The Chiang Mai Chronicle: A Declan Power Mystery Read Online Free

“Question this one! You’ll know if he is lying. If he is, roll him down to the station. I’ll question the girl.”
    The Chief then leisurely walked over to Rose and whispered something quietly. Rose giggled. She bounced off the couch, grabbed the Chief’s hand, and led him into Ben’s bedroom.   
    Ben could only quietly rage.
    The interrogation was torture. Not of the physical nature but rather it was a mental ordeal. In all fairness, the crisply uniformed lieutenant was polite and got right to the point.
    “Do you know the whereabouts of Martin Gay?” His English was trained, articulate even. But Ben wasn’t paying attention to that. The romp in the bedroom was just getting started.
    “Marty Gay!” Ben snorted. “No.” 
    “Look at me,” his interrogator said with a snap of the fingers. “Gay’s chopper is in your carpark is it not,” he continued in the form of a statement.
    Ben began to worry. What kind of pickle was Marty in? Only a few days ago Gay had come to his apartment looking for help. ‘Look Ben, I’ve got to sort some things out.’ He should have just told Gay to hit the road.
    “Yeah, that’s his bike. He dropped it off here a few days ago, said he had to sort some stuff out.” Was that slapping he heard? That’s exactly what it was, hand meeting ass. And did Rose have to enjoy it so much?
    The second in command nodded towards the door. “The Chief likes his fun,” he said with a smirk. “Ok, so Martin Gay leaves a high end chopper with you to drive around the city.” His voice carried a heavy dose of skepticism. “What did he have to sort out?”
    “I don’t know mate,” Ben replied truthfully. More slapping and moaning. Shit! A full on orgasm!
    A card was handed to him. Ben looked at it absently. “You’ll contact me directly if Martin Gay reappears.” It wasn’t a request. “The keys please.”
    “What,” Ben replied distractedly.
    “The keys to the Kawasaki please,” the lieutenant snapped.
    If his day could get worse, that was it. One hundred thousand cash money to Gay in exchange for a two hundred and fifty thousand baht bike. ‘What can go wrong?’ he heard Marty’s voice clanging in his head.
    He wanted to protest. Another slap. Another orgasm. A satisfied giggle. Screw it! He went over to his kitchen table and tossed the keys into number two’s lap.
    The bedroom door opened and Rose bounced out. She was brightly dressed in a yellow and blue polka dot summer dress. The dress Ben had bought for her last night. The Chief, a smug satisfied smile on his face, leaned into his underling’s shoulder. Ben couldn’t overhear. The Chief nodded, looked over at Ben, frowned, and walked out the door. Rose followed. 
    “Bye Ben! I’ll see you tonight? At Foxy ok?”
    “Yeah yeah,” he said waving his finger at the bulky brown shirt’s back.
    The door closed. The Kawasaki roared. Ben Post opened his liquor cabinet.
     
    Declan bounded up the stairs to his fourth floor condo. In an effort to shed some pounds, he had foresworn the elevator. He usually began to labor after the second floor but not today. His mind was racing. Martin Gay, the gift that kept on giving. He’d need to contact the Chief. His call had gone unanswered.
    Oum was waiting for him. She was sitting at the kitchen table, a concerned look on her face. Declan didn’t notice. He hopped on the futon and began to undress.
    “C’mon my bundle of love, give big daddy some afternoon delight!”
    This was their ritual. Meet in the afternoon for a ride on the futon followed by a nice lunch. He noticed her look of consternation.
    “Declan we need to talk.”
    Those were the dreaded five words.
    “Shit,” he muttered. “Ok baby, what’s the matter.”
    “I talk with Nam today.”
    He knew at least ten ladies going by that name. “Ok,” he replied unsuccessfully trying to show some interest.
    She motioned for him to join her at the table. His shoulders sagged. He patted the futon’s cushion. Oum