Big trouble in little india

[ilikeoldchangke]

testing testing

[sennheiser]

Originally Posted by ilikeoldchangke

testing testing

loud and clear bro.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Jeff : Why ? …..

I looked at Owen and waited for his reply. There must be a good reason for this.

There must be.


A shit load of things is going through my head at that moment and I have a feeling you might have guessed a couple of my thoughts as well.

Billy looked at the documents on the table and the one in his hands, no doubt trying to figure out what this is about.

Owen sipped his drink and looked at the documents through the glass of drink. He looked tired, as if he hasn’t slept in days.

His answer will pretty much determine my next course of action.

I trust Owen, to a certain degree that is.

He brought me into this shit, we go way back and all but end of the day, I am very clear as to what I am getting myself into.

If things go wrong, it’s every man for himself. He taught me that too. He taught me that the very first time he handed me my bonus for the project.

Shit will go wrong one day.


It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.


This man.

The one whose photo I’m staring at, is a colleague of mine in a way. I don’t know him, I have never met him but he works for the same organisation. He receives the same training probably.

He works for Owen too.

The idea of getting rid of a colleague is unsettling.



If I get a whiff of Owen getting rid of people once they have outlived their usefulness, I’m gone. I may work for him but I’m not someone you use to get rid of people that fight for the same flag.

How could he ask me to do this ?

If it’s really about making people that is not longer useful disappear, I’ll bolt.

I’ll vanish.


I shit you not, I am packed and ready to go. I don’t care.

I cannot afford to care. If this is happening to number 17, one day it will be my turn. I can almost picture Owen having the same conversation with a different team, a different colleague.

Telling them that I have outlived my usefulness, that I need to retire.

I can disappear from the island within 12 hours and no one will know. I can leave everything behind in a heartbeat, my car, my house, my bank account, everything. This is the very reason why you keep your stash all over, not just in Singapore.


You think I walked away with just the Belt and a holster after meeting the Iranian and North Korean that faithful day ?

Of course not.

When the opportunity comes knocking for you to make friends, you jolly well make them. You never know when you will need their help.

1 week after that meeting I went to the North Korean embassy.


The guard asked me what I want and I showed him the belt I received from the guy on the boat. 10 minutes later I was drinking with Min Joon at a patio within the embassy grounds after giving him a gift I prepared.

I left 30 minutes later with an email address. We kept in touch regularly since then doing each other small favours here and there.
1 month later, I was having tea with Hamid at a café 2 streets away from his office.

Iran do not have an official embassy in Singapore yet but they have multiple operations offices and safe houses on the island.

6 months later, Hamid , Min Joon and I gathered for the 1st time for dinner. It was a potluck gathering in a section of the quarry in Pulau Ubin. By potluck I meant sandwiches and water.
We communicated with broken English, using gestures whenever their limited vocabulary cannot express what they want to say.


None of our employers knew about this little gathering and we are happy to keep it that way.
Some cards you keep close to your chest until the final hand.

Jeff : why ??

I repeated the question as Owen drained the whisky in his glass and poured himself another 2 fingers of it.

Billy : are you serious with this ??

Billy waved the picture in front of Owen as we all waited for his explanation.

Owen looked distressed, and he finished the 2nd glass of drink quickly. It’s not hard to see he has a lot on his mind.

Setting it down, he tried to reach for the bottle again but I stopped him


Jeff : That bottle is meant for me no ?? what is this shit about ?? we taking out co workers now ?? is it ?

Owen wiped the remnants of the drink from above his lips and composed himself. I could see he was trying to pick the right words to use.

He knew how sensitive this situation is.


Owen : Yes… he’s one of us…. Number 17….. callsign …… Gshock…..

Jeff : why ? … you haven answered my question…

Owen looked at me and answered immediately.

Owen : He went rouge ….. he defied orders…. He’s a fucking cowboy now…. Running wild….

Billy immediately added, asking if the audit team has gone through the documents and evidence presented.

Owen revealed another stack of document. The audit team has verified all the facts and have given the green light.

All documents are in order.


Owen : I know how this sounds…. It sucks…. It really sucks…. But I have no choice… I cannot afford to let someone like him run around unchecked….

Jeff : Can we bring him back ? as in…. is there a need to kill him ?? … have you had a chance to talk to him ?

Owen exhaled as if I was overstepping my limits. You can’t blame me. I deserve to know.
Would you not have asked the same question if you are placed in the same situation? Surely the employee deserves a chance to explain himself.

Owen : I’ll go straight to the point…. Gshock… also known as Clement. ….. is an operative just like you….. he handles some of the organisation’s business… that generate much needed cashflow…. But he fucked up….he fucked up big time….


Jeff : what did he do ? ?? money… he lost money ?? are you fucking removing employees because of this….

Owen : Shut the fuck up Jeff….. and listen….. He killed someone..

Jeff : That’s our job brother…. You trained us to do this…


Owen : a 12 year old girl…..

The room went quiet. I could feel my body temperature starting to heat up. I was shaking. I waited for Owen to continue.

I prayed he would tell me that he did not make a 12 year old Clement’s target.

Billy saved me the agony of the wait and asked Owen right away.

Billy : Is that girl a target ??


Owen : No…. let me finish…. Don’t interrupt me again…

Owen grabbed the bottle from my hands and poured himself more alcohol. His eyes were starting to get bloodshot. I could see he was angry.

Angry that it had to come to this.

Owen : Clement has dropped off the radar since 3 weeks ago….we flagged him when we realised he had done something behind our back….


Owen told Billy and I that Clement had killed that 12 year old girl for her organs.

Owen : the organ trade is booming in Asia and unknown to many, Singapore is a thriving hub for organ transplant. …. Many of which happens under the table….

Clement runs several private clinics that were entrusted to him by the company. The main clienteles are VVIPs and politically connected people including royalties. It’s a good cash cow arranging for these people to come into the country unnoticed and away from the prying eyes of the media.



They come here for the usual medical procedures, but unlike private hospitals, the clinics Clement managed offers much more.
Personalised protection, private flights, a large premium is charged, making the company the funds needed to continue our operations.


It doesn’t matter if you are a disposed dictator or an ousted premier in another country.

You pay, Clement does the rest. All away from the prying eyes of the media and even your own government.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Yes and the clinics has their own team of specialist to handle the transplant of organs.


Owen : The clinics perform the transplant, but we don’t provide the organs…..the clients usually procure their own…… they are brought in… by their own doctors…. We don’t ask questions……it has always been this way…… But in this case…Clement…. Stepped out of line….


It was made known to us that Clement murdered the 12 year old girl because her organs are a match to that of a VVIP kid that is 1 year older.

Owen : It’s a rare blood type . B- negative…. Only 1.5% of the earth’s population has it…. rarer still to find a ready target within reach that Clement has access to…. The money being offered is enough to make him sacrifice the girl…

Jeff : What the fuck…..


Owen : He took her kidneys, and heart….

The room descended into an uncomfortable silence.

This is fuck up.

Jeff : are you….. serious??

Owen : I have been trying to find him…..he’s gone underground… but I am very sure he is still in Singapore….. the VIP in question is also in Singapore….

Billy : Then why are you here ? ….fucking beat it out of them !!! where the fuck is this fucker… !! take the organs back from that privilege fuck !!..

Owen : That kid doesn’t know !!... he’s royalty….. son of a sultan…. Of a powerful country…..in case you forget your geography….. we are fucking surrounded by countries with Sultans…. With oil… money…. Power…..!!

Jeff : Then the parents must know…


Owen: Oh…. Really… what ? …. You going to hit a member of the royal family ?? fuck off…. There’s geopolitical relationships at stake here…

Jeff : Do I look like I care about politics….

Owen : I’m not done with the briefing…. This is a special situation….I need you guys to understand what is at stake…

Owen said that the girl that was murdered has a twin sister.

Owen : Gwen is born 10 minutes after her sister Gillian…. Both of them are orphans….. they stay in a church managed orphanage…..where the clinics that Clement managed are the main sponsors….. from money to medical services….


Gillian’s body has been retrieved, cremated and laid to rest.

Now this problem is Gwen.

Gwen has the same blood type and compatibility of organs as her sister.

Owen : It has come to our attention that the VIP’s body is showing signs of rejection for the kidney that Clement took form Gillian….. and we have credible information that Clement will be coming for Gwen….


Jeff : fuck off…..

Owen : He will not stop……. He will see this through….

Billy : Where is Gwen now ?

Owen : At the church…. I have 5 men watching her…..but I will be withdrawing them soon…. I have them there for the past 3 weeks….. I can’t keep them there any longer….

Jeff : what… ? please don’t tell me this is some budget shit…. You don’t have money to keep the men there to protect that little girl ?!!!

Owen shook his head.

His eyes.


His eyes betrayed his thoughts immediately.

I slammed my hand onto the table, causing Billy to jump in his seat.

I pointed a finger at Owen as I stood up, unwilling to believe the conclusion I had come to in my head before Owen said it.


He knew I caught on yet he remained quiet.

He did not want to say it.

Billy : woah.. woah… what ?? .. what is going on man… chill…. What’s happening…. I’m not following….

I looked at Owen who maintained a neutral look. He had regained his composure, perhaps the alcohol earlier helped.

His eyes never left mine as I shook my pointed index finger at him, as if I’m reprimanding him for something.


Jeff : how could you even think of this… ?

Billy looked on, puzzled as to what I am trying to get at.


Jeff : You want to use Gwen as bait…. To draw Clement out….

Billy’s eyes widened as he took a step back, unsure of what to say.


Owen poured himself more drinks and he said I got half of it correct.

Owen : Yes…. I’m using her as bait….but….the men….. the men protecting her…. I was ordered to let them go…

Jeff : What the fuck do you mean ? are you serious ??!!

Owen’s eyes closed and I could see him composure finally crumbling down. He’s on the verge of snapping.

Owen : what would you have me do ??? !!

His arms tightened, his fingers closed and curled up like claws, facing each other in front of him ad if he was trying to concentrate an energy ball towards me. His face was scrunched up and he was grinning down on his teeth.

The pressure on him must be huge.

Owen : I …….. am trying to keep this shit together…….. do you have any idea how hard it is for me to do my job… !!! on one hand I have to face the politicians, on the other hand…. I’m managing ….. people that can snap anytime, slaughtering innocent bystanders …!!


He took a deep breath and I looked at his blood shot eyes.


Owen : This is the only way…. The last thing I need is him trying to grab some other kid ….. at least we know he has a target….. do you accept this project ? …..

Jeff : Owen !!.. that girl is 12 for fuck sake… !!


Owen : Should you wish to accept this project …..

Jeff : She is 12 !!

Owen :It is my duty to remind you that if you are caught…. The organisation will not…

Jeff : Are you fucking listening to me !!

Owen : will not be responsible for your actions…

Jeff : Owen !!

I shouted at Owen for the first time ever and he stopped talking. Billy has a hand up in front of me trying to calm me down.

My blood was already boiling when I knew someone killed a girl for her organs, now my boss wants me to use that girl’s sister as bait.

Owen : I want to state for the record that….. the target is Clement… codename Gshock….get him…. At all cost…. If Gwen is going to lead us to him…. Use her…


I could not believe what I was hearing from Owen.

Jeff : Are you even listening to yourself Owen ?


Owen : WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO !!!

He finally snapped back at me.

Owen : Clement will not stop….he will not stop…..if he can’t get Gwen… he will try to get others….. he will get anyone…. Any one !!! that he thinks might be a match….you hear me ! ?? what would you have me do !!??


The shouting silenced the entire office as we stared at each other.

Billy’s eyes alternated between each of us, unsure of which side to take.

Billy : Come on guys… calm down…. Jeff… don’t take this…..leave it to the others….



Owen looked away first and I could see his shoulders slouched.

There is something else he is not telling us.
He’s keeping something.

I could see it. He’s deliberating whether to let it slip from his tongue.


When Owen finally spoke, he wiped the perspiration from the top of his lips.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Owen : I….. I have 2 sets of orders…..1 is for my ears only…

He looked at Billy and me before saying that he will not force us to take up the project.


Owen : As per the audit team’s approval…… Clement must die….

Jeff : What is the other order….

Owen : If Clement gets his hands on Gwen before you stop him……. we are not to intervene…. The VIP will get his organs…. And you take care of Clement after that….

Jeff : Fuck you…..

Billy : wait… wait… so if we get Clement before he gets Gwen… then it’s all good right ?? .. it’ll all be good right?? There’s still a way around this….

Owen shook his head.

Owen : If you get Clement before he strikes….. Gwen… will still be delivered to the VIP’s doctor.

I shook my head and swept the bottle of whisky off the table and across the room

I could not believe what I was hearing.



Owen : We’re running out of time…. My men will leave Gwen in 4 hours….. regardless whether you accept this project..

I wanted to speak but nothing came out of my mouth.

I was totally speechless.

Owen looked away for a moment. Billy was just staring at the table of documents in front of us.


Jeff : Why me ? … you knew I would not agree to this…..there’s no way I would give Gwen up if I take this project….

Owen replied almost immediately, as if he knew what I was going to say.

Owen : because you have more empathy …… then the rest of the men working for me….

Billy went on to pick up the bottle and glasses on the floor.

Owen : I have no doubt you can take care of Clement…..and you will surely have a way with Gwen….


Jeff : What if Gwen dies before she gets to the VIP ? hypothetically …..

Owen shrugged his shoulders.

Owen : Shit happens right ? ….. there’s no telling what Clement will do… if Gwen dies…. During the confrontation…. I would have no one to deliver to the VIP…

I saw the twinkle in his eyes and I finally understood his intention.


He knew I would not follow his orders blindly.

Owen : if you refuse…. I’ll go down the line… someone will accept this project….

I looked at Owen and I considered my options.

Billy’s attention was on me, he was wiping his palms on the side of his pants.

Owen : don’t feel bad to say no… its your right…. If you are not taking this up…. I’ll go to the butcher…..


Bastard. He’s just out to antagonise me.

Owen : Or the Gourmet ….

I could feel the shiver in my spine as Owen went on, rattling off the callsigns of the colleagues ranking right below me.

Owen : Socket….

Jeff : enough…..


Owen : Iron….

Jeff : I said enough !!..

The callsigns of the men would have offered a glimpse to their capabilities and their methods.

I have no doubt Clement will be dead soon, but I seriously doubt Gwen’s fate would be pleasant in the hands of these men.


Jeff : I accept….

Billy chirped in immediately after me.

Billy : me too…

I immediately saw Owen heave a discreet sigh of relieve as he settled back into his chair.

That wily old fox.


He wanted me to do this. To get me riled up.

Owen : I gave the orders as per the audit teams approval…… as for what you do ….. it is beyond my control….. nor will I be responsible…..

Jeff : How typical of civil servant….. covering their own backsides even before it begins…

Owen : I’ve said all I could… your cover is that of a social worker…. I’ve made the arrangements…. You will report to Mandy at the Orphanage tomorrow at 9am….


Jeff : Tomorrow ? but you are pulling out your men this evening….

Owen : Yes…. Something that I’m not suppose to share….. do what you want with the information….. it’s beyond my control….

Owen pulled out a vibrating phone and walked away to answer it.

Billy looked at me, waiting for me to say something.



The Orphanage is in Punggol.
4 hours, there’s still time.

Billy : Now what ?

Jeff : I need to head to the pawn shop….

Billy and I went to make a withdrawal at the pawn shop, I packed a knife, first aid kit and I emptied the cash box I kept. It’s not a lot, probably about 12k in various denominations.


As I directed Billy to a temple in Sengkang, I closed my eyes and tried to think of a way to get Gwen out of the country.

She’s too young to be on her own and I don’t know where else to send her. I can keep her hidden for a while definitely, maybe bring her to a Kelong operated by a friend of mine. Then when the opportunity arises, get her out of the country. I don’t know.

Or perhaps I can fake her death ? Impossible.

They would want to see a body.


This is some fuck up project.

As Billy pulled up to the temple, he asked if I was going to pray.

Jeff : it’s too late to pray….wait here for me….



I walked into the temple and right past the caretaker into the back room meant for staff.

The old man manning the room told me that place is off limits.


I went to his wooden abacus on his desk and rearranged the beads in the right order without a word.

He checked the inputs before pulling out a wooden case from the wall and left me alone.

Opening the case, I took out another 15k in cash. It’s not going to be cheap to buy a passage off the island for Gwen, not to mention the money she will need to survive.

I checked the time.


1 pm


1 more hour before Owen’s men leave.

I got into Billy’s van and we headed over to the Orphanage in Punggol a 10 minutes’ drive away. We parked at the multi storey carpark opposite the church and Billy launched a a small drone into the air.

Within seconds the drone sent back an aerial view of the church.

I could see the 2 vehicles parked in the compound. A couple of Owen’s men are milling about.

I’m not supposed to show my face in the church till 9am the next day.

A lot could happen between now and then.


2pm

Right on time, Owen’s men loaded into the vehicles and they drove out of the church.

I told Billy I’m going to head down and check out the perimeter.

I pulled a cap low and walked slowly towards the church.

I took a glance through the main gate and I caught a glimpse of Gwen. I recognised her from the pictures.



She was just sitting at the patio, staring blankly into the air. Her legs dangled lifelessly off the bench. It was a heartbreaking sight to take in.

Imagine losing the only kin you have left in the world. Your sister.

She’s still so young.

I saw another lady come out into the patio. A sweet looking girl next door.

She put a hand on Gwen’s shoulder and spoke to her.



I walked past the gate, not wanting to arouse any suspicion.

I trek around the perimeter of the church, security is non-existent.

There are no cameras and the walls are low. Anyone can climb over the walls into the compound if they wanted. Well, this is Singapore after all, who would want to trespass into a church ?

I was completing the loop around the perimeter when I received a call from Billy.


Jeff : Yeah ?

Billy : Grey Toyota…. Passing you in 5 seconds….


I kept my head forward and walked on casually.

A few seconds later, the car came into view. It cruised along a little slowly, making a turn and going past the main gate of the church. It’s windows are tinted, definitely against regulations.

Billy : that’s the 2nd pass….

Jeff : any other beside this ?

Billy : No….



I did not want to go pass the main gate again in case I get recognised so I crossed the road and settled myself down at a coffeeshop, picking a table that gives me an unblocked view of the compound from the main gate.

The gate is shut, I doubt Clement would be that dumb to try anything in broad daylight.

Billy text me that the Toyota made a 3rd pass and it’s gone.

I took a sip of the coffee and shook my head. It’s terrible.
Seems like the rumours are true.


Punggol has terrible food and coffee. One of the worst places in Singapore to get a meal.
Rent is high, food is terrible.

I lifted the cup to take another sip of coffee and I felt the hair at the back of my neck stood on it’s end.

Goosebumps rippled down my spine and my heartbeat increased.

I could feel the rush of endorphins and the tingle of an erection setting in.

My fingers trembled for a brief second as the muscles on my body tensed up. I could feel myself biting down on my teeth.

A man had just sat down with a bowl of noodles 2 tables away from me.

He orientated himself the same manner I did, towards the gate of the church.



His eyes scanned the immediate surroundings, taking in everyone at the coffee shop including what they are doing.

I could not move in time, he saw me looking towards the road and in the general direction of the Church.

Our eyes did not meet but I knew he is paying attention to me.

I continued sipping my coffee and I dropped Billy a text to pick me up in his Van by the side of the road.

Instead of shying away from my current line of sight, I continued looking at the road, making no attempt to change my attention to something else.

The man ate his noodles, his pair of shades rest at a strategic position on the table. The reflection from the glasses gave him a wider range of view even though he’s looking at only one direction.



At moments like this, the hardest thing to control would be your emotions.

The anger seething inside you threatening to derail everything out of control.

Billy’s van appeared a few minutes later and I stood up and gave the van a wave as I finished the disgusting coffee.

I hopped onto the van, looking like any other tradesman or contractor prowling the growing estate.

Billy put the van into drive and I looked at the side mirror towards the coffee shop.

At the same man slurping his noodles looking at the church.

Billy : What’s happening ? …

I replied Billy with only one word.


Jeff : Clement…

…………………………………..

[Icecass]

OMG! Great writing! Can’t wait for the next installment! Thanks TS!

[Icecass]

OMG! Great writing! Can’t wait for the next installment! Thanks TS!

[dahai]

Great updates TS. Happy New Year!!

[otamay]

Fantastic masterpiece of works here, more please.

[andythai]

Welcome back bro, thanks for the update

[diputs1269]

Great to see bro ilock back with great updates, please continue.

[soundrel]

What an awesome story, hope to read more soon!

[Truthful]

enjoyed reading your story, more updates please.

[madmen11]

Getting intense! More pleaseeeeeee

[unlove]

Power la bro ILOCK!