Adam the Spirit Master

Chapter 5

"Gentlemen, I am a staunch Christian. Please do not set up an altar here. I do not believe in such stuff. Mr Adam! It makes me feel unrespected."

"It's Doctor Adam…" Mui intercepted but quickly stepped back with a tight smile. My trusted assistant. The act caught John Chua by surprise. 

He was not used to being contradicted. He was irritated and fighting for words.

"Can I ask you something about your partner or girlfriend?" I ventured before he could ramble on. 

There was a stony silence before he said blandly "Ask."

"Do you know if Claudia has any enemies? Does she have bad blood with anyone now or in the past?"

"Excuse me but I thought I had already answered that question twice when the police spoke to me two hours ago. Now you asked again!"

John Chua threw up his hands in exasperation. His expression of feeling made me felt awkward like I had made an odd request that he jump off a building.

"Let me reiterate Claudia is one of the finest humans I have ever met. She is gentle and kind. She loves animals and the arts. She studied Art Management in Australia. Recently she wanted to pick up oil painting. We are supposed to go Milan…"

John Chua stopped. His face crumpled in sorrow. The death of his partner must have drained him emotionally.

I felt sympathy for him and wanted to back off to give him a breather but, simultaneously, the curious cat in me decided to pounce for more information. 

I did not wait for John Chua's reply. Taking a deep breath, I decided to persist and ask 

"Did anyone visit last night?" 

"I thought I had also answered that?" he replied.

"Did anything happen last night? Anything usual." I pressed on and was aware that the mood had turned sobre with my blunt questions. 

John Chua had irritation written all over his face with his eyebrows now knitted. At this moment, Visnu coughed and punctuated the atmosphere 

"Adam, we checked the CCTV. There were no visitors. I have my men checking the CCTV videos for the past week to try to pick up potential suspects" Visnu interjected.

"Dr Adam. Whatever, it is, I just want to say…to say" He wrapped his right hand into a fist as a bout of choler surged through his face. Suddenly, John Chua trembled and fell backward.

Aminah was swift and caught hold of him while Ah Hock then grabbed a wheelchair nearby and brought it over for John Chua.

The petite helper massaged his back while Ah Hock fanned with his hands for better ventilation. The gesture summarized their relationship. 

Seeing his fragility, I felt guilty. John Chua regained his consciousness after fifteen minutes. I reached over and squatted down. 

"Sir, I am sorry I had to ask these questions. I know you are upset but Miss Claudia's death may not a simple one."

John Chua threw me a suspicious glance like an irritated headmaster with a delinquent student.

"Are you suspecting something? What are you trying to say?"

The patriarch's words always carry weight, and John Chua is no different. He speaks softly, but his words packed a punch.

"Dr Adam. I hope you be cautious with your words."

"I am an honest man. I say what I think and it is best I do so if we want to crack the case as soon as possible."

I stood my ground and kept a tight lip in my usual obstinate manner.

John Chua looked away and maintained a stiff silence. Eventually, he spoke "Then I wish you can solve the mystery behind her death as soon as possible.

"I will try my best," I said

"I don't believe you are better than these professionals?" He gestured in the direction of May and Visnu. "I would trust the Singapore Police on any day. However, you, are just another, another..."

"Conman?"

"I did not say that."

"I had learned to live with that misunderstanding."

John Chua shook his head and whispered to Aminah. He wanted to leave as they quickly wheeled him back into the house. As he disappeared into the comfort of his mansion, I found myself staring at a blank. I straightened my back 

I could feel May laughing at me.

"You are too direct, Adam," Visnu whispered. "You know these tycoons have big egos."

"I am here to help solve your case. I am not here to serve egos." I asserted " Visnu, May, my questions were part of my methods to gauge the vibes. I am trying to gauge John Chua's emotions."

"What did you feel?"

I took a deep inhale before saying "True sorrow. Real love. The tears are for real."

"You should leave matters to the police" May complained "We cannot support your investigation based on your whims or vibes reading."

"You are entitled to your views, Inspector Li," I said coldly and addressed her using her surname. "I do not operate on whims and I know what I am doing."

I turned to Visnu. "Seriously, you looked for me. Visnu, I can always return to the comfort of my faculty office."

"Don't be peeved. My intentions have not changed, Adam. I will support you but you need to work closely with us."

I eyed May and then Visnu

"Honestly, I sensed something but I could not put shape to that feeling. It is too early."

"Focus on doing what you are best at. I am not asking you to pander to them. Do what you think is necessary but do not be too direct with them, especially someone like Mr Chu.

"Honestly, I beg to differ..."

"Dr Adam!" A response darted across the space, towards me, and stopped me in my sentence. We stopped our discussion and looked in the direction of the voice.

John Chua was shouting from the kitchen. His sudden about-turn took me, all of us, by surprise.

"What do you need, Dr Adam Wong?" John queried. 

I walked over and lowered myself to John Chua who slouched in his wheelchair. 

"I would like to come over tonight and I need your kind permission to be here."

"What? You want to stay here tonight?"

I felt awkward but nodded "This is part of my investigation job."

"You want to come tonight. What do you plan to do?"

"To kickstart my investigation, I would usually audit the place for spirits. It is like a doctor treating a patient - it starts with checks and diagnosis before a prescription can be made."

"I am lost."

"Pardon me. I cannot explain the details, but I will ascertain the presence of spirits. If there are, I will proceed with a communication with the spirits to determine their intentions and predisposition."

"Predisposition?"

"For example, I like to know their name - whether they are aggressive or harmless."

"Spirits?" John Chua shook his head. "Look at this place." He gestured towards the interior of his house. "My home is clean. We have a happy time as a family living here. I have never experienced any incidents of ghost attacks."

"I think after this murder, I may need to investigate and communicate with them."

"You talk about communication like you are calling someone with the phone...?"

"The other world and spirits that normal humans cannot see. We may not see them but they exist. My process usually yields some important information and clues for the final resolution of the crime."

John Chua shook his head. 

"I know about your stuff, Adam. I do not believe there are any evil spirits here. I am a faithful Christian and our family have been living very well for the past decades."

"I respect those facts. However, because of Claudia Goh's death, I need to probe again. As an Onmyoji, I promised there will not be any altars."

John Chua mulled. I could sense his phobia and distrust from the eyes but he had not vehemently expressed his dislike of me and the world I represent. I have begun to realize the death of his partner has seriously affected him, both emotionally and physically. 

After a long pause, he looked at Visnu and said

"ASP Visnu, I hope you know what you are doing here." Then John Chua looked at me "You get one night, and I hope you can give me some answers."

I was lifted to hear of the approval.

"I cannot guarantee but a session will always be helpful. I will try my best."

I turned to Visnu and winked.

"But you get only this night. If you have nothing and you are just a charlatan, some scammer. I don't want to see you again."

He said softly but his words packed a punch. Despite feeling the aggression, I managed a diplomatic smile.

"Mina here will stay with you. I will be at my other residence with my son. The night is too painful to be here alone."

I nodded and smiled as John Chua waved his helper to push him away.

*