40The currents of the Singapore Strait milled the peeling planks of the pier. A lunar crescent offered a shimmering reflection on the water, creating a ring of illumination around the harbor. Basil stood at the bow of the Malaikat following the outline of an automobile making its way along an otherwise deserted road paralleling the shore. The vehicle slowed and came to a stop thirty yards east from the ship.
Basil pressed his thumb to the face of his phone. “Our Captain’s guest has arrived.” He wiped the eyepiece of binoculars on his shirt. “Correction, it looks like we have three guests, two male and one female.” He raised the binoculars again. The little man was pointing his finger and speaking animatedly to a much larger man as two of the bus drivers approached the woman.
The Chief Ma
