by Simon Palmer
TWENTY-SEVEN
HARVEY WAS quiet as he drove back with Bo.
“You look sad. What wrong?”
“I was just thinking about Nigel Walker.
“Think what?”
“He’s upset with me because I went to see Michael without his permission.”
“But you do good thing.”
“I thought so and Stan’s okay with it, but it was Nigel Walker who hired me, not Stan.”
“What we do?”
“We stick to the plan. We pay the rest of the money to Nincotte and get Michael out.”
“Good plan.”
“Hopefully his grandfather will be happy when he sees his grandson on the outside.”
“Of course he be happy.”
“It’s never that simple Bo. The client decided which path to take but I didn’t listen.”
“You never listen. You do what you want.”
“I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of going after a police captain, but I didn’t say no.”
“Nincotte bad guy. Have people disappear who stand up to him.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Working on the street, see and hear things.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“You not ask.”
“Let’s get out of this as soon as we can.”
“I think good.”
“Did we hear back from Puku yet?”
Bo shook her head.
TWENTY-EIGHT
IT WAS later in the day. Nigel was sat facing Pamon. The Thai lawyer gathered up some paperwork and slid it into an envelope.
“I have to admit, Mr Walker, this digging you had me do could be quite dangerous. Even though it is a part of public record, if Nincotte came to hear of us looking through these files—”
“Why is everybody so afraid of this guy?” Nigel interrupted. Pamon didn’t reply.
“I’m glad this is over. I’ll have your fee ready for tomorrow,” Nigel said, changing the subject.
“Thank you. I’m very happy things worked out.”
Nigel reached over to take the brown envelope but Pamon anchored it to the desk. “You won’t be needing this after all.”
“If it’s all the same, I’ll still take a look.”
“It’s in Thai.”
“I’ll have Pang translate.”
“It’s quite an important set of documents.”
Nigel tugged at the envelope. The lawyer kept a firm hold. Nigel shook his head. “You don’t need to tell me about important documents. I’ve dealt with them all my life.”
“Very well Mr Walker.”
Pamon released it. Nigel scooped it up.
“Please shred it after you’re done.”
“Of course and thanks again.”
Nigel left the office with the envelope in his hand.
TWENTY-NINE
STAN WAS in bed reading a black and white copy of the Daily Mail when Harvey and Bo walked in.
“How did it go?”
“Well, but regretfully we need to pay more.”
“What happened to the first hundred?”
“He took it as a down-payment.”
“How much more does he want?”
“Another hundred thousand.”
“So one more stash of cash and Mike’s out?”
“He gave me his word.”
“I’m not sure if that means much, but I’ll play along.”
“I think it’s worth the risk.”
“Why don’t you go for a coffee? It’ll take a short while to get it.”
“We still need to pay the rest of Puku’s debt.”
“Do we still need to do that? I mean now that we’re dealing directly with Nincotte.”
“I gave her my word but if you’d prefer I can pay out of my fee.”
“…No, never mind.”
He reached under the bed, pulled out a case, opened it and handed over what he had left.
THIRTY
NIGEL WAS in his suite, flicking through Nincotte’s file but he couldn’t read a word. He was about to call Pang, when his hotel phone rang.
“Aren’t you taking my calls now?” Stan asked, “I’ve been calling your mobile.”
“I switched it off.”
“I need another hundred thousand.”
“Where’s the other hundred thousand?”
“He took it as a down payment. He wants another hundred.”
“Greedy bastard! You see this is what I’m talking about. You know that he’s going to do this again until someone has the balls to stop him.”
“I know and I agree with you and respect Mike for what he did, but his mum wants him home.”
“So if you pay a hundred more, Michael’s out?”
“He gave his word.”
“….As if that means anything.”
“We have to try…Will you bring the money?”
“Of course I will. You only had to ask.”
“When? Harvey’s waiting.”
“I’ll go now.” Nigel hung up.
He returned the papers to their folder, picked up his wallet and key card and left the suite.
He was walking to the elevator when he noticed a maid he hadn’t seen before. Her uniform looked tight and her hair seemed tatty. He smiled as he passed – she didn’t smile back.
He took a taxi and arrived at the hospital with a jiffy bag of cash. “So where’s Harvey?”
“He’ll be back soon.”
Nigel pulled up a chair and smiled.
“You’re in a better mood.”
“I’ve had a little time to think things over.”
“And where did you arrive with your thoughts?”
“That perhaps you were right.”
“Thanks and don’t worry about the money. I’ll settle everything when we get home.”
“Did I ever mention the money?”
“No but I know it all adds up.”
Stan handed Nigel a company credit card.
“At least this can cover the hotel and your driver with this. The pin is 1969.”
Nigel slid the card into his wallet. “Well Stan, I have some papers to shred.”
“What papers?”
“It doesn’t matter. You were right, this isn’t our place.”
Stan looked affectionately at his father.
“Thanks for everything you’ve done, Dad.”
“You can thank me down the pub.”