DEATH WARRANT
IS IT A COINCIDENCE

I who finished listening to Nanda's confession was surprised because I did not expect it. "Wake up? You mean, you were expecting that bullet Riko was carrying for an emergency?''

''Yes, because I was very sure that you would bring him here, that's why I deliberately left one bullet in it. Yes, to threaten Jara when we were both in a desperate state, you saw for yourself Jara asked to throw away my weapon right?''

I kept trying to understand his words. I was still unable to digest the meaning of his words.

Nanda looked at the sky for a moment before continuing. ''I deliberately pulled out a gun while we were both in the house, but that was the only bargaining chip to threaten him... You know why?''

I just kept quiet again trying to understand the direction he was saying. ''For the sake of it, I want him to think that he is winning, just look, Nanda smiled cynically. ''Heh, it's only natural that he felt calm when we were both inside the building...''

''Since Riko you mean?''

''Yeah, he knows you don't have a gun. But, since you're under the influence of the book, she finally found out that Riko took her. I who from the beginning expected the weapon carried by Riko that would be the key, it turns out he was the one who actually used it. I did not think that's why he was calm from the beginning of our meeting!''

''That doesn't explain why you killed him at all!'' my firmness.

''That's because I haven't been able to ascertain whether Riko is under the influence of her curse or not. Just in case.it would be dangerous if the weapon was fully loaded.''

''I know that, because you still have doubts about Riko. So, you left one bullet in it. That's not what I'm asking, it's me.

''Had Riko not been in his influence, I could have captured Jara without having to kill her. However, the bet I made turned out to be a total loss.'' Nanda chuckled a little. I know that because he did not expect that he would lose to Jara. ''...it turns out that Riko is under the influence of the curse... That's why I prepared plan B, Nanda stared at the lush trees at the end. ''That sniper!'' emphatically.

I gulped as my head imagined what would happen to all of us if the sniper wasn't around. Nanda actually prepared all his steps so orderly. Even though he was upset because his plan A failed. But that way the plan really managed to make Jara feel on the wind, so Jara did not think about other possibilities. Who would have thought that there would be a sniper waiting in a place like this. It means Nanda knew that Jara would come here. I came back from my daydream.

''I'm sure Jara will kill me right now!'' continued.

I hurriedly agreed with his words. Jara says she will use Nanda's blood for her sixth book. I'm sure he's not that stupid, he'll be caught if he keeps Nanda alive.

''How do you catch him if Riko is not in his influence? Isn't that the same... Jara can still threaten to kill me even if you keep pressing her?'' ask after a moment of silence.

Nanda nodded confidently. ''I will tell Riko to fire the only bullet at you, '' he concluded with an annoying smile.

''What? You are planning to kill me!''

''Do you think there is any other option to save you, ''' his horse. ''You will die because of the book or you will have to willingly give your life to us, you know for yourself the effect of the book will never be lost even if you are separated from it. You should know, your life is really in his hands, he said so relaxed.

''You're really crazy!''

''No. ''No. It don't.... After Riko shoots your hand, you will grimace in pain, when it happens it will be very easy to make you fall unconscious. So that the influence of the book will fail even if only briefly at least I can use the sniper I have prepared to threaten him.''

''So that's why you said the bet failed?''

Nanda nodded then continued. ''Yes, it can only be done if Riko is not in his control. If only I had knocked you unconscious... Jara can still use Riko to threaten me.

''So you are planning to hurt me?'' my voice came out so high.

''I'm sure you'll understand...''

''What do you mean?'' I cut the sentence.

''It's better than losing a life!'' he said flat while staring at the fireplace he made.

''Then why am I still alive? Kan, just now you said, the effect of the curse of the book will not be lost. I'm actually fine now. Is your guess wrong?''

Nanda looked back at the already shrinking fireplace. ''Or actually what Jara said was just a lie, I asked. My eyes were looking for the book that Jara mentioned earlier.

''I burned it!''

''You burned it?'' I stood up immediately in shock at his actions. Are these Black Crow personnel really wise? How could he decide to burn the book that would be the answer to all the questions that had ruined my days.

''What!''

''Right now I don't want to explain it to you, '' he said quickly before I asked a few questions. Nanda seemed to know what I was going to ask.

''You have to tell everything tonight!''

''I reiterate once again, this is not a good time!'' his gaze was so serious. ''I promise to explain everything. But, not at the moment.''

''What do you mean? You can't explain the book to me, can you?''

''Yes, I hope you understand what I mean, '' he said.

What he is hiding. Or is it because of the book? Before I fainted I could see him holding the book, would anything have happened to me if I had known it? But, he had said that the effects of the curse would disappear if burned? What the hell is going on? Question after question one by one popped into my head not stopping.

''Can I ask you anything other than the book?'' I said with caution.

Nanda nodded his head. Without being told, I immediately caught the signal that the book was not properly burned.

''So, everything you said before was a lie?''

''Which one? About going out of that country?'' guess it.

''Yes. Even Mr. Bisco said that you went to escort the foreign minister to negotiate the case with the Interpol chief.''

''Really, it's all just the settings I've prepared. Including the Commander who provoked you, Nanda smiled faintly at my surprised reaction to the words he had just uttered. ''Alright, I know so much you want to ask. But now is not the right time. Just look at the day it's getting darker, '' he continued.

When I wanted to refute it suddenly heard footsteps from the trees. I immediately whistled to see it.

''It was my partner, '' said Nanda.

A long-haired woman was accompanied by two men walking behind her. The woman approached Nanda. They all wear black suits. The woman who was standing in front of me did not care at all about my whereabouts still sitting on the ground. While two friends lifted the body of Jara who could not do anything.

''I have prepared a vehicle for you both, '' he said. The woman looked at me so cynically.

I just returned it with a cynical look without saying.

''We'll be there soon, '' Nanda replied. ''There was still something I wanted to say right now to her, Nanda looked at me who was still sitting next to her. ''You just go first and report all the results to Mr. Bisco. I will probably be back in Jakarta tomorrow. So, I want you to be in charge of everything.''

''All right then, '' said the woman then left after handing over a car key to Nanda.

''We will leave after you answer all my questions!'' I immediately raised my voice after the woman with her partner disappeared behind the trees along with the flashlight she was carrying.

''Shouldn't you ask who and why that woman is here? I bet you're curious about their arrival?''

''Who cares about that!''

''Or are you not curious about Riko's situation?'' continued.

''You already said that he would be fine, what to worry about again!'' my firmness.

''Oh, it turns out that you already trust that with me.''

I'm just silent not responding to her nyinyiran.

''Alright, I'll explain everything, but not today, Nanda showed her already bandaged calf. "We need rest, at least for tonight.''