49

THE NIGHT ENDS WITHOUT any further events. Mislan and Johan use the slack time to review the evidence and testimonies to present to Superintendent Samsiah. Mislan is hoping she will grant him her blessing for the arrest. He’s convinced he has a strong enough case and is confident his boss will see it, too.

His boss is ready for them when they enter her office with their night’s work and case log. She tells Johan to close the door and motions for them to sit.

“Let’s hear it,’ she says without formality.

“Can I smoke?” Mislan asks, trying his luck. “It’s been a long night, and I need my nicotine to keep me sharp and awake.”

“If it makes you present your case factually, I’ll make an exception. You know where the ashtray is, get it yourself.”

“Thanks. Can I make Jo and myself a cup of coffee, too?”

“Why not? And how about breakfast, can I get you something?” Johan doesn’t get her sarcasm. “Thanks, but no thanks, we had some leftover Raya cookies,” he replies.

“OK, let’s get on with it.”

Mislan starts from the very beginning, covering information that his boss already knows, but she allows him to go on without interruption. Johan hands her the documents as his lead investigator makes reference, pointing at the specifics. Superintendent Samsiah is proud of the enthusiasm of her two investigators. She admires their strength and relationship, supporting and standing by one another. In her four years as the Head of Special Investigations, she has seen several teams grow into responsible law enforcement teams, but these two went beyond that— they became good friends. Mislan wraps up his presentation, and Johan waits anxiously for her comments.

“Impressive, very impressive work,” she comments.

Her two officers look at one another and grin.

“However—”

“Damn, here it comes,” Johan says.

Superintendent Samsiah and Mislan laugh at his remark.

“Jo, I was just about to say: however, I suggest you wait for the DNA report before making any move on the suspect.”

Johan goes red with embarrassment. “Chew said, the earliest he can get it is this morning. We’ll pull him in for questioning and when Chew gets the result, we’ll make the arrest.”

“What’s the rush?”

“You know how these people are. By now, they’d have gathered their resources to set up obstacles.”

“Lan, you may have an airtight case, but the gun is your weak link, and the lawyers can use that to blow it apart.”

“I have a theory, but I have nothing to support it. I asked Jeff and Syed to get the investigation paper on the vic’s lost gun from the Petaling Jaya police. I spoke to the firearm licensing clerk and was told the vic’s lost gun was a Walther PPK .32, the same make and model as the one he bought to replace it. He’s probably comfortable with the model.”

“What’s your theory?”

“It sounds stupid, but I believe the vic’s first gun was stolen by one of the sons. Then before the murders, it was switched with the vic’s current gun. After they’re killed, the killer retrieved the stolen gun, which the vic was carrying. It was hastily yanked from the holster, thereby causing the scratch mark on the vic’s waist.”

“And how was that possible?”

“The gun the vic lost he would place in the glove compartment while he was playing golf. That was why his golfing buddies said he carried the new one around even when he showered at the club. The sons would probably know where the gun was kept when their father was on the course. And I’m also sure there is a spare remote to their father’s car either in the office or at home.”

“So, what you’re saying is that the suspect had the vic’s gun that was stolen by the sons?”

Mislan nods.

“If that was the case, why not simply use the stolen gun to kill them?”

“Then the case wouldn’t look like a murder-suicide, it would be murder because the gun used was the vic’s reported lost gun. They don’t want that. They need the case to be closed ASAP as murder-suicide. They’d be home free.”

“It makes sense.”

“So, are we good to go?”

“I still say we wait for the DNA results because all you got for now is theories.”

Mislan’s cell phone rings. It is Nathan, the video technician, calling to say the video footage enhancement is ready for collection. He asks Inspector Reeziana if she can collect it and hand it over to MACC Senior Enforcement Officer Yusuf. Jeff and Syed return with the copy of the police report from Petaling Jaya police. Mislan almost snatches the envelope from Jeff’s hand, rips it open, and starts reading the report.

“Yes, the gun was stolen from the golf club parking lot,” Mislan says aloud.

“Whose gun?” Reeziana asks.

“Oh sorry, the vic’s gun.”

“The DUKE murders?”

“Yup. Jo, can you ask Jeff and Syed to keep the suspect under surveillance? Please tell them to be discreet.”

“You want another team to back them up?”

“I don’t think it’ll be necessary, it’s only until we get the DNA result and the warrant. By the way, what’s the status of that? It’s nearly 10, what’s holding it up?”

“I’ll call the court and find out.”

“Thanks.”

Mislan calls Petaling Jaya police and asks for Inspector Norehan. After several minutes, he is put through, “Norehan here.”

“Hi, I’m Inspector Mislan from D9 KL; I understand you’re the IO for the loss of a firearm reported by the late Mr. Mahadi Mokshin.”

“What’s the report or IP number?”

Mislan reads out the report number and date.

“Yes, I remember the case. I’ve never investigated a case with so many big shots calling me. Why?”

“Any one still on the case?”

“What case? It’s already CFF.” She giggles.

“Closed For Filing? But there’s nothing here to say that it was CFF.”

“It’s not on the report heading, it’s in the minutes.”

“OK, so no suspect?”

“No, but if I had to pick someone up as suspect, I’d pick someone who could open the car door without triggering the alarm. Anyway, it’s all academic now. Why are you going through this case? I thought the gun owner is dead, a murder-suicide.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Did the gun resurface?”

“No,” he answers a little too quickly.

“You don’t sound convincing,” she says, laughing. “Well, just between you and me,” she says lowering her voice, “my money is on the gun resurfacing. No one breaks into a car to steal a handgun unless he or she intends to use it.”

“Why steal when you can buy one from the underground market or from up north?”

“Good question. My guess is, he or she didn’t have the connections to or was not in the crime business but had a need for hardware that could not be traced back to him or her.”

“Good deduction. Hey, thanks.”

“No problem.”

Johan enters, informing him that the warrants are on their way to the office and should arrive any minute. Mislan makes a call to the forensics supervisor, Chew.

“Just got it. Confirmed it’s the victims’ blood,” Chew says before Mislan can ask.

“Both the victims?”

“Yes, both.”

“Can you scan the results and email it to me?”

“Doing it now.”

“Thanks.

Mislan goes to Superintendent Samsiah’s office, shows her the DNA result, and gets her blessing to move on the suspect.