The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 45

The Singapore Resort Hotel occupies a large property at the western end of Orchard Road, the famous luxury shopping avenue. Its manicured tropical gardens and colonial style buildings make this an inviting romantic destination. On Sundays an opulent brunch adorned the otherwise unremarkable hotel restaurant. An excessive array of delicious offerings including fresh-made pasta, an assortment of exotic fresh fish, carved roasted meats, and amazing desserts adorned the tables and counters lining the huge serving area. Famous resort chefs artfully prepared and displayed the delicious offerings. Nara invited Paul to join him for this unique experience.

Paul walked into the spacious hotel lobby and followed the signs directing visitors to the brunch restaurant. Fortunately, Nara had reserved a table at the very popular and crowded restaurant. Favored tables lined the full-length glass walls encircling the tropical flower garden and natural rock-lined swimming pool. Paul walked by the amazing food displays including ice sculptures and a chocolate fountain to Nara's table along the glass wall.

"Hello Paul, glad you could make it," Nara said, standing to shake his hand.

"I wouldn't miss this," Paul said. "It's a Singapore landmark."

"I hope you're hungry. The food is impossible to resist."

"I'm looking forward to it. But it'll be hard to choose from all this."

"Have you seen Asian noodles being prepared? Over there you can see the chef pulling the dough and, like magic, the noodles appear as he pulls it out."

"What a show."

"At the carving station you can get the finest roast beef. The lobsters and giant prawns are my favorites. You can find them at the fresh fish station. The attendant will bring us our drinks or you can help yourself. There is a whole table full of mimosas over there."

"I love the way they're presented in those champagne glasses."

"Oh, before I forget, there's a fresh tropical fruit area over there. Some of those are hard for me to resist. They're only available locally. They don't ship well."

"I love the Mangosteen it's so sweet and the Lychee too."

"Let's get our first plates. This is all-you-can-eat so you can always go back. What I like to do is get a bit of many different things so I can try them but you can tackle this any way you like." Paul and VK returned from their first outing with full plates.

Nara spoke while slurping a piece of lobster dipped in melted butter, "What are you planning to do after you get back home?"

"Go back to work at the UN, I guess," Paul responded without a lot of conviction.

"I've been thinking about retiring." Nara stopped eating to see Paul's reaction.

"But, you're not old enough." Paul responded like he thought he should.

"I've been working for the security force for over twenty-five years. It's the only place I have ever worked. My father left me a heap of money and I want to use it wisely, to help others."

Paul wasn't sure why Nara told him about his plans. He wished him well whatever decision he made. He is a very good person.

Nara changed the subject back to talking about the kidnapping case, "We've uncovered a definite link to known criminals in our investigation. We identified the man that assaulted Maria from a surveillance video and we have him in custody. Unfortunately, whoever hired him was careful to conceal their identity. He didn't provide any useful information that could lead us to them."

Nara continued while he munched on his plate of exotic fruits, "I'd hoped he might be connected to the kidnapping but we haven't been able to link him to that crime. So we haven't really gotten any further. Except we know there is a criminal connection."

"It's good to know the guy that assaulted Maria is in jail. Before I forget, did you have any luck finding out anything about the Arcadia movement? It scared my friend, Suke, when they compelled her to attend one of their meetings."

"We looked into that, but we didn't find much. They haven't done anything that would require our attention. It's a small group advocating creating a new government for oppressed people, not necessarily here in Singapore but anywhere. It's a cult but not religious."

"Have there been any other complaints from people who attended their meetings?"

"No, but something like that is so odd and there was no harm. It's not something that most people would report to the police. They're probably embarrassed about their attendance at this group's meeting."

Nara glanced at his watch before bringing up another topic, "I know you are working with our anti money-laundering task force and I want to thank you for what you've done."

"So far it hasn't led anywhere productive, but I'm hopeful. We're waiting now for information from a foreign bank. That takes time."

"Believe me, we understand the time needed to conduct this type of investigation. But this time we need to find them soon. I have a strong feeling that whoever we're dealing with is planning something. The longer it takes... Well, we need to find them soon."