Rotten shell

"I know you're not the neat kind of kid," his mother said, "at least don't embarrass Dad and yourself." Mom's fingers were jumping between the clothes hanging in the cupboard. She turned around after pulling out a long dress. ivory dress."This is nice, isn't it?"

always "I know you're a neat type of person," replied Mahira, half-heartedly untying the safety pin in her plain scarf, "but at least don't underestimate someone who's a little untidy."

"Not a little more tidy, but a little more messy!" In one fell swoop, Mahira's two-year younger brother, Adam, threw his plastic egg toy and landed on target on his brother's head.

"Adam!" Mahira snarled in annoyance.

"Hey, don't play games, please," said his mother. "Later your sister who can't make up will be late, you know."

"Oh!" Mahira actually knew that it was just Mother's trick to kick her sister out. He took the initiative to drag his sister out of the room and closed the door. "When you come in, knock on the door first."

Ten minutes later, Mahira was done with the appearance business. Out the front door, Dad was waiting in front of his proud patrol car. "It's been a long time."

"Mom, that's it!" Mahira threw accusations at Mother who was standing in the doorway. Mother smirked with satisfaction after successfully dressing her detective daughter who couldn't make up.

"Come on, let's go rather than be late." Dad pressed the door lock button.

An invitation to dinner was made by the mayor of me which was an honor not to be missed by my father. Considering he is not a cop in a high chair. For Mahira, the invitation was just a formality. He didn't know that the invitation should be on his desk in class, not on Dad's desk. For indeed, the child have a greater attraction than

His father in the eyes of the mayor. Mahira managed to help the police catch the perpetrators of heroin transactions last month. Although the case has been closed and Mahira's involvement is only known to the internal police, Mahira is quite sure that Inspector Handono told the Mayor.

The mayor is indeed carrying out a drug-free campaign. He is also actively supporting the activities of the National Drug Agency in the city. Maybe because of the news that had tarnished his name because his nephew was caught hiding ecstasy during the New Year's party raid. Maybe that's why Mahira was invited.

Two people got out of the patrol car. A tall, slender man who was agile and mustache, had the look of a policeman though not quite as fierce. Another 15 year old girl who looked three years older. Yes, it can be seen from the way he walks and talks - even though he doesn't really talk much.

The dinner was held in a simple guesthouse. Not so many came. My father had guessed it was because the Mayor, who was his former superior, wrote Mahira's name under his name. The logic is simple: Why are young people like him invited to formal events? So sure it's an invitation for a limited circle, maybe the mayor's friends. Entering the room, they were immediately confronted by the Mayor and his son. Father immediately gave greeting, "Mr Mayor, what an honor...."

"Oh, this must be Mahira, right?" Mahira smiled, nodded. Father smiled blandly.

"I heard a story about you from an old friend of mine in the police, Mr. Sudarso. He said you were great and brave. Eh, you're beautiful too." Mahira smiled again. Luckily there was Mom, yeah

"So what? Pak Harsono, is Mahira's father?" now, the new mayor looks at Mahira's father. "Pak Harison actually. I also serve in the police,just like you used to be."

"Oh yes, yes." The mayor nodded. Five people from the police came, all of my father's superiors. The atmosphere is getting busier. They began to mingle in the chat among the police. The mayor, who understood the situation, immediately took the initiative to nudge the man who had been standing behind him, his son.

Then he said to Mahira, "Mahira, just come in first. This is accompanied by my son, Hendra."

Hendra is just like Mahira, a high school student. However, he was two years older than Mahira. Hendra really looks like the Mayor. The body is pro portional, the aura is firm but also warm. According to Mahira's brief observation, Hendra has the talent to be a policeman and mayor who is greater than his father.

They got acquainted without much ado. Unlike the six police officers and one ex-cop near them. "Want to go right in?" Hendra offered.

Mahira is a little worried. If he had to sit sweetly among adults he didn't know, he would definitely not be able to stand it.

"Actually it's still quiet inside. Want to go for a walk first?"

"Nice walk."

They moved away from the mob of police who were happily reminiscing at the entrance. Strolling in the wet grass, under the crescent moon, and in the dim lighting of the garden lights. The roses that are neatly arranged in the garden are not very clearly visible, but their fragrant aroma is enough to lull the nostrils of anyone who passes by.

For a long time Mahira did not walk at night. So it's a distraction that he thinks. The fresh air subsided an hour ago. because of the rain

"How did you become a detective?" Hendra. ask

Actually Mahira also did not know how to answer it. Being a detective is like a natural instinct. When Dad and his colleagues in the police get stuck in solving a case, they call Mahira, and a new path opens. It all seemed like it just happened, I don't know how long. Maybe since he was in sixth grade or junior high school? Mahira doesn't really remember the first time she helped the police. "So how?"

Mahira racked her brains, then easily answered, "I don't know."

"Don't know? How could you not know why you became a secret detective?" Hendra asked curiously after being confused. Even so, it doesn't take away his polite innate pem. The language is still formal. Kaku, that's what Aria called it. It is also the predicate given to the Mahira language style. They both said no, not no.

"Oh that, actually I'm confused as to why that is."

The answer made Hendra even more curious. He didn't know what else to ask. Before sinking into a conversation that's getting worse clearly, Mahira said, "Looks like we've gone too far from the guest house."

"Yes...." Hendra half-heartedly confirmed. "Maybe the show hasn't started yet. Papa said it started at eight. Twenty minutes to go. Why don't you take a walk to the back garden? There are park benches, we can wait there.

"Why?" Mahira smirked. "Isn't the back bun further from the guesthouse?"

The dim light of the garden lights shows the face Hendra which blushing and misbehaving.

"How about the back room of the guesthouse? I wonder what's in there."

"Only kitchen and toilet."

"Good. I've always wanted to know how great chefs cook good food. Can I take a walk over there?"

"Okay," Hendra finally complied. "But I'm going to the guesthouse first. I have to meet Papa."

"Please."

"It's fine going there alone, isn't it?"

"No problem. Thank you for accompanying me for a walk."

Hendra smiled, nodded, then quickly turned and left. I don't know what made him rush. Maybe meeting the Mayor should be rushed? Or maybe he's trying to cover something up? Once again Mahira smiled a knot, shaking her head before crossing the narrow path to the guesthouse kitchen.

"Who's he?" Hendra asked when he saw Mahira with someone. replace

"His name is Rasif, son of one of the cooks in the kitchen. I met him there earlier."

"Looks like he likes you." Hendra smiled and ruffled the three-year-old's hair, "Yes, right?"

"Maila is fine." His slurred tongue couldn't pronounce Mahira's name properly. And made Hendra chuckle a little.

"Rasif wants to come in with Big Brother?" Mahira asked, squatting down.

"Would want!"

"Rasif!"

Mahira, Hendra, and Rasif turned to the origin of the call. Rasif's mother called him. The mother then approached, carried her and left after smiling, and nodded to Hendra and Mahira

"It's a pity," said Mahira, "Rasif is a child and smart. That's funny

"You want to have a brother like Rasif?" Yeah. Even though I already have a younger brother man. But, he's in the second grade of middle school." "You still have to be grateful. I don't even have a sister."

"Yeah, but you still have a brother, right?" "Hey! How long are you going to be there alone?"

Mahira and Hendra spontaneously turned around. There stood Hendra's eldest sister, Ani, 22 years old. Ani smirked evilly, making Hendra refute resentfully, "No, really."

"Otherwise, come on, hurry in. It's about to start!" As they entered, a chef brought five hard-boiled eggs from the kitchen to the dining table.

"That's a boiled egg, huh?" Mahira asked the chef.

"Yes," the Koki smiled.

"Why aren't you peeled?"

The chef even looked around, as if suspicious that there were spies lurking. After making sure that no one

noticed, the chef tilted his head and whispered. "He said Pak Wali wanted to surprise Bu Wali. He himself told me."

"Shock?" Mahira had an oh in her heart. He understood why this dinner invitation was personal and tended to be exclusive. However, his anxious and curious instincts don't forget to do it every time (detective basis). task to relapse

"There's a celebration after all. I don't know either. As per the mission, this should be put on the table immediately." With agile and agile movements, the chef preceded Hendra and Mahira and placed five eggs with brass faces in the center of the table, near the flowers and candles.

Mahira gave Hendra a questioning look. Demanding an explanation of what the mayor will do tonight for his wife. But Hendra also looked confused, so they decided to just sit back and watch the Mayor's performance.

Mahira glanced at the five boiled eggs across from her. So, the Mayor has a romantic side too. But, what can he do with five unpeeled hard-boiled eggs? Not to mention another uniqueness, that the pudding which is usually served last now appears at the beginning of time. And also the container where the hard-boiled egg is still in the shell is like a tiered candle container, if viewed as a display only. Mahira, but what? There's something anch.... think

"Let's enjoy this dinner because this dinner for me is more than just an ordinary dinner. I want to make this dinner a symbol of our friendship together," the Mayor opened the event per dinner. A charismatic smile appeared on his mid-century face.

The clinking of spoons, forks, plates, and glasses began to fill the room. However, Mahira was not able to kill the prejudice. He had not touched the cutlery in front of him at all.

Mahira glanced around. From the right wall door, suddenly a chef appeared. Rasif's mother. Oh God, why do I have such bad thoughts? Or is this me

bad thing?

Across from Mahira, five shelled eggs are still neatly arranged. Mahira felt something was wrong with the eggs. The mayor took an egg. flipping through like he was checking a used book at a flea market. Beside him, the mayor who will be the star of the celebration looks relaxed. He was about to land a piece of meat into his mouth. Mahira suspected that the surprise was in the shell or in the egg, so the Mayor...

That's it, that's...

"Mister Mayor, can you fetch two the boiled egg for me? "the Mayor turned, then smiled." Oh, of course. "Then he took two eggs flanking an empty space of eggs he had taken for himself.

"No. I want the middle one," Mahira muttered reaction.

"What?" The mayor doesn't understand. Hendra was also increasingly surprised by Mahira -who he thought was a polite girl and could not possibly dictate to the most powerful person in town-as well as the other invited guests.

"Swap one of the eggs with the impatient egg. The one in your hand for the one in the middle," Mahira said starting to leave.

"Fine if you want the middle one." The mayor complied with Mahira's request and then held out two eggs in front of Mahira.

Mahira accepted the two eggs with a bit of hesitation, her hands shaking slightly. Could my intuition be wrong?

"Do you really like hard-boiled eggs?" ask Hendra. The person who was asked did not answer. Mahira checked the egg that was placed in the middle, then opened the egg shell. His head was like being electrocuted, looking at the Mayor who was holding a pudding spoon. If his poached egg plans are messed up by the teen he's respectfully invited to this banquet, at least there's a more exciting pudding plan. "Do not!" Finally this one got messed up too.

Once again, all the heads in the room looked at Mahira. The tense-faced Mahira looked straight at the Mayor. "Respectfully, I beg you, don't swallow the pudding.

"Sorry?" The Mayor was really confused - it was hard to read the anger on his friendly and charismatic face with Mahira.

"I asked you not to eat the pudding

"Why?" asked the mayor.

"What is it?" asked Hendra.

"Did someone put poison in there?" father ber

"I suspect so." Mahira's gaze shifted to the door on the right wall. The atmosphere of the room instantly changed.

"Mahira, you're not joking, right?" Mr Mayor put down the spoon.

"No, I'll bet." Mahira gets up and takes her seat. "If we hurry, maybe the culprit will still be caught. Maybe he's hiding around sin or maybe he's already escaped."

"Wh-who did it?" asked Dad on behalf of everyone in the room. "A chef who suddenly disappeared. Search

the kitchen!" The police officers, who five minutes ago were still happy and nostalgic, now hardened and their police faces returned. The six policemen looked as if they had been stung by bees. They immediately jumped from their seats and ran to the guesthouse kitchen. Together with them, Mahira also rushed over. Seeing this, Hendra also joined the "hunting group".

In the banquet hall, only the Mayor and his wife were busy contacting the security department and the rest of the invited guests were dumbfounded. They couldn't believe it was happening and they didn't dare touch the food at all.

The celebration was indeed ruined and Mahira never knew what surprise was in the egg or pudding but at least it was better than seeing the Mayor fall with foaming at the mouth.

The case is actually quite complicated. The mayor might have been poisoned if Mahira had not visited the guest house's kitchen and accidentally saw Rasif's mother breaking the "eggs" into pudding vla. At that time, Mahira did not have a bad feeling because the far enough viewing distance would not be able to see a symmetrical line right in the middle of the "egg" that was broken.

Actually the "eggs" were no different from the egg toys that Adam often threw at his head. Egg toy that can be opened and stuffed inside. Therein lies the genius trick. People will not think there is poison in the egg. The fake egg shouldn't have come out of its hiding place in the kitchen. However, the perpetrator violated this principle with fatal consequences.

When the culprit went out to get Rasif from Mahira, he carelessly left a fake egg in the kitchen. When another chef was about to serve boiled eggs on the table, the chef did not know that he had taken the wrong "eggs". When the perpetrator returned to eliminate the traces, the traces were actually served right in front of the victim and the police.

Contemplating the pattern of evil, made Mahira nailed. What about Rasif? He couldn't live with his mother who was a criminal. "Thinking of Rasif?"

Mahira almost flinched by it. It turned out that since radi Hendra was behind him. "Uh, yes."

"There will definitely be a better way for both of them. Do not worry."

"Okay," then Mahira stepped out to help the police.

The police interrogated some of the chefs in the kitchen. Their answers were all the same: a few minutes ago, a chef left and until now has not returned. Likewise with his only young son, Rasif.

"You should immediately look elsewhere, it must not be far from here," said Mahira to her father. All his police comrades also moved to explore the surrounding area. "Maybe he's out of the house," said Dad.

"Is it possible?" that's what Mahira is worried about. Once a bird escapes from the cage, it must fly far away until it disappears.

Anxiety grew even more when the security guard at the entrance reported seeing Rasti out because she had an important appointment with someone. Knowing that Rasti's job as an assistant chef was finished with the start of the dinner, the security guard let her go. Who knew that a beautiful woman in an apron with a toddler was actually a ruthless killer?

Now the area of ​​​​the chase is expanding. The police decided to carry out incidental patrols to the surrounding area. Mahira is determined to follow her father on patrol.

"Should I take you too?" Dad asked when they reached the proud patrol car.

"Of course!"

Dad turned around, "Not you, but him."

Mahira looked back, she didn't realize that Hendra was following her. "Ee..., mind if I come along?" do you

Mahira smiled a knot, "passenger's risk ."

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