2
In half an hour, the red Mazda arrived at Jurong Junior College in style. With a jolt, the car was brought to an abrupt stop and woke Robert Langdon from his nap. Opening his eyes, he observed his surroundings and found himself in an open-air car park just opposite, around 10 metres away from, what seemed to him as a canteen.
The canteen of Jurong Junior College is located on the first storey of a two storey building, with the second storey being the school hall. The canteen boasts 10 stalls selling a variety of cuisine, from simple drink stalls to sophisticated Chinese and Western meals even to exotic Malay and Indian food; all reasonably priced, not to mention tasty. Seats are made of plastic and metal, and are clean most of the time. A small stage at the back of the canteen provides a place for students to showcase their talents like singing or reciting, and once a year, Student Councilor-elects would also use the stage to campaign for votes for a coveted seat in the Students' Council. Usually, this exciting part of the school would be bustling with campus life, and today, it is still bustling, but with the police force instead.
"I see you've evacuated all the students," Robert said, lifting one of those "POLICE" blue-and-white hazard tapes and ducking underneath, entering the crime scene.
"Not quite," Sergeant Fred followed suit, joining Robert in the canteen. "It's June, sir. School holidays. Anyway, no one dares to come back to the school since this incident. This way, sir."
Robert followed Sergeant Fred. They were at the front of the canteen, near the stalls, and appeared to be walking towards the back of the canteen, to the small stage. There were many policemen busying around the stage area but at where Robert was, he could not see what they were busy with. Robert tried peering over the policemen's head but was stopped in his tracks by Sergeant Fred.
"Sir, meet Major Alan Lee, Officer-in-Command for this operation. Sir, Mr Robert Langdon," Sergeant Fred introduced.
Robert looked back down and saw a man in his early thirties, muscular, tanned and had an air of superiority around him, but not intimidating. He had a strong look on his face, but Robert could tell that he was tired; the case must have been wearing him down.
"Ah, Mr Langdon. It was nice of you to come assist us at such a short notice. We're really glad you're here," Major Alan said, and held out a hand to Robert.
"Robert," Robert offered, shaking Major Alan's hand. Strong grip. "Well sir, I hope I can be of some help," he continued weakly.
"Just call me Alan," Major Alan said, settling himself into one of the plastic seats around a round table. "I'm sure you can, Robert. We've heard so much about you and I'm sure your skills in crypto can be put to good use. Do have a seat."
Robert sat down opposite Alan, and asked him curiously," So what is this case about anyway? I haven't had the foggiest idea since I received your call 2 days ago. Your men won't seem to tell me anything either."
Sergeant Fred sat down in between both of them and said firmly," We had orders."
"It's alright, Fred. And Robert, all in good time, all in good time. Perhaps first I'll give you a summary of the case?" Alan said, waving Fred off. Alan opened a brown paper file and looked up at Robert.
Robert nodded, keen for more details.
"On the first of June 2008, a well-known member of the powerful underground society The Ten Cuid'sons Cult was found dead in the canteen of Jurong Junior College. His gang name was Wolf, real name and age unknown. From the appearance, we figured around 21. We believe that his time of death was between 2 to 3 in the morning. Reason of death being excessive bleeding through a knife wound," Alan started, occasionally flipping through the file, though it seemed unnecessary, as he had already known all these facts by heart. "No fingerprints, hair, clothing fibre, skin flakes or any DNA of the murderer was found," he added.
"So it was a planned incident? But how did the murderer know that Wolf would be here? Considered a double-cross or trickery by rival gangs?" Robert asked inquisitively, rubbing his chin with his first and middle finger.
"Yes, we have," Alan said thoughtfully. "In fact, there's something I didn't tell you. His blood was poisoned. Forensics has confirmed the poison to be the venom of the African Cobra."
"African Cobra venom? Isn't that pretty hard to acquire? This narrows down our suspects, doesn't it?" Robert suggested.
"Yes, it does. We even go as far as to say that we believe it was executed by The Ten Cuid'sons Cult. A deadly double-cross," Alan said swiftly.
"So what are you guys waiting for? I still don't see where I fit in! Go get them then!" Robert asked, exasperated. He found himself standing up, without remembering doing so. "Don't tell me you guys can't even find them!"
"Robert! You have to understand! We need evidence to pin these guys down! If we just bust in like this, all we'll catch will be the scapegoats! And we don't want that! I don't want that! This time, we must catch the big fish! Nothing less!" Alan retorted hotly, now also standing up, face to face with Robert.
Fred looked nervously at both of them and gulped. This sure does not look like a good sign for a first meeting.
Alan breathed out heavily and said slowly," Sit down, Robert. I'm sorry. It's just that I've really been having a lot of stress from above regarding this case and I'm really tired-"
"I understand," Robert said with a sigh, sitting down.
"Besides," Alan said. "There's the public eye we need to consider. You might not know, but recently the Police have been having a lot of bad press due to certain escaped convicts…" His voice trailed off and he looked down at his file blankly.
"We really need to catch the tops of this gang, Robert, we really do," Alan said, half-pleading. "It involves the pride of the Police force and the public's confidence in us."
"Right," Robert said. In fact, that was all he could say. "But I still don't see where I fit in." he added a few moments later.
Alan breathed out again, and said," Come on. It's time I show the bodies. You'll understand then. Follow me."
Bodies? I'm a lecturer! Nonetheless, Robert stood up and followed him. This time, they were headed straight for the buzzing crowd of blue, just next to the small stage.
"Here you go," Alan directed Robert's view onto the floor, where the dead bodies of the security guard and Wolf lay.
Robert took a glance amidst the sea of blue and was transfixed, not to mention stunned, by what he saw. Now I know where I fit in.
"He did all these before he died?" Robert exclaimed, still shocked by what he saw.
"Yes, Robert. All these," Alan replied. "All these and more."