Inspector Zhang And The Dead Thai Gangster Read Online Free Page A

would of course have heard a shot, had there been one.” He stood up and eased himself into the aisle. “Thank you for your help,” he said.
    “When can we get off the plane?” asked Mr. Nakprakone.
    “As soon as I have ascertained what happened,” said the Inspector. He crossed over to the far side of the cabin and walked up the aisle to where Sergeant Lee was standing with the pilot.
    “I shall be writing to the Police Commissioner in Singapore,” said the American tourist as Inspector Zhang walked by.
    “I am acting on the Commissioner’s personal instructions,” said Inspector Zhang.
    “Then you will be hearing from my lawyer,” snapped the American.
    “I shall look forward to it,” said Inspector Zhang. “But in the meantime I have an investigation that requires my undivided attention.” He walked away, leaving the American fuming.
    Captain Kumar and Sergeant Lee were waiting expectantly by the exit door. “The victim was a Thai gangster,” Inspector Zhang said quietly.   “He had a lot of enemies.”
    “That explains the bodyguard,” whispered Sergeant Lee. The bodyguard was sitting only a few feet away, reading an in-flight magazine.
    “According to the journalist, he spoke to Mr. Srisai about half an hour before the plane landed.   So he must have been killed in the time between talking to the journalist and the flight attendant checking that his seat belt was fastened.”
    “That couldn’t have been much more than fifteen minutes,” said Captain Kumar, rubbing his chin.   He put a hand on Inspector Zhang’s shoulder. “I think I should assist my first officer with the paperwork, if that is okay with you.”
    “Of course, Captain.”
    “And nobody heard anything?” Inspector Zhang asked Sergeant Lee as Captain Kumar went into the cockpit and closed the door behind him.
    “Nothing,” she said.
    Inspector Zhang frowned. “So how can this be, Sergeant Lee? How can a man die of a gunshot wound in an aeroplane cabin without anyone hearing anything?”
    “A silencer, sir?”
    Inspector Zhang nodded thoughtfully.   “Actually the technical term is suppressor, rather than silencer. And while they do deaden the sound of a gun it would certainly still be loud enough to hear in a confined space such as this.”
    “Not if everyone was listening through headphones,” said the Sergeant.
    “A good point, Sergeant.” He turned to nod at the passenger in 17D.   “But Mr. Yates did not use his headphones; they are still in their sealed plastic bag, so I assume that he was working throughout the flight. Other than the bodyguard, he would have been the closest passenger to the victim. And even if a suppressor was used, we have to ask ourselves how it and the gun were smuggled on board. As you said, there are stringent security screenings at the airport.”
    “Maybe it was a member of the crew,” said the Sergeant.   She lowered her voice to a whisper. “What about the captain, Sir? He could have a gun in the cockpit. Or the first officer? Or a member of the cabin crew? Mr. Yip perhaps.”
    “I had considered the cabin crew, but again it comes down to the fact that the bodyguard did not see Mr. Srisai being attacked.”
    “Perhaps the bodyguard was not as alert as he claims. He could have been asleep.” Sergeant Lee’s eyes widened. “The gun,” she said. “The gun must still be on the plane.”
    “One would assume so,” said Inspector Zhang.
    “We could ask the Thai police to help us find it. They must have dogs that can sniff out guns and explosives at the airport, don’t you think?”
    “I’m sure they have, but my instructions are to bring the investigation to a conclusion without the involvement of the Royal Thai police.”
    Sergeant Lee looked crestfallen and Inspector Zhang felt a twinge of guilt at having to dampen her enthusiasm.
    “But your idea is a good one, Sergeant Lee,” he said. “If there was a gun on the plane, such a dog would be able to find it. But do