Thunderclouds over the Namib

There's blood everywhere. Up against the walls, the ceiling, and the staircase. All splattered with it. Detective John McGregor and partner Pete Lowry greeted by this are appalled at the ferocity of it. The heavy stench of spilled blood hangs in the air. The victims were two adults, lying just behind the entrance door, and two minors, lying on the staircase. To McGregor, it seems anger and hate-driven. Thoughts of "why and how" runs through Lieutenant McGregor's mind as he stares at the murder scene.

John McGregor stands six feet tall in his boots and is solidly built with not an ounce of fat around his waist. He is not what you call huge, but is well-built thanks to good genes. He is blessed with good facial features: a square chin, bright sea-green eyes, and a prominent forehead with a thatch of brown hair on top of it. He has a big nose on his face not sharply pointed but slightly hooked as a Roman`s, with an intelligent look, speaking of confidence. John is still young; he is in his early thirties and has made big strides in his profession as a lieutenant. All of it was achieved through hard work and smart choices early in his profession. He is not an ass kisser and abhors those who do. His motto is never to bend too low but always rises to the heights of facing fears and seeing eye to eye. He`s an ambitious man, married to his career, with no time for social activities. As a hardworking, results-driven individual he is appointed to investigate this homicide. Working daily with these situations has made him cold, and calculated. Within his psyche there`s no compassion for those breaking the law, he took an oath to uphold. In his native state of California, the city of San Francisco, the gangster reigns. It is something they battle with daily; he never has become accustomed to it, try as he might.

These victims are American Chinese, citizens of the United States. While checking out the murder scene he thought it to be the work of Chinese gangs. He is aware that the Chinese do not use finesse in what they do. If done by the Italians, they would have gone for the guy only. Or if the family also has to go, it would at least be a clean job, woman, and children each with a bullet through the skull. Irish gangs are also known for their temper and roughshod ways, but what would their angle be for killing this family? He reminds himself not to dismiss that fact. Remembering that there were such gang warfare talks the other day. About Chinese muzzling their way into Irish territory so it might be revenge. He requested his assistant to remember that they check- out the Irish angle as well. "We must find out if the guy was a gangster or gang boss." He feels sorry the woman and children were caught in it, they did not deserve it. The gruesomeness of the killings left him always sick to the stomach. They left, leaving the forensic guys to check for clues. While catching a bite at a nearby restaurant, they analyze the scene. John wants to hear Pete Lowry's perspective. His mind so full of possible scenes and clues needs another view. Pete Lowry gives him a fresh perspective with affirmation on his first thought.

" I think it`s because of the illegal smuggling of Chinese immigrants. Two weeks ago, there was the issue of a ship and two containers packed full of immigrants. Some were dead inside the containers while officials wrestled to keep others alive. It is revenue; these immigrants work for the gangs or pay them for the voyage. Big business for them, and they don`t want to lose on it. It seems the victims, the man at least could be involved somehow and he could have short-changed the gangs. Or he could have angered the gang bosses in China and they put a contract out on him. Right now, USCIS is battling heavy against illegal immigration."

It`s not only the Chinese but citizens from places like Cuba, Mexico, stowaways from the Caribbean and Africa. Immigration officials battle hard, to keep these immigrants out of the borders. Most, if not all, are carriers of drugs into America because it is one of the biggest illegal businesses in America. It is a portal to wealth for most poor men who endured a lot of hardships in their countries of origin. For some, it is the realization of the American dream. John`s gut told him drugs had a big role to play in this instance. Everything can even change to the culprits being Mexican cartel members. They are just as sloppy and cruel in their killing methods. Whoever did this is trying to deliver a message and is serious about it.

While he and Pete analyze the scene, his mobile rings. It was his superior summoning them back to the office. At the precinct, there was a lot of commotion. Entering, they push through a crowd of Asians to get inside the building. Upon entering the superior ask them about the state of the murder scene. "Not looking good, dirty, sloppy, and amateurish."

"The guy was a very high roller in the Chinese community. The chinks down there wanted to hear what went wrong. It seems this guy was a sort of saint to them and they can't believe he went down in such fashion. Some came to pledge their help to catch the responsible bastards."

"You know we always find our man even if it takes years. If their pledge co-operation, we can work on the matter much faster. "

The chief rises, motioning them to follow him. He left the office and went to the lecture hall beckoning two Chinese men. He introduced them as Li Yongcheng and Xi Yuling, the two detectives as John McGregor and Pete Lowry. After the introductions, they sat down to talk.

"Would you be willing to give us full co-operation on this case," John asked them. The answer was "yes," and he questions them right away. "How did you relate with the deceased" He gets the obvious answer: "It was our boss."

"We worked for the deceased: Li for ten years, Xi`s a lifetime with him. Xi and the boss came out of China together as young men. Xi`s father was a servant in the decease's family home. They grew up together. He was sent here with the deceased as a servant."

Then we had the right man who can answer all our questions John thought. Xi should know a lot about his boss.

"How long did you stay here in America? Which year did you arrive?"

John noticed that Li answered all the questions while Xi remained quiet whilst the questions were directed at Xi.

"Why did Xi not answer the questions?"

"He is mute, deaf-mute and only communicates through sign language."

"Can you communicate with him?" He asked Li.

"Only basically as I`m not trained how." Li answers.

John sighs and looks at Pete who shrugs. They should call in a sign language interpreter to accommodate Xi. There`s information Li would not know about the boss. "Would you have some tea?"

He must talk with them some more and hope they would have the time. Li nods at him and he left to order the tea and some coffee for them. While at the front desk he looks up the telephone number of the sign language interpreter they normally used. This guy is good and fluent in most Asian languages. He is good in most languages, that`s why they most often used him. He dialed the number and wait on the guy to pick up. It rang a long time, just as he wants to put it down, the guy answered out of breath. John told him "we need you at the station."

"Sorry no go, I had another appointment scheduled for right now. I can`t miss it, will only be available tomorrow."

He scheduled for the next day while looking up another number. If he can get someone just for the moment, it would suit him. He tried the second number but nobody picked it up. There was a third number to try but he has no trust in this guy or his methods and that prevented him from dialing. He let it rest and take the coffee and tea into the lecture hall, deciding to concentrate on Li for the time being. Li will be able to help with information, ten years back, up until this moment. What he most badly wants to know, is if this guy was part of a gang, and after ten years there must be signs of it. He also regarded the two as suspects due to their association.

Since Xi lives on the grounds in a flat at the back of the building, it might as well be him doing this evil deed. It could be a love triangle between the two friends and the woman. Being mute did not make him less than a man. Love befalls anyone and being denied, could invoke anger. The scene did look as though an angry, jealous, villain did it. He hands over the tea, and to Pete his coffee while sitting down. For the moment, he concentrates on Li, asking him all the questions.

After the questioning, he asked them to keep in touch, bearing in mind that only Xi can give them the needed history. They left, promising to be there the next day. John and Pete spent the rest of the day making up theories and analyzing them. They ride out to the seaport to check for information on the entrance of illegal immigrants.

According to Li, his boss liked helping immigrants coming freshly into the United States of America. He provides them with work and places to stay till they settled. Some were employed by him; others depart looking for greener pastures, once they are financially stable. At the San Francisco port, the Port authorities pointed them to the biggest port dealing with pacific routes. It is the port of Oakland. There they met with bureaucratic bullshit, pointing them back to San Francisco port. With an explanation, saying San Francisco is the place with the largest and oldest Chinese population. Will it not be logical for those immigrants or ships to head for the San Francisco port? Logically the answer was yes. However, to flip the coin, would it not be logical for some who did not want attention, to dock at this harbor and go to the ground there? It remains open to debate on both sides. They drove back to get themselves organized, working on a plan of action for those ports. Right before their knock-off, John gets an inclination to phone the number Li provided. He did so and after the fourth ring, he got an answer. It was a woman talking in Cantonese. He stops her, asking her to talk to Li in English. She replies with explosive words in the Cantonese dialect. Then a male voice came online and he politely asked to talk to Li Yongcheng. The voice denies knowing someone with such a name. He tried explaining but the Cantonese-speaking lady answered. In rapid succession, she utters a lot of sentences in the Cantonese language leaving John baffled. Reaching his car, he decided to follow it up by driving to the address provided with the number. His partner, Pete, stops at his car on his way home and John tells him what he plans to do. Pete wanted to accompany him, but he reminded him as a family man he needs to go home. He only wants to go check out the address to see what kind of place it is. The address was in the living section of Chinatown, a few miles from the business districts.

Considered being the living sections of the Chinese, there are businesses all around, like brothels, restaurants, and the likes. The address seems like an eating-house or restaurant, not an actual residence as he envisioned. He parked opposite and wait, not knowing why or what he awaits. His intuition keeps telling him to be patient. Trying to blend in without drawing attention to himself, he stretches himself out for a long wait. Two hours passed waiting, street lights start to turn on, lighting up the place. He enters to check out the place, a beer would be nice while he waits. Entering through the doors he saw the reception desk on his left and moved towards it. At the desk, he announces himself and asks the way towards the bar area or where he may have a beer. He was shown to a table and politely informed: "The waiter will be with you shortly; we serve nice dishes if you may want to order!"

The waiter was none other than Li Yongcheng, but the nameplate on his chest pronounced him to be Chang Ho. He greets him with a head-shake and the waiter shows him to be silent, with a finger on his lips. While politely greeting him with," good evening sir, "here`s the menu!" He hands it over with a bowed head. Bowed and within this position, he moves one step back and straightens himself. As he feels the hunger bangs, John orders. From where he was sitting in the dining hall, he has a great view of the place. On his left-hand side, a meter from his table was a wall with stairs, leading upwards. On his right-hand side, vacant dining tables, with only two occupied. Behind him were a wall and a large piano without a pianist. Right in front of him was a large window, facing the street. He could see his car parked across the street. The waiter entered from his left-hand side, behind the wall with the stairs. It must be where the kitchen and restrooms are located. He orders himself a large Chinese meal; dumplings with chicken breast strips and a lot of greens. The waiter with the order disappears behind the wall arriving with the ice-cold beer and a glass. This time he decided to ask him what's going on. "Why did you give a fake name to the police while your name is Chang Ho?"

"The name I gave to the police is my real name, this name is the name I use when coming over to the USA. I will explain all of it in the morning once we get to the precinct."

"Now why should I be silent," John asked and Li replied:

"This area is not conducive for conversations because of eavesdroppers. Patrons' visiting the place is not all loyal to the police force, some might take offense."

John nods, and while the waiter`s still at his table, the Cantonese, spewing lady arrives. By using her explosive, annoying voice, she let the waiter scurry back to the kitchen. She changed her tone, politely when greeting John, asking him if he has been served. John answered with a: "yes, thanks everything is fine!" and pick up his glass in salute. From the sound and manner of speech, he could hear it`s the woman he talked with earlier on the phone. She did her rounds, standing at every table, chatting with guests. He took it; she asked them the same questions. After half an hour the waiter enters with a tray on which his food was presented. Steam emanating from it and it smells good it let his stomach grovels and rumbles in anticipation of it. After the waiter put down the plates in the right order, he asked for a fork and knife. While eating he did not give much attention to the surroundings. He only looked up when he noticed someone standing at his side. It was a mean-faced character looking down on him, a sneer on his face. John looked up into the men's cold black eyes. The eyes remind him of snakes, the ones he saw in the snake park, through the glass cage they were in. One particular snake was watching him while he looked at them. The snake`s eyes and the way they looked at him were all edged in his mind. These eyes' looking down at him now, reminds him of it and send a chill down his spine. He never encountered this character before, it's the first time he saw him.

He wonders why snake eye stands on top of him, sneering down on him. John looked at this character to edge his features into his mind. Making a mental note to ask Li about this character and how he fits into the scheme of things. He could be the one they are looking for or be part of the gang that had done the gruesome deed. Ignoring him after making the assessment, he finishes his meal. The meal was delicious and filling, the taste and aroma it exudes, out of this world. Leaning back, satisfied, he ordered another beer intending to leave thereafter. While waiting, he notices the place had come to life. A lot of clients have entered and the tables are nearly all filled with guests. Some were going up and down the stairs. It makes him wonder if there is another dining area. The first time he saw it, he was of the impression that it is the office area. His curiosity let him decide to go check it out once he finishes his beer. At the waiter's arrival, he asked him where the stairs led to. He just shakes his head with eyes big, showing him it's not a good question. He stops questioning the man, his mind all made up.

While sipping on his drink he scrutinizes the people around him. At his back, he notices an eye cast in his direction watching him. This guy sits three tables behind him. When noticing John saw him, he throws his head down to look at his empty plate.

What was apparent was the scrutiny he received. This definitely has something to do with the murder he is investigating. Now it is something he needs to check out. His first step will be the stairs and where they led to. Finishing his beer, he gets up, takes money from his pocket, and leaves it on the table. He casually sauntered over to the stairs and could feel eyes burning on his back. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw eyes duck away behind a column, supporting the upper floor. Smiling at himself he takes note of his follower. Not certain if it's a stalker or genuine admirer. But in the area, he is in, he would see it as stalking and it makes him vigilant. With one or at least two at his back, he becomes cautious of the danger he finds himself in. He left his service pistol in his car's cubby hole and is not armed. At least he is a big man, not unfit at all, and can look well after himself. His scores were high in hand-to-hand combat training in the training academy. With this much confidence, he starts climbing the stairs one at a time. The guests coming from the top floor flatten themselves against the wall to let him pass. As a big man, his whole frame fills up the space.

On top of the stairs, he came face to face with the one, he nicknamed, Snake eyes. Snake eyes block his way, glaring at him, spewing forth rapid syllables in Chinese. He looks mad and agitated and like a snake, he pulls his head back ready to strike. John read his body language and from his stance, he knew an attack would follow soon. A scurry of steps behind him, let him quickly shift his body towards the wall. In that same instance, Snake eyes launch an attack; with an angry scream, he lunges with a flying kick. Anticipating the attack, he was ready, the body shift, prevented the kick to land with full impact. Nevertheless, it stuns and Snake eyes landed two blows to his head before he could raise his arms. The two blows to his head, reel him back. He lifts his arms and retraces a step for a breather. The steps he heard behind him prevented him of his breather. Two punches driven into his kidney region let him curl with pain. At that moment he realizes he must fight back or go down. Ignoring the pain, he charges straight ahead at Snake eyes. He lands a hard punch to his head. Following it up with an uppercut, planted with his whole power behind it. He felt the shock on contact through his arm and turned around with a backhand swing, intended for the one behind, but swings into the wind. His adversary had ducked away the moment he swung. The momentum of the swing whirled him around, facing the back attack. Two punches in his gut nearly rob all the air from his body. He ignored it and struck out with all his might. With a straight, punch catching his adversary between his eyes. Then he follows it up with an uppercut, breaking his jaw. The guy went down like a sack of potatoes. He whirled around to face Snake eyes. What he saw when he turned was such a great relief. Snake eyes were trying to rise but could not get his footing. John ended his struggle with a hard punch behind the ear.

Wang Chi is ruthless, murderous, ambitious and an outright criminal. He rises, through his organization through sheer ruthlessness. In his long illustrious path, he killed, maimed, and robbed many. What makes him stay on top is the fear he invoked. Those who know his story from his rise as a lowly slum boy, never try differing with him. He started making his money through opium smuggling and money laundering. First killing a rival gang`s leader, and his second, too took over their business. He incorporated those rival gang members into his gang. This gang was into cocaine and heroin smuggling combined with prostitution. From there on, he just rises, as he took on jobs others refused to do. It was jobs such as assassination, kidnapping, bank robbery, and the worst kind the trafficking in humans. Kidnapping young daughters and selling them into prostitution rings in Russia, Korea, and Vietnam even in the sheikdoms. Wherever the money was good, he delivered. He kept discipline and order in his gang by not wasting time on any form of revolt or disobedience. He simply kills the instigator. This is what makes him so feared because of word of mouth doing the rounds. He got his break into the big leagues, doing a job for a big boss in the Chinese Triads. This job involves the kidnapping of a rival in the organization's family. The kids were a girl of fourteen and a boy of twelve. It was to allow his boss of the time, to turn the hand of his opposition and rival. This rival was opposing Wang`s boss allocation of certain territories in Beijing. Wang excels in his job and his boss got what he wanted. He sold mother and daughter off into prostitution while killing the son and father. The boss was impressed with Wang and he promptly incorporated him and his gang members into the newly won territory. Making him head of security, he and his members became this guy`s enforcers. After a few years of enforcing and collecting what was owed to the boss, Wang felt entitled to a better position in the organization. He started scheming and planning to eliminate the bosses` assistant, On Leong. Once he set his mind on it, he ruthlessly go for it, and it paid off big. A drive-by- shooting, while leaving the apartment of his lover, ends it for On Leong. Meanwhile, Wang worked on the boss before On Leong`s demise, ensuring this position. The boss was not reluctant at all because the service Wang give to the organization was extraordinary. He gets what he was after and things seem on the rise for him.

Wang brought in changes in positions around him so he may sleep easily. He removes all On Leong`s security and henchman, replacing them with his boys. Those fiercely loyal to On Leong, he killed and blamed them for On Leong`s demise. Alternatively, he demotes them to lower positions. Others, which don`t give a damn were put in positions just below his boys'. To act as a buffer between him and those seeking revenge. While restructuring, he made sure he snuggles up close to the boss. Through the years, he gathers sound business principles in his field of expertise. He wanted to use it in the position he acquired. Wang was highly intelligent but sometimes clouded by emotional issues such as his anger. He had low control over this anger. Once he let the yang lose, it took him hours or days before he can control it. A path of destruction and death followed. Not even his trusted lieutenants and subordinates wanted to be near him in such times. Times, he kept his anger in check, his intelligence shines through and he makes brilliant plans. He served the boss well and through him and his acts, they became much feared and respected. Two years after being appointed as an assistant, the ghost of On Leong comes haunting. It came to the boss`s knowledge Wang's scheming and planning lead to On Leong`s demise. The boss needed explanations and wanted to know if it was true. If the allegation is true, Wang will lose his position. Wang decided to act before being exposed; first, he started purging from the subordinates that he demoted. The hierarchy notices his purging methods and he became undesirable. He told himself, the only way for him to grab the power is to take over as boss of this crime family. It means, he should kill his boss and take over. Once it's done, he would own one of the richest trade zones in Beijing. The other bosses then must accept him as head of this organization. Otherwise, they stand to lose out considerably. He was ready to rumble with them over these territories if they decline. Besides, this zone would not have become so lucrative without work he and his gang put in, he convinces himself. He started planning and scheming on getting rid of the boss.