The Bracelets of Kali - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Richard Fanshawe - the Raffles Hotel

It was still quite warm and humid in Singapore as Fanshawe of Harris, Burton and Fanshawe got out of the taxi at the Raffles Hotel. It had been a long haul from the airport, not because of the distance, but the amount of traffic on the roads of such a relatively small island.

He was expected, thank God and as he registered the Indian receptionist handed him an envelope. He glanced at her. By god she was attractive, her black hair neatly plaited and coiled and her green sari flowed and gave a hint of a well proportioned figure. She smiled with her eyes as well as her mouth. Richard opened the envelope, it was a telegram from Tan Sung Mi, the man he was supposed to meet that very evening to discuss the requirements for the next twelve months.

Richard, please excuse this circumstance. I have been delayed in Kuala Lumpur, Please reschedule our meeting for tomorrow afternoon at 3.00pm. I cannot apologise enough for the face losing dilemma over which I have no control. Please be assured that all will go well on the morrow. Your company shall have all the silks and silver it desires.

It will be most appreciated if you will allow Tan Export to take care of your hotel bill in its entirety.

Please - your good friend - Mi

Richard looked up the Indian receptionist was regarding him with her large soft brown eyes.

"I hope all is well sir, may I please point out that your hotel bill is to be forwarded to the Tan Export Corporation, is there anything else I can help you with?"

'Is there? I can think of several things.' Richard thought to himself, but speaking aloud he asked if there was anything he should see around the town, previously he had only visited over a weekend.

"There is a Pasar Malam, the night market. It is always interesting to our visitors sir, that is in Orange Grove Road this evening, just off Orchard Road, any taxi or even trishaw can take you there. Also if the gentleman is looking for interesting artefacts may I suggest Narinder Singh in Bencoolen Street? He has many interesting pieces."

"Worth a visit is it, not a tourist trap?" Richard asked.

"Oh no sir, I can assure you, the shop of Narinder Singh is well worth a visit to the discerning and as you are well known to Mr Tan I have taken the liberty. I know Mr Tan very well indeed and Narinder Singh is my uncle."

'Mm... wonder how well Tan knows you - in the biblical sense? He is a horny old goat, Tan, so it would not surprise me,' Richard thought.

"Well, thank you Miss er- ah...?"

"Leilah sir, I am very pleased to be of service."

"So, Leilah, thank you so much, I shall go to my room if you can arrange for my luggage to be taken up, have a shower, then perhaps visit your uncle's shop before dinner. I assume I shall be able to eat up until ten?"

"The restaurant is open until midnight sir."

"That is marvellous Leilah, my body clock has not assimilated the time change yet so I would prefer to eat later. May I ask what time you vacate the desk?"

"It will be my pleasure to await any instructions on your return, sir. I do not finish until midnight. As the restaurant will satisfy your hunger I am here to satisfy the whims of the guests."

"Hmmm the whims of the guests eh! What does that cover?"

Leilah smiled at him. "I use my discretion sir, of course. Enjoy your evening and perhaps on your return you will allow me to enquire if your evening has been satisfactory?"

Richard smiled in return and turned towards the lifts.

Continued in Chapter 2