by Leo James
'I do not believe you. Mama and Dewi are afraid of you. I am not. I hope you get what’s coming to you. As the words of the Buddha say:
"Know this, O good one:
evil things are difficult to control,
let not greed and wickedness,
drag you to protracted misery."
You are bringing misery to our family. You are not my brother.'
Prem lurched towards Adam, pushed both hands against Adam's chest, and knocked him over. He hit the floor with a thud, as his head banged against the side of the table. Adam rushed to his feet; legs shaking. He put his hand on his forehead, took it away and saw blood smeared across his fingers.
'You're bleeding.' Prem pointed towards Adam’s head.
Adam fled the room making a beeline for the pool changing area. He grabbed a towel, held it against his forehead, and rushed down the corridor, slamming the door behind him.
Farid followed Adam and came back minutes later. 'He has left.'
Prem did not respond.
######
Steve heard his hotel room doorbell ring. It concerned him, Prem or one of his men might arrive to put pressure on him. 'Who is it?'
'It's Adam.'
Steve opened the door and immediately spotted blood, caked and hardened, clinging to the side of Adam's face. He led him straight into the bathroom to clean his wounds. 'What's happened?'
Adam gingerly touched the wound near his temple and winced slightly on contact. He flicked a few flakes of dry blood from his fingers. 'I had an argument with Prem and Farid. Prem pushed me to the floor.' Adam left the door ajar whilst he washed away the congealed blood. 'My head is throbbing Steve. I hate him. He is not my brother. He wants to control everyone.'
'Will you tell the police?'
'It’s difficult.’ Adam came out of the bathroom.
'What about Sergeant TetLeong? He is helping us?'
'I am not sure.’ Adam shook his head.
‘I have some bad news.’ Steve bowed his head.
‘Is Mark OK?’ Adam asked.
‘No it’s Glen.’ Steve coughed. ‘Glen caught Sepsis and passed away on Wednesday.’
‘Oh no! I thought Glen was getting better. Oh poor Mai.’
‘It’s terrible…’ Steve tensed. ‘I’ve just returned from visiting Mark in prison. He's struggling to cope. We need to get him out.'
‘Yes, we do,’ Adam said with a determined look.
On hearing his doorbell ring again Steve shouted, 'It's OK, I need nothing tonight.'
'It's TetLeong,’ a voice came from behind the door.
Adam gestured to send him away. Steve shrugged his shoulders and whispered, 'I must. I know you don't want to talk to him. Just go into the bathroom and I'll get rid of him.'
Steve let TetLeong in and he brushed past Steve as he walked into the room. 'The analysts have completed the forensics on the mini drive and they have a few questions to ask you. Can you come to the police station to help?'
'That's great. Now we might get somewhere. When do you want me to come?' Steve detected some hope.
'Now.'
'OK. I'll change. Give me a few minutes.' Steve joined Adam and turned on the sink taps and allowed the noise of the water to drown the whispered conversation. 'I'll go with him. You stay here. I'll touch base with you when I get back. Don't worry, I'll not mention anything. The forensics might be enough.’
'Thank you, Steve. I will figure out where I will stay tonight.'
'Look. We still have Mark's room in the hotel. I'll sort you out a key when I get back,' Steve said.
'Thank you.'
Steve left the bathroom, took off his t-shirt and grabbed a shirt from the walk-in wardrobe.
The sergeant retrieved a pair of rubber gloves from his pocket, put them on and pulled out a piece of a plastic strip from his back pocket.
Steve pulled on a clean pair of trousers and bent forward to put on his shoes. TetLeong walked into the changing room. He held the plastic strip in both hands, looped it across Steve's head and moved it down to his neck. As he tightened the noose, Steve felt immediate pain as though a knife had slashed his throat. He gasped and struggled for breath, his face becoming contorted and eyes bulging. Losing consciousness, his breathing became shallow, as the sergeant tightened the strip even further. After a brief murmur and struggle, Steve dropped to the floor.
######
Kongsi Gelap thirty-one congregated in the penthouse of the Tun Sambanthan building, central Wilayah Persekutuan district of Kuala Lumpur.
Mountain Master sat at the head of the oval table. 'Is the money flow on track?'
Incense Master nodded. 'Yes, we are on track for the real estate.'
Mountain Master looked towards White Paper Fan and nodded.
'Transactions from Q7 have increased over two hundred and thirty percent this month. It is going well.' White Paper Fan delivered the good news whilst still retaining a deep-set frown on his face.
Vanguard interrupted. 'Flow out is good. Farid has removed Seguro from Q7.'
Mountain Master nodded. 'Have we moved Seguro payments to Grithos?'
'Yes, we moved the payments last week,' Vanguard said.
'We destroyed a copy of the Q7 network. Red Pole has a copy, but Steve Roussos told us he gave the UK police a copy. This is dangerous,' Mountain Master said. 'Glen Lewis is dead and Mark Farrell is out of the way.'
'I talked to Red Pole.' Incense Master plucked at the cuff of his shirt. 'We have problems with Steve Roussos and Mai Le. She told him about the group, Mountain Master and the cendawan. He knows everything.'
'Tell Red Pole to take out Steve Roussos and Mai Le, to stop the threat now.' Mountain Master shot him a venomous look.
'Yes, I have already told Red Pole.' Incense Master crossed his legs and continued to pluck at the cuff of his shirt.
'Yes, OK do that. We need to ramp up the offshore flow as much as possible. Take out any risks, however small.' Mountain Master leaned his head slightly to the right and raised his eyebrow.
They nodded and carried on with the rest of their agenda.
######
Adam shook Steve and slapped both sides of his face to wake him. 'Steve, Steve. Are you OK?'
Steve stumbled back to the floor as he tried to get to his feet. 'What happened? Dizzy.' He held his forehead.
'Are you OK?' Adam kneeled beside him.
Steve rubbed his throat. 'Head’s spinning. Feeling fuzzy.’
‘He tried to kill you. I hit him over the head with the marble lamp-stand.' Adam pointed to TetLeong, lying on the floor.
Steve turned his head and spotted the sergeant. ’Oh my God.'
'My brother told me you are working with the sergeant, and now he is trying to kill you,' Adam said.
'What happened?' Steve looked up, dazed and gulped.
Adam pointed to the lamp on the floor. 'I hit him.'
'My God. Is he dead?' Steve asked.
'No, he is unconscious. I can feel his pulse. We must get away. Before he wakes.'
He stumbled again, trying to get up off the floor.
Adam tried to support him. 'Are you OK? Can you walk?'
'I'm fine. 'Thanks for your help.’ Steve shook his head and rolled his shoulders. 'I'm OK now adrenaline has kicked in. I must grab my stuff.'
'We must go now.'
Steve got to his feet and put his laptop, iPad and cables into his briefcase, opened the room safe and grabbed his wallet, the Maybank prepaid cards and personal items. Picked up his phone and staggered towards the door.
Adam looked at the sergeant. 'He is waking. Let's go.'
Steve put the Do Not Disturb notice on the handle and the door snapped shut. They took the elevator to the ground floor, walked as fast as possible through the lobby and out to Adam's car parked outside the Planet Hollywood restaurant, a short walk from the hotel.
Adam grabbed Steve's arm to support him. 'You look pale.'
'I'll be fine.' He looked upwards and breathed deeply.
They set off, heading east on Jalan Sultan Ismail towards Jalan Ramlee.
The sunlight made Steve's eyes sting. 'How long to the embassy?'
'It is not far but it depends on Kuala Lumpur traffic.'
Steve's neck started hurting, with a dull ache increasing rapidly to severe pain.
Adam turned left onto Jalan Raja Chulan. 'I can try a shortcut. You need to go straight into the embassy once I drop you off. This is Sovereign territory for you. You will be safe.'
'OK. And you, Adam?'
'I will find a safe place.'
'Be careful.'
'I will get Mark out of prison, somehow.' Steve had a determined look.
His phone rang and to his surprise it was Prem Jothi. 'Steve my friend, how are you?'
He put the phone on speaker. 'OK, thanks.'
'You have left the hotel. Where is my brother? Tell him to come back. I hope he is not in danger.'
Steve did not respond.
'I can help you if you work with me. Come over and we can discuss,' Prem said.
'You tried to kill me. I don't want to meet you.' A fine sheen of sweat shone on Steve's upper lip.
'I want to help. I know they will stop you leaving the country. I can help you.'
'You sent the sergeant over to strangle me. Why?'
'I can protect you. You can become a rich man.’
'I have to go.' Steve ended the call. I'll kill him. If it's the last thing I do.
‘My brother is a dangerous man. You will be safe at the embassy.' Adam focused on the road.
'OK.'
'He said he has a video of you?' Adam said.
'Yes, he’ll blackmail me. Just like he did to Mark. He is evil.' Sweat erupted on Steve’s forehead and he shuddered.
'We must stop him. I will call Dewi.’ Adam made a hands-free call.
Dewi answered. 'Are you OK? What's wrong?'
'It's Prem and Farid,’ Adam said, ‘I must go. Get away. Will you be OK?'
'Where are you going?'
'I have to sort out a problem. Will you be OK?'
'Yes, and I will look after Mama,’ Dewi said.
‘Thank you. Tell Mama I love her. Please do not tell Prem anything. OK? I need time.’
‘Please look after yourself,’ Dewi said.
He closed the call.
'Hope your sister will be OK?' Steve said.
'She will care for my mama. Prem will not hurt them.'
'I need to convince the UK police to help. I'm also concerned about Mai. She is in danger. You could be in danger.'
‘I will leave Kuala Lumpur. Mai could come with me,’ Adam said.
‘Can we call her?’ Steve said, ’To let her know?’
‘Yes,’ Adam said.
Steve called Glen’s phone. Mai answered. He made her aware that he was heading for the embassy, and Adam would take her to a safe place.
Adam turned off the Jalan Ampang main road into Jalan Binjai. He pulled up outside Hotel Nikko, just opposite the British Embassy.
Steve got out of the car. 'Take care. Please call me.'
Adam nodded.
######
Steve crossed the road and entered the embassy by the main entrance. He completed the security checks before reaching the desk and talked to an assistant. 'My name is Steve Roussos. My life is in danger. Someone has tried to murder me. I know who they are. Can you help me? This is a matter of national security, which affects the UK and other countries.'
'We can help to guide you to the right people at the local police station.' The assistant smiled.
Steve thought she sounded patronising. 'No, it's a local policeman who tried to murder me.'
She nodded. 'Come this way.'
The assistant took details from Steve before taking him through security control and along a corridor into a side room.
'Please take a seat, Mr Roussos. I will ask the Vice Consul to speak with you.'
After a short wait. 'Good afternoon, Mr Roussos, I am Paul Reynolds, Vice Consul at the embassy. My colleague tells me you are in danger.'
Steve introduced himself, his company and explained the contract with Q7. He advised the Vice Consul of David's findings. He told him how he had confronted Farid Razak and Prem Jothi, as well as explaining the details of David’s murder, Glen’s poisoning and Mark’s arrest. ‘All arranged by Prem Jothi, head of a Triad gang’. Steve spat the final words out through gritted teeth. There was frustration and disdain wrapped up in his words.
'Sorry, Mr Roussos, slow down a little, please.'
'Oh, sorry.' Steve continued. 'Prem Jothi tried to poison me, and a policeman working for him, Sergeant TetLeong, tried to kill me.'
'What evidence do you have?'
Steve pointed to his neck. 'What evidence? Look at the marks. Is this good enough evidence? TetLeong confiscated my passport, so I cannot escape. I need your help please ' His voice broke.
'My apologies, Mr Roussos. I want to establish the background before I take the next steps,' the Vice Consul said.
'We have the evidence. David Morris captured an electronic image of the Q7 network and illegal transactions onto a mini drive.'
'Do you have the information?'
'I gave a copy to the UK police,' Steve said.
'Ah, that's good.'
'Prem Jothi is Mountain Master, head of Kongsi Gelap, the triad group. They are trying to stop us from exposing the truth. We believe the evidence shows crimes on an international scale.'
'We can help. I'm sure,' the Vice Consul said.
'They're after me!'
'This is UK sovereign soil, Mr Roussos. You're protected. I will arrange a UK emergency travel document for you to replace your passport. You can renew it when you get back to the UK.'
'That's great. Thanks.' Steve nodded.
'We have a few rooms in the embassy and I suggest we make one up for you to stay tonight.'
'Thank you.'
I will talk to the National Crime Agency. Please write down the details of the UK police officers you have already spoken to. In the meantime, I will get someone to escort you to your room and organise food. I will arrange for a doctor to take a look at the injuries you have sustained. Try to relax tonight, Mr Roussos.'
'Thank you, much appreciated.'
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Saturday 16th May
ADAM ARRIVED AT GLEN'S apartment just after midnight.
Mai opened the door and as soon as she saw Adam she sobbed, face reddened, bloodshot eyes.
Adam hugged her. 'I'm so sorry. Glen was a good man.'
'Thank you,’ she said.
They went into the apartment and Adam sat Mai down. 'I know it is difficult.'
'I only think of Glen. My Glen.' She wept.
'We are not safe here. Steve is at the British Embassy. They will protect him.'
'I know not what to do. They take my passport and papers. I cannot leave Malaysia.' She stopped crying and narrowed her gaze.
Adam held her hand. 'We need to get out of Kuala Lumpur. It is dangerous for you here. I will drive up to Penang.'
‘I am sorry Adam, but how can I trust you? You are Prem Jothi’s brother.’
‘I want to help you.’
‘How can I be sure you will not take me to Prem?’ Mai said.
'Someone tried to strangle Steve. I hit the man over the head with a lamp-stand which gave us enough time to escape. Steve is at the embassy for his own protection. I know he rang you and told you to come with me. We both want to protect you. Do you trust Steve?'
'Yes, I trust Steve, he is Glen’s friend. You are brave. Thank you for saving Steve. He is a good man.' She looked towards the floor. 'Why are you not helping your brother?'
'I am in danger myself, Mai as I have made my brother angry. Look at my head. He did this to me. I need to get away’. Adam looked at his watch. 'We should go now. Will you come with me?'
‘OK. I go to Penang, yes, but worried about my family.'
'You need to
protect yourself and then you can help your family. We need to go now.'
'How long to Penang?'
'Four hours with a stop. It is two hundred and twenty miles. I have booked into the Evergreen Laurel Hotel on Penang Island near George Town. For us both.'
'Thank you, Adam. I hope Steve will be OK.'
She gathered a few belongings, and they made their way to Adam's car.
######
Making good headway once they reached the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, north on the E1, a four-lane motorway.
'I need to focus on the road. The motorway lighting is bad. Many drivers are tailgating, and these coaches are going too fast. I will never get used to motorway journeys in Malaysia. And I am Malaysian!’ Adam smiled.
They progressed along the highway: the straight road sandwiched by endless rows of oil palm trees and rubber plants. Mai adjusted the back of her seat and leaned back on the head-rest.
'Two hours to Ipoh. We can stop for a rest,’ Adam said.
‘OK. Thank you. Why are you in danger? Why did Prem Jothi hurt you?’ Mai asked.
Adam's eyes watered. 'Because I love Mark.'
'Ah, now I know. Mark is a good man.’
'I need to get him out of prison. It is my brother who has put him there,’ Adam said.
‘Are you Kongsi Gelap?' Mai asked, 'With Prem Jothi?’
Adam glanced at Mai, 'Kongsi Gelap.... No.' He shook his head. 'My brother? What?'
'You know he is Mountain Master?'
'Mountain Master. No. What?' Adam paused. ’You think Prem is the leader of Kongsi Gelap?' He pushed the words out.
‘Yes, I work for your brother. Kongsi Gelap control us.'
'I...I did not know.' Adam fell silent again.
On reaching Ipoh they grabbed some food and carried on the journey to Penang.
'We will be in Taiping in one hour, another hour drive to Penang.'
'It is a long way. Tiring.'
Adam looked at Mai and smiled. 'We are safe.'
'I get sick every morning. Not much sleep.'
'Are you sick?'
'No. I have Glen's baby.' She held her breath.
'You are pregnant?' Adam asked in a stuttered gasp.
'I am sad. Glen will not see his baby.'
'I am so sorry. You should try to sleep,' Adam said.
'Thank you.' She closed her eyes.
