by Leo James
'Dr. Laksana has a good reputation, but I am worried,' Adam said.
'I would trust them more if they found further evidence from their own forensic investigation,’ Steve added.
'Dr Laksana can protect us if we can trust him, but can we trust the Police?' Adam looked pensive.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Tuesday 2nd June
IT WAS MID AFTERNOON before Chief Commissioner Kassim had sent two of his officers, from the newly set up operational HQ in George Town, to the apartment to collect the Linux computer systems. Earlier that morning Steve had taken three full copies of the findings before he released the systems. He made a mental note to send one of the copies back to Roger for safe keeping.
Early evening, he went for a short walk to clear his head, crossed the road onto the path and stood for a moment, enjoying the nice breeze on a cloudless day. He took a deep breath in and a long breath out, trying to calm his mind. Watching the waves and breathing in the fresh air, helped him to release the tension, stress and anxiety racing through his body. Many thoughts cascaded through his brain. He remembered he had promised to call Beth back.
'Beth, it's me. Sorry I can't use FaceTime as I'm on this local Malaysian number.'
'Thank God you called. We had a terrible day yesterday.'
'Are you OK? Are the kids OK?'
'It's Millie, she has died.' Beth sobbed.
'Millie?'
'The kids are distraught, as you can imagine, although they have gone to school today. I thought it best if they go, to take their mind off Millie.'
'Oh no. Was it the pregnancy?'
'Someone poisoned her.' Beth held her breath for a moment.
'Poisoned!’ Steve proclaimed.
'The vet found pieces of beef in her stomach with slug and rat venom, sewn inside the beef. The slugs caused Millie to dehydrate to death, and the rats caused internal bleeding. It's awful Steve.' She sobbed.
'Oh no.'
'Millie was in great pain and distress for hours. She died in my arms. The puppies died.'
‘Oh, God. Poor Millie. I should be there with you. And the kids.'
'We’re all in a state of shock. Please come home Steve.'
'Oh love. I'm sorry. I’ll be home as soon as I can. There are problems over here. Q7 stopped paying us. They are crooks.'
'Why are you doing this? You should be here. I'm trying to keep everything together. I've stepped up, but I can't do this alone. They'll take the house. And the kids are distraught.'
'I have to do this Beth. They murdered David and Glen.'
‘Oh my God! You are not in the army now Steve for God's sake. And Roger's been trying to find you.'
'I'll talk to him.'
'This is dangerous. If they murdered David and Glen, they could murder you. We need you. I need you. Come home.' She found it difficult to talk as she sobbed.
'I have to do this Beth. I'll be home soon.'
'So, you let your family and your house fall apart. Your children and I need you.' Beth disconnected the call.
Steve's head was spinning as he made his way back to the apartment.
I should go home.
I should be there for Beth and the kids.
I'm responsible for Glen’s and David's deaths.
How can I leave Mark?
Fuck. Fuck.
Somehow, I could have changed things.
I can't think.
Let me think.
######
Steve headed straight back to the apartment.
Mai met him at the front door in a state of distress. 'Prem Jothi has called Adam. Adam, Steve is back,’ she shouted.
Adam came out of his bedroom.
Steve looked puzzled. 'How did he find you?'
'Prem told Dewi to speak, and she handed over the phone.'
'What did he say?'
‘He said you are trying to destroy Farid and Q7.'
'That's nonsense. As you know.'
'Prem knows about Eileen Yeong. I asked him why he had stopped the newspaper from releasing the story if he had nothing to hide. He claims it is all lies, and he is a respectable businessman. He wants to protect his reputation and you, Steve, sleep with prostitutes.'
Bastard. Shit. He'll let Beth know. Shit.
'That's nonsense. So, he has stopped the newspaper. Does he know you are with us in Penang?' Steve asked.
'Yes, he knows. He knows we were at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel.' Adam nodded.
'Credit card and maybe GPS location. They traced the card and located your mobile, which pinpointed the hotel,' Steve said.
'He wants me to come home and get away from you. He believes I am not safe.' Adam looked anxious.
'We need to ask Dr Laksana to help us. We should move to George Town. If they know we are near the Evergreen Laurel Hotel, it won't take them long to find out where we are. We are only ten minutes' walk from the hotel and they can check when we left.'
'Yes, I am very worried,' Adam said.
'He wants you home Adam, so he can come after us,’ Steve said.
'I am not leaving. He is not my brother.' Adam looked determined.
'How do we stop him?' Steve shared his thoughts aloud, 'We can't do any more, we've told Dr Laksana. Can we leave the country now? Dr Laksana must get us out.' For Steve, a bucketful of thoughts needed to go, to make room for new ones.
'He said your wife, lovely children and handsome dog are not safe.'
'He what?' Steve had to suppress a wave of nausea.
'Your family in the UK. The name of your wife, Elisa,' Adam said.
'No Beth, Elisabeth.' A ball of fear formed in Steve's stomach.
Adam nodded.
'He has killed my dog.' Steve cupped his forehead in the palms of his hands.
'What?' Mai said with a horrified look.
'Yes, I just talked to Beth. They have poisoned Millie with rat poison.'
Bastard, Bastards.
I need to go home now.
I'm gonna kill him.
Where do I get a gun?
What shall I do?
'We need to move to George Town, get their protection and then figure out how we get you back to the UK,' Adam said.
'I agree, but in the meantime I have to get Beth and the family to a safe place. How do I do that?' Think. Think. Angry bile stung Steve's throat.
'Can she go to stay with family?' Mai asked.
'I'm gonna call my brother and get him to take Beth and the kids over to Mallorca. He lives out there.' Steve nodded.
‘I am worried about Mark. I cannot stop thinking about him. Hope he is safe…in prison.’ Adam looked pale.
‘Prem could have men anywhere, even in prison,’ Steve shook his head.
I don’t know which way to turn. Poor Beth.
'Adam, can you talk to Dr Laksana?' Mai asked.
'Yes, we need to leave now.' Adam nodded.
######
Steve left the room to call Roger. 'Hi, it's Steve.'
'Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to contact you.'
'Sorry.' Steve held his forehead.
'I called you many times. I even called Beth. What's go—‘ Roger said.
Steve interrupted, ’There's a big problem at Q7.'
'They’ve stopped making any payments to us. What's happening? We are in dire straits. I haven't been able to pay any wages or ex—.’
Steve raised his voice. 'Roger, let me speak please, let me speak! They tried to murder me?'
'Who tried to murder you?' Roger asked.
'Prem Jothi and Cliff Lin, yes Cliff Lin.’
'What do you mean?'
Steve tried to explain. 'They run an empire which uses Q7 to help sell illegal stuff, launder the money out via Singapore into the US. Cliff invested in us because he wanted to use our secure payment system to hide the details. David found out and he was killed. Glen was poisoned, Mark’s been framed, and I’ve had to flee for my life. Adam threatened his brother to get Mark out of jail.'
/> ‘Yes, Mark told me about Adam,’ Roger said.
‘Then you know Adam is Prem Jothi's brother. Prem Jothi and Cliff Lin are in cahoots with the son-in-law of the Malaysian Prime Minister, this is big stuff!' Steve gasped.
'Bloody Hell! You need to come back to the UK. You are not safe over there.'
'We are in Penang.' Steve grimaced.
'Penang? Mark couldn't get in touch with you either. He's in a bad way.'
'I'm trying to get him out. I know he is struggling. Has Glen's family got him home?' Steve asked.
'He's still in Kuala Lumpur, in the morgue. I'm helping the family fly him back to the UK, under our insurance,' Roger said.
'Very sad. A corrupt policeman tried to strangle me. If Adam hadn’t been there, I'd be dead too. I need you to help me Roger. It’s urgent.'
'I'll do whatever I can.' Roger's voice sounded focused and forceful.
'Beth and the kids are not safe. Prem Jothi has threatened me with their safety. Prem poisoned our dog as a warning. Can you arrange for my family to fly over to Mallorca to stay with my brother Brian?'
'Yes sure, I’ll pay for the flights. I'll go over to Beth and sort out the flights as soon as possible.'
'That's great Roger. I’m so worried about them. I really appreciate it.'
'When are you coming home?' Roger asked.
'The British Embassy are a waste of time, but we met with the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia. He will help us get back.'
‘What can I do?’
'Can you tell Mark we are doing everything we can to get him out and remember, make sure you don't tell Cliff Lin anything?'
'Please be careful. I'll arrange the flights with Beth.'
'Thanks, I'll phone Brian now and tell Beth you will contact her.' Steve ended the call.
######
After Steve had contacted Brian to arrange for his family to travel over to Mallorca, he called Beth, 'Hi, it's me. I'm sorry.'
'When are you coming home? We need you. You missed Kate's appointment. What are you doing out there?'
'Oh no. Sorry. Is she OK?'
'The consultant has increased her dosage. She's had more attacks, one was severe. I'm worried.' She sobbed.
'I'll get back as soon as I can. Give her a hug and tell her I'll make it up to her when I get home.'
'When? When Steve? What are you doing?'
'Beth, listen. We're certain the people who gave us the deal are corrupt. Even Cliff Lin, who invested in Seguro, is part of this.'
'Part of what?'
'They set us up.'
'So, come home.' Beth’s voice cracked.
'No, it's not that simple. They will stop us at the airport. They’re murderers, and we must stop them.'
'Please come home,’ she pleaded.
'I'll be home soon. We have told top brass Malaysian Government people, and we need to hand over everything to them.'
'I'm worried,’ Beth said.
'Please don't. I've been thinking. Until it's over, it'll give me peace of mind if you and the kids go and stay with Brian and Hazel in Mallorca for a while. That will also be good for Kate.'
'No, we can't do that Steve. How can we? They’ll go to school today. I'm working, and people are still shouting at us to pay our bills. How can I leave? Why aren't you coming home now?' Beth started to cry.
'I need you and the kids to go to a safe place. And when I come home, we will meet up in Mallorca for a romantic holiday. Hey, let's sell up and go live in Spain.’
'I'm not staying with Brian and Hazel. And anyway, Kate has another appointment with the consultant.’
‘There’s plenty of room. The kids love it by the sea. And there are good doctors in Mallorca and the climate will help.'
'No, Steve. What about school? What about the cost?'
'Beth, it's important that you leave the house and go stay with Brian. I've spoken to him and it’s all fine with them. Roger will pay for the flights and he’ll call you about it later.'
'Now you're scaring me.'
'You and the kids are the most important people in the world to me. I want you to be safe whilst I sort out things over here.'
'Are we in danger?'
'I don't want to take any risks.’
'We're safer at home, and I'm worried about you.'
'No, Beth. You need to get out today.'
'You're scaring me,’ The tone of her voice changed.
'Look - I need you to be a hundred percent safe.’
'I'll think about it.’
'Beth, I need you to do this. Please. I’m sure the bad guys arranged for Millie to be poisoned. I’m worried Beth. I don’t want to take any chances.’
'It's you who should worry, and I'm worried for you. This bad lot are in Malaysia. Not here. Come home.'
'Let me make a few calls and I will ring you later. Please make arrangements to leave and I will call you and explain to the kids.'
'OK, but please come home love. Let's forget all this. Get away, as a family together.'
'Talk later, love you.'
'Please be careful. I love you Steve.'
######
Adam picked up his mobile and made a call. 'Dewi it is me.'
'I am so sorry,’ Dewi said, ‘Sorry Prem talked to you, but Mama and I worry.'
'Is Prem threatening you and Mama?' Adam's voice suddenly lowered as if there was someone else in the room who might overhear.
'No, he wants you to come home. He is missing you.' Dewi wept.
'No, he wants me out of the way.' Adam choked out the words.
'What do you mean? Come home. He knows you are in Penang,’ Dewi said.
'Look Dewi, Prem is a bad man. He is doing bad things. He wants to hurt my friends. I must protect them.'
'What about Mama and me?' Dewi raised her voice.
'What do you mean? Do you need protecting?' Adam panicked.
'No Adam. I mean you should be home with your family.'
'Prem is ashamed of me.' Adam's words tailed off.
'No, he loves you. We all love you and worry about you.'
'I am fine. There is nothing to worry about. The problem is my friends found information about Prem and the dreadful things he is doing. They are not safe.’
'Adam, you are wrong.'
'You tell Prem to keep away from my friends and me. If he does not, then I will do whatever I can to protect them. Tell him I will go to the police and tell them I am gay. Prem believes his reputation is more important than anything else.'
'I love you Adam. Please take care.'
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Wednesday 3rd June
IT WAS HER NEIGHBOURS turn to take her daughter along with Beth’s twins to school. Beth waved them off before she left the house, holding Jake's hand. She opened the rear passenger door of her car, and Jake jumped in. Beth backed off the drive, and they set off on the morning school run.
Although most parked cars sat on their driveways, a few dotted the tree-laden, quiet suburban street. A broad oak tree across the street prevented the black Audi from being seen. The Audi passenger nudged the driver with his elbow. 'Hey. Wake up, they're moving.'
'OK.' He sat up straight, raised his shoulders, moved his neck in a circular direction and lifted his cap off his eyes. He started the engine, and moved off, keeping enough distance behind not to attract any attention. 'Get this done and go eat? I fancy a full breakfast.'
'Focus on the job. So, like the dry run yesterday.’
'I know what I'm doing.'
They followed the Citroen along the busy Monmouth Parkway and left towards Tudor Hill.
'Remember, once she drops the kid off, we trap her when she gets to Parkhill.'
'OK. How many times do you need to tell me? I know.’ Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel he drummed and sang to the rhythm of a song playing on the car radio. 'Tragedy,' Tap, Tap, 'Tragedy,' Tap, Tap, Tap, 'Tragedy,' Tap, Tap, 'Tragedy,' Tap, Tap.
'Shut the fuck up.'
The driver sang
with a wry smirk on his face. 'Tragedy. Tragedy.'
The Audi passenger leaned forward and turned the radio off. 'Focus! Let's get the job done, and you can fuck off to your breakfast.'
This did not prevent the driver continuing to tap to an imaginary tune. He threw his cap onto the back seat and moved his head forward. 'No problem. You're in too deep.'
'Focus. Once we’ve finished this job, we should both get out.'
'Too damn right. I'm too old for this game.'
Beth turned left into Nursery Road and found a parking space amongst the daily ritual of the urban tractors, dropping their kids off as near to the school entrance as possible. Jake jumped out, waved and Beth set off on the horseshoe-shaped Nursery Road, and back on to Tudor Hill.
The Audi tracked Beth as she took a right on to College Road.
'She's going right. Follow her.'
The driver nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on the road, whilst he tapped at a more rapid rate. The windscreen clouded up, despite the two men trying to stay calm and focused.
'Where's she going?'
'Not sure, forget the park entrance.'
The traffic flowed slowly. The Audi, a few cars behind on New Oscott Road, Beth took a left into the shopping centre car park. The Audi followed.
'It's too busy here to do anything.'
'We have to do it today.'
'We can't do it here.'
'Let me think. If she goes home, she won't go by Parkhill, so we have no cover.'
'It's getting busier here and they'll have CCTV.'
'Yeah. Let's go back to her house. I want you to drive past the house, and park by the care home next door.'
'What's the plan?'
'I wait for her. I'll jump her and bundle her into the back of her car. You follow me to the forge.'
'Wow, isn't that risky?'
'Look we need to get her to the warehouse and take the photos before we detonate. You know the deal, we get the final payment and we're out of here.'
'You're the boss.'
######
The Audi arrived back on the road, close to Beth’s house.
‘Down there, drop me on the left and stay further down the road. Once you see the target arrive, get ready. I'll grab her, I take her car, you follow. OK?'
'OK.'
'Drop me here.'
He jumped out of the car, walked past the side entrance of the care home and into the rear car park. Scaling the fence into the neighbouring garden, he unlocked the side gate and emerged at the front of Beth's house. Hiding behind the tall hedge which contoured the front garden and drive, he pulled on a black woollen balaclava.
