What Goes Around

By Steve Gee

There are times when determination and perserverence are not enough...

David Bower was a powerful man in his corporate world. He controlled and influenced most people around him.

When he spoke, people listened.

But David would soon learn that despite his considerable affluence and corporate power, there were some things in life that were beyond his control.

When David was forced to travel to Hong Kong for urgent family reasons he had no idea what awaited him.

This emotionally charged, thrilling story of a father's love and determination to fight for his family is tightly wrapped in a suspense- filled mystery that unwittingly thrusts David into a world of murder and violence, where his own demise could be lurking around the very next corner.

Does he stay to fight for justice, or should he flee for his life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Gee
• Release date: Apr 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224819256

Steve Gee

Australian born Steve Gee has thirty years' experience in criminal investigations, so it made sense for him to write 'whodunit' urban noir crime stories, with a focus on the investigation, to solve the plot. Steve continues to write stories in the mystery, thriller genre. He lives with his wife, Margaret in Queensland, Australia.

Book preview

QUOTE

There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

CHAPTER 1

The mixed emotions David Bower experienced were confusing. His stomach was heavy with parental concern, but at the same time, he was excited for his eldest boy, Miles.

He and his wife Madison had just waved to Miles for the last time, before the self-closing doors at JFK airport International departures swallowed up his excited son and his son’s friend Bryce, as they embarked on their around-the-world holiday travel.

David found it difficult to let Miles go, with him traveling so far away, but he knew it was a rite of passage. The time had come for Miles to break free from his parents and explore the world after sixteen years of school and study. It was now time for him to experience life beyond the shores of the United States.

Once the boys were out of sight, an anticlimactic wave washed over David. He stood gazing at the unimpressive closed doors long after Miles and Bryce had moved through.

The travelers’ excitement that earlier surrounded him quickly turned to a realization they were gone. All the euphoria, all the excited chatter and apprehension leading up to their departure, ceased with the closing of those airport doors.

With his focus remaining fixed on the closed Customs doors, he said to his wife, ‘We have done the right thing…haven’t we…?’

Madison lightly took hold of his arm to encourage him to start moving away from the area. ‘Of course we have, darling…’ she said with a confident and reassuring tone. ‘They will have the time of their lives….’

‘Do you think the fifty kay we loaded onto his travel card will be enough?’ David asked. His questioning tone was out of character for the entrepreneurial businessman and corporate heavyweight who made multi-million dollar decisions daily.

‘I do…but if they need more…we can simply load it onto his card,’ Madison reassured.

A few days on and David grew satisfied with himself after coming to terms with Miles’ holiday departure.

Everything that he could control in his life was in order. He had sent his eldest son on an overseas holiday, as reward for his academic achievements in graduating Summa Cum Laude from Harvard Medical School.

Benjamin, his 2nd born, commenced his third year of a Law Degree at Yale - Ben's preferred choice of University, and Felicity, his youngest, had been accepted into her preferred University - Columbia, next year.

Life was good he contentedly thought to himself. But was it?

As a powerful man in the corporate world, David controlled and influenced most people around him. When he spoke, people listened. He was everything you would expect from a billionaire businessman ranked by Forbes as the 172nd wealthiest American.

But David would soon learn that despite his considerable affluence and corporate power, there were some things in life that were beyond his control.

The silence in the conference room suggested the issue in question had been exhaustively considered and addressed.

As Chairman of his multi-billion dollar company, David sat in his inferred power position at the head of the highly polished oak boardroom table.

He scanned the tired, drained faces of the usually opinionated board members, for one last time. All were quiet, so he declared the last item on the lengthy agenda resolved.

Dark circles had formed under David’s eyes. He was drawn. It had been a taxing day with back-to-back meetings from 6am this morning, with little respite. Even for someone as motivated as David, it was tiring.

He checked his watch. ‘It’s just gone 6.30pm,’ he announced to his Executive team. ‘If there’s nothing else, I will declare this meeting closed.’ He nodded once to his assistant Lila; a silent indication for her to sign off the minutes.

David clapped his hands together. ‘I think we have well and truly earned a drink, or two after that. Thank you people.’

As was tradition, following their boardroom meetings, the lavish lounge in David’s luxurious 50th floor office hosted the executives for post-meeting drinks, to unwind from preceding events.

While enjoying a casual single malt with his team, a colleague asked David, ‘so, how long has Miles been away now…?’

David checked his watch. ‘Just over three weeks. They’re in Hong Kong at the moment,’ he said then took a sip.

‘Have you heard from him since he left…?’

'Of course. We regularly chat on Skype and he also provided daily updates on their online travel blog.’

‘Very good…’

‘Although I must say,’ David began. ‘They haven’t provided any recent updates…’

The colleague scoffed. ‘They’re probably having too much fun to worry about updating travel blogs…’

‘You’re probably right,’ David said, followed by a reassuring sip of his malt scotch.

By his 3rd single malt scotch David could feel himself starting to unwind, when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

He removed his cell and checked the display. He didn’t recognize the number.

‘David Bower,’ he answered in his usual confident tone, before sneaking a sip of his scotch. A silent pause followed. ‘Hello…’ David repeated.

Still nothing.

He checked the connection before asking, ‘Is anybody there...?’

A morose sounding voice on the other end responded. ‘Mr. Bower…This is Bryce…Bryce Fleming…’

David’s face lit up. ‘Bryce,’ he replied, oblivious to the somber tone. ‘How’s one half of the Intrepid Travelers going…?’ David moved away from the gathering of executives. ‘What can I do for you, son…? You haven’t gone through the fifty large already have you, boy…?’ he said, followed by a chuckle.

Silence.

His eyebrows dipped. ‘Bryce…? Are you there…?’ David asked against the continued silence. He again checked the connection had not dropped out. ‘Are you there, son…? Look, if you can hear me, this must be a terrible connection…I’m having trouble hearing you…I may have to call you back…Are you there…?’

Following an extended pause Bryce responded, ‘Um… Yes… Yes, I’m…I’m here, sir…’

‘Now I’ve got you…’ David said. ‘What can I do for Bryce…? Is everything OK…? How’s Miles…? Is he there…?’

David fired off questions in rapid succession before Bryce had time to respond. David glanced at his watch.

‘What are you doing up at this time of the morning…? It’s not even 7am over there. Or are you just getting in from a big night…?’ he said with a somewhat proud fatherly grin.

Silence.

Annoyance, maybe even a little concern started to etch across David’s face at the continued silence.

‘Bryce… Are you there…? What the hell is going on…? Are you there…?’ His tone increased to stern.

‘Mr. Bower… I… I…’ the voice faded off. He could hear the muffled sound of Bryce sobbing through the phone.

‘Good God, man. What is going on…?’ He asked directly with his concern rising.

'Mr. Bower… It’s Miles, I—’

‘What about him? Is he alright…? What is it…? For Chrissakes, Bryce.’

‘I don’t know how to tell you this, sir…’ Bryce said. His voice shuddered through his sobbing. David could hear Bryce’s labored breathing.

‘Tell me what…?’ he said directly. His tolerance had reached its limits.

Bryce struggled to articulate any discernible words over his apparent distress. ‘Sir… It’s Miles. They found him floating in the Harbor this morning… Sir…. He’s… he’s dead…’

Bryce’s voice broke as he succumbed to his emotions. Having just delivered the news he had lost his best friend, he burst into uncontrollable sobbing.

David froze at the news. His shoulders slumped. His jaw dropped as his eyes glazed over into an expressionless stare. The color drained from his face.

‘What the hell are you talking about, Bryce…? How can he be dea — ’ David cut himself off. He refused to say the word. ‘Oh my God…’ David said.

His hand cupped his forehead, as he paced directionless around his office. His stomach knotted. His legs grew weak. ‘How can this be…? I don’t understand…’

A brief pause followed before Bryce responded. ‘I have no idea, sir. I still can’t believe it.’

‘Where the hell were you, Bryce…? How could you let this happen?’

‘I… I … was in bed,  sir. I had no idea until this morning.’

‘Are you telling me he drowned…drowned in the Harbor…?’ David’s tone was aggressive.

‘That is what the police are saying, sir.’

‘That makes no sense at all. Look… You stay put and I will call you back once I have spoken to the police.’ David ended the call.

He ran a hand through his hair. His fixed stare dropped heavily to the floor. His mind spun and his pulse raced. The pit of his stomach knotted tightly.

He felt weak. As the gravity of the message sunk in, his legs could no longer hold his weight. His knees buckled and he found himself kneeling on all fours.

Lila was standing with the Executive group in the lounge when she quickly broke away from the gathering and scurried towards her fallen boss.

‘Mr. Bower….?’ She asked with genuine concern. ‘Are you alright, sir…?’ She stooped down and placed a comforting hand on David’s shoulder. David didn’t respond.

By this time, most of the colleagues had followed Lila and gathered around David. They assisted him to his feet.

The natural hue from David’s face had gone. His pallid appearance clearly alarmed the gathered colleagues.

‘Someone call 9-1-1,’ one of the concerned executives yelled.

David raised his hand. ‘No. Wait,’ he said, before his arm fell limp to his side. He stared blankly forward as several beats passed by.

His glazed eyes had no apparent focus. His concerned colleagues looked on.

‘It’s…it’s my son, Miles…’ David said. His head slumped forward, as if too heavy to hold up. His somber monotone voice informed his executive team.

‘They found him floating in the Hong Kong Harbor…’

After delivering the news, David cupped his forehead as he moved towards a corner of the room, away from the group.

Stunned silence followed. His colleagues remained as a gathered group. Their eyes darted between each other. Each one was completely dumbfounded by the news.

David stood away from his executives with his head in his hands, as he experienced the disbelief stage of grief.

His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. David quickly removed his phone and checked the display. Madison. Shit, he thought. His eyes lifted to the ceiling. How can I tell her?

His movements were slow as he moved the phone to his ear. Before he could speak, the sound of crying pulsed through the phone. He wouldn’t have to break the news to Madison — she already knew.

‘Maddie…’ David answered. His voice was flat.

‘Have you heard…? Oh my God, David… have you heard…? It can’t be… Tell me it can’t be...’ Madison blurted over the phone, before she burst into uncontrollable sobbing.

‘Yes… I heard.’ David’s somber, but controlled voice replied. ‘Bryce rang me just now. I still can’t believe it, Maddie,’ he said with his own voice solemn with grief.

‘The police are here, David. Can you come home… Now, please,’ she asked through her crying.

‘I’m on my way now, darling,’ he said then ended the call.

David addressed his executive team. ‘I have to go. I have a lot of things to attend to.’

When his eyes met Lila, he asked, ‘can you get me on a flight to Hong Kong. I have to go home now. I’ve got a few things I need to do.’ He briefly studied his watch. ‘Any flight after say… 10pm would be great.’

After bursting from his private penthouse elevator, David raced through the foyer and into the living room where Madison sat with two uniformed police.

Madison stood up from her seat as he approached. They moved towards each other and embraced tightly. Madison broke down sobbing in his arms.

Even the expressions on the faces of the two burly cops were ones of genuine heartfelt sadness.

David lifted his head from his wife’s shoulder, towards the cops. ‘How did this happen…? Do you know…?’ His tone was surprisingly calm.

‘We don’t know a lot at this time, sir,’ the older officer said. ‘We only know what we have been told.’

‘Which is what…?’

‘As we understand it, sir, the Hong Kong police believe your son drowned in the harbor,’ the same cop said.

‘He was an elite level swimmer, for Chrissakes…’ David blurted. ‘How could he drown?’

‘The Hong Kong police believe he slipped, possibly on a mossy rock, or similar, and hit his head before falling into the water.’

‘Why was he down near the water in the first place?’ David asked. ‘I know for a fact, swimming in the Hong Kong Harbor is not permitted.’

‘That we don’t know, sir. I’m sorry,’ the officer began. ‘The Hong Kong Police have asked us to ask if you are in a position to travel to Hong Kong for formal ID and… other arrangements,’ the cop asked.

Still embracing his wife, David nodded, ‘I will be heading over there tonight on the next available flight. I’ll take care of all that.’

‘Sir. Ma’am. We are very sorry for your loss. Is there anything we can do to help? Anyone you need called?’ The officer had genuine sympathy in his voice.

David raised a hand to the cops. ‘No. You’ve done enough as it is. Thank you. I will handle it from here. If there is nothing else gentlemen… Philip will see you down. Thank you.’ David nodded once to their Butler, before burying his head into his wife’s shoulder.

CHAPTER 2

Despite travelling in the comforts of first-class, the lengthy flight across the Pacific from JFK to Hong Kong had been the longest and most mentally exhausting 16½ hours David had endured.

Traveling alone left too much time to think. Vivid memories of the happier times with Miles ran through his head like a home movie collection.

After a while, the extended solitude of the flight brought home the harsh reality. His son was gone and there was not a damn thing he could do about it. No amount of money and no amount of corporate power, or influence would bring him back.

There were so many unanswered questions. How could this happen to Miles? How would he cope without his eldest boy? How could he bring himself to look at his son’s lifeless body? How can he escort him home… to Maddie?

His desperate thoughts kept hoping this horrible nightmare would end when he woke. But it didn’t. Everything was too surreal.

It just couldn’t happen like this, he kept thinking. Miles had his whole life ahead of him. He planned to be a Doctor.

The time on his own during the flight caused him to rationalize everything; to bring it into perspective. It allowed him time to grieve on his own, of which he did plenty.

After they landed, David could only sit with his eyes closed while the flight attendant’s enthusiastic voice resonated through the speakers as she welcomed passengers to Hong Kong.

He couldn’t bear to look at the travelers’ excited faces as they disembarked from the plane; each one filled with anticipation of whatever reason they had traveled to Hong Kong—but not David.

He chose to remain in the comfort and security of his first-class seat for as long as he could. The unknown of what to expect in Hong Kong unnerved him, but he knew sooner or later, he would have to face the inevitable.

After his arrival at Hong Kong’s International Airport on Lantau Island, he climbed into the private street car, Lila arranged for him.

He also requested Lila book him into a suite in the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Wan Chai, on Hong Kong Island, so chosen because it neighbored the hotel Miles and Bryce were staying at.

David collapsed into the comfortable soft leather back seat of the Luxury Audi A6. Although tired, his active mind masked any effects of jet lag.

During the forty minute journey to his hotel, David mentally mapped out and prioritized his next movements.

He removed his cell phone. His first priority was to call his wife, as requested by her, to let her know he had arrived safely.

While it approached midday Sunday in Hong Kong, it was midnight Saturday in New York, so he intentionally kept the call brief.

David had been unable to change currency before he arrived at his hotel, so he slipped the porter a US$10 bill before closing the door to his top floor luxury suite.

As if by habit, he found himself drawn to the ceiling-to-floor, picture windows that overlooked Hong Kong’s scenic Victoria Harbor.

On any other occasion he would be suitably impressed by the panoramic vista his room captured, but not on this occasion; there were too many distractions.

David left his bag unpacked and moved to sit on the side on his king-size bed. His elbows rested on his knees as he stared blankly at the ground in front of him.

He cut a lonely figure sitting in his oversized, luxury hotel suite as everything started to hit home. The reason for being in Hong Kong became a vivid reality.

His breathing started to labor. His inhalations wrestled against his body, shuddering from his increasing sobbing. He cupped his face as he sobbed at the disbelief of losing his beloved son.

It took several minutes for David to compose himself before he decided to seek out Bryce at his nearby hotel.

Walking the corridor of the Renaissance Hotel’s 12th floor, David removed his notes from his pocket and checked the room number against the shining gold number affixed to the hotel room door – 1206.

A solemn faced Bryce promptly answered his knock. Bryce’s face lit up when he saw David at his door. ‘Mr. Bower,’ Bryce said with genuine excitement in his voice. ‘I am so glad to see you, sir.’

David embraced Bryce in a gesture that comforted both men; each one grieving the loss of Miles in their own way.

David accepted the fresh prepared cup of coffee from Bryce. ‘I have to let the police know I’m here soon, so I can complete the formalities,’ David said. ‘But first, I would like to have a chat with you, Bryce.’ David gestured to the lounge chair opposite him. ‘Have a seat.’

He stared briefly into Bryce’s bloodshot eyes. Bryce’s drawn, pale expression suggested he too was experiencing the same pain and feeling of loss as David, and Bryce had to endure the last two days on his own, without his best friend.

‘I want you to know, Bryce, we don’t blame you at all. Do you understand that? It’s important that you do.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ Bryce said. ‘I appreciate that…’

‘So… What the hell happened?’ David asked, then sipped on his coffee.

Bryce stared back at David in silence, as though his words were trying to escape, but the emotion wouldn’t let them pass.

‘I’m curious, Bryce. What you guys got up to the Thursday night before... Was it a big night? Walk me through it.’

He rested his elbows on his knees. He had to know his son’s steps leading up to his death, if only for his own peace of mind and closure.

‘During the day on Thursday,’ Bryce started, ‘We took the cable car up to Victoria Peak for some sightseeing. We met some really cool people up there… They were locals.’

‘Were they similar age to you and Miles?’

‘I think so. But we didn’t ask their ages.’

‘How many of them were there?’

‘About eight, or so I think. Look I’ll show you.’ Bryce opened his gallery of photos on his iPad. David accepted the iPad from Bryce and flicked his way through the smiling faces and posed holiday snaps of Miles, Bryce and their new friends at the Victoria Peak Lookout.

David’s eyes lifted to Bryce and he nodded. ‘OK, continue…’ David said.

'They said they were all going out to Lan Kwai Fong later that night, so we decided to meet them there,’ Bryce said.

‘Lan Kwai Fong...’ David said with a slow knowing nod.

‘Um, it’s a trendy night spot in Hong Kong Central, you know… bars and restaurants.’ Bryce said.

‘Yes, I am aware of the place, Bryce…I’ve been there once or twice in my travels,’ David said. ‘Did you and Miles end up going there?’

‘We did. Miles and I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner first and then we caught a cab to Lan Kwai Fong.’

‘What happened then?’

Appearing unfazed by all the questions, Bryce continued. ‘We stayed at Lan Kwai Fong until about 2am, until we’d had enough.

Then we invited our group of friends back to my hotel room to kick on, you know, have some quiet drinks back in the room. We caught some cabs and came here to my room.’ Bryce gestured towards the center of the hotel room.

David nodded slowly while he studied Bryce. His initial thoughts were that of concern at their apparent blasé attitude towards their own personal security - Inviting complete strangers back to their only safe haven.

‘How many came back?’

‘Everyone...’ Bryce said. ‘About eight, or so. We were having a great time. Miles told me he wanted to head back to his room for a minute. H didn’t say why, though.’

‘Which room was Miles’?’

‘1202. His room is two rooms down on the same side.’ Bryce gestured towards the hotel hall way. ‘Miles left to briefly go to his room…and…’ Bryce’s jaw began to shudder. His lips quivered. ‘I never saw him again.’ He struggled to articulate his words.

David gave Bryce a reassuring pat on the knee. ‘It’s OK. Take your time…’ David said.

Bryce wiped an escaping tear.

‘What time did he leave for his room?’

‘To be honest, I can’t recall. I didn’t check the time.’

‘I understand…’ David said. ‘But did he leave shortly after you arrived, several hours after you arrived. What was it?’ David asked.

Being a man of intricate detail himself, he wasn’t satisfied with vague answers, especially not when it related to his son.

‘Maybe… After an hour, or so,’ Bryce said. ‘I really can’t say for certain, Mr. Bower.’

‘So he never came back?’ David said.

‘No.’

‘Weren’t you concerned?’

‘Too right I was. I went to his room two, or three times and knocked on his door, but he didn’t answer. Once everyone had left my room, I went back there again. I figured he must have been unwell and went to bed, so I let him be.

‘The next thing I knew, the police were knocking at my door Friday morning waking me up.’

‘Why your door?’

‘Apparently the police showed the hotel staff a photo of Miles and the staff recognized him as a guest. They apparently informed the police we were traveling together. That’s why they came to me.’

David’s thoughts moved to why Miles would leave his room and walk to the harbor, on his own. Something about this wasn’t adding up to David.

‘How drunk was he when he left for his room?’

‘He’d had a few, sir, but he appeared fine to me. I’ve seen him worse.’

‘Had he taken anything stronger, Bryce?’

Deep in his heart he believed he knew his son would not dabble in illicit recreational drugs. He and Maddie had brought their three children up well, and that included educating them about the myriad of dangers associated with illicit drug use. He knew the answer, but he had to ask anyway.

Bryce’s eyes widened. He adjusted his seating position. ‘No, sir. He didn’t do drugs… We don’t do drugs–at all. There is no way he had taken anything, sir. That you can be sure of.’

David nodded, reassured by Bryce’s firm reaction. ‘Good… So why did he leave his room in the early hours of the morning? It doesn’t make sense, does it?’ he asked.

‘I haven’t stopped thinking about that for the last two days, sir. I have no idea,’ Bryce replied.

‘Did the police take a statement from you?’ David asked.

‘Yes they did. They came back later in the afternoon and took it.’

Bryce rose from his chair and moved over to his bedside table. He lifted a number of documents. ‘This is my copy here.’

‘Do you mind if I read it?’

‘Of course not.’ Bryce handed David the statement.

David read through the statement while Bryce made a second cup of coffee for them both. The statement’s contents were similar to what Bryce explained.

‘I notice you mentioned the alcohol consumption in here,’ David began. ‘But you didn’t mention anything about not taking any drugs. Was that an oversight?’

Bryce abandoned the coffee making and moved back to David. His face wore a frown. ‘That’s not true,’ Bryce responded firmly.

He accepted the statement back from David and flicked through the pages. ‘They asked me if Miles had taken any drugs that night, or if he took recreational drugs and I told them that he did not.’

Bryce continued to flick through the pages of his statement. He frowned heavily. ‘They haven’t included it,’ he said.

David ran a thoughtful hand up the side of his face, through his two-day stubble. He considered why something so important, so relevant, had been omitted from a key witness statement, especially when it was clearly discussed.

‘Do you mind if I hang on to that?’ he said.

‘Of course not.’ Bryce handed the statement back to David.

‘What are you plans now, Bryce?’

‘What today…?’

‘No. Staying in Hong Kong,’ David clarified. ‘Do you intend to stay on here, or do you think you will return home?’

‘I don’t think I could stay here without Miles… The memories… The… I—’

‘I understand, son,’ David said. He gestured to the room. ‘You are welcome to stay on here, but I will leave that up to you,’ David said.

‘I think I would really prefer to go home, sir.’

‘I understand. We’ll organize that for you later today,’ David said. He stood from his seat. ‘Why don’t we grab some lunch before I attend to my next obligation. My treat.’

David had no interest in hurrying to view his son’s body.

CHAPTER 3

After introducing himself to the Police Constable at the front counter of the Hong Kong Central Police Station, a constable escorted David a short distance down a narrow corridor to the small cluttered office of Station Sergeant Eddie Cheung.

The sergeant greeted David and politely offered his sympathies for the tragic loss of his son, Miles. An expression that appeared genuine, rather than banal.

Cheung was a short, slightly built man of about forty-five years, with fresh faced features and jet black hair. He wore a police uniform that appeared to be maintained to rigid military standards. He spoke excellent English, with only a slight discernible accent.

‘I am certain you have a