The Assassin on the Bangkok Express

by Roland Perry

‘You’re not …?’ she asked, a tension in her voice and expression as she recalled her daughter mentioning the farang who had seen her interrogated by the police.

  ‘No, I’m not.’

  She frowned and looked at him quizzically. Cavalier held her gaze, bowed slightly and left. He walked dejectedly down into the muggy night that was settling on the crowded, sometimes dangerous, always exciting Bangkok. His phone was ringing. He didn’t recognise the number.

  ‘It’s me,’ Jacinta said. ‘I am ringing on a new phone. I’m really sorry …’

  ‘Don’t say any more, please.’

  ‘I just want to say, do not use your Claude Garriaud passport, even on internal flights.’

  ‘I won’t. I’m worried about what will happen to you.’

  ‘Makanathan has interrogated me. I gave her nothing. She wanted to know if I’d been involved in Cortez’s demise.’

  ‘What did you tell her?

  ‘I denied it. There is no proof of any collaboration with you.’

  ‘Did she accept that?’

  ‘Not sure. Before she could say something, I pointed out that if I hadn’t been at the front of the train, she and her husband would probably be dead. That gave her something to think about.’

  ‘How’d you explain that you were on the boat with me?’

  ‘She thought I’d slept with you. Blabbermouth Azelaporn lied to her. I said we were acquaintances and had made contact after the train trip.’ Jacinta paused. ‘Now do you understand I did not lead you into a second trap?’

  ‘On the boat, I had to think about flight, not accusations or analysis. I have no doubt you did not.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, her relief palpable.

  ‘Good luck, my beautiful Jacinta,’ Cavalier said, ‘and thanks for all your support, a second time.’

  ‘Please be extra careful. Makanathan is not a brutal type, but she is persistent.’

  ‘And without ruth.’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘She really hates the idea of not solving the Cortez case,’ Jacinta said.

  ‘No evidence means no case against anyone, even for the legendary Dr Makanathan.’

  ‘Will we see each other again?’

  ‘Not in Bangkok for some time. But you know where to find me. And I’ll be speaking to Gregory and Smith about some position for you.’

  ‘Thank you, Victor,’ Jacinta said, ‘but only in Thailand. Are you going to stay?’

  ‘It depends on how hot it becomes,’ he said. ‘I’m getting too old for the heat.’

  THE END