“Diga and Aryo received the information from someone. They wouldn’t fabricate it,” Welly said, his voice laced with certainty.
Gaga said nothing, his expression unreadable. Welly, too, fell into silence.
It was Abdi who finally spoke, his tone measured and deliberate, “If that’s the case, then the man they spoke of must still be inside the pharmacy, mustn't he?”
Welly’s eyes widened slightly, as though a vital thread had just been drawn taut in his mind.
“You’re right…” he murmured. “He must still be there.”
Abdi’s lips curled into a knowing smile, “If you like, we could always take care of it,” he said, drawing a finger slowly across his neck in a gesture that spoke volumes.
“Let’s not be hasty,” Gaga warned, his gaze sharp. “I’m with you, but we can’t go in blind. We need a proper plan.”
Welly stared ahead for a moment, thoughtful.
Then he turned to Abdi, “Got one?”
“Plenty,” came the swift reply, brimming with quiet confidence.
“In that case, let’s hear it,” Welly said, his eyes fixed on Abdi, the weight of expectation heavy in his voice.
Abdi cast a fleeting glance at Welly before speaking in a low, measured tone, “First, we’ll need a diversion. One of us goes in, posing as a customer in desperate need of medication, just enough to occupy the staff.”
“Meanwhile, the other two slip in through the rear, provided there is one,” he added. “We’ll also need to locate an alternative exit. Just in case things go sideways.”
Gaga gave a slow nod, the plan gradually assembling itself in his mind like puzzle pieces falling into place.
Abdi continued, “If we manage to find the person who passed that information to Diga and Aryo, we question them, swiftly and discreetly. No force unless absolutely necessary. But if they refuse to talk, well, you know what that entails.”
“You really think this’ll work?” Welly asked, studying him closely.
“If we’re quick and stay in sync, then yes. I believe it will,” Abdi answered, calm yet underpinned by a quiet certainty.
Welly gave a brief nod, then his brow furrowed as something dawned on him.
He pulled out his phone and scrutinised the photo of the black Range Rover, eyes narrowing.
“Bloody hell. The pharmacy’s shut,” he muttered under his breath. “But someone’s still inside. I’m sure of it.”
“In that case,” Gaga mused, “Diga and Aryo might’ve got their intel from one of the shopkeepers nearby.”
Abdi fell silent for a beat before speaking again, “If Koba Baru Pharmacy is closed but occupied, we’ll need to rethink the plan.”
“What’s the new play?” Welly asked, leaning forward.
After a brief yet intense discussion, they arrived at a revised strategy.
“Here’s how we do it,” Abdi said, gesturing to a crude sketch of the area scrawled on a scrap of paper.
“Welly, you and Gaga go round the back. We checked it last night. It’s not properly locked. A firm nudge with your elbow or something thin to wedge it open should do the trick.”
“And you?” Welly asked.
“I’ll go to the front,” Abdi replied evenly. “I’ll pretend to be a panicked civilian. I’ll bang on the door, shouting for help, say someone’s having seizures in my car and needs urgent medication.”
“So while they’re focused on you, we slip in from behind,” Gaga concluded, following the logic.
“Exactly,” Abdi confirmed with a nod. “Once inside, search for anything out of place. Notes, receipts, hidden compartments, leftover equipment, anything suspicious. And document everything.”
“There’s definitely no CCTV, right?” Welly double-checked.
Abdi gave a resolute nod, “When we planted the dead rats last night, I had a good look. Not a single camera. We're in the clear.”
“Masks, gloves, all sorted,” Gaga reported, giving his bag a final pat. “No need for torches either. It’s still broad daylight.”
“Which is why we need to move quickly, before any nosy passer-by starts asking questions,” Abdi concluded, voice firm with resolve. “This is our window. There won’t be another.”
The three men locked eyes. All traces of doubt had vanished.
“Call Diga and Aryo! They’re still nearby, aren’t they? Tell them not to leave just yet. And fill them in on the plan,” Abdi said, his tone low but resolute, his gaze fixed firmly on Welly.
Welly gave a brisk nod and reached into the pocket of his trousers, retrieving his phone with practised ease.
His fingers danced swiftly over the screen, selecting Diga’s name from the contacts list. Within moments, the call connected.
“Diga? It’s me,” Welly said, his voice calm but purposeful.
“Welly. What’s going on?” came Diga’s voice down the line, accompanied by the faint hum of traffic and the rumble of a passing motorbike.
“You’re still near Koba Baru Pharmacy, yeah?” Welly asked.
“Yeah. Aryo and I are at the warung across the street, having coffee,” Diga replied.
“Good. Don’t go anywhere. We’ve had to revise the plan. Listen carefully.” Welly turned his head briefly towards Abdi and Gaga to ensure their attention, then continued, his tone growing more urgent.
“We’re sending two in through the back quietly. One of us will knock on the front, play the desperate relative needing urgent medicine. The other two will be on watch outside. It happens now.”
There was a moment’s silence.
“Understood. I’ll let Aryo know. We’ll wait for your signal,” Diga said at last, his voice steady.
“Perfect,” Welly murmured, ending the call. He looked to Abdi and gave a short nod.
“All set,” he announced, the eagerness in his voice barely concealed beneath the surface.
Abdi’s expression was unwavering, “Then what are we waiting for?” he said firmly. “We go! Now!”
Without another word, the trio strode from the hideout, their movements swift and sure.
Each mounted their own motorbike with the practised grace of men accustomed to action.
The sound of engines growling to life broke the stillness, a grim overture to what lay ahead.
Welly turned the key in his ignition, inhaling deeply, as though trying to steady the turbulence rising in his chest.
Beside him, Gaga reached for his helmet, slipping it on with a single, fluid motion.
Abdi was already astride his motorbike, posture erect, his gaze fixed intently on the road ahead.
Without fanfare, they pulled away in unison, slicing through the midday traffic like shadows with a purpose, bound for the same destination, Koba Baru Pharmacy.
There were no idle words, no casual remarks. The plan was set. The moment had arrived. Execution was all that remained.
Meanwhile, just across the road, Aryo emerged from the toilet, still brushing damp droplets from his trousers where the water had splashed.
“Welly rang just now,” said Diga, seated on the saddle of his motorbike, arms folded across his chest in quiet composure. “We’ve been given something rather important.”
Aryo raised an eyebrow, puzzled, “Something else? I thought we were done for the day.”
“Not quite. This is the real thing,” Diga replied, his voice low and steady. “We’re to help execute the plan.”
Aryo straightened, his posture alert as the weight of the moment settled on his shoulders.
“Here’s how it’s going to work,” Diga began. “Two of them will enter through the back entrance of the pharmacy. Quietly, no fuss. They’ll look around, see who’s still inside, and try to gather whatever information they can.”
“At the same time, someone will approach from the front, pretending to be a desperate civilian, banging on the door, shouting about a relative in urgent need of medication.”
Aryo nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place, “A diversion, then.”
“Precisely,” said Diga with a small nod. “The remaining two will stand watch. Keep an eye on the surroundings. Look out for anything suspicious, anyone nosing about, or if a police patrol happens by. Speed and precision are key.”
Aryo’s expression grew more intent, “And what about us? What’s our role?”
Diga allowed a faint, knowing smile to form, “That’ll depend on what they decide when they arrive. For now, we stay put. Don’t leave. Welly said he, Abdi, and Gaga are already en route.”
Aryo gave a curt nod, “Right. Let’s get ready! Time to do our part!”