Jasmine for the Man

By A Leinweber

The woman sat down close to him, close enough for him to feel her warmth through his trousers...

A British journalist is murdered at the Tugu Negara, the Malaysian national monument. As Chief Inspector Chee Keong and Haris Askandar investigates, the trail leads wide, deeper and higher. What is the connection between a German drug company, the Batang Kali massacre, Indian migrant worker trafficking and a pimp? A. Leinweber's first crime novel is an unputdownable read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerakbudaya London Ltd
• Release date: Aug 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9789671374511

A Leinweber

A. Leinweber is a trained teacher with Master’s degree in German Language and Literature, Political Sciences and Music. He has resided in Malaysia since 1997 and has worked as a free lance journalist for two German dailies and a Swiss weekly. He has, together with Kumar Thangiah, produced a film documentary about Ramli Ibrahim (“The Rebel Dancer”). Jasmine for the Man is his first crime novel.

Book preview

Jasmine for the Man

A crime novel

A. Leinweber

This ebook edition is published by Gerakbudaya Digital Sdn Bhd, 2016.

This ebook has a copyright and is not transferable. It cannot be scanned, copied, uploaded, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, and licensed via the Internet or other electronic means or publicly performed or used in any way except with the written permission of the publisher.

Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text is a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

Copyright © 2016 Alois Leinweber

Published by Gerakbudaya Digital Sdn Bhd, No. 2 Jalan Bukit 11/2, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

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Digital design by Janice Cheong

Cover photo: Flickr/Jorge Lascar. CC 2.0.

E-ISBN: 978-967-13745-1-1

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Table of Contents

The Characters

25 JUNE, around 3 am

25 JUNE, 6 am

11 JUNE (14 days earlier)

12 JUNE, just after midnight

26 JUNE

27 JUNE

12 JUNE, earlier

28 JUNE

18 JUNE, earlier

29 JUNE

19 JUNE

30 JUNE/1 JULY

2 JULY

3 JULY, early morning

3 JULY

4 JULY

5 JULY

6 JULY

7 JULY

8 JULY, jasmine for the dead

About the Author

Jasmine for the Man

Chief Inspector Chee Keong and Haris Askandar investigates

The Characters

Federal Special Investigation Division

Chee Keong, chief inspector (acting superintendent) 

Haris Askandar, inspector

Azleena, secretary to the Assistant Commissioner.

Datuk Nazim Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP); Chee Keong’s superior officer. 

Dr Nazri, forensic doctor (pathologist).

Emilia Zahaini, member of Chee Keong’s investigation team.

Mazlan Abdul, crime scene investigator.

Mustafa Farid, computer technician.

Peter Murugahia, photo fit technician.

Peter Tangohia, member of Chee Keong’s investigation team.

Rosli Kamaruddin, member of Chee Keong’s investigation team.

The murdered man and his friend:

James Hollander, journalist who was murdered lived in Malaysia for many years, often following dangerous leads; had been in the country earlier on a different mission.

Hubert Gehrcke (Hub), lived with James Hollander in an apartment in Kuala Lumpur (KL).

Key Civil Servant:

Datuk Isni Majul Hamid, high-ranking officer from the Ministry of Labour who wants to clamp down on the bad apples within his ranks.

Two foreign workers:

Annadurai, an Indian national brought to Malaysia by an agency.

Kumar, Annadurai’s fellow countryman and his friend.

Others:

Abdul, a cook and owner of a small restaurant near the police station.

Awang Malik, a police officer who talks to the wrong people.

Aziza, Sharifah’s elder sister.

Farid Saben, seen with Hubert Gehreke at Freddy’s restaurant.

Freddy, the owner of a posh restaurant in KL; plays badminton with his friend Chee

Keong.

Fui Mei, Lim Teyoh’s granddaughter who helps him in his daily affairs. 

Karl,‘the German’, Chee Keong‘s friend; has lived in Malaysia for more than 20 years and seems a bit lonely.                                                       

Lim Seng, whose father was shot by the Scots Guards at Batang Kali.                                                 

Lim Teyoh, an old man who takes care of certain graves in Batang Kali.

Madam Foo Mei, Lim Seng’s mother.

Marina Zulkifli, a friend of James Hollander who helps Chee Keong with a new lead.

Mohamed Ramli Zakariah, a police officer from Petaling Jaya.

Petra Schmidt, James Hollander’s former wife; they have been separated for more than twenty years and have a 25-year-old daughter.

Sharifah, Chee Keong’s girlfriend; doing her PhD in the Faculty of Science at a local university.

Simon Lee, a mechanic and Chee Keong’s friend; drives an old Vespa; is closely involved in the affairs of Batang Kali and is well connected to the DAP, a political party dominated by Chinese citizens.

Sun Li, a young Chinese woman who met James Hollander five days before his death.

Sundaram, Kumar and Annadurai’s boss;director of Sundrawantu Sdn Bhd that produces furniture.

Tan Sook, a debt collector specializing in tough jobs.

Wong Hong Fei, a pimp.

25 JUNE, around 3 am

The woman sat down close to him, close enough for him to feel her warmth through his trousers. He'd met her in a café five days earlier when they'd struck up a conversation and agreed to meet for dinner the following night. Their meeting seemed to hold promise for both of them.

Now she was driving them to a rendezvous in the park which was familiar to him. He'd spent many exciting hours there before, especially at this time of night when there were hardly any cars  or people around. Beyond the monument, the road led nowhere, disappearing into an oil palm plantation. The monument itself had long been closed for the night. Only the life-size figures of the soldiers on the monument’s pedestal were illuminated by floodlights. Light shimmered on her thigh where her short skirt had ridden high. He ventured a hand on the soft piece near the hem of her skirt; she turned and blew him a kiss. The parking area was shrouded in darkness. He was getting more and more excited; she would be parking the car in a few minutes.

The girl was Chinese and worked in a public library. She was an interesting conversationalist, at least as far as literature was concerned. Physically, she was impossible to overlook. Her slim, boyish body exuded a juvenile femininity. She was about 25 and was quite aware of her own beauty and charm, which she obviously knew how to use.

They'd spent the evening at Evelyn’s Jazz club listening to Greg Lions and his band. Greg was always a safe bet in terms of enthralling jazz. They'd tasted some of the culinary delights from Evelyn’s kitchen and had enjoyed a bottle of wine together.  Evelyn had come to their table, entertaining them with the latest rumours about the local music scene. Evelyn was a heavy smoker, and her hands seemed to be in perpetual motion even when sitting at the table.

When the club started emptying, they'd left and went to her car parked nearby, a fancy old model. She'd turned down James’ proposal that they spend the night at one of the hotels in the vicinity. Her home was also out of the question. When he suggested that she drive them to the outskirts of the city, find a peaceful place – he knew of somewhere – and have some fun in the car, she'd readily agreed that this was a good idea.

James was pleased that the parking area was deserted. He was blissfully unaware that shortly after she'd switched off the car’s headlamps, a second car, its lights turned off, stopped at the entrance to the park. He surrendered to his companion for the night, first he felt her soft hands on his face before she proceeded to undo his clothes and explore his body. Then she'd hiked up her skirt and was on top of him when, suddenly, the driver’s door was ripped open. James was blinded by a harsh beam of light. Then somebody pulled him half out of the open door. There was no time to think about what was happening before a crushing blow to his head sent him into oblivion.

25 JUNE, 6 am

It was pleasantly cool in the dawn light. The smell of pines filled the air. In less than two hours the aroma of fresh grills and fries would replace the pine. By then the three restaurants across the street, on the slope leading to the forest, would be open for business to provide their regular stream of patrons, mostly people living in the vicinity, with breakfast.

Chee Keong stood in front of the National Monument. He was feeling sleepy. The two policemen on patrol duty didn’t seem very alert either. They'd also been up all night. Calmly, Chee Keong took in his surroundings. He'd been here once before on a school trip. At that time he'd scrutinized the faces of the life-size soldiers very intensely. They were all foreigners. He'd asked his teacher why only white men had fought for the liberation of his country. The teacher didn’t respond other than with a reprimanding glare. 

Now he was here again, nearly twenty years later. He felt frustrated with the system and irritated at the same time. He was the only Chinese in the Division and had been on call all night, this seemed to happen too often. Shortly after five, an anonymous phone call had been received at Headquarters about an occurrence at the National Monument. The police should investigate. Headquarters first called the patrol and then him; why him? The affair was more than just a little strange. Who on earth roamed around this place at this hour and discovers a crime?

Chee Keong felt a little unsteady on his legs. At this early hour he hadn’t been able to have much to eat. Just now, at home, a cup of tea had to suffice. 

The floodlights bathing the monument were still on. So were the lamps on the tall stone pillars surrounding the site, emitting a dull yellow glow. 

It was peaceful except for the occasional sound of traffic from the four-lane highway close by. In an hour, the highway would be choked with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Now the hum of traffic enveloped the scene in ghostliness, as if preparations for shooting a film were being made. But the crime had already been committed and for one person, at least, the film had already been concluded. Chee Keong didn't expect to find any witnesses at this remote location.

The dead man was naked with his clothes in a bundle beside him. He was lying on his back on the three steps leading to the pedestal of the monument. His face was turned upwards.

He looked at the victim and saw he had a nasty throat wound as if someone had ripped out most of it. He looked kind of pathetic, as if he belonged to the group of soldiers standing above him, only he wasn’t in uniform. One soldier appeared to be aiming his gun him.

Who'd had that weird idea to intentionally place a naked dead man in such a place and position? the detective asked himself. During his ten years on the job, he'd seen a lot.

But at this moment he had a deep feeling of revulsion because of the nudity of the body.

His stomach turned at the sight. Luckily he'd not had breakfast or he would have vomited.

He was plainly relieved when he heard car doors slamming. Most probably the guys from the crime scene investigation had arrived.? 

The scene began to liven up. In the half-light of dawn, the fountains in front of the monument suddenly started their daily work. From umpteen nozzles, plumes of water spouted into the fresh morning air. Chee Keong jolted into action. He called Headquarters to arrange for the fountains to be switched off. Precious traces of evidence had probably been flushed away. But how could he have thought of that so early in the day?

Luckily, the usual tourists would arrive much later, thus cordoning off the crime scene was not yet necessary and the team could do its job undisturbed. 

The chief inspector circled the site again, looking up and down in all directions but he couldn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. He widened his search, going down to the entrance of the parking area and from there back in the direction of the monument. The car park area was neither tarred nor paved. The driveway leading to it was covered with greyish gravel where the cars of thousands of visitors had left traces. The parking bays, in contrast, had been kept in their natural state. Tufts of grass sprouted out of the brown soil. 

He couldn’t see anything unusual. All the same, he ordered his team to scrutinize the parking area. They had cordoned off the site now. 

About an hour later, when Chee Keong was on his way to his car, he bumped into Mazlan Abdul from the crime scene investigation who was standing in a corner of the parking site, an amiable fellow who always kept his calm. His spiky hair and unusually long nose for Malay set him apart from his colleagues. 

I know you’ve just started your investigation but I guess you already got some idea about what happened here. Placing the corpse at the monument, naked with its clothing in a bundle next to it … what is that supposed to show? 

Mazlan looked at the chief inspector, shaking his head. That’s your job, Inspector. I wish you luck. You may need it. I haven’t come across anything like this before.

Ah, just tell me what you've seen so far and what you think happened. It could help me. After all, you're a part of the team. 

Thanks for the invitation, he replied grinning. "The victim's name is James Hollander.

It's on his driver’s licence with his address. He is or rather was sixty years old and

English. He had RM355 and a few cents in his wallet. Also two credit cards, one from an English bank, the other a Malaysian bank. It obviously wasn't a mugging. In fact it appears as if he was executed. He was bashed over the head and then shot once in the back of the neck from close range, one or two meters at the most. By the look of the wound I assess that the killer used a pistol. I’ll be able to give you more precise information tomorrow. I believe he was already naked before he died. He either voluntarily took his clothes off or he was forced to. If the former is the case, a woman must have been involved or maybe some gay guy. We’ll have further details on this tomorrow. We’ll be able to tell you whether he was having sex at the time of his death.

Oh, by the way his clothes stank of cigarette smoke." 

After a while he continued. Look at this spot. It’s close to the monument but furthest away from the entrance to the parking area. We’ve found some car tracks. And right here are bloodstains and dragging traces. I think this is where he was pulled out of the car. He must have been murdered right here. We have to verify the bloodstains. The car tracks are not very clear but definitely fresh. The soil is quite dry because it hasn’t rained for a few days. We haven't found the bullet but I expect the killer or killers picked it up. And now, my dear detective, start working.

Mazlan, you’re great. We’ll get him or her, I promise. If only you could provide me with the make and plate number of the car. But this can wait until tomorrow. 

Will be done. And now let me do my work. Besides, you owe me something. 

I won’t forget.

Chee Keong left the scene. Mazlan was a good and reliable worker and Chee Keong was sure to get results fast. It’s good to have such people in the team, the inspector reflected as he got into his car. 

Chee Keong was in his mid-thirties with the gaunt figure of a long-distance runner. Jogging, in fact, was part of his daily routine, at least as far as his job allowed it. He had already run a marathon, the Penang Bridge International Marathon, a year ago, which he’d passed with flying colours. He owed his nickname, ‘sharp nose’, partly due to his big nose, too big for an Asian, but also recognition of sorts for his achievements. He'd already solved several complicated cases. When pondering a crime, he had the habit of pinching his nose between his thumb and forefinger. 

It was nearly 9 a.m. On his way back to Headquarters, he decided to treat himself to a light breakfast. At first glance, the little restaurant under the giant trees right in front of police headquarters, with its blue plastic folding tables and matching stools, didn't look too inviting. But Chee Keong loved the teh tarik¹ served there, the best in town. It was not too sweet, so one could still taste the tea. To go with his tea, he ordered noodle soup and a nut-filled pau. That would do until lunch, which he’d eat with his colleague Haris. Haris was devoutly religious so they’d go to Rumahku², a Malay restaurant, and discuss what they knew so far of the murder. 

The medical forensic team wouldn’t present their report until tomorrow, but at least they had the photos and some results from the on-site investigations. 

Feeling reinvigorated, Chee Keong was on his way to his office when he passed Azleena, secretary to the Assistant Commissioner or ACP although everyone referred to him as the chief. As always, she was fashionably dressed in a burgundy red kebaya4 and sarong. The pleasant fragrance of jasmine, ylang-ylang and sandalwood hung in the air. Azleena, sitting in front of her computer, greeted him, friendly as always. Just then, the phone rang. Yes, he just came in. I’ll let him know. She called after Chee Keong, The chief wants to see you. It is about this morning’s case.

But Chee Keong was on his way to his office. He called Dr Nazri, the forensic doctor. I need to report to the chief about the murder. You have something for me? 

I’m not a magician. I’ve only been back half an hour. What do you expect? And in front of me are files piling up on my desk. He took a breath and continued, OK, the shot in the neck killed him, not the head injuries. Death must have occurred at between 2 and 3 a.m. That’s all I can say for now. I’ll provide more details before lunch tomorrow.

Chee Keong thanked him, hung up and proceeded to Datuk Nazim Ahmad’s office. He opened the door after his knock produced a sharp Masuk!³. 

The portraits of the king and the queen on the opposite wall were the first things Chee Keong noticed. Next to the king, but 10 cm lower, was a picture of the prime minister. At the same height, but next to the queen, was a picture of the mayor of the city.

The chief towered in front of the pictures, standing behind his solid teak desk in his blue grey suit and pigeon blue tie. His egg-shaped head was accentuated by a ring of hair. His meticulously trimmed moustache showed spikes of grey. The surface of his desk was, as ever, impeccably clean and shiny. Only a black file with its cover closed was placed directly in the middle in front of him. Near the top of the file lay a black fountain pen in a golden holder on a transparent receptacle. To his right was a red telephone.

Chee Keong thought the room was sterile and impersonal. The tall Ficus benjamini in front of the window did very little to alter his perception. But it suited the chief. Nazim Ahmad adjusted his rimless glasses and wasted no time on formalities. 

What do you already know? he asked abruptly. 

Without waiting for an invitation, Chee Keong sat down in front of the desk and presented his initial findings. He described the site where the deceased had been found. His name was James Hollander, he was 61 years old and English." 

Nazim looked anxious. A murdered Englishman, found at the memorial! That’ll give the press more than enough reason for their customary speculation. We have to proceed with much circumspection, and crucially, solve this case expeditiously. For the time being, the fact that he was naked must not be made public. I want the latest information on my desk twice daily.

OK, Datuk. Anything else?

That’s it. Now get cracking, he snapped. Chee Keong got up and left the room almost in haste before he said something he regretted. He was annoyed by the chief's attitude; he  hated to be treated as a rookie.

He had to prepare for his first consultation with the team at 2 p.m. By then everyone would have had time to do their homework and be ready to contribute to the findings. He called Haris and arranged to meet him for lunch at 11.30. They'd be able to decide on a strategy before the 2.30 meeting.

Thank heaven for Haris; such a blessing that he could work with him. He was six years younger than Chee Keong, always cheerful and ready to joke. The way he could mimic a phone call using only hmm, eh and heh with different intonations, sometimes questioning, sometimes challenging, but always with a closing remark, was incredible. One may actually hear such telephone conversations in everyday life but Haris’ imitation was first rate. For a policeman, however, he needed to pay more attention to his weight; he was simply too hefty for his age. 

They ate in the small restaurant they always went to when they needed to discuss something in private. Sitting in one of the corners gave them privacy from inquisitive stares and eavesdropping. And the menu was more than adequate.

A middle-aged couple was sitting at a table across from them. She was wearing a sacklike baju kurung⁴ that, much to the regret of the inspector, was now becoming increasingly popular, replacing the more enticing figure-revealing kebaya⁵ .  The man, somewhat stocky and short, was wearing a white shirt and a tie and gold cuff links. He had a huge plate of rice covered with brown gravy in front of him. She was eating a bowl of laksa⁶.

Before their food had arrived, he'd been stroking her hand and admiring the ring on her finger. They chatted merrily and laughed often. Why do I assume they are not married? Chee Keong reflected. And after a moment’s consideration, I hope they’ve been married for twenty years, even though it doesn’t seem like it.

For starters Chee Keong ordered pisang nangka kukus⁷ with sambal and kelapa parut,⁸ followed by ikan bakar⁹ with rice and kangkung belacan¹⁰ in garlic and the obligatory chili potong.¹¹What are you having?

Haris decided to treat himself to roti bakar¹² and kaya¹³ and a teh kosong  to go with it. 

Is something wrong? Chee Keong asked with genuine concern. Do you have a stomach upset or something? Why such a light meal?

I’m OK. Haris wouldn't be drawn into saying more and Chee Keong suspected that his colleague simply wanted to shed his excess weight.

After the forensic team had finished their work, Haris had taken a closer look at the site where the murdered man had been found, and knew what the speculation was about. First, Chee Keong informed him about the facts that had already been established.

I have already worked out that he was not murdered at the monument, Haris said. "Otherwise it would have looked different there. It fits into the picture that the murder happened in the parking area. However, the body was then placed at the monument, and quite purposely at that. There had to be at least two people, if not more, involved. After all, they would have had to carry the body. Then, I’m also interested in why he was naked. Perhaps a woman was involved. We'll have to wait and see what the pathologist