The Dark Side of the Mentari

Interrogations

The police station was the place he had stepped on for once. From a small Rania is always implanted to never deal with the police. There is always a reluctance to approach them. In Rania's eyes everyone who dealt with the police or his office was a lawbreaker.

They walked in the waiting room door. Diah along with Mr. Fandi and Mr. Mansur have also arrived, immediately following the entrance into the waiting room. Rania circulated her gaze sweeping the room. Not so spacious with a few long wooden chairs, but enough to seat a few people. A wide, three-lined window faces the highway with several vents at its top.

They all went in and sat there, waiting, not knowing what to do. Mr. Fandi and Mr. Mansur sit side by side, while Rania and Diah in the other seats. Rania leaned her body on the long chair, Diah sitting on her left while holding her hand.

"So I called Dandy Ran's brother."

"Sorry to trouble you and brother Dandy. But I'm really scared of Diah."

"Have you informed your parents?."

"Of course, maybe they're on their way here by now."

"Thank God. Dandy's brother will be here any minute."

"We pray that Reza's life can be helped. Don't be afraid, even if the worst happens, you do it by accident in self-defense."

Rania is not crying anymore. He looked towards Mr. Fandy and Mr. Mansur alternately.

"Bak Rania doesn't have to worry. Wira called me. Ask for help accompanying Rania's mother here before they come."

Rania frowned. How can Wira know Mr. Fandi's phone number?.

"Sir Fandi called Wira?". Rania asked unconsciously. Diah who does not know who the hero is following looking at Mr. Fandi, he must also be wondering.

"Yes mbak. They'll be there soon."

It's possible that the police gave Mr. Fandi's number to Mas Wira.

"Sir, may I know where Rania got the hammer?."

"Today I just put a clothes hanger in the room sir. It just so happened that I forgot to return it to the kitchen because it was raining and had to lift the clothesline."

"So that hammer was already from yesterday in there?." Rania nodded. If only Rania was not involved in this case at the moment, she would have laughed. Mr. RT is exactly the cop who is interrogating the suspect.

"Let's the police will ask that." Mr. Fandi said as if he knew what Rania was thinking.

"Do I have to sleep here tonight sir?."

"We'll wait, you don't know either."

Someone opened the inner door, apparently a black policeman earlier. Rania just found out his name Rudi from the inscription embossed on his right pocket.

"Miss Rania, come with me."

Rania looked at the three people sitting in the waiting room alternately. Mr. Fandi Nodded. Diah stood up to follow Rania but was hurriedly prevented by Mr. Rudi.

Diah sat back down, staring at Rania who was hesitant to move.

"Jawab is honestly like what you know Ran."

The girl nodded then stepped past Mr. Rudi who held the door open.

Then the two of them walked together towards an old brown-painted wooden door on the right side of the hallway. Rania breathed a sigh of relief. He thought it would be put into a holding room, but it wasn't. After the door opened he saw several tables lined up on the wall. Each table is paired with individual chairs at the front and back. The arrangement is similar to a row of nurse tables in the puskesmas yard during the implementation of covid vaccination. There was a policeman there. From her name Rania knew her name was Purnomo H. Light-skinned man, Big tall stature with a thick mustache like the husband of a dangdut artist he had seen in TV commercials. His age was not far from his father. Maybe the Head of Unit. It looks from Mr. Rudi who saluted when they entered.

"Please sit down." Rania almost laughed as soon as she heard the man's voice, but hurriedly swallowed it before it actually sounded. His voice is similar to the voice of his art teacher at Junior High. Not smitten, but not at all suited to his body and uniform.

With his right hand he pulled out a chair, then sat down like a sickle. He remembered once, once called a BP teacher because several times skipped school because the wayward has not done the task.

"No need to strain so." Mr. Purnomo smiled, Rania also smiled awkwardly. "I just wanted to ask you a few things. Just answer honestly."

Rania nodded.

"Please drink it first." Mr. Purnomo held out a small bottle of mineral water. Rania accepted it and immediately opened the lid after thanking her. Sipped him a few gulps, hoping his tension waned.

Justright. The only question he had to answer was about the incident. Some are the same as those that were asked while still at home. Also about the origin of the hammer he used to hit Reza's head, exactly what Mr. Fandi had asked. That voice that resembled his art teacher really helped to unravel the tension. It was as if he was not being questioned by the police.

Suddenly, Rania was grateful for forgetting. The first time his habit forgot useful. If only he had not forgotten to keep the hammer back, it could have been him who was currently in the IGD or even in the mortuary. Not a few criminals who try to eliminate traces by killing victims?. He knows Reza well.

"Have there been any suspicious incidents before?."

"Yes sir, the keys to my boarding house were tampered with a few days ago."

"Now?."

"It's been fixed sir, I ask a friend to change the slot."

"Is there a door that wasn't locked when the man came in?."

"Maybe the back door, I forgot to close it after drying the towel."

The question goes well. Several other questions flowed and were answered thoughtlessly by Rania. From his daily college days, online sales, and his origins. Even Rania talked about her married status without the slightest burden. It seems that in addition to being a police officer, Mr. Purnomo is also a psychologist. No question at all. Rania answered honestly. It was even possible that he would answer in exactly the same sentence if given a similar question.

The three people who were still sitting in the waiting room simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief when Rania emerged from behind the door that Rudi opened. Both of them smiled towards the three people.

"Wait here first." Mr. Rudi said then passed back inside.

"How's mbak?." Mr. Fandi can't wait for Rania to sit down.

"I was just named as a witness. So it's not on hold as long as there's a family that can vouch for sir." Diah hugged Rania. It was her turn to cry.

"That means you don't have to worry anymore. My friend at the new hospital told me that Reza was past her critical period."