Encik Malik and Puan Delonix, thank you for coming in on such short notice. I am OCPD Baljit Singh and I have been briefed about your case from Inspector Awang. Last night, or rather, this morning, we found something that may or may not be connected to your missing daughter.

He paused slightly.

There was a body of a child that was found in a suitcase by the side of the road in Jalan Ulu Kelang and we believe that there is reason that this could be the body of your child, Alba. The body is in very bad condition and we will need to run DNA tests, as it is highly decomposed and beyond recognition. As your child went missing more than six months ago, we know that it will be difficult to identify her, so we will need samples of your DNA.

He stopped suddenly, then continued. I am very, very sorry but we had to contact you and tell you this. I am…

I stood up, pulled away from Omar’s firm grip, and ran. I pulled the heavy glass doors open, I ran past the blue-clad officers who stood stoically and silently, I ran down the stairs, I ran past the lady with the white tudung at the entrance who stood up saying something inaudible to me, I ran past the security guards who tried to stop me, I ran and ran and ran until I could run no more, and there on that road, by the side of tall trees and the sound of birds, I tried to scream, but nothing came out.

Omar found me sitting on a concrete slab by the side of the road, smoking a cigarette that one of the cops had given me. They pitied me, I could see it on their faces and they let me sit there, until they let Omar through the gates.

I looked up, and saw that his eyes looked haunted.

It’s not over yet, Del. They have something to show us. Come on.

I finished the rest of the cigarette, stubbed it out with my right sandal and found Omar’s hand. We walked slowly into the compound of the police headquarters. How strange that we were there being assisted by the cops, so hated by us once upon a time. How the tables had turned. We entered the room for the second time and sat down.

Please continue, sorry about that just now. Omar spoke with an air of resignation in his voice. I gripped his hand tightly, my breath short.

We know this is going to be difficult, but we have something we need to show you. Inspector Awang spoke, his voice echoing across the room. He continued.

In cases like this, where the body has deteriorated so badly, we will instead show photos taken by our forensics team. We will show you only one image, and if you recognise anything at all in this picture, please identify it and let us know.