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.