The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 29

Lee and Maria waited in the apartment for the police officer to arrive. They were both annoyed by the prospect of being cross-examined about the kidnapping.

"I don't know what they expect me to tell them?" Lee said.

"I don't think they suspect you," Maria said. "They're just going through their investigation process. They probably want to talk to you mainly because of me."

A knock at the door alerted them that the officer had arrived. Introductions and mandatory tea followed. Lee slouched on the living room sofa with the officer seated near him in a side chair.

The officer said, "Mr. Koh, I have a few questions for you. We're gathering information related to the kidnapping of three prominent Singaporean inventors and the killing of a security guard during their abduction."

"I'm familiar with the circumstances. The officer that made this appointment told me. And it's all over the news." Lee wanted the officer to understand he knew the details so he didn't need to go over them for him. He hoped this would shorten the interview.

The officer was happy he didn't need to go through the crime description again. "Where you were yesterday at one pm?"

"I was here in the apartment, resting. I have a chronic disease, aHUS, that affects my stamina."

"Sorry, can anyone confirm you were here?"

"Perhaps my niece, Maria. She wasn't here at one, but she knew I was here when she left about twelve thirty."

The officer looked towards Maria, who was sitting on another side chair on the opposite side of the couch. "Yes, Lee was here when I left for the convention center about twelve thirty."

The officer was taking notes but stopped. "If you don't mind, I'd like to use my recorder, on my smart phone, so I don't need to take notes."

Both Lee and Maria agreed, so the officer activated his phone recorder and asked the first question again receiving the same response. "Mr. Koh, I understand that about twenty years ago you were convicted of forgery and served several years in prison. Is that true?"

"Yes, and I served my time." Lee shook his head in disbelief having to go over this ancient history.

"I understand that you admitted your involvement with the Chinese mafia. Can you elaborate on your crime?"

"I was a forger for a Chinese mafia organization. Mostly I forged passports and travel documents, occasionally other documents that required signatures. That was my specialty, forging signatures." Lee's voice became stronger when describing his forging accomplishments.

"Have you had any contact with your former associates recently? In the last year?"

"No, I retired from my life of crime after serving my prison time. As you probably know, Singapore conducted extensive anti-crime sweeps and wiped out the Mafia. Illegal drugs are behind almost all organized crime activity in surrounding countries. But Singapore has stopped these criminal activities with harsh penalties for drug trafficking."

Lee shifted awkwardly on the sofa trying to get comfortable. Maria noticed his discomfort saying, "Lee are you feeling pain? He looked at her as he had many times and she knew he was having one of his episodes.

"Mr. Koh, we can stop our interview if you wish," the officer said.

"No, I'm okay. Just one of my short discomforts from my disease. Unfortunately, it's a life-threatening disease but my niece has devised a drug injection method that helps me manage the symptoms. I'll be okay. I hope we're almost finished anyway." Lee wasn't feeling well, so the questions frustrated him more than they should have. He just wanted this to be over. But it wasn't.

The officer explained, "I understand your impatience, Sir, but we must investigate all possible leads. Ms. Koh was to meet with the inventors only moments after their kidnapping. Her association with the kidnapping and your criminal background required us to interview you."

Maria spoke up scolding the officer, "I thought so. This is because of me."

Ignoring Maria's outburst the officer continued. "One more thing, Mr. Koh. What is the name of your old boss in the Mafia? I will need to talk with him."

Caught off guard a deep wrinkle appeared on Lee's face while he was thinking about his answer. A long pause passed before Lee said, "I don't see what something I did years in the past to do with the crime you're investigating? I was working with him over twenty years ago."

"I understand, but we need to follow every possibility."

"He's nearly eighty now. Rong Chew. We occasionally meet socially to have tea and talk about old times."

The officer's lips tightened, and he spoke slow and distinct, "I thought you said you had not been in contact with your former associates since you were in prison?"

Lee replied this time with an edge to his voice, "I thought you are asking about any criminal activity. I didn't understand that you meant socially as well."

The officer didn't look satisfied with Lee's answer. "So you have been in contact but only to reminisce about your former criminal activities?"

The officer finished his interview questions and excused himself saying he had several other interview appointments. Lee and Maria were glad to see him leave.

"I think I'd better call Rong to tell him I gave his name to the officer," Lee said. "They might contact him and I don't want him surprised like I was."

"Do you think the police will monitor your cell phone?" Maria said. "It might be better for you to visit him in person."

"I don't know if that's necessary. Anybody would contact their friend to tell them they had given their name to the police. That's got to be completely normal." Lee tried to get comfortable by leaning to one side but it was no use.

"Looks like you need another injection array. Yours has probably run out." Lee was wincing and couldn't respond because of the pain. Maria applied the micro-injection array to Lee's arm. "You should feel better in just a few seconds," Maria said.

Lee laid his head on the couch armrest to take a nap. His eyes relaxed and then became very heavy.

"There, there, you sleep."