The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 37

Inspector Nara looked over the shoulder of Officer Long who was studying a video on the computer screen in front of him. "Forward a little more," Nara said. One frame at a time Officer Long advanced the video, carefully examining each image. "There, print that one. It shows his full face."

"This is really good," Officer Long said. "Wait, I think I recognize him. I'm pretty sure that's Joe Chin, he's been in prison a couple of times. His latest was a robbery conviction but I heard he's out on probation now."

"This is a break. Issue an arrest warrant for him. We finally got lucky. These surveillance tapes aren't always much good. Either the quality is poor or the criminals are smart enough to conceal their face."

"Yeah, this guy was really dumb."

"He's a habitual criminal. Why would he look right into the camera on his way to commit a crime?"

"Too bad the camera didn't show him at the apartment door. We could've seen if he broke in or was invited in."

"What you mean?"

"This report just doesn't seem right. First, the alleged assailant was a known criminal who didn't even try to conceal his face. Second, the idea that he would go to Koh's apartment to kidnap Paul Jacobs is bizarre. Unless he received a tip that Jacobs was there why would he do that?"

"That is odd."

"Then there's the injury to Ms. Koh. Her arm wasn't broken. The doctors treated her for a sprained elbow but they couldn't see anything on the x-ray."

"She claimed to be in serious pain. And soft tissue injuries don't show up on an x-ray."

"True, but considering the strange behavior of the perp, the whole incident looks suspicious. The injury could be fake."

"Let's suppose you're right. This whole thing turned out to be not what it seemed. What's your theory?"

"There's no evidence yet and, hopefully, after we interview Chin we'll find out more, but he was probably going there to meet with either Maria or Lee Koh."

"Lee had left earlier."

"I know, but maybe Lee had one of his medical episodes and forgot about the appointment? Maria let him into her apartment. Remember, there were no signs of forced entry. When Paul unexpectedly returned and pretended to be the police Chin quickly ran off and Maria acted injured."

"That makes more sense than Ms. Koh's story. But why wouldn't she just let Paul in."

"She might not have known it was Paul who was screaming police from outside the door. Or if she recognized his voice, she didn't want him to see her with this guy."

"I have a crazy idea. Let's check out the security film from the kidnapping. See if this guy was one of the kidnappers."

"I hadn't thought of that. What makes you think there might be a connection?"

"Just a hunch. There's a connection between Maria Koh and both these incidents.

"Inspector Nara you have a telephone call from Mr. Doge," said a voice on the office intercom. Mr. Doge was an attorney working with the Singapore police department.

"Thanks, I'll take it here." Nara picked up the phone on the desk. "I was expecting your call. Please go ahead."

"I'm afraid I have bad news," Mr. Doge said. "The hospital records at Elizabeth Hospital for the patients admitted during the disease outbreak are missing."

"Missing?"

"The required retention period for hospital admission documents was extended a couple of years ago from seven to ten years, so they should still be in their files. However, they haven't been able to find them. The hospital isn't sure what happened. Security for hospital records is tight, but a clerk could have destroyed them accidentally. In any case, it's unlikely we'll find them now."

Nara threw his notebook slamming it into the computer desk sending papers and pens flying. Officer Long, overhearing the conversation, understood his veteran leader's reaction to yet another dead-end.