The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 16

"Inspector, I'm checking in as instructed by Detective Lewis of the New York Police Department," Paul said, carefully phrasing his pronouncement.

"I presume you are Paul Jacobs?" Inspector Nara questioned, to verify Paul's identity.

"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself." That was stupid.

Inspector V.K. Nara was an Indian man in his mid-40s Paul guessed. He stood about 5 foot 10 and was on the lean side but not skinny. Reading eye glasses perched low on his broad nose. His face and hands showed the effects from years of exposure to the Singapore climate. He dutifully wore the business-smart attire, acceptable at all but the most formal occasions in Singapore, of dark-colored dress slacks and an open collar white dress shirt.

The Inspector started his police career after graduating from the academy at only nineteen. He completed his BA degree in criminology at the Singapore Institute of Technology with aid from the Department's generous educational support program. Gradually moving up in the Department, he had been a Senior Inspector for the last five years. His twenty-five-year career had been fulfilling, and he received several awards in recognition for his meritorious service.

His dedication wasn't without personal sacrifice. Nara's family life suffered mortally from his obsession with his work. Eventually this situation led to his divorce and estrangement from his two children. He never forgave himself for allowing this to happen.

Now, though, his financial situation had changed dramatically. He had received a massive inheritance after the death of his father who was a shipping mogul in India. He wanted to use this fortune to improve the human condition and that would take his full-time attention. I need to use this to help people. He was seriously considering retirement but hadn't yet made this life-changing decision.

"Detective Lewis called me and requested that I receive you," Nara said. "I'll notify him you complied with his request." Inspector Nara continued his purely formal exchange.

"How do you know Detective Lewis?" This is uncomfortable, he's so stiff.

"I met him at a police training program I attended in New York. We became friends, but I haven't seen him lately."

"I had a question for you. I'm sure you're familiar with the kidnapping yesterday of three inventors from the Intellectual Property Symposium at the Convention Center?"

"Yes, I'm leading the investigation for the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) team. I have a couple questions for you about that as well."

"Okay." I wonder what he wants to ask me? I wasn't involved, but I was going to interview the kidnap victims. I think if I were him I would question me too. "Inspector, I need to tell you I was at the convention center just after the kidnapping. I had an appointment to interview the three inventors for the United Nations Statistics Division."

"Go on Mr. Jacobs, you are covering my concerns."

Paul looked a little uncertain, but he continued, "Our research at Statistics Division uncovered an unusual number of patents over the last ten-year period here in Singapore. When we requested copies of the patent applications the Singapore Intellectual Property Office sent us copies from three inventors."

"Zhang Tao Lim, Ian Carlson, and Ling Wong?"

"That's right. They were responsible for most of those patents. Upon review by Frank Wilson and me, we found that all the patents were registered during a five-year period that ended about five years ago. I've developed a statistical process we were using to link invention, as indicated by patents, to superior intelligence. To validate this process, we needed information about the inventors. I had found most of the necessary information on the internet and from the Singapore IPO office. My preliminary results showed that all three inventors should have superior intelligence. But, I needed to interview them to confirm this prediction."

"I see Mr. Jacobs that makes sense but couldn't you use their IQ scores to verify their intelligence?"

"That would help. I was going to ask them to give me their IQ scores if they had them. By talking with them I could establish their intelligence and confirm my preliminary determination. Not everyone has taken an IQ test and even fewer have taken one recently. This is the first time we would publish the results of my predictive model and my boss wanted to be sure before we did."

"I understand, I took one when I was in school many years ago. Does the IQ of a person change over time?"

"It can, but it would be unprecedented to change drastically, like from average to genius."

"That's interesting but I find it curious and somewhat disturbing that you were scheduled to meet with these people almost at the same time they were kidnapped."

"I do to. It is very disturbing and somewhat frightening. I wanted to ask you if you think I am in danger and if I should return to the United States for my safety?"

Nara appeared concerned and then his face became stern. "Mr. Jacobs until I can clear you from involvement in this crime, I must restrict you from travel outside of Singapore."

What? I'm a suspect in a kidnapping? "I didn't even arrive at the convention center until after the kidnapping," Paul's voice became louder.

"We need time to complete our investigation and clear you of any involvement. That is our procedure. I don't see any reason for concern about your safety. If the criminals were trying to harm you, they would've kidnapped you instead of the inventors. As an extra precaution, however, I will assign an officer to provide protective surveillance until we can find who the perpetrators and apprehend them. We will also need to retain your passport. It will be returned when you are cleared."

"I didn't bring it with me. I didn't anticipate this at all." Paul was being sarcastic. "I had no part in the kidnapping. I will need to contact the American Consulate about this." This sucks. I can't travel even if I wanted to. I do have police protection though. Maria and I were in the wrong place again.

"Please have them contact me with any questions," Nara said, without any hint of concern. "Here's my card. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, call the number on the card and ask for me. I'm sorry to do this, but I am certain we can clear you quickly. The surveillance officer will go with you to your hotel to get your passport. It's in the hotel safe?"

"Of course. I am staying at the Quayside Hotel on Clarke Quay."

"Was anyone else going to be with you during the interview with the inventors?"

"Yes, a friend, Maria Koh. She is staying here with her uncle Lee Koh." Now I suppose he'll want to talk with her?

Inspector Nara looked very puzzled. "Let me look at my notes from Detective Lewis' telephone conversation. He told me he was investigating the death of a Frank Wilson, your colleague at the UN Statistics Division."

"That's right. I was working with Frank on the unusual number of patents in Singapore as I explained earlier. That's why he wanted me to check in with you after I arrived in Singapore."

"He mentioned that another person, Maria Koh was Frank's former fiancé and was in attendance at the conference where Frank was killed. She had relatives in Singapore and was a person of interest for Detective Lewis. I don't see anything in my notes that indicates she would check in with me when she arrived in Singapore."

"There were no restrictions on her travel from the US, so I don't think she had any reason to contact you."

"When I inform Detective Lewis about our conversation, I'll also tell him about her. He'll want to know she is in Singapore and about her planned meeting with the inventors. I will need to talk with her. Can you give me her telephone number and the address where she is staying?"