyes looked at where Rudi eyes moving.

  "A wrecked house and some destroyed object. This is a planned robbery. It seems the culprit is targeting this house since long ago. Jewelry box inside the wardrobe is empty and Fahri's wife money is gone. That is my conclusion."

  "I see . . . " Ichsan frowning his forehead.

  Rudi didn't like to see that. Ichsan expression is saying that Rudi had a fault on this investigation that he handle this time. All this time when handling a case Rudi always use all of his ability and investigation knowledge that he study in college and experience, then apply it to the real case. Because of that Rudi was confident that his conclusion is definitely not wrong.

  "Have you checking the window in the house side? That window is severely broken and there is a footprint at the terrace near there. Not only one footprint, it is possible they number is 4 up to 5 person. Isn't it suspicious?" Rudi adding more to his explanation, hoping that it can make Ichsan certain.

  Ichsan is only quiet and for a while looking at the room.

  "Do you want to help investigating this?" Rudi asking on purpose to lure Ichsan. He's not only didn’t like him, but Rudi become a bit curious for what Ichsan thinks in his mind that always stay quiet without any comment.

  Ichsan lifted his palm in front of Rudi."Ah, No. This is your case, it be wise for me if I don’t interfere. I just want to know because . . . You know, this time the victim is our superior family."

  "Yes, you are right." Rudi nod in agreement."Many police officer come to this place because they are curious about this case." Rudi looked to the outside of the room door.

  Some police that not even from their office, roam around the house and trying to find the clue with their own method to satisfy their curiosity. It's hard to forbid them not to interfere because they all are known person. Not just once Rudi talked to them as a close friend.

  Done talking with Rudi, Ichsan searching Fahri and he found that old man seated in the chair inside his daughter room that also wrecked. A few cigarette pack was found beside Fahri and many cigarette stub scattered in the floor below Fahri foots. Ignoring Ichsan presence, Fahri keep on smoking and bite the cigarette in his mouth hard. His eyes looking at the room floor. It’s Fahri's habit if he was stressed and pressured, even though it's rare to see Fahri like that, but Ichsan know that expression well.

  Ichsan stopped beside Fahri and one of his hand touching Fahri's shoulder."I am sorry for your loss . . . "

  Fahri silent and unmoved. Not even look at Ichsan.

  "They said that this case is a robbery case. is that right?" Ichsan asking.

  Fahri still quiet, however his facial expression is suddenly changed. His face become red and an unstoppable tears coming out from both of his eyes. Various kind of thought filled his brain, regret, hatred, and also confusion. Don't know what he must do and didn't know what can he do.

  Ichsan pulling a short breath. It is unethical if Ichsan forcing Fahri to answer his question at this time when he was at this shocked condition. At least for now he must put aside his curiosity and giving a time to Fahri for calming himself. Not only Ichsan, even the other detective didn’t dare to ask Fahri and deciding to leave him alone without disturbing him. Not only because of pity, but more because of fear and the reason is no other than he was their superior.

  At the late afternoon, Ichsan and Sofian just now were leaving Fahri residence. Before going back to the of
fice to take some files. Ichsan deliberately give Sofian a ride and at once taking Sofian to the car workshop to take Sofian car that was done repairing.

  "Mr. Fahri's wife had two slash wound. First in her shoulder and the other in her waist. The cause of her death is a blood loss and trauma." Sofian breaks the silence inside Ichsan car.

  Ichsan only stayed silent and listening.

  "In fact, I had a doubt if this is a robbery case. But all of them especially Mr. Rudi said the same thing, this case is only a robbery and the death of Mr. Fahri's wife is a coincidence. Those robbers were forced to kill Mrs. Tika so there is no one that can be a witness."

  "They had a strong reason to say that."

  "But, this is strange sir." Sofian insisting."They are so sure only because a footprint of some people near the living room and the window that is destroyed from the outside. But when I checked by my own the door is on a fine condition. I asked about that door, and they said that door was unlocked and it even opened when they are comes. Only one fingerprint in there and that is Mr. Fahri's fingerprint. Those robber could be using some hand gloves because they all can’t find any different fingerprint at the house. That is what they said to me. A logical assumption I could say, but if this robbery is indeed a planned one, I think, they surely would watching Mr. Fahri house for a long time before act. It is impossible if they didn’t know who Mr. Fahri is. Only a completely demented people that dared to target high ranked police officer house. Wasn't it too risky, Sir? And there is a teenager that said to me, he accidentally hear a car engine sound that stopped around Mr. Fahri house around 11 o'clock, exactly 2 hours before robbery happened."

  "A teen? Did you meet that kid?"

  "Yes, but he is only a 13 years old boy that can't sleep because he had fun played an online game at computer. So when he heard there is a car engine sound, he ignored it completely. And at the morning that kid is surprised when he see a crowd in Mr. Fahri's house. I can't find much information from that kid. But he said that he just able to sleep at 3 o'clock in the morning, he was sure when he was still awake, he's not hearing any car engine sound except the one from before."