Police Teasers

11a

Friday (08.44), 03 April 2020

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“Then, there is a possibility that the perpetrator has a relationship with Ratna and Papa but they are equally unaware of it.”

He moved restlessly in his sleep.

“Either why this feeling always arises when I meet the man you call uncle Max. I'm like filled with terror.”

He changed his sleeping position to stop the noises that plagued his sweet dreams.

“How Uncle Max can know Ratna's vehicle and where is the room?”

“You've been treated like my son, and Ratna is your lover. I think it's natural that I pay attention to it.”

Freddy's eyes opened. His breath gasped for the sounds that disturbed his sleep. He's choked. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling of the room.

Slowly Freddy changed his sleeping position to sit down. He looked at the digital clock on the nightstand. It's only one in the morning. But his eyes could no longer be closed.

The man took off the blanket and got out of bed. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. There is no point in forcing yourself to go back to sleep. After that he went to the kitchen. A cup of thick coffee is very fitting to accompany the rest of the time until the sun rises later. It reminds Freddy of his long nights when he was handling a weird case. He couldn't sleep for more than three hours.

With a hot coffee cup in his hand, Freddy headed for the sofa in front of the balcony. He opened the curtains and glass doors to let the cold wind in. The fresh morning air seemed to cool his brain.

Freddy threw his body on the long sofa facing the balcony. The view of the night sky cleared his mind. Occasionally his fingers sewn on the back of his neck that felt sore. His mind floated on the events of many years ago.

“Where are we going, Pa?” ask seventeen-year-old Freddy. Besides, Gabriel, who is three years younger than him, seems indifferent, busy with games on his gadget

“Go as far as possible from this city.” Obviously Jeremy from behind the wheel of the car that the family was driving through the darkness of the night. Although his voice was slow, everyone in the car was aware of the anger in Jeremy's voice.

After that no one dared to speak, until the sound of Jeremy's cell phone broke the silence. With his right hand still busy at the wheel, Jeremy reached into his pants pocket to get the phone out.

As soon as he saw the caller id, Jeremy immediately slammed his phone into the dashboard. Fortunately, it was not strong enough to cause no damage. But the loud sound of the phone hitting the dashboard, made everyone in the car jump, including Gabriel.

Fransisca who sat in the front seat beside Jeremy glanced at the phone that kept ringing with the screen facing up.

“What does this have to do with Max?” ask Fransisca gently.

Uncle Max's? Think Freddy. He knew how close his papa was to Uncle Max. He never even saw them disagree. His father had considered Uncle Max like his own brother. Uncle Max thinks his dad is like an older brother. Freddy liked him a lot because often Uncle Max defended him if his mischief is still understandable. If it is beyond the limits of tolerance, even Uncle Max can be more fierce than his papa. But now, are they fighting?

“That bastard! I think I know him. But it turns out—”

Fransisca stroked her husband's arm trying to calm him down. “Please don't curse in front of children.”

Jeremy rubbed his face violently. Freddy had never seen such a bitter and desperate look fill his papa's face as it was now.

“I'm sorry.” Jeremy could finally say more gently. His fingers clasped Fransisca's hands in search of the tranquility his wife offered.

“She must have hurt your heart so much that you were like this.”

“Very.” Jeremy's heart is weak. “But I can't tell you now. Maybe next time.”

Fransisca nodded in understanding.

Freddy just thought his dad couldn't tell because he and Gabriel were there. Means the problems his father faced were considered inappropriate for teenagers like Freddy and Gabriel to know.

Freddy never saw Uncle Max again. He also never remembered the conversation until now. His first meeting with Uncle Max at the M&B Group office party was considered a good fate. But why now all the evidence and information in Freddy's mind seems to point out that Uncle Max is the suspect he's been hunting for?

Surely he mustn't be rash. He had to wait to hear the testimony from his father. If the papa's testimony turns out to strengthen all the evidence, it means there is no other choice but to catch Uncle Max.

“Can't sleep?”

Freddy turned to look at the woman who was standing behind the sofa. A smile on his lips. “You won't let me sleep with you. I can't sleep well.” Grouse Freddy

Ratna clucked and left Freddy. The man only smiled faintly watching his woman descend to the first floor while stomping her feet. “If you walk like that, you may fall down the stairs!” Freddy gave a warning in a slightly loud voice.

There is no lawfulness.

Freddy's smile grew wider. Just by flirting with the woman Freddy's heart was calm. The man squirms while stretching his muscles that feel stiff. How long did he sit in that position? An hour? Two hours?

His hands stretched out to grab the freshly drunk coffee half on the table. It's chill. It turns out that his outburst of mind made Freddy lose his time orientation.

“How long have you been sitting here?”

Freddy flinched when Ratna suddenly asked. When did the woman come? Was he daydreaming?

Ratna put the warm milk on the table then sat down on the long sofa beside Freddy. His black eyes stared fixedly at those gray eyes. “You've been daydreaming a lot lately.”

“Really? I didn't even notice it.”

Ratna positioned herself in the corner of the sofa then placed the sofa cushion over her lap. His hand patted the pillow, gesturing for Freddy to fall on his lap.

Freddy smiled thinly. Slowly he placed his head on Ratna's lap. His long legs stretched until dangled on the edge of the sofa.

“You share a story with me?” jemari Ratna gently stroked Freddy's hair.

“Just think of a case.”

“What was the case that befell me?”

The man nodded.

“Can I help you?”

Freddy grabbed Ratna's hand that wasn't stroking her hair. Grasped the hand, then gave a long soft kiss. “Have you thought of remembering your past?”

“Ser often. But every time I try, there's a fear that's enveloping my heart. That's why I gave up before trying harder. Is that important now? What do I remember this case being able to say?”

Freddy was silent for a moment before continuing. “Kurasa yes. But I don't want to force you.”

“Will I try.” Ratna looked down and surprised Freddy by giving a soft kiss on the man's forehead.

“Keep out of it!” freddy's orders in a hoarse voice after Ratna straightened her body.

Ratna frowned confusedly looking at Freddy. “What do you mean?”

“You kicked me out?” ratna asked exasperatedly but followed Freddy's orders.

After Ratna got off the sofa, Freddy put a pillow where Ratna was sitting and shifted his head comfortably on the pillow.

“Sleep on my chest. I want to sleep while hugging you.”

Ratna could not help her smile. He receives Freddy's outstretched hand and links their fingers. Slowly she lay down on the man's body. It's not a comfortable position. But the warmth that surrounded him when Freddy was holding Ratna's body was soothing and made him feel loved.

***

“Hai, Ma.” Greet Freddy while peeking at his mother's cheek.

“Hai, Darling. Where's Ratna?”

“In office. I just drove him.” Freddy turned to the man leaning on the head of the hospital bed. “Hai, Pa. How is Papa today?” Freddy also peeked at his papa.

“What are you talking about, Son? Papa just had a scratch. Gabriel alone is overstretching her a doctor.” Grumpy Jeremy.

Fransisca. “Mama is no longer able to hear her grunts. Honey, can you stay here until Mama gets back? Mama wants to go home for a while.”

“Sure, Ma. But Mama didn't come home alone, did she?”

“Pak Rahman is waiting in the parking lot.”

“Then be so careful on the road, Ma.” Freddy's back on his mom's cheek.

After Fransisca came out, Freddy sat on the bedside chair that his mother had occupied. The man was silent for quite a while, not knowing where to start.

“What do you want to ask, Son? If Papa can answer it, Papa will answer.”

Freddy took a long breath. “What really happened between Papa and uncle Max?”

Jeremy didn't think Freddy would ask that. He thinks Freddy's gonna be back to talking about the accident. So what does he have to answer now? Would it be good if Jeremy told me about the pictures?

“Why suddenly ask that? Papa thinks you're gonna ask me something related to the accident that happened to Papa.”

Freddy stared at the gray eyes similar to his. “Good. We'll talk about that later. Please answer honestly. Did Papa have a fight with Uncle Max recently?”

Jeremy nodded.

“What's the problem?”

“The problem is still the same. Due to the quarrel in the past.”

“Tell me!”

Jeremy scolded. He can't dodge anymore. Here's time. “You still remember the story about Aunty Jessie?”

Freddy nodded. Grandpa had told that until the incident of murder committed by his father.

“After the incident, Papa hated the rapist so much.” Jeremy. “Then Papa who is still covered with injuries due to the loss of Jessie met with Max. He's like a medicine that heals the wounds in Papa's heart. We were finally friends. Papa thinks of himself as a sister. Daddy loves her like he loves Jessie.

“Until one day, Papa found a pile of photos in his apartment room drawer. No need to explain in detail the photos. Bottom line it is a photo of a harasser against women.” Jeremy's speechless. Choked throat. “Then Papa saw the photo. A girl roughly the age of Jessie when she died. Unintentionally looking at the photo alone Papa already felt nauseous. Especially after seeing the girl—as if Jessie is being harassed—like a knife stabbed into Papa's heart. That's when Papa hated Max so much. Even Papa had reported to the police the photos before we left the city.”

Freddy's hands clenched tightly. Without needing to ask Freddy could already guess whose photo his papa meant. But he needs clarity. “Whose photo is it, Pa? The girl of Aunty Jessie you mean, does Papa know who that girl is?”

“First Papa doesn't remember. But after meeting Ratna—” Jeremy did not continue. He's sure Freddy knows the continuation.

“Means ********that's the monster? The person who had made Ratna traumatized?”

“Trauma?”

“Even Ratna until memory loss. I haven't noticed all this time, Pa. Ratna behaves strangely every time she meets the devil. He had even said as if he was filled with terror after meeting the demon. But I ignored it. Had it not been from the beginning that I had ignored Ratna's fear, none of this would have happened.”

“What do you mean by ‘all of this’, was the accident that befell Papa?”

“Not just that, Pa. The woman who stabbed Ratna was found dead with a knife stuck to the top of her head. Si ********* Max sent the woman's head to Ratna. Wrapping it neatly as if it was a gift that would make Ratna soar with excitement.”

Jeremy was shocked. “I didn't expect Max to go that far. He's really not the Max I know anymore.”

“Even Papa must not have thought that he had tried to kill Papa because he thought Papa could ruin his plan.”

Suddenly, Jeremy nodded at his temple.

“Papa why?” Freddy's starting to panic.

“It's okay. Just a little dizzy.”

“I'll contact Gabriel.” Obviously Freddy while pressing the red button to call the guard doctor while removing his phone to contact Gabriel.

After Gabriel comes to check on Jeremy, Freddy comes out feeling worried. Maybe he shouldn't have told me all that. Almost ten minutes waiting, Gabriel finally came out.

“Papa's a little depressed. But now he's asleep.”

Freddy nodded. “I talk too much. I'd better go now. I still have a lot to take care of. Can you make sure someone's looking after Papa? Don't let her just be with Mama for a while. There's a bad guy out there trying to hurt Papa.”

Gabriel nodded in understanding. After that Freddy immediately went out to the parking lot.

Just as he started the car engine, his phone vibrated signaling a call.

“Toni, what's up?”

“The knife thief used to stab Miss Ratna is known. His name is Rudi. The man disguised himself as an office boy to perform the action. It is alleged that he was an accomplice of Maxwell Benedict, CEO of M&B Group. Right now I've sent police personnel to arrest him.”

“Bigger also guts. Dare to come to the police station just to steal a knife. We better act fast now. I'm going straight to M&B Group to catch Maxwell Benedict.”

“But you don't have a restraining warrant yet.”

“I don't care.” Freddy immediately hung up his phone and stepped on the gas to the company M&B Group.

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♥ Aya Emily ♥