Adam the Spirit Master

Chapter 2

"I had seen many crime scenes and this is the ceiling of it all." Visnu exhaled a long sigh 

"The gory details is beyond words. Do you know the first batch of police who arrived were so shocked that they fumbled for a while before they got down to their work? The same goes for the forensic team. They just, eh, don't know where to get started." Visnu explained. 

This is happening in the home of the richest family in Singapore. I thought

My eyes returned to the picture, taking in every detail - the cut, slashes, and crushed features and the shock in the remaining eye before life is snubbed out of it. The extent of injuries spoke of a dangerous force, uncommon in human murderers. 

"Who could deliver such blows?" I remarked.

"I am trying to figure that out too," May added.

"How is John Chua taking it?" I asked, my eyes still fixated on the image.

"Stunned and shocked. He said something but swooned and we thought of taking a full statement later in the evening." 

"Who found the body?" I asked. 

"Their gardener and caretaker. He found the body at about 6.30am and then alerted John Chua who made the police call."

"Foul play?"

May shook her head and chipped in. "We are not ruling out anything. Until we collect all evidence, everyone's a suspect."

I continued studying the picture until I spotted the blood smears on her sky blue-coloured blouse.

"What 's this? "M-E, Me? B-A-C-?

"It's a 'K' and that makes it 'back'." May continued

I looked at the duo. "I can't make out the first word."

"We think it is 'give me back." May repeated. 

"It's 'give me back'" Visnu repeated "This is the trigger for us. It is poorly written and the handwriting belongs to an uneducated person according to experts. Who could have written this? After a brutal murder and then scribbled such words."

"Do you have any suspect" I ran my finger over the picture, studying it carefully. "An unnatural death."

May shook her head "No we are still questioning every member of the family."

Visnu drew closer. "We had discussed internally and I felt this could be unnatural death. This may be a supernatural act? Your stuff, Adam."

"My stuff." I smiled "You want me in on the case again?" I said as my eyes rolled to May "You agreed to this?"

She shook her head and the same look of distrust manifested. That same expression that led to so many fights in the past when we were a couple. 

"You know I don't believe in supernatural stuff. The powers you yield, your work and your worlds."

"Then don't sweat over it." I whispered and leaned back on my armchair.

Our actions elicited an anxious response from Visnu.

"Adam. I know you and May had some history in the past. However, today we are looking at an unnatural death that has taken plan under very very unusual circumstances. As a result, I have had discussions within the team and the matter went to my commander. I had received the clearance to work with you on this, Adam."

He paused before saying "You are important."

**

"You made it sound so sweet and simple, Visnu," I said

"I hope our presence here this morning made it sound serious enough. Our investigation will continue but we also need you to look at it. You are important to us."

I smiled at Visnu's attempt to boost my ego. I sat up and took another glance at the photograph.

Visnu nodded "Once you see what's on the ground, you will understand the importance."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really." May said in a grave tone. "Please consider our request for assistance."

This time her eyes were locked onto mine. The severity hit me between the eyes. 

I stood up and called out. "Mui! Get my stuff."

I headed for the door but then remembered something and retraced my steps. 

I picked up my red jacket from the clothes hangar. Before every investigation outing, I would always put on my favorite jacket.

The jacket was bought when I was an apprentice in Kyoto at a moment of whims. I wore it on my first exorcism assignment which was a success and that had made me believe it was a good luck omen for me. From then on, I had donned it on every assignment. There is a logo of our Sect - the Golden Leaf on a white background on the right chest pocket. It was sewed by my teacher Master Sato. 

The Chuas belonged to the apex of society, the representative of the old rich of Singapore. Their ancestor, a Chua Tian, had come to Singapore in 1885 on board a Chinese Junk ship filled with coolies, armed with a pair of slippers and one pants. 

He went on to build Four Seas, a trading firm that eventually turned into a conglomerate that has a foothold in every industry – from property to financial services, from shipping to oil refineries and engineering. 

John Chua is the third-generation patriarch and has a reputation of being a well-educated gentleman who is humble and thrifty. He is also a well-renowned philanthropist and, being the head of the Chua Foundation, has given millions to local schools and regional charities. 

I had heard of his generosity but never met the man in person. Unfortunately, I had to meet such a good man under such dire circumstances. 

The Chua Mansion at 86 Oaks Drive is two two-storey bungalow nestled in the Oaks Estate, an exclusive private estate in the heart of Singapore, along the Bukit Timah road.

I had to ride in Visnu's four-wheel drive, a Land Rover to facilitate access to the crime scene. Mui and I sat in the back while May was seated next to Visnu. I would prefer my Audi but when I am out on such assignments, I prefer not to drive. Being engrossed with details has got me into near-accidents in the past.

The ride to Chua Mansion was stale despite Visnu making small talk in the car. He talked about the past but I dragged my feet into the conversation. I felt I had been too rash to join him on the trip but that photograph is such a bait. 

What if there is a menace roaming in those grounds? It is my duty as a Onmyoji to quell it. 

"Honestly, I was undecided if I should look you up. However, duty calls and I feel you might want to look at the case."

"Seriously, Visnu. You should not try to sugarcoat your intentions. You are bad at it. You can do away with polite crap." I eyed him with a smile.

He chuckled nervously and the mood lightened.

"I am sorry to disturb you again, Adam."

"Visnu, this is not our first collaboration."

Visnu smiled. "There is the case of the Twins at No 7 Stevens Road, and of course the Twins at the infamous Jalan Satu Hospital."

"Only two?"

"Five actually." May who was seated at the back added.

"I will not forget those encounters. I was nearly arrested when I was investigating the White Lady of 7 Stevens Road." I remarked. White Lady was a reference to the presence of a supernatural being in an old British-era colonial time bungalow. It was a case that left a deep imprint in my memory. But that's a story for another time.

Visnu chuckled "I barely knew you then. You cannot fault me, my friend!"

"You even threatened me with one-day detention."

Visnu chuckled. "It takes a lot to know you in person. After all these years, I appreciate what you are doing!" Saying, He flicked his fingers and pointed with it in imitation of my actions during exorcism when I formed the sword with my index and middle fingers.

I chuckled. "You are not even close, Visnu. Your fingers are clumsy."

"That's why I am not the exorcist, you are."

"Is that important? May lamented. 

The atmosphere froze but I spoke calmly. 

"It is. At least, in my world."

"Forensic science and technology is the best way to solving a crime! Evidence rigorously tested, validated. Logical deduction and systemic processing of facts. Nothing else."

The terse tone told me nothing has changed since we broke up.

"It seems you are not fully convinced my ways would work." I said.

"I prefer we use forensic methods to get to the bottom of it." She asserted

"Maybe you are right but all crimes are rooted in the heart." I pointed to my chest "Sometimes that calls for my methods to complement what the police is doing."

May folded her arms in silent protest and this has brought back some ill memories.

Her cold 'treatment' is the worst violence I have experienced in a relationship. Displeasure over a simple comment or argument would see her dishing out her chill, and once I had to go on three days without speaking a single word with her. 

"Why don't we apply our methods simultaneously?" I said 

"Let's do that," Visnu said while May remained tight-lipped. That lips-biting, her trademark, told me she was unwilling to concede.

Visnu broke the impasse. 

"We all hoped to solve this case as quickly as possible. We are dealing with the Chuas and I suspect John Chua will be pressing us for an outcome soon."

He clapped his hands

"Let's work together on it! Shall we?" 

He looked at me, the eyebrows drooped in a self-deprecating look. 

I stayed tight-lipped.

"Adam, as I said earlier, the crime scene is one of the worst an investigator can get. There are certain things I want you to look at before you fully comprehend why we look you up."

"Unpleasant though it may be, I look forward." I muttered.

An uneasy truce held in the car for the remainder of the journey until we reached the secluded and tranquil estate for the ultra-wealthy of Singapore.