Free The Chiang Mai Chronicle: A Declan Power Mystery by T. Hunt Locke Page A

various buildings being erected as symbolic representations of the Lan Na Renaissance. But another use had been found for their service.
    Slaves were also a necessary element of a royal household. A worthy king needed courtesans. Rose was the shining jewel now locked away in the palace. The top of the Lan Na Guard, the king’s attack dogs, needed to be fed. They would be allowed to enjoy Rose tonight as a reward of service. But only for tonight, then she would be enjoyed and seen only by her lord.
    The dream of a Lan Na rebirth was in full throttle. Still, work was to be accomplished.
    The office phone rang to life. “Bartholomew Hartin, my Lord.”
     
    Oum walked slowly up Loi Kroh. Meow, the newest heartthrob to grace Chiang Mai’s naughty nightlife, walked in tow. She would make a fine centerfold Oum observed silently as a pang of jealousy welled up in her. Meow was everything she was not. Tall, long-legged, curvaceous, but with that thought another feeling welled inside her heart. She knew Declan was always faithful. When he was in the room, no matter the company, in his eyes she was the flower of the ball. He had made her believe in true love.
    Her daydreaming thoughts of love were invaded by a nagging suspicion. She had barely noticed a glossy black Kawasaki chopper reflected in Declan’s side mirror. It had given her no pause. They were not uncommon in Chiang Mai. Upon exiting Stairway To Heaven a flash of chrome beamed in the sun. The sharp reflection led her eyes to its source. A Kawasaki 250 sat parked across the street. Its rider sat idly, his face obscured by a helmet. That was odd in and of it-self. Why keep your helmet on in the heat? Something else stood even more: the motorcycle jockey’s boots. Black, polished, official, they appeared ceremonial even. 
    Now that same person was lurking far behind but not out of sight. The helmet was still on. On another day she would give it scant attention. This was Loi Kroh after all. Personal dramas played out daily and through the night. Today was different. A psychopath was on the loose. And she was stuck right in the middle of this deadly soap opera.
     
    Martin Gay had selected a perfect location for his former business. World TEFL was located in a strip mall within the shadow of Doi Suthep Mountain, close to Chiang Mai University, and away from the dark cloud cast by the events at King Mengrai University.
    Declan Power could almost see the tower in which his condo was located. This fact was important. It reminded him that the events he had become involved in struck very close to home. He had no time for niceties.
    Christopher Minor had no inkling of the circumstances which had beset Martin Gay. Power would give him a peek and then follow with the steamroller. First he waited quietly.
    “Where the hell is Post? I’ve no intention of conducting this interview without a witness,” Minor snorted.
    Declan smirked. “Have it your way. I can roll this story with or without you. Hell, I just thought it was fair pool to air your side of the argument.” He got up to leave.
    “What are you talking about Power?” he asked.
    Declan leaned on the table and slapped down the palm of his hand. “Has anybody from the Department of Tax and Revenue come knocking on your door?”
    “No! Why the hell should they?” Minor crowed the trepidation dripping from his voice.
    “You got in bed with the wrong Aussie mate,” Declan retorted. “Hell, they’ve got a real assassin up from Bangkok poring through Gay’s finances. I’m not sure but I think they’re on to the fact that Martin laundered his money. World TEFL is exhibit number one brother.”
    Bad news travels fast. Minor’s face absorbed the full impact. He sprung from his chair. Suddenly frantic, the World TEFL director paced around his office. “Everything we’ve done here has been on the up and up. Look, I’ve bent over backwards to get the odor of Gay out of this establishment and…” Minor’s voice trailed