Adam the Spirit Master

Chapter 4

Ah Hock, the family chauffeur and gardener was dressed in a worn-out white T-shirt. He is a stocky man with strong arms which speaks of years of labour. Despite his greying hair, he looked alert and sprightly. He walked over to us with a slight limp upon being asked.

Seeing all of us, he looked apprehensive like we were marauders.

"Uncle Hock ?" I extended my hand. He replied with an awkward smile and took my hand. The grip was lame but I could tell his area of work from the coarse texture of his palm.

"Hello, Uncle Hock. I am Adam. 你好."

He shook his head "不好 no good. Someone has just died."

"I heard you were the one who called the police?"

He shook his head.

"When I came in the morning. It was about 6 am which was my usual working hours and I was shocked to see Towkay lying on the floor." Towkay is Hokkien for the head of the family, a reference to the boss or employer. 

"Where was Mr John Chua at that time?"

"The front porch." He pointed to the space in front of the pool which connects to the kitchen on the right and the living room on the left.

"What did you do?"

"I tried to wake him but he was unconscious. I thought he died but when I checked his pulse, I can still feel it. The heart was also beating. Thank God!" Saying Uncle Hock clasped his hands and looked to the sky. 

"What happened next?"

"Oh, I tried looking for medicated oil, and while I was doing so. I noticed something. It was at the tree."

He paused and his eyes started to tear. He shook his head and I gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"I saw the body of Miss Claudia..." Ah Hock's facial features crumpled in sorrow and it took him a while to regain his composure. 

"You called the police?"

"Yes, yes. I called the police. I alerted security at the gate."

Ah Mui handed over some tissue was Ah Hock unleashed his sorrow."

"It is over now. Don't feel bad."

"I tell you. It was horrible. I had never seen anything like that. Madam Claudia was beaten up. That face… how can the killer do this? Inhuman!"

He cursed as he swung his arms in anger. 

"She is a nice person though naggy but still I find her ok." He said as he wiped his eyes clean.

"Who would have done this?" He lamented.

"Did you suspect anyone?" I asked

"Nobody in this house! We all got along fine."

Somebody with a genteel voice interrupted. Behind Ah Hock, I saw a tall man sloping shoulders stepping out from the doors of the kitchen. It was John Chua. 

Instantly images of his public persona flowed into my mind. That gentlemanly aura surrounds him like a halo. John Chua has always struck a formidable pose on stage, whether it is addressing an international forum or hosting a press conference.

His snow-white hair lent an air of dignity and together with those trademark rimless glasses, perched over a high nose bridge, projected an image of an Asian paternal figure, reticent yet powerful.

As he neared, however, I found him a shadow of his public image. 

The face was heavily lined with fatigue. Locks of hair fell over the forehead. He looked like an aged professor who just exited a marathon of lectures. Walking out from the living room, he headed our way. Being aided by the helper, and walking with a crane, he looked vulnerable.

"Mr Chua. Good to see you are feeling better." Visnu greeted

"Hello everyone. Tough on all of you." He managed a smile "Have we made any progress." 

He looked around at everyone and then his eyes rested on the spot where the body of Claudia Goh was found. 

"We need more time. We are looking at the CCTVs and our forensic team has completed one scan of the grounds." May added.

He nodded but started mumbling 

"Nobody with a conscience would do that. It is inhumane." He bewailed. "Claudia is a sweet lady. She has been looking after me for the past two years and this happened."

He trembled a bit looked around aimlessly and then noticed me.

"I didn't see you earlier? May I know your name and designation?"

I stepped forward "Mr Chua, it is a pleasure to meet you."

I extended my hand, but my gesture earned a frown.

"Another policeman?"

"No. I am Adam Wong. I am an academic at Singapore University. I came to assist in the investigation

The frown on his face became more pronounced after my introduction. 

"That name." He paused. His eyes narrowed into slits and it looked like his brain was crunching some facts. Then he looked over and his glance zeroed in on me.

Visnu made a swift introduction. "Adam is a long-time partner of the Singapore police. In the past, he has helped us to solve some difficult cases. He brought a different perspective that has helped us a lot."

John Chua adjusted his glasses and then punched on his palm.

"I remember now! You were interviewed on television. The one they called the ghost slayer. They call 抓鬼师傅.?"

I shook my head "I am a spirit master, the Onmyoji. I seldom slay ghosts. Moreover, you know journalists. They invented the term ghost slayer to capture eyeballs for their publication. What I actually do is that I communicate with supernatural beings from other worlds and solve their problems that came from unfulfilled life in our realm. 

My words earned an expression that is a hybrid of disbelief from the billionaire. 

"Our realm?"

"Besides the human world, there are other supernatural realms."

"I suppose you can see things we humans can't."

He paused then looked around "Can you bring my Claudia back?"

 I was stubbed. John Chua turned to Visnu

"What is a psychic doing in my house? You mean the police are unable to solve this problem on their own?"

I winced at the word psychic. It was an undervaluation of what I am. As Onmyoji, we are the spirit masters who can command elements that humans cannot. Alas, I do not expect mortals to be capable of comprehending our expertise. 

Visnu intervened and put on his best diplomatic smile. 

"Mr Chua, I will do everything, anything, within my means, to crack this case. The death is mysterious and we thought Adam would be able to help. This is not our first time. In the past, he has proven to be eh very effective. He has certain skills and talent."

Visnu explained.

I smiled and added, "There are many ways to solve a crime and my methods are just one of them."

However, my words seem to worsen John Chua's ire. I bit my lips as I await his harsh words.