Chapter 11

Wednesday morning’s outlook appeared grim. Not because of the inclement weather, or the low lying cloud blanketing the harbor and restricting visibility to around 100 yards.

It was grim because David had an appointment with the US Consulate this morning to finalize Miles’ transport arrangements, so he could take his son home to the US.

This was not a task he looked forward to, but it was one of the reasons he flew to Hong Kong. He was here to bring his son home.

It sounded great to hear an American accent again when the female Consulate official met him and escorted him to a small interview room.

David estimated her age to be around the late twenties. She had shoulder length, flaming red hair and matching pale white skin. The ID tag hanging around her neck displayed the name, “Nancy King.”

During the ensuing small talk, David learned Nancy came from Pittsburgh and had been with the US Consulate in Hong Kong for three years.

He couldn’t believe the inordinate amount of paperwork and legal documents involved in arranging the transport of Miles back to the US.

Nancy informed him that she had booked Miles onto a United Airlines flight, departing Hong Kong International Airport this coming Saturday, at 10am.

After David accepted Nancy’s offer, she proceeded to book a First Class seat on the same flight for David.

Once all the legal requirements and the multitude of signatures were completed, David considered it opportune to seek an opinion from his own country’s Consulate.

‘Can I bounce something off you?’ he asked.

Nancy’s face wore a questioning expression. ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘What is it?’

‘The police here in Hong Kong have ruled my son’s death an accident,’ David said. He edged himself to the front of his chair and leaned his elbows on the table.

Nancy watched David without responding.

‘I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it was an accident,’ David said.

Nancy nodded slowly. ‘I see,’ she said. ’And what do you think happened?’

‘How do you slip and fall into the Harbor when they have safety fences to prevent such an occurrence?’ He asked.

Nancy’s eyes dropped to the open file on her desk. She flipped through the pages, as though searching for something.

She paused and read from the document in front of her. ‘It says here that your son had been affected by drugs at the time,’ Nancy said. ‘Do you know whether he may have tried to climb the fence and slipped?’

David collapsed back into his chair. He exhaled heavily. ‘My son has never done drugs in his life,’ he said.

Nancy returned to her notes and read some more before commenting. ‘I have a report from the police Mr. Bower…’ She tapped the report in front of her. ‘The report clearly says different.’

David’s head dropped and he shook his head. ‘I don’t care what that report says, Nancy…’ David lifted his chin towards the paperwork on the desk. ‘My son did not do drugs,’ he said. ‘Furthermore, they wrote that report on Sunday… How could the police possibly know my son was drug affected by Sunday? There is no way a toxicology result could have been obtained that fast.’

Nancy closed the file; an apparent indication she was not prepared to comment any further.

He realized that he probably appeared like a desperate grieving father struggling to accept his dead son couldn’t do anything wrong.

David proceeded to explain all the reasons he had discovered that caused him to suspect Miles had been seriously assaulted, not a trip and slip as reported by police.

Once he started, he left nothing out. Nancy sat in silence as David passionately relayed his theory and told of the supporting evidence he had located to date.

Nancy’s eyebrows lifted and her mouth rounded when he had finished communicating his theories.

‘Wow…’ she said. She re-opened the file in front of her and read briefly. ‘It says here the case officer in charge of your son’s investigation is a Detective Sergeant,’ she said. She leaned on her elbows. ‘Maybe you should consider talking to someone from the police in a much higher position of authority. Like a Detective Chief Inspector,’ she suggested.

David shook his head. ‘I don’t think the police want to hear about it.’

‘If you think there is something corrupt going on…’ Nancy began, ‘I assume that is what you are suggesting…?’ Nancy clarified. ‘Then you will need to report your concerns to an officer, but you will need evidence, otherwise they will dismiss you as a trouble making conspiracy theorist,’ Nancy said.

David’s eyes narrowed at Nancy. ’Is that what you think I am?′ He asked. ‘A parent who has trouble accepting reality…? Who makes up theories to save his son’s reputation?’

‘What I think is irrelevant, Mr. Bower, I — ’

‘Not to me it isn’t,’ David said. ‘I wouldn’t have told you if I thought your opinion, as a Consulate representative, was irrelevant,’ he said.

‘I think…’ Nancy started slowly. ‘Some of what you have told me does appear strange,’ she said. ‘But without viewing all the evidence, it is difficult for me to comment any further,’ she said. ‘If you genuinely disbelieve what the authorities have reported… Then you need to tell someone, but not me,’ she said. ‘Someone in law enforcement, someone in a position of authority that can do something about it,’ Nancy clarified.

David realized that either Nancy did not have the authority to help him, or maybe she did not have any interest in helping him, either way, he had wasted enough of his time.

‘Thank you, Nancy,’ David said. He pushed himself away from the desk and stood. ‘I will consider your advice,’ he said. David extended his hand. ‘Thank you for all your assistance.’

Nancy stood and accepted David’s hand. ‘You are most welcome, Mr. Bower. Good luck with whatever you decide to do,’ she said. ‘I will contact you a little closer to Saturday with details of the flight arrangements.’

---

David checked his watch as he strolled from the US Consulate building towards his vehicle parked in the street out front. The time approached 10.30am.

He rubbed his forehead as he glanced around. He felt lost. He hoped for more support from the Consulate officials, but he remained none-the-wiser with what he should do.

His pros and cons options were in combat with each other, as he considered revisiting the police, especially after his last efforts to contact the police.

The Central police station was only a short drive from the US Consulate so, David decided that he had nothing left to lose.

He would report his concerns and evidence to a high ranking officer, and if they still refused to consider his evidence, then he would probably have no choice but to let it go.

After arriving at the ground floor of the Central Police Station, David approached the receptionist and requested the name of the Officer in Charge of the CID.

The young receptionist consulted a list on her desk and said, ‘Superintendent Alan CHENG Chi-Wong.’

At David’s request, the receptionist dialed the Superintendent’s extension. Following a brief discussion on the phone, she asked David, ‘Do you have an appointment?’

David shook his head. ‘No,’ he began. ‘My name is David Bower, I am the father of the young man who police found in the Harbor. I am urgently seeking a meeting with a senior officer to discuss my son’s case. I fly home on Saturday, you see.’

The receptionist repeated David’s comments down the phone, in Chinese, then hung up. She then informed David that someone would be down to see him shortly.

Twenty minutes passed before a uniform cop approached and abruptly instructed David to follow him.

The officer escorted David out of the Central Police Station, onto the street and along a short distance into the neighboring Central Police District Headquarters.

Following a short mirror-lined elevator ride to the 5th floor, the cop escorted David to an office. The cop indicated a chair and told David to wait outside.

David slid into the chair and watched the uniform officer knock on the office door, then enter the office.

A short time later, the uniformed escort quickly exited the office without making eye contact with David.

An abrupt male voice yelled to David from inside the office. ‘Come in,’ the voice barked.

David entered the office in response to the curt command. He paused in the doorway to glance around.

The office dimensions were considerably small given this senior officer’s presumed status within the force.

The superintendent’s desk sat only a few short paces into the office. He sat facing the door with his back to the medium sized window that provided restricted views out towards Victoria Harbor.

The office appeared neat and tidy and had several framed certificates hanging on the wall to the right of the window. A library of books and journals lined the wall to the left.

The overweight superintendent, who David estimated to be a man in his early to mid-fifties, remained seated as David entered the office. His mannerisms were most unwelcoming.

Without acknowledging David’s presence the Superintendent arrogantly gestured to the chair opposite himself.

There were many lines on his stern face. He had distinctive frown lines permanently embossed into his forehead. His mouth froze in a permanent scowl, which capped off his displeasing facial expression.

David approached the desk and before sitting he offered his hand to the superintendent. ‘David Bower, sir. Thank you for seeing me on short notice.’

The superintendent frowned as he glanced at David’s extended hand. He appeared to reluctantly accept the gesture with a perfunctory hand shake, letting go almost as he soon as gripped David’s hand.

The superintendent was either unaccustomed to social etiquette, or just too arrogant to be bothered. Either way, he failed to afford David the courtesy of responding by introducing himself. Instead he just grunted, ‘what is it that is so important?’ The man had an unwelcoming glower across his face.

Instantly David questioned whether this was a bad idea. It was evident this officer was unlikely to be impartial. His immediate thoughts were to terminate the meeting and get out of there, but for some reason, he decided to stay.

The superintendent leaned back in his chair with his hands resting on his corpulent stomach. ‘If it will save some time, I already know who you are and I am across your son’s case,’ he said abruptly.

‘Then you will be aware that my son’s wallet and his $45,000 watch were missing when they found him,’ David said.

The Superintendent sat unmoved without commenting. His gaze remained fixed on David with a sneering look of contempt on his glowering expression.

‘A male person used my son’s credit card in the days following my son’s death,’ David said. ‘This person purchased over US$8000 in property using my son’s credit card.’

David’s allegation seemed to get a rise out the superintendent. ’How do you know it was used by a male person? He asked. ‘Could’ve been used by anyone.’

David lifted the thumb drive to the Superintendent. ‘I have here a copy of store security footage that shows the male person using the credit card in the Downtown store in Causeway Bay,’ David said.

‘His face is clearly identifiable in this footage. He has this distinctive Mohawk,’ David said.

’How did you get that footage?’ The superintendent asked.

‘The store manager gave me a copy.’

The superintendent rolled his eyes at David’s response. ‘I’m aware of that,’ he said. He frowned at David then arrogantly shook his head. ’I didn’t think you broke into the store and stole it… How did you know to look at that store?’

David assumed the answer would’ve been obvious, especially to a law enforcement investigator.

A man of David’s senior corporate position and leadership did not accept arrogance and petulance at any level. He commanded and even demanded respect, regardless of the status of the person with whom he interacted.

The fact this man considered David wasn’t worthy of respect, was irritating and offensive to David, but he managed to keep his indignation under control. He managed to keep his response civil — at least for now.

‘I traced the transaction through my credit card statement,’ David said, even though deep down his preferable response would have been far more condescending towards this person and his position as a police officer.

The superintendent crossed his arms across his prominent stomach, before curtly grumbling, ‘your point…?’ he said, not even making the effort to ask a complete worded question.

‘So someone found your son’s card, that your son presumably lost, and then the finder used it. What does that have to do with me…?’ he asked, while appearing completely disinterested.

The tension started to build in the back of David’s neck. This was an incredibly arrogant man. ‘I would’ve thought it obvious…’ David said, allowing the harshness of his words to slip though his guard.

‘Or isn’t it an offence in Hong Kong to unlawfully use someone else’s credit card,’ he said. The superintendent appeared to miss David’s sarcasm.

The superintendent turned his palms upwards. ‘Of course it is…’ he replied. ‘But you could’ve reported that to any police station. You didn’t have to come and annoy me for that.’

Annoy you… David shook his head as his frustration increased. ’There is more to it than a person finding my son’s card and unlawfully using it,’ David began. ‘The same person is also wearing a watch identical to my son’s missing watch,’ David added.

Chapter 12

The superintendent rolled his eyes then leaned onto his elbows. ’OK… So someone found your son’s watch and wallet. What is that telling me, other than this person may have fraudulently purchased items with your son’s credit card…?

‘If you are worried about the money, I am sure your bank will refund it to you.’

David shook his head. His rapidly building frustration tested the constraints of his inner control. ‘I don’t care about the money,’ he blurted, then paused to compose himself.

‘Look…’ David continued. ’I also have numerous photographs that show this same male stalking my son before he died. The photographs that were taken show this suspect person at Victoria Peak, when my son was there, and he later followed my son to the four bars they visited in Lan Kwai Fong, the night before he died,’ David said, as though delivering a summary to a jury at a trial.

’Then he turned up with my son’s missing credit card and watch,’ David said. ‘This cannot be a series of coincidences.’

‘Let me see if I have this right…’ The superintendent started in a condescending tone. ‘You think because someone visited the Peak at the same time as your son, and then you say the same person later had a drink in the same bar as your son, in one of the most popular night spots in Hong Kong… then he must be a killer… or he must’ve killed your son. Have I inferred your implications correctly?’ The superintendent asked in a tone riddled with sarcasm.

David slowly shook his head at the contemptuous attitude of the superintendent. ‘I also have security footage from the last bar my son attended that showed this same male leaving the bar and following my son,’ David said. ‘On the night before my son died.’

The superintendent sat back in his chair. ‘Oh…’ he said nodding, as the sarcasm oozed from him. ‘So this suspect person happened to leave the bar at the same time as your son, so he must’ve followed your son home, robbed him of his watch and wallet, then killed him. Why didn’t my detectives see that as clearly as you do?’ He said. His rhetorical question was clearly riddled with sarcasm.

David realized this was a huge waste of time. This arrogant cop was not interested in considering the evidence David collected, with an impartial and open mind. David decided to give it one last try.

’Look. I have photos and CCTV footage that shows this suspect person following my son. I also have CCTV evidence that shows this suspect with my son’s credit card and wearing my son’s watch.

‘I also have evidence that suggested he associated with a female named Lee Sung, who had befriended my son before he died. Surely this is enough evidence to speak to these people… at a minimum,’ David pleaded.

The superintendent glared at David with a stare that would probably unnerve most officers under his command, but it did nothing but aggravate David.

‘I don’t know where you got your detective qualifications from, Mr. Bower, but when we investigate a crime we only rely on facts, not supposition and certainly not uncorroborated circumstantial evidence.’

‘Yes but I —’

The superintendent continued. ‘Can you place this man at the scene where your son died?’ The superintendent abruptly continued. ‘Can you say for certain the watch he wore wasn’t a rip off bought from any one of a hundred markets in Hong Kong? Can you say for certain that this person didn’t find your son’s credit card and decide to use it?’ He said with his voice rising.

David remained outwardly calm, even though inside he was livid at the arrogance of this person. ‘No I can’t…’ David said in response to the barrage of back-to-back questions.

The superintendent relaxed back in his chair with a wry grin of contentment.

‘But can you sit there in your worn-out leather armchair and tell me for certain that I am wrong,’ David said. ‘The CCTV footage shows this person keying in my son’s PIN…’ David continued. ’If he found the credit card as you suggested… How could he possibly know my son’s PIN…?’ David asked.

The superintendent opened his mouth to respond, but David raised a finger at the superintendent. ‘And before you say it… No. My son was not a fool. He did not keep his PIN in his wallet,’ David added. ‘Do you still think it is a coincidence…?’

The superintendent scratched the underside of his chin as he processed David’s latest comments. He flicked a finger at David. ‘Where is this evidence you say you have?’ he asked.

David placed his iPad and the thumb drive on the desk. ‘It’s all on here,’ he said.

The superintendent’s attitude appeared to calm somewhat. ‘Look…’ he began. ‘From what you have told me, all you have at best, is footage of someone fraudulently using your son’s credit card.’ The Superintendent leaned onto his elbows.

‘I tell you what… Let me have a look at what you have on the CCTV footage, before I decide any further.’

David handed the thumb drive to the superintendent and watched on from his side of the desk as the superintendent placed the drive into his desktop PC.

‘And you say that you have photos on that iPad there…’ The Superintendent gestured to David’s iPad on the desk. ‘Photos that put this same person at several locations as your son before he died.’

‘Correct.’

’Is that your iPad?’ the superintendent asked, while he executed a series of click on his mouse.

‘I don’t understand the relevance of that question,’ David said. ’But, yes it is.’

The superintendent didn’t respond. He remained focused on his computer screen. David noticed the superintendent seemed to be excessively clicking his mouse.

‘Is everything alright…?’ David asked. ‘Are you having troubles opening the file?’

‘Are these CCTV files on the USB, PC compatible?’ The superintendent asked. ‘I can’t seem to find anything on the thumb drive you gave me,’ he said.

David jumped from his chair and moved around to the super’s side of the desk. His eyes locked onto the monitor.

‘See here…’ The superintendent gestured to the screen. ‘This drive you gave me is empty… There are no files on it at all,’ he said. ‘Maybe you have given me the wrong drive. Do you have another one with you there?’ The superintendent asked David with a wry smirk across his face.

David glared at the superintendent, who refused to make eye contact with him. ‘You deleted the files,’ David announced. His accusatory words flew from his mouth in a reflex reaction. ‘Why would you do that?’ David said.

‘I didn’t do anything,’ the superintendent said. ‘And be very careful what you accuse me of.’ The superintendent’s tone rose to threatening.

‘When I accessed the drive you gave me, it was empty,’ the superintendent said.

‘You are kidding me, aren’t you?’ David asked, albeit rhetorically. ‘That drive had files on it, before I came here…’ he said. ‘You sonofabitch.’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘I cannot believe you would sit there and delete the files, and then not even have the balls to admit it… You are pathetic,’ he blurted. ‘Weak and pathetic.’

The superintendent had clearly given up on his little charade. His demeanor changed immediately as he fired back at David. ‘No. What’s pathetic is how you Americans think you can come over here and tell us how to do our jobs… How to run our investigations. You have no idea what you’re doing. You grab some photos, some video footage and you think you have solved a murder conspiracy.’ The superintendent stood from his chair and eyeballed David.

‘If the video footage I had on that thumb drive wasn’t relevant evidence…’ David said. ‘Then why did you just delete it…?’

Both men stood facing off at each other. David’s question clearly stumped the superintendent.

‘You need to be very careful. Do you understand me?’ The superintendent threatened.

David had enough. All the control he demonstrated until now had gone. ‘What… are you going to lock me up for accusing you of deleting my files now?’ David said with a cynical tone. ‘What sort of Mickey Mouse police force are you running here?’ David said.

Both men remained standing on the superintendent’s side of the desk, with their eyes locked on each other, about one foot apart. Neither man looked away, or backed down from their impromptu blinking contest.

After a brief pause, the superintendent broke the silence. ’No… but I will lock you up for interfering with an investigation,’ the superintendent said.

David responded immediately. ‘Exactly how am I interfering with an investigation…?’ He said before continuing.

’For that matter, explain to me how I am interfering with a closed investigation…? Haven’t your detectives deemed my son’s death accidental and closed the file?′ He asked. ‘And if I am bringing you what can only be considered possible new evidence… How is that interfering?’

The superintendent glared at David during the bombardment of questions, all of which were clearly relevant.

‘You finished…?’ the Superintendent said. His questioning eyebrows were arched. ’Because, we are finished here,’ the superintendent said.

He jabbed a firm finger at David before continuing. ‘If you know what’s good for you… You will let this go. It is over,’ the superintendent said.

David used the back of his hand to knock the super’s finger away from in front of his face. ‘It’s far from over…’ David declared. ‘If you think deleting those files has defeated me, you have seriously underestimated me, sir.’ David leaned in towards the superintendent. ‘I learned a long time ago in business, and in life for that matter… to keep a copy of everything. So your little exercise here…’ David waved his hand at the super’s computer monitor. ’Did nothing but prove to me that you do have something to hide,’ David said.

The superintendent aggressively flicked the back of his hand towards his office door. ’Get the fuck out of my office now, or I will have you arrested for trespass… and anything else I can think of,’ he said.

David jerked the thumb drive from the computer. He scooped up his iPad and made his way to the door. ‘Maybe you could arrest me for being an American,’ he flippantly offered before disappearing out the office door.

Chapter 13

David wiped the corner of his mouth with his napkin, then replaced it onto his lap. He lifted his glass of red and emptied the remainder of his wine in one swallow, capping off the magnificently prepared grilled salmon lunch.

Instead of relaxing and savoring such a delicacy of the sea, the thoughts of what had transpired during his meeting with the police superintendent occupied his mind during his entire lunch.

He struggled to believe the overt dishonesty demonstrated by such a high ranking law enforcement officer.

The super’s actions of crudely deleting the files spoke volumes to David. The security footage clearly concerned the police and they wanted it gone. But why?

What had he stumbled onto that worried the cops? Could it be that the footage proved his detectives were incompetent?

David quietly celebrated his decision to create a copy of the USB thumb drive and secure it in his hotel room safe before he left for his meeting with the US Consulate.

Being a man who exercised regularly, his daily routine had been interrupted by the distractions of the last four days. So, with his choice of lunch time restaurant being close to his hotel, David decided to walk back to his hotel, if not for the exercise, then for the fresh air.

As he strolled in the brisk fresh air, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He removed his phone and glanced at the unfamiliar number on the display, then answered the call.

‘David Bower.’

‘Good afternoon, Mr. Bower, this is Sergeant Cheung from Honk Kong Police… We met last Sunday at my office…’

‘Yes, I remember. Good afternoon, Sergeant…’

‘I have received the preliminary autopsy report Mr. Bower and I am calling as promised, sir. But I don’t think it is something you will want to hear,’ Sergeant Cheung said. David remained silent.

‘The toxicology tests indicated that Miles had elevated levels of alcohol and amphetamines in his blood when he died,’ Cheung said.

Cheung was correct. David did not want to hear this. He remained silent while Cheung continued.

‘The autopsy found the presence of water in Miles’ lungs, Mr. Bower,’ Cheung said. ‘This indicated he was alive when he went into the water. Therefore, the autopsy concluded Miles’ official cause of death was accidental drowning,’ Cheung said.

David waited, allowing a brief pause to beat by while he processed this news. This was devastating to hear. The contention that his eldest son, intoxicated on a cocktail of alcohol and illicit drugs, aimlessly wandered from his room, found his way to the harbor where he climbed the safety fence and fell into the harbor, was beyond his wildest comprehension.

He was not a naïve parent. One of the reasons he sent Miles on this world vacation was to broaden his son’s life experience, and for him to sample some of life’s pleasures along the way.

But he knew deep in his heart that Miles would not surrender to the despicable lure of illicit drugs.

‘Does the report list the injuries on Miles’ body, sergeant?’ David inquired.

Cheung didn’t reply immediately but David could hear pages shuffling. ‘Ah, the report listed some minor contusions and marks on Miles’ body which the pathologist considered consistent with him falling over.’

David knew these so called minor injuries Cheung referred to were completely contradictory to the information Detective Jack Li Ming told reporter Tony Huang on the morning Miles was discovered.

So why wasn’t all this information falling into place like it should? There were too many unanswered questions.

‘Where can I get a copy of that official autopsy report?’ David asked.

‘You can apply to the Coroner’s office,’ Cheung said. ‘There will probably be a fee, but I think you can request copies of the medical and other technical reports as well.’

‘Thank you for your call, sergeant,’ David said. Although Cheung had always been civil to him, the Hong Kong Police were not his favorite people right now.

‘You’re welcome, Mr. Bower….’ Cheung said. ‘Before I go, sir, do you mind if I say something…?’ Cheung’s tone seemed tentative.

‘Not at all. What’s on your mind?’

After a brief pause, Cheung began. ‘Sir, I have children of my own and I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through right now having lost your son, and I understand completely your desire to try and find out how Miles died…’

‘OK…’ David said.

‘But there are some people in Hong Kong Police who do not like to be made look like fools,’ Cheung said. ‘Do you understand…? I do not want to see anything happen to you.’

‘Who am I making look like a fool? Wait…’ David said before Cheung could answer. ‘What can happen to me Sergeant?’

‘You just need to be very careful what you do, that is all,’ Cheung said. ’Is there any way that you can drop your investigation?’

David nodded his understanding. ‘I see,’ David said. ‘Did your superintendent put you up to this call?’

A moment of silence beat by before Cheung responded. ‘I don’t know what you mean, sir. Nobody put me up to anything…’ Cheung said. ‘I am telling you this because, well, I like you, sir. I admire what you are doing and I feel so sorry for your situation. But you just have to be very careful when you are over here,’ Cheung said. ‘This is not New York City.’

David detected the sincerity in Cheung’s voice, which he believed to be genuine. He accepted that Cheung’s call had not been prompted by anyone else’s influences, or any ulterior motives.

‘Do you think I am in some sort of danger, sergeant?’ David asked. ‘Is that what you are telling me?’

‘To be honest… I really don’t know. Just be very careful with what you do and who you talk to. That is all I can really say…’ Cheung said. ‘Good luck, sir. I wish all the very best.’ Cheung said.

‘Thank you sergeant. I will,’ David said then disconnected the call.

As he returned his phone to his pocket, David absorbed Cheung’s cryptic warnings. He considered that as he intended to fly home on Saturday, not much more could happen in the next two days.

While he continued to walk off his lunch, David considered that the police obviously weren’t interested in his evidence, so there was not much more he could do.

He conceded that what evidence he had found was only circumstantial, but he expected the police would at least make suitable inquiries to either exonerate Mohawk man as a suspect, or implicate him in Miles’ death.

But it wasn’t to be. Reluctantly, he started to realize all his efforts were probably in vain.

One thing was certain, David wanted a copy of Miles’ official Autopsy report. He wanted to read it for himself.

Once he returned to his room he looked up the number to the Coroner’s office and made the call. The person who answered his call informed him that his request had to be in writing on their official request form, copies of which were available at their office, or online.

With not much else on his schedule David decided to make his way to the Coroner’s office in Hong Kong Central, where he completed the written request for a copy of Miles’ autopsy report, death certificate and any other medical and technical reports.

The Coroner’s Office conveniently wavered the usual five, to seven day waiting period for receipt of ordered records, so David could obtain the records before he returned to the US.

After a brief wait, he received a receipt for the US$50 fee, along with a certified copy of the autopsy report, death certificate and associated tests.

---

With the day’s events behind him, David’s mind turned towards returning home to the US, with Miles on Saturday, and with it, the return to some form of normality to his life again; as normal as it could be under the circumstances.

David started to relax, rather than fruitlessly wasting energy trying to plan his next investigative move. He also looked forward to seeing his wife again.

Having experienced every parents’ worst possible nightmare, they were both forced to grieve their tragic loss without the loving support of each other.

Since arriving in Hong Kong, David had been too distracted to take the time to experience the Harbor’s renowned lights, set against the canvas of night.

So after dinner in his hotel’s restaurant, David decided tonight would be a good opportunity to do just that.

For those prepared to take the walk down by the Harbor along Expo Drive, past the Exhibition and Convention Center, out to the promenade observation area, it was an excellent location to experience the captivating lights of the harbor at night, without venturing out onto the water.

The evening was cool, but clear, so David took the opportunity to walk off his meal and enjoy some fresh harbor air and sights.

A small number of people were present when he arrived at the promenade observation area. They too had opted to brave the cooler conditions to take in the harbor’s night scenery.

David’s nocturnal sightseeing provided a brief respite from his anguish. His choice of light clothing however did little to fend off the cool winds blowing across the vast expanse of water.

For the next fifteen minutes he stood with his arms folded tightly across his body, while his tourist-like admiration panned the brightly flickering light show that illuminated the towering buildings bordering the harbor.

It didn’t take long for David’s mind to snap him back into reality. While calmly gazing across the harbor to the lights of Tsim Sha Tsui, images of Miles’s sheet covered body flashed into his mind.

Tears began to roll down his cheeks. Not even the distractions of the Harbor lights allowed him to escape the painful reality that he would never see his boy again.

David discreetly wiped an escaping tear. His emotions were beginning to take hold, so he decided to return back to his hotel. Maybe a strong scotch or two would help numb the relentless ache in his heart.

During the 500 yard walk back down Expo Drive East towards his hotel, his hands were thrust deep into his pockets. His arms were pressed against his body for some warmth.

His shoulders were rounded with his head bowed, as his mind relived the events of days past.

So much had happened since he arrived last Sunday, and almost all of it was unpleasant.

His mind was so focused on events from recent days passed that he didn’t notice the small white van pull up behind him.

He also didn’t hear the distinctive sound of the van’s side door sliding open, and he certainly didn’t notice the three men in dark clothing who jumped from the vehicle behind him.

Oblivious, David continued to stroll casually with his hands deep into his pockets, while his mind focused on a smooth, single-malt scotch.

---

David’s eyes opened slowly, blinking rapidly to try and focus. For some reason his perspective of everything had rotated sideways.

In the darkness, it took him several seconds to realize he was lying on the ground.

The left side of his face pressed firmly against the cold hard pavement. Despite his blurred vision, he could make out movement in front of him.

A deafening unrelenting squealing sound rung in his ears. It caused him to flinch from the discomfort in his head. He couldn’t hear anything, just the loud ringing – like a siren.

After a few seconds, the loud ringing started to abate. As if the volume control in his head turned down.

He started to discern sounds. Voices talking. They were talking in Chinese.

As he started to regain his consciousness, he noticed legs standing around him. He had no idea where he was, or what happened.

He tried to get to his feet but something forced the wind from his diaphragm.

He collapsed back to the ground, gasping for air. He then felt intense pain in his lower back. He again cringed in pain from something forceful that hit him on his rib cage.

It didn’t take long to realize someone was repeatedly kicking him to his body. He tried to curl up into a tight ball, but the kicks kept coming. He felt an intense burn in his thigh and buttocks and severe pain in his kidneys and ribs.

He struggled to breathe, but the kicks kept coming. They sharply cut off his oxygen with each pounding blow.

He saw the dark blurred motion of a kick as it pounded into his stomach. Then he couldn’t feel anything.

His body rocked back and forward from the force of the kicks, but the pain had gone. The darkness of night seemed to envelope him until the light faded from his eyes.

Chapter 14

Bright light, almost too bright to look at without squinting, filled the room. The spectrum of rainbow colors spread across the sun’s beams was entrancing.

With his hand over his eyes to shield the bright light, David peered through all the haze. He recognized Maddie sitting on a sofa in front of him. She looked great.

Her face illuminated at the sight of him. She wore a beaming smile. She stood up and ran from him, playfully daring him to follow.

Running and bounding like a young fawn, she seemed so happy. Her arms were held out by her side and her long flowing white dress trailed behind her, like a cape, as she ran.

She cut a trail through the rich golden fields set against a picture-perfect blue sky that stretched as far as the eyes could see.

She appeared to be running towards a distinctive old oak tree standing in isolation in the distance, in the middle of the golden field.

‘Maddie. Wait,’ David yelled, as he ran after her.

She stopped and looked back at him. Her cheeky catch-me-if-you-can smile beckoned him to follow.

He chased, but he couldn’t seem to get any closer. ‘Maddie wait,’ he again yelled, but she continued to move further from him.

‘Maddie. Wait… Maddie… Maddie…’ Why won’t she stop? ‘Maddie…’ he screamed. ‘Maddie… Maddie,’ he yelled.

His eyes suddenly sprung open. He stared blankly at the dim ceiling above him. His brow dipped and he squinted while he waited for his senses to awaken. Where the hell am I?

He noticed the intravenous bag hanging on its thin metal stand. He frowned as he followed the drip down to where it fed into the back of his hand.

A machine somewhere to his left emitted a continuous “blip…blip” sound.

He continued to glance around the room, while he tried to understand what happened.

The pale yellow curtains at the foot of his single bed were not familiar to him. He did not recognize the room. Why was he here?

He felt the pulling of his ribs and noticed a large adhesive bandage attached to the right side of his ribs.

He had a plaster bandage across his nose and he experienced aching all over, although nothing localized.

He heard the sound of a pleasant and calming voice. Maddie? He excitedly thought as he eagerly turned towards the voice.

His face displayed a disapproving frown. It wasn’t Maddie at all. It was a nurse?

‘It is good to see you are awake, Mr. Bower,’ the nurse said. ‘How are you feeling?’

He tried to sit up, but the severe pain shooting through his back took his breath and caused him to collapse down onto his back again. He let out a loud grunt as he flinched from the pain.

‘Don’t try to move,’ the nurse said. She quickly moved to David and gently pushed on his shoulders to encourage him to lie back down.

‘You have sustained some serious injuries,’ she said. ‘We have got you on some strong pain killers at the moment, but you need to rest.’

David’s eyes lifted to the drip feeding into his arm. ‘What’s going on…? Where am I…?’

‘Tang Shiu Kin Hospital,’ she said.

David let out a deep sigh as his shoulders relaxed back onto the bed. His confused eyes stared up at the roof. He had no idea why he was in hospital. ‘How long have I been here?’ David asked.

The nurse checked her watch. ‘About 2 ½ hours.’

‘What day is it?’

The nurse again checked her watch. ‘It is 12.30am Thursday morning,’ she said. ‘Do you remember what happened before you were brought in here?’

David cupped his forehead, which had started to throb. He could feel the pressure increasing behind his eyes. ‘I have no idea,’ he said. His attempt at recollection failed to register anything.

‘You were brought in here by ambulance earlier this evening,’ the nurse said. ‘Apparently you were found lying unconscious on the footpath in Expo Drive East in Wan Chai. Does any of that sound familiar to you?’ the nurse asked. ‘Were you staying in Wan Chai?’

David shut his eyes to think… Nothing. David shook his head. ‘I have no recollection at all,’ he said.

That is not surprising,’ the nurse said. ‘You have severe concussion, so it may affect your short term memory. But don’t worry, it will return.’

‘What the hell happened to me? Why do I have concussion?’ he asked.

The nurse moved to the foot of his bed and lifted his patient chart. She flipped through the pages.

‘You have a broken nose, facial swelling, three broken ribs, bruising to your kidneys and liver and contusions to your back, legs and sternum, as well as the severe concussion.’

‘Was I in an accident of some sort?’ David asked.

‘I don’t know,’ the nurse said. ‘Get some rest now. If you need me for anything, there is call button near your left hand.’

---

The muffled sound of voices talking quietly roused him from his slumber. David opened his eyes. He could make out three blurry figures standing at the foot of his bed, while his morphine affected senses slowly awoke.

As his vision sharpened, he noticed the three figures were two uniform police officers, and a nurse, all of whom were looking back at him.

‘Mr. Bower… Mr. Bower, can you hear me?’ The nurse asked softly.

David moved his hand to shield his eyes from the light that caused a shooting pain behind his eyes. ‘I can hear you,’ he mumbled.

‘The police are here to talk to you about what happened last night. Do you feel up to it?’ The nurse inquired.

‘I’ll try.’

The cops informed David that a young couple, tourists from Australia, found him lying unconscious on the footpath in a large pool of blood. He apparently had visible head injuries. They called an ambulance and waited with him until it arrived. The tourists didn’t see anyone in the immediate area when they found him.

‘We suspect the motive for the attack may have been robbery…’ One of the cops said. ‘Do you know if any of your property is missing?’

‘I have no idea…’ David said. He cupped his forehead. ‘I don’t even know where my property is.’

The nurse opened the drawer beside David’s bed and removed a brown paper bag containing his personal property and handed it to him.

David checked the contents and verified his $280,000 Rolex watch, cell phone and wallet, which contained over US$1000 were still there.

The cops flicked silent sideways glances at each other. ‘Obviously robbery wasn’t the motive for your attack,’ one of the cops said.

‘Maybe the assailants were disturbed by the tourists who found you,’ the other cop suggested.

The older cop shook his head. ‘No. With all that property still there… This looks more like a targeted attack. Have you had any confrontations with anyone, or upset anyone while you have been here in Hong Kong, Mr. Bower?’ the older cop asked.

The vision of Mohawk man flashed into David’s mind. Then, for some reason, the friendly words of advice spoken by Sergeant Cheung came back to him. “There are some people in Hong Kong Police who do not like to be made look like fools…”

Visions of the unpleasant, lined face of the portly Superintendent Cheng then entered his mind’s eye. His son, Miles… The corrupt Hong Kong Detectives… All were slowly coming back to him. He started to remember why he came to Hong Kong.

His focus shifted to the uniform police staring back at him, patiently waiting for his response. But these guys were Hong Kong cops as well. There was no way he could trust them.

‘Not that I can think of,’ he said softly, deliberately keeping his suspicions to himself.

Did Sergeant Cheung know something, but couldn’t let on? Did the sergeant hear something that threatened David’s safety… Something that caused Cheung to be concerned?

Either way this attack on him, so close to Cheung’s cryptic warning, was more than a coincidence; it was definitely a targeted attack, David thought.

Unable to accurately deduce the motive for the attack, and because his property appeared to be untouched, the police compiled an assault report.

Prior to leaving, the police handed him a business card in case he remembered anything else that could help them.

---

Hospital protocols in relation to severe concussion required David to be kept under close observation until after midday, but it wasn’t a restful time for him.

Routinely, a nurse woke him every twenty minutes to shine what felt like a lighthouse beam into his eyes. They also monitored his pulse and blood pressure readings, apparently to ensure he hadn’t suffered any cerebral injury.

After being discharged from hospital, it took over thirty minutes before his driver arrived to take him back to his hotel.

The pain killers that had comforted him for the last fourteen hours, were starting to wear off. The localized pain across different parts of his body were a stinging reminder of his late night encounter.

His blackened and bloodshot eyes were partially obscured behind a thick white plaster, stretching horizontally across his nose.

The injury to his ribs forced him to walk with a pronounced lean towards the damaged side, with his right arm tucked tightly against his body, to support the injured ribs.

When he eventually stood and took his own weight, the pain from the extensive bruising was excruciating. The pain impeded his normal gait. He now walked with a limp.

At that moment he had one thing on his mind; return to his hotel to rest.

---

During the drive back to the hotel David tried to recall the events of the last twelve hours.

With the mind-numbing effects of the sedatives and pain killers starting to subside, his clearer mind allowed him to rationalize what happened to him.

In his own mind, he knew the Hong Kong police were behind his attack, but he had no way to prove it. Who else could it be? They attacked and beat him – kicked him repeatedly, until unconscious, but he wasn’t robbed. The question is, why?

This whole experience was much bigger than he had ever anticipated. What started out as him being dissatisfied with a sub-standard investigation into his son’s death, had morphed into something that could be plucked from the script of a Hollywood movie. Only there were no stand-ins or special effects and his injuries were very real.

He had experienced police planting drugs in his son’s property, deleting implicating video evidence, threatening him verbally and warning him to drop his quasi investigation.

And finally, uncompromising in their quest to ensure the truth would never be known about his son’s death, they put him in hospital; a very strong message for someone, who in reality, was just a family man.

David didn’t know what he’d stumbled onto, but one thing was clear, they were prepared to do whatever it took to keep it suppressed.

He had no idea how wide, or how high this corruption had infiltrated the police ranks, but he had to think of his own safety. He had to think of his wife and children and ensure he arrived home safely on Saturday.

The police had beaten him, physically as well as mentally. He considered that this whole experience was not worth risking another Bower life in Hong Kong.

Reluctantly, as he reclined in the back seat of his street car while it weaved its way through Central’s afternoon congestion, he decided that maybe the police were right. Regardless of what he discovered, it won’t bring Miles back.

He decided at that moment, for his own safety and that of his family, to drop his investigation into Miles’ death and leave this place the day after tomorrow, and take his son home.

Chapter 15

David found it difficult to walk through his hotel lobby towards the elevators. The pain consumed him. Irrespective of how he sat, moved, or stood, everything ached. All he wanted to do was lie down and rest.

The wait for an elevator to arrive provided him with the opportunity to locate his room key. He checked his wallet, but the room key wasn’t there. He patted down his pockets then dived as hand into each individual pocket, without success.

He rolled his eyes. Don’t tell me I left it in the hospital.

Unable to locate his room key, David limped over to the reception counter to obtain a replacement key.

‘Good afternoon, Mr. Bower,’ the young male Customer Service Officer greeted, as David approached. ‘Oh dear. Are you alright, sir?’ he asked.

‘Nothing that a few week’s rest and relaxation won’t fix,’ David said. ‘I seem to have misplaced my room key. Could you please arrange for a replacement,’ he requested.

‘Certainly, sir.’ The Customer Service Officer tapped the computer keyboard in front of him. ‘I gather you eventually remembered your room safe combination, sir,’ The Customer Service Officer said, lifting his eyes to David.

David held the CSO’s gaze. He frowned. With a slight shake of his head, David said, ‘I’m not sure what you mean… I didn’t forget the safe combination.’

‘Oh… OK.’ The CSO face wore a puzzled expression. ‘I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that is says here,’ he indicated his computer monitor. ‘That you rang reception last night from your room and asked to have your room safe combination reset. Apparently you had forgotten your combination.’

David thought for a moment. ‘That doesn’t make sense,’ David said. ‘I wasn’t in my room last night. I have just spent the last fourteen hours in hospital.’

The CSO checked his monitor. His face tightened. ‘It says here, sir that you called reception at 10.37pm last night.’

‘Like I said… I was in Hospital at 10.37pm last night,’ David said. ‘Tell me this… Did you reset the safe combination?’ he asked.

The CSO consulted his on-screen notes. ‘No…’ he shook his head. ‘Um, we invited you… Ah, I mean, the person who called from your room, to attend at reception and fill in an indemnity request form to have the combination reset,’ The CSO said.

‘I take it from your comments, whoever you spoke to in my room never completed that form?’ David said.

‘No, sir, they didn’t,’ the CSO said.

‘Look, I may still be a little numb from all the medication… But are you telling me there was someone in my room last night… While I was in hospital?’ David asked.

The obviously embarrassed CSO stared at his computer monitor, then slowly nodded his head. ‘It would appear so, sir,’ he said.

Before David could comment, or express his dissatisfaction, the CSO lifted his phone and dialed a number, then held a brief conversation.

Almost immediately, the Hotel Duty Manager arrived at the reception counter. David watched on with interest while the CSO informed the manager of the situation.

The duty manager approached David, who by this time leaned his full weight on to the front counter. His tight facial expression was one of discomfort.

‘Good Afternoon, Mr. Bower, My name is Frank. I am the Hotel Duty Manager. I am sorry for any inconvenience, sir. I understand you did not stay in your room last night, yet our reception received a call from your room. Is that correct, sir?’

‘So I believe…’

‘And this is the first time you have returned to your room since?’ Frank clarified.

‘Yes. I am on my way there now,’ David said.

‘If you don’t mind, sir I will accompany you to your room, just to check everything is in order,’ Frank said.

‘Fine with me, but I don’t have a room key…’

David watched Frank obtain the replacement room key for David’s room from the CSO before both men made their way to the elevator lobby.

They had only walked about ten paces when the CSO summonsed the duty manager back to the counter. David waited, watching as a conversation ensued between the two men.

A short time later, Frank returned to David and both men made their way to David’s top floor suite.

Frank exited the elevator ahead of David. He had a long stride as he made his way to David’s room. Frank unlocked the door to David’s suite and stood aside for David to enter the room first.

As David walked through the door way, he stopped and pointed to the room key in the slide that activated the room lights. ‘I definitely didn’t leave that there,’ David said.

David moved into the room. His mouth fell open in disbelief, as his eyes moved around the room. Frank followed closely behind and moved to stand beside David, where he too stopped, clearly stunned at what greeted the men.

The entire room had been ransacked. Every cupboard door was ajar with its contents spewing onto the floor. His clothing had been removed from wardrobes and drawers and they too were strewn all over the floor.

The king-size mattress from his bed had been overturned and the bed clothing had been dragged onto the floor.

Someone had unzipped his suitcase and left it upended over near the lounge chairs.

‘Excuse me, sir,’ Frank said. He lifted the telephone receiver and dialed an extension.

He instructed the person on the other end to locate the CCTV footage from last night and set it up for him to review shortly.

After hanging up the phone, Frank said, ‘I am very sorry, sir. I have no idea what happened here. I do not understand how someone could’ve accessed your room,’ Frank said. He was both embarrassed and apologetic.

David held Frank’s gaze briefly without responding. He limped back to the door and slipped the room key from the light slide. The room was lit by natural light from the open curtains.

‘I do,’ David said, responding to Frank’s comment. He held up the room key to Frank. ‘This is mine…’ he said. ‘I had this with me last night before I was attacked. And now it turns up back here in my room… and I certainly didn’t put it there.’

‘Are you saying you were you robbed last night, sir?’ Frank asked.

‘I didn’t think so…’ David said. ‘But now, I’m not so sure.’ He scanned the cluttered room.

David examined the room safe located in his wardrobe. It was still secured. He punched in the code and opened the safe. He then removed the sole item inside – the copy thumb drive.

David started sorting through all the clothes and other items strewn across the room.

’Do you happen to recall when my staff member called me back to the reception counter just now, before we left the lobby? Frank asked.

‘Of course,’ David said.

‘One of my staff who worked last night informed me that he recalled taking an external phone call from someone inquiring what room you were staying in,’ Frank said.

‘The caller claimed to be a friend of yours who had just flown in from New York and wanted to surprise you.’

‘And, let me guess… Your staff member gave the caller my room number,’ David replied with a hint of cynicism.

‘Unfortunately… That is correct,’ Frank said.

David surveyed the room before continuing to search through his property. ‘Well… That explains how they knew my room number,’ he mumbled, as he continued searching.

‘Are you able to determine if anything is missing, Mr. Bower?’ Frank asked.

David failed to respond. He continued picking items up and discarding them elsewhere in the room, as he searched for his iPad.

After a while, David stood in the center of his room with his hands on his hips. He scanned the room. ‘It looks like my iPad has gone,’ David said. ‘I can’t see it anywhere.’

’Do you have any idea who would’ve done this, Mr. Bower?′

David’s eyes flicked to Frank. ‘I have my ideas, Frank,’ he said without elaborating any further. David glanced around his room.

First the cops delete the video footage… and then they break into my room and take my iPad and all the incriminating photos.

Only the arrogant superintendent knew David had incriminating photos on the iPad. He recalled the superintendent asking if the iPad belonged to him. David didn’t understand the relevance of the question at the time… But now he does.

The superintendent was also the only person who knew David kept a back-up copy of the files the superintendent deleted.

It was now obvious to David that when their search of the room failed to locate his back up thumb drive, they must’ve assumed it was in the safe and unsuccessfully called reception to try and reset the code, so they could access the safe.

David had spent the last half an hour convincing himself that it would be best for all concerned if he abandoned his investigation. Nothing could be gained by continuing he thought. Now he wasn’t so sure.

This was a game changer to him. He now had no doubt the Hong Kong CID were behind everything that had happened to him. His stubborn nature wouldn’t allow him to let this go now. To walk away and forget it ever happened, was no longer an option.

He had never been a quitter and he was not about to start now. What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. He owed this to his son, but these people were dangerous.

‘If you will excuse me, sir, I am about to review the security vision from last night, to try and ascertain what has happened. In the meantime,’ Frank said. ’I will arrange for you to be moved into another room, sir, so you will be more comfortable.

‘You may like to wait in the bar while your room is prepared. I will arrange for some complimentary drinks for you while you wait.’

‘That’s very kind of you Frank… But would it be possible for me to view the footage with you…?’ David requested. ‘I may be able to recognize the people who entered my room,’ he said.

Frank paused to consider David’s request. ‘Look…’ Frank began. ‘It’s not normal procedure, sir…’ Frank said. ‘But under the circumstances, I think you are right… It may actually prove beneficial,’ he said.

---

Frank and David sat at the review monitors in the security room. The manager had clearly been through this process before and appeared well practiced.

Within seconds they were reviewing the hallway outside David’s room, from the previous night.

The date and time stamp digitally imprinted on the footage indicated the time of 10.16pm when three men, wearing dark clothing and baseball caps, exited the elevator and moved their way along the hall to David’s room, towards the video camera he was reviewing.

David and Frank watched as the men accessed his room using a hotel room key. None of the men lifted their heads when in the hallway, which suggested they were aware of the presence of the hotel security cameras. The baseball caps sufficiently concealed any facial features.

The men briskly left the room at 10.42pm. The loose clothing worn by all men made it impossible to determine if any of them had David’s iPad secreted on their body.

The last man to leave the room removed a latex glove from his hand and buried the glove into his pocket, as he quickly walked in the direction away from the camera.

Following several elevator camera searches, Frank located the elevator the men used to access David’s floor. He reviewed the footage in both the ascending and descending elevator journeys, unfortunately with the same result.

The men were particular in keeping their heads down during the elevator trips.

And finally, Frank punched some numbers into the keyboard to bring up the ground floor foyer camera that depicted the three men moving briskly through the foyer and out of the hotel complex.

Frank’s review confirmed David’s room had been unlawfully entered. The review could even pinpoint the time they entered the room and how long they remained in there, but it all stood for naught when the burglars could not be identified.

There was nothing distinctive about the men’s appearance or their black clothing. They knew what they were doing and certainly appeared well rehearsed.

Watching these men entering his room unsettled David, to say the least and it sent his mind racing.

‘Shit…’ David blurted. ‘I hope there wasn’t anything in my room that listed my home address.’

Having experienced first-hand what lengths these people were prepared to go to, the last thing he wanted was for them to know his home address.

He retrieved his wallet from his pocket and searched through all the cards. He relaxed the tension built up in his shoulders when he located his driver’s license and credit cards were all still in place.

These unscrupulous people now had him genuinely worried. David felt disconcerted and even frustrated watching these three men enter and then leave his room, knowing that on the balance of probabilities, he was looking at the same three men who had earlier kicked him unconscious and put him in hospital.

What was even more concerning was, they were most probably cops.

David convinced Frank to release to him a copy of the footage, in the unlikely event he may require it for evidence of his earlier assault. Frank willingly obliged and copied the footage onto a disc.

Chapter 16

While David reviewed the security footage, Housekeeping had moved all David’s possession to the room located two doors down from his previous room.

When he returned to his new room, all his clothing had been neatly folded into the drawers, or returned to hangers in the wardrobe.

David reclined on the king size bed in his new room, trying to relax, as much as his injuries would permit. He had only been in Hong Kong five days, but it dragged like a month. So much had happened to him since he arrived.

Initially embarking on the hardest trip of his life, he flew to Hong Kong to formally identify the body of his son and bring him back home to the US, to be laid to rest. He expected that would be a straightforward task.

Fast forward four days and he had spent the night in hospital and was now laid up in his hotel room nursing the wounds inflicted by what he was certain were dishonest cops with unscrupulous motives. What he didn’t understand was the why.

David subscribed to living on the correct side of the legal ledger. He had never been in trouble with the law and had certainly never been exposed to physical intimidation the likes of what he experienced over the last two days.

What frustrated him the most was that he had so much information that he believed would cause his son’s investigation to be re-opened, yet he had no-one to discuss it with and no one to report it all to.

In the perfect world, he would have presented his evidence to the police and they would follow it up accordingly, but not here, apparently.

Even while lying back on his bed, everything ached. Before long, the relaxation he felt from his mid-afternoon convalesce developed into a full and solid sleep.

He hadn’t been asleep long when the painful shriek of his hotel room telephone woke him up. David forgot about his rib injury as he quickly rolled over to answer the persistent ringing phone.

An intense shooting pain ricocheted through his body, taking his breath away, causing him to let out an audible groan.

Still drowsy from his solid sleep and still stinging from his injured ribs, he answered the phone abruptly. ‘Yes.’

The voice of the Hotel Duty Manager, Frank responded. ′I’m terribly sorry to disturb you, Mr. Bower. This is Frank calling. Were you asleep, sir?

‘I was…’ David replied, grunting audibly as he swung his legs around to sit on the edge of his bed. He rubbed his now weary eyes.

′Please forgive me, sir, but I thought it important that I call you. I think you are going to want to see this,’ Frank said.

‘See what?’

‘After you left the security room, I continued to review the footage, and… well… I think it would be easier if you came back down here to see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.’ Frank gave nothing away in his comments, but his tone certainly suggested excitement.

David checked his watch: 3.38pm. He let out an audible sigh. He sat briefly, with his eyes closed in contemplation.

‘Alright.’ He scratched the back of his head. ‘Give me a few minutes, OK?’

‘Certainly, sir.’ Frank replied. ‘I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, sir.’

---

About fifteen minutes had passed by the time David arrived at the security room. He nodded a greeting at Frank, still sitting at the review console, patiently waiting his arrival.

A contented grin stretched across Frank’s beaming face.

‘You’re looking happy with yourself,’ David said. He carefully lowered himself into the vacant chair.

‘OK… What do you have for me that’s so important?’ he said. He grunted in response to the complaining pain shooting through his ribs and legs.

Frank smiled at David like an eager child who couldn’t wait to show his parents the ‘A’ on his report card.

‘Well…’ Frank adjusted himself in his seat. ‘I rewound the footage back to try and find out when those three men who broke into your room first entered the hotel, and this is what I saw.’

Frank gestured to the computer monitor. He tapped a button on his keyboard to activate the playback.

David edged himself closer to the monitor, squinting as he watched the footage being replayed in front of him.

At 9.55pm the footage captured a male person entering the hotel lobby, from the street. He made his way up towards the large oval carpeted area of the hotel lobby.

He stood well back from the front desk, near one of the decorative, oversized cast iron lanterns.

The man was of average height and build, clean shaven with short dark hair. He wore white ASICS runners with red stripes, dark pants, which were possibly jeans and a black, or dark navy, light casual dress jacket that he wore zipped up.

Except for the missing baseball cap, David noticed the similarity in this person’s choice of dark clothing, to that of the clothing worn by one of the three men who earlier broke into David’s room.

David raised an eyebrow at Frank, having recognized the possible connection.

‘It gets better,’ Frank said, still beaming with excitement as he lifted his chin to the monitor.

The footage depicted the man glancing around, possibly waiting for someone. The man lifted his eyes and appeared to notice the security camera. This action clearly captured the man’s facial features.

David moved closer to the screen to examine the man’s face, before sitting back. He didn’t recognize this man.

The man then appeared to be examining the lobby atrium. His eyes panned from the sweeping staircase on his right, around the mezzanine level, to the sweeping staircase on his left. He then pirouetted around, to briefly glance behind him, back towards the front doors.

‘See that…’ Frank gestured to the screen. ‘I think he is looking to see if there are other cameras.’

David nodded slowly in response, with his eyes still fixed to the review.

The man depicted then examined his watch several times, before checking his surrounds. He appeared anxious.

A vacancy became available at the front desk and the man in black quickly moved over and appeared to hold a conversation with the male Customer Service Officer.

David’s mouth fell open. He pointed to the screen. Frank nodded. ‘That staff member’s name is Alan LO Kwok-Chung and I have already called him in here to view the footage,’ Frank said.

‘I asked him if he recalls the conversation he had with this person.’

‘And…’ David responded, even though he knew Frank couldn’t wait to tell him.

’He said the gentleman asked my staff member, Alan to ring through to your room to see if Mr. and Mrs. Bower were in their room,’ Frank said.

David raised an eyebrow at Frank. ‘Mrs. Bower…?’ he said.

Frank nodded. ’Aha. Mrs. Bower,’ he repeated.

‘What did Alan tell him?’

’Alan told me he checked the guest records and told the gentleman they only had one guest listed as staying in Mr. Bower’s room.

‘He said we didn’t have any record of Mrs. Bower staying at the hotel,’ Frank said. He jabbed a finger at the monitor. ‘Watch this… the man turns and walks from the front desk, straight out the front doors.’

Frank tapped the keyboard to pause the vision. ‘What do you make of that?’ He asked David.

‘Clearly his comments were to confirm that my room was empty after they put me in hospital,’ David said.

‘Correct,’ Frank said. ’That is what I think also. Alan told him you were on your own, so that cleared the way for them to access your unoccupied room.

‘I think he is one of the men who entered your room,’ Frank said.

’That’s a great pick up, Frank,’ David said.

‘But there is more,’ Frank said.

‘Really?’ David’s curious focus returned to the monitor, eager to see what other footage Frank had for him. He leaned his elbows on the desk in anticipation.

‘Do you remember I told you one of my staff received a phone call from someone last night, asking for your room number?’

David nodded. ‘I Do.’

’Well… That call came in a short time after this man left the hotel.’ Frank flicked a finger at the monitor. ‘We don’t have any footage, but I will bet once he ascertained you were staying on your own, he went outside and called us to find your room number,’ Frank said

‘You may be right,’ David said. He ran a thoughtful hand up his cheek, as he considered the information. ‘I wonder why he didn’t just ask Alan for my room number when he spoke to Alan at the front counter?’ David asked.

‘Well…’ Frank began. ‘I would say that he would be foolish to ask for your room number…’

David nodded. ‘Then go back and trash it,’ David said, finishing Frank’s comment.

’Exactly. If he intended to break into your room while you were in hospital, he had to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to himself. And asking for your room number immediately beforehand certainly would,’ Frank said.

‘I’m surprised he wasn’t wearing his baseball cap though… You know, for the cameras. We got a good clear look at his face,’ Frank added.

‘Maybe for the same reason…’ David said. ‘Without the baseball cap, there is nothing too memorable about his appearance,’ David said. ’But I don’t recognize him anyway,’ David said.

Frank continued. ‘If you look at the footage when the men enter your room…’ Frank said. ’The first guy to the door, the one who opens the door with your room key, has identical clothing to this man who we just saw speaking to Alan.’

‘Everything is a perfect match. The white runners with the red stripes…the cut of his black pants. The small logo on the left chest of his jacket, and even the white collared shirt peeping up from under the jacket,’ Frank said.

‘I think you’re right,’ David said. ‘But who is he? How can I find out who he is?’

David’s expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened and his eye brows lifted.

‘I just had a thought,’ David said. ‘Does the Renaissance have the same security video as here?’ he asked.

‘I’m fairly sure they are the same,’ Frank said. ‘Why do you ask? Do you think they may have gone there as well?’ he said.

David returned a slight grin at Frank. ‘No, I actually thought about something else,’ he said keeping his cards close to his chest.

‘I might go over and see them. You wouldn’t happen to know who the Duty Manager is this afternoon, would you?’

‘I do, actually.’ Frank handed David the disc with the copy footage. ‘Frances is on this afternoon. I spoke to her earlier,’ Frank said.

David stood from his chair. ‘Ah yes. I’ve met Francis. Thanks for all your help, Frank. This is all great work.’

Frank responded by also rising to his feet and the men shook hands before David exited the room.

---

Frances was standing to the side of the front desk talking to a male staff member when David approached.

The male standing with Frances spoke first. ‘Good afternoon, sir. Is there something we can help you with?’

The gold name plate on his lapel read “Richard – Executive Manager”

Frances interrupted the ensuing awkward silence. ‘Ah, this is Mr. Bower, sir,’ Frances said.

Her use of the word “sir” suggested to David that Richard must have been her senior manager.

Richard smiled a vague look at Frances. ‘You may remember Mr. Bower’s son, Miles was staying with us last week,’ Frances said. ‘Before his, ah… tragic accident.’

‘Oh, yes. Mr. Bower,’ Richard nodded. ‘Please accept my deepest sympathies, sir. It is a terrible tragedy.’ David returned a forced smile to Richard. ‘Can – we – help you with something?’ Richard asked.

Frances spoke before David could reply. ’Are you alright, Mr. Bower? She said.

Although covered with a plaster, his nose was swollen and mis-shaped and his eyes gave the appearance he had gone two rounds with Mike Tyson.

‘If you don’t mind me asking, sir, what happened to your face?’ She asked.

‘I was assaulted last night. Just out there on Expo Drive, actually.’ He gestured towards the Harbor.

‘That is terrible, sir,’ Richard said. ‘It looks very painful. I wish you a very speedy recovery,’

David eyed Richard, holding his gaze. David was an excellent judge of character; it came with his profession.

He needed to be able to read people and read them accurately, especially when there were millions of dollars at stake; his and theirs.

He sensed there was something about Richard that was disingenuous in both his words and body language.

‘Thank you,’ David responded. He returned his attention back to Frances’ smiling face. ‘You mentioned my son, Frances,’ he said as a segue. ‘That is what I am here for, actually. Would it be possible to review your hotel’s security footage from the night my son went missing, ah, last Friday morning. There are so many unanswered questions and it would be most helpful.’

Frances’ head lowered. She shot a quick sideways glance at Richard.

Richard responded. ‘Ah, we no longer have that footage, Mr. Bower,’ Richard said.

Rows of lines formed in David’s forehead. ‘I don’t understand.’ He shook a confused head. ‘Has it been recorded over already?’ David checked his watch.

Richard steepled his fingers in front of his face. ‘No, it is not as simple as that, sir,’ he said. ‘We ah… We just no longer have the footage,’ he repeated.

David’s eyes narrowed. ’Yes, you said that. But why don’t have it?’ David’s question was firm.

Richard and Frances exchanged an awkward glance. ‘Well, sir… Ah, well, the police have the footage,’ he said.

’You mean they have a copy of the footage.’

’Ah, no… They have the footage. They insisted on taking the only footage we had,’ Richard clarified.

‘I don’t understand,’ David said. ‘Did the police review the footage?’

Richard nodded once. ‘They did.’

’And then after the review, they asked to take all copies of the footage with them…?′ David said as a question.

‘That is correct.’

‘Why?’ David asked.

‘I have no idea, sir. But they are the police, what can we do?’

‘Tell them to get a warrant. That’s what you do.’ David snapped.

Chapter 17

David’s body tensed at hearing this news. There was obviously something on the footage the police wanted to make sure never saw the light of day. And now the footage was gone. His jaw clenched as he processed this information.

’They can’t just take the footage and prevent you from keeping a copy. It’s your security vision,’ David said. His frustration was now evident in his tone.

‘You are perfectly correct, sir, but it is difficult to offer resistance to the police,’ Richard said.

‘So what you are telling me is… There is no longer any footage for the twenty-four hour period prior to last Friday morning,’ David said.

‘Unfortunately, that is correct,’ Richard replied.

David rolled his eyes. His shoulders slumped as he aggressively ran his hand through his short-cropped hair. ‘What was on the footage that made them do that?’ David said.

’Ah, we don’t actually know. They insisted on reviewing it in private.’

David slowly shook his head. He squeezed the bridge of his nose in an attempt to relieve the rising tension.

Once again the Hong Kong police had manipulated evidence. Exactly what evidence they took would now never be known.

‘Tell me this… Was it the CID who reviewed the footage?’ David asked, even though he believed he already knew the answer.

‘Ah, the CID…?’ Richard repeated. ‘Yes, I believe they did,’ Richard turned to Frances seeking verification. Frances returned an almost indiscernible nod in confirmation. ‘Yes, ah, they did, apparently,’ Richard added.

David held Richard’s gaze for an extended period. The scrutinizing intensity of David’s glare caused most people in his corporate kingdom to shrivel under, and Richard was certainly no exception. Richard’s discomfort was obvious as he struggled to maintain eye contact with David.

David ran a hand across his mouth as he continued to glare at Richard. His shoulders relaxed.

‘Look….’ David began. ’I apologize for my reaction, Richard. It’s not your fault. I am just a little frustrated by what the CID is doing to me.

‘If the CID took the footage, then that tells me is there is definitely something on there that involves my son. And that is what is important to me… Not the politics of your hotel.’ David extending his hand to Richard.

Richard’s eyes fell to David’s extended hand. He accepted the handshake. ‘Think nothing of it, Mr. Bower. I completely understand, sir. No offence taken.’

David checked his watch. ‘Well. Thank you for your time, anyway,’ he said to Richard.

He then shifted his focus to Frances. ‘Frances.’ He nodded. ‘Always a pleasure…’ He said before exiting the hotel lobby.

---

Instead of taking the right turn and walking along the undercover mall, back towards his neighboring hotel, David decided to take a left turn and head outside.

Frustrated with the recent news, he decided to take in a scenic walk along the harbor, to clear his head.

It was apparent that whenever there was anything that may question Miles’ accident, the CID was adept at making it disappear. For all he knew, the CID may have even tried to make him disappear.

David had been strolling aimlessly around Wan Chai for about an hour by the time he meandered back to his hotel. He cut a forlorn figure as he made his way through the lobby to the elevators.

His shoulders were rounded, his head had dropped and his hands were buried deep into his pockets, oblivious to the happenings around him.

He wasn’t sure how many more times he could get up after being knocked down by the continual disappointment. All he wanted was to know the truth, nothing more than that. Saturday’s flight home couldn’t come quick enough for him now.

‘Excuse me, Mr. Bower.’ A male Customer Service Officer called to David, who strolled through the lobby of his hotel.

David failed to respond. He continued to walk, hands in pockets, head bowed.

‘Sir… Mr. Bower…’ The CSO tried again.

Still no reaction. David strolled on auto-pilot towards the elevators and his room, oblivious to the CSO calling to him.

The CSO made his way over to David and moved in front of him, to catch his attention. ‘Mr. Bower,’ he said.

David stopped walking.

‘Sorry to bother you, sir. But Frances, the duty manager from the Renaissance Hotel is on the phone. She has asked for you. You can take it at the front desk, here, sir.’

David frowned. ‘Frances?’ he vaguely questioned. He moved to the front desk. ‘I was just with her a short time ago.’

He accepted the telephone from the female CSO.

‘David Bower.’

‘Mr. Bower, this is Frances from the Renaissance Hotel…’

‘Hello Frances. What can I do for you…?’

‘I’m sorry to bother you, sir…’ she began. ‘But when you visited us recently and you were asking about CCTV footage… I couldn’t say anything in front of Richard …’

‘OK…’

‘But he has finished work for the day and has left…’

‘I’m not sure I understand, Frances.’

’When the police told me they wanted the original footage in relation to Miles, I prepared it for them. But before I did, I discreetly copied the digital files into a spare folder, without the police knowing what I did.

‘I couldn’t mention it to you when you were here earlier because of Richard.’

David’s eyebrows arched. His mouth fell open. This was more like what he wanted to hear.

‘Are you saying that you have a copy of the CCTV footage from Miles’ hotel room floor…?’

‘Yes, sir. That’s exactly what I am saying.’

‘Will I be able to view this copy you made?’

Frances giggled. ‘Of course, sir. That is why I am calling you.’

‘Frances, I could kiss you… I’ll be right over.’

He hung up the phone and made his way back to the Renaissance Hotel with bounding strides.

A smile beamed across his face. Not even the protesting pain from his injuries could impede his gait.

Before long, David scurried into the Renaissance lobby and over to a smiling Frances, who was awaiting his arrival.

Frances escorted David into an adjoining small office. Its cramped floor space was dominated by a small centrally located desk and two chairs. The desk was empty, except for a telephone and a blank flat-screen monitor

A four-drawer filing cabinet stood upright in the corner, like a disobedient child.

‘If Richard knew I had this footage, he would be furious,’ Frances said. ’The police made it very clear they required all the footage, as evidence. No copies were to be kept by the hotel,’ she said. ‘You heard Richard… He didn’t want to upset the Police.’

‘Didn’t you find that unusual?’ David asked as he watched Frances setting up the video review. ’I mean, the cops demanding to take all the footage.’

‘Absolutely,’ she replied. ‘Which is the reason why I copied it.’ Frances indicated the chair in front of David. ‘Please…’ she said. David slid into the chair.

‘I copied the files in case this blew up later… to protect the hotel,’ Frances said.

‘I’m so glad you did, Frances,’ David said. ‘Have you looked at it yet?’

‘No I haven’t seen it. I hope it copied across properly,’ she added. ‘I was worried for a while there,’ Frances said. ’You see, it was taking a little longer than I expected to copy, so I had to try and distract them.

‘Still, I suppose it took a while because I copied all the cameras across for that twenty-four hour period.’

David rubbed his hands together in excitement. ‘So, what have we got, Frances?’ he asked.

This was what he hoped for; something that might help him understand what happened the night Miles died.

---

Sitting in camera, in the seclusion of the duty manager’s small office, Frances tapped on her keyboard to access the private folder of the copied footage from last Friday morning.

She called it up onto the flat screen monitor.

‘We should probably start with the hall camera on the 12th floor,’ she suggested.

‘Sounds good…’

‘What time should we start at…?’ Frances asked.

‘Oh, OK.’ David took a moment. His eyes lifted. ‘Ah, they left Lan Kwai Fong at 1.50am, so… just to be safe, I suggest we try 1.55am,’ David said.

Frances nodded. She entered the relevant start time and tapped a key to activate the playback.

David and Frances sat closely huddled, side-by-side with their focus jointly scrutinizing the undisclosed copy of the footage.

The monitor displayed 2.08am when the elevator doors opened and the group of young revelers flowed out into the hall.

David leaned forward and studied the group as they walked towards the camera. He scanned for his son.

Like a proud parent viewing a photograph for the first time, he skipped over everyone else in the image looking for his child.

He smiled when he saw his boy. It pleased him to see Miles. David watched Miles happily interacting and joking around with his friends, as the group made their way to Bryce’s room. It briefly comforted him to see his boy so happy.

‘Which one is Miles?’ Frances asked.

David tapped the screen. ‘That’s him there.’

‘He’s a very handsome young man, Mr. Bower.’ Frances said.

‘Thank you Frances. And please… It’s David, not Mr. Bower.’

David counted the number of people walking down the hall. ‘Five-Six-Seven…Seven of them,’ he said. ‘Four girls and three guys…’ He counted as he watched the group disappear into Bryce’s room at 2.09am.

Frances tapped the keyboard and the video footage shuffled forward at an accelerated rate until the footage depicted someone exiting Bryce’s room.

It was Miles who exited Bryce’s room, on his own. David’s eyes flicked to the date and time stamp displayed – It showed 2.58am.

David watched Miles walk towards the camera, to his room two doors down the hall from Bryce’s room. He didn’t appear to be too affected by alcohol.

It was so strange, so hollow watching the footage of his boy walking along the hotel hallway. These were the last moments his boy was alive. He watched his son disappear into his room seconds later.

‘Would you like to take a break?’ Frances asked.

‘No, I’m good. Let’s keep going,’ he lifted his chin towards the monitor. ‘I want to know what happened.’

At 3.10am the footage depicted three young men exiting the elevator and walking down the hall in the direction of the security camera. They appeared to be noting the room numbers as they walked.

As the men approached the camera, David’s eyes widened. He sat forward in his chair to closely examine the monitor, ignoring the stabbing pain from his injuries. His shoulders tightened as he watched these men approaching Miles’ room.

His eyes narrowed. His lip curled into a sneer when he recognized Mohawk man, the same person who had stalked Miles and Bryce in the hours prior.

The same person who David observed illegally using Miles’ credit card, and the same person, he believed, was wearing Mile’s missing watch at the time he used the credit card.

‘What’s wrong?’ Frances asked. ‘What did you see?’

David tensed up. His jaw clenched as he watched Mohawk man stop and point at the door to Miles’ room.

Mohawk man knocked on the door. His two heavies stood behind him.

Frances paused the footage. ‘What is wrong, David? Are you alright?’ she asked.

David sat back from the monitor. He rubbed a hand across his mouth, then proceeded to update Frances on what he had discovered about Mohawk man.

He told of his suspicions that Mohawk man had some involvement in Miles’ death, which for some reason, the police are intent on covering up.

During his narrative of the unfortunate events and encounters in Hong Kong, David realized that over the preceding four days, a considerable amount of his time had been spent reviewing security vision in an attempt to find out what happened to his son.

The Downtown Store in Causeway Bay, the bar in Lan Kwai Fong, the two reviews from earlier today at the Hyatt’s hotel, and now, watching the events from Miles’ last night.

Chapter 18

David flicked a finger at the monitor. ‘Let’s keep going,’ he said. Frances tapped the keyboard to activate the playback.

The footage continued. The three men stood waiting, having knocked on Miles’ door. ’

‘See that…’ David touched the monitor. ‘Mohawk man is not wearing a watch.’

He shook his head. ‘Two days after this footage he is wearing a watch that looked remarkably like my son’s watch, yet there, he has no watch at all…’ David’s jaw tightened. ’I knew it was Miles’ watch he was wearing in that Downtown store. OK. Sorry about that. Let’s continue.’ David flicked a finger at the monitor.

The camera angle prevented a clear view into Miles hotel room doorway, but the actions of the three men suggested the door had been opened.

It appeared a discussion ensued before their arms started flailing about. Mohawk man jabbed anaggressive finger at Miles, who at the time stood in the recess of his door way, away from camera view.

The three men rushed the door, leaning and pushing against it and then they were gone. David’s eyes dropped to the time: 3.12am.

Frances’ hand shot up to her mouth. David frozen stare remained locked onto the screen.

Mohawk Man and his accomplices had just forced their way into his son’s room. David didn’t move.

Miles was in there alone, outnumbered 3-to-1.

Who knows what happened in that room. David felt sick at the thought of his son being in danger, and all he could do as a parent, someone whose natural instincts was to protect his children, was sit and watch the review of it all unfold.

‘Maybe we should take this to the police,’ Frances suggested.

David shook his head. ’Have you forgotten already… They supposedly have the only footage in Hong Kong?’ he said.

Frances nodded. ‘Of course. So sorry.’

At 3.23am Mohawk Man exited Miles’ room and stopped in the hall.

‘OK, here they come,’ David said. He moved closer to the screen

Mohawk Man appeared to check the hall, then beckoned back towards the room. Almost immediately, his two heavies exited Miles’ room — one either side of Miles.

They had their arms around Miles’ shoulders supporting him in a manner consistent with someone who had overindulged on alcohol and required assistance to walk.

Miles’ legs were noticeably bending under him, struggling to support his weight.

Mohawk Man moved ahead of the others to the elevator and activated the elevator call button, while the two accomplices dragged Miles along behind.

They entered the elevators at 3.25am.

David’s pained eyes shifted to Frances as his son disappeared from view, on the monitor. ‘Do we have the cameras in the elevators?’ He asked.

‘We do.’ Frances scrolled through the various elevator cameras to locate the relevant lift they had just accessed.

‘If I’m correct, they just took lift number three,’ she said. ‘Ah, there…’ Mohawk man and Miles appeared on screen in the elevator. ‘Let me take it back to when they enter the lift.’ She tapped the keyboard.

Mohawk man entered first, followed closely by Miles being dragged in by the heavies. The men moved to stand at the back of the elevator.

Mohawk Man pressed the button on the elevator panel. He then stood directly in front of Miles facing him.

Miles’ head hung limp in front of himself. His knees were bent. It appeared that the thugs on either side of Miles supported most of his weight.

Mohawk Man was clearly saying something to Miles, but Miles appeared non-responsive.

Mohawk Man grabbed a hand full of Miles’ hair and aggressively jerked Miles’ head up. He then moved his face closer to Miles. He appeared to be yelling at Miles.

When Miles’ face tilted upward David could see his son’s eyes were vacant. He was clearly semi-conscious.

While still holding Miles’ hair, Mohawk Man punched Miles to the face with a short, sharp right hook. David flinched, as he watched the blow delivered to his son.

‘You bastard…’ David blurted. The hate filled words surged from him.

The impact jolted Miles’ head to his right, before it rolled and fell limply in front himself. The thugs on either side of Miles found humor in the violence.

Mohawk Man grabbed a hand full of Miles’ hair again and repeated the same action.

David found it brutal to watch. His eyes thinned. His jaw tensed. David was not a violent man, but his fists clenched. The contempt he felt towards Mohawk man pulsed from him in waves.

It tore at David’s heart watching this footage of his son, knowing there wasn’t a damn thing he could do but just sit and watch. Tears trickled down his cheeks. He cupped his head, but his eyes never left the screen.

‘I think we should stop now,’ Frances suggested.

‘No,’ David replied firmly. ‘I have to keep going. I have to know.’

Frances nodded and tapped the keyboard again. The playback continued.

Mohawk Man’s face moved close to Miles’ unresponsive hanging head. He appeared to be saying something to Miles and aggressively jabbing a finger into Miles’ chest.

David watched on as Mohawk Man grabbed Miles’ head for a 3rd time, presumably to deliver another blow, but the elevator had clearly reached the ground floor.

Light burst across the elevator floor suggesting the doors had opened.

He aggressively pushed Miles’ head away and moved to towards the elevator doors. Mohawk Man exited first with the thugs closely behind.

David looked to Frances, but she was one step ahead. ‘I’m looking for the Lobby camera now,’ she said.

Within a few short seconds, the lobby camera appeared on the screen. The Lobby camera filmed back across the lobby towards the elevator. The footage depicted Miles being dragged towards the camera view.

Mohawk Man and his two thugs led Miles across the Lobby and boarded the escalator that led down to the lower level Valet parking area and the exit out onto Convention Avenue and Victoria Harbor.

‘They’re taking him out to the Harbor,’ David said.

He rubbed a concerned hand across his forehead. In knowing what lay ahead for Miles, David wanted to burst from this room and race down there and stop them before they left.

He wanted to save his son. That was until the harsh reality replaced his irrational thoughts and reminded him, this has already happened. He felt so helpless. His son’s last minutes alive were very difficult to watch.

Frances brought up the external camera located under the portico, at the Convention Avenue entrance. At 3.29am the group was depicted exiting the hotel out onto Convention Avenue.

They continued to physically assist Miles. They walked across Convention Avenue and out of camera view, towards Expo Drive East and the Harbor.

David stared in stunned silence. The reality hit home. That would be the last time he would see his son in the video footage.

His heart sank as he watched his boy being helplessly dragged from camera view by these heartless monsters.

The trouble was, he knew how it ended. He stared blankly at the screen as the footage continued to play.

Frances placed a gentle, but comforting hand on David’s shoulder. There were no words exchanged; there didn’t have to be.

David continued to stare at the screen. Tears flowed down his cheek for his lost son. He began to sob uncontrollably while his eyes remained glued to the screen.

David wiped his eyes. ‘I’m terribly sorry, Frances,’ David said. ‘It is so hard to watch that…’

‘Don’t be silly, David,’ Frances said. ‘You have nothing to apologize for. I’ll give you some time alone, David.’ She pushed herself back from the desk and left the office.

With Frances gone, David’s head collapsed onto his arms. His heart tore at the thought of what these men did to his son.

How his son’s last moments must have been filled with fear and pain. He once again grieved for his boy.

After about fifteen minutes, Frances gently knocked on the door and re-entered the office.

‘I thought you could use this.’ She handed David a shot of alcohol. David accepted the drink. ‘It’s a single malt scotch. I hope you drink scotch,’ she said then lowered herself into her chair.

While taking a sip David gestured to the monitor. ‘Stop. Stop the footage.’

Frances had inadvertently forgotten to pause the playback before she left the room and it continued to play.

Frances quickly tapped the keyboard. ‘What is it? What did you see?’ she asked.

‘Go back, just a little.’ David watched as the playback rewound. ‘There. Play from there,’ he said. David squinted, watching the playback. ‘Look up there at the top of the screen.’

David moved forward and indicated the top right hand side of the screen.

The footage captured the darkened shapes of three males in the distance walking south along Fleming Road, away from Victoria Harbor towards Harbor Road.

‘That’s them. I am certain. That is them,’ David said.

‘It is hard to see…’ She said. ‘But it does look like the same clothing.’

David moved closer and strained his eyes. ‘No. That is definitely them. That guy walking in front is Mohawk Man. You can make out his ridiculous hairdo,’ David said. His head dropped.

‘They don’t have Miles with them,’ he said. ’Whatever they did to my son, has happened by this time. He checked the time stamp on the footage. It showed 4.06am.

‘My son didn’t slip and fall into the water, Frances…’ David said. ‘Those mongrels put him there.’ David’s face become flushed and his eyes were wide with rage. He glared at Frances. ‘How could they say it was an accident, Frances? The police viewed this footage…’ He shook his head. ‘They must’ve seen what we saw…’ he said.

‘They condone what happened to my boy by sweeping it under the carpet. Take this to any police station in the world and they would prosecute those bastards… But not here.’ David buried his head in his hands.

‘Have you thought about ICAC?’ Frances said. ‘They’re not Police. In fact, they investigate the Police.’

David’s head lifted to Frances. ‘Who, or what is ICAC?’

’The Independent Commission against Corruption...’ Frances said. ‘They investigate police corruption. From what you have told me, they may be interested in what you have uncovered,’ she said. ‘I don’t really know for certain but…’ Her words tapered off.

‘Ordinarily, I probably would consider that,’ David said. ‘But I am heading home the day after tomorrow so I—’ David cut himself off. He held a vague stare.

’Frances, can you do me a favor…? He asked. ‘Bring up the lobby footage again…’ He gestured to the screen. ‘Around the time just before those three mongrels went upstairs,’ he said.

‘Sure,’ Frances replied. ‘What time do you require?’

David took a moment to consider his option. ‘OK. They exited the elevator at 3.10, so, say, ten to fifteen minutes prior to that.’

Frances set up the footage to begin playback at 2.55am and activated the playback. David’s eyes scanned around the lobby floor.

His eyes searched across the monitor screen. He sat back in his chair shaking his head slowly. ‘No, you may have to—’

‘Is that them there…?’ Frances pointed to the lounge chairs, over by the lobby bar, at the top right of the screen.

‘Well done Frances,’ he said. ’That is them. OK. Firstly I am curious whether they received any notification before they headed upstairs. And secondly, I want to know what time they arrived,’ David said.

Frances rewound the footage and activated playback. At 3.07am Mohawk Man was depicted reaching into his pocket and removing his phone.

The phone’s display had illuminated. He then stood up from his chair and signaled to his two accomplices and all three men moved towards the elevators.

‘I suspect he just received a text message. I suspect someone in Bryce’s room just sent Mohawk Man a text to say Miles had gone to his room. And I bet I know who sent it,’ David said.

He recalled Bryce’s conversation earlier when Bryce said he saw Lee Sung texting, shortly after Miles left the room. ‘What about the time they arrived at the Lobby?’ David asked.

Frances rewound the vision to 2am and tapped a button to activate playback. At 2.01 the group with Miles and Bryce entered the Lobby and moved through to the elevators.

‘OK, there go the boys. If I am correct, those other three won’t be far behind,’ David predicted.

David edged himself to the front of his seat, as each minute ticked over in real time playback.

At 2.10am Mohawk Man and his crew walked into the lobby.

Mohawk Man appeared to be the alpha male of the group. At one stage he jumped onto the back of one of his friends.

On another occasion he pushed and shoved the other one, before grabbing him in a headlock in what appeared to be rough game play.

All three men then walked over and flopped down into to the lounge chairs near the bar.

‘And that’s where they waited until they were called upstairs,’ David said. ‘This whole thing had been planned from the start.’ He shook his head. ‘They were waiting there to be called upstairs…’

At David’s request, Frances burned a copy of all the reviewed footage onto a disc.

‘Who did you say they were…? ICAC?’ David asked. He accepted the disc from Frances.

’ICAC. That’s correct. Independent Commission Against Corruption. Are you thinking of calling them?’ She asked.

‘Not sure, Frances,’ he said. ‘Maybe…’

David thanked Frances for all her invaluable assistance and compassion before moving into a friendly parting embrace; a physical action quite common in David’s part of the world, but one that is foreign to Chinese culture.

Frances wished him well as he exited the office.

Chapter 19

The experiences of days past had David jumping at shadows on the return to his room. He may only have been carrying two discs of what he believed to be valuable evidence, but he felt as vulnerable as if he carried one million in cash.

He had no idea how far the CID’s tentacles reached, so the implied pressure unnerved him.

The smooth elevator glided to a stop at his hotel floor and the doors sprung open. David remained unmoved at the back of the elevator. His eyes and ears scanned for anything improper.

His paranoia started to influence his logic as he slowly moved to peep outside the elevator. Once satisfied the hall was clear of any perceived threats, he moved quickly to his room.

The sound of his room door securing behind him couldn’t come quick enough. David exhaled deeply. He could finally relax in the sanctuary of his hotel room.

David poured himself a nerve-settling scotch while he sat enjoying the tranquil bird’s-eye view over Victoria Harbor, towards Kowloon.

He earlier became distressed having just watched the footage of the men who broke into his room, after putting him in hospital. Then he had to endure the footage of his son’s last moments alive.

Such reviews would have understandably broken the spirit of a lesser man, but not David Bower. He was a man of incredible willpower and determination. These reviews only served to fuel his determination, to find the answers he so desperately sought.

David sipped on his scotch while his mind worked on his next move. He hadn’t completely discounted Frances’ ICAC suggestion, however with his flight home the day after tomorrow, he questioned if he had sufficient time.

If only he could find a way to identify the man in black, captured by the Hyatt’s security camera,. It would change everything.

The available CCTV evidence would irrefutably prove this person unlawfully entered David’s hotel room using David’s room key.

And by possessing David’s room key, it also circumstantially implicated the man in black in the assault that put David in hospital.

He was not a trained investigator, but he believed that possibly, this evidence could expose some deep rooted cover up over Miles’ untimely death.

David lifted his glass, then paused briefly. ‘Tony Huang,’ he said to himself. He removed his phone and visited his Recent Calls register to locate Mr. Huang’s phone number. He eagerly pressed the call button.

Tony answered his call after the second ring. ′Tony Huang,’ the voice on the other end answered.

Following the usual introductory greetings, David advised Tony, ‘the reason I am calling is, I am seeking the assistance of your local knowledge, if you don’t mind,’ David said.

‘Of course. Anything you need.’

‘Are you free for me to come and see you now?’ David asked.

‘Ah, I am just finishing an article for tomorrow’s deadline. Um, look… give me about thirty minutes,’ Tony said.

‘There’s a small café three or four doors down from our building. You can’t miss it. I’ll meet you there at say… 4.50.’

‘Ah. See… the thing is Tony, the purpose of my meeting is, well… I wanted to show you something. It’s on a disc, so I will require access to a computer.’

‘Oh. OK. No problems. I’ll bring my laptop,’ Tony said. ‘It has a disc drive, so we’re all good.’

‘Great. Thank you so much, Tony. I look forward to seeing you at 4.50,’ he said before ending the call.

---

Tony was already seated in the small café when David arrived. His choice of table was towards the left-hand rear.

The small, mostly occupied tables in the café were jammed in tightly, barely leaving space to traverse the room to where Tony sat.

The timing of David’s arrival coincided perfectly with the delivery of the Espresso, Tony had taken the liberty of ordering for David.

Tony stood as David approached and extended his hand to greet David.

‘Ni Hao, David, I see you found it alright.’ Tony said with a welcoming smile, as the men shook hands.

‘Ni Hao, Tony… Thank you for meeting me.’ David grimaced as he moved to sit.

‘What the hell happened to you?’ Tony asked. ‘You’re moving like an old man and you look like a raccoon with those eyes.’

David grinned at Tony’s comments, as his ribs and legs jointly protested his movements. ‘Thank you for the coffee,’ David said, deliberately ignoring the question.

David removed the disc from his pocket and held it out to Tony. ′This is what I want to talk to you about.’

‘Oh, OK.’ Tony lifted his laptop from the floor and booted it up. He accepted the disc from David and inserted it into his computer’s disc drive. ‘Something on there you need help with?’

Tony’s question caught David taking a sip of his coffee. Nodding as he sipped, David responded while he lowered his cup. ’How well do you know the Hong Kong constabulary?

‘The cops?’ he clarified.

‘Aha,’

‘Quite well, actually. I mean… I can’t vouch for them, but, I know who they are from cases I have reported on,’ Tony said.

‘Good. Then you may very well be able to help me.’ David flicked a finger at the laptop.

Tony focused on his monitor. His eyes lifted to David. ‘Is that the Grand Hyatt Lobby?’ Tony said.

David nodded. ‘It is. Very good…’

‘And… I assume this is the guy I am looking at.’ Tony rotated the screen towards David. ‘That guy there in the dark clothing?’ he said.

‘Correct. Anyone you recognize?’

Tony returned the screen back to himself. His eyes remained fixed on the monitor watching the footage unfold.

After a few seconds Tony’s eyebrows plunged. His eyes lifted to David. ‘Did this guy here, do that?’ Tony lifted his chin to David’s visible facial injuries.

‘I believe he did, and some,’ David said. ‘Do you know who he is?’

Tony eyes dropped back to the screen. He nodded slowly. ‘I do,’ he said. ‘How did you get this footage…? I mean, how did you know where to look for it?’

David replaced his cup and leaned onto his elbows. ‘It’s a long story Tony…’ He said. ’But our friend there,’ he flicked a finger at the monitor. ‘Accessed my hotel room while I was laid up in hospital with this…’ He indicated his facial injuries.

’He and his colleagues were looking for footage they knew I had in my room… Footage of the person I believe killed my son.

‘They took my iPad and certainly tried to access my room safe to get to my USB thumb drive,’ David said. ‘So you see why it’s important that I am able to identify this man in black from that footage.’

Tony held David’s inquiring gaze. He nodded. Tony checked over his shoulders, then leaned closer to David.

‘Kevin Chung,’ he quietly said. ‘That man in the footage is Detective Sergeant Kevin Chung from Central CID.’ Tony re-checked his surrounds, then sat back in his seat.

David’s shoulders slumped. ‘I knew the CID was behind it all.’ He slowly shook his head.

‘Are you completely certain, Tony? No doubt at all in your mind?’ David said.

Tony slowly nodded. His mouth straightened. ‘None what so ever,’ Tony said. ‘It’s definitely him.’

’I knew Kevin Chung’s grubby prints were all over this,’ David said. ’The thing that keeps puzzling me is, why? Why is he going to so much trouble to cover up what happened to my boy?’

Tony stroked his goatee. ‘It is all very intriguing,’ Tony said. ‘What do you plan to do with this?’ Tony asked. ‘I only ask because, you will have to be very careful who you talk to.’

David rolled his eyes. ’You’re not the first person to tell me that. Only, the last time I heard that bit of advice, I ended up in hospital because of that bastard.’ David lifted his chin to the monitor.

Tony ejected the tray and flicked out the disc. ‘Make sure you guard that with your life,’ Tony said. ‘That there is your smoking gun.’ He held up the disc to David. ‘That will place Kevin Chung in your hotel the night your room was entered.’

David accepted the disc. ’A friend suggested I talk to ICAC and show them what I have discovered,’ David said. ‘What can you tell me about ICAC? Any thoughts?’

’They certainly haven’t been without controversy in the past. But, if you are asking my opinion, I would say they are your best option – your safest option.

’They are independent of law enforcement so, if exposing these corrupt individuals is what you truly seek, then they are also your only option, my friend,’ Tony said.

‘OK,’ David began. ’But exposing them isn’t my motivation, Tony, it’s finding out the truth about what happened to my boy.’

Tony removed a business card and slid it across to David.

‘Forgive me if I appear impersonal, David, but there is potential here for a huge story,’ Tony said. ‘And after all, I am a journalist first and foremost…’ he said. ’If you decide to report this to ICAC and they investigate, I am hoping you will honor me with exclusivity to your story.’

’I am sure you will appreciate, Tony, the last thing I am interested in right now is reading about my experiences, and those of my son in the newspaper.’

David’s expression firmed. ‘You have to promise me none of this,’ he waved his hand over the lap top. ‘Will make headlines… At least not until we are able to get to the bottom of it all,’ David said. ‘If you can do that for me, then I’m happy to do for you, whatever it is you ask.’ David extended his hand to Tony. ‘Can you do that? Do we have a deal?’

Tony’s eyes dropped to David’s extended hand. ‘Of course. You’ve got yourself a deal, sir,’ Tony said. He shook David’s hand. ‘I’ve been doing this a long time now. I know the importance of timing. So until these people have been fully investigated, and hopefully prosecuted, we never had this discussion,’ Tony said. He prolonged the hand shake.

‘Thank you, Tony,’ David said. ‘Now, let me get the next coffee, or… maybe I can buy you something a little stronger. There must be a suitable bar near here somewhere,’ David said.

‘Thank you. Your offer is generous, but I have tight story deadlines to meet…’

David nodded. ‘Of course…’

Both men parted company a short time later with a single hand shake.

---

While sitting idle in Hong Kong’s rush hour traffic congestion, en-route back to his hotel, David finally made the firm decision to contact ICAC.

If he didn’t, he knew that once back in the US, he would certainly regret missing the opportunity to seek their opinion.

Due to his limited time remaining in Hong Kong he considered that personally reporting his concerns may help expedite his case, rather than calling the 24-hour hot line listed on the organization’s website.

His phone’s browser provided the address and before long, David arrived outside the ICAC head office at Java Road, North Point.

After alighting from his vehicle, David took a moment to run his eyes up the impressive high-rise building towering over Victoria Harbor from the Island’s north shores.

He inhaled a deep breath then made his way inside to the ground floor 24-Hour Report Center.

The Duty Officer assisting David recorded his details, his allegations and concerns, to establish the complaint’s substance and determine if it fell within ICAC’s jurisdictions.

David explained he was flying back to the US the day after tomorrow and requested the possibility of a scheduled meeting tomorrow, where he could discuss his supporting evidence in greater detail.

The Duty Officer made a telephone call and spoke in Chinese. After hanging up the phone, the duty officer informed David he had arranged an appointment with Senior Investigator Colin Tseng for 9am tomorrow.

He recorded the meeting’s details onto an appointment card and handed it to David.

‘Please ensure that you bring all available evidence to support your allegations.’

‘Thank you,’ David said.

As he made his way to the building exit, the Duty Officer’s comments resonated. All available evidence, he thought.

David checked his watch. It was almost 6am in New York. He needed copies of the photos that were lost to the stolen iPad, but it was too early to call Bryce to request he email the photos.

He made a mental note to follow that up later in the evening.

Chapter 20

Following his dinner in the hotel restaurant, David returned to his room to prepare for tomorrow morning’s meeting with Colin Tseng at ICAC. He hoped these people could be trusted.

David let out a groan, as he reclined on his king size bed with his cell phone in hand. He tapped out a text message to Bryce back in New York.

“IPad stolen – Lost all photos. Will explain later. Please email me all the photos we found with Mohawk Man in the background as soon as you get this. Thnx David. ([email protected].)”

With the copies of the photos ordered from Bryce, he was now satisfied he was fully prepared for tomorrow’s meeting. He relaxed with a well-earned double malt scotch before his nightly, keep-in-touch telephone call home to Maddie.

---

Friday morning held a special significance to David. It would be his last day in Hong Kong, before returning home to the normality of his corporate world back in New York City.

It was also the day he finally had the opportunity to present his concerns over the mysterious death of his beloved son to a suitable independent arbitrator with appropriate legislative powers to pursue further, if required.

Under any other circumstances, the appeal of the harbor-lined suburbs of Hong Kong Island would have captured his interests, due to its slight similarities to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

But his experiences over the past five days did little to endear him to the densely populated, urban areas he visited as he made his way to his morning meeting.

David’s increased enthusiasm towards his scheduled ICAC meeting was clearly demonstrated by his early arrival at the ground floor lobby.

He signed in and received his visitor’s pass before waiting for Colin Tseng to respond to the reception’s notification of his arrival.

David checked his watch three times in the fifteen minutes it took before a male made his way towards David, seated in the waiting area.

This approaching man, presumably Colin Tseng, appeared shorter than David’s own average height, but he had a confident gait and posture rarely found in vertically challenged men.

He was dressed in a fresh white shirt with a stripped blue tie and tailored black pants.

The approaching gentleman smiled and extended his hand as he neared. ‘Mr. Bower?’ he said with the upward inflection of a questioning greeting.

David rose from his seat. ‘That’s correct.’ He firmly shook then man’s hand

‘My name is Colin Tseng. I am a Senior Investigator here with the Commission,’ he said. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had previous priorities I had to attend to.’

‘I understand.’

Colin extended a hand. ‘Please come with me, sir,’ he said, then turned and made his way towards the elevator lobby. David walked closely in step.

Colin pressed the elevator call button. ‘I see you’re from New York,’ Colin said. His eyes lifted to the progress of the elevator.

‘Yes I am.’ David’s eyes also lifted to monitor the progress of the approaching lift.

Stepping inside the mirror-lined elevator, Colin pressed the number four button before stepping back to align himself beside David.

The short lift ride was in silence. Only a couple of smiles were exchanged.

At the 4th floor lift lobby, David followed Colin as he exited to his left.

After arriving at a nondescript, opaque glass door, devoid of any identifying signage or branding, Tseng swiped his security pass over a proximity reader. An audible tone buzzed as the electronic lock disengaged.

Colin shouldered open the door before leading David into a large open plan office area. Several desks occupied the office space, all separated by half-wall partitions, where only the tops of worker’s heads were visible.

Colin directed David to a conference room adjoining the office area. Ceiling to floor windows on one side looked back into the entire office, while the ceiling to floor windows on the opposite side provided uninterrupted views over Victoria Harbor to Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hung Hom and Kowloon Bay.

The large laminated conference table that dominated the room was empty, except for a manila folder, an open laptop and a jug of water encircled by several glasses.

A roof mounted projector hovered overhead facing the direction of a large screen that had been drawn down in front of a whiteboard.

Colin extended a hand to a chair. ‘Please,’ he said. He poured two glasses of water before lowering himself into the neighboring chair.

Colin ticked all the boxes of inviting conversational body language. He turned his chair towards David and he sat facing David with his left arm casually resting on the table.

‘I have seen your complaint report. It doesn’t contain a great amount of detail, but from what I have read, it appears you are here today because you have an allegation against the Criminal Investigation Division at Hong Kong Central. Would that be accurate?’ Colin asked.

‘Allegations, plural,’ David corrected. ’I have a number of issues with the Central CID.’

Colin nodded. He closely regarded David. ‘Do your allegations involve the injuries you appear to be carrying?’ Colin gestured towards David’s face.

‘They do,’ David said. He removed his cell phone from his pocket then accessed his photo gallery. He handed his phone to Colin.

’I took that selfie about twelve hours after the injuries were sustained. You can see the facial bruising and swelling were more prominent then,’ he said.

‘Whoa. Definitely. You are almost unrecognizable in these photos,’ Colin said. ‘Were you arrested by the police for some reason?’ Colin slid the phone back to David.

‘No.’

Colin cocked an eyebrow. ‘So you weren’t interviewed or charged?’ he confirmed.

‘No.’

Colin held a puzzled gaze. ‘But you are alleging an assault by the police…? Even though you were not in custody at any time,’ Colin clarified.

‘That is correct,’ David said. ‘But without down-playing the seriousness of my injuries, the assault is merely a by-product of much more serious allegations of corruption.’

Colin nodded slightly. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘Because unfortunately, police assault complaints, while still very serious allegations, are not within our jurisdiction,’ Colin said.

David shook his head. ‘No. I assure you, there is much more to this than the injuries you see in front of you,’ David said. ‘Why don’t I fill you in from the beginning?’ David offered. ‘It will all fall into place as we go.’

‘OK, good.’ Colin opened the manila folder and removed a compact digital recorder. ‘If you don’t mind, I will record our conversation, for accuracy of reporting,’ Colin said.

David waved the back of his hand to Colin. ‘That’s fine, providing I receive a copy of the recording, as well,’ David said.

‘Of course.’ Colin examined the display of the recorder. ‘I am going to introduce the conversation before we start. I need to stress this is not an interview, it is a conversation that I am recording for accuracy. Electronic notes if you will,’ Colin said.

‘I understand.’

Colin placed the recorder equidistant between himself and David before directing his opening introduction towards the device. When he had finished he shifted his focus to David seated beside him.

‘Why don’t you start by discussing the basis of your allegations,’ Colin said. He opened a note pad and slid out a pen from his shirt pocket.

David repositioned himself in his chair. ‘Last Sunday I arrived in Hong Kong to identify the body of my twenty-two old son. They found him floating in Victoria Harbor last Friday morning.’ David’s eyes lowered. as the words left his mouth.

‘I remember reading about that.’ Colin nodded as he scribbled some notes. ’That was your son…? It must have been terrible for you. I’m sorry for your tragic loss,’ Colin said.

David nodded without responding. He continued with his story. ‘When I attended at the Central Police Station they handed me my son’s property… the property they say he had on him when he was found.’

David peered into his evidence envelope and removed his copy of the property sheet. He glanced at it momentarily. ‘The first thing I noticed… My son’s watch wasn’t in the property being returned to me. Then I noticed his wallet was also missing,’ David said.

Colin’s eyes lifted from his note writing. ‘And you confirmed these items were not in his hotel room?’

‘Of course,’ David replied firmly. ’The only items I could identify as missing were his wallet and $45,000 Patek Phillipe watch – and he would’ve had them both on him the night he went missing.’

Colin’s eyebrows lifted. ‘$45,000. Is that Hong Kong Dollars, or US dollars?’ Colin asked.

‘US Dollars,’ David answered dryly. His tone was laconic.

Colin nodded as he scribbled something in his notes. ‘So… Do you think the police took those items?’ Colin asked.

‘At first I wasn’t sure. But no.’ David shook his head. ‘No, I’m almost certain they didn’t.’ David said.

Colin sat back in his chair. He face wore a furrowed brow. ‘I’m not sure I follow.’

‘It will all become apparent. Allow me to continue.’ Colin extended a hand to David.

‘The police informed me they found drugs in Miles’ possession – amphetamines,’ David clarified, as he slid the property sheet to Colin.

Colin’s head shot up from his notes. His arching eyebrows almost disappeared beneath his thick black hair line. ‘Amphetamines…?’

‘You will see the last entry on the sheet references the drugs they alleged were on my son, when he was found.’ David gestured to the sheet.

Colin slid the sheet close to himself and read the contents.

His brow furrowed, this time his eyebrows plunged into his face. He examined the property sheet with deliberate scrutiny.

‘If you look at the last entry on the sheet,’ David began. ‘The entry relating to the drugs, you will see that it is clearly written in different handwriting to that of the other entries above it.’ David said.

Colin nodded. ‘I actually noticed that just now,’ Colin said. ‘Did they explain that…?’

‘No.’

Colin returned to his note taking.

David removed further documents from his envelope and briefly stared at them in his hand.

’The police took a statement from my son’s travel buddy, Bryce Fleming, on Friday afternoon, the afternoon after my son had been found.

’In his statement they omitted Bryce’s assertion that my son did-not use illicit drugs.’ David slid the statement to Colin.

’This is a copy of Bryce’s statement. You will notice that assertion from Bryce is not recorded anywhere. If the Police did plant the drugs on my son, as I am certain they did, then having that assertion in his best friend’s statement, someone who has known my son since grade school, would certainly begin to contradict that finding, wouldn’t you agree?’ David asked.

Colin passed a cursory glance over the statement pages without responding. He placed the statement on the table. His attentive gaze returned to David; an indication to continue.

David returned to his envelope and slid out newspaper articles and eyed them with a blank expression before continuing.

’This is an article from last Saturday’s South China Morning Post.’ He held up the article. ’The morning after they found Miles.

‘It is reporting on the discovery of my son’s body on Friday morning.’ David passed the article to Colin. ‘You will note the attending detective considered there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery of Miles in the water.’ David paused while he watched Colin peruse the newspaper article.

When Colin had finished reading, he lifted his eyes to the other newspaper in David’s hand. Colin held out his hand. David slid the second newspaper article to Colin.

’That is an article that appeared in Monday’s newspaper, which reported there were no suspicious circumstances and that my son’s death was…’ David raised quotation fingers. ’An avoidable accident resulting from the over indulgence of drugs and alcohol.’

Colin perused the 2nd article. ‘Just playing Devil’s Advocate…’ Colin raised a submissive hand. ‘But isn’t it possible their investigations could have discounted their initial concerns.’

David shook a defiant head. ‘What investigations…? How could the police possibly know Miles had over indulged in illicit drugs…? They had not received any toxicology results by Sunday afternoon when they printed this second article.’

‘OK. Good point,’ Colin said. He returned to his note taking.

‘And further,’ David began, ‘I spoke to the journalist who wrote both articles and he advised me that the extent of the injuries to my son’s head and body caused the police to initially suspect my son had been seriously assaulted,’ David said.

‘Did you perform the official ID of your son’s body…?’

David nodded once. ‘I did.’ He bit down on his lip. This was all still very raw.

‘Did you happen to notice if your son had head injuries and bruising when you viewed him at the Mortuary?’ Colin asked. ‘What did the autopsy report conclude?’

David peered into his envelope. ’When I identified my son’s body, he had two black eyes that were heavily masked with makeup. But as for the rest of his body, the pathologist assisting at the ID made sure that the covering sheet only exposed Miles’ head.’

David removed the autopsy report from his envelope and passed it to Colin. The investigator accepted the records and took time to examine the contents.