The news of the bizarre death of Bobby Fong or 'Playboy Bob' as he was popularly known, was followed by wild rumors that he had commited suicide. Another rumor said 'loan sharks' had killed him because he had failed to settle his debts with them. There was even a rumor that he was killed by a pontianak 'who drank his blood'. Fishermen had discovered Fong's body around midnight on a secluded beach at the north western Malaysian coastal town of Lumut not far from the modest bungalow where he had lived alone.
There was a wound on the left side of his neck that had severed the jugular vein. His wide eyed stare suggested he had been terrified by something during the last moments of his life. The sand close to the body was stained with blood. Police announced that investigations were continuing and that a postmortem examination would be held to establish the cause of Fong's death. 'From what information I have been able to gather, Fong wasn't the same person after his wife drowned a year ago off Pangkor Island. Her body was not recovered. Since then he was known to suffer from attacks of depression', remarked Detective Inspector Ching the investigating officer.
The powerful beam of the inspector's flashlight stabbed the darkness around the spot where the body was found as detectives and policemen searched the area for clues. Hd the inspector directed the beam of his flashlight on to some nearby casuarina trees, he might have seen something that would have sent a cold shiver down his spine. Peeping from behind the trunk of a tree was a woman with a white face and long hair. There was some blood around her mouth and her eyes were red.
The newspaper had the photos of Bobby Fong and those of his late wife on their front pages. 'Mystery Death Of Playboy' said one newspaper headline. Another boldly quoting a bomoh asked, 'Did A Pontianak Kill Fong?' Bobby Fong was a colorful figure. He wore expensive clothes, drove fast cars and loved beautiful women. Shortly after celebrating his forty eight birthday with a champagne party in 1971 he announced to everybody's surprise that he had secretly married Bunny Wee, a twenty year old hostess who worked at the bar of an exclusive Kuala Lumpur golf club. The news came as big disappointment to some other 'available' women who considered themselves more sophisticated and mature than the new Mrs. Fong 'who was young enough to be Fong's daughter'.
When asked by newspaper reporters what had attracted him to Bunny, he said with a laugh, 'She's beautiful! Can't you see that for yourselves?' When she was asked the same question, she had replied with a shy smile, 'Nobody loves me like Bobby, He buys me big diamonds, too!' Bobby's big spending sprees and his 'high living' suddenly ended when he was named as one of the 'big fish' in a heroin smuggling ring with connections to the notorious 'Golden Triangle' that operated in the remote opium producing areas of northern Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. By paying large sums of money in bribes he was able to destroy evidence that could have put him in prison for a very long time. Forced to server his connections with the heroin trade that had brought him millions of dollars, he become a 'high roller' and was seen at some well known gambling casinos in Macau trying to supply his fast dwindling bank balance with cash. But, his luck was running out fast and his gambling stock market losses were mounting steadily. It was rumored he had fallen into the clutches of some international 'loan sharks'.
He had meanwhile collected about US$500,000 in insurance policies taken out on his late wife's life shortly before her mysterious disappearance while they were holidaying on their yacht off Pangkor. Although police suspected he had murdered her to collect the insurance money, they had no proof. Besides, he had also insured his own life for a similar sum and named his wife the sole beneficiary. 'If I had died before she did, she would have collected the insurance money on my life!' he had told the police. But police believed he had insured his own life and made her the beneficiary only to throw off suspicion because he had already made plans to kill her.
Recounting the day his wife disappeared, Bobby Fong tearfully told a coroner's inquiry into her death: 'I loved Bunny very much! We had anchored our yacht near a coral reef. The last time I saw her she was swimming near the yacht and close to a rubber dinghy. I went to the galley to fetch our lunch. When I came up on deck about twenty minutes later I looked around for her but she wasn't anywhere to be seen. I thought she might have decided to do some skin diving. I waited for her to surface but when she didn't, I became alarmed. I put my skin diving gear and swam under and around the yacht. There was no sign of her. I realized something terrible might have happened. T tried to contact other vessels in the vicinity by radio, but without success. Some time later, I saw a passing fishing boat and waved out to it. The boat's crew and I searched for her for about two hours. I was devastated because I knew the worse had happened! The captain of the fishing boat informed me that the currents around the island were very strong and could have carried my wife away. I still cannot believe she is gone...'
The coroner's court recorded a verdict of 'missing and presumed dead'. After collecting the insurance money on his wife's life, he disappeared from the social scene for some time. He returned about six months later to live alone in a small bungalow on the beach not far from where his body was found. He was a complete transformation of his former self. He wore khaki shorts and went about bare bodied and barefoot and was seldom seen in the company of people. His graying hair reached his shoulders and he had a long scraggy beard.
'he had become rather weird' an old friend of Fong's told the police. He wasn't anything like the man I once knew. His small bungalow was filthy. The walls of his bedroom were covered with photograph of his late wife. He had built an altar with her photograph surrounded by lighted red candles. He said she visited him on moonlit nights and was convinced she was still alive.' but, although he tried to make out to everyone that he looked forward to her visits, he seemed terrified of her.
Dr. Ramasamy, the pathologist who conducted the postmortem examination on the remains of Bobby Fong, was also 'an amateur researcher into the mysterious world of the paranormal' as he described himself. As soon as he had completed writing his report, he called Detective Inspector Ching on the phone. 'I think you should come over to my office', he said. 'There is something interresting I wish to show you.' When they met Dr. Ramasamy quickly ushered him into his laboratory. He showed the inspector and enlarged photograph of the wound on Fong's neck.
After carefully studying the photograph the inspector was able to see two pronounced teeth marks that had caused Fong's death. 'The canine teeth marks seem rather large, those of a large dog, perhaps?' said Ching. 'But, my men and I had searched the area thoroughly and there were no prints, human or animal on the beach! Not a clue!' 'So, what do you make of it?' asked the doctor. 'I don't know', said Ching. 'Did a pontianak kill him, as one newspaper had suggested?' Dr. Ramasamy said, 'I don't agree because a pontianak appears as a beautiful woman or a large, black bird with the hideous face of a woman and has a long claws. It isn't a vampire by biting their necks and drinking their blood as most people mistakenly believe. Their victims are mostly pregnant women whom they kill by tearing open their stomachs with their sharp claws, killing both mother and unborn child. Pontianaks are the spirits of a women who had died in childbirth and hence, were jealous of pregnant women. Pontianaks are also known to kill men by ripping off their genitals. So I think we can say that it wasn't a pontianak that killed Bobby Fong.'
Ching smiled. 'I have the feeling you are trying to convince me that Fong was murdered by a ghost or a demon. I think you read too many horror stories, my friend.' Dr. Ramasamy said, Ghost and demons belong to what is known as 'the other world' that we know so many little about. So, i wouldn't ridicule something we only have a limited knowledge of. For thousands of years people on this planet have been convinced that ghost and demons do exist and nobody has offered convincing proof to the contrary. The Devil uses some people when they are alive and the spirits of dead people to do his evil work through witchcraft and black magic. I believe there is power in evil and demonic power can be used to harm or to kill. You may laugh if you like, but I think the ghost of Fong's late wife killed him. He killed her, so she killed him. It was her teeth marks on his neck!'
'Are you saying that she had grown the fang of a vampire like Dracula? Let's go step by step. We have no proof that Fong killed his wife although we suspect he did so that he could collect the insurance money on her life. Now according to you, she come back from the dead as ghost and murdered him? That's rather far-fetched!' Dr. Ramasamy said, 'I realize in both cases we only have suspicions but no proof. We must therefore rely on circumstantial evidence. but, in every murder there must be a motive, a reason. Even serial killers had reasons.'
Inspector Ching nodded his head. 'Okay. Let's say we both agree that Fong killed his wife and you say she killed him in revenge. We don't have any proof. Case closed. There's nothing we can do about it.' Dr. Ramasamy leaned forward in his chair. 'I say Fong and his wife had the very same reason for wanting to kill each other.' 'And, what could the reason be?' Asked Ching with a grin. 'Money!' said the doctor. 'Money? I don't understand', said Ching.
Dr. Ramasamy went on, 'Fong was broke. It made sense that he killed his wife for her insurance money. Right? It also make sense if she killed him for the same reason. Let's face it. She was a bar hostess and I have been told she came from a poor family. She had a little education. She was good looking and had a nice body. Along came Bobby Fong. He was still acting like a playboy despite his age. She cunningly played up to him and he bought her expensive presents. Then suddenly his luck changed after he was suspected of being a member of a heroin smuggling syndicate and rumors said he had to bribe many people to stay out of prison. He became a victim of blackmail and was desperate for money. That's when he thought he would marry Bunny Wee, insure her life for a lot of money, kill her and collect! When he had asked her to marry him, she did not know he was almost broke. She must have thought : 'Well, he's forty eight and I am twenty. I shall live in luxury until he dies and after that everything he owns will belong to me!' But, Fong had underestimated his young and sexy wife. When she discovered that he was going broke fast and her high living days could come to a sudden end, she too had a plan for murder. She must have wondered why he had insured her life for such a large amount of money. What was he up to? Without him knowing, she watched him like a hawk. When he suggested to her that they spend a holiday alone together on their yacht, she must have thought: 'He wants me alone with him with no witnesses around when he kills me! So, I'll kill him before he kills me and collect the insurance money on his life!'
'But somehow, he must have discovered her plan so he decided to kill her first before she killed him. They had anchored their yacht near a coral reef. It was a simple matter for him to hold her her head under water until she was dead and leave the currents to carry her body far out to sea. Having got rid of her, he returned to the yacht and later told police a cooked up story about how he had searched in vain for her and tried to contact passing vessels by radio. It all sounded very convincing. That's the way I see it!' Dr. Ramasamy sat back in his chair. Ching said, 'When you retire you should write detective novels. Your motives for murder are sensational! But, I don't accept your idea that Fong was killed by his wife's ghost!'
Dr. Ramasamy was thoughtful, then asked, 'Why is it that people died under weird circumstances that sometimes baffled police and even forensic investigators? In my job as a pathologist, I have to discover the reasons why some people died, sometimes in suspicious circumstances. There are times when I find it difficult to reach satisfactory conclusions, although I still have to provide answers that a coroner's inquiry or a judge at a murder trial would accept. I cannot state in my report that 'death was due to mysterious or unknown causes' or 'death was due to supernatural causes'. I would have to give answers based on medical evidence discovered during a postmortem examination although personally, I might have had reason to believe death was due to, shall I say, 'abnormal' causes? Do you understand what I am saying?'
'Yes, of course,' said Ching, 'Perhaps if I studied the occult as much as you have, I would appreciate your point of view.' 'I don't suppose you read books on ghost, demons and witchcraft?' asked the doctor. 'No, I don't make it a point to. However, I've always been intrigued by stories of the supernatural. But, it will take a lot of convincing for me to believe that ghosts and demons exist!' Ching said. Dr. Ramasamy went on, 'Perhaps what I am about to say might intrigue you even more. All religions acknowledged there is good and evil among us. From time to time we've heard stories of priests and witch doctors exorcising evil spirits that had taken possession of people and places and movies based on fact, have been produced. Yet, it is strange that many people think such things are mumbo-jumbo although these beliefs have existed from the time Man began to walk upright. It is believed that evil spirits caused 'mystery' diseases that were sometimes fatal and which had even defied medical diagnosis. When evil people died their souls were claimed by the Devil and they became demons of which there are a large number who appear in various shapes and forms.'
'Do you honestly believe evil spirits are capable of killing human beings?' asked Ching. 'Yes, I do', replied Dr. Ramasamy. 'In my experience as a pathologist I have come across people who had died from strangulation at their homes and in the presence of many witnesses. They had mysterious pressure marks on their necks. According to theses witnesses, the victims appeared to be to trying to remove an invisible grip on their throats. In most cases the victim's tongues fell out of their mouths, turned a dark shade of blue and their eyes bulged presenting a most horrifying sight! Officially, they died of strangulation, but what had caused it? Postmortems didn't help to solve these mysterious deaths. The usual death certificates were issued. But, could it have been stated in the certificates that death was due to 'supernatural causes?' There were other mysterious deaths. People suddenly disappeared while bathing in rivers or the sea at picnics and in the presence of others and were dragged under water by some invisible force. Others died after falling from high trees in the jungle that were said to be the 'homes' of powerful jinss. It was rather strange that not a bone in the bodies of these people was broken. Neither did they suffer any internal injuries. But, their faces turned black and there was an unmistakable look of evil about them that was really frightening! There was also a man who was killed by a mysterious kris that suddenly flew into his house and killed him by piercing his heart! And, there were also those who had died from heart seizure caused by severe shock presumably after coming in contact with something that was horrifying.'
'What you have said it quite astonishing', said Ching. 'You certainly have had a lot of experience with the supernatural. What is it all about?' It's a very complex subject involving taboos, superstitions, witchcraft, religious and pagan beliefs, However, I'ii try and give a general idea. It is believed that there are evil and good spirits everywhere. Even plants and stones have spirits or what is known as 'vital force'. The vital force in human beings is no different from that found in plants or animals. Everything in the body that is connected to this vital force must be protected against the witchcraft of enemies. This vital force even exist in a person's shadow. However, half human demons such as pontianak do not have shadows! The spirits of murder victims and those who had committed suicide were usually captured by jinns, gnomes and goblins and held to some sort of 'ransom'; that unless they performed certain task, they would not be freed. Once freed, these spirits could take their revenge on their enemies and attack whomever they wished.'
'As in the case of Mrs. Fong, who wanted to take her revenge on her husband? asked Ching. 'Precisely', said Dr. Ramasamy. 'Once her spirit had earned its freedom, it probably chose to take the form of a ferocious animal? Perhaps she had a reason for this. It could be because she wished to take her revenge on her husband in a most gruesome manner.' There was a knock on the door and an attendant entered Dr. Ramasamy's office. 'Excuse me, sir,' he said to the doctor, 'Inche Rashid wants to see you. He says it's rather urgent'. 'Yes of course. Send him in', Dr. Ramasamy said. Looking at Ching he said, 'Inche Rashid is a bomoh. I've known him for some years. I wonder ehat he wishes to see me about.'
Inche Rashid was ushered into the room and the doctor introduced him to Ching and offered him a seat. The attendant served the customary coffee and after the usual 'preliminaries', Inche Rashid asked the doctor, 'Have you buried the body of Inche Fong?' Dr. Ramasamy was somewhat taken aback by the nature and suddenness of the question. 'He was buried this morning at the government cemetery, since nobody claimed the body', he replied. Inche Rashid lit a rokok daun and puffed on it. He looked at Ching and smiled, 'People die from various causes. Some of them are strange and maybe difficult to understand. As you may know, there are all sorts of rumors regarding the death of Inche Fong. But, one cannot believe wild rumors. I knew Inche Fong rather well. He was a generous man and always gave our kampung orphanage money to celebrate Hari Raya. When I was informed of the circumstances of his death, I decided to find out in my own way how and why he died.'
'And, what did you discover, Inche Rashid?' asked Ching leaning forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on the bomoh. Inche Rashid replied, 'He was killed by his wife's spirit that had become a penanggalan, a demon with only a head and entrails. When Mrs. Fong was alive she had joined Devil worshipers for the purpose of obtaining charms that she could use to attract wealthy men who visited the bar where she worked. There are many such woman who use witchcraft for the same purpose. I think Inche Fong could have been one of her victims. After she was murdered her soul was claimed by the 'Devil!' Dr. Ramasamy asked, 'Do you know why her spirit had killed her husband?' 'Revenge. It was because he had killed her', said the bomoh. 'but, they had made everybody believe they loved each other dearly', said the doctor.
The bomoh replied, 'When they discovered they each could gain large sums of money from each other's life insurance, they were prepared to kill for it!' 'How did you come to know about all this?' asked Ching. Inche Rashid smiled. 'I have ways of finding out which are difficult to explain', he said. Ching and Dr. Ramasamy exchanged glances and Ching saind, 'It's quite incredible. What Inche Rashid says is almost identical to your theory.' The bomoh interrupted to say, 'However, the reason why I am here is to tell you that Mrs. Fong's spirit will visit her husband's grave tonight as the moon rises'. 'Whatever for?' asked Ching. Inche Rashid replied, t wishes to eat his heart'. 'What? This is a joke!' said Ching, laughing aloud.
The bomoh said seriously, 'I am not joking! She is a penanggalan, a demon that drinks the blood and eats the hearts of its victims after strangling them with its entrails! Being female, it is sometimes mistaken for a pontianak.' Still smiling, Ching said, 'And, just supposing this, blood thirsty, heart eating demon visits her husband's grave tonight as you say, isn't there anything you could do to stop her?' "I am able to protect living people against evil. This is a matter between the spirits of two dead people.' 'Well, if it makes an appearance, I'll know how to stop it!' said Ching tapping the holster on his belt that contained a .45 revolver.
Inche Rashid smiled. 'Bullets are useless against ghosts and demons', he said. 'As police officer I cannot allow such a thing to happen! It's against the law!' said Ching. 'I quite understand your job is to enforce the law, inspector,' said Inche Rashid rising to his feet. Looking at both men said, 'Please excuse me. I have to go. I am sorry I have not been much help. If you wish, meet me at the cemetery tonight before the moon rises.' He politely took his leave. 'What time does the moon rise tonight?' Dr. Ramasamy asked after Inche Rashid Departed. 'I don't know', replied Ching with a worried look. 'I'll find out and phone you.'
He marched swiftly to the door and just before he let himself out, he said to the doctor, 'This is so absurd, really!' The moon rose at about seven thirty that evening. The old government cemetery was transformed into an eerie scene of silver and long, black shadows cast by a number of trees and a few stone monuments. Crouched behind two tombstones some distance away from the grave of Bobby Fong were Dr. Ramasamy, Detective Inspector Ching and Inche Rashid. 'I'll Watch the entrance!' Whispered Ching to the others. 'I don't think ghosts worry about using entrances and exist to places. They appear from anywhere they please,' said Dr. Ramasamy.
The inspector stared at the doctor but made no comment. Except for the whining of a few mosquitoes, it was very quiet. Half an hour later they saw the head of a woman with entrails hanging from its neck slowly rising from Bobby Fong's grave. It had a white, cat like face, long black hair and glowing, reddish orange eyes. They saw it clearly in the bright moonlight as it hovered over the grave for some time as though it was dancing its mouth dripping blood. Sniffing the air like an animal, it stared in the direction of the three men. Baring its fangs, it hissed and spat like an angry cat before disappearing into the shadows.
'Good lord...!' gasped Ching, his hands shaking. Beads of perspiration had suddenly appeared on his face. The following day Ching ordered that the body of Bobby Fong be exhumed. It was reexamined by Dr. Ramasamy in the presence of two senior police officers. The chest had been ripped apart and the heart was missing. Ching wrote a confidential report to the Chief of Police about 'certain unusual aspects' concerning the death of Bobby Fong. The contents of the report were never made known.
Recounting the day his wife disappeared, Bobby Fong tearfully told a coroner's inquiry into her death: 'I loved Bunny very much! We had anchored our yacht near a coral reef. The last time I saw her she was swimming near the yacht and close to a rubber dinghy. I went to the galley to fetch our lunch. When I came up on deck about twenty minutes later I looked around for her but she wasn't anywhere to be seen. I thought she might have decided to do some skin diving. I waited for her to surface but when she didn't, I became alarmed. I put my skin diving gear and swam under and around the yacht. There was no sign of her. I realized something terrible might have happened. T tried to contact other vessels in the vicinity by radio, but without success. Some time later, I saw a passing fishing boat and waved out to it. The boat's crew and I searched for her for about two hours. I was devastated because I knew the worse had happened! The captain of the fishing boat informed me that the currents around the island were very strong and could have carried my wife away. I still cannot believe she is gone...'
The coroner's court recorded a verdict of 'missing and presumed dead'. After collecting the insurance money on his wife's life, he disappeared from the social scene for some time. He returned about six months later to live alone in a small bungalow on the beach not far from where his body was found. He was a complete transformation of his former self. He wore khaki shorts and went about bare bodied and barefoot and was seldom seen in the company of people. His graying hair reached his shoulders and he had a long scraggy beard.
'he had become rather weird' an old friend of Fong's told the police. He wasn't anything like the man I once knew. His small bungalow was filthy. The walls of his bedroom were covered with photograph of his late wife. He had built an altar with her photograph surrounded by lighted red candles. He said she visited him on moonlit nights and was convinced she was still alive.' but, although he tried to make out to everyone that he looked forward to her visits, he seemed terrified of her.
Dr. Ramasamy, the pathologist who conducted the postmortem examination on the remains of Bobby Fong, was also 'an amateur researcher into the mysterious world of the paranormal' as he described himself. As soon as he had completed writing his report, he called Detective Inspector Ching on the phone. 'I think you should come over to my office', he said. 'There is something interresting I wish to show you.' When they met Dr. Ramasamy quickly ushered him into his laboratory. He showed the inspector and enlarged photograph of the wound on Fong's neck.
After carefully studying the photograph the inspector was able to see two pronounced teeth marks that had caused Fong's death. 'The canine teeth marks seem rather large, those of a large dog, perhaps?' said Ching. 'But, my men and I had searched the area thoroughly and there were no prints, human or animal on the beach! Not a clue!' 'So, what do you make of it?' asked the doctor. 'I don't know', said Ching. 'Did a pontianak kill him, as one newspaper had suggested?' Dr. Ramasamy said, 'I don't agree because a pontianak appears as a beautiful woman or a large, black bird with the hideous face of a woman and has a long claws. It isn't a vampire by biting their necks and drinking their blood as most people mistakenly believe. Their victims are mostly pregnant women whom they kill by tearing open their stomachs with their sharp claws, killing both mother and unborn child. Pontianaks are the spirits of a women who had died in childbirth and hence, were jealous of pregnant women. Pontianaks are also known to kill men by ripping off their genitals. So I think we can say that it wasn't a pontianak that killed Bobby Fong.'
Ching smiled. 'I have the feeling you are trying to convince me that Fong was murdered by a ghost or a demon. I think you read too many horror stories, my friend.' Dr. Ramasamy said, Ghost and demons belong to what is known as 'the other world' that we know so many little about. So, i wouldn't ridicule something we only have a limited knowledge of. For thousands of years people on this planet have been convinced that ghost and demons do exist and nobody has offered convincing proof to the contrary. The Devil uses some people when they are alive and the spirits of dead people to do his evil work through witchcraft and black magic. I believe there is power in evil and demonic power can be used to harm or to kill. You may laugh if you like, but I think the ghost of Fong's late wife killed him. He killed her, so she killed him. It was her teeth marks on his neck!'
'Are you saying that she had grown the fang of a vampire like Dracula? Let's go step by step. We have no proof that Fong killed his wife although we suspect he did so that he could collect the insurance money on her life. Now according to you, she come back from the dead as ghost and murdered him? That's rather far-fetched!' Dr. Ramasamy said, 'I realize in both cases we only have suspicions but no proof. We must therefore rely on circumstantial evidence. but, in every murder there must be a motive, a reason. Even serial killers had reasons.'
Inspector Ching nodded his head. 'Okay. Let's say we both agree that Fong killed his wife and you say she killed him in revenge. We don't have any proof. Case closed. There's nothing we can do about it.' Dr. Ramasamy leaned forward in his chair. 'I say Fong and his wife had the very same reason for wanting to kill each other.' 'And, what could the reason be?' Asked Ching with a grin. 'Money!' said the doctor. 'Money? I don't understand', said Ching.
Dr. Ramasamy went on, 'Fong was broke. It made sense that he killed his wife for her insurance money. Right? It also make sense if she killed him for the same reason. Let's face it. She was a bar hostess and I have been told she came from a poor family. She had a little education. She was good looking and had a nice body. Along came Bobby Fong. He was still acting like a playboy despite his age. She cunningly played up to him and he bought her expensive presents. Then suddenly his luck changed after he was suspected of being a member of a heroin smuggling syndicate and rumors said he had to bribe many people to stay out of prison. He became a victim of blackmail and was desperate for money. That's when he thought he would marry Bunny Wee, insure her life for a lot of money, kill her and collect! When he had asked her to marry him, she did not know he was almost broke. She must have thought : 'Well, he's forty eight and I am twenty. I shall live in luxury until he dies and after that everything he owns will belong to me!' But, Fong had underestimated his young and sexy wife. When she discovered that he was going broke fast and her high living days could come to a sudden end, she too had a plan for murder. She must have wondered why he had insured her life for such a large amount of money. What was he up to? Without him knowing, she watched him like a hawk. When he suggested to her that they spend a holiday alone together on their yacht, she must have thought: 'He wants me alone with him with no witnesses around when he kills me! So, I'll kill him before he kills me and collect the insurance money on his life!'
'But somehow, he must have discovered her plan so he decided to kill her first before she killed him. They had anchored their yacht near a coral reef. It was a simple matter for him to hold her her head under water until she was dead and leave the currents to carry her body far out to sea. Having got rid of her, he returned to the yacht and later told police a cooked up story about how he had searched in vain for her and tried to contact passing vessels by radio. It all sounded very convincing. That's the way I see it!' Dr. Ramasamy sat back in his chair. Ching said, 'When you retire you should write detective novels. Your motives for murder are sensational! But, I don't accept your idea that Fong was killed by his wife's ghost!'
Dr. Ramasamy was thoughtful, then asked, 'Why is it that people died under weird circumstances that sometimes baffled police and even forensic investigators? In my job as a pathologist, I have to discover the reasons why some people died, sometimes in suspicious circumstances. There are times when I find it difficult to reach satisfactory conclusions, although I still have to provide answers that a coroner's inquiry or a judge at a murder trial would accept. I cannot state in my report that 'death was due to mysterious or unknown causes' or 'death was due to supernatural causes'. I would have to give answers based on medical evidence discovered during a postmortem examination although personally, I might have had reason to believe death was due to, shall I say, 'abnormal' causes? Do you understand what I am saying?'
'Yes, of course,' said Ching, 'Perhaps if I studied the occult as much as you have, I would appreciate your point of view.' 'I don't suppose you read books on ghost, demons and witchcraft?' asked the doctor. 'No, I don't make it a point to. However, I've always been intrigued by stories of the supernatural. But, it will take a lot of convincing for me to believe that ghosts and demons exist!' Ching said. Dr. Ramasamy went on, 'Perhaps what I am about to say might intrigue you even more. All religions acknowledged there is good and evil among us. From time to time we've heard stories of priests and witch doctors exorcising evil spirits that had taken possession of people and places and movies based on fact, have been produced. Yet, it is strange that many people think such things are mumbo-jumbo although these beliefs have existed from the time Man began to walk upright. It is believed that evil spirits caused 'mystery' diseases that were sometimes fatal and which had even defied medical diagnosis. When evil people died their souls were claimed by the Devil and they became demons of which there are a large number who appear in various shapes and forms.'
'Do you honestly believe evil spirits are capable of killing human beings?' asked Ching. 'Yes, I do', replied Dr. Ramasamy. 'In my experience as a pathologist I have come across people who had died from strangulation at their homes and in the presence of many witnesses. They had mysterious pressure marks on their necks. According to theses witnesses, the victims appeared to be to trying to remove an invisible grip on their throats. In most cases the victim's tongues fell out of their mouths, turned a dark shade of blue and their eyes bulged presenting a most horrifying sight! Officially, they died of strangulation, but what had caused it? Postmortems didn't help to solve these mysterious deaths. The usual death certificates were issued. But, could it have been stated in the certificates that death was due to 'supernatural causes?' There were other mysterious deaths. People suddenly disappeared while bathing in rivers or the sea at picnics and in the presence of others and were dragged under water by some invisible force. Others died after falling from high trees in the jungle that were said to be the 'homes' of powerful jinss. It was rather strange that not a bone in the bodies of these people was broken. Neither did they suffer any internal injuries. But, their faces turned black and there was an unmistakable look of evil about them that was really frightening! There was also a man who was killed by a mysterious kris that suddenly flew into his house and killed him by piercing his heart! And, there were also those who had died from heart seizure caused by severe shock presumably after coming in contact with something that was horrifying.'
'What you have said it quite astonishing', said Ching. 'You certainly have had a lot of experience with the supernatural. What is it all about?' It's a very complex subject involving taboos, superstitions, witchcraft, religious and pagan beliefs, However, I'ii try and give a general idea. It is believed that there are evil and good spirits everywhere. Even plants and stones have spirits or what is known as 'vital force'. The vital force in human beings is no different from that found in plants or animals. Everything in the body that is connected to this vital force must be protected against the witchcraft of enemies. This vital force even exist in a person's shadow. However, half human demons such as pontianak do not have shadows! The spirits of murder victims and those who had committed suicide were usually captured by jinns, gnomes and goblins and held to some sort of 'ransom'; that unless they performed certain task, they would not be freed. Once freed, these spirits could take their revenge on their enemies and attack whomever they wished.'
'As in the case of Mrs. Fong, who wanted to take her revenge on her husband? asked Ching. 'Precisely', said Dr. Ramasamy. 'Once her spirit had earned its freedom, it probably chose to take the form of a ferocious animal? Perhaps she had a reason for this. It could be because she wished to take her revenge on her husband in a most gruesome manner.' There was a knock on the door and an attendant entered Dr. Ramasamy's office. 'Excuse me, sir,' he said to the doctor, 'Inche Rashid wants to see you. He says it's rather urgent'. 'Yes of course. Send him in', Dr. Ramasamy said. Looking at Ching he said, 'Inche Rashid is a bomoh. I've known him for some years. I wonder ehat he wishes to see me about.'
Inche Rashid was ushered into the room and the doctor introduced him to Ching and offered him a seat. The attendant served the customary coffee and after the usual 'preliminaries', Inche Rashid asked the doctor, 'Have you buried the body of Inche Fong?' Dr. Ramasamy was somewhat taken aback by the nature and suddenness of the question. 'He was buried this morning at the government cemetery, since nobody claimed the body', he replied. Inche Rashid lit a rokok daun and puffed on it. He looked at Ching and smiled, 'People die from various causes. Some of them are strange and maybe difficult to understand. As you may know, there are all sorts of rumors regarding the death of Inche Fong. But, one cannot believe wild rumors. I knew Inche Fong rather well. He was a generous man and always gave our kampung orphanage money to celebrate Hari Raya. When I was informed of the circumstances of his death, I decided to find out in my own way how and why he died.'
'And, what did you discover, Inche Rashid?' asked Ching leaning forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on the bomoh. Inche Rashid replied, 'He was killed by his wife's spirit that had become a penanggalan, a demon with only a head and entrails. When Mrs. Fong was alive she had joined Devil worshipers for the purpose of obtaining charms that she could use to attract wealthy men who visited the bar where she worked. There are many such woman who use witchcraft for the same purpose. I think Inche Fong could have been one of her victims. After she was murdered her soul was claimed by the 'Devil!' Dr. Ramasamy asked, 'Do you know why her spirit had killed her husband?' 'Revenge. It was because he had killed her', said the bomoh. 'but, they had made everybody believe they loved each other dearly', said the doctor.
The bomoh replied, 'When they discovered they each could gain large sums of money from each other's life insurance, they were prepared to kill for it!' 'How did you come to know about all this?' asked Ching. Inche Rashid smiled. 'I have ways of finding out which are difficult to explain', he said. Ching and Dr. Ramasamy exchanged glances and Ching saind, 'It's quite incredible. What Inche Rashid says is almost identical to your theory.' The bomoh interrupted to say, 'However, the reason why I am here is to tell you that Mrs. Fong's spirit will visit her husband's grave tonight as the moon rises'. 'Whatever for?' asked Ching. Inche Rashid replied, t wishes to eat his heart'. 'What? This is a joke!' said Ching, laughing aloud.
The bomoh said seriously, 'I am not joking! She is a penanggalan, a demon that drinks the blood and eats the hearts of its victims after strangling them with its entrails! Being female, it is sometimes mistaken for a pontianak.' Still smiling, Ching said, 'And, just supposing this, blood thirsty, heart eating demon visits her husband's grave tonight as you say, isn't there anything you could do to stop her?' "I am able to protect living people against evil. This is a matter between the spirits of two dead people.' 'Well, if it makes an appearance, I'll know how to stop it!' said Ching tapping the holster on his belt that contained a .45 revolver.
Inche Rashid smiled. 'Bullets are useless against ghosts and demons', he said. 'As police officer I cannot allow such a thing to happen! It's against the law!' said Ching. 'I quite understand your job is to enforce the law, inspector,' said Inche Rashid rising to his feet. Looking at both men said, 'Please excuse me. I have to go. I am sorry I have not been much help. If you wish, meet me at the cemetery tonight before the moon rises.' He politely took his leave. 'What time does the moon rise tonight?' Dr. Ramasamy asked after Inche Rashid Departed. 'I don't know', replied Ching with a worried look. 'I'll find out and phone you.'
He marched swiftly to the door and just before he let himself out, he said to the doctor, 'This is so absurd, really!' The moon rose at about seven thirty that evening. The old government cemetery was transformed into an eerie scene of silver and long, black shadows cast by a number of trees and a few stone monuments. Crouched behind two tombstones some distance away from the grave of Bobby Fong were Dr. Ramasamy, Detective Inspector Ching and Inche Rashid. 'I'll Watch the entrance!' Whispered Ching to the others. 'I don't think ghosts worry about using entrances and exist to places. They appear from anywhere they please,' said Dr. Ramasamy.
The inspector stared at the doctor but made no comment. Except for the whining of a few mosquitoes, it was very quiet. Half an hour later they saw the head of a woman with entrails hanging from its neck slowly rising from Bobby Fong's grave. It had a white, cat like face, long black hair and glowing, reddish orange eyes. They saw it clearly in the bright moonlight as it hovered over the grave for some time as though it was dancing its mouth dripping blood. Sniffing the air like an animal, it stared in the direction of the three men. Baring its fangs, it hissed and spat like an angry cat before disappearing into the shadows.
'Good lord...!' gasped Ching, his hands shaking. Beads of perspiration had suddenly appeared on his face. The following day Ching ordered that the body of Bobby Fong be exhumed. It was reexamined by Dr. Ramasamy in the presence of two senior police officers. The chest had been ripped apart and the heart was missing. Ching wrote a confidential report to the Chief of Police about 'certain unusual aspects' concerning the death of Bobby Fong. The contents of the report were never made known.
No comments:
Post a Comment