The Director turned back to the window despite the darkness outside and said, ‘Seems the biggest risk is if we can’t locate this Einstein.’ He pondered the security breach, something different to any crisis he had had to deal with in his long career. ‘We have to find him before anyone else does.’
‘Yeah, the boys are working flat out but Cody told me that he thinks we’ll be playing cat and mouse until this Einstein makes a mistake. I’m real worried we won’t find him.’
‘That makes two of us. And if we do find him and he won’t play ball.’ The Director turned back to face his friend.
‘He has to, Jack.’
The Director made his decision. ‘He won’t have the choice of prison, Mike. Even if he’s just a kid.’
Teague nodded. The hacker would work for the CIA. Or he would have to be neutralised.
***
‘Chief?’
‘Yes Errnawati?’ Lee was standing on the patio of Pop’s luxury house, taking in the sunrise and feeling the warmth even at this early hour.
‘We find another. Twelve so far. Thirty more possibles identified. There could be many more boss.’ The normally jovial Indonesian was sombre. He had faced many things as Medical Examiner and normally remained cheerful, able to crack a joke or make a little quip to relieve the pressure of his morbid task. Lee could hear no trace of humour in his voice now. ‘It is an act of evil beyond belief.’
‘Yes. Evil.’ Chief Lee surveyed the scene before him, the dozens of white canopies that dotted the woodland of Pop’s estate. The generators were silent now, the floodlights no longer casting their garish harsh rays on to the nightmare being unearthed beneath them.
Inside each canopy a white-coated team was recovering the remains of an orphan. The relics of children entrusted into Pop’s care.
A team from Bangkok was searching the grounds for more burial sites, their sophisticated heat and gas sensors pinging into life at any hint of human decay below the grass. Two specially trained dogs had arrived with the team, and they too were sniffing out the sad remnants of ruined lives. It could take them weeks to unearth all the children interred by Pop in the many acres of his estate.
‘Evidence Chief. I assess three of the twelve murdered. We see crushed skulls. The others,’ the ME’s shoulders twitched in a mini-shrug, ‘maybe poison or even natural causes. I need to carry out tests.’
‘Natural causes?’ Lee spun on his friend spitting the words with rancour. ‘Is it natural to be denied medical treatment and left to die because a greedy Christian wants the money? To be buried in an unmarked grave in the man’s garden?’
The ME looked stunned. Lee never shouted at him in this way. He said in a quiet voice, ‘It may be, the other children, poisoned, strangled, suffocated. I do not say yet. Sorry Chief.’
Lee’s face softened as he placed a hand on the older man’s shoulder and squeezed gently. ‘I’m sorry too, my friend. It’s... it’s the magnitude of this...’ His eyes roved over the white canopies. ‘And children...’
The ME nodded, knew the reason for the Chief’s pain, his boss’s sad loss, and hurried back to supervising the disinterment.
Chief Lee returned to Pop’s study. The child-killer was a meticulous keeper of records and the Chief had spent much of the night reading the details of how the Principal of a small orphanage managed to build enormous wealth on the misery of parentless children.
Lee could not comprehend the man’s lust for money, let alone his deviant behaviour with the children. Photographs, taken by an assistant or perhaps on a timer, showed Pop’s sexual appetites extended to male and female children. There were such gross, sadistic and horrific acts that Lee had to stop looking after the first few dozen images. The same images were on the man’s computer, his own face blanked out or his head carefully edited from the photographs, but the pain and terror of the children was clear for all to see. Lee wondered who would want to look at such things, who would want to buy such things?
Pop’s records showed he had sold the photographs to an internet pornographer based in Russia, beyond the reach of international law.
All for money.
Child prostitution provided the supposedly devout Christian with another source of income. The orphanage Principal sold the services of the youngsters through Fan, Moo and several other local pimps, now either dead or being rounded up by Lee’s men.
They had targeted tourists, people like Simm. Some weeks the orphanage Principal took over three thousand US dollars from his seventy percent share of the spoils. No wonder he could afford to surround himself with luxury. The dreadful things people will do for profit still had the capacity to shock the Chief. His face was pale and drawn as he studied the evidence.
The scam with hospital treatment even enabled Pop to profit from the terminally ill, the children with AIDS. He had siphoned off the funds, supposedly buying medicines or paying for treatment in Bangkok’s major hospitals, almost bankrupting the orphanage in the process.
‘Adoption’ provided the final source of revenue. Many of the children were undoubtedly sold into full time prostitution. Lee was convinced, based on the amounts paid for the orphans, that very few had gone to caring homes.
And all the while the orphanage scrabbled and begged for funds, Pop was sitting on the one thing that could unlock a fortune for the benefit of all the residents. Developers had made offers of several million dollars for the site, yet Pop had steadfastly refused to sell. Lee now knew why, and it had nothing to do with the man’s declared love for the site, or his belief in the sanctity of the gift from the benefactor that donated the orphanage. No, not even for the sense of community and continuity he had claimed was so important for the children. All his excuses were there in the documents, the correspondence between the Principal and the developers.
So was the reality. Pop’s cut was not enough. He was raking in too much money to allow a sale of his golden goose. Setting up elsewhere would create too much disruption for his hideous enterprise. The developers had baulked at the scale of the backhander Pop required to compensate him for the sale.
Lee propped his head in his hands and surveyed the scene. He was surrounded by the stench of corruption and evil. A single tear trickled from his eye. He thought about Kate and his conversation with her yesterday.
Who was more evil?
Pop?
Or the man who had tortured him to death?
***
‘I need some breakfast, Kate. I’m famished!’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Kate kissed Doug on the lips, savouring the taste and smell of his pheromones, ‘after the amount of energy you used last night. I’m not sure my legs work any more. I had a great time.’ Kate buttoned her shirt and grinned down at the naked man collapsed on the bed.
‘You fancy some food? I’m gonna shower and head down to the café. Join me?’
‘Thanks, but I’m in need of some rest. I’m going to the pool for a few hours. If you fancy we can meet for lunch. I’m sure Johnny will want to join us.’
‘Sounds great. I’ve got a few things to do this morning, and Johnny’s working on my laptop. Hopefully he’ll have some progress for me by then. It’s his birthday today, right?’
‘Sure is. And we need to party tonight. Did he tell you what he wants?’
Doug laughed, a happy sound that felt unusual in his throat. ‘What, a girl? He didn’t have much luck last night. He got molested by a ladyboy!’
‘What?’ Kate had not heard about their exploits from the night before. The intervening time she had spent with Doug had been an expression of animal passion, with very little in the way of coherent conversation.
Doug explained Johnny’s misunderstanding and went on, ‘And then when I told him I needed some help with my computer he decided he wanted to come back to get to work on it. I wish I’d mentioned it over dinner. We could’ve had a bit more time together.’ Kate bent down to get her bag and Doug slid his hand up the inside of her thigh, and said as she jumped, ‘We coul
d make up for lost time now if you fancy.’
Kate spilt the contents of her bag when he groped her, then gave his hand a light slap of discouragement. ‘Four times not enough for you then, super stud?’ Her hair waved over his face as she bent to kiss him and said, ‘I really do need to get some rest, I’ve got an article to research and write before 10.00pm.’ She looked at him, thinking what a hunk he was, and almost caved in. Finally she gave his forehead a quick peck, caressed his groin lightly at the same time and then left, calling over her shoulder, ‘You’ll just have to wait until tonight – if you’re still up for some action then!’ She poked her tongue out at him and pulled the door to.
As it closed she heard him shout, ‘You betcha!’
Kate could smell his man scent on her, the aftermath of their sweaty lovemaking lingering on her body. Shower? No thanks, she thought. Just for a few hours. She would lie by the pool revelling in the musky smell while creating her story.
She ran down the flight of stairs to her room – her legs a little wobbly, her thighs sore from some interesting positions she had never tried before.
Her door was open, propped that way by the maid’s trolley, and Kate bounded in. The maid heard her, and called from the bathroom, ‘Sorry Miss. I not be long. It okay with you?’
‘No problem, I’m going out.’ She grabbed her computer, towel and bikini and was about to head off, her mind full of the night‘s sexual adventures when she had a guilty thought about her brother. She knocked on the adjoining door. No answer, so she opened it up, expecting to see him collapsed over his computer. She checked the bedroom – no sign of him. Then she realised his tablet was gone too.
Perhaps he’s at the pool already, or maybe he’s hit the beach for some sun while he works. Her mind tripped through the possibilities without a moment’s concern. She scribbled a note, propped it on his desk and went up to the pool. Hopefully he would find her before lunch. She was sure he would not have gone far.
***
Doug finished soaping himself, shaved and then dressed, his mind filled with thoughts of Kate.
She was fantastic. Her lust and willingness to please, experiment and enjoy were a revelation to him. For over three years he had been celibate and at first was worried he may not be up to the occasion. But four times! He could not help grinning at his reflection in the mirror. And he realised then – he was actually happy.
Really happy.
He dressed, picked up his hotel cardkey and some cash, and then spotted another room key on the floor. He wondered if it was Kate’s, maybe she dropped it when he grabbed her. He popped down to her room but the maid told him the lady had gone to the pool.
Doug decided to return the key later rather than disturb Kate. If it was hers and she needed it she would have been back to his room by now. And the hotel would have a spare at reception. He pocketed the key and made his way to the café for a coffee and bagel, before he went to the hospital. He hoped the little boy would recover today.
***
‘We’ve had a call from the American Hospital, Chief. There’s a good chance we’ve found the boy.’
The sergeant was standing in the doorway to Lee’s office, half in and half out, apparently not sure whether to disturb his boss and the embassy man, but keen to share the news.
‘Well Agent Rutherford, it looks like it might be your lucky day.’ Lee then addressed his sergeant, ‘Get my car round, I want to go there immediately.’ Lee stood and nodded to the CIA man across the desk. ‘You may wish to join me. Your predecessors, Agents Johnson and MacKenzie had very little positive to say about our methods but it looks as though we have a result.’
‘I’ve apologised, Chief Lee, and it was meant genuinely. I think the death of an American citizen in a foreign land is a serious matter that requires co-operation with the local police, not alienation.’ Agent Rutherford had been fully briefed by the Director and was aware of Johnson’s views on the mission. ‘You seem convinced Simm was a paedophile. I’m reserving judgement on that, there could be many reasons Simm was with that boy. May even have wanted to adopt him, who knows?’ Agent Rutherford flashed a bleached smile, a dazzling display of the dentist’s art.
‘Of course. You must make your own assessment. Shall we go?’ The sergeant was at the door, the car ready.
As Lee and the CIA man made their way to the hospital through heavy traffic, Lee continued, ‘I have five more murders committed by the same man, similar MO and all linked by one aspect. Child sex.’
‘Five? That’s news to me.’
‘Yes, Agent Rutherford. The premature departure of your colleagues and the ensuing delay prior to your own team’s arrival have allowed things to progress. Unfortunately I have had no time to write another report for your embassy.’ Instead Lee described the scene at Pop’s, his grotesque discoveries and the extent of the man’s perversion and corruption. ‘I’m afraid I have slept very little since Mr Simm’s untimely death, but at least you now know as much as I do.’
‘Man. If you’re right, it really looks as if Simm was guilty. Jeez. He was respected, a billionaire. What makes people like him do things like that? How can they think they’ll get away with it?’
‘The Principal of the orphanage got away with it for eighteen years. He changed the staff regularly and ruled the place like a minor deity. Only the actions of a serial killer brought to light the profanity of the man’s life. Without this vigilante he may have continued for another eighteen years.’
‘But an American. A high profile guy like Simm. Christ, he even knows the President.’
‘Distasteful though it may seem to you, being American makes little difference. Many people arrive here and shed their inhibitions, believing they can indulge in wickedness that may otherwise be repressed. And the man’s wealth? Simm probably thought he could get away with anything. Wealth, power and privilege corrupt the mind. Such people convince themselves they are special, above the law. To an extent, it’s true.’ Lee’s bitterness boiled over with the words.
‘You believe that? Some people are above the law? Maybe that’s how it is here, Chief. But not in my country.’ Rutherford was vehement.
‘In every country men of means and power manipulate the law to their advantage. Many times I have read with interest about the court cases of your various celebrities.’ Lee stepped out of the car, waited for Rutherford to join him. ‘Some would say people like that, men who can afford the best attorneys, are in a way, above the law, at least as it applies to the ordinary person. And in other cases? Who knows how much evidence disappears when a rich man pays to make it move?’
Rutherford stroked his chin, deep in thought. ‘You’ve got a point. I s’pose we always think other countries, third world and developing nations, are corrupt.’
‘Indeed. I would venture to suggest they are merely more open in their acceptance of the inevitable. Ah!’ He turned and spoke in Thai to the nurse on reception. ‘I believe you are expecting me. Police Major General Lee.’
The woman gave the traditional wai greeting, palms pressed, then asked him, ‘If he is the boy, I get the reward?’ She led the way to Lek’s room.
‘Of course. Please explain.’
‘The little boy arrived the night before last. A man, a generous American carried him in. The boy’s in here, he’s about the right age, though not much like the photo on the poster.’ The nurse pulled at her ear as she spoke, her doubt now evident with the sceptical policeman standing by the boy.
‘I’d like to speak to the doctor.’ The nurse left and Lee translated her comments for Rutherford, then added, ‘This could well be our witness. The picture was taken from a class photo and he is three years older now. The photograph was enlarged and the image is somewhat grainy. The eight thousand baht seems to be rather more eye-catching.’ Lee stroked the boy’s forehead with a light touch and the lad’s almond eyes flickered open. Lee caught Rutherford’s glance and read the surprise at his actions in the man’s face. He withdrew his hand.
&n
bsp; ‘He may have AIDS.’ The fear in Rutherford’s voice irked Lee. He caressed the boy’s cheek again, amazed at the American’s ignorance. He then shared something he rarely spoke of.
‘It is quite safe, Agent Rutherford. I had to nurse my own son and wife for three years. They became infected with HIV when she gave birth. A blood transfusion intended to save their lives took them both from me.’ He stared at the agent, daring him to speak, then went on, ‘I am completely free of the virus, though at times I wonder why.’
‘Sawadee khap.’ The doctor appeared and checked the boy’s chart, piercing the tension in the room.
‘This boy, I believe he is anonymous, brought here by an American. What is his condition?’
‘He’s been in a state of shock, the brain shut down due to some traumatic event. Otherwise he’s unharmed.’
‘And now? Is he up to answering questions, doctor?’
‘Possibly tomorrow, but why? Is he a criminal?’
‘His name is Lek. He is an orphan. As far as I am aware he has committed no crime, but I believe he witnessed a violent act, the murder of an American citizen.’
The doctor scratched his head and said, ‘This evening, if he’s well enough, you may be able to speak to him. But do not expect too much. If the murder was the cause of his catatonic state, I suspect the brain may have suppressed the memory. Perhaps under hypnosis...’ He shrugged.
‘I’ll return this evening. Now, what can you tell me about the man who brought the boy in?’
As Lee spoke the nurse entered the room, and hearing the policeman’s query said, ‘You can talk to him yourself, sir. He’s here, waiting in reception, he wants to see the boy and talk to the doctor.’
Lee turned to Rutherford and translated for him, finishing with the words, ‘It really is your lucky day. I’d appreciate it if you’ll allow me the luxury of talking to your compatriot without interruption?’ Lee’s face quizzed the agent.
‘Sure, no problem Chief. You think this guy’s your serial killer? He brought the kid in, and you think he found him at the orphanage boss’s place?’
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