It started pouring rain at 6:00 A.M. with reports of a possible typhoon headed for Manila. A corporate jet would be grounded for hours, maybe even the entire day. No use trying to hurry plans even if it meant missing a speaking engagement that paid $25,000 just to speak for a couple of hours.
“Lee, do we have time to eat breakfast?” Desiree asked.
“We should,” Lee said while looking at his solid gold pocket watch. “We determine what time we can leave. I just wanted to leave early because I have a speaking engagement this evening. We would have to leave here for the airport no later than seven.”
“I am all packed and the breakfast buffet downstairs opens at 6:30 A.M. I really love this hotel. We should use it again next time we visit your parents. My parents want to stay in the States, but I do not know. I am kind of agreeing with you about living here,” said Desiree.
Lee asked. “In the hotel?”
“Do not be ridiculous, in the Philippines. Anywhere it would be nice to stay. I am more of a concrete jungle than sandy beaches but someplace nice,” said Desiree.
Lee said. “I agree with you. We can talk about it on the jet home. Let us go eat.”
At the hotel cafeteria on the ground level, Lee and Desiree walked around to look at the buffet of breakfast food.
“They have fresh mango nectar juice and fresh squeezed orange juice. Why did they not have this all week? My stomach reacts to that frozen concentrate with tap water,” said Lee. “Fresh guyabano, a doctor here told me that eating guyabano is better than radiation therapy to cure cancer and it tastes like bananas mixed with mangos. Guyabano is a natural cancer cell killer.”
A cell phone chimed.
“Hello!” Lee said. “Desiree, it is for you. I will be at the table.”
Desiree said. “Hello mother!”
“The news is reporting there is a tropical storm headed for Manila,” said Mrs. Karlyle.
“We know, but Luigi already talked to the tower,” said Desiree. “The typhoon had died down and we are clear to take off once the airport opens. I will call you when we get back to Kansas City and we can have lunch tomorrow, bye.”
At the table Desiree handed the cell phone to Lee after getting a plateful of breakfast food.
It was the cell phone again.
“It is probably your father,” said Lee and handed the cell phone to Desiree.
“Hello! Yes, he is right here,” said Desiree and handed the cell phone back to Lee. “Somebody named Jack Aquila.”
“Jack? I have not seen him since I was in college.” Lee grabbed the cell phone. “Mr. Aquila. How can I help you? … Yes, we are still in the hotel, in the restaurant, eating breakfast. … Sir we have to go to the airport at seven. … Sure, I can wait for you here.”
Desiree asked. “What was that all about?”
“He is on his way here. He said it was very important. He needed my expertise on a murder case,” said Lee.
Desiree asked. “If you have not seen him since college, how did he get your cell phone number?”
“He probably called my father. Jack has used my father’s investment banks since he moved to Manila,” said Lee.
Luigi Biscotto (pilot, chauffer, bodyguard, cook, butler, and friend) entered the cafeteria.
“We have the clearance to leave Mr. Chon. The typhoon changed direction and headed for Japan. The tower confirmed our departure,” said Luigi.
Lee said. “Get you something to eat. We might have to stay after all. I am waiting for one of my father’s old friends. He is on his way here.”
After around thirty minutes Lee looked at his pocket watch and he said. “Where is he? What is taking him so long? This is a historic hotel. He would know how to find it.”
“I will be in the front lobby waiting, Mr. Chon,” said Luigi as a bewildered giant of a man walked around aimlessly looking for someone and then he approached the table. Luigi stood up and left.
Jack asked. “Lee! It has been, what, thirty years since I saw you last. It is you, is it not?”
Lee stood up and stretched out his right hand in friendship and he said. “Yes, I am. This is my wife Desiree. Have a seat Mr. Aquila.”
While shaking Lee’s right hand Jack looked at Desiree and he said. “Hi! I am good friends with Lee’s father. I have known his papa since before Lee was born.”
“Have a seat. What is troubling you, Mr. Aquila?” Lee asked.
Speaking rapidly with a nervous tone Jack said. “I just started a new company called Abaca Textiles. To promote it, I also started and sponsored a professional basketball team here in Manila. My first round draft choice was arrested for murder. I know you do private investigating and defend clients in America. Your father has told me about you since you were born. Can you help him, defend Felix?”
Jack continued. “Felix is a good kid. Young and full of spirit, but he would never hurt anyone. He would never commit murder.”
“Why me? There are plenty of lawyers here in the Manila area. I can even recommend several competent men. My father has his law firm. I am sure he can suggest someone more capable than I am.” Lee said.
“I need someone like an outsider. I mean no disrespect, but it would be better if someone investigated the matter firsthand instead of trusting a local law firm’s private detectives,” said Jack.
Lee said. “I prefer to do my own footwork. You have me figured out. I have my license to practice in the Philippines, but I have not done much litigation here mostly lecturing and consulting. As a lawyer, again, I would like to point out and advise you that you would be better off getting a Manila lawyer who knows the - ins and outs - of the criminal justice system, locally.”
“Lee, I implore you. Please take my case. I will pay your $100,000 retainer in American dollars and pay all your expenses. I even brought a company car for you to use. I can have someone come and get me,” said Jack. “Your father said that your driver goes with you everywhere you travel and knows our islands. Your grandmother made sure he was well-trained in taking care of you. Please! Take my case. I beg of you.”
“I will take your offer under one condition,” said Lee.
“Anything, whatever. Name your price.” Jack said.
“I will go talk to Felix. I will talk to the local police. I will investigate. If I really believe he is guilty, I will not accept your offer. I will go back to Kansas City,” said Lee.
“We have a deal.” Excitedly Jack said. He reached for his wallet. “This is a check for $100,000 in American dollars. It is made out in your name. Any reputable bank in Manila will cash it. I am sure your bank in Kansas City can deposit the amount to your account without any problems.”
Lee handed the check to Desiree. “She is my banker and personal financial manager.”
“It was nice doing business with you, Mr. Aquila.” Desiree said in a mocking tone. “I will tell Luigi we will be staying longer and see if I can still get the same room for another several days.”
Lee and Jack left the cafeteria and walked to the outside exit door of the front lobby. Luigi followed.
“Luigi, we will be staying longer.” Lee said as Jack reached inside his pants pocket for his cell phone.
“Yes, I know. Mrs. Chon had already told me.” Luigi said.
“There is my ride. My chauffer must have followed me here. I left in such a frenzy. I drove myself to this hotel. I have not done that in ages. Parked over there is the cherry red four-door sedan. One of our company cars you can use. I will reimburse you for the gas.” Jack said and walked towards a glossy black limousine.
Lee turned to Luigi and Lee said. “I want you to surf the Internet for any articles about Felix Granada, including his basketball career. Print it. Yesterday, I read about his arrest in the newspaper. Get me copies of any newspaper you can find written about Felix and the murder. Contact the police and set up a time to talk to the officers at the scene of discovery. I also want to talk to the arresting officers.”
The chauffer opened the side door for Jack. In the backseat Jack saw an official basketball with the Abaca Textile logo. He grabbed it.
“Hey Lee, consider this brand new basketball as part of the payment.” Jack said and in a single motion hurled a baseball pass of the basketball directed at Lee from a distance of fifty feet without realizing Lee had his back turned.”
Jack was six-foot-eight. He threw the basketball with enough force to cause whiplash, at least a minor concussion. Luigi, like a defensive guard with wide vision, stepped around Lee and caught the pass before the basketball could hit Lee in the back of the head.
Luigi handed the basketball to Lee and Luigi said. “Mr. Aquila said this basketball is part of the payment.”
“Thank you!” Lee yelled and waved at the limousine driving away. “Luigi, use the Internet Cafe in the hotel and see if they still have old newspapers with articles about the murder. I will wait for you in the lobby. I have to cancel my speaking engagement at the National Medical Examiner Conference in Kansas City.”
Lee was talking on the cell phone when Desiree sat next to him. Desiree waited till Lee was finished using the cell phone. Desiree said. “I was able to get the same room for us and Luigi’s single room. They already brought the suitcases to the room. I called mother and told her what happened.”
“I was able to cancel my speaking engagement,” said Lee.
“Were they mad at you? Canceling so late?” Desiree asked.
Lee said. “No, actually they seemed excited. I recommended someone else to speak for me and coincidentally he was in the office checking on the itinerary of the conference. I suggested paying him the same amount and he agreed to it. Strange, I lost $25,000 and gained $100,000. What did you do with the check?”
“I put it in the hotel safe,” said Desiree.
Lee said. “If this works out, consider that check as my wedding gift. I have not bought you anything yet.”
“That basketball player better be innocent” said Desiree.
In harmony Lee and Desiree laughed.
“Well, I have to go talk to Felix and checkout the murder scene. What will you do all day? Can you eat lunch by yourself? I do not know how long this is going to take,” said Lee.
“Do not worry about me. I called your mother and she invited us to stay with them. I told her that you will probably be gone most of the time investigating so we better stay in the hotel. She invited me to go shopping with her so my entire day is planned. She should be here in an hour to pick me up,” said Desiree.
Luigi handed Lee a legal-size clear plastic envelope with copy papers and newspapers inside.
“We better go. Desiree, have fun shopping with mother. I will meet you back in the room,” said Lee.
“Mr. Chon, Mr. Aquila left the car keys at the front desk,” said Luigi. “I am only five-seven. I was worried if I could reach the pedal of an automobile somebody as tall as Mr. Aquila can drive. I adjusted the driver’s seat. It is brand new with automatic transmission. It has a full tank of gas.”
“That is probably why he took so long. He filled up the gas tank first.” Lee said. “He was sure I would accept his offer because he had everything ready.”
Luigi said. “We cannot talk to any of the officers involved. We have to talk to the National Police Controller.”
Lee stood up and he said. “They know outsiders will be involved. Normal. Let us go talk to him.”
Lee kissed Desiree on the lips. “Bye! I will see you when I see you.” Lee whispered.
At sixteen Lee Chon went to college. After he received his medical degree in surgery, he was bored so he went back to study criminal law. After Law School he decided to study to be a private detective while working in an Emergency Room as the staff surgeon on duty and he realized he really wanted to learn how bodies really died, especially because of intentional murder. He went back to college to specialize in Forensic Science commonly referred to as Medical Jurisprudence.
A professional student achieved because Lee was given early inheritance. Lee’s grandmother gave Lee billions of dollars established in a trust fund when he became sixteen years old.
Overeducated, but Lee Chon had a life long calling. He defended the innocent from an imperfect justice system and he got paid in money, self-gratification.
Lee and Luigi arrived in the parking lot of the National Police Headquarters in Manila in time for their 10:00 A.M. appointment with the Controller. The basketball by Lee’s shoes rolled out as he opened the side door of the sedan. He quickly jumped out and chased the basketball rolling down the parking lot. He started dribbling the ball back towards the car after catching up with it.
The secretary let Lee and Luigi in the office.
“Mr. Chon. How are you? I know your father very well. I have even met your famous grandmother from Hong Kong. Have a seat. Do you want coffee? Or juice?” The controller asked.
Lee said. “No thank you. Luigi, how about you, do you want anything?”
“Nothing for me, sir,” said Luigi.
The controller said. “How can I help you, Mr. Chon? I hope your stay in our country has been very enjoyable?”
Lee said. “Yes, it has. I might return. I have been contracted by Jack Aquila to represent Felix Granada. I understand that you have him in custody for a murder case. Can I speak with the officers involved that found the body and the arresting officers?”
“Jack hired you huh? I was expecting expensive Manila lawyers. You are a lawyer in America? I tell you what.” The controller said and turned to his desktop computer. Typed on the keyboard and the printer started printing. “I can give you print copies of the reports. If the reports are not satisfactory, and then come back. We can discuss it more in depth.”
Lee accepted several pages of copy paper and he said. “Can I see Felix?”
The controller said. “Yes, you can. I can have one of my officers take you to him now, if you like. We can legally hold him for seventy-two hours without having to answer any questions. I am sure you understand that. Is that basketball a gift from Jack? He can keep it for now in the single cell, but if he is placed in the prison population he has to check it in as personal property.”
Lee said. “No, the basketball uhhh.”
An officer knocked on the door.
The controller quickly opened the door and ordered the officer to bring Lee and Luigi to see Felix. Only Lee was allowed in the single cell occupancy. A very tall and attractive brunette woman walked by. Lee noticed she wore a very distinctive perfume.
Inside the cell.
“Mr. Granada. I am Lee Chon.” Lee said while holding the basketball.
In a belligerent tone Felix said. “I know who you are. You are that rich Chinese guy in all the society pages. You married a tall gorgeous, blonde American model. Your movie star grandmother from Hong Kong planned a wedding for you but a dead body was found in the airport and ruined your lavish wedding. You had a private ceremony in America and you spent your honeymoon here in Manila, to see your parents. I suppose Jack hired you to save me from a life imprisonment or you would not be holding one of our company practice basketball?”
Lee looked at the basketball and quickly thought. “That is why there is a logo of Abaca Textiles. It is used for practice. They could even sell it. Pretty cool.”
“I see you read the society pages of the newspaper. My wife Desiree and I have American citizenship but we both were born in the Philippines and so was my grandmother.” Lee remarked.
“Sorry. I did not mean to jump to conclusions. People here in Manila think I am an American just because I am six-foot-five,” said Felix.
Lee said. “Why not tell me about your involvement? What happened?”
“I cannot remember anything?” Felix said.
“Are you claiming you have amnesia? You remembered what you read in the newspaper and recognized me instantly from pictures from the entertainment page. As your lawyer, I can tell you that defense will not work,” said Lee.
Felix said. “My lawyer?”
“Yes. I have been retained as your legal counsel.” Lee said.
“This will not work. I thought you were a private detective. I want a new lawyer,” said Felix.
“You will have to talk to Jack Aquila to cancel my contract, when you signed with Abaca Textiles you bound with their organization. They have certain corporate entity rights to represent you,” said Lee.
“I do not remember anything,” said Felix.
Lee had a thought. “Magnolia, gardenias, maybe calamansi flowers? Where have I smelled that perfume before?”
Lee said. “By the way, who was the tall and attractive American woman? Is she your girlfriend?”
“Now you are jumping to conclusions. Just because Tasha does not have jet black straight hair does not mean she is not a Filipino. She was born in Gubat. Natasha has nothing to do with this. You leave her alone,” said Felix.
Lee asked. “How can I defend you if you are not honest with me?”
Felix said. “Maybe you did not understand me. I do not want you defending me. I want a new lawyer. Why would somebody like your wife marry you anyway? She is as tall as Tasha. What? Is she at least six feet tall? Are you even five feet tall?”
“My wife is five-foot-ten and I am five-foot-one,” said Lee.
“Why would she marry you, even if you are rich?” Felix asked.
Lee said. “I just asked her out. She said yes. We started dating and decided to get married.”
“When I was in high school and it was worse in college, I would try to talk to girls and they would run away from me. I was not even trying to date them. I just wanted friends,” said Felix. “Then I found out that they found me attractive. They ran away because it would never work out. They were short and I was so tall.”
Lee said. “That never occurred to me. I believe it is always up to the woman. If it does not bother her, why should it bother me if I found her attractive and she found me attractive?”
“When I met Tasha, I thought everything was going to be great. She is a balikbayan from the United States, meaning she decided to return to Gubat. I met her couple of years ago at the Gubat Town Fiesta in the alumni parade. We were both tall so we were shoved together at the dance and we started talking.” Felix said. “I started playing basketball everyday. I started doing cross country running and doing full-court sprints in the Gym.”
“Did she not want to date you?” Lee asked.
“No. Baliktad! You got it all backwards. She decided to stay in the Philippines because of me. I wanted to marry her. How was I going to support her unless I got paid playing basketball? What kind of job can I get? I am too tall to work anywhere. I got a business degree but never even got an interview in college when corporations would recruit. I was too tall,” said Felix.
“You cannot remember anything about what happened that night, but you remembered your girlfriend’s name?” Lee said and tossed the basketball to Felix. “You better sleep with that basketball and practice your dribbling and visualize your form shooting in this jail.”
Felix said. “You are still going to help me?”
“I was contracted to help you. I told Jack that I would accept his money only if you were innocent,” said Lee.
“So you think I am innocent?” Felix asked.
Lee said. “Yes, I do; but whatever reason you have for losing your memory, I hope it is a very good one because there is more to this than just some nobody getting murdered.”
“I know. They would not even tell me who I killed so why would I think anyone could help me. I told them I am being framed and they put me in this prison cell instead,” said Felix.
Lee asked. “Who would want to frame you?”
“You can start by talking to my uncles and cousins who did not even want me turning pro. Just play in some small town league and play in tournaments. I was the best player on that team and they did not want to pay me. They paid Filipino-Americans that played for small colleges in the United States that brag they had tryouts or were cut from teams in Europe so why not pay me. I am taller and a better basketball player,” said Felix.
Lee smiled and tried to compose himself. “Could you give me a list of your relatives and where I can find them? Here, use my pen. Write it down on the back of this piece of paper.”
Felix placed the basketball on the ground and grabbed the pen along with his police report. He started writing on the back of the paper. Afterwards he said. “You can get a list of the team members from Mr. Aquila. Several of them threatened me that they will do bodily harm if I accepted my contract. One-on-one, I can take care of myself; but fighting three or four? Even several of our short guards tried to gang up on me.”
“Jack wants you to be the highest paid professional player in the country so even owners would want you discredited. The other team owners will have to pay their players more in the long run. Keep your mind in the game. I will see what I can do.” Lee said and yelled. “Guard!”
While sitting inside the sedan Lee looked at the list Felix gave him. He jotted notes on the bottom half of the paper:
“Get a list of the players on Abaca Textiles and owner’s names of the other teams, from Jack.”
“Contact Felix’s father for the whereabouts of his brother that sponsored Felix’s former team.”
“Decide if to fly or drive to Sorsogon City.”
Lee asked. “Luigi, do you know where Sorsogon City is?”
“Yes, it would take about thirteen hours driving this Sedan using the South Road,” said Luigi.
“How long would it take to fly the jet?” Lee asked.
“Sorsogon City does not have an airport. We have to fly to Legaspi Airport. It would probably take less than an hour, but we will need to find transportation to take us to Sorsogon City like a minivan service that can take us to a hotel and find a ride with a bus service. They may not have car rentals at the airport, and it is a couple of hours drive from the Legaspi Airport to Sorsogon City.” Luigi said.
Lee said. “Let us go and find a not so crowded restaurant. We better eat lunch. I can catch up on my reading waiting for the food. I will worry about Sorsogon City later. I did not tell Felix his uncle called the police that got him arrested.”
“I asked around how to go to Sorsogon City when you were talking to Felix. I figured we have to go see his father eventually,” said Felix “Sir, it is passed eleven. The lunch crowd will fill up the best restaurants. It might be better to read all that material at the hotel and order room service.”
Lee said. “Drive around till you find one not so crowded. Better yet. Go to the ‘bar and grill’ that the newspapers said Felix had a fight with the nameless victim.”
“It is on our way back to the hotel, but I doubt it will be open. Bars are usually closed for lunch.” Luigi asked Lee something very puzzling. “Can the police really prevent you from knowing who was killed?”
“Ethically they should really release everything on demand, but technically they have some rights or a limited time period to gather more evidence. They may really not know the identity of the victim. He could have been a faceless bum on the street, which would make since if it was a premeditated frame with murder.” Lee said.
“There is the bar,” said Luigi.
Lee said. “Pull in, even if it is crowded. I mostly ate tropical fruits for breakfast. I really need some red meat in my stomach so I do not have to take a, well, you now. We have too much to do still.”
“Bars are usually not too crowded till the sun goes down,” said Luigi. “They are open for lunch. We are in luck, Mr. Chon. There are only a few cars in the parking lot.”
Even before the waitress had given the menu, Lee ordered. “Give me your hamburger and fries and a large glass of ice tea with lemon.
“I will have the same,” said Luigi.
“Do you want ketchup or mustard or mayo? We have our own special barbecue sauce.” The waitress asked.
Lee said. “Mustard will be fine, how about you Luigi?”
“Mustard, but ketchup with the fries,” said Luigi.
Lee was reading the newspaper account of the “bar and grill” when the waitress arrived with the hamburgers and fries.
“Can we speak to the bartender on duty written up in this newspaper?” Lee asked after the waitress placed the orders on the table.
The waitress said. “He is on vacation and will not be back for a week. He did not say where he was going. Boracay probably, just about every bartender that has ever worked here vacationed in Boracay Island.”
“Why, because of the white sand beaches?” Luigi asked.
“No! The hotels and bars out there pay more than what this place could ever pay him. I would do the same but my husband would kill me,” said the waitress.
“Do you know anybody else who worked that evening?” Lee asked.
“I was here that evening,” said the waitress. “I had to close up. My husband fell asleep early. Is this about that dead guy? He was not found in our parking lot. I really do not know why the reporter wrote that article. We have not had much business since the cops came here asking questions.”
“Do you remember seeing this guy?” Lee asked while holding up another newspaper.
“Yeah. That is the basketball player they arrested. He was here arguing with the dead guy, but the body was not found in our parking lot.”
Luigi asked. “You know the person, who died?”
“Yes, he came here often,” said the waitress.
“Who was he?” Lee asked.
The waitress grabbed a picture frame from the wall. She showed Lee and Luigi the eight by ten, black and white autographed picture of a celebrity.
“Who is that?” Lee asked.
“I do not know,” said Luigi.
The waitress said. “His autograph in on the picture and it is in bold print on the frame. Where are you boys from?”
Lee, realizing the waitress was getting angry, grabbed his pen in the plastic envelope filled with newspapers and he said. “Let me write his name down.”
“You do that. He left here driving a tricycle cab instead of his daddy’s fancy car. A customer told me after the police left. The basketball stud stayed and drank more beers. I do not know why the newspapers wrote those about our grill. The dead body was found in Quezon City.”
Lee quickly said. “You did not tell that to the police officer that questioned you.”
“Like I said, I did not know till the cops had already left.” The waitress said. “I will let you guys finish your hamburgers. It is our famous flame broiled one-pound all beef hamburger. We brown the top and bottom in 100 percent coconut cooking oil and grill it using coconut shell charcoaled oring.”
Luigi said. “A pound of hamburger meat? Could I have a knife and a fork?”
“I suppose you want a knife and a fork also.” The waitress asked.
Lee said. “Yes, a steak knife. It smells good.”
“Mr. Chon, the body was found in Quezon City? Why is Felix in a Manila jail?” Luigi asked.
“I do not know, but he could have been a victim of circumstance, intentional,” said Lee.
After eating their meal, Lee looked for the police reports given by the controller.
“Here it is. Luigi, can you find this exact spot? We can go there next,” said Lee.
Luigi said. “I know the street. We can ask around for the exact location.”
The waitress noticed Lee and Luigi were finished with their meals. She approached and asked. “Can I get you gentlemen a cup of coffee and maybe dessert? My husband makes the best coconut cream meringue pie. He uses fresh coconuts, none of that artificial crap in the can.”
Lee said. “It would make me sleepy even with the coffee. Wait. Can I get a whole pie to go and already cut it slices?”
“Yes!” The waitress said.
“I could eat a slice with a warm cup of milk before going to sleep this evening and my wife can also taste it,” said Lee.
“Great, I will be with you in a second with the pie and you can pay in the counter on your way out. By the way, the basketball kid bought a gallon of our fresh coconut juice from young coconuts every time I saw him here. He drinks it like water,” said the waitress. “It seemed like he started drinking beer for the first time that night and bought a gallon of coconut juice to take home. It is not the action of someone depressed or homicidal.”
“Thank you!” Lee said.
Lee and Luigi were at the counter. The waitress was clearing the table.
“This is a $20 tip and a crispy brand new bill!” The waitress said out loud.
Lee turned and he said. “Is there a problem? I have Philippines pesos”
“No, this is fine. Thank you. Thank you very much. Come back anytime.” The waitress said and turned to her husband. “Who is he? I have not seen an American twenty-dollar bill since we closed our restaurant in Dallas, over ten years ago.”
Lee and Luigi drove to Quezon City. The former capital was the most populated area in the country where professional basketball started in all of Asia. The corporation-owned teams played most of their basketball games in an indoor sports stadium located in Quezon City.
Luigi drove to the street recorded in the police report.
“Sir, we better go on foot from here,” said Luigi.
Lee said. “I agree. Park the car. We can ask for where the body was found. I am sure the locals here would know.”
Luigi parked the sedan on the side of the street. Lee started asking people on the sidewalks and inside the small businesses. People ignored him. Lee was at the end of the intersection of the street. While looking around he saw the coliseum. Abaca Textiles would play their regular season games in the indoor stadium. It was in walking distance several blocks away.
Lee started walking back towards the sedan as Luigi was on the other side of the street getting the same results. They were being treated like strangers from a foreign country. A little boy walked up to Lee.
“Are you looking for the body?” The boy said.
Lee said. “Yes, where is it?”
The boy said. “The police took it.”
Lee asked.”Where was the body found?”
The boy pointed and Lee looked at Luigi.
“That is Luigi. Where was the body before the police took it?” Lee asked again.
The boy said. “My sister is standing on it.”
Luigi looked at the little girl standing in front of him. Lee looked at the pavement where the little girl was standing. The little girl was inside an orange-taped-outline of a body. The children left.
Lee looked at the outline, walked around it, and noticed it was perfectly clean.
“Luigi, did it rain yesterday or the day before?” Lee asked.
“Mr. Chon, I do not think so; but it might have rained at night.” Luigi said. “Are you looking for blood?”
Lee said. “No. The police report had blunt force trauma to the head and face as the cause of death but no penetrating trauma from a bullet or a stab wound were observed by the officers at the scene of the crime. No weapon was mentioned.”
Luigi asked. “Mr. Chon, what are you looking for?”
“The waitress said he left in a tricycle cab instead of his rich father’s automobile. I was looking for a skid tire mark, oil spill, gasoline, a nut or a bolt. Anything to indicate the tricycle cab was here,” said Lee “Now that we have a name, check with the controller if they impounded tricycle cab and who owned it. He might have stolen it and was paid back. Oh yeah. Find out who he is. Why is he important? Let us go back to the hotel.”
“What do you think? Could Felix have done this?” Luigi asked.
Lee said. “The odds are in our favor. The only thing we need to know is what evidence the controller has. It must be strong enough to arrest Felix and to hold him long enough to verify the evidence is incriminating.”
“I will find out more about the tricycle cab after I bring you back to the hotel,” said Luigi.
“See if the controller will tell you what evidence they have to hold Felix. All we have to do is discredit that evidence and he can be released.”
Luigi said. “We do not need to know the true murderer?”
“No. We were paid to prove Felix Granada is innocent without a reasonable doubt. It is the police’s responsibility to find the real killer.” Lee said.
Luigi dropped off Lee in the front entrance of the hotel. Luigi drove to see if he could talk to the National Police Controller.
Back at the hotel lobby, Lee saw Desiree.
“How did it go?” Desiree asked.
“I will tell you in the room where it is little more private,” said Lee.
“You just missed your mother. Her driver just drove off. Your father said hello. We ate in his country club restaurant. You will be proud of me. I did not buy a single thing shopping with your mother. We already have plenty of stuff to take back home,” said Desiree.
“I got you something.” Lee said.
Desiree asked. “What is it?”
“Coconut cream meringue pie!” Lee said.
“My favorite, I can eat a slice now. Uhmmm. It smells so good,” said Desiree.
“How do you do it? You just ate at a country club restaurant and you can eat a slice of a fattening pie and not even worry about gaining inches. I have to eat just tropical fruits for breakfast or I will blow up like a blimp,” said Lee.
“I am so much taller than you; therefore, I can eat more, Mr. Science.” Desiree laughed.
Lee said. “Let us go to the room.”
“Where is Luigi?” Desiree asked.
“He has things to do,” said Lee.
“Privacy,” said Desiree.
“For at least a couple of hours,” said Lee.
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LEE CHON – The Advocate of the Point Guard (by Enrique Gubat), Chapter 1 of 10