The Traces of Destiny
Explanation of Garin

"When did all this happen?" Sutrisno asked as they had sat in Garin's room.

" Maybe two years ago. Amar doesn't remember exactly."

"But you believe the rest?"

Garin nodded. "Yes," he said. "I believe him. Either he's telling the truth, or he's the best actor I've ever seen." Garin said amid the slowly easing adrenaline rush, he felt tired.

"So you let him go." Sutrisno makes statements, not questions.

"I have to do it."

Sutrisno shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment. "That's not what someone like you should do. You should have come to me first."

"He wouldn't say anything if I saw you, or tried to make a deal with you and those cops. I've made my decision. You may think I'm wrong, but in the end I got the answers I needed."

Sutrisno looked out the window while thinking. She doesn't like it. Not at all. And it's not just the fact that Garin has exceeded his limits and there are many explanations to be made afterwards.

"You've got the answer, okay," Sutrisno said at last.

Garin. "What do you mean?"

"That doesn't sound right, that's all. Amar knows he's going back to jail unless he can make a deal with you, and all of a sudden he gets information about Maudy?" Sutrisno turned to face Garin. "Where has he been the last few years? He's always been after the prize, and you know how Amar got his money all along. Why hasn't he reported anything he's told you until now? Information about the wife of a priest like you shouldn't be cheap information for her."

Garin didn't think about it. “I don't know. Maybe he's scared.”

Sutrisno's eyes were pointing towards the floor. "Or maybe he lied to you."

Garin seemed to be reading Sutrisno's mind.

"Let's talk to Heri Panoo. If he corroborates the story, we can make a deal so he can testify." Her speech.

Sutrisno said nothing. God, this is a mess. That's all he thinks.

"Alex killed my wife, No."

"Amar said Alex killed your wife. There's a big difference between the two, Garin."

"You know my history with Alex."

Sutrisno turned around, raising his hand. "Of course I know. I know all the parts. And that's why Alex's alibi was among the first we checked, or don't you remember that? There was a witness who put him in his house the night the accident happened."

"They are his brothers...."

Sutrisno shook his head in frustration. “Although you are not involved in the investigation, you know how hard the police are looking for answers. The cops weren't a bunch of clowns hanging around there, nor were the guys on highway patrol. They all know how to investigate a crime, and they're doing it right, because they want the answer, just like you. They have spoken to the right people, they also send the correct information to the state laboratory. But there's nothing that can link Alex to this case-there's nothing."

"You don't know everything."

"I am much more sure of that than what you told me earlier" replied Sutrisno.

He took a deep breath. "I know this thing has been eating you ever since it happened, and you know what? This thing ate me too. And if that happens to me, I'll act just like you. I would've gone crazy if someone had done it to my wife and got away with it. Just like you, I might be looking for the answer myself as well. But you know what?"

He stopped, making sure Garin listened to him.

“I wouldn't believe the first story that came to me that promised an answer, especially if it came from someone like Amar Ulah. Think about who you're talking about here. Amar Ulah's. That person would sell his own mother's information if he could earn money for it. When his own freedom is at stake, how far do you think he's willing to go?" Sutrisno looked directly at Garin's eyes for his question.

"It's not about Amar-"

"He wouldn't lie to me about this."

Sutrisno returned Garin's gaze. "And why not? Because it's too personal? Because it means too much? Because it's too important? Did you ever think that he knew what it would take to get you out of that prison? He is not stupid, even though he has a habit of drinking. He would say anything to get out of trouble, and from the looks of it, that's exactly what happened."

"You weren't there when he told me. You don't see his face."

"I'm not even there? To be honest, I don't think I should be there. I can imagine how it goes. But let's just say you're right, okay? We assume Amar is telling the truth - and let's ignore the fact that you're wrong for letting him go without talking to me or the police, okay? How then? You can only say he heard people talking. And the fact is he wasn't even a witness to the incident."

"But.... She—–."

"Jeez, come on, Garin. You know the rules. In court, it was called nothing more than hearsay. You don't have a case. It!"

"Heri Panoo can testify."

"Heri Panoo's? Who's gonna believe him? One look at his tattoo and his history sheet," Sutrisno stopped. “But you forgot something important, Garin.”

"What's that?"

"What if Heri doesn't support Amar's story?"

"He will."

“But what if he doesn't do it?”

"Then we have to make Alex confess."

"And you think he's gonna do that?"

"He'll confess."

"You mean, if you use your power and your power on him hard enough." Sutrisno.

Garin stood up, not wanting to listen anymore. "Listen, No-Alex killed Maudy, it's that simple. You may not want to believe it, but maybe you did ignore something back then, and damn me, if I just let it go now." Garin grabbed the door. "I'll go--"

While swinging, Sutrisno caught the door, and closed it.

"Garin, wait! Right now, I think it would be best if you didn't get involved in this matter for a while." Sutrisno tried to prevent.

"Don't interfere?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I forbid you to act more. That's orders. I'll take over from here."

"We're talking about Maudy, No."

"No. We're talking about a priest who transcends his limits and shouldn't be involved in the first place." Sutrisno.

They faced each other for quite a while before Sutrisno finally shook his head. "Look, Garin, I understand what you're going through, but now you can't experience it anymore. I'll talk to the police and Alex, I'll find Amar and talk to him too. And I'll also make arrangements for the police to see Heri. And for you, I think you should go home soon. Take a few days off for a vacation."

"I've just started some new work-"

"And now you're done." Sutrisno grabbed the doorknob. "Now please go home. Let me handle this, okay?"

Garin still did not like the idea of his deputy.