Adam the Spirit Master

Chapter 10

"Do you suspect any foul play from external parties?" I probed 

"There are no signs of a break-in." Visnu shared. "The security at the guardroom commented the night was like any other. It was quiet and peaceful. They made two rounds patrolling the place at 1 am and 4 am but heard nothing. We estimated Claudia's time of demise to be around 5 am and they did not hear any unusual."

"They can be trusted?"

"Two of them are from Cisco Security. They have been through three hours of interrogation already." May added. "We have also checked their files. They are clean and one of them is over fifty. They do not have any reasons to murder Claudia."

"Where were they at the estimated time of murder?"

"They were right at the gantry. They did not hear anything loud or odd. There were no screams. There were some sounds in the bushes and they thought it was a cat. There is a usual cat in the neighborhood so they thought nothing much of it."

"I guess I will leave that part of the investigation to you."

Visnu nodded "Certainly."

I bit my lips. "Has she offended anyone?" I asked

"Our initial feedback from everyone is that she is on good terms with everyone.

"We cannot form a judgment based on a singular input. We need to talk to more people. I commented.

"We are not forming any conclusion," Visnu stated.

"Perhaps we should let you conduct your investigation and then we compare notes." May interrupted. "We need to keep things confidential and at this point, I am uncomfortable with sharing more." May asserted. 

"I suspect, my next request to look at the CCTV will not go well."

May eyed Visnu and shook her head. "That's police evidence and you are not cleared…"

Visnu quickly said "Not yet but I will share at the right time. You have my assurance on that."

"Thank you, Visnu." I shrugged "I am ready when you are ready."

"Shall we focus on tonight? I had some men on standby in case."

"That will not be necessary. They and their weapons will have no value against the spirits."

"What are we looking for tonight," May asked.

"I will be performing a transition and trying to establish communication with the spirits in this property. It will be like an audit."

"What is going to happen?" She asked "

"I will need a space within the house and perform a ritual to communicate with the spirits. It is a trusted method that worked in the past. You remember don't you." I looked at Visnu

"Absolutely. I will leave you to do your stuff. Anything you would like us to do for you?

 "Stand watch over me. Await my return"

"Honestly, three of us watch you meditate?" May grumbled. 

"Inspector May can join me if she wants."

She put up her hands and waved in objection "Once is enough. It will kill me. Adam, no need to taunt me."

"I am not..." 

Visnu chuckled "I remembered that last time you joined him, you vomited and…"

May flashed an intimidating look and Visnu quickly made peace

"My bad. Let's skip this."

He turned to me

" Is there anything else?"

I bit my lips and hesitated if I should make my request now.

Visnu said "What is it?" He knew me well

"Is there any chance I can visit the mortuary?"

There was an awkward silence and Visnu could not contain his surprise.

"You want to check on Claudia Goh?" May queried

"I might have guessed. How could Adam not think of it?" Visnu said, half laughing. 

Visnu unleashed his I-know-you laughter.

"So is that a yes?"

Visnu smiled. 

I saw Ah Hock waiting on the walkway to usher us in.

"Has Mr John Chua left?"

"Towkay had moved to another property nearby. He has another property in Sentosa. The loss of Claudia has hurt him."

"I am sure."

"Two years ago, Madam just passed away, and now."

"Your Madam? Mrs Chua?"

Ah Hock nodded "Less than two years and now another funeral."

"I felt really sorry for him. Your Towkay must be a mentally strong person."

"He is. My boss is a tough man. He runs so many businesses. However since Mrs Chua left, I seldom see him upset. He has grown calmer but what happenesed over the past two days, it must have been too much for him." Ah Hock lamented.

"Uncle Hock, did you hear anything unusual last night?" I asked.

Ah Hock fidgeted before answering.

"I was asleep. My room is on the other side of the kitchen. I really didnt hear anything."

"You only discovered your Towkay when you woke?"

"Yes, I always wake at about 6am."

Seeing the crumpled expression of anxiety on his face, I was inclined to believe him. Being the first person to be the crime scene, and witnessed to the wretched state of Claudia Goh, must be such a trauma for him. 

"You have been working for the Chuas for a long time?"

"Since 1993. I used to be driving the taxi and then applied to be his chauffeur."

"What a long time."

"Yes, time flies. Thirty years already."

"You never thought of finding another job?"

"Mr Chua is a good boss. He treated me. Besides my salary, he also gave me good bonuses every year. He paid for my son's polytechnic education. I have no complaints here"

"You are one lucky employee," I remarked.

As we conversed, Ah Mui was furiously typing notes on her handphone.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Ah Hock asked 

I decided to push ahead with my agenda. "I will take a look around. Can I visit the second floor?"

Hock looked at Visnu who then asked " If it helps. Please, please come with me."

Hock quickly brought us into the mansion, through the entrance, which led into the large living room

"This is where the family usually gathers after dinner. That's where they have their dinner." He pointed to the room to my left and there was a smaller living space with a long table with twelve chairs. 

"The luxury of space," I murmured as I studied the decor of the room. 

"This living room alone is the size of my HDB four-room flat," Visnu remarked "I may even have an additional balcony." he joked as he stroked his moustache. 

"Lead the way, Uncle Hock" I said as he led us up the stairs which seemed newly retrofitted with fresh wooden paneled steps. 

As I climbed the stairs, my heart beat with anticipation.