“What? What are you talking about? The side of your face is bruised. Did something happen?”

“Oh, that,” replied Jack. “No, that is nothing. Some guys tried to rob us last night. A minor scuffle. We weren’t really hurt.”

“Another mugging,” replied Lee, faking surprise. “That is too bad, but if not that, then what is it then? Why did you change hotels? Why isn’t it safe?”

“We didn’t like the Pavilion,” said Laura. “We definitely prefer Bill Resort.”

“But this place is not as luxurious,” said Lee. “I don’t understand.”

“Well,” said Jack. “See the man over there talking to the head waiter? His name is Moo. A very astute fellow who usually works up at reception. Speaks good English and has worked here for years. The head waiter, he is Captain Sak. Nice fellow, also has worked here for years. The cook in the kitchen is named Noy and her husband is the sous-chef. His name is also Moo. The gardener over there with the ponytail is called Mong. The maid you see walking past prefers to be called Gee, although her colleagues have nicknamed her Rat, as that is the first three letters of her surname. They have all worked here for years. It is like one big family.”

“I don’t understand,” said Lee, “why do you know all their names? These people are merely servants. Not worthy of knowing. What is it about? Why do you think you have to cancel our deal?”

“In our business, I believe it is important to know people,” replied Jack. “It is necessary for survival. For instance, the man sitting at the bar over there drinking Heineken is a police detective from Frankfurt, Germany, by the name of Otto Reichartinger.”

“He is?” replied Lee, his head snapping around to look.

“No need to worry about him,” continued Jack. “I am told he is a regular tourist at Bill Resort. However, did you know that at the Pavilion, there is a staff member who is so new that the others do not know his name. Makes me wonder if it is a staff member or a police officer. There is also something else that is unusual. If you walk through the restaurant behind you and gaze out at the beach, you will see a man loitering about wearing a yellow T-shirt and navy-blue pants.”

“The same man who was loitering around us at the Pavilion,” said Laura.

“I’m sure he is also a policeman,” said Jack. “But, unlike Otto, a policeman who is very interested in Laura and I. Which is why I think everything should be called off. Maybe wait six months or so.”

“Six months!” Lee took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay, the man on the beach is a policeman. I should have told you.”

“What? You knew we had heat,” said Jack angrily. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“No, it isn’t what you think. He works for us. We, uh, told him to keep an eye on you to make sure you were okay.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” replied Laura. “Too bad he wasn’t around last night when we got mugged.”

“Uh, yes, later I will talk to him about that.”

“So,” said Jack, smiling. “Like me, you also have friends who are policemen?”

Lee nodded and said, “But not yet in Canada. Which is why it is good for us to join forces. Agreed? Everything is okay now?”

“Agreed,” said Jack. “But I hate wasting time. I was hoping your boss would be with you.”

“He has consented to meeting you,” said Lee, “but not for a few days.”

Jack tried not to let his excitement show. “Why the delay?”

“As we spoke about before, there are certain security measures to be taken.”

“You still don’t trust me?” said Jack. “Afraid I’ll hit you over the head with a bottle of Guinness and steal the dope?”

“My boss is a careful man. Getting close to him is like peeling an onion. The security is more intense the closer you get to the core.”

“I’ve always preferred garlic, myself,” replied Jack. “Tell you what, have him come and witness whatever it is you need to do to assure yourselves that I am being totally honest. He will see the truth for himself. Let’s do it and get it over with.”

“Actually,” said Lee, “that is something he might do.”

Later that afternoon, Lee used the Internet to update The Shaman and told him of Jack’s impatience.

The reply sounded innocent, but wasn’t:

Tomorrow take them to Burma and enlighten them with a sampling of our product and hospitality. A welcoming team has been arranged. If any friends of theirs decide to come, then arrange for them to stay in Burma, as well. Should that venture go well, two days later I will send Mister Sato and Da Khlot to see you. If Mister Sato decides that we should not do business with them, then Da Khlot and his associates will.

Deciphering the message for Lee was easy. He knew that Mister Sato was a polygraph operator. Tomorrow Lee would take Jack and Laura to Burma. If anyone followed them, Jack and Laura were to be killed. If none followed, then in two days Da Khlot would accompany the polygraph operator to meet with Jack. If the polygraph operator decided that Jack wasn’t truthful, Da Khlot would kill them.

Lee reflected on the upcoming course of events. Other tests would follow, including the successful transfer of funds to a bank owned by The Shaman. Naturally, any problem with such funding would see a quick end to Jack and Laura.

Lee shrugged it off. There was really no need to worry about Jack and Laura. Briefly, an uncomfortable thought entered his mind. If something goes amiss at this stage, Da Khlot will kill me, too. Maybe from Thailand I could escape — no, I would be trading my life for the lives of my family. I am foolish to even consider the possibility that anything could go that wrong. Jack will most certainly pass the lie detector. Then there is the last remaining test after the lie detector … but Jack has no doubt murdered before …

33

Lee joined Jack and Laura for supper at Bill Resort. The restaurant was built partially over the beach and gave a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand. Sunset comes early to countries close to the equator, and the crashing of the white foamy waves added a pleasant backdrop to the restaurant lights shining across the sand and palm trees. In the distance, bright lights shone like stars from bobbing boats as the fishermen used the lights to attract and catch squid.

Lee watched as Laura ate her green curried chicken in traditional Thai style, using a fork to push her food onto a spoon before putting the spoon in her mouth. “Some day you must learn to master the chopsticks,” he said.

“Why should I?” she replied, sounding upset. “We’re in Thailand. It is their culture to use a fork and spoon.”

“Ah, yes, that reminds me,” said Lee. “You both need to get to bed early tonight. Tomorrow morning at four-thirty I have hired a van to pick us up. We’re going to spend the day going to Burma and back.”

“Burma?” said Jack, eyeing Laura curiously. “I told you before, there is no reason for us to go there. That part of your operation is not our concern.”

“The Shaman insists,” replied Lee. “He wants you to see a small sampling of what we can do. Tomorrow you will be shown a hundred kilos arriving into Thailand. Our presence in Burma will be less than two hours. It has been arranged. The Shaman would take it as a personal insult if you were not to attend. He would think that you do not have faith in his abilities.”

“I see,” replied Jack. Let the games begin …

Jack managed to get the pertinent details involving their travel, but Lee would not tell them how the heroin was arriving. “You’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

After dinner, Jack and Laura excused themselves on the pretext of a romantic walk down the beach before calling it a night.

“Well, this is a fine mess, isn’t it?” stated Laura. “What are we going to do? Rose would skin us alive if she thought we were going into Burma.”