Lost Innocence: The Accused. Part One

by Simon Palmer

NINETEEN

  NIGEL STROLLED into the Huntsman and clocked a middle-aged man in a wrinkled shirt and creased trousers. He was sitting with a gorgeous girl about a third of his age, wearing tight, faded jeans with designer rips in the knees and a top that teased.

  On the table beside them was a chunky camera with an enormous zoom lens.

  Nigel approached as the man and his companion stood up and smiled. “Mr Walker I presume?”

  “Hello, Mr Gould.”

  They shook hands, each trying for the firmer grip.

  “Harvey is fine. And I should call you….?”

  “Mr Walker.”

  “….Very well then. This is my assistant, Bo.”

  Nigel shook her hand. “That’s a strong grip.”

  “She’s real tough. I’m an ex-marine. I taught her everything she knows. Take a look at her knives.”

  Harvey pulled up her top at the waist to reveal a set of throwing knives hanging from a black belt. Nigel noticed a cute belly-button piercing of a white flamingo on her toned stomach. He diverted his eyes back to the knives. “Would she ever use them?”

  “You never know when you’re in the red zone.”

  “Well, nice to meet you, Bo. This is my partner, Pang – working partner that is.”

  The Thais waied, then everybody took a seat. Nigel’s eyes flickered onto the table.

  “That’s Lisa my Leica9. She’s ideal for outside shots, excellent zoom, definition, you can take shots without a flash; great for private surveillance.”

  “Very impressive.”

  “So you have two girls you want us to find?”

  “That’s right.”

  Nigel felt a vibrating in his pocket. “Excuse me, I have a call.”

  He rose and stepped away. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Daddy…..You forget me already? I am Sung, your son’s special friend.”

  “Oh, hi Sung. Did you find anything?”

  “Not yet. It’s difficult without good picture.”

  “I understand. We’re looking now for a girl called Puku. We think she’s the sister. I have her picture. We’re also looking for her friend who works at Evita.”

  “I know that place. Who is friend?”

  “Her name’s Tee but we don’t have her picture.”

  “Okay. I see what I can find out about Puku. Not forget to send picture.”

  “I’ll do it now.”

  Sung hung up. Nigel was about to return to the table when his phone rang, again. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Mr Walker. This is Pamon. I just heard that the case has been postponed for twelve days.”

  “Why? What does that mean?”

  “It means they’re not ready to charge him with a crime and he may still have time to make a deal.”

  “That’s good to know. Can I call you back? I’m in a meeting at the moment.”

  “Of course. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”

  “…Not at all. I’ll get back to you later.”

  Nigel hurried back to Harvey. “Sorry about that. Where was I?”

  “You were about to tell us about the two girls.”

  “That’s right, but I better tell you why we’re looking for them, first.”

  “That works for me.”

  “Then let me begin….”

  ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ was playing on the jukebox. Harvey was on his third whisky, Nigel and Pang were drinking Chang and Bo was sipping on a diet Coke through a straw.

  “….And that’s how Mike ended up in prison.”

  “It sounds like a well organised scam.”

  “So, what can you do for me?”

  “Normally this would be a simple pay-off case, but since Michael has refused to pay, it’s become complicated. If it does go to trial and becomes a matter of public record, it will be more difficult to bury the paperwork and buy him out. His twelve days are almost up and if he hasn’t paid by then, they have three choices: charge him, release him or extend the case for another twelve days.”

  “I just had a call from my lawyer and can confirm that the court date has been postponed.”

  “Maybe they want to settle. Could we?”

  “I’d like to, but Michael isn’t keen.”

  “Normally with the conditions of the prisons here, they can’t wait to get out. People die all the time. Doesn’t he want out?”

  “Of course he does. He just doesn’t want to plead guilty to a crime he didn’t commit.”

  “Is he worried about a record?”

  “…Amongst other things.”

  “I could make that go away, I know a guy…”

  “He will not plead guilty. We still have twelve days to find these girls. That’s where you would come in.”

  “If we find either of these girls, what makes you think they’ll cooperate?”

  “I’ll talk to them,” Nigel winked at Pang.

  “Even if they agreed to drop the charges, the police captain would lose face.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It’s like the worst kind of embarrassment.”

  “I’m not concerned with that.”

  Harvey’s eyes betrayed a flicker of fear as he glanced at Bo. “I think I should meet Nincotte and see if we can still buy Michael out.”

  “Mike doesn’t want to pay! I only need you to find these girls. I’ll handle the rest. Will you help us?”

  “Okay, I’ll see what we can find, but please urge Michael to reconsider settling.”

  “I’ll try. How much is your fee?”

  Harvey pulled the creases up on his trousers. “Ten thousand a day and nothing is guaranteed.”

  “That’s fine.”

  Harvey sat back, content. Bo followed with her eyes as Nigel reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out an envelope of cash and laid it on the table.

  “So, we’re looking for Tee who’s a friend of Puku who’s a friend of Mia and the only girl who we don’t have a picture of?”

  “That’s right, but we do know where she works.”

  Nigel handed over the card. Harvey read it and handed his card to Nigel. “I’ll keep you informed and from now on, please leave all the investigating to us.”

  Nigel nodded. “I could use the break.”

  Harvey took the cash, rose then left with Bo.”

  Nigel paid the bill, said goodnight to Pang then returned to his room.

  He entered his suite with an expression of relief, kicked off his shoes, picked up the phone and called home. “Hello? Doris?”

  He could hear breathing, waited then coughed. “It’s bloody hot here. I’m working with a Thai guy called Pang and a lawyer called Pamon. It’s a crazy place Bangkok, but I like it. I love the food. It’s a little spicy, but you get used to it and the people are so friendly. I’m staying in Stan’s suite. It’s better without Stan...Doris?”

  He sighed. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I don’t know what came over me. I’d like to blame the meds, but I’m not sure that I can. I was mad at Stan then mad at you for trying to manage me…. Are you there?”

  He heard her sniff. He was meant to hear it.

  “Michael’s alone and afraid. I’m all he’s got and I’m scared too. The great lawyer I’m supposed to be counts for nothing out here. I need your support. I need your forgiveness…..Doris?”

  A soft voice whispered, “I’m here.”

  He was about to reply when a rippling pain ripped through his body. The blood from his face drained as his veiny hand clutched the excruciating pain of his chest. He dropped the phone and cried with the last breath he had left. “Help!”

  “Nigel!” Doris yelled, but it was too late….he was gone….

  TWENTY

  IT WAS raining heavily as Harvey’s BMW crawled through Bangkok traffic and Bo was looking pissed.

  “Why we take this job?”

  “It’s been quiet with all these protests going on. We need the money. I think we just poke around a bit. Don’t worry, we won’t make any w
aves.”

  She raised her lower lip. “Hope so.”

  “What do you think of Nigel?”

  “Looks kind, think have good heart.”

  “Rape isn’t regarded as a big crime here, is it?”

  “Big, but still happen, usually with young girl. People pay family, then problem go away.”

  They pulled into the car park at the Evita. Harvey climbed out, dashed inside to escape the downpour as Bo ran after him skipping over puddles.

  Once inside, they brushed off the rain and were met by a guy wearing round glasses and a red suit.

  “Khun Harvey. It’s been a while.”

  “Hello, Mr Anan, how are you?”

  “Good.”

  “I’m here about a girl.”

  “Most men are.”

  “Not like that. I just want to talk.”

  “They have sex-lines for that.”

  “I’m on a case. You have a girl here called Tee?”

  “Sure, I know Tee.”

  “I need to talk to her for a few minutes.”

  “The girls are not paid for talking.”

  Harvey reached into his wallet, slipped out a purple five and handed it over. Anan took it and hid it in a pocket. “Would you like to use my office?”

  “That would be fine.”

  “It’s open. Make yourself at home. I’ll send her in.”

  “Thank you.”

  The manager walked away. Harvey steered Bo to the office.

  There was a dusty desk, some files on a shelf and a window in the corner. The air smelled stale and the temperature was warm. Harvey flicked on the A/C then took a look at the books while Bo pulled out her phone.

  Bo had parked herself on a chair and was playing Diamond Dash while Harvey was flicking through a magazine featuring amulets.

  A young girl appeared at the doorway and looked in. Harvey smiled. “Come in, Tee. Take a seat.”

  She had long, brown hair and wore a red gown with the number ten attached above her hip bone.

  “What you want?” she asked as she walked in.

  Harvey perched on the corner of the desk, took out his phone and showed her a picture of Puku.

  “Is this a friend of yours?”

  She nodded and smiled.

  “Where is she? When you last see her?”

  “About two week ago, she works at Angel.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Then I not know.”

  “She doesn’t come here?”

  Tee shook her head. Harvey flicked through the images on his phone and showed the picture of Mia. Tee reacted with surprise.

  “You know her?”

  She paused. Bo shouted - Tee jumped.

  “Yes I know Mia, she sister of Puku.”

  “When did you last see her?”

  “Not see her for long time.”

  “What about Puku? When did you see her last?”

  “Not see for long time.”

  “You have Mia’s number?”

  “Have in locker.”

  “Then go get it. We can wait.”

  She ducked out of the office and hurried to her locker. Once she arrived, she slipped out of her dress, pulled off a wig and fake eyelashes and stuffed them into a bag. Climbing into her casual clothes, she stepped out of an emergency exit and was rushing away when she was taken a hold of, pushed up against a wall, spun round and pinned back by a sharp knife at her throat.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Tee was speechless. They were alone. Bo spoke quickly as she pressed the blade firmly against Tee’s throat. “You try to run away from me?”

  Tee trembled. “You’re hurting me.”

  Bo took out her mobile and called Harvey. “We’re outside. I tell you she not come back.”

  She hung up, slipped the phone into her back pocket then delivered a sharp slap to Tee’s face.

  “What are you not telling me?”

  Tee started to cry. Bo slapped her again.

  “Okay, I tell. Stop hurting me and I’ll talk.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Puku in trouble with a man called Nawirat. He loaned her thirty thousand and was going to kill her if she didn’t pay. She used her sister Mia to trick farang to get money, but he not pay.”

  Harvey appeared, a little out of breath. Bo still had Tee pinned to the wall.

  “What happened to you?”

  “I just walked around the building. You didn’t say where outside. What’s happening?”

  “She owe thirty thousand to some guy.”

  “Let her go.”

  Bo released her, snatched her bag and searched it. She found her phone and opened up her contacts.

  “What you want me to do?” Tee asked Harvey.

  “Call Puku now.”

  “I not have number, she throw away phone.”

  Bo looked over at Harvey and nodded.

  “Where does Puku live? “Where’s Mia?”

  “Puku moves around. Mia stays with her.”

  “You’re not telling us much, Tee.”

  “When she call me, I give her message, call you.”

  “Good. Bo will put my number in your phone.”

  “She scared, have men chase her.”

  “I’ll take care of that.”

  “What you do?”

  “Go back to work. When she calls, tell her that we’ve paid off her debt and that she should call me.”

  “Alright, I do.” Tee rushed away.

  “I expect to hear from you soon!”

  Bo frowned at Harvey. “Why you always so nice?”

  “You never heard of good cop, bad cop?”

  “No, in Thai have only bad cop.”