Free Everyone Burns by John Dolan Page A

this conversation otherwise. I merely ask for some goodwill and assistance on your part.”
    I sipped at my tea, but it had gone cold. I put the cup down again. He was looking at me expectantly.
    “Very well,” I said resignedly, “I am your creature. How is this arrangement going to work?”
    He rubbed his hands cheerfully.
    “Secrecy is the essence of our endeavour. No-one must know about this little favour you are doing for me. It would not be good for either of us.”
    “That much I gathered.”
    “Then we are on the same page. As I’ve said, I’ll let you have copies of the files, and share with you any progress that Katchai and his team make.”
    “You have a spy in headquarters at Surat Thani?”
    “I have friends everywhere.”
    “I see.”
    “You will only report to me personally. However, two of my men here will act as liaison for you, open any doors that need opening, etcetera. I am assigning officers Chaldrakun and Tathip to assist with immediate effect.”
    Just great. PC’s company is about as welcome as a turd in a fondue , and DTs will be less useful than a second appendix.
    “Naturally they will have to carry on their normal duties, but feel free to call them any time you need anything.” He handed me a sheet with their addresses and contact numbers , which I stuffed in my notebook.
    “What do they know about the killings?” I asked.
    “Very little. They are just regular policemen, and have not been involved in either investigation. However, both of them are very loyal to me. I have also made it clear that they must ensure not one word about your assignment leaks out. Their jobs depend on it.”
    “I’m sure that will endear me to them.” Small wonder they were more hacked off than usual when they arrived at my office.
    “I’m also having extracts of the case files translated into English for you today to speed things along. I wasn’t sure how well you read Thai.”
    “Whom are you trusting with the translation?”
    “My wife.”
    A tsunami of nausea rolled over me and somewhere in my head a red light started flashing. “Mrs. Charoenkul?” I said tightly, my mouth as dry as powdered alum.
    “My wife has many virtues, Braddock, and many talents. It’s better that no-one here is involved: better for your anonymity. See how I look after your interests? You’ll see Mrs . Charoenkul later today, anyway.”
    “Will I?” I managed.
    “I want Chaldrakun and Tathip to take you to the crime scene now for a preliminary look around. To help you with initial thoughts and impressions. To get your detective’s antennae twitching, as it were.” He gave a short laugh, pleased at his own witticism. He was back in control, his earlier wobble forgotten. “After that, I want the officers to bring you to my house for a quick debriefing. You will meet Kat there.”
    A warning siren cranked up in my head to accompany the flashing red light. This was screwing with my brain.
    Hoping my face was as inscrutable as his, I said, “Wouldn’t it be better for us to meet here?”
    He stretched his arms above his head and gave a yawn. “No. I’d rather you weren’t seen here again. Besides, later this afternoon I have promised myself a round of golf with friends. I think my wife is right: I have been working too hard lately. I’ll be changing at home, so it’s convenient for me to meet up there.”
    “I see. ” I decided to let the game play out. “I presume your officers are taking me to the most recent crime scene, and that we’ll be visiting the other crime scene later.”
    Papa Doc blinked at me. “How remiss of me,” he said, “I should have mentioned it earlier. There is only one crime scene. Both bodies were dumped at exactly the same place.”
     
    *       *       *       *       *
     
    PC accompanied me out through the main glass doors of the police station while DTs brought the car around from the side compound. They had tried to take me out the way we had