SEVENTEEN
NIGEL WAS in the shower singing Sinatra's 'My Way', but his way, which was sadly out of tune. Ten minutes later, dried and dressed, he was walking through the lobby, when he was called over by a pretty receptionist. She handed him an envelope. He opened it. Inside was a photo of a pretty young girl standing at a bar in a white dress. She wasn't posing for the picture; it was as if she hadn't even known it was being taken. On the back was a note written in English: 'Find Puku - find Mia.'
"Who gave you this?" he asked. She asked a colleague who asked someone else, who then asked someone in the back - nobody knew.
He left the hotel, found Pang by his car and showed him the picture. "Somebody's trying to help."
"….Who?"
"I don't know. Yesterday at the bar, did you tell Mon where I was staying?"
Guilt reared its ugly head on Pang's face.
"It may have worked in our favour. Somebody brought us this picture with a note on the back."
Nigel took out his phone, flicked to the picture of Mia and compared it with the picture of Puku. "Look at this Pang. I think Puku is Mia's sister." Pang nodded. "Where you want to go?"
"…Back to the bar."
Nigel and Pang returned to the bar and parked on the opposite side of the street. Pang was about to step out when Nigel stopped him. "Wait a minute. I think Mon's expecting us. None of the girls are outside. Do me a favour, walk around the back and see if there's any sign of police cars tucked away."
Pang walked off and returned a few minutes later. "No police car, but I look in back window and see Mon with men. Look like security. What we do?"
"We wait and see if Mia comes out. It may take a while. We'll need coffee and doughnuts."
Pang walked off into the night.
Nigel was watching the bar and craving for a coffee, when his trusty driver suddenly appeared at the door. He leapt from his seat, caught his breath then wound down the window. "You frightened the life out of me. Where were you?"
"Sorry, but I not find doughnut."
He handed Nigel a plastic cup of cold coffee then climbed into the driver's seat. "You see Mia?"
"Not yet."
"What we do?"
"I think we're done."
"Where you want to go?"
"Back to the hotel."
"What about the doughnuts?"
"They'll have to wait for another day. We should get some sleep. We have an important appointment with a lawyer, tomorrow.
The following morning, Nigel and Pang arrived at a modern office building on Ratchada. After looking online for a reputable law firm which handled criminal cases, Nigel was quietly confident that he had found his guy.
Arriving on the fourth floor of a plush-looking office-block, they stepped through some automatic doors and were greeted by an attractive young lady wearing glasses like a French teacher in a porn flick.
"We're here to see Mr Pamon."
"Please follow me," she replied in perfect English.
They followed her into a modern office with a long conference table and four leather chairs. Nigel smelled the fine leather - he approved.
"Please have a seat," she smiled. Nigel and Pang took a pew as the receptionist knocked on a back door, poked her head round and spoke Thai.
A young, smartly dressed Thai man with short, immaculate hair entered with some paperwork and approached them. His breath was minty fresh and his face looked photo-shopped. "Hello, Mr Walker. I am Pamon."
Nigel rose and shook the lawyer's hand with a firm grip. Pamon waied Pang, they exchanged a few words in Thai then all took a seat.
"I looked into the case and can confirm that your grandson's being held on remand while the local prosecutor builds a case against him. They have a witness statement and evidence against him. I have to admit, it's not looking good."
"He was framed."
"Perhaps, but in Thailand we rely on facts and statements. It wouldn't be looked on favourably if he pleaded not guilty; not here. Usually this type of case is settled out of Court. They very rarely make it to a courtroom and if they do, it depends on the judges."
"Judges?"
"Yes we have three; one senior. We don't have a Jury as such. I would advise him to settle, should that option be still available. In Thailand, if you plead guilty you are given a lesser sentence than if you plead not guilty and the verdict then goes against you. If he does go to Court pleading not guilty and loses, he could serve up to five years."
"Yes, but he's innocent."
"Perhaps, but to prove that, you'd need to bring in all the people involved and prove their part in a conspiracy; if this is in fact what this is."
"Of course it is."
"It could take months to dig deep enough for evidence to implicate these people and you would need to enlist the services of a private investigator. Corruption and deception are rife here in Thailand. Before you undertake such a long and dangerous journey, I would still advise you to try to settle."
"Michael doesn't want to settle."
"Well then," Pamon handed Nigel a business card.
"Call this PI and you'll need a Thai lawyer too."
"Are you not available?"
"I'm sorry, but I really have no interest in taking this case. I've read the arrest report and the police captain involved is highly decorated."
"That doesn't mean he's not corrupt."
"No, but it's dangerous to accuse a man of his stature of any wrong-doing in such a serious crime investigation, let alone take him on in Court."
"Then at least help me to do the right thing."
Pamon began to leaf through the paperwork. Nigel glanced at it, but it was all in Thai. He slipped out the photo of Puku and lowered it onto the pile.
"And who is this?"
"We think she's Mia's sister. We need your help."
"I'll help you, but I'll not appear in Court. You'll find it difficult to find a reputable lawyer who will."
"Thank you. That's something."
"Be careful, Mr Walker. I'd suggest you leave any further investigating to the professionals."
"I will. Many thanks."
Nigel and Pang rose and stepped out.
The evening had arrived. The street lights were on and the 'Working Girls' were out. Nigel and Pang were parked in the same spot as before, but this time the coffee was hot and they had doughnuts.
"I'm going to need you to go in."
Pang opened the car door - Nigel pulled him back.
"Not yet, we need to make a plan first."
Nigel took out Puku's picture. "I want you to
pretend you're a customer. You know what I mean?" Pang nodded. Nigel continued. "You go in, buy a drink and look around. If Puku or Mia are in there, pay their bar-fines and bring them to me. If they're not, see if there's anyone else who knows anything. You can bar-fine whoever can help us, okay?"
Nigel handed him six thousand. "Keep it nice and friendly. We don't want to start any trouble."
Pang stepped out and went in as Nigel sat back and watched.
He'd polished off the doughnuts and was wiping his mouth when he noticed some commotion outside the bar. The main door opened, Pang rushed out and sprinted across the street to the car. Nigel sat up, shuffled over, fired the ignition then leaned over to push the back door open. Pang dived in.
Two thuggish-looking Thai men appeared at the entrance, saw Pang's taxi and took up pursuit. One of them had a gun. Nigel pulled out, reversed down the street at speed, spun round and skidded away throwing Pang around in the back. About a mile away, Nigel glanced over his shoulder - all clear.
"What happened?"
"Better not go back." Pang straightened his shirt and tidied his hair."
"You need a beer?"
"Two beer, but later. Have somewhere to go."
"Where you want to go?" Nigel asked. It was as though their roles had been reversed.
Pang began to explain the route. Nigel slowed down and pulled over. "You want to drive?"
They switched places and Pang drove away like a man possessed.
"What happened back there?"
"I meet Bee. She give picture of Puku. She hear me talk to mamasan at bar. She hear name hotel."
"Was Mon there?"
"Not need her. We find Puku, we find Mia. Bee tell me where to go."
After following the signs for 'Angel Entertainment', Pang pulled into a complex on Phetchaburi Road. Nigel was about to get out, when Pang stopped him. "Wait, Mr Nigel. Puku work in there. She massage girl, sex massage. We should pay for massage then talk to her. I go. I know these places."
"Are you not married?"
"Am, but not have sex, only massage."
Nigel surveyed the entrance of the club. It was similar to that of a five star hotel, except for the outside walls displaying erotic posters of beautiful young women. "Ok, Pang, you're up again, but…"
The back door swung open and a tall man in a creased suit looked down with wild eyes. "Welcome sah. Please come with me."
Nigel stepped out and was guided into a hotel lobby with a large glass screen to the left. The host guided Nigel over to the glass, then stepped away to take a call. Nigel peered in and gasped at what he saw. Sitting on benches under bright spotlights, were beautiful, young girls in black, evening dresses with numbers attached in red. They wore enticing makeup and had their hair styled elegantly. Some stared at Nigel and smiled, while others watched a small TV hanging high in the corner.
Nigel turned to Pang. "These girls are for sale?"
"Choose girl, have massage upstairs."
"You mean sex?"
"If want, can."
Nigel shook his head. "Any sign of Puku?"
"Not see."
Nigel noticed a small, open bar, a stone's throw away. It was obviously designed so that you could look at the girls from there.
"Fancy a beer? You've earned one."
Pang nodded and followed Nigel to the bar.
Two beers later, neither Nigel nor Pang had seen Puku. "Where the hell is she?"
"She with customer. You should have massage."
"Why me?"
"They saw me drive you."
Nigel wasn't sure how these places worked, but knew that the bar wasn't for socializing. He glanced at the glass once more - still no sign of Puku.
"You see girl you like?" Pang asked. "…Three across on the third row."
Pang narrowed his eyes. "Can you show me?"
Nigel and Pang rose and walked over to the glass. Some of the girls straightened up and smiled, while others pushed out their chests or flicked back their hair. Nigel's eyes were on a lady who had thick, shiny black hair, a slender figure and long, inviting legs. She noticed Nigel, straightened her shoulders, stared down at him and smiled.
Pang waved at one of the managers. A young lanky lad in a lemon suit strolled over. "You see something you like sah?"
"Thirty-two," said Nigel.
'Lanky Lad' disappeared into a back room.
"Mr Nigel?"
"Yes Pang?"
"Have massage before you ask about Puku and not ask too much. Better you get to know girl first."
"I got this, Pang. Go and get yourself a beer."
After hearing her number, Nigel's choice slipped out of a side door to reappear moments later at his side. She slid her soft hand into his and led him to the lift. Her breath smelt of pesto sauce, her hair of sweet popcorn.
Once they arrived on the fourth floor, she walked ahead and led him down a long, carpeted corridor. He watched her body sway swiftly and confidently, each step like a model on a catwalk.
She stopped at suite 1213, swiped a plastic key card through the lock and the door sprung open. She entered and flicked on the lights and AC. Nigel crept in behind her and took a look around.
It was like a decent hotel room, but with some notable additions; the biggest being a large circular tub standing in the corner on a white tiled floor. On one side of the bath was a large inflatable Lilo leaning up against it and on the other side lay a basket of sex accoutrements.
She stepped over to the tub, turned both taps on and sprinkled in some salts. Then, returning, she knelt before him and slipped off his shoes.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"My name Noy," she replied as she removed his socks and rolled them up.
"What your name?"
"I'm Nigel. Why do you work here?"
"I do to take care of my father and sister. I send money back to them."
Turning to his trousers, she began to unzip them as he stood there allowing her to slip them off and hang them on a chair. She unbuttoned his shirt and as she did, he felt her nails graze up against his chest. She added it to the rest of the clothes and was about to slip off his boxers when he reached down and stopped her. "I can do it."
"…Up to you."
He stepped over to the tub then turning shyly away; he stripped off his boxers and watch. Naked, he then clambered into the warm, soapy water. The temperature was perfect, the bath salts relaxing - he could smell the subtle, salty scent of the sea.
He turned back and watched as she kicked off her heels, then slipped out of her long black dress to reveal a sleek pair of black panties and a lacy, black bra. He already had lift-off and it was showing though a small circle of soapy water.
She unhooked her bra, releasing an inviting pair of breasts then stripping off her panties, sensually; she revealed a birth mark of an Acorn on her bum. She laid her underwear on the bed then after tying up her hair in a knot she stepped naked to the tub and hopped in.
Squeezing some liquid soap into the palms of her hands, she added water, lathered it up and rubbed it on his chest, stomach and arms with slow, sensual, circular strokes. She turned him around, lathered up some more soap and soaped down his back, shoulders and neck.
Once he was sufficiently soaped, she turned him back and invited him to stand. He stood slowly, almost poking her in the eye with his excitement. She laughed at his soapy member, took the shower head, shuffled in and rinsed the rest of the soapy water from his body.
Reaching for the basket of sex accoutrements, she took a thin, red tube, squeezed some clear gel onto her fingertips and returned to fondle his balls.
"What's that?" he asked, feeling a warm, tingling sensation around his genitals.
"You not try before?" She smiled saucily. He shook his head.
"…Special for you."
He stood excited and erect as she caressed him between her long, painted nails. Then opening her mouth, she took him in deeply as he stood there, soapy water still dripping from his body. She started to suck him, her tongue doing the tango around his tip. He'd never experienced a blow job so good.
Pang was down at the bar nodding his head to a track and enjoying a third Chang - on Nigel's tab when he witnessed his boss and his lady emerging from the lift - something was wrong. Nigel was following behind, trying to speak, but she was away.
"Noy!" Nigel called out. She turned a corner then disappeared through a side door.
A manager with a long stride and a rash on his chin caught up with Nigel. "Is everything okay sah?"
Pang arrived, spoke Thai to 'Rash Chin' then turned back to Nigel. "Girl ok for you?"
"She was fine. She got jumpy with my questions."
"What questions?" 'Rash Chin' asked.
Nigel took out his phone, flicked to the picture of Puku and showed it to him.
"I was asking if she knew her."
"We have lots of girls here."
Nigel took out a thousand, folded it and slid into the manager's hand.
"I know her, but I don't know where she is."
"When did you last see her?"
"We fired her last week."
"Is there anybody who would know where she is?"
"Her friend Tee might. She used to work here." Nigel sighed.
"You fire a lot of girls?"
"It's hard to get good staff."
"Where is she now?"
"She works at a massage place not far from here."
"What's it called?"
The manager handed Nigel a card. "A friend of mine works there. Tell him I sent you."
Nigel settled both bills then turned to leave. "Are you alright Mr Nigel? What happened?"
"I'll tell you all about it in the car."
"Where we go?"
"To the pharmacy then I need to call a PI.”