Adam the Spirit Master

Chapter 9

John Chua has lived up to his word of allowing me to return to the mansion for my audit and investigation.

When I reached the gates to the Chua Mansion, the security already knew about our assignment, and let us in. However, I was not allowed to park in the mansion for security reasons.

I parked outside and the moment I walked through the side gate with Ah Mui, I sensed a heavy mood of paranoia and pessimism. 

I saw Visnu and May Li waiting in the guardroom.

"Good to see you again Adam. Did you receive my message?" Visnu said as we walked down the boulevard towards the house.

I nodded "The floor plan is great, very useful. We also needed some help with the history of the development of this particular plot of land. Can you help Ah Mui with that?"

"Dr Adam, I have already written to ASP Visnu. I texted him while you were driving us over here."

I whistled my approval of her efficiency, and spotted a wink from Visnu. 

"Appreciate all the help," I said.

"You are lucky to have Ah Mui with you, I can imagine you would be a total mess without her."

"Excuse me, Visnu." I objected "Investigation is always a taxing business."

"Just a tease. Good, you have Ah Mui while you focus on the important stuff."

"Adam. I hope all these efforts will yield something."

I smiled and remained silent. I do not want to overpromise. 

As we neared the mansion, ushered by Ah Hock, I found the mansion, with all lights lit, looked like a beautiful grand old dame ready to manifest her charms. 

"John Chua has given you rights to his house for one night and said he would like an update about the results."

"Let's make the best of his trust."

"I think he is finding the reason not to believe you," May said, a tad too curt.

"Glass half-full. Glass half empty, Inspector May" I reminded.

"Hope you make the best of it." She replied.

"I will." I looked at the mansion. "What's the situation?" I asked Visnu

"The mansion is empty tonight. The other family members are on their way back. His son and family are on their way back from Australia. Mavis Chua is also flying back from Hong Kong and is expected to reach Singapore in the wee hours of the morning."

"The other son?" I asked

"Jonathan Chua is expected to arrive by tomorrow night. He is coming back from the United States."

"Thanks, Visnu." 

I felt there was no compelling reason for the children to fly back. This is the death of their father's girlfriend, not their mother. 

If they are coming back, there are, possibly, two reasons. Either, they really love her and come back to pay respects, or they are worried about their father. I hoped to find out more. 

"We are hoping to talk to everyone by tomorrow."

"Do you know where is the body of Claudia Goh now?"

"Mortuary. She is with the forensic doctor."

"Did they say anything?"

Visnu shook his head. "They were shocked when they saw her. One of the more experienced pathologists commented he had never seen a corpse in such a bad shape. They asked me who killed her. I was stumped."

"Everyone wants an answer," I remarked.

"Their initial report was heartbreaking. It is confirmed her entire rib cage was shattered with nine bones broken. The lower limbs had injuries and one of the knees was broken."

"The face was smashed right in the middle with a broken nose and the right side of the face caved in. It is a horrific sight. Despite having been in the force for twenty years, I still try to maintain my composure when I am reading their report."

I shook my head. Suddenly, I realized we never said a prayer for the dead. Claudia probably deserved a full prayer procedure to raise her soul for rebirth. 

"Was there an animal in the mansion?" I asked "Dogs or similar?"

"Surprisingly, they had no dogs. John Chua does not like pets."

"How surprising..." Ah Mui commented. 

I glanced at May before continuing. "Did the CCTV reveal anything?"

Visnu answered "The streets were dead quiet. There were a few vehicles, a taxi but nothing unusual."

"Nobody entered the premises?"

"We only had one departure. John's sister. She left at 10 pm last night. Susan Chua. We are following up with that lead but John mentioned nobody else visited. In addition, there are two security guards on duty and they mentioned nothing unusual happened on that night." May explained.

"Susan Chua. Sounds familiar." I thought but gave up trying to recollect.