Code shield: A Peek Into Singapore’s Secret Services

by Eric Alagan

A sovereign fund, Tengli, loses its bid to buy IndoTel, an Indonesian telecoms player. Russian Mafiya-backed interests acquire IndoTel, pointing to a Mole within the Singapore establishment. Tara Banks, an undercover agent, traces the leak to Moscow. The trail turns cold when several people are murdered. Meanwhile, human traffickers kidnap Annette Liam, a Singaporean student. Her father, Michael, sets off to Moscow in search of Annette. Completely overwhelmed by the unfamiliar language, bitter winter and lacking special skills, Michael stumbles through the Moscow underworld. Tara plays a dangerous game with her lover, Colonel Plustarch of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). She grapples with the blurred lines between the Russian establishment and Mafiya. Meanwhile, Lowe, a big wig, arrives from Singapore to ‘assist’ her. Lowe unwittingly befriends General Simonov, the Russian Police chief who is also the patron of the Mafiya. Tara’s and Michael’s paths cross. Tara learns that the human traffickers and the Mole are connected. She races against time to rescue Michael and Annette while avoiding the Russian Police and Mafiya. Meanwhile, three assassins from the SVR are after her – could one of them be the svelte Plustarch?

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011