43

AS HE LEAVES HIS boss’s office, Mislan is met by his assistant in the corridor.

“Jamie identified Zubir but is not sure of Hashim. She said the image in the photo looks like him, but she’s not sure.”

“It’s OK, Zubir already confirmed the suspect is his boss’s friend, his henchman. Jo, call Melaka and ask them to verify Zubir’s alibi. I’m sure it’ll all true up, but let’s be sure.”

The front desk officer stops them and tells Mislan he has been summoned by the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigation and ma’am, too.

“Damn, what is it now?” Mislan sighs. “Jo, I need you to follow up with Chew on the car. Text me, once you have it. The result will determine which way this case is going.”

Superintendent Samsiah approaches them.

“Remember I told you, come Monday the blizzard will start. I hope you’re ready.”

“Always.”

They ride the elevator to the OCCI’s floor in awkward silence. The outer office is still deserted except for the OCCI’s personal assistant and a few clerks. The personal assistant ushers them into the meeting room, saying the OCCI is waiting for them. Superintendent Samsiah knocks lightly on the door, opens it, and is greeted by a room full of people. Most of them were in her office earlier.

“Come in,” the OCCI says, introducing them. “This is Superintendent Samsiah, head of Special Investigations, and Inspector Mislan. Please sit,” he says, not realizing there are no more seats.

None of those seated make any move to offer theirs, so the two D9 officers stand in front of the whiteboard.

“Samsiah, can you update us on the murder-suicide case?”

“Apart from the family members who were just in my office, may I know who are the rest of them?” she asks, looking at the two new faces seated at the table.

“They’re family of the deceased, their lawyer, and business partners. Datuk Jalil has asked me to update them as a favor. You know, to keep them informed. I’m sure it’s all right with you.”

“The case is ongoing, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me or my officers to divulge information pertaining to it at the present moment, especially to interested non-personnel.”

“I’m not asking you to divulge any sensitive information. Just give them an update,” the OCCI says rather sternly.

“In that case, there’s nothing to update, as we’re still waiting for results and confirmations from various parties.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit. They told me Mislan arrested one of their employees and seized the deceased’s eldest son’s car. What’s going on?”

“I’ll brief you if you wish, but not with them present,” Samsiah answers defiantly.

“You’re a stubborn woman, aren’t you?” Mama Bee sneers.

“I’m not getting into an argument with you. I already explained things to you and your family in my office.”

“How dare you speak to my mother that way,” Mokthar snarls. “I’ll make a report to Datuk Jalil against you for being rude.”

“You may do as you please,” Samsiah replies unperturbed. “In the meantime, I suggest you let us do our work. Sir, if there’s nothing more, may we be excused?”

“Can you excuse us for a minute?” the OCCI says to his guests.

Standing up, he signals for the head of Special Investigations and Mislan to follow him to his office.

Once inside his “ego” chamber, the OCCI snaps, “Do you know who those people are? They have connections. Tan Sri KK, to name just one of them. Mislan, this time you’re way over your head. Don’t fool around with these people. And Samsiah, you’re a fool to back the wrong horse. I hope you know what you’re doing, and I suggest you pray damn hard you’re right.” Senior Assistant Commissioner Burhanuddin pauses for breath. “I’ve already said the case is a murder-suicide, but your hardheaded investigator here chooses to ignore it. Then he goes poking his nose into a hornet’s nest. Well, this time you’re not getting my backing.”

Mislan thought of asking, What backing? but bites his tongue.

“Whether it’s right or wrong, we have to investigate every lead. That’s what we’re doing, to prove or disprove—”

“Don’t give me the bullshit sermon, I’m not one of your probationary inspectors,” the OCCI’s retort cuts her off. “Now we’re alone, so brief me.”

Superintendent Samsiah nods to her lead investigator to go ahead. Mislan briefs him on the evidence gathered from Jamie, the suspect’s house, and Forensics’ analysis confirming the samples to be positive for human blood. He leaves out the probability of an accomplice. Instead, he cooks up a story about the suspect killed in the car chase having connections with someone in the victim’s company who has a grudge against the victim. The problem is they are not able to establish the link, as the suspect was dead by the time they got to him. He goes on to say that the seizure of the car was a planned sting to make the unknown accomplice think the police are barking up the wrong tree. He hopes the real accomplice will lower his guard and make a mistake.

“We have a team monitoring the real suspect, and we’re confident he’ll make some move soon, now that he feels the heat is on someone else,” Mislan adds.

“What move?”

“We’re hoping he’ll be confident enough to start disposing of incriminating evidence so that we can catch him in the act.”

The OCCI nods his approval. “What about the car?”

“To make it look real, we called in Forensics HQ to take the car to their garage. We could’ve asked D10 to do it, but we didn’t want the car here. Forensics has been instructed to only keep the car out of view for a while.”

Again, the OCCI nods his approval. “Who’s the real suspect?”

“At this moment, we believe he’s part of the vic’s business or someone who benefited from the victim’s sand mining operation,” Mislan lies confidently.

“What’s the grudge?”

“Money. We heard the victim was short-changing them for years, and has been channeling it to the woman,” he answers, the lie becoming easier.

Mislan knows the eager-to-please OCCI will relate all these lies to the victim’s family and from them to the prime suspect. He is banking on his prime suspect’s arrogance, his feeling of being untouchable, to bury him.

“And by seizing the car, you’re shifting the heat from the real suspect, drawing him into the open. Good work, I’m sure the family will be happy to know that,” the OCCI says, smiling. “What if you’re wrong about the real suspect? What if he does not make any mistakes?”

“We’ll release the vehicle and try some other approach,” Superintendent Samsiah answers, playing along with her officer’s lies.

“The more appropriate answer would be, it’ll be the end of your career in the force,” the OCCI remarks with an easy laugh. Standing, he says, “You’re excused.”

Leaving the ego-chamber, the two D9 officers restrain themselves from discussing what just happened. They walk in silence, but Mislan can see his boss is suppressing a smile. She avoids looking at him and walks briskly to her office. He knows he just committed a willful breach of officers’ conduct, yet he feels great about it. Stepping into her office, she motions for Mislan to close the door behind him.

Once the door is closed, she bursts out laughing, joined by her investigator.

“Where the hell did you pull the story from?” she says, still laughing. “That was one hell of a brilliant lie.”

“I really don’t know. He wanted a story, so I gave him one.”

Superintendent Samsiah suddenly turns serious, gazing at her officer.

“What?”

“Have you ever pulled such a tale on me?”

“No way,” Mislan replies, trying hard to keep a straight face.

“Hmmm.”

“I’m hoping he tells the family the story and makes the suspect feel he’s not the target. Hopefully, he will feel confident and make mistakes.”

“What if he does not?”

“Then, I’ll start reading the help-wanted section.”

Mislan goes to his office to look for Johan, who tells him Chew is still waiting for the DNA test results and expects them later on in the evening. Inspector Reeziana comes in, and Mislan immediately turns his attention to her.

“Have you got it?”

“Yes and no,” she replies. “The money was banked through a cash deposit machine in Serendah, but the machine is not fitted with a camera. However, the bank does have CCTV covering its ATM area. It’s too blurry—you’ll need to get Video Forensics to work on it. Perhaps, they can get facial images of people using the machine.”

“Thanks, I’ll pass it on to Nathan.”

“Hey, I saw two officers from the ISCD in ma’am’s office. What’s going on?”

ISCD is Integrity Standard Compliance Division, formerly known as the Disciplinary Department—Internal Affairs.

“I’ve no idea. We’ve just come back from the OCCI’s office.”

Mislan’s cell phone beeps, indicating a message. He reads the text, grabs his backpack, and signals for Johan to follow him. Turning to Reeziana, he says, “You did not see me,” and disappears through the emergency door with Johan.

“What’s going on?” Johan asks anxiously.

“Here,” he says, handing his cell phone to Johan. The text was from Superintendent Samsiah: I’ve got ISCD officer ASP Amir in my office looking for you. Be prepared.

“What’s this about?”

“The eye of the hurricane,” he answers, laughing as they hurriedly go down the deserted staircase.