Behind the wheel, she drove through the heavy traffic toward the outskirts of East Jakarta.
After the cold confrontation with Bistok in the lab that afternoon,
Siska’s anger had actually transformed into calmness with sharp accuracy.
She no longer cared about time efficiency or the strict research schedule at her father’s company.
Her obsession now narrowed down to one thing: winning this race.
She would not let that slick man, who during college had always shadowed her research with disgusting intrigue and point-stealing, get the “gold” from people who didn’t even know the value of what they had.
Siska finally stopped in front of a budget hotel located not far from the main market entrance.
The hotel looked worn out, with peeling wall paint and a lobby light that flickered like it was dying.
But for Siska, this location was the best post she could get.
She got out of the car, ignoring the Jakarta dust that immediately stuck to her clothes.
She walked into the stuffy lobby.
The male receptionist at the decaying wooden desk stared at her with a confused look, almost not believing that a woman with an unusual appearance dared to set foot in a place only inhabited by vegetable sellers and truck drivers that night.
“I need a room for an unspecified amount of time,” Siska said flatly, pulling out her credit card without hesitation.
“I want a room facing directly toward the main market road.
No complaints about the price.”
The receptionist just nodded without asking much, immediately handing over the room key.
Siska went up to her room, ignoring the musty smell that greeted her.
She immediately opened her laptop and turned it on.
Her phone buzzed on the table.
The name “Sarah” appeared on the screen.
She answered immediately.
“Sarah, I’m at the spot.
The main market,” Siska said, her eyes not leaving the street below.
“I just finished my routine field inspection,” Sarah’s voice answered, sounding tired.
“Are you sure you want to do this alone in that area?
That’s a very unstable territory, Siska.
A lot of interests clash here.”
“I have to, Sarah.
I can’t let Bistok win this time,” Siska insisted in a firmer tone.
“I need a safe route to monitor the situation without being sniffed out by brokers who are starting to play rough.
I know you have control over the logistics sector there as part of your external service.”
Sarah was silent for a moment.
There was the sound of a chair scraping inside the operational vehicle cabin and the constant roar of the vehicle engine in the background.
“That sector isn’t a playground, Sis.
I have superiors who always monitor every movement on the data board, and Bistok…
he has his own network that might have already infiltrated the lower levels.”
“You’re the only person I trust here, Sarah.
Please, help me,” Siska pleaded in a softer tone now, showing a fragile side she rarely displayed.
“You know my history with him.
I don’t want my research to end up as his merchandise.”
Sarah let out a long sigh, her breathing sounding heavy.
“Okay.
I’ll make sure my sector patrols are directed to that area tonight.”
“Thanks, Sarah.
I knew I could count on you,” Siska replied with a relieved tone.
“Don’t trust anyone too much, Siska,” Sarah answered before hanging up.
Siska ended the call.
She contacted Pak Haji Mansyur, who was on guard near the market entrance.
“Pak Haji Mansyur, have you gotten any info about Anom?” asked Siska.
“Yes, Miss Siska.
He was seen around the farthest concrete pillar before sunset.
But he wasn’t carrying anything,” Pak Haji Mansyur answered from the other end in a whispering voice.
Siska growled low.
“Don’t let him disappear.
Also, make sure if a man in a faded bomber jacket shows up.”
“Got it, Miss.
But what if that man comes with inside access from cargo?” asked Pak Haji Mansyur anxiously.
“Then contact me immediately if necessary,” Siska ordered firmly.
…
Sarah stood at the doorway of her apartment, locking the door with one turn.
She had just changed out of her uniform into more casual clothes.
After making sure the key was stored in her pocket, she took out her phone and opened the ride-hailing app.
The pickup point was already set at the apartment lobby, while her destination was a cheap inn near the main market.
Not long after she arrived at the lobby, a matte motorcycle with a somewhat loud exhaust stopped in front of her.
The driver, a middle-aged man, turned toward Sarah to confirm his passenger.
“You’re Ms.
Sarah, right?” the man asked.
Sarah nodded, then got on the back.
Throughout the ride, the familiar streets of Jakarta greeted them.
Sarah stayed quiet, enjoying the night breeze until they finally arrived in front of the old hotel.
The motorcycle driver pulled over in front of the quiet-looking lobby.
Sarah got off immediately and took out her phone.
“How much is the total, sir?” asked Sarah while looking at her phone screen to confirm the fare.
“On the app it’s 18 thousand, miss,” the driver answered while turning off the engine.
Sarah nodded slightly.
“I’ll pay with e-wallet balance, sir, to make it practical.”
“Sure, miss, go ahead,” he answered.
Sarah pressed the payment confirmation button on her phone and showed the screen to the driver.
“It’s gone through, sir.” Sarah also added a tip in the app.
“Yes, miss, the notification came through.
Thank you, miss,” the man said warmly.
“You’re welcome, sir.”
Sarah put her phone in her pocket and stepped into the hotel lobby.
There was no receptionist on duty, just a man who appeared to be sleeping on a plastic chair near the entrance.
Sarah ignored him and went straight up the creaking wooden stairs to the second floor.
After finding room 302, she knocked softly on the door.
The door opened.
Siska stood there with her hair a bit messy from staring at the computer screen all day.
“You actually came,” Siska said while opening the door wider.
Sarah entered the quite stuffy room.
She put her bag on the floor and immediately sat on the edge of the wooden bed, whose sheets looked a little worn.
“There was a bit of a delay on the road, a traffic jam because of a broken-down truck at the front intersection,” Sarah said while wiping sweat from her forehead.
“Good thing the ojek driver knew the shortcut, otherwise I’d be another hour getting here.”
Siska nodded, returning to her chair and closing the laptop that had been open.
“I thought you’d be really busy tonight.”
“I’m actually taking it easy, that’s why I could stop by,” Sarah answered casually.
She turned toward the small table in the corner of the room and saw some notes there.
“What are you so busy with that you have to stay in a place like this anyway?”