by Ben Ezzell
Fetching ice from the other kitchen, Greg stopped for a moment, watching the new gardener filling the tracks left by the hoist truck. Finally, he sat down to slice thin strips of carrot, dropping them into chilled water to make them curl. As he did, his thoughts were wandering to the girls he’d met – and vaguely remembered – from his rather drunken night on the town.
It was kind of odd, being on his own and all with nobody else his own age. Somehow, a night on the town just wasn’t the same alone. Probably why he’d had so many drinks and all.
There was Bob – Mr. Maxwell – but he was so much older. And married, of course. Not that married was always a limitation, Greg realized, but he wasn’t sure how to even approach the topic.
And Nolan – at least he was a little closer to Greg’s age but he didn’t seem to be interested in partying.
Of course, there were Jeffery and Bren. Problem was that they were interested a different kind of scene. Not that he had anything against gays but, for him, other guys just weren’t a turn-on.
He’d thought about asking Tanya out. She was older than he was, sure, but that wasn’t necessarily bad, was it? Except that the age difference made him feel so … so immature.
And with Sarah it would be even worse. Even if it wasn’t obvious that she had a thing for Tahm. And vice versa. Which meant there was no point in asking Tahm.
Maybe, Greg thought, he’d be all right if he just didn’t drink as much …
Somewhere near border, west of Mae Salong, Thailand, 3:53 PM
Kun Jones, the General considered, was either very foolish or very smart farahng. What he ask not difficult. A name. And a recommendation. Yes, that he could manage.
Lieutenant Panyarachun would do very nicely. Not the General’s lieutenant, no, but an ‘available man’ from National Police Department. Lieutenant Panyarachun in Bangkok but easy flight to Chiang Mai. More important, lieutenant not known in Chiang Mai – that good.
Then, after first part done, have Kun Jones call Kukrit Phibun. Police Lieutenant Phibun not ‘available man’ but have ambition. Have more ambition than good sense maybe. That good also. No connection to General, no payback. Yes, very simple matter to arrange.
Sometimes favor make strange currency, the General reflected. Not big matter but sometime maybe he need favor also. If not from Kun ‘Jones’, then from those who recommend General to Kun ‘Jones’.
Road outside Baan Orchid, 4:10 PM
Kun Joan Maguire, Officer Singhaseni decided, watching her enter the gate at Baan Orchid, was not like any other farahng he meet ever and making his report to Inspector Taskin maybe not easy matter.
It was not only she see through his cover so quickly but that part of it, yes. Most farahng not look at tuk-tuk driver enough to even recognize again. Tuk-tuk driver very good cover to follow farahng. Just ask where want to go, then listen. Or samlor, of course – hear better in samlor. Still, tuk-tuk better – not have to petal tuk-tuk, go faster and most farahng prefer tuk-tuk.
Instead, this farahng lady expect him. Wait for him because she want to know where buy stun gun and pepper spray. Was little bit like watching mouse chase cat … but very uncomfortable for cat.
Then, when Kowit Singhaseni show Kun Maguire where buy, he watch while she haggle like Thai. Not pay tourist price at all. Not speak Thai but she not need to. Instead, she speak some English, some German, some he not sure what – not hear before – but she bargain very good. Get very good price.
Still, not all farahng not know how bargain. But way she bargain – very fast, very brisk. She bargain very good. Then she pay with credit card and argue surcharge.
Here, Officer Singhaseni had finally felt in his own element. Surcharge for credit card transaction not legal and Officer Singhaseni of TAT remind shopkeeper this. This prove tuk-tuk driver good disguise too because shopkeeper not recognize officer when not in uniform.
But there also message. “Tell Inspector Taskin to find Tanya Mygent,” Kun Maguire say. “And find David Stillwell. Or maybe Daryl Stillwell, of course. Say it’s important,” she add. And then she had say that she would talk to Inspector Taskin later. “And tell him to look for Alex Stafford,” she’d continued. “But he won’t call himself that so I don’t know what you should tell him to look for. Still, I suppose you’d better mention him. I’m sure the Inspector would be unhappy if you didn’t.”
He do as she say but, Kowit Singhaseni thought, he not sure how Inspector Taskin take message. And she not say who David Stillwell. Not say who Daryl Stillwell. And not say who Alex Stafford either.
Baan Orchid, 4:45 PM
“We let the pork marinate,” Greg explained, “for about twenty minutes. Which is just about time to hard boil the duck’s eggs.” While he talked, he was putting the eggs in the boiling pot and turning up the heat on the wok. “And, if someone will squeeze a few limes, there’s a bottle of cold soda waiting.”
“I hope the lights don’t go out this time,” Bob joked, reaching for a knife.
6:50 PM
Maybe, Kowit Kanoontong think, being gardener not such bad job. Farahng very good paw kroouh. Food not like wife make but aroy mak mak.
Inspector say all farahng kroouh! Maybe this very good job. Eat well, that very sure.
But this time to get sleep – need to be up early morning. Officer Singhaseni be on watch in front. Two other officer stay next door but Kanoontong responsible keep watch.
Officer Kanoontong stretched out, pulling the blanket up to cover himself. A few moments later, he was snoring softly.
7:10 PM
“A marvelous dinner.” “Wonderful presentation.” “First rate.” “Delightful”
Compliments from other chefs, Greg decided, were the finest praise possible. And, he had to admit, things had gone off quite well. Exceptionally well, considering all the things that could have gone wrong. And he had considered them – every single one.
Honestly, he’d spent so much time considering things blowing up – the pumpkins splitting open, burning the rice, forgetting to season the pork … or seasoning it too much … or any of a thousand possibilities – somehow he wondered if he had forgotten something. Surely everyone wouldn’t have been too polite to mention it?
But everything had tasted fine. And it had looked beautiful as well.
It would have been nicer, Greg considered, if the setting had been less informal – since there were no waiters or trappings and everyone had been in and out of the kitchen while he was working … not to mention the jokes about het mao mushrooms – but the compliments were sincere. And that was what counted, wasn’t it?
But now what? It was such a brief moment of glory.
And he didn’t even have dishes to wash – Tahm and Plah were already taking care of them.
DragonTree.com Contents
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Tourist Authority of Thailand office, Friday, February 9th, 7:26 PM
“I stay at station house tonight,” Inspector Taskin informed his wife. “I think better if more happen. I call in morning, krahp.” He closed the phone feeling very unhappy. His wife understand, yes, but daughter not like when father not come home.
Inspector Taskin grimaced, then reached for the desk phone. “Officer Pronkiat Singhaseni,” he directed. “Have report to office most immediate.”
Baan Orchid, 8:10 PM
“Okay then,” Bob Maxwell nodded. “If you’ll wake me up around two, I’ll keep the midshift. But I still wish I had a night lens.” He pushed himself away from the table, adding, “Guess I’ll get some sleep now.”
“That’s fine then,” Jeffery agreed before turning to his partner. “The Iron Butterfly will still be there later, right?”
“That’s right,” Bren agreed. “And we wouldn’t want to miss this, would we?” He laid his free hand on Jeffery’s arm, while triggering the taser in his other. The snapping spark was punctuation.
“I hope,” Terry interjected, “that you don’t
mind if I offer Greg a little distraction? That is, ah, Mam suggested that I should arrange for him to see some of Chiang Mai’s nightlife.”
“I thought that was what …” Nolan smiled, leaving the thought incomplete.
“Oh, not that. Not exactly,” Terry interrupted, blushing slightly. “No, I was going to call a ‘tour guide’ – I think he’s feeling a little down at the moment.” Terry nodded toward where Greg was standing on the bank looking down at the river.
“Tour guide?” Bob had paused at the edge of the lanai. “Ah, yes,” he smiled. “I think I know what you mean. Excellent idea,” he nodded. “Very excellent idea.”
“If you’d like to join the tour …” Terry allowed the invitation to trail off.
“No, I think not,” Bob smiled, shaking his head. “I’m to bed and the sleep of the just … with my wife.”
8:34 PM
“You think they’ll be back tonight?”
“Think kamoy come again?” Tahm considered. “Not know. Maybe. That why new gardener. That why two men stay house next door. And tuk-tuk outside, down street, kahp.”
“Next door?” Sarah stood up, starting toward the door.
“That right, next door. House empty. Two men stay all day.” Tahm was removing the bamboo frame from the broken statue. “Think Inspector leave men there to watch. Big surprise if kamoy come back, mai kahp?” He promise Kun Joan not say what find in box. Beside, not know what paper mean, not know what say. But maybe burglar come another time. Still look for something.
But, if burglar come, Tahm not need taser – Tahm dteh mak mak, kahp. – dteh, kick.
“You look sad,” Sarah looked down at him, then suddenly sat down again. “I’m sorry – it’s not polite to stand over someone, is it?”
“No mind, mai pen rhy, kahp,” Tahm assured her. “You farahng, not Thai. It okay.”
“You still look sad.”
“Tahm like Kun Sarah,” Tahm smiled wanly. “But remember you go back your home. That make Tahm feel sad. Look,” he removed the last of the framework. “Break heal. Little work and not show. That dii mak, kahp?” He like Sarah very much but worry she decide want someone more sophisticate. Not mind she older, just worry she think Tahm too young.
“Can I help? Please?”
“Rub very soft?” Tahm produced a piece of fine crocus cloth. “Rub break until smooth? Then little oil and break not show.”
“What do you want?” Sarah asked, applying herself to the task, looking at the wood rather than Tahm. “Would you like to travel?” Don’t, she told herself silently – you’re just going to make a fool of yourself. He’s smart, you know that, and he’s attractive – so why shouldn’t he find someone his own age? Just enjoy things while you can – don’t try to take it any further.
“Travel? Someday, kahp. No have money now. Want to make money, go school, learn fix more. Learn make more. That better now. Travel later.” Travel nice, sure, but Tahm not rich like farahng visitors. Better to earn money for study.
“You’re a very fine artist already,” Sarah protested. “This,” she raised the statue, “would bring a lot of money in the States.” No question about that – with the right presentation, he’d be famous in no time.
“Not sell,” Tahm protested. “Carve for Mam.”
“I don’t mean this one. But you could do others. Or more modern pieces; not folk art. You could get very high prices with the right gallery. Maybe …” she hesitated. “Maybe I could model for you?”
Tahm blushed without replying. The block of mahogany, he had decided, would be Kun Sarah. He could imagine her form in the wood. But not want to sell – not if he carve Kun Sarah.
Kun Sarah he want keep. Want keep very very. For memory.
But there was another piece he did want to carve. From last night. Two men – not quite touching – almost – about to … but not quite. Tahm not gay but know when two lovers meet is beautiful. Already he have many sketch for piece. That he would carve.
And another piece. He have piece of ironwood, perfect for what farahng call ‘bas relief’ – popular and traditional style in Thailand also. But he carve man leaping off bluff by river, tackle kamoy below. Have sampan, other kamoy, everything. But farahng focus of piece. Use piece dark wood for most, use piece light oakwood for farahng, deep undercut, look like suspended in air. Be very impressive. That he carve too.
But, if carve Kun Sarah, he keep.
“Maybe,” he answered softly, “maybe.”
Outside, standing in the dark, an unseen figure hesitated. After a long moment, Joan moved away quietly, not wishing to interrupt, smiling to herself and her memories.
Almost anticlimactically, the evening and night passed without incident. On occasion, a throaty ‘ghek..ghek..GHEKKKKO’ broke the night silence while intermittently, shadowed figures might have been observed about the grounds. Later, the dawning light revealed Bren and Jeffrey asleep on the lanai, curled together beneath a blanket supplied by an anonymous well-wisher.
On the whole, however, the night’s only causalities were insects who had flown too close to one or the other of the lights, becoming ghinko entrees as a result.
DragonTree.com Contents
Chapter Twenty-Six:
Chapter Twenty-Six:
Baan Orchid, Saturday, February 10th, 7:06 AM
Crossing the lawn, Plah stopped by the lanai and smiled to herself. The two gatahee farahng were sleeping peacefully. She stepped lightly as she crossed to the railing, stretching to replace the remains of yesterday’s fruit with fresh slices of mango and papaya, then smiled again as she returned to the kitchen.
A short time later, she repeated the journey, this time carrying a tray protected by a bug screen. Placing the tray on the table, she knelt by the two figures, reaching out to pat gently on one’s shoulder. “Kun Bren, geen kow! Kun Jeffrey, dteun!”
Seeing the two sleepers stir, Plah rose and wai’d politely as she stepped backwards off the lanai.
She would feed the two policemen next – the two she wasn’t supposed to know were next door – they would be hungry also. And others when wake up.
But what should she plan for market today? Would the farahng wish tahm ahahn? They cook very well but do they wish cook today? Perhaps Kun Terry say, she decided, mentally planning a provisional menu beginning with bitter melon soup and crab-stuffed chicken wings. She would show farahng kohn kroouh how Thai cook special meal.
7:23 AM
Mrs. Maguire awoke feeling vaguely disoriented. She hadn’t thought anything would happen but she hadn’t been certain. Still, there had been no disturbance.
In one way, the quiet night was unfortunate. Another attempt would, at least, have been familiar. But, if nothing happened, the question was what would happen? Something would – she was quite certain of that – but what?
Sarah was still asleep – and alone. Kun Tahm, Joan smiled to herself, was being discrete.
It was a rather foolish discretion since it was doubtful that anyone present was unaware of their relationship but the young man’s consideration was even more charming for its futility.
And Tanya Mygent’s room was still empty. That was no great matter – she would be back soon enough. When she was ready.
Joan didn’t investigate further – there was little point and people were entitled to their privacy. Instead, she pulled on a light jacket – the morning was still cool – and went downstairs for breakfast.
Helping herself to a generous plate of pineapple and papaya – with wedges of lime for the papaya – and triangles of toast with peanut butter, Joan slipped into the office where she could use the phone.
It would be a little after five in San Francisco – after business hours but not that late. And that meant after eight on the East Coast – still not that late but better to call now.
She had most of the answers, just not quite all.
But what was she going to tell Sarah? And when? She had started to the night before but then had decided against in
terrupting the couple.
Certainly Sarah had a right to know – very much so, really – but would it be better to have all of the answers first? Or to tell her what was known now and then add more later?
Soon in any case, Joan decided – very soon. She picked up the phone and dialed.
8:34 AM
Using a stepladder, Tahm carefully removed the camera/motion detector above the porch. This one also batteries weak. Camera use battery very fast; for motion detector, battery last long time.
Tahm snapped new batteries into the camera, briefly reviewing the stored images and erasing them. None important – just people going in and out. A couple made Tahm smile; Kun Joan standing on one foot, removing sandal; Kun Jeffery caught in mid-step; Kun Greg with bag of grocery. Maybe keep some for memory?
Tahm use printer, make copy of image, he decided. Keep two of Kun Sarah also.
Kun Sarah suggest she model for Tahm. Maybe Tahm use camera? Have many picture Kun Sarah to carve from?
Maybe candid picture? Put camera in Kun Sarah’s room? Camera hold many picture. Yes, later he ask Kun Sarah. Not need camera here – kamoy not return.
Tahm pocketed the camera/motion detector, leaning the stepladder against the wall before stepping out of his shoes and entering the house.
Upstairs, Kun Sarah’s room was empty.
Tahm picked up the laundry basket, setting it in the hall. Shortly, he would take it to the laundry room along with other clothing. For a moment, he felt his face warm as he looked at the skirt and panties. Then he returned to the room, making the bed and drawing the sheets tight before fluffing the pillows and straightening the bedspread, putting a fresh mosquito coil in the holder, emptying the wastebasket of a few tissues and the Trojan from night before. Little else needed – Kun Sarah was very neat.
On a shelf, across from the bed, a silk batik scarf was arranged as backdrop for a seated puppet – the ornately carved temple dancer Tahm had given Sarah a few nights before. On one side of the puppet was the puzzle box Tahm had repaired. On the other side was the soma block puzzle she’d purchased at the night market.