Chapter 13
1081 Words
Chapter 13
Frank walked along the Thanon Yaowarat road and glanced up at the address Richard had given him. It was an old, dilapidated, concrete building with a heavy steel door. A metal plaque had the name, ‘Stokes Consultancy’ etched into it, with an intercom just underneath.
For the past few days, Frank had been weighing up Richard’s latest offer. “It’s great money,” he had said. “Less than a day’s work and a trip on an aeroplane,” Richard had grinned as if that was the icing on the cake.
“It doesn’t involve drug or gem smuggling does it, Rich? Because you can bloody well forget it.”
“Absolutely not, Frank! It’s completely legal, working with Asian Government agencies. The only reason this has come up at all is because I know people in Government circles.”
Frank figured it was worth hearing them out. The alternative, as a sympathetic Swedish traveller listening to Frank’s woes had suggested, was selling his passport and reporting it stolen to get a replacement. A Swede called Bernt knew an African gang and he could make the introductions. Frank did not even consider it but he was worried about his finances.
The gem run hadn’t paid that much and he knew his cash wouldn’t last. There wasn’t even enough to get back home. The alternative was to run crying to the British Embassy and he didn’t fancy that at all.
Frank pressed the buzzer.
“Good afternoon.”
“It’s Frank. To see Richard Stokes.”
“Hi, Frank.”
The door buzzed and Frank let himself in. Richard had explained to him that he used different names. A vital contingency in his line of work, he had explained.
Inside the sparse room, there were two desks and a large table, as well as various computers, phones and a fax machine. Richard greeted Frank with a smile and a handshake and introduced him to the Thai police lieutenant he had met at the boxing match, who once again smiled and said nothing.
“This is Dean Whiteman.” Richard gestured to a tall, officious, western man in a grey suit who peered at Frank through his gold-rimmed glasses.
“How do you do, Frank? Thanks for coming,” he smiled and gave Frank a firm handshake.
Richard offered everyone drinks, said a few words and then handed over to Whiteman.
“I’m from the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. We are mainly dealing with the transfer of Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997. However, we’ve been asked to help the Hong Kong authorities and the Special Duties Unit test their counter-terrorism responses in a drill.”
Whiteman paused and sipped from a glass of water.
“What we’re basically looking for are volunteers to help with the exercise. You will be compensated and I’ll come onto that in a moment.”
Frank glanced around at the group of men. He remembered Carl had once mentioned something about similar drills taking place in England. It made sense.
“The exercise will involve various journeys that must take place at a certain date and time. I can’t emphasise the importance of this enough.”
Frank nodded in agreement.
“We’ll pay you $5000 US and naturally you will receive the travel expenses to Hong Kong. Half in advance. It’ll be a same day return flight so no accommodation is needed. Does that sound agreeable so far?” asked Whiteman.
Frank leaned back in his chair. “May I ask why this has all been arranged in Bangkok and what the Thai police connection is?”
“Fair question, Mr Bowen. Exercises such as these are carried out throughout Asia, usually as a planned blueprint. So each nation, and this has included South Korea, Vietnam and Malaysia, have an agreement to share intelligence when it comes to counter-terrorism. The agreement includes exercises of this kind.”
He paused again and, when no one spoke, continued: “Your reference to the Royal Thai police and the police Lieutenant General here, simply ties in with that. That’s really all I can say without breaching confidential information.”
Frank nodded his head, satisfied. “Ok.”
“Richard mentioned you may be able to bring in a friend. We need two people for the exercise ideally. It’s the same deal for him if he’s interested?”
“I should be able to get hold of him, I’ll ask,” said Frank.
“Good. It has to happen on the 2nd of February, which is one week from today. As I said, dates, times and places are very, very important. There are a lot of resources being devoted to this. Do you understand?”
“Yes loud and clear. Like I said, I’m happy to do it. I need the money to stay out here for a bit longer and then get back home,” said Frank.
“Great. Any further questions?”
Frank shook his head.
“Richard will brief you on the details and will give you all the documents you need.”
With that, Dean Whiteman shook hands with Frank and left the room.
Richard smiled at Frank, patted him on the shoulder and offered another round of drinks. The remaining men in the room seemed to eye him with a curious regard.
***
The next morning, Frank managed to track down the number of the hostel where Jimmy was staying. He had already moved on but had left a forwarding phone number as promised. Eventually, Frank got through and filled Jimmy in with the details.
“Sounds like it’ll be worth looking at. I certainly need the money, Frank. It’d be great to catch up again anyway. I’ll get the overnight to Bangkok.”
Jimmy Duffy met with Frank a few days later, as arranged at his guesthouse, and they caught up over a few beers.
“So it’s all kosher then, you think, Frank? I can’t afford to get into any murky waters. I didn’t mention my ma. She’s sick. Breast cancer. I received a letter last week. So after this, I’m off back home.”
Frank looked pained and leaned over to put on a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “Jimmy, I’m really sorry to hear that mate. You should get back there and be with her.”
“It’s ok. I need the money. I can use it to help her or take her on holiday. Hey, any excuse to stay in the sun, eh?” he said, winking at his friend.
Looking out onto the street he was facing, Frank watched a group of builders as they scurried along rickety bamboo scaffolding as if they were on a tightrope. He had gone over the details with Richard and it all made sense to him. The money would keep him on the travel trail for a long while yet. He could do the rest of Asia and then the rest of the world beckoned. Australia, New Zealand? The prospect was truly exciting.
“If you’re absolutely sure, Jimmy?”
The Irishman nodded.
“OK. It’s just an exercise; which is pretty common in most countries. I know my friend who works at MI6 said it was pretty standard practice at home,” Frank said.
“Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. Here’s to Hong Kong, Frank.”
The two men clinked beer bottles to their new found adventure.
- Writer
