Chapter 31

Back in Hong Kong…

Having collected the investigation files from the police relating to Miles’ death, Colin sat at his desk and systematically sorted through the box of information, searching for anything that could implicate the police in a murder cover up.

He knew they would be clever in what they kept on file, but they had no idea exactly what Colin knew about the case.

One-by-one he read every statement, examined every diary note made by the detectives and every piece of evidence that related to the file.

He noticed there were no crime scene photographs on file. He knew this was unusual, given the circumstances of Miles’ death.

These, he thought, were crucial to his case, so he made a call to Police Central to follow up on where the photos were.

’Wei…’ The voice on the end of the phone answered.

‘Detective Sergeant Kevin Chung, please,’ Colin said.

‘Speaking,’ Chung responded. ’Who’s this?’

‘Colin Tseng, Kevin. I have just-’

’What the fuck do you want?’

‘As I was saying… I have just collected the investigation files in relation to the Miles Bower matter and I don’t have the copies of the crime scene photos.’

Silence…

‘Are you still there?’ Colin asked.

’There weren’t any.’ Chung’s reply was abrupt.

‘Are you telling me that you didn’t arrange for crime scene photos to be taken when the body was initially discovered?’

’Correct.’

‘You are either more incompetent that I had originally considered. Or you are full of shit. Maybe it is both?’ Colin said, deliberately trying unsettle Chung. ‘Which one is it?’

’Fuck you,’ Chung replied. ’You have everything – so fuck off.’ Chung hung up.

Following his expected lack of success with Central Police, Colin telephoned the Police Forensic Crime Photography Unit and identified himself to the person who answered his call.

In response to his general inquiry, Colin learned that the unit maintained digital copies of all crime scenes they photographed.

The person he spoke to at the Forensic Crime Photography Unit explained that until they received a facsimile of the Coroner’s Court search warrant, they would not be able to discuss any details relating to their cases.

Colin quickly obliged and sent a copy of the search warrant.

Once they confirmed receipt of the warrant, Colin provided the relevant date Miles was discovered. Following a brief wait they confirmed that their photography unit attended and photographed that scene and the deceased’s injuries.

The comment about the injuries – plural, particularly interested Colin.

Under the auspices of the search warrant, Colin requested copies of all photographs taken at the scene and afterwards at the mortuary, in relation to the Miles Bower matter.

In complying with his request, they informed Colin that the copies he requested would be dispatched to him via post today and should arrive some time tomorrow.

Colin sat listening to the sound of the ring tone chirping in his ear while he waited, hoping it would be answered.

Having sorted through all the police witness statements, Colin held a particular interest in the statement made by the person who reported the discovery of Miles, floating in the Harbor.

He decided to call this person to discuss his statement.

‘Wei.’ A male voice answered down the line.

‘Ni Hao. I’m looking for Leung Siu Fai, please,’ Colin said.

’Speaking,’ Mr. Leung replied.

Colin introduced himself and the purpose of his call to Mr. Leung, who confirmed he made a statement to police–not at the time, but later in the day.

He confirmed that he signed the statement but he didn’t recall receiving a copy.

‘Can you recall noticing the body floating in the water?’ Colin asked.

’Are you kidding me… I can’t get it out of my head,’ Leung responded. ‘I’m seeing that poor young man in my dreams.’

‘Where were you at the time you noticed the body in the water?’

’Isn’t that explained in my statement?’ Leung asked.

‘Yes it is,’ Colin said. ‘But I hoped to confirm a few things with you.’

’Like what?’

‘Well… Like, can you recall how the body was when you first saw it? By that, I mean was it floating facing up, or down?’

’Up… Definitely facing up,’ Leung said. ’It’s the poor guy’s lifeless face that I can’t get out of my head.’

‘I see…’ Colin said. ’But your statement indicates that you saw the body floating face down when you discovered it.’

A long pause of silence passed by before Mr. Leung responded. ’No. That’s incorrect. I told the police it was face up,’ Leung said. ’I even remember reading over my statement before I signed it… and the one I read, definitely said the body was found floating face up. Are you sure you have the right statement? The one by Leung Siu Fai.’

’Yes. I definitely have your statement,’ Colin replied. ‘So… Let me clarify, if I may… The statement I have here with your signature on it that says you found the body floating face down, is not the statement you made to police. Is that correct?’

’Look I don’t know what you are looking at there. All I know is, my statement… the one I signed on the day, definitely said the body was face up in the water.’

‘OK then. Leave it with me, sir,’ Colin said. He had all the information he needed, at that stage. ‘I will make some more inquiries. I appreciate your time, Mr. Leung – Xie xie,’ Colin said, then ended his call.

The way the body was floating in the water when it was found was particularly relevant to Colin’s investigation.

Face down could be consistent with a drowning. If a person went into the water face down and unconscious they could inhale water into their lungs and drown.

But, if Miles’ body was floating face up, it was more unlikely that he drowned after falling into the Harbor, as alleged.

Miles’ nose and mouth would be out of the water and able to continue inhaling air into his lungs, while unconscious.

The police would be aware of this, which suggested to him that the statement from Mr. Leung had been altered by the police to facilitate their cover up.

He would have Mr. Leung verify his statement and signature at a later time, to further verify this suspected alteration.

---

Colin could not believe his eyes when he opened the package containing the crimes scene photos he received from the Police Forensic Crime Scene Photographic Unit. He did not like what he saw.

He placed the last of the photos across his desk and rummaged through his growing file of documents and evidence until he located the copy of Miles’ autopsy report.

He scanned over the report until he reached the heading “External Examination”, in particular the sub-heading “Marks of Violence and/or Identification.”

He continued to read. Colin slowly shook his head in disbelief at what he read.

Apart from a reference to a small nodular protuberance on Miles’ forehead, the Autopsy report failed to list any other visible injuries, or marks of violence on Miles’ body. That was a major problem.

Colin glanced back at the ten, six-by-eight inch color photographs he had spread out across his desk; photos taken of Miles’ body at the scene and at the mortuary.

His eyes flicked from photo to photo as he again continued to slowly shake his head.

‘No wonder there weren’t any victim photographs in the investigation file,’ he said to himself.

Each photo laid out in front of him depicted the injuries Miles had sustained to his head and body in vivid, full color.

Lacerations, contusions and most notably, a large gaping injury to the back of Miles’ head, all clearly documented in the police forensic photos, yet they failed to rate a mention in the police and autopsy reports.

‘Well Doctor Kong… You have a lot to answer for,’ he muttered to himself, as he gently lobbed the autopsy report onto the photos.

---

‘This better be important,’ Dr Kong Tze San blurted as Colin entered his office for their urgently scheduled appointment.

‘What… No hello?’ Colin replied sarcastically. He approached the desk and stood opposite the seated Dr. Kong.

‘Oh it’s important,’ Colin reassured. ‘Believe me… You are going to want to hear this.’

Following the revelations from examining the crime scene photographs, Colin contacted Dr Kong and requested an urgent meeting.

It wasn’t until Colin threatened to take his new information directly to the Coroner that Kong appeared to reluctantly agree to meet with Colin and hear what he had to say.

Colin remained standing as he removed the first of the Crime Scene photographs from his folder and placed it on the desk in front of Dr Kong.

The Doctor peered at the photograph on the desk, through the reading glasses, perched on the tip of his nose.

Colin repeated the action of removing each photo one-by-one, until all ten photographs depicting Miles’ injuries were laid out in front of Kong, across his desk.

Kong silently examined each photograph, as Colin placed it on the desk in front of him. When all photos were laid out across the desk, Kong scanned his eyes across each photo. His blank expression then lifted to Colin.

‘Each one of these photographs is of the American tourist who was found floating in the harbor about five or six weeks ago… The same American tourist that you performed an autopsy on,’ Colin said.

He gently lobbed the Doctor’s autopsy report onto the desk in front of Kong. The Doctor’s eyes moved to the report, which he regarded in silence.

Colin indicated one of the photographs on the desk that depicted contusions to Miles’ body. ’Show me on your autopsy report there, where these injuries are recorded,’ Colin asked.

Kong stared silently at the photo Colin indicated.

Colin moved his finger to another photo. ‘Well… What about this one…?’ He tapped the photo depicting a large gaping wound to the back of Miles’ head.

‘Show me where this injury is recorded on your final report. Come on Doctor… Surely you wouldn’t miss a wound of this size,’ Colin said. His tone was riddled with sarcasm.

Kong continued to sit in silence, staring blankly at the photographs. The Doctor had no response.

‘Do I have your attention now, Doctor?’

‘Where did you get these?’ The Doctor uttered, while his eyes continued to scan across the photographs.

Colin leaned his arms onto the desk. ‘Where I got the photos is irrelevant, wouldn’t you say Doctor…?’ Colin said. ‘What is relevant is… Did you even perform an autopsy on this person?’

Kong’s eyes lifted to Colin before rebounding immediately back to the photos. ‘Of course I did.’ His response lacked the conviction from earlier.

Colin snatched up the autopsy report from the desk and held it out to Kong. ‘This autopsy report…’ He shook it at Kong for emphasis. ‘Does not accurately report on the post-mortem examination of this deceased person.’

Colin tapped one of the photographs. ‘You either explain to me what’s going on, or you can tell it directly to the Coroner at the inquest – your call,’ Colin threatened.

Kong’s eyes lifted to Colin. He had the look of defeat emblazoned across his face. ‘It’s not that easy. You don’t understand,’ Kong said.

‘Why don’t you explain it to me then, doctor…’

‘I can’t… You don’t understand,’ the doctor said. ‘You’re heading into very dangerous waters, more than you can possibly realize.’

’Fine, Colin began. He collected the photographs, one-by-one from Kong’s desk. ‘I’ll take these and your report to the Coroner… I’m sure he would love to know the type of pathologist he has working for him. Particularly a doctor who falsifies autopsy reports.’

‘You have no idea who you are dealing with, do you…?’ Kong said. He watched Colin pick up the photographs. ‘These are very dangerous people,’ Kong said.

Colin paused from collecting the evidence. ’Who…?’ Colin asked. ’Who are these very dangerous people, Doctor?’

Kong’s head rolled to the side. His eyes fell heavily to the floor. He slowly shook his head. ‘You know I can’t tell you that. These people are very powerful and very well connected. You can’t beat them,’ Kong said.

‘We’ll see about that,’ Colin said. He collected the last of his evidence from the desk.

‘You could’ve gone directly to the Coroner with this evidence…’ Kong said. ‘But you didn’t… Instead, you came to me to let me know what you know. What is it you want from me?’ Kong asked.

Colin held Kong’s gaze. He allowed several seconds to pass by before responding. ‘As it stands Doctor… By assisting in the cover up of the murder of the American tourist, you are an accessory after the fact,’ Colin began.

‘But if you cooperate with me in this investigation, by telling me what you know, I am prepared to seek an indemnity from prosecution for the accessory charges,’ Colin said. ‘But you have to tell me what you know and your information has to contribute to the prosecution of the actual offenders.’

The Doctor did not respond. Instead he held an anxious gaze on Colin.

Colin continued with his questions. ‘Did you receive any payment for your part in falsifying the autopsy report?’

Kong’s head lowered. He paused briefly before responding. ‘I did,’ he replied in a quiet voice.

‘How much?’

Kong’s head shot up to Colin. ‘I can’t I-’

‘How much were you paid, doctor?’ Colin repeated, firmly. ‘How much were you paid to falsify this autopsy report?’

Kong’s head lowered again. After a brief pause he mumbled, ‘$500,000.’

Colin shook his head in disgust.

‘I didn’t do it for the money, you understand,’ the doctor said. ‘When these people ask you to do something… They are not asking… They are telling you. The money is just a sweetener. If I’d refused… I too would probably be found floating in the harbor by now.’

Colin held his disgusted glare on the Doctor. He shook his head. He did not accept the Doctor had no choice.

‘So what happens now?’ Kong asked.

‘It’s all very simple,’ Colin said. ‘You need to tell me who paid you, how, and when you were paid, and what your acceptance of the payment obligated you to do,’ Colin said.

‘Or you can take your chances in court… Your call Doctor,’ Colin said. ‘I must advise you though, doctor, while I can seek indemnity from prosecution for the accessory to murder charge, I cannot offer you the same deal for the bribery,’ Colin declared. ‘That one you will have to wear. Do you understand?’

Kong appeared subservient in his mannerisms. His head bowed. He returned a slight nod to indicate his understanding.

‘Well. What’s it to be, doctor?’

‘If these people are convicted for this…’ Kong began. ‘Are they likely to go to prison?’

‘For a very long time, doctor,’ Colin replied. ‘That you can be sure of.’

Kong nodded once. His eyes fell to his desk. He rubbed a hand across his mouth and chin. Beads of perspiration formed across his forehead and upper lip.

‘OK… What do you want to know?’ he asked.’

Chapter 32

Back in New York…

After arriving home from work, David prepared a strong espresso coffee for himself and his wife.

With coffees in hand they moved to the lounge to sit and discuss their respective day’s events over a hot coffee.

Both Madison and David were understandably still struggling to cope with the loss of their son Miles. Whether they realized it or not, they each relied heavily on the support they provided each other.

During their chat, David was silently wondering how things were progressing in Hong Kong, when his cell phone began vibrating. He had received a text.

David lifted his phone up to Madison. ‘It’s a text from Colin. You know, my friend in Hong Kong,’ he said.

He opened the text and read the message.

“Are you free to Skype?”

’He wants to chat with me on Skype,’ David said ’Can you excuse me please, darling.

‘Of course.’

David moved to his den to access his iPad.

It wasn’t long before the smiling face of Colin Tseng filled his iPad screen and the two men from opposite sides of the world chatted freely, as though they were calling from the same zip code.

Colin had called to update David on the progress of his investigation. He informed David of the compelling evidence he had been able to locate that caused the Forensic Pathologist who performed the autopsy on Miles, to admit he had received a payment–a bribe, to falsify the autopsy report and toxicology analysis.

‘And guess who provided the bribe…’ Colin asked.

‘Ah, oh. OK…’ Colin’s impromptu quiz caught David unaware. ‘Um, Kevin Chung?’ David said. He answered quickly, without really giving the question any thought.

‘Close,’ Colin said. ‘His boss… The superintendent. Alan Cheng Chi-Wong.’

David nodded knowingly. ‘Mohawk Man’s father… Of course,’ David said. ‘Do you mind if I ask how much the doctor received, Colin?’

‘Not at all,’ Colin replied. ‘He was paid $500,000.’

‘Is that Hong Kong dollars or—?’

‘Hong Kong dollars.’

‘So let me see if I understand this correctly,’ David said. ‘A presumably well-paid and highly educated forensic pathologist falsified Miles’ autopsy report and the toxicology report for what… the equivalent of about $70,000 US?’ David said.

‘That’s correct.’

‘That is unbelievable.’ David shook his head in disbelief.

‘With the testimony from Doctor Kong as a key witness,’ Colin began, ‘We are in a very strong position to prosecute these corrupt police officers now,’ Colin said. ‘Let me tell you, David, they are in a great deal of trouble.’

‘That’s good to hear, Colin. And they deserve everything they get. So where to now?’ David asked.

‘I have interviewed all three police officers. Detective Jack Li Ming, Detective Sergeant Kevin Chung and Superintendent Alan Cheng Chi-Wong a few days ago and well…’ Colin said, ‘It’s a good thing we have Doctor Kong’s evidence and don’t have to rely on any admissions from these police.’

‘Didn’t go as you had planned?’

‘Oh no. On the contrary,’ Colin said. ’The interviews went exactly as I expected. All three men made no comment during their interviews.

‘You see David, I have been involved in numerous interviews of serving police officers and they rarely answer any questions put to them during the interview,’ Colin said. ‘They are careful not to incriminate themselves.’

‘How did the superintendent handle being interviewed?’ David asked. ‘It would’ve been a huge blow to his ego.’

’Prior to the interview commencing Superintendent Cheng became abusive and threatening towards me, unlike his colleagues who said nothing.

’During the interview Cheng vehemently objected to the inconvenience and humiliation of being subjected to the interview, when he claimed he had done nothing wrong.

‘Cheng sat mute with his arms tightly crossed over his stomach, arrogantly ignoring my questions and staring at the roof, where his gaze remained fixed for the entire interview,’ Colin said.

‘The only time this frozen expression changed was when I put the allegations of bribery involving Forensic Pathologist Doctor Kong to him. Cheng’s eyes flicked from the ceiling to me. He stared at me for several seconds. Then he slowly shook his head and returned to roof gazing.’

‘I would love to have seen that,’ David said. ‘To watch him squirming under the pressure.’

‘I actually found it quite interesting, David,’ Colin said. ‘At the completion of each of the interviews, I informed each man that I would be seeking to prosecute them for attempting to pervert the course of justice, tampering with evidence in a murder investigation and bribery related offences. Only one of the men offered any comment or response.’

‘Let me guess… Superintendent Cheng,’ David predicted.

‘Of course,’ Colin said. ’But it is what he said that I found interesting. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “don’t get your hopes up”. He then casually turned and exited my office, under escort to the ground floor.’

‘Mmm. What do you think that means?’ David asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Colin said. ‘With him… It could mean anything.’

Once Colin had completed his update, and following some brief small talk, they ended the Skype call.

---

Back in Hong Kong…

Almost two weeks had passed since Colin had conducted his interviews of the police officers suspected of being involved in the cover up of Miles’ murder.

A great deal of this time by Colin had been spent desk bound, finalizing evidence and preparing the prosecution briefs.

Due to his other competing caseloads and several meetings throughout the day, Colin decided to work back later than his usual 5pm finish time, to try and get on top of his workload.

It wasn’t until 8pm that he decided to call it quits for the day and head home for some dinner.

After making his way to the building’s secure underground garage, Colin retrieved his vehicle to head home. He exited from the garage turning left onto Java Road; a one-way street with all traffic travelling east.

He had only travelled two hundred yards, when he noticed a cab rapidly accelerating towards him, from a building driveway on his right. It clearly had no intention of trying to merge with the east bound traffic.

Colin watched in amazement as the cab crossed all lanes and skidded to a sudden stop in front of Colin’s vehicle, blocking the lanes.

The action caused Colin to brake heavily to narrowly avoid colliding with the side of this erratically driven cab.

As Colin sat cursing the actions of this crazy cab driver, a male dressed in black clothing, wearing a hooded wind cheater and dark glasses, quickly alighted from the cab’s driver’s door.

In what appeared to be a well-rehearsed action, the male assumed a shooter’s stance, leveled a pistol at Colin and squeezed off two rapid fire shots at him through his vehicle’s front windscreen.

Colin’s eyes flared when he noticed the gunman pointing a weapon directly at him. He took evasive action by lying down across the front seat – but he was too slow. The last thing he remembered was what felt like a sledgehammer had pounded into his body.

The gunman ran back to the cab and sped off from the scene, squealing the tires as the cab disappeared from view.

---

Colin slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurred. Fuzzy fluorescent lights quickly flicked by overhead. He was lying down, but seemed to be moving. He struggled to breathe and there was something over his nose and mouth.

He heard voices – several voices, but they were mostly indiscernible to him.

‘Mr. Tseng… Mr. Tseng. Can you hear me?’ he heard someone ask.

Colin rolled his eyes to his right and noticed the outline of a person beside him –a female.

‘Mr. Tseng. Can you hear me?’ the voice repeated.

Colin nodded, but all that really moved in response were his weary eyes that returned a long blink.

‘You are in the hospital. You have been shot and you have lost a lot of blood. We are taking you to surgery, now. Mr. Tseng. Mr. Tseng. Do you understand me?’ the voice asked.

Most of what she said failed to register with Colin. He lapsed in and out of consciousness.

---

After waking from what felt like a restful sleep, Colin immediately recognized he was in a hospital ward. A tight sling secured his right arm, while an intravenous drip fed into his left hand. He had a localized burning pain in his shoulder, which caused him discomfort.

He scanned the single-bed room while he tried to recall what had happened – why was he there? But it wasn’t coming back to him.

‘How are you feeling?’ a voice from his left asked.

He rolled his head towards the nurse entering his room. She moved to stand beside him as she checked and adjusted the controls on the various machines attached to him.

‘Do you know where you are?’ she asked.

‘Hospital,’ Colin grunted, as he struggled to summons the energy to talk. ‘But why?’

‘You were brought in by ambulance three nights ago. You received a gunshot wound to the shoulder,’ the nurse said. ‘Do you remember what happened?’

Colin stared up at the ceiling as he tried to remember. Closing his eyes he found himself watching a vivid re-run of the red and white cab screeching to a halt, blocking the road in front of him and the gunman jumping out and firing at him.

His eyes sprung open as the sounds of the gunshots reverberated in the re-runs in his mind.

‘What day is it?’ Colin asked.

‘It’s Friday. Friday afternoon.’ The nurse checked her watch. ‘The time is 3.45pm.’

’Did you say… three nights ago? I was brought in here three nights ago? Have I been out for three days?’

’You lost a lot of blood when you arrived. You were on the operating table for quite some time. The bullet passed right through and out the back.

‘You had to have blood transfusions, several pints in fact. The doctors wanted to keep you heavily sedated after the operation. You should probably rest now,’ the nurse said.

He knew all too well that this failed attempt to kill him had Superintendent Cheng’s grubby hands all over it.

He had just learned firsthand that Superintendent Cheng was definitely as dangerous as he had previously been described.

---

The sound of nearby voices disturbed Colin’s convalescent slumber. His eyes sprung open. His nerves had still not settled since the shooting.

A nurse stood with two cops at the door way to his room.

‘Mr. Tseng… The police are here. They want to ask you some questions. Do you feel up to it?’ the nurse asked.

Colin returned an almost indiscernible nod of his head. ‘Sure,’ he said.

During their ensuing discussion, the police informed Colin that they believed the shooting appeared to be a targeted hit. They asked if he had any idea who would want him dead.

Colin couldn’t trust the police, so he decided not to tell them how he believed their own superintendent was behind it. Instead, he told the police he had no idea who would do this to him.

Police mentioned they had recovered the cab they believe was used in the shooting, in a nearby side street, shortly after the event.

There were no prints and no witnesses that had come forward at this stage. The cab had been reported stolen the day before the shooting.

Police also said they recovered two rounds from Colin’s car. One round lodged in the driver’s seat and the other round lodged in the rear passenger seat head rest.

The round recovered in the driver’s seat contained blood and tissue, while the other round was clean. Police deduced that the round found in the rear seat must have missed when Colin took evasive action.

The police told Colin that they believe his actions of lunging to his left probably saved his life. Instead of the two bullets hitting him center chest, as clearly intended, only one bullet caught him in the right shoulder, as he fell to his left.

Luckily for Colin, the gunman didn’t take the time to check his work, opting instead to immediately flee the scene.

In a perfect world, Colin would always report his concerns to the police, but because he suspected the police were responsible for putting him in hospital, he decided to play his cards close to his chest.

At that moment he didn’t know which Police were involved and which Police he could trust and he risked losing vital evidence if he disclosed what he knew.

Once he had nothing further to add, the police left the hospital.

Chapter 33

After his fourth day in hospital Colin started to feel much stronger. He could move around the hospital ward and discussed the prospects of going home with hospital staff.

Colin sat by the window in his hospital room watching the world go by, like a geriatric patient in an aged care facility.

He smiled when he heard the familiar, friendly voices of two colleagues, Sam and Roger, who had popped in for a visit.

Colin found it comforting and relaxing sitting and chatting with his work colleagues. Despite their discussions mostly being work related, he found the direct connection to his regular life therapeutic.

‘Would you guys believe that I’m actually looking forward to getting back to work? I want to finish the brief in the Miles Bower matter,’ Colin said to his colleagues who sat with him by the window.

Sam and Roger exchanged a brief glance without commenting.

‘What?’ Colin said. ‘What is it…? What’s wrong?’

Sam glanced at Roger and motioned with his head towards Colin. ‘Show him the article,’

Roger nodded and removed a newspaper from his backpack and handed it to Colin.

Colin accepted the newspaper. ‘What’s this?’ he asked.

As he unfolded it, he noted the banner. He had been handed a copy of The Standard newspaper.

‘What am I looking at?’ he inquired as he opened the newspaper.

‘Page three,’ Sam said.

Colin scanned page three searching for something of relevance that should be obvious to him. Nothing jumped out at him though.

Feeling a little frustrated by their games, Colin said, ‘I give up. What is it that I am supposed to be looking for?’

Sam gestured to a news article with the heading, “Prominent Doctor Slain Execution Style”. Colin started to read the article. After a brief read he collapsed the newspaper onto his lap. ‘Ah no. Are you kidding me?’ He rolled his eyes. ‘When…?’ he asked.

‘Two days ago,’ Sam said. He flicked a finger at Colin. ‘It’s all in the article,’ he said

Colin continued to read.

“One of Hong Kong’s most revered and experienced Forensic Pathologist was found shot dead Thursday evening while seated behind the wheel of his luxury Mercedes Benz motor vehicle. Doctor Kong Tze San, 61 years, who was a long time servant at the Hong Kong Public Mortuary had been shot twice in the head from close range – execution style. Police suspect the gunman was lying in wait for Doctor Kong as he returned home from work…”

Colin had read enough. He scrunched the newspaper up in his hands.

‘My water tight case just sprung a leak,’ Colin said.

‘Do you still have enough though to secure a conviction without the Doctor’s evidence?’ Roger asked.

Colin screwed the newspaper into a tight ball and threw it to the floor. He rose from his chair and paced around the room, while he contemplated.

‘It’s not strong,’ he said. He rubbed a concerned hand across his mouth. ‘Without Kong’s evidence… It’s not strong… and they know that,’ Colin blurted.

‘They know without the doctor’s evidence, I would not have enough, that’s why they took him out—well, that and probably payback for talking to me.’

Colin moved to the window. He looked out beyond the concerned reflection staring back at him, as he thought out loud. ‘First they try me, then they get the Doc,’ Colin said. He shook a frustrated head.

‘Once they realized they missed you,’ Sam began. ’They will try again, Colin. You have to notify the cops. Get some protection, or something.’

‘I know… But I think one of their own did this,’ Colin gestured to his shoulder.

’Doesn’t matter who did it Col, all the cops need to do is realize that you are in danger and you need protection from any future attempts,’ Sam said.’

‘You’re probably right,’ Colin replied. ‘I’ll think about it.’

---

Back in New York City…

‘Excuse me. sir…’ The voice of David’s Executive Assistant Lila, echoed through his intercom. ‘You have a visitor,’ she announced.

David checked his watch. It showed 10.30am. He flicked through the pages of his diary. His face held a vague stare.

‘Did I have an appointment this morning?’ he asked.

’Ah, No, sir. This gentleman has just arrived and asked to see you. He said his name is Mr. Colin Tseng… He says he is in from Hong Kong,”

‘Colin…?’ David said. ‘Ah… Send him in please, Lila.’

David pushed himself away from his desk and moved to his office doors. As he approached, Lila swung open the oversized double solid timber doors to reveal the smiling face of Colin Tseng standing in the office doorway.

David moved quickly towards the door to welcome his unexpected guest. He extended his right hand to greet him, but then noticed the sling over Colin’s right arm. Colin extended his left hand and the two friends shook hands – left handed.

‘What have you done to yourself?’ he said. He extended his arm into his office. ‘Please, come in.’

‘Thank you,’ Colin said. He followed David through his oversized luxurious office.

Both men made their way to David’s plush lounge at the west end of his office. As Colin strolled, his eyes scanned the office in a typical first-time look around at the opulence and grandeur of the room.

Colin veered over to the west wall of ceiling-to-floor windows and gazed out over the stunning vistas towards the Hudson River, in the distance.

‘I thought my views of the Harbor were good…’ Colin said. ‘But these views are amazing, David.’

‘They are pretty special, aren’t they?’

David extended a hand towards his luxury leather lounge. ‘Please. Have a seat. When did you get in?’

Colin moved to sit as requested. ‘About two hours ago.’ He lowered himself into the soft lounge chair.

‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming. I would have arranged for your collection at the airport.’

‘That’s OK. It was a last minute thing.’

‘Where are you staying? Have you booked in anywhere? We have plenty of room at my place,’ David asked in quick fire succession.

Colin smiled at David’s rapid questions. ‘It’s all taken care of thanks, David,’ he said. He raised a reassuring hand. ‘I’m staying at the Hotel Elysée for a couple of nights.’

‘Ah yes… On East 54th. That’s a nice hotel,’ David said. ‘So…’ he briskly rubbed his hands together. ‘It’s too early in the morning for a scotch… Can I get you a coffee?’ David offered.

‘Coffee would be great, thanks.’

David moved towards the nearby wall mounted intercom. He turned back to Colin as he walked. ‘It’s great to see you Colin. But you still haven’t told me why the surprise visit… Or what happened to your arm,’ he said.

At the intercom David pressed a button. ‘Lila, could you bring me two espresso coffees, please.’

‘Certainly, sir.’

Once back at his lounge, he lowered himself into a seat opposite Colin. ‘Gee it’s good to see you again, my friend. How has everything been going? I haven’t heard from you since… When was it?’ He asked himself. ‘Ah yes, our last Skype call about two weeks ago. You told me that the pathologist… What was his name…?’ David clicked his fingers.

‘Kong… Doctor Kong Tze San,’ Colin said.

‘That’s him,’ David said. ‘He had just admitted to accepting a bribe and you had interviewed the police,’ David recalled. ‘How have things gone since?’

Colin edged himself to the front of his seat. ‘Well… That’s sort of the reason why I am here, David,’ Colin said. His eyes lowered to the plush carpet in front of him, ‘Ah… As you know… I interviewed each of the police officers involved and that went as expected,’ Colin said. ‘They each made no comment. But that’s OK. I expected that from them.’

Colin momentarily paused his discussion when Lila entered the room and placed a tray containing the requested coffees, along with an assortment of cookies, cakes and pastries onto the large glass top coffee table.

She offered a pleasant smile and then returned to her desk.

‘Thank you, Lila,’ David said, as she moved to exit the office.

Colin watched Lila as she exited, waiting until she had closed the office doors before he continued.

‘After the interviews, everything went pear shaped,’ Colin said.

David’s smile of expectation suddenly vanished under a frown of worry lines. ‘I don’t understand,’ David said. ‘Pear shaped. What went pear shaped…?’

‘About two weeks after the interviews,’ Colin began. ‘I had just left the office garage to drive home and I was ambushed. I –’

‘Ambushed…?’ Concern lines filled David’s frowning face. He closely regarded his friend.

Colin nodded. ‘A guy in a stolen cab cut me off – forced me to stop in the middle of the road… When I did, he jumped from his vehicle and fired two shots at me through the front windscreen. One missed and the other…’ Colin indicated his shoulder. ‘Hit me here.’

David’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. ‘Are you alright?’ David asked.

‘No. I’m good. The bullet went straight through. Apparently that’s a good thing, I don’t know,’ Colin said. ‘But it gets worse. The bullet wound kept me in hospital for about four or five days and while I was in there…’

He paused to rummage through the folder he brought with him. He removed a copy of The Standard newspaper.

‘They shot and killed Doctor Kong.’

Colin opened the paper to page three and indicated the relevant article, then handed the paper to David to read.

‘I suspect the attempt on me followed by the murder of Doctor Kong has one common denominator – Superintendent Cheng,’ Colin said.

‘No doubt…’ David said. He read the article. It still hadn’t registered with David that the death of Doctor Kong severely weekend their case.

‘Police ballistics matched the rounds from Doctor Kong to the one removed from my shoulder,’ Colin said. ‘The same shooter – or at the very least, the same gun—was used in both incidents. And both targets are linked to your case.’

David’s eyes lifted from the newspaper. ‘First they tried you, then they killed the Doctor?’ David said as he tried to understand the happenings. ‘But why? Is it because he would be giving evidence against them?’ David said.

Colin nodded. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘To both silence him and to weaken our case,’ he said.

David’s face tightened. His shoulders dropped slightly. ‘Weaken our case…?’ David repeated, before collapsing back in his lounge chair as the realization suddenly hit him. ’This… isn’t a social visit, is it, Colin?’ He said.

Colin allowed a couple of silent seconds to pass by before responding. ‘I wish it was, David… I really do,’ Colin said. ‘Look… I’ll get straight to the point…’ he said.

He gently lobbed the folder he was holding onto the coffee table in front of him. He watched it slide on the table, before continuing.

’The evidence from Doctor Kong was crucial in the case. My legal advice since is that without it… we are unlikely to achieve a successful prosecution,’ Colin said. ’But there is a way around it, which is why I am here. I didn’t want to discuss something like this with you over the phone, or Skype. I wanted to discuss it with you in person.’

David held Colin’s gaze. He frowned. ’Something like what?’ David asked cautiously.

Colin stood from his seat and moved towards the wall of windows. David watched on. At the window Colin briefly glanced out before turning back to David.

’The evidence of the falsified autopsy and toxicology tests were crucial… Are crucial to our case. Without that evidence, well… we basically don’t have enough,’ Colin said.

’Dr Kong would’ve provided that evidence. Now that he has been taken care of… There is another way,’ Colin said. ‘There is another way we can prove the autopsy report has been falsified, David.’

‘How…?’ David asked. ‘Without the Doctor who performed the autopsy… How can we prove the report is false?’

Colin waited, as though searching for the right words, or maybe even to build up courage to continue with his next request. ‘We order a second autopsy,’ he said. He cringed slightly when the words left his mouth.

David sprung to his feet. ’A second autopsy…’ he repeated. ‘You mean…’ David paused to find the words, which had lodged somewhere in his throat. His eyes darted.

Colin nodded. ‘That’s right, David,’ he said. ‘Conduct a second autopsy on Miles. Exhume his body and conduct a second autopsy.’

David cupped his forehead. He moved over to the north-facing windows, overlooking Central Park. He paused and stared blankly out the window while he processed Colin’s request.

He steepled his fingers in front of his face while he absorbed this most difficult proposal.

Several minutes passed by while David stared out the window in silent contemplation. This was a very difficult decision he had to make.

Disturb his son’s eternal rest for the sake of trying to convict these corrupt police, or just refuse, and that would inevitably allow them to get away with it.

He wanted so much to bring these corrupt police to justice for the sake of his son. He wanted to clear his boy’s name and to ensure justice was served. He had invested too much time into this to walk away now.

Visions of his interaction with the arrogant Superintendent Cheng filled his thoughts, which were closely followed by his recollections of conversations with the equally arrogant Sergeant Chung.

David turned to face his friend. ‘Is there any other way, Colin?’

Colin slowly shook his head. ‘I wish there were, David. I really do. But it is completely your decision,’ Colin said. ‘Please don’t feel pressured.’

David held Colin’s gaze momentarily before turning back to gaze out over his view of the park.

‘I want your honest opinion,’ David said. He turned to face his friend. He held Colin’s gaze while he walked back to a nearby lounge chair and leaned his hands on the back.

‘Do you think a second autopsy will reveal anything? Can you be sure that it won’t be a waste of time disturbing my boy’s grave site?’ David asked.

Colin’s mouth straightened. ‘Nothing is guaranteed, David,’ Colin said. He punctuated his comment with a shake of the head. ’But if you are asking my opinion… I honestly believe, based on all the evidence I have seen, that a second autopsy will prove the first one is false.’

‘But how will it link in Superintendent Cheng, or anyone else?’

‘I can still use the Doctor’s signed confession, but because he cannot give the evidence-in-chief himself, or be subjected to cross examination of the evidence, very little reliance can be placed on his uncorroborated evidence,’ Colin said.

‘But with the new autopsy corroborating the Doctor’s story, plus the fact he was a prosecution witness who was assassinated, the new autopsy will give the Doctor’s statement credibility and substance,’ Colin said. ‘Plus, I will be submitting his banking statements and other evidence he provided in his admission.’

David rubbed a thoughtful hand across his mouth while he continued to absorb Colin’s comments.

‘I have thought long and hard over this…’ Colin said. ‘I wouldn’t have flown all the way over here to ask you, unless I truly believed it will be a worthwhile exercise.’

‘No. I am well aware of that, Colin,’ David said. ‘I am aware you would not be asking me to do this, if you had alternatives. I’m not sure how I will tell Miles’ mother, though,’ he said. ‘She is the one that will require convincing and she still doesn’t know her son was murdered,’ David revealed. He turned away towards the window, embarrassed over that revelation.

’You still haven’t told her…?’ Colin moved to re-sit on the lounge. ‘That is going to present a challenge. Are you sure you want to do this, David?’

David stared blankly out the window. ‘No. I’m not sure…’ he said before moving to sit opposite Colin. ‘But OK. Let’s do it. I will tell Maddie what you require and try to convince her that it is the right option for Miles,’ David said.

’But you have to be there,’ he added. ‘She is bound to have questions and concerns and you are the best one to address those.’

‘If that is what it takes, David. I only want what is best for you and your family.’

David rose from his seat and moved to the nearby intercom. ‘Lila, clear my diary for today,’ David said. ‘Reschedule any meetings that I have, please. I am not contactable until further notice. Have my car brought around the front.’

Chapter 34

‘I am so pleased to finally meet you, Colin. David often referred to you during our conversations,’ Madison said.

‘It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bower.’

‘Please. Call me Madison…’

‘OK. Madison.’ Colin flashed his brilliant white teeth.

Little did Madison know, this visit would leave lasting memories–for all the wrong reasons.

The mid-morning rendezvous started out pleasantly and progressed well, until such time as David decided to bring his wife up to speed in relation to Miles’ tragedy.

Over sixty minutes passed while David, and where appropriate, Colin, updated a stunned Madison on the true circumstances of Miles’ death, and the chain of events that followed.

Colin showed the relevant evidence to Madison as she learned of the true fate of her son, the attacks on her husband, the CCTV video footage, the attempts to silence Colin, the execution of the pathologist, Mohawk Man and the corrupt police behind it all. Nothing was spared in the presentation.

‘It all sounds like a review of a Hollywood action movie,’ Madison commented.

Maddie surprisingly accepted the explanation and she expressed sympathy for what her husband had to endure in Hong Kong.

She even commented how she understood why David had chosen to insulate her from the actual truth.

The mood quickly soured however when discussions moved towards the prospect of exhuming Miles’ body, for the purpose of a second autopsy.

Madison sprung to her feet and glared at David. ‘What are you saying, David?’ She asked directly. ‘You want to… To dig up our son’s body,’ she said with arms flailing. ‘You want to disturb his rest.’

Madison crossed her arms tightly in protest. ‘I won’t have it, David,’ she said firmly before directing her glare to Colin. ’`You are not disturbing my son’s grave.’ She shook a finger at Colin for emphasis.

‘Apart from restoring Miles’ integrity and character, justice had to be served on those people who took Miles from us,’ David said, in his convincing best. ‘These corrupt and violent people then covered it up and tried to portray our boy as a drug addict…’ David jabbed a finger at nothing.

‘They have to be held accountable for their actions,’ David said. ‘This will not, and cannot happen without a second autopsy,’ David said in closing his well-delivered argument.

Madison’s crossed arms fell limp. ‘I understand why you want to do this David. But is it truly necessary? You want to disturb our son’s grave.’

David looked to Colin for support on this one. Colin leaned his elbows on his knees before saying, ’I understand what you are going through, Madison. Truly I do. But if we are to bring these people to justice… Well, this is the only way,’ Colin said.

’I’m not sure this is something you want to hear now, but I can assure you that once the examination has been completed, Miles will be returned and nothing will appear any different.

‘You won’t be able to tell anything has happened. And what’s more…’ Colin said in his attempt to close the proposal. ‘The truth about what actually happened to your son may finally be discovered,’ he said. ‘Isn’t that important? Knowing what you know now,’ Colin said. ’I think it is. I know I would want to know.’

Madison’s saddened eyes flicked to her husband. The sparkle was gone. Her shoulders rounded as she appeared deflated. David embraced his wife to comfort her, as she broke down and sobbed into his shoulder.

After several minutes, David gently pushed himself away from his wife. With his hands reassuringly resting on her shoulders, he looked deep into her reddened eyes.

‘With all my heart I believe this is the right thing Maddie…’ David said. ‘But the last thing I want to do is bring you any further heartache over this. I don’t want to hurt you,’ he said. ‘So if you are definitely set against this happening, then I—’

’No,’ Madison said. ‘No.’ She shook her head with lips pressed tightly together. ’I don’t want this to happen, David,’ she said. ‘But I trust you. I trust you and I know you would not ask this of me, unless you genuinely believed it is absolutely necessary. No. I don’t want this to happen to our little boy, David,’ she said. ‘But you do what you have to do to finish this thing, once and for all.’

David gently pulled his wife in close and embraced her tightly. No words were needed. Enough had been said already. His tight loving embrace was as clear as any spoken word he could offer.

---

Once David finally decided to go ahead with the second autopsy, and with Madison’s reluctant consent, it took three days to acquire the necessary orders and authorities to permit the exhumation of Miles’ body.

As the family was challenging the Hong Kong Government Pathologist’s original findings, the subsequent post mortem examination had to be fully funded and organized by David.

Colin elected to remain in New York and witness the entire process.

With the assistance of Colin, David researched, located and engaged the services of a New York based forensic pathologist with over thirty-five years’ experience – A Doctor Michael Fowler.

David and Colin promptly met with Doctor Fowler and updated him on the circumstances surrounding why the second autopsy was required.

They arranged a mutually suitable date and Miles’ body was exhumed, re-examined and then returned to his resting place.

Three days after the completion of Miles’ subsequent examination, the Doctor contacted David and requested a meeting at the Doctor’s office, to discuss his findings in person.

After arriving at the Doctor’s office with Colin, they paused prior to entering. David leveled his hand out to Colin. His hand shook uncontrollably.

‘This is how I felt before I entered the Hong Kong Public Mortuary to formally identify Miles,’ David said.

Colin placed a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. ‘You’ve got this…’ Colin reassured.

Doctor Fowler was a lean built, softly spoken man of average height. Aged in his early sixties, his male pattern baldness and silver grey hair was surprisingly distinguishing. Dressed in a bespoke suit, rather than the cliché full length white coat, he wore designer framed gold rimmed glasses and appeared to David to be a typical medical academic.

Once the standard greetings were out of the way, the Doctor invited both men to sit opposite him at his desk.

Doctor Fowler opened the manila folder on his desk in front of him and flicked through the pages. He removed a document and closed the folder. His visitors anxiously watched on.

The Doctor placed the document on the desk in front of himself and leaned forward onto his elbows, clasping his hands together. He peered over the top of his gold rimmed glasses at David and Colin.

‘Well,’ the Doctor began, still casually leaning on his elbows. ‘As you know, David, I have completed my examination of your son,’ he said. ‘Fortunately the body had been embalmed prior to being transported back from Hong Kong, so this had delayed the decomposition.’

David stared blankly back at the Doctor in silence as he wrestled with the graphic images of his son, the Doctor had just placed in his mind.

The Doctor lifted the report from the desk and sat back in his chair. ‘I must say, David…’ He peered over the top of his glasses. ‘Your suspicions were well justified,’ he said.

David exchanged a brief glance with Colin.

‘My examination was in complete contrast to the autopsy performed by Doctor, ah…’ he paused while he shuffled documents on his desk to locate the original autopsy report, which he picked up and read,

‘Kong Tze San,’ he said, then dropped Doctor Kong’s falsified autopsy report back onto the desk.

‘Complete contrast…?’ David asked.

‘Absolutely,’ Fowler said. ‘That report,’ he flicked his finger at Dr Kong’s report. ‘Determined the cause of death was by drowning,’ Fowler said. ‘That couldn’t be further from the truth. When I examined your son’s lungs they were dry.’

‘O-K…’ David said slowly, waiting for further explanation. His layman understanding of anatomy wasn’t surprised by that finding.

‘Given the time that has transpired since this occurred…’ David said. ‘Wouldn’t there be an expectation that Miles’ lungs would have well and truly dried out by now?’

The Doctor smiled at David’s ignorant comments. ‘When a person dies from drowning, they actually asphyxiate from their lungs filling up with water,’ Doctor Fowler began.

’When the lungs of someone who drowns are examined post mortem, they should be heavy, wet and distended and they tend to balloon out.

‘Evidence of this would still be present even during my examination, if… Miles had drowned. As it turned out, I found none of those conditions to be present in my examination,’ he said. ‘Your son’s lungs were completely normal. He definitely did not drown in the Hong Kong harbor,’ he reassured.

‘I understand…’ David said nodding. ’So what was the true cause of death…?’

’Bludgeoning with a blunt instrument – or more commonly referred to as, blunt force trauma to the head,’ Fowler said.

David collapsed back in his chair at hearing the news. His jaw dropped under his blank stare. He glanced at Colin, who returned an equally surprised expression.

The Doctor continued. ‘My examination found that your son had a severe depressed fracture of the Parietal Bone in his skull.’ The Doctor moved his hand to the upper-rear area of his head. ‘Around this area here…’ he indicated on himself.

‘The blow, or more likely, blows, caused a comminuted fracture resulting in the broken fragments being displaced inward into Miles’ brain. Your son was dead before his body entered the water,’ he announced quite matter-of-fact.

‘The injury your son sustained occurred peri mortem and in my opinion, it was the cause of your son’s death,’ he concluded.

‘I’m sorry, Doctor…’ David shook his head. ‘Peri mortem…?’

‘Ah—yes. It’s a term that refers to occurring at the time of death,’ Fowler said.

David’s head lowered. He instantly relived the visions of Mohawk man punching his defenseless son in the elevator. He now realized the truth of what happened to Miles after he these animals dragged him from view of the hotel cameras.

The escalating contempt he felt for these individuals was only surpassed by his overwhelming concern for what his son must’ve endured in his last hours alive.

‘Are you OK, David?’ Colin asked.

David nodded slightly. ‘I’m OK,’ he said. ‘It’s just difficult to hear some of this,’ he said.

‘Would you like to take a break, Mr. Bower. Or maybe I can simply provide you with my report to read in your own time,’ Doctor Fowler offered.

David raised his hand at the Doctor. ‘No, I’m OK, Doctor, really. I prefer to hear your explanations. It helps me understand the various terminologies.’

‘Alright… Good,’ The Doctor said. ‘Would you like me to continue then…?’

‘Please.’ David extended his hand to the Doctor.

‘Now…’ the Doctor started. ‘That report there from Doctor… Kong.’ He indignantly flicked his finger at the report on the desk. ‘Recorded no injuries to your son’s body, with the exception of a small nodular protuberance on his forehead,’ he said. ‘I can tell you that the small lump referred to, occurred post mortem – or after your son had died,’ Doctor Fowler said.

‘Why would they do that?’ David asked.

‘That’s not my area of expertise, Mr. Bower,’ the doctor replied.

‘Tell me, Doctor…’ Colin said. ‘Could it have been done to try and justify their assertions that Miles had slipped and hit head before falling into the water…?’

’That would certainly fit, but you understand, I cannot comment on the why in this case,’ Doctor Fowler said. ‘My professional expertise in circumstances such as these does not extend to supposition,’ he said bluntly.

‘Now, continuing…’ Fowler said. ’My examination of your son found that he had sustained extensive injuries. These included seven broken ribs and a collapsed right lung. Numerous large contusions covered his body, some of which had hemorrhaged deep into the subcutaneous tissues.

‘He also had a rupturing of his kidney and liver,’ he said glancing over his glasses at David. ‘It is my medical opinion, Mr. Bower that your son was the recipient of an extremely severe and violent assault as well, which occurred ante mortem…’ Doctor Fowler said. ‘Or, before he died,’ he clarified.

David sat listening to the Doctor’s summary with tears welling up in his eyes. He couldn’t help but think of his boy and the suffering he must have endured before he died.

This exercise was becoming more difficult than viewing his boy’s lifeless body in the Hong Kong mortuary.

At the conclusion of his summary the Doctor lifted a large envelope from his desk and handed it to David.

‘My complete post-mortem examination report is in there for you,’ he said. ‘I have also included a copy of the video coverage of the full examination on a disc for the relevant authorities, and all relevant photographs taken during the examination,’ he said.

’My report and supporting evidence will conclusively demonstrate the autopsy report prepared by Doctor Kong is a complete fabrication.

---

David held a vacant stare as he exited the Doctor’s office. His eyes were glazed and his facial expression was vague. He had heard far more than he needed to know during this meeting.

As a parent, the details provided by the Doctor were very difficult to hear and process.

Knowing the brutality that had been metered out on his defenseless boy before he died was something that would stay with him for a very long time.

The information also served to fuel his growing anger and contempt for the people responsible for Miles’ death, and the corrupt police who went to extraordinary lengths cover it up.

David was reassured when Colin informed him the case against these individuals was now back on track.

Colin returned to Hong Kong the day following the meeting with Doctor Fowler, taking with him the latest evidence provided by the Doctor.

Chapter 35

Two weeks had passed since David and Colin met with David’s appointed Pathologist, where he learned in detail the suffering his poor boy must have endured before he died.

None of the gory details were shared with Madison, so David couldn’t talk his feelings through with anyone. It had taken him every bit of those past fourteen days to try and get the violent images of his son out of his thoughts.

The end of a long business week had finally arrived. David’s business partner and good friend, Julian made dinner reservations for four at Le Bernardin restaurant, for David and Madison to join him and his wife, Bronwyn for dinner.

A busy day of executive responsibilities had prevented both men from leaving the office early, as planned, despite it being a Friday.

Fortunately the restaurant of choice was located nearby the office on West 51st Street, but they still had to collect their wives for their 8.30pm reservation.

Julian burst through David’s office door, excitedly rubbing his hands together, as he approached David, who was still seated at his desk.

‘Come on, man… I’m sure whatever it is you’re doing can wait until Monday,’ Julian said in a jovial and upbeat manner. ‘We’ve got dinner reservations waiting for us… Along with a glass or three of the finest red,’ he said.

David glanced at his watch and noted the time approached 8pm. The almost child-like excitement on the face of his colleague brought a smile to David’s face.

‘OK. OK… You are right,’ he conceded. ‘Let’s do this.’ He closed the screen of his laptop.

He leaned on his intercom and requested Lila to arrange for his vehicle to be brought around front.

‘I hoped we could squeeze in one or two single malts before dinner, as well,’ Julian said. The two men made their way to the external office door.

‘No reason why we can’t,’ David replied.

‘Your vehicle will be waiting for you out front, sir,’ Lila said as both men strolled past her desk.’

David smiled at Lila, nodded and said, ‘thank you Lila.’ Both men strolled to the elevator.

‘Lila’s working back late this evening,’ Julian observed.

‘Yes…’ David said. ‘We have a few issues in San Francisco that she is assisting me with,’

‘Ah…’

Julian pressed the elevator call button and both men silently monitored the progress of the next elevator.

Julian checked his watch. ‘The women should be ready by now, so…’ he began. ‘All we have to do is pick them up on the way. I don’t know about you… but I could eat a horse.’

David nodded his agreement, but before he could respond, Lila called out to him from her desk.

‘Excuse me, sir.’

David turned to Lila. She held a telephone receiver up to him.

‘It’s the San Francisco office,’ she said. ‘They have an urgent matter that requires your attention.’ David checked his watch.

‘I told them you were finished for the day,’ Lila continued. ‘But they insisted I contact you urgently.’

David rolled his eyes as the familiar ‘ding’ sounded to announce the elevator’s arrival. The elevator doors sprung open.

Julian waved a hand at David. ‘Go,’ Julian said. ‘Go fix the problem and I will collect the girls.’ Julian held his hand in front of the elevator doors to prevent them closing, while waiting for David’s decision.

‘Alright,’ David said. ‘I’ll be quick. You collect the girls and come back via the office and pick me up on the way. I should be ready by then,’ David said. ‘Oh…’ David paused at his office door. ‘Take my car… It’s already out front waiting.’

‘It’s under control, David,’ Julian said with a reassuring smile. He moved into the elevator. ‘Just go and take care of business,’ he said before the elevator doors swallowed him up.

David watched the elevator doors close on Julian. He couldn’t help but smile in admiration of his good friend and colleague. Julian had been incredibly supportive of David since he and Madison lost Miles.

‘You will find the San Francisco office on line two, sir.’

’Thank you, Lila. Why don’t you head off home now. I’ll be right from here.

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘I’ll lock up when I leave,’ he said before disappearing into his office to address the urgent issue.

---

Julian exited the office building and strolled across the sidewalk to David’s awaiting Maybach. Phillip alighted from the vehicle as Julian approached and opened the rear door.

‘Good evening, Mr. Davis,’ Phillip said with a nod.

‘Good evening, Phillip,’ Julian replied. ‘We won’t be waiting for Mr. Bower. He has been momentarily detained,’ he said, then climbed into the rear seat of the vehicle.

‘Very good, sir,’ Phillip said.

He closed the rear door and made his way to the driver’s seat, where he waited further instruction.

‘First we will go by Mr. Bower’s home to pick up Mrs. Bower,’ Julian instructed. ‘Then from there we will swing by my place to pick up my wife,’ he said. ‘Once we have the ladies, we will come by and pick up Mr. Bower. Is that clear?’ Julian asked.

‘Very clear, sir,’ Phillip said.

Philip drove along his usual route towards the Bower residence. Turning left onto Madison Avenue, Phillip continued north towards East 69th Street, while Julian enjoyed a glass of red wine that Phillip had poured for both him and David.

Friday evening traffic along Madison Avenue was particularly heavy. The dawdling traffic caused Phillip to narrowly miss crossing the intersection with East 64th Street, where he remained first in line when the lights next changed back to green.

Julian checked his watch. ‘Look… I know you are doing your best, Phillip,’ he said. ‘But where you are able to… Can we push it along a bit. We have an 8.30 dinner reservation.’

Phillip’s eyes lifted to his rear vision mirror, towards his passenger. ‘Of course, sir. I’ll see what I can do.’

Once the lights turned green, the traffic on the depart side of the intersection in Madison Avenue had not moved very far away, due to the congestion. Phillip entered the congested intersection, probably because of Julian’s earlier request.

Phillip slowly crawled the Maybach to the congested, depart side of the intersection, waiting for the cars ahead of him to move forward, to allow his vehicle to fully exit the intersection.

As the vehicle came to a stop, still within the intersection, a loud revving from a car engine under heavy acceleration could be heard by all in the vicinity of the intersection.

Unfortunately for Phillip and Julian, the sound-proofing in the luxury Maybach eliminated all external noises. All that could be heard from inside the car were the accompanying sounds of classical music softly playing.

Phillip glanced to his left at the yellow cab travelling at high speed, directly towards their stationary vehicle, just as the cab rammed the driver’s side of the Maybach.

The impact shunted the luxury vehicle to its right causing Phillip’s head to strike the driver’s door window, instantly knocking him unconscious. The cab wedged into the driver’s side of the Maybach.

An Asian man, devoid of any form of disguise, alighted from the cab, leveled a pistol and fired two quick shots into Julian, seated in the rear of the vehicle.

He then moved closer to the passenger door where he took a more deliberate aim at the critically injured Julian and fired a single shot into Julian’s head at close range.

The force from the impact knocked Julian’s limp body sideways. A mist of blood and brain matter sprayed up the passenger side window.

The gunman then raised his pistol at Phillip. The unconscious driver had noticeable head injuries and had slumped forward over the steering wheel. The man lowered his gun.

The assassin glanced around briefly at the screaming bystanders fleeing for the nearest cover. He returned his pistol to its holster and ran off on foot in a westerly direction along East 64th Street towards, and eventually into, the vast wooded expanse of Central Park.

---

David had not long completed his call with his San Francisco office when he received a call from building security. They were calling to advise that homicide detectives were in the foyer wishing to chat with someone from DAVBOW Capital Management.

‘Homicide…?’ David questioned. ‘OK. Send them up.’

David held a blank stare as he hung up the phone. Thoughts of concern flooded his mind.

Two stern-faced detectives arrived at his office and introduced themselves to David. He greeted both men and gestured towards his lounge area.

‘Please. Come through…’ David said.

As he escorted the Detectives through the office, David asked, ‘What can I do for you, Gentlemen…?’

‘Our inquiries indicate that a silver-grey Maybach, license plate DAVBOW1, is registered to this office address…’

‘That is correct. It is my vehicle, but it is registered to my company, DavBow Capital Management…’ David’s face tightened. ‘What seems to be the problem? Why are you asking about my vehicle…?’

‘Does anyone else drive your vehicle, or just you…?’

’Just me… Well… What I mean is… I have a driver, Philip, who drives me.’

The detectives exchanged a brief glance before one continued. ‘Where is your vehicle at the moment…?’

‘Philip is driving my business partner to collect our wives.’ David checked his watch. ‘We have an 8.30 dinner appointment.’

David noticed the detectives again exchange a brief glance. ‘Look… You’re making me uncomfortable, gentlemen, with all your questions… What seems to be the trouble…?’

’What is your business partner’s name…?′

‘Julian Davis…’ David replied firmly. His brow furrowed as he regarded his visitors. ‘But you haven’t answered my question… What seems to be the problem…? Why are you asking about Julian and my vehicle…?’

’A short time ago, a cab rammed your vehicle at the corner of Madison and East 64th. The driver is still alive, but unconscious. However, the rear seat passenger is deceased.

‘He was shot three times. It appeared to be an execution style shooting – double tap to the body and one to the head at close range,’ they bluntly advised. ‘The ID we found on the deceased passenger was that of a Julian Davis…’

David’s mouth fell open. His knees buckled slightly. ‘That can’t be… I only spoke to him about ten minutes ago,’ David said in a flat monotone voice.

David rubbed a hand across his forehead. He recalled the circumstances surrounding Colin Tseng’s shooting ambush and noted the apparent similarities to this incident.

‘Wait… You said a cab rammed my car…?’ David said as a question.

One of the detectives responded. ‘That’s correct… T-boned it on the driver’s side.’

‘Was the cab stolen…?’ David asked.

The detectives exchanged a brief glance before one responded. ‘Why do you ask that?’

David held the detective’s gaze. He took that response to be a ‘yes’.

‘Oh my god…’ David rubbed both hands through his hair. ‘That was supposed to be me,’ he said. ’They must’ve thought it was me in my car.’

David’s eyes glazed over as he slowly lowered himself onto the front of a lounge chair. His stare was blank. The reality hit home. His good friend had been killed because of mistaken identity.

‘Who is the “they” you refer to?’ a detective asked.

‘This has to be the work of Superintendent Cheng…’ David said, expressing his thoughts out loud. He never considered Cheng’s tentacles would extend to the US.

’Who…?′ One of the detectives responded. ’And why do you think you were the intended target?’

David informed the detectives of everything that had happened to his family since his son visited Hong Kong.

He told how he believed his son was murdered and the Hong Kong police tried to cover it up. He told of the near fatal beating he received, the murder of a witness, the attempted murder of the ICAC investigator and now the murder of his good friend, Julian.

He laid everything out to the detectives. He mentioned how he reported his findings to the Hong Kong office of ICAC and an investigator by the name of Colin Tseng is the case officer in charge.

Although the detectives were taking notes throughout David’s explanation of events, the brief, cynical sideways glances they threw each other clearly suggested to David they were skeptical of his story. Unfortunately, all his corroboratory evidence was at his home.

David checked his watch and noted it was after 8pm. This meant it was after 8am in Hong Kong. ‘Bear with me, gentlemen, please…’ David said.

In an effort to restore his credibility, he removed his cell and dialed Colin Tseng in Hong Kong.

After a brief chat, David and the detectives made their way to the executive conference room.

Before long, they were communicating with Colin via Skype on the conference room’s 160 inch screen.

David identified to Colin that the two gentlemen with him in the room were New York homicide detectives.

He struggled to hold back tears when he relayed to Colin the circumstances with which his good friend and business colleague, Julian Davis had just been killed, presumably as a case of mistaken identity.

After hearing David’s distressed explanation of events involving Julian, Colin immediately identified the similarities to that of his own shooting.

‘Superintendent Cheng…’ Colin said, nodding. ‘It positively had to be.’

David’s focus shifted to the detectives. He extended a hand towards the screen. ‘See… I am not the only one who thinks this,’ he said.

‘Tell me, Mr…’ The detective glanced at his notes. ’Ah, Tseng… You mentioned the name… Who was it…? “Superintendent Cheng”,’ he said, checking his notes. ‘Why do you think this person is involved in a shooting here in the US…?’

Colin informed the detectives of all events that had transpired since he became involved in the investigation of corruption against members of the Hong Kong Police force.

The detectives were busy scribbling notes during Colin’s narration of events and his presentation of the compelling evidence.

At the completion of their discussion with Colin, which included a detailed Q&A session instigated by the detectives, the detectives agreed, that although they were yet to locate any evidence to confirm these suspicions, from the information Colin provided, they accepted that they possibly had what appears to be a homicide that has crossed international borders.

Colin was thanked for his time and the Skype call was ended.

The detectives informed David if his suspicions were accurate, and the ‘hit’ was ordered by ICAC’s suspect in Hong Kong, then the gunman would have to know where David lived and worked. The gunman would have studied David’s daily routine.

The detectives advised David to vary the direction he traveled to and from work daily, and where possible, he and his family should break from all predictable routine.

‘There are two schools of thought…’ A detective began. ‘Mr. Davis’ assassin was a fly in–fly out hit man, or they used a US gun-for-hire,’ he said. ‘Either way, we have our work cut out for us if we are going to locate this gunman.’

The detectives left David shortly after their Skype call with Colin ended.

Once alone, David’s thoughts moved to Julian’s wife, Bronwyn, and what she must be going through. He decided he would head home and collect Maddie then go and be with Bronwyn for support.

Chapter 36

Three days after Julian’s shooting, David still struggled to accept his friend was gone. He intentionally tried to keep himself busy at work to distract his thoughts, but that wasn’t working out for him.

David sat alone at his oversized office desk staring blankly at nothing in particular, when his cell phone rang. David checked the time on the large wall clock, as he removed his phone. It was 8.15pm.

‘David Bower…’ he answered, without checking the number displayed.

‘David. Good morning, or rather, good evening for you over there,’ Colin Tseng said.

‘Hey, Colin. How are you? It’s good to hear your voice.’ David’s own voice was flat and lacked energy.

‘I’m sorry to bother you David. I know you are a busy man, but I recently had a chat with colleagues of mine in the Hong Kong Major Crime Unit, and I thought I would share with you what I learned about Julian’s shooting.’

‘Oh, OK…’ David reclined his chair.

’As expected, New York Homicide ran ballistics tests on the round removed from Julian and they came back different to the gun used to shoot me and the Pathologist, Doctor Kong.

‘This is not a surprise, David because if the gunman was hired by the superintendent, as we suspected, and the gunman flew into New York City from Hong Kong, he could not bring his weapon with him.’

‘I see.’

’Based on witness descriptions of the gunman, the New York Homicide detectives apparently reviewed security footage from international airport departures, in an attempt to identify the movements of the shooter.

’From what I have been told, the Homicide Detectives short listed three Asian males, each of whom traveled alone from Hong Kong and who remained for a short stay and who separately departed JFK for Hong Kong within the forty-eight hour period following the shooting.

’The Detectives provided the Hong Kong Major Crime Unit with the names and passport details of the three Asian men, with a request to follow up on each individual and verify the purpose of their travel to the US.

‘Sounds promising…’

‘It does. It is something to go on,’ Colin said. ‘For what it is worth, I am confident one of these three men will be our shooter,’ Colin said.

‘I hope so, Colin. Like all of us, Bronwyn needs closure on this… Sooner, rather than later…’

‘I’ll keep you appraised,’ Colin said.

‘I appreciate that, Colin,’ David said. He checked his watch. ‘If there is nothing else, my friend, I have a video conference meeting beginning in a few minutes,’ David said. ‘Can we chat later?’

‘Of course, David. Enjoy your evening.’

David ended the call. He was struggling with all this violence and killing that had recently plagued his life.

He didn’t know how much more shock and grief he could endure. It tore at his heart when he saw Bronwyn so distressed, knowing it could all be linked back to Miles’ trip to Hong Kong.

---

August started out hot and humid in New York City, with most days heading north of 95 degrees. It was a fantastic time of the year for sunbathers, which was a popular summer past time in Central Park.

At all times during the day, every available space of sun-soaked lawn within the park was occupied by throngs of scantily clad people basking and sunning themselves.

While moving within his office, David stopped to admire the sun drenched outlook over central Park. In a rare moment of respite from his demanding work schedule, his thoughts turned to Colin Tseng.

He had been expecting to hear from Colin any day now, to learn of the date for Miles’ coronial inquest.

The thought of returning to Hong Kong so soon after all that had transpired wasn’t something David welcomed. While he wasn’t required as a witness, he wanted to be present to observe proceedings against the people who had dramatically changed his life.

He decided to take the initiative, rather than continue to wait and wonder. The time in Hong Kong was late in the evening, so David tapped out an email to inquire about when the inquest was likely to be scheduled and sent it to Colin.

He understood he would have to wait until Colin arrived at work tomorrow, before he received his reply.

David had not moved far from his desk when his cell phone began ringing on his desk. He scooped up the phone and glanced at the display. His face lit up.

‘Ni Hao, Colin. How are you? I just this minute sent you an email,’ David said.

‘Ni Hao, David. I know. I just received it. That is why I am calling. How are you by the way?’

‘Considering everything, Colin… I am pretty good, thanks. I was just standing by the window soaking up some sun, as I look out over the magnificent sun drenched Central Park. Very therapeutic,’ he said. ‘But what are you doing calling me at this time of night over there…?’

‘You are not the only one who works late…’ Colin chuckled to himself. ’But seriously, I have actually finished for the day, but I receive emails on my phone, so when I received yours, I thought it would be easier to call.’

‘That’s very kind of you…’

‘Your email asked about when Miles’ inquest will be held….’

‘That’s right. I was expecting it would be soon.’

‘The inquest has been held, David,’ Colin said.

David frowned at the revelation. ‘Excuse me?’ He said.

‘Well… It has and it hasn’t,’ Colin said cryptically, confusing David even more.

‘You’ve lost me, Colin.’

‘OK. Sorry about the confusion,’ Colin said. ‘The inquest commenced last week, but it had to be adjourned and the matter was referred to the Secretary for Justice to consider instigating criminal proceedings,’ Colin said.

David rolled his eyes. He slowly shook his head. All David heard was that he had missed the inquest. The thought of traveling to Hong Kong displeased him immensely, but he wanted to do it for Miles. He wanted to witness the downfall of the corrupt individuals who had made his life hell.

‘I thought you were going to let me know of the date when the inquest was to commence,’ David said, somewhat despondently.

’I had every intention to, but you have to understand that over here, the coroner must adjourn an inquest and refer the matter to the secretary for justice, where it appears that a criminal offence of murder may have been committed.

‘In the case of Miles, the evidence was compelling, so the coroner stopped the inquest and referred it on. The inquest will resume once any criminal proceedings are finished. You are welcome to attend then, if you still wish to do so.’

‘I see,’ David said vaguely.

‘Look. I felt confident the coroner would adjourn the case, so there was no point in you traveling all this way for one hour.’

‘I understand. So what now?’ David asked.

’There will be a committal hearing in a magistrates court, and if the magistrate is satisfied, he, or she will commit the defendants to stand trial in open court before a judge of the court of first instance of the high court.

‘That is our court over here that tries the most serious criminal offences,’ Colin said. ‘You will certainly be here for the committal David. I will be summonsing you as a witness.’

‘I will be there regardless of any summons, Colin, let me reassure you,’ David said. ‘So tell me… When will it likely be listed?’

‘I only received advice this morning from the Prosecutions Department that the case has been listed for Monday October one,’ Colin said.

‘What about those other people… Mohawk Man’s accomplices… Lee Sung and those other men…?’

’The case on October one is a trial for everyone involved… Superintendent Cheng, Sergeant Chung, Detective Li Ming, Maggie Yu Sum Tong, or Lee Sung, as you know her, and the two males you saw on the video, who assisted Cheng Kwok Leung, or Mohawk man.

‘They will all appear as co-accused in the murder of Miles. I will send you all the details, dates etc., with the witness summons. This is a good thing David…’ Colin reassured. ‘If we want these people to be held accountable, we need this to happen.’

‘OK. Good. I’ll look forward to receiving your summons in due course,’ David said.

After ending his call, David sat momentarily while he gathered his thoughts. He was not looking forward to returning to Hong Kong and reliving the most traumatic period of his life.

He wasn’t looking forward to resurfacing all those vivid memories he had worked so hard to suppress and lock away in the deepest most remote recesses of his mind.

And he certainly wasn’t looking forward to being face to face in the same room with his tormentors—Superintendent Cheng and Sergeant Chung; but he would do it for his son.

He would return to Hong Kong to witness the vindication of his son’s name and integrity in open court, and at the same time, witness the demise of the disgraced police who placed such little value on human life.

David rubbed a hand across his mouth. He knew it would be tough to do, but if it could all go to plan, it would provide closure to David and his family and assist in the lengthy healing process they were all individually battling with.

---

Back in Hong Kong…

It had been a long wait for David but the time for the committal hearing had arrived. As he expected, it was difficult for him to return to the place that had haunted his dreams and fueled his nightmares ever since.

Madison insisted on accompanying David for moral support. David never said anything, but he suspected she also traveled for her own peace of mind that he remained safe, after she experienced firsthand what these men were capable of.

The committal hearing turned out to be a grueling affair. David knew it would be difficult, but he didn’t realize just how difficult it would be, to sit through it all again; to rehash those memories he had fought to suppress and hide away.

The six accused people—five men and one woman—sat side-by-side in the dock, while the compelling evidence was presented to the presiding magistrate, who at times, sent stern glares towards the accused people.

Witness after witness was introduced and then cross examined by the defense counsel, as the prosecution presented its case.

David’s evidence-in-chief mainly related to the CCTV footage he had obtained, the serious assault against him, the burglary on his hotel room, theft of his iPad and the actions of Superintendent Cheng in deleting the contents of the thumb drive.

The defense tried to argue that David could not prove the thumb drive contained any files prior to him handing it to their client.

The Prosecution quickly refuted these arguments when they produced computer forensic evidence that clearly demonstrated the files were on the USB, prior to be being deleted.

Counsel for the defense grilled David on his evidence for over two hours and labeled most of his evidence inadmissible and circumstantial, at best.

The defense continually tried to argue their clients had no case to answer. However the prosecution evidence against the three accused police officers was compelling.

Despite the case being strong, the prosecution could not allege the accused’s involvement in the shooting murder of Doctor Kong, the attempted murder of Colin Tseng and the shooting murder of Julian Davis in the US, due to lack of credible evidence linking these incidents to the accused.

But that didn’t prevent the charges being added at a later time, should admissible evidence be forthcoming.

The magistrate indicated he had seen enough evidence. All were subsequently committed to stand trial in the court of first instance of the high court, on all charges.

While Superintendent Cheng and Sergeant Chung would not face murder charges, they would answer to charges of perverting the course of justice, which under these circumstances, carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Upon hearing the magistrate’s decision, David pumped his fist in the air. He hugged his wife seated directly beside him before sharing a congratulatory hand shake with Colin Tseng.

David glanced over at Superintendent Cheng still seated in the dock with his potential new ‘cell mates’. He noticed Cheng glaring back at him. Cheng held an intense glower on his face.

David now felt safe from these men. He returned a victory smile at Cheng, to project with confidence, the impression Cheng no longer intimidated him.

David then moved to join Colin and Madison as they exited the court.

What David failed to notice was, Cheng locked a contemptuous scowl on David as he made his way through the public seating gallery and out of the court room.

Cheng leaned closer to his Sergeant-at-Arms, Kevin Chung seated beside him, and whispered in Chung’s ear.

A man like Cheng, someone of considerable influence who believed he transcended the laws that regulated the average man, would never accept defeat or the personal humiliation at being seated on the wrong side of the court room dock—under any circumstances.

One thing was for certain in Hong Kong—cross a man like Cheng, and you would pay, and the price would be high.

David, Madison and Colin Tseng exited the court room and stood together. They each had a separate look of satisfaction on their faces.

‘What happens now?’ David asked. ‘Will they be remanded in custody?’

‘It’s up to the Magistrate,’ Colin said. ‘But I expect their lawyers will successfully argue they should get bail,’ Colin said. They moved to exit the building to stand out on the street.

‘Even the murderers….? That’s ridiculous,’ David said. ‘Don’t they realize how dangerous that man is?’

‘Keep in mind David, the court is not aware of any of the shootings,’ Colin said. ‘If they were… There is no way they would get bail.’

David stood on the street immediately outside the court building. His hands were thrust deep into his pockets as he looked skyward at the clear blue summer sky.

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. He felt the most relaxed he had felt in a long while. He was satisfied they were one step closer to finally achieving justice for his boy.

‘I don’t know about you two…’ David said. ‘But I could do with a drink after all that.’ He jabbed a thumb towards the court building.

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Colin said. ‘I know just the place too, and it’s not far from here.’

Chapter 37

Following a relatively short walk, they arrived at a nearby tavern. David made his way to the bar and ordered the drinks, while Colin and Maddie found a suitable table by the window.

David casually leaned on the bar while the drinks were being prepared. He had a look of contentment as he scanned the patrons of the Tavern. It was a popular little bar.

Three rounds of drinks in and they were all feeling much more relaxed after the taxing committal hearing.

David lifted his glass of single malt to his lips, but paused. ‘This is quite a nice little Tavern, Colin,’ David said then took a sip. ‘And quite busy too,’ he said replacing his glass.

Colin glanced around the room. ‘Yes it is,’ he said. ‘It’s one of my favorites. It has a nice ambiance about it, don’t you think?’

Whether the numbing effects of the alcohol had kicked in, or simply the fact they had all relaxed a little, is unknown, but neither man noticed the lone male who followed them into the Tavern, among the constant comings and goings.

The man moved to sit in a distant corner of the room where he discreetly monitored David via a nearby wall mirror.

‘So, Colin…’ David began. ‘What happens to Cheng and his crew between now and the trial? Do they keep working like nothing has changed?’ David asked.

Colin had just raised his glass to his lips. He paused, appearing to process David’s question, then he took a sip. As he lowered his glass he said, ‘no… They will each be suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the trial.’

‘So…’ Maddie began. ’Let me get this straight… They will all be let back out on the streets again after the court hearing. Only now, they have more time on their hands… and probably more hatred.’ Her concerned eyes flicked to David.

Colin nodded in response. ‘What can I say. That is our justice system,’ Colin said.

‘You know what… I never thought of that…’ David said to Madison. ‘I think I need another drink, Colin.’

David removed a clip of Hong Kong dollars from his pocket and peeled off a $500 Hong Kong bill and dropped it onto the table in front of Colin.

‘You order the next round, Col. while I visit the men’s room.’

‘Done.’ Colin scooped up the bill from the table.

As David moved from the urinal to the hand basin, a male entered the men’s room. David nodded a greeting to the male, then moved to wash his hands.

While bent over the hand basin, David lifted his eyes to the mirror. He frowned his concern as he watched this man walk along behind him, checking the occupancy of each cubicle.

David rinsed his hands and shook off the excess water. When he lifted his eyes back to the mirror, the male was now standing directly behind David, between himself and the cubicles.

The man’s lifeless eyes stared coldly back at David in the mirror.

David felt uneasy by the proximity of this man. The man spoke, as David started to move to the paper towel dispenser.

‘The superintendent sends his regards…’

David froze. His heart skipped a beat. His frightened eyes flicked back to the mirror. The man had a raised pistol pointing at the back of David’s head. David felt his stomach drop in fear.

Before a heartbeat could pass, the men’s room door burst open, sending the door crashing into the wall. David and the gunman both startled at the intrusion.

Two males brandishing pistols, rushed in and leveled their guns directly at the gunman. The intruders were shouting commands at him in Chinese.

David froze on the spot with his hands raised. The gunman pointed his pistol back at the two threatening males who were yelling at him. Within seconds, the gunman conceded. He raised his left hand in surrender. He slowly lowered the pistol and dropped it onto the floor, before standing with both his hands raised.

One of the two armed men screamed an instruction in Chinese at the gunman. The gunman immediately placed his hands on his head, then he knelt on the floor.

David stood with his hands in the air. His mouth had fallen open, as he stared in stunned silence. His heart raced as he watched one of the armed men quickly move to the kneeling gunman.

He aggressively forced the man face-down on the men’s room floor and secured the gunman’s hands behind his back, with a cable tie.

David’s focus shifted to the other man who had his pistol directed at the floored gunman. David’s face froze with fear. His hands were locked in the raised defensive position, too frightened to move.

The other man returned David’s glance. He reached into his rear pocket and removed a badge and held it out to David.

‘Police,’ he grunted ‘Major crime,’ he said, then returned the badge to his pocket. He motioned to David to lower his arms. David complied.

The detective holstered his weapon and assisted his colleague. They lifted the captured gunman to his feet, then escorted him from the men’s room.

David remained frozen on the spot as he watched the men’s room door close behind the detectives. He started to pant heavily.

He leaned his hands on the bathroom bench. His knees shook, barely able to hold his weight. His heart continued to race. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, before rinsing his face with cold water.

David startled when the men’s room door once again burst open. David rolled his eyes in relief when he noticed Colin Tseng entering the men’s room.

‘Are you alright, David?’ Colin asked. He moved towards David and placed a concerned hand on his shoulder. ‘I just spoke to the boys from major crime…’ He jabbed a thumb back towards the door.

David shook his head at Colin before collapsing his outstretched arms back onto the bench. ‘I don’t know how much more of this I can take, Colin,’ David said. He glanced at Colin in the mirror.

This was clearly a second attempt on David’s life. Obviously Superintendent Cheng considered with David out of the way, the prosecution case would collapse like a house of cards.

‘Let’s go back out to Maddie,’ Colin suggested. He assisted David to stand upright from the bench. ‘She’ll be worried about you.’

After returning to their tavern table, Colin left Madison to comfort David, while he went and spoke with the arresting police officers in the street outside the tavern.

David sat holding his comforting glass of scotch with both hands, while Maddie embraced him. ‘I can’t wait to leave this place, David,’ Madison said. She hugged her man tighter.

David stared vaguely at the table in front of himself. He simply nodded slowly in response.

After about ten minutes, Colin returned to David and Madison, who were still seated inside the tavern.

‘How you holding up, my friend?’ Colin asked. He slid back into his seat.

‘I thought I was gone.’ David shook his head. ’I really did. I waited to hear the sound of gun fire to signal it was all over.

‘I couldn’t move when I looked in the mirror. I was looking straight down the barrel of that pistol…’ David said. ‘I just froze.’ He felt embarrassed and disappointed in himself.

‘But you’re not gone. You are still here,’ Colin said. ‘You beat that sonofabitch, Cheng, once again, David,’ Colin said. ‘And you will keep beating him.’

Colin informed David and Madison that the arresting police had been following the gunman since he returned from New York City two months ago.

Apparently the gunman’s name was one of three names the Homicide Detectives in New York City gave to the Hong Kong police, as suspects for Julian’s shooting.

The gunman was the only name known to the Hong Kong police, so they kept him under surveillance.

When they observed him meeting with Superintendent Cheng in obscure locations, they tapped his phones and planted listening devices.

The police informed Colin that from their intercepts, cryptic as they were, they knew something would be going down today; they just didn’t know what.

It didn’t take them long to realize the gunman had followed David and Colin to the Tavern.

David jabbed a thumb towards the police in the street. ‘Are you saying… That is the piece of shit who shot Julian,’ he asked knowingly. He shifted his contemptuous gaze to the street outside the tavern.

‘That’s it what they tell me,’ Colin said.

David shook his head in disgust. He found it difficult to fully comprehend that he just stared eye-to-eye with the hired gun who killed his friend. The melting pot of emotions David felt overwhelmed him.

‘No offence, Colin, as lovely as your country is… We both cannot wait to get the hell out of here tomorrow… Back to the US,’ David said. Colin smiled his understanding.

Colin raised his glass and took a sip. ‘It’s your last night in Hong Kong, and probably the last time we will catch up for some time…’ Colin said. ‘Allow me take you both out to dinner tonight. I know a great restaurant – and it is nice and safe,’ he said with a reassuring grin.

‘Deal,’ David said.

‘That would be very nice of you. Thank you,’ Madison said.

---

Back in New York City…

Since returning from the committal hearing in Hong Kong and the failed second attempt on his life, David found it difficult to concentrate at work, or even relax at home.

He became anxious, jumping at shadows and second guessing anyone and everyone, especially those of Asian appearance.

Staring directly down the barrel of a hired gunman’s loaded pistol, conceding he was about to die, was a traumatic experience that would remain with him for some time.

He was convinced that a small part of him died in that Hong Kong Tavern bathroom.

The unknown of whether any further attempts on his life lay waiting around the next corner, was extremely distressing.

At Madison’s repeated suggestion, David grudgingly opted to take some time off from work while he came to terms with recent events.

The break from routine also made it more difficult, should there be any further attempts on his life.

His family lived in fear of the unknown. As long as the merciless Cheng was on the streets, David and his family could not feel safe.

Several weeks had passed and David eventually found himself working from home, rather than the office.

During a late night video conference call with his Beijing and Berlin offices, David received a Skype message that Colin Tseng was trying to connect with him.

The pressing business matters at hand forced David to reject the connect request from Colin.

A few minutes later David’s cell phone vibrated on his desk. David lifted his phone and glanced at the screen. It was Colin Tseng calling.

David held up his phone to the webcam. ‘Excuse me gentlemen… I have to take this,’ he said. He pushed himself away from his desk and moved away from his computer monitor.

‘Hi Colin. How are you? Look… Just quickly, I saw your Skype request, but I am in the middle of a video conference with some of my overseas offices,’ David said. ‘So I couldn’t accept it.’

‘Oh, OK. Sorry about the timing,’ Colin said. ‘I’ll let you go, but you are going to want to call me back when you are done with your video conference.’ Colin sounded excited. ‘Believe me… You are going to want to hear this news.’

‘You have got me wondering, now,’ David said. ’But OK. I will call you… No. Actually… I will SKYPE you once I am finished here. Does that fit in with your plans later today?’ David asked.

‘Sure does,’ Colin said. ‘I look forward to it – talk soon,’ he said then ended the call.

David found concentrating on his business call difficult after briefly speaking with Colin. He couldn’t help but wonder what sort of news Colin had for him.

Was it good news, or was it bad news? He recalled that Colin said he would want to hear it, so it must be good news.

David couldn’t wait to finalize business and get back onto Skype to connect with Colin.

Chapter 38

It took until 2am before David cleared his international video conference call commitments and replaced them with the beaming smile of Colin Tseng on his computer screen.

‘Sorry about the delay,’ David said. ‘But I am free from work commitments now, Colin…’

Colin checked his watch. ‘I would hope so,’ He said. ‘It would have to be after 2am in the morning over there.’

David returned a tired smile. ‘It is…’ He said. ‘But that is the cost of having my business spread across eleven international cities. So… What do you have for me?’

‘OK…’ Colin said. ‘Are you ready for this?’

David didn’t reply. He simply raised eyebrows to Colin’s rhetorical question.

‘Can you read this headline?’ Colin held up a newspaper to his webcam.

David squinted as he focused on the printed text.

“Disgraced Career Cop Charged With Murder And Witness Intimidation.”

David’s eyebrows arched when he read the headline. Unable to read the fine print in the body of the article, David asked excitedly, even hopefully, ‘Is that Cheng…? Please tell me that’s Cheng.’

Colin lowered the newspaper to reveal his face again. He smiled reassuringly at David. ‘He’s off the streets, David,’ Colin said. ‘Police arrested him two days ago and charged him with the murders, and he has since been remanded in custody, until the trial.’

David collapsed back and exhaled heavily. He could feel the tension in his shoulders easing.

‘You have no idea how relieved that makes me feel,’ David said. ‘But how…’ David asked. ‘How did they get him?’

‘The gunman arrested for bailing you up in the Tavern men’s room rolled over to the arresting police,’ Colin said. ‘He made full admissions to them.’

‘How do you know this?’ David asked.

‘Because I have spoken to the police who arrested him. They needed some of my… er… our evidence to assist in their charges, so they were quite forthcoming with information sharing,’ Colin said.

Colin spent the next fifteen minutes filling David in on the circumstances of the arrest. He told how the gunman, known to police as Timmy Hung Tong-Sum—a violent career criminal with a lengthy list of priors—admitted to being a gun-for-hire and shooting and killing the Pathologist Doctor Kong.

Colin told how Hung admitted to shooting and wounding Colin and attempting to kill David in the Tavern men’s room.

Although outside their Hong Kong jurisdiction, he also admitted to travelling to New York City and killing Julian, whom he admitted was a mistake because he thought the person in the vehicle was David.

Colin told David how Timmy Hung admitted to police that Superintendent Cheng hired him for each ‘hit’, but he only received payment for Doctor Kong’s shooting because the others were unsuccessful.

Hung provided police with quite intricate detail about each shooting and his instructions from Cheng.

‘That is fantastic, Colin,’ David said. ’But I am puzzled why a career criminal, well aware of ‘the code’ amongst crooks, would give up such a dangerous person as Superintendent Cheng.’

Colin grinned at David. ‘Things are a little different over here, David,’ Colin said. ’Hung knew he was gone… He knew he was heading back to jail. And the jails over here can be brutal. The guards are unforgiving, if you get sent to the wrong one.

‘It is something that has remained from the Communist era. Get into the wrong prison and you will wish you were dead,’ Colin said quite bluntly.

‘So… he made a deal with police …?’ David said as a question.

‘Correct… But it was with the prosecutors though,’ Colin clarified. ’Once they obtained the information from Timmy Hung, the police took a punt and approached, who they perceived to be the weak link of the trio—Detective Jack Li, and offered him a deal sanctioned by the public prosecutors… Which he jumped at.

‘Li provided compelling insider evidence and information about the entire case against him and his colleagues, from the discovery of Miles’ body and the subsequent cover up, all the way through to the attempt on you in the Tavern men’s room.

’Li told how the dominating influence of his superintendent manipulated him and at times, even threatened Li and his family.

‘By the way, police also offered the same deal to Detective Sergeant Chung ,but in his own words, he told them to, “Fuck off!”,’ Colin said with a smirk.

‘That is amazing… And great news, Colin. You have no idea.’

‘It is, isn’t it?’ Colin said. ‘Once the police had all this information, and what they believed to be compelling evidence, they arrested Superintendent Cheng and Sergeant Chung and charged them with the murder of Doctor Kong, my attempted murder and your attempted murder,’ Colin said.

‘Unfortunately, despite convincing evidence, they can’t charge them with Julian’s murder because it occurred in New York City, but they will still allege it as part of the prosecution evidence,’ Colin said.

‘Can they do that?’

Colin shrugged. ’Look… The defense will probably object to the relevance of it because their client isn’t charged with the US murder.

‘Regardless of whether it is allowed in evidence, or not, as I understand it, the New York Detectives will be seeking an extradition order after the court case to bring Cheng to the US to answer to Julian’s murder,’ Colin said.

‘But even if the extradition order is issued… If Cheng is convicted and sentenced in Hong Kong, the US police can’t have him until he completes his sentence over here… and I doubt he will ever be released from prison here.’

‘So the main thing is, they are off the streets until the trial..?’ David said as a question. ‘So when will that be?’

Colin lifted a document and read from it. ‘I received advice yesterday that the defense lawyers for Maggie Yu Sum and her friends have successfully argued for the cases to be heard separately…’

‘OK…’

‘So we have two trial dates. The trial for Superintendent Cheng, Sergeant Chung and Li Ming is set down for the 1st sitting in the new year – so that will be early February,’ Colin said.

‘Because it will be a contested matter, it has been booked in to run for about four to five weeks.’

‘So all charges will be heard together–ours and the major crime police charges?’ David said as a question.

‘That’s correct. The murder and attempted murders and interfering with witnesses have been added to our matters and will all be heard together,’ Colin said.

‘Great. What about the others?’

‘Their matter has been set down for the end of March.’

‘Well… We will certainly be seeing you next year,’ David said, in finishing up.

‘You will,’ Colin said. ‘Oh… One more thing.’ The smile wiped from his face. ’While things should be much safer for you now that Cheng is in prison, we have no idea what sort of contacts, or influence he has from his cell. So… All I can suggest is… You can relax a little, but do not completely drop your guard on this one,’ Colin warned.

‘You will appreciate that it is in Cheng’s best interest if witnesses disappear. Do you understand where I am coming from?’

‘Totally,’ David said. ’Message understood… Thanks for that. David ended his Skype call.

---

Back in Hong Kong…

‘Has the jury reached a decision?’ The austere judge asked the jury foreman.

‘We have, Your Honor,’ the somber faced foreman announced.

A hush fell over the court room. Every set of eyes were fixed firmly on the Jury Foreman. All ears were honed in the acoustically challenged room, anxiously waiting for the jury’s verdict…

The date of the long awaited trial had finally arrived. David’s family— Madison, Ben and Felicity, all accompanied David to Hong Kong.

They expected it to be a lengthy and hard fought trial against the vindictive men who went to extraordinary lengths to cover up the vicious and senseless murder of their son and brother.

The time had arrived for these evil people to be held to account over their contempt for the life of another. All members of the Bower family wanted to be there to witness the outcome, if for nothing more than for their own closure.

The court of first instance of the high court was a relatively modern room, typical of court room floorplans around the world.

High ceilings, with an abundance of fluorescent lighting, no windows and over half the court room floor space was allocated to seating in the public gallery.

The jury box was situated on the right side of the room— the judge’s left—with the prisoner dock located directly opposite, on the opposite side of the room.

A door immediately to the left of the dock led down to holding cells located beneath the court building.

The trial commenced with the three accused being led into the dock from the holding cells for the taking of the pleas. All men pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Next came empaneling of the jury. Five men and two women were eventually selected in the seven person jury to sit in judgement on this trial.

It took until day three of the trial before the prosecution commenced presenting their opening.

This was followed by the presentation of witness evidence and the cross examination of each witness by the defense, and if required, a re-examination of each witness by the prosecution.

Counsels for the defense subjected every prosecution witness to punishing cross examinations, hammering them verbally.

They tried every trick they had to intimidate, discredit and unravel them, clearly in the hope the witness would slip up in their recollection of events.

It had taken just under three taxing weeks for the Prosecution to conclude presenting their case. Madison and her children were present in the court room for every day of the trial to date.

Prior to leading his evidence, David had to wait outside in the halls, but once he had finished presenting his evidence, he too joined his family in the court room public gallery for the remainder of the trial.

Following the presentation of the prosecution case, the defense desperately moved for a no case to answer submission, which the judge subsequently rejected.

Next came the defense’s turn to call their witnesses. Their evidence was examined, cross examined and then re-examined. They too were subjected to a grueling cross examination by the prosecutors.

By about half way through week four, the closing submissions commenced. First the prosecutors, followed by the defense, who were nothing more than glib talking, high-priced defense lawyers, selling their version of events to the jury’s collective ignorance of the law.

In essence, they were glorified salesman, whose main purpose, through their submissions, was to try and place the slightest doubt into the minds of as many jurors as possible, twisting and distorting whatever evidence they could to benefit their purpose.

Last of all, the judge finished the trial with his lengthy and detailed summing up of the case. Articulate through his expression, the judge accurately and precisely summarized the entire five weeks of the trial.

At times, he emphasized and even clarified certain points of law and evidence that had been sold to the jury by the defense, in their closing arguments.

The judge took most of what turned out to be a long day, in his detailed summing up before he instructed the jury to retire to consider their verdict.

All eyes in the court room watched as the jury members stood, then moved in single file, as they exited the court room, disappearing behind the door displaying the word, “Jury”.

---

David and his family sat patiently waiting in the halls outside the locked court room for almost two days, while the jury deliberated over the charges.

Nobody knew when the verdict would arrive and nobody wanted to leave the court building during the day, in case they missed it.

Crowds of people comprising family, friends and colleagues of the accused, the curious public and the media, all gathered in various locations around the building, anxiously waiting and anticipating the arrival of the verdict; but still it didn’t come.

David glanced at his watch and exhaled. ‘Looks like another day gone while we wait,’ he said, noting the time approached 4pm.

Colin stood for a while in front of the seated David and his family, to stretch his spine.

‘As it nears 4pm…’ Colin began. ’The judge will send a message into the jury room to find out if they think they are close to a decision.

‘If they are close… he will keep the day going… But if they are not…’ Colin extended his arms out to his side. ‘He will adjourn for the day, once again… And we will all have to come back tomorrow and sit through it for the third day in a row.’

‘Great,’ David said, sarcastically. He also decided to stand. He stretched his arms and yawned. ‘I’m going to get some fresh air before I fall asleep,’ David said. He moved towards the building exit.

‘I’ll come with you,’ Colin offered.

David stood immediately outside the court building with his hands in his pockets, while he and Colin discussed the case.

Each gave their respective predictions on the likely jury verdict. Both were quietly confident that a verdict of guilty would eventually be returned, however with a jury–you never knew.

‘It’s 4.25,’ David announced to Colin.

‘Well… We are still here waiting… So we can only assume they must be close to a decision,’ Colin said.

A further twenty-five minutes passed and David started to lose hope.

Colin nudged David then lifted his chin to a court official who had exited a short distance from the building, into the street.

The man announced a general broadcast to all and sundry that the jury were back and had reached their verdict.

Colin and David exchanged an excited grin as they joined the flood of people surging towards the court room to secure a position within the court for the much anticipated verdict.

Chapter 39

A hush fell over the court room as all eyes remained fixed on the upstanding jury foreman. The judge’s focus shifted to the accused, sitting in the dock–a silent indication for them to stand up.

Responding to hand signals from their Defense counsel, all three accused rose to their feet waiting to learn of their fate from the jury.

The judge scanned the crowded court room before returning his gaze to the upstanding jury foreman.

‘In the matter of the accused—Li Ming… For the charge of perverting the course of justice… How do you find?’ the judge asked.

The foreman glanced down at the notes in his hand. ‘We the jury find the accused… Guilty.’

The verdict caused a collective inhale to be heard throughout the court room. Li’s head slumped forward.

‘In the charge of tampering with evidence. How do you find?’ The judge asked.

‘Guilty,’ the foreman replied.

In the matters of co-accused, Cheng Chi-Wong and Kevin Chung, whose charges were heard jointly…’ The judge began.

David squeezed his wife’s hand in anticipation. ‘This is the one we have been waiting for,’ he whispered quietly out the side of his mouth to Madison.

As he sat in wait, David removed a seven-by-five inch, head and shoulders photograph of a smiling Miles, from his suit jacket pocket and cupped it in his hand.

‘In the charge of one count of murdering Doctor Kong Tze San… How do you find?’

The foreman checked his notes. A prolonged hush fell over the courtroom. David held his breath in anticipation of the response.

‘We the jury find the accused… Guilty.’

A collective roar rose from the public gallery–a combination of people cheering and yelling in both excitement and disappointment.

David simply said, ‘yes.’ He punched the air as the verdict was read out.

His eyes dropped to the photograph of his son held proudly in his hand. He smiled at the photograph of Miles. His son appeared to be smiling back at David.

The judge continued to read out the charges to the foreman. ‘In the charge of attempted murder of Colin Tseng… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of attempted murder of David Bower… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of perverting the course of justice … How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of tampering and interfering with evidence in murder investigation… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of destroying evidence in a murder investigation … How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of bribery of a government official… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of assaulting David Bower, causing occasioning actual bodily harm… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of burglary… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘In the charge of theft of one iPad belonging to David Bower… How do you find?’

‘Guilty.’

‘Are these the final decisions of the jury?’ The judge asked the foreman.

‘They are, Your Honor.’

‘And have you been unanimous in reaching these decisions?’

‘We have, Your Honor.’

‘Thank you for you service.’ The judge addressed the collective jury members. ‘You are hereby discharged from duty and you are free to leave.’ He gestured towards the jury’s door.

The judge watched the jury members as they stood and slowly filed out of the court room.

Finally, he remanded each accused in custody until next Thursday for sentencing.

David jumped to his feet and hugged Madison and his children. Even Colin received a hug.

David lifted the photograph of Miles and kissed it. ‘This is what we fought so hard for.’ David held the photograph out to Maddie. ‘This is finally justice for our boy,’ David said. He held a loving parental gaze at his son’s photograph.

‘Congratulations, David,’ Colin said. He placed a hand on David’s shoulder. ‘You’ve been to hell and back to get this result.’

’No… Congratulations go to you, Colin. This is all your work.’ David gestured to the court room. ‘Without you, none of this would have been possible,’ David said. ‘Thank you so much, my friend. My family and I are eternally indebted to you. You have cleared my son’s name and held these terrible people accountable.’

‘You don’t owe me anything, David,’ Colin said. ‘Well… Maybe you can buy dinner tonight,’ Colin said with his huge trade mark grin.

‘You got it,’ David said. He firmly shook his friend’s hand.

---

David sat anxiously listening to the ring tone chirping in his ear before the phone answered. The time was approaching midday in Hong Kong, so it was close to midnight in New York City.

Thursday’s sentencing of the evil criminals, who had such a dramatic impact of David’s life, had come and gone and he couldn’t wait to share the news with his wife back home in New York.

‘Hello,’ Madison answered.

David smiled to himself. It was so good to hear her voice. ‘Hello, Darling. It’s me.’

‘Oh… Hello, Darling. It’s good to hear your voice. How is everything going over there?’ She asked.

Following the court hearing, David offered his family the option of holidaying in Hong Kong to see the various sights, while they waited for the day of sentencing.

However Madison, Ben and Felicity unanimously declined, opting to return to New York City. Hong Kong, lovely as it was, would always be significant to the Bower family, but for all the wrong reasons. So remaining on unnecessarily wasn’t an option to them.

David, on the other hand, elected to remain in Hong Kong for the sentencing. He considered he had come this far and he wanted to see this through to the end.

He wanted nothing more than to see Cheng’s face when the sentences were read out by the Judge.

David and Colin both attended the sentencing of Alan Cheng, Kevin Chung and Jack Li and both could not have been happier with the outcome.

‘It’s all over. They have each been sentenced,’ David said.

’Were they good sentences…?’

‘Oh yes… The judge showed no sympathy,’ David said. ’Cheng and Chung were sentenced to life in prison with no parole for the murder of Doctor Kong; Life in prison for the attempted murder of Colin and life in prison for the attempted murder of me.

‘And he ordered all life sentences to be served cumulatively,’ David said. ‘So they are serving three consecutive life terms… They’re never getting out.’

’That’s great. And it couldn’t go to someone more deserving,’ Madison said.

‘It continues, though,’ David said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. ’He was also sentenced to twenty-five years with a minimum of eighteen, for the perverting the course of justice charge and twelve years with a minimum of nine for the bribery of Doctor Kong.

‘Those charges were to be served concurrently with the murder charges,’ David said. ‘And finally, they were sentenced to three years for assaulting me, eighteen months for the burglary on my hotel room and twelve months for stealing my iPad. But those sentences were also ordered to be served concurrently with the other jail sentences.’

’What about the other guy… Li was it?’ Maddie asked.

‘Yes, that’s right. Jack Li,’ David said. ’The judge went fairly light on him because he helped the prosecution with vital evidence that contributed to the other convictions.

‘He received a total of four years with a minimum of eighteen months for all charges. So he’ll be out in about twelve months, or less with time already served,’ David said.

‘Do you think that man will try anything from prison… You know… Seek retribution on us here in New York?’ Madison said.

‘To be honest… I don’t really know, but I don’t think so, Maddie,’ David said, even though held those very same concerns for the safety of himself and his family. But he didn’t want to share them with Maddie; she had been through enough.

‘So, when will you come home…?’ Madison asked.

’The trial for the other three starts on Monday and I want to see this through. I want to see justice for Miles.

‘Besides, the homicide detective in charge of the case has asked me to be available throughout the trial so…’ David’s voice trailed off. He knew she didn’t want to hear that.

‘I understand… I just want this to be over and for you to come home…’

‘I do too, Maddie… And, we are almost there.’

David ended his call to Maddie a short time later.

---

A little over two months had passed since David returned from Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, in the space of six weeks and two lengthy trials, he witnessed the downfall of all those responsible for his son’s untimely death.

His nemeses, Superintendent Cheng and Kevin Chung now faced lengthy incarceration. Detective Li Ming will serve time for his involvement.

The two men who assisted Mohawk Man, Terry Wong and Michael Ming Lee were both convicted of murder and robbery, with each sentenced to life in prison.

The murder charge against Maggie Yu Sum Tong was dropped before trial due to insufficient evidence. She was however convicted of her part in drugging and robbing Miles and faced eighteen months in jail.

The final slamming of the judges gavel signified that everyone responsible for the death of his boy had now been held to account. Justice for David and his family had been served.

While he never let on to anyone, he continued to find it difficult to relax. He struggled with the unknown as to whether Cheng would arrange for a payback ‘hit’ on himself or his family.

Several weeks after the sentencing, Colin contacted David to inform him that the prison authorities had intercepted a letter from the former Superintendent Cheng, sent to someone outside prison.

David’s concerns for his safety escalated when he heard what the letter contained.

‘The letter hid a coded message,’ Colin said. ’Which the prison authorities deciphered before it could be sent.

’They established that the last word on each line in Cheng’s letter was a key word and formed the message which read, “whatever it takes… Off the plastic and American”, Colin said.

’The word “plastic” in the message is a reference to me in my role with ICAC.

Some police often refer to non- law enforcement as “plastics”.

’It is a derogatory term that implies non-police investigators are inferior to sworn police officers.

‘The word American is obviously a reference to you and the “Off” is a reference to kill,’ Colin said. ‘The message is effectively ordering a hit on me and you…’

David did not want to hear that the superintendent was still actively trying to kill him. He knew it was in his best interests to know, but he just didn’t want to hear it.

The concern David had been experiencing before he heard the news of the hit was nothing compared to the complete fear he now lived, daily.

He trusted no-one and had become paranoid to the stage where his life was completely dominated by his fear.

He couldn’t tell Maddie and his kids of the intercepted letter because of the stress it would also bring on them. Instead, he had to make sure they remained vigilant to their surroundings and any unusual activity.

The message was a hit on him, not his family, so in a small way, he felt relieved about that.

David chose to throw himself back into his work to act as a distraction, but he continued to jump at shadows. He suspiciously monitored the actions of people around him in the streets.

When traveling on the road with Phillip, he was uncomfortable when any vehicle appeared to hover too close to his own vehicle, or moved up beside them.

In reality, he continued to live on his nerves, at times bordering on aloof, as he struggled with his anxieties.

David was mentally tough. He was a strong, self-disciplined man, but even he struggled with what he had endured since the tragic murder of his son.

Most notably, staring down the barrel of a loaded pistol and losing his good friend in a case of mistaken identity.

And now to have to cope with the knowledge that Cheng continued to try and order another ‘hit’ on him, was a daily worry he had to try and live with.

He considered therapy, but he had to be mindful of the impact that could have on stakeholders and share prices, if news got out that he, as the Chairman of a multi-Billion dollar company, was struggling to cope in his everyday life.

The board would have to consider if his position as Chairman had become untenable, and he would not have it. He had to carry on and work his way through this, otherwise Cheng had won.

Chapter 40

It had been a long and tiring meeting. The 6am start for his Executive team wasn’t welcomed. It took until midday before they had completed most of their lengthy agenda.

Discussions were being bandied around the executives as to whether they would break for lunch, or work through.

But while they were weighing up the various pros and cons, David was distracted. His focus was on his iPad. His face wore an intense frown.

‘Is everything alright, sir?’ one of executive team asked.

David didn’t respond. His focus remained on his iPad. Suddenly, his face lit up. His eyes widened as he burst to life. ‘It’s over,’ he exclaimed. He thrust his hands in the air in a victory salute, like he just scored the winning goal. ‘It’s over,’ he yelled again.

He pushed himself away from the table and jumped to his feet. He paused momentarily where he held a blank stare across the room. He fled from conference room. His team of executives exchanged puzzled glances.

Lila moved to the conference room door and peered out into David’s adjoining office, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

She shrugged and shook her head as she returned a puzzled expression to the team. She moved to David’s iPad sitting on the table. She glanced down at the screen to try and ascertain what had caused such an unusual reaction from their boss.

Lila read the iPad screen. ‘Does anyone know a… Alan Cheng?’ She lifted her questioningeyes to the gathered executive team.

The blank expressions and head shaking failed to throw any light on their questioning concern.

Lila’s eyes returned to the iPad where she continued to read the screen.

‘There is a newspaper article open on Mr. Bower’s screen about this person, Alan Cheng Chi-Wong,’ Lila said. ‘Should I read it…?’ She asked tentatively.

Following permission from the collective executives, Lila lifted the iPad and read the article out aloud.

“Disgraced former Police Superintendent Alan Cheng Chi-Wong, recently sentenced to three life terms for murder, was found dead in his cell yesterday morning. His throat had been cut…”

Lila paused reading. Her eyes lifted to the Executive team listening on. Her face distorted at what she read. ‘Eww,’ she said.

After reading out the entire article, the executive team were still no closer to understanding David’s reaction to this article, or why it caused such an excited response.

None were aware of Superintendent Cheng and what David had endured.

For David however, he suddenly felt free when he read the iPad message. He ran from the conference room, to his office, with the intentions of telephoning Maddie, to share the exciting news with her that it was all over.

But when he reached his desk, he decided to keep going. He made his way to the elevator foyer, into a lift and down to the street.

David burst from the building and stood on the footpath outside his office. He no longer feared people in close proximity.

He stared at the clear blue sky, the crowd of people bustling by, the traffic. Everything that recently caused him concern, suddenly became incidental.

He felt free, ironically like a long-termer’s first day of release from prison.

David’s focus shifted towards Central Park. He started to walk. As he strolled, his pace quickened. Before long he found himself running, running towards his home – towards his wife.

His facial expression wore a relieved smile permanently emblazoned across his face. He continued to run, weaving in and out of pedestrians, and sprinting across busy roads against ‘Don’t Walk’ signals.

Nothing was going to impede him. He was on a mission. He had suddenly been revitalized.

David’s friend from the South China Morning Post, Tony Huang sent David the email with his news article attached.

David received the email during his executive’s meeting, but didn’t have time to read it until they paused to consider lunch.

Despite what Cheng had done to his family, David did not wish him any physical harm to the man, but the news he was now gone overwhelmed David. The immediate relief he felt caused him behave this way.

With Cheng out of the way, there would be no further ‘contracts’ on David’s life, and that was incredibly comforting to him; even liberating.

For reasons only known to himself, David ran the twenty-five minutes it took to reach his penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side.

Once the doors from his private lift released him, he burst from his elevator calling out to his wife.

‘Maddie…’ He called, as he ran from the elevator lobby. ‘Maddie…’

Maddie quickly ran through the lounge room towards the elevator lobby. ‘What is it..?’ she called back. Her face was tight with concern.

David burst into the lounge room, stopping at the doorway. His chest heaved from his impromptu run, but his face clearly did not suggest distress. His smile was confusing.

’What’s wrong…? She asked with concern lines forming on her forehead. ‘Why are you home at this time of the day, David? And why were you running…?’

‘It’s over Maddie…’ David exclaimed. He extended his arms out to her. ‘It’s over…’ he said. He embraced his wife.

‘He’s gone… Gone for good,’ David said with a beaming smile on his face. ‘He will never bother us again.’

‘That’s great David… But to whom are you referring?’ Maddie asked.

David gently eased himself back from her embrace. He stared into Maddie’s puzzled eyes.

‘Cheng…’ David yelled in excitement. ‘Superintendent Cheng… He’s gone. They found him dead in his cell yesterday morning,’ David said. ‘His throat had been cut…’

‘Oh my god.’ Maddie cupped a hand to her mouth.

‘No. It’s a good thing,’ David said. ’He will never bother us again.’

He tightly embraced his wife. He hadn’t told her about the contract hit Cheng tried to take out on him, and he didn’t intend to, now that Cheng was gone.

He held his wife close with a smile of relief etched across his face. He could feel the tension and the fear exiting his body in waves.

His life could now return to normal, without wondering when, and if, another attempt on his life would be made.

Holding his wife close, he quietly uttered, ‘What goes around, comes around…’

‘That is so true,’ Maddie replied unexpectedly. ‘I’m a firm believer that you reap what you sow…’ She added, philosophically.

After months of living with anguish, misery and trepidation, all of which could be traced back to the period when Miles visited Hong Kong with Bryce, it was finally over. They could now return to normality in their lives.

David could not remove the smile of relief that lit up his face as he lovingly hugged his wife.

The End…