“Have you had any contact with Martin since you consummated your deal?”
Minor hesitated. “I thought we were going to conduct an interview to shine a brighter light on World TEFL?”
“And I will. That’s the easy part. But I’m after bigger fish and that’s where we’ll begin.” He knew he had Minor skittish. And rightfully so, it wasn’t only wayward punters who found themselves dropped dead in Chiang Mai’s famous moat. Businessmen as well had been dredged up casualties of the unwritten code of doing business the Thai way.
“Martin came in last week,” he sputtered.
“Had you arranged a meeting or was this from out of the blue?” Declan had gathered from his conversation with the ‘Mayor’ that Martin had been reaching out to whomever he thought could help wrangle him from the noose that was slowly closing around his neck.
“Both. He had left a message with my secretary, a message I ignored. Then he showed up unannounced.”
“What did he want?”
“He complained that he was being harassed by King Mengrai University. Apparently they were pursuing a course of malicious litigation against him.”
“How would you be involved?”
“I was of course nervous about such an event. But my lawyers had assured me, before I purchased World TEFL, that any legal issues could only be directed towards Gay. All associations with the university had been severed prior to us coming on the scene.”
“So, what did Gay hope to get out of you?”
“It was blackmail pure and simple.” Minor hesitated once again unsure whether to continue.
“Look,” Declan prodded. “I’m not the government. Whatever you had going on with Gay stays in this room.”
The skittish businessman relented. “We had an agreement, a financial agreement, which would lessen my tax burden.”
“Got it. You bought the joint for one price and recorded a different price on the bill of sale. That’s standard for Chiang Mai.”
“Exactly, but highly illegal. Gay threatened to drag me into his legal woes by exposing this transaction. I presume he had already been in contact with the man you have spoken with from Bangkok.”
“It makes sense,” Power mused. “And you gave him what he wanted I figure.”
“Of course. I have too much invested to be sunken by a con-artist such as Gay.”
Declan nodded in agreement. Christopher Minor wasn’t a bad sort. He was just a guy caught up in a bad situation. He’d get Declan Power’s five star recommendation. “What did he ask of you?”
“That was the simple part. He wanted a document he had buried away in the company’s archives and one hundred thousand baht. I gave him both. Well, I gave him the money and I allowed a copy to be made of the document.”
Power’s eyes opened wide. “I’d like a look at that document if you don’t mind.”
“No problem Power. But now let’s talk about that column. I need to turn the tide against what is still being said on the blogosphere. I’m getting killed on Thai Visa.com. You can turn that around with this supposed column you’ve been dangling like a carrot.”
“You’ve got your article Chris. I can knock it out tonight, have it ready for press next week, and pump a preview on a few blogs this week. My boss wouldn’t mind you purchasing an advert as well. And while we’re at it, I noticed your secretary. Quite a looker I must say. In any case, I’m looking to go in a different direction with my centerfold. She’d be a great way to launch my new page. I’m thinking about naming it the Chiang Mai Girl Next Door Page.”
Minor let out a derisive laugh. He rubbed his chin giving the matter more thought. The benefits started to dawn on him. Then he frowned. “Nikki is quite attractive. But she’s rather uptight, buttoned up, not the type to go for that I guess is what I’m saying.”
“Is she new, or did she come with building?”
“No. Nikki was Martin’s administrative assistant. She’s been invaluable in making the transition as seamless as could be expected. But, I doubt she’ll be receptive to what you’re suggesting. Too straight and narrow if you know what I mean.”
Declan tried to keep a straight face. Minor was most likely a crack businessman, but he seemed to have little knowledge of the inner workings of Chiang Mai. Everybody was for sale. “Oh, I’ll have a word, if it’s ok with you, and we’ll see what happens.”
Martin Gay rustled himself from a fitful sleep. Pangs of hunger waved over him. “Where’s that leg,” he grumbled loudly as he stumbled into the darkness. He gratefully retrieved it then sat contentedly against the wall. He felt a set of eyes boring into him. “Sorry to wake you mate. I woke up just famished.” Gay took a hungry bite and ripped off a sizeable chunk of meat.” He returned Ben’s intense stare. “Where are my manners? Do you want a bite?”
He offered the leg to his silent cellmate. “Suit yourself Ben. And stop eyeballing like that mate. I said I was sorry. Now we’ve just got to wait patiently and hope Declan Power is turning things around.”
Gay leaned his head over to Ben. He listened carefully and offered a grunt. “Yes, yes, you’re right. I probably shouldn’t have said some of those things to your friend Declan. But shite mate! He blew up a perfectly good thing we had going. And who are you to complain? Hell, I had you pulling down seventy eighty quid per month. With no university degree to boot I might add.”
He heard the cave echo with laughter. It continued bouncing off the creviced walls. He swatted the air in frustration. “Stop it Ben! I truly do have my Ph.D. Hell all those liars were just trying to bring me, bring us down.”
He looked his friend straight in the eyes and nodded his head in agreement. “Good advice. We cannot argue amongst ourselves. That’s just what they want. But just to let you know, I truly am Doc Martin.”
He took Ben’s head to his chest. A forlorn look swept over his ragged face. A tear started its lonely journey as a deep sob inched it along. Something disturbing was happening. He was conscious of the change even if he couldn’t quite comprehend it. Still, there was a hint of optimism, a single grain of hope to hang on to.
“We’ll weather this storm Ben. Just the two of us mate. And we’ll walk out of this forsaken place hand in hand.”
Declan looked at his watch. He had a schedule to keep and was in no mood to pay extra for the photographer and his studio. Lek, the photographer he usually used, was gracious enough to take on another model at no additional charge. He wouldn’t give away his time so easily.
Oum, as per her usual industrious self, easily took control of Meow and had her well into her shoot. Nikki, on the other hand, was still intent on negotiating a fee for her readily available service. Christopher Minor was astonished at how easily Nikki was talked into her first modeling gig.
“It will be good for business Mr. Chris,” she explained with a smile.
Indeed it would Declan thought wryly. He had explained to her the advantages a photo shoot could do for her freelancer career. Her contact information, Facebook and email address, would be prominently displayed making appointments far easier to arrange.
She was a shrewd negotiator though. A price had finally been reached much more to her liking than his. But, at the least, he had cornered her into an interview.
“Ten minutes,” Lek yelled in his high pitched squeal from across the studio.
“Ok Nikki, you’ll need to get ready,” Declan advised. “Lek has an assortment of lingerie for you to choose from and while you get ready I’ll need to ask you a few questions.”
With a flick of her wrists, a shrug of her shoulders, and a wiggle of her ass, a latch was undone allowing the plaid fabric to effortlessly fall to the floor. She stood in front of Declan adorned in a Victoria Secret lingerie ensemble that she was tightly wrapped into.
“My client likes me in sexy underwear,” she explained with a raise of her eyebrow. “What do you think?”
Declan took a step back for appraisal. “The 2012 Dream Angel’s line,” he said admiring her bra. “A
Black Lace Demi, nice choice Nikki, very nice. A 36 D I’m thinking.”
Nikki nodded.
“I thought so. But I could have told you that at your office.” He let his eyes drift down to her mid-section. He greeted it with a nod of approval. “The Body By Victoria line. I’ve always favored the Cheekini panty as well. Absolutely lovely! And the white lace, a hint of innocence, well played young lady, well played indeed. This will work nicely for the shoot.”
“I have to reschedule my appointment with him to take photo here. He is high roller. But, you’re right. I think it is great for my business. What question you have for me?”
“I need to ask about Martin Gay.”
Nikki’s allowed her head to tilt back in a deep laugh. She cupped her hands to her mouth to muffle her glee. “Oh, I miss Marty. He was fun. Not so serious like Mr. Chris.”
“So you and Martin had, uhmm, relations outside of the office.”
“Yeah,” Nikki said her glee bubbling forth. “Lunch with Marty is so fun! We go to hotel for pizza, wine, and fuck. Sometime stay all afternoon. Mr. Chris so serious, he say one hour for lunch and must be back at desk.”
Working for Martin would have been a much more laid back affair Declan easily recognized. A thought came to his mind. “Would you ever be joined by another lady?”
“Yeah,” Nikki again replied this time in a more wistful tone of reminiscence. “She such a beautiful and sexy lady. She is very high society.”
“Do you know her name?” he asked with anticipation.
“No. I not know her at all but only with Marty. They like to tie me up. I like too.”
Lek came over ruefully looking down at his watch. “Ok, now time.” He looked approvingly at Nikki. “We have one hour on Declan clock.”
Nikki stood up quickly causing her tightly packaged curves to jiggle. Lek added, “But Nikki, if you want extra photos perhaps we can make arrangement, Meow already book time.”
Nikki easily picked up on the inference. She too looked down at her watch. “I busy too. But one hour more is ok.”
Lek smiled. A deal had been reached. “Declan I have photo for you tomorrow and will send to Chiang Mai Chronicle.”
“Ok Lek, perfect. Nikki, I have one more question. Were you with Martin last week at Chiang Mai Land?”
Her nose crinkled in disgust. “I would never go there. No, I only go with Marty for pizza, wine, and fuck.”
That was that. It didn’t advance his search. Still, he had affirmed that Martin had an ongoing thing with this high society mystery lady. That was something. He grabbed Oum’s hand and pushed through the studio exit. They both smiled upon hearing Lek scream to his assistant: “Call Pizza Hut!”
The news concerning the Lan Na guard’s incompetence was disturbing. All leaders needed an efficient intelligence gathering operation. In order to reestablish a kingdom, a crack security unit was paramount. The future monarch lit a cigarette and gazed up upon the hovering mountain with its gold speckled Buddhist temples jutting above the thickly forested Himalayan foothills.
The guard would be made an example of. Power’s girlfriend was inconsequential, the task of no great importance. But then every little detail had to be carried out with the utmost of care. A sacrifice would be carried out, a message sent to his brethren.
But that could wait until after the ceremonial fair. All hands on decks were needed. Preparations had been carefully tended to assuring the celebration of King Mengrai’s long ago ascent to the Lan Na throne. There, on that momentous night, the ancient traditions would be brought back to life under a sky of light and sound.
Tradition and ceremony were all well and good the Lan Na leader knew. But propaganda was also a critical aspect. A public relations campaign would be used to bring Lan Na on to the international stage. A journalist would be needed to carry the message of the wondrous things happening right here in this former mountain kingdom. The message needed to be carried by an outsider. Foreigners, westerners, were so easily swayed. Martin Gay was the perfect example of that. It could be sex, or perhaps money, maybe fame was the answer. Whatever that enticement may be, Declan Power could be seduced by one of the above. Power would be the messenger to bring the Lan Na Renaissance to the world.
The restaurant’s name, Pom Pui, chubby, perfectly fit the clientele that leisurely sat in the open air eatery. He and Oum walked in slightly late. They quickly noticed Chief Pao sitting at his customary table surrounded by his entourage.
The Chief rarely went out on the town without his heavy set bodyguard and his primary lieutenant. As per usual, he was also accompanied by one of his mia noi’s, little wife. The bodyguard sat off to the side, not privy to any conversations, while the lieutenant’s ‘little wife’ sat silently by his side.
Pao also noted Declan’s entrance. He motioned to a nearby table. Oum easily started up a chat with the girls as the Chief, his lieutenant, and Declan each pulled up a chair at the vacant table.
They stared at each other with heavy set eyes. Little sleep had been acquired over the previous days. Declan broke the ice.
“You paid a visit to my friend yesterday.”
Pao nodded. “Part of investigation,” he snapped.
Power looked each in the eye. “Not any more. Ben Post is dead or at the very least severely mutilated.”
The Chief’s top assistant pursed his lips. “It is worse than that Declan.”
Declan scanned the Chief’s face for any trace of fear. Surprisingly he found that trace. “Rose.”
“I left her at her apartment in the afternoon and my men said she got on stage last night. That’s the last I saw of her. Buddha is my witness.”
He wanted to counsel his friend about the dangers of mixing business with pleasure. Better to stick with his wife and, in the Thai way, his ‘little wife.’ Seemingly reading his thoughts, Pao blurted, “Have you seen her Power?”
With a nod of the head Declan answered in the affirmative. “Indeed she is, well was, this month’s centerfold. I just came from the photo shoot.”
“Then you’ve been in contact with her,” The Chief exclaimed hopefully.
“No, sorry Chief, she’s fallen off the map. Last anyone saw of her was when she left with Ben and another girl from the club. Last anybody saw of each of them,” he added ruefully.
A bottle of the 2012 Two Paddocks Riesling was set on the table along with a plate of carpaccio with gorgonzola. They remained silent as the waiter returned with a pizza accompanied by osso buco, gnocchi, pansatti, and ravioli. The waiter began to serve the ladies.
Pao let out a derisive laugh. “It is good to be a pampered woman. Let the man carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and reap the rewards.”
Job and Declan laughed in agreement. In a more serious tone Declan added: “Oum was followed earlier today. I’m not sure by whom as they kept their helmet on.”
Pao and Job shared a brief look. Job waved for the Chief’s bodyguard and whispered something in his ear. Pao patted Declan on the shoulder sympathetically. “Oum is Mia Yai, your first wife; I’ll make sure Poom keeps an eye out for her.”
Allowing the hulking minion to walk away, Job offered drily, “Well, at least we know where the dancer is. And part of Ben I might add.”
The Chief and Declan both shot him a stern glance.
Job swept out his hands and gave a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders. “Not time to be polite. We are the suspects in the murders and Rose’s disappearance.”
The news hit his friend’s ears hard. Declan saw the Chief, his friend, and the crestfallen look that clung heavily to his face. The specter of Bangkok Man jumped into his thoughts. It all began to make sense. Bangkok had become wary of Chiang Mai’s increasing influence in Thailand. The powers that be in the city of angels had sent up a hatchet man to cut down some timber. Chief Pao was a mighty tree.
The Chief added somberly. “I just came out of the interrogation room. I was on the wrong side of the table.”
The Chief was m
any things. Shrewd, ruthless, an opportunist even, but he was also a straight shooter and certainly not a murderer. By Thai standards, he was one of the good guys.
“Clearly Rose made it to the club last night. You are in the clear there,” Declan offered in way of support. “And,” he continued, “Ben was never in your custody. I can attest to that.”
Job raised his hand cutting him off. “A message was on the Chief’s phone. It was Rose from at about two in the morning. She said, in Thai, ‘Now I at your apartment and wait for you. Come soon darling.’”
Declan looked at Pao who emphatically shook his head ‘no.’ “I play with her at Ben’s apartment and then in my hideaway apartment. That’s it!” He motioned to his bodyguard who sat hungrily digging into a plate of spaghetti. “Then he bring Rose to Foxy Lady.”
It was a lot to digest. “Bangkok Man is up here to stir up trouble,” Declan said caressing his unshaven jaw. He had forgotten his daily shave and it was beginning to annoy him.
“Sure! But why me,” Pao retorted angrily his fist pounding the table. “I’m not in bed with these Lan Na fanatics. You know that Declan. I have good relations with Bangkok.”
It was true. Chief Pao took great pleasure in following Declan’s uncovering of the scam being run out of King Mengrai University. He enjoyed seeing Thanat Jaisaen brought down a peg.
“Maybe it is not Bangkok Man that we should be afraid of,” Job stated.
“You might be right Job. Wasn’t it Thanat who gave a speech decrying the Loi Kroh? Didn’t he accuse the police of profiting from the sex trade?”
Pao nodded vigorously. “He gave the big speech in front of the Three King Monument. ‘Let the trash flow freely in the filthy swamps of Bangkok and Pattaya. In Chiang Mai let people see a land of virtue, prosperity, and opportunity.’”
Declan remembered well. Bartholomew Hartin had written a glowing article on Jaisaen’s public works and vision for Chiang Mai in the 21st century. ‘You’ll be out of a job soon Power,’ he had squawked with glee.
The Chiang Mai Chronicle: A Declan Power Mystery Page 7
