24
JOHAN DROPS THE INSPECTOR off at the main road and drives away, looking for a place to park under the overpass. At the hotel main lobby, Mislan scans the faces of people, trying to spot anyone he recognizes. He sees two men talking in the hallway to the restroom. One of them has a police officer’s look and air about him. He switches on the digital recorder and makes a call to his assistant, describing the men and their clothes. No sooner has he ended the call than the two men walk toward him. He pretends not to notice them and walks away to the sofas as if to wait for his appointment. As they approach, one of them asks.
“Inspector Mislan?”
He looks at them and answers, “Yes. Superintendent Malik?”
The man dressed in a white shirt nods and proffers his hand. They exchange festive greetings, and Malik introduces his companion as Daud. He suggests they go over to the coffeehouse for a chat and some drinks. He spots Johan walking into the lobby and gives his detective sergeant a subtle nod. Malik picks a table away from the cashier’s counter and orders their drinks. Johan sits in the lobby, monitoring them.
“I don’t believe we’ve met before,” Mislan says.
“No, I don’t think we have. I was transferred from Terengganu about a year ago. I’m still adjusting, getting used to the pace and feeling my way around. Your boss is Superintendent Samsiah, right? Do you know her G number?” he says, referring to her identity number as a gazette, or senior, police officer.
“Sorry, I don’t,” Mislan lies. “You’re in?”
“Commercial Crimes.”
“Mr. Daud, sorry, I didn’t get your full name or where you’re from.”
“Daud Nordin,” the man answers hesitantly, “from . . . ah, I run my own business.”
“Daud is a friend from my hometown,” Malik butts in, cutting off any further inquiry.
The waiter brings their drinks and asks if they wish to order anything else, which they decline. When the waiter is out of earshot, Malik continues.
“I understand you’re the lead investigator in the Mahadi murder-suicide case.”
Mislan nods.
“How’s your investigation coming along?”
“Still digging. Look, sir, I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m on twenty-four-hour today and I really need to be getting back to the office. What’s it you want to see me about?”
“OK, let me get straight to the point. I’ve been approached by certain people who . . . well, let’s say are in positions to make or break careers.” Malik says it slowly and clearly to ensure Mislan understands what he is hinting at. “They’ve asked me to see if there’s any way to get you to wrap up the case as soon as possible. They’ve been told it’s a murder-suicide, and they would like it to be kept that way. Let the dead rest in peace.”
“May I know who these people are?”
“Let’s say influential friends of the deceased.”
“Don’t they want to know what really happened? I mean, being his friends and all.”
“It was a murder-suicide, and that was what it was, like your OCCI said. Digging into the life of the deceased will only make things worse than it already is for the families. They’ve suffered enough from gossip and innuendo. Anyway, what do you expect to uncover?”
“The truth, what really happened, and if, as you say, it was indeed a murder-suicide. Don’t they want to know why the woman was murdered?”
“A love triangle was what got her murdered. Jealousy, he may have discovered she was playing him for a sucker. Got into a heated argument, lost his head, and acted rashly. When he realized what he had done, he took his own life . . . a spur-of-the-moment thing.”
“I see, and why hasn’t this other lover come forward to give a statement?”
“I don’t know, fear, embarrassment. It could be any reason. Anyway, what else could it be? The car was locked from the inside, the gun belongs to the deceased, the CCTV from the expressway tollgate and witnesses interviewed all indicate there are only two of them in the car. It looks to me like a simple case.”
“Well, if you say so, but I don’t have the authority to close cases. It can only come from my boss or the top. I’m only an investigator, and my duties are to investigate, to clear up all doubts. You know that. If you want it closed, I guess you have to reach out to my boss.”
“I know, but your investigations will have to support a murder-suicide for your boss to give you that instruction. I’m sure by now you’ve reached the conclusion that was what happened.”
Mislan remains silent, breathing slowly to control himself.
“These people I’ve mentioned are not ungrateful people. I’m sure they’ll remember what you’ve done for them, and when the time comes, you’ll be appropriately rewarded.”
“I was informed you’re a single parent with a seven-year-old son,” Daud butts in. “Here is his angpow.” He pushes a thick green packet across the table to Mislan.
“Thank you, but I have to decline. I try not to encourage my son to accept angpow. It’s not part of our Malay culture,” he replies, pushing the packet back. “I’ll speak to my boss about your request and follow up with her after the holidays. I’ve to go back to the office now. Thank you for the coffee.”
He stands, they shake hands, and he leaves.
In the lobby, he lights a cigarette. He then walks toward the main road, switches off the recorder, and waits. Johan, who has positioned himself near the entrance where he can get clear shots of the two men coming out of the coffeehouse, focuses his cell phone camera on them while pretending to speak into it. He takes several pictures of them. Satisfied, he walks to the car, picks up his boss, and drives toward the Federal Highway.
“What was the meeting about?”
“What do you think? Did you get shots of them?”
“Yup, several. They want the case closed?”
The inspector nods.
“Who was the other guy?”
“Gave his name as Daud Nordin, a businessman. Somehow, I doubt the business part. Anyway, Superintendent Malik said he was an old friend from his hometown.”
“Something’s bothering you?”
“I don’t know. The guy Daud knew I’m a single parent with a seven-year-old son.”
“And?”
“He gave me a fat angpow for Daniel, which I turned down. What bothers me is how he knew. Even ma’am doesn’t know I’m single; not even our HR department, because I’ve not officially reported it. Very few people knew. They’ve been digging about me. Maybe their people have even been watching and following Daniel. Perhaps, they’re saying, ‘We know where you live, who your son is, and where he goes to school.’”
“Are you going to tell the boss?”
“Not yet. I need to know who these people are and their involvements. I need to know their motive for wanting to close the case.”
“What about Superintendent Malik’s request? Are you going to tell ma’am?”
“I said he’ll have to speak to ma’am if he wants it closed. I’ll wait until she comes back to the office and let her know. That’s if Malik doesn’t approach her first.”
“I got a call from Syed. He said they’ve got the CCTV recording from Petronas in Jalan Jelatek with the vic’s car on it.”
“Good work, let’s go back and view it.”
On the way back to the office, Johan keeps looking into the rearview mirror, paranoid about being followed.