Isara Horungruang was in his hotel room taking a shower when his phone rang. He didn't realize Pajeeka had called until after he had dressed for dinner and checked his voice mail. "It's eight forty-five," her message said, her voice was shrill. "There's a problem and I think Laht is involved. Come to the bars just south of Alcazars on Second Road. I will meet you there."
He phoned back right away but got her voice-mail. He called his driver. "Do you know a place called Alcazars?"
"It's not far, sir. Maybe ten or fifteen minutes."
Five minutes later they were creeping their way up Second Road. Baht-buses, tour buses, motorcycles, and cars stretched as far north as Isara could see. So much for a ten or fifteen minute drive. Isara settled back into his seat and recalled the events that had led him to this place at this time. His deceased brother Jum came first to mind. If not for Jum, he would be home in Phitsanulok. Next he considered the Bongkot family, especially Math, his brother's illegitimate daughter, and her sister Nuang with the braided hair and the half farang baby. Isara knew her, too. Because of Jum he knew the whole family.
By a twist of fate his son and a young woman named Somjit had become entangled with his brother's past. Isara wanted to make sure the past stayed secret. What would Laht think if he ever learned that his uncle Jum, the monk to whom he had paid six month's of tribute, was the father of Nuang's sister. It would taint precious memories and he couldn't let that happen—not to his big brother. He had to find Nuang and her husband. He had to talk to them before either of them talked to Laht. After what he had learned from Anya, he knew they needed to talk to him, too. A sensation of impending doom gnawed at him. He hoped Pajeeka was wrong and that Laht was still in Chiang Mai. His driver edged them north toward Alcazar's and the beer bars.
His cell phone shook him from his thoughts. "Hello."
"Did you get my message?" came Pajeeka's voice. "Where are you?"
"I'm stuck in traffic. Why did you turn off your phone?"
"Forget that now. I'm at the Pattaya International Hospital with Laht. I think he will be okay."
His emotions jerked at her words. Horrifying scenes of smashed bodies raced through his head. "Hospital? What are you talking about?"
"There was a fight. Laht was hurt, hit on the head with a club. He's still unconscious."
"This is crazy! Laht has never been in fight. I'm at the light at Pattaya Klang. Am I far away?"
"No. You're very near. Your driver will know. I have to go now. A policeman wants to talk to me. I think I have a big problem." Her phone clicked silent.
"Policeman?" he shouted into the dead connection. "What policeman?" He turned off his phone, took a deep breath, and forced himself to be calm. To his driver he said, "Get me to the Pattaya International Hospital as fast as you can."
Once past the stoplight their speed picked up and held steady at about four kilometers per hour, only slightly faster than he could run. His driver pointed ahead and to their left. "There," he said.
Isara looked. A glowing sign appeared briefly between buildings. The hospital was less than four blocks away. Two blocks later the traffic came to a standstill.
"I'm walking the rest of the way," Isara said and exited the car. "Meet me at the hospital."
Isara entered the emergency room area just as Pajeeka was being escorted toward the exit by three policemen.
"Excuse me," Isara stopped them. "This woman is my employee. What's the problem?"
"Murder," one officer responded. "I saw the body with my own eyes."
"He was going to kill Laht," Pajeeka interjected. "You know me, Khun Isara. I may be crazy, but I would never kill someone unless I had to."
Isara nodded, his smile thin. He slipped a business card from his pocket. "I am Isara Horungruang. Tell your boss I'll be calling him later. He knows who I am." He nodded toward Pajeeka. "You will take good care of her." It was not a request, it was a command. "I don't want her strip searched, I don't want her questioned without me present, and I don't want her in a common jail cell. I want her in a decent hotel room. I will pay for everything. Bonuses for the room guards. Do you understand?"
The policemen exchanged nervous glances. One officer spoke, "I guarantee she will be treated with the utmost respect."
Isara let his smile brighten a little. He slipped his hand in his pocket and pealed four 500 baht-bills from his stash. He motioned the man aside. "I'm sure you've had a stressful night. I want to buy dinner for your families." He folded three bills tight and slid them into the officer's shirt pocket. "May I speak with my client in private for a minute?"
The officer smiled and nodded his consent.
Isara pulled Pajeeka to one side of the waiting area. He kept his tone low but his tension showed plainly. "What happened?"
Pajeeka related the evening as accurately as she remembered. Her stomach turned as she recalled the fatal blow.
"Do you know the man you killed?" Isara asked soft and soothing.
"No, but I'm sure he was Somjit's husband. That's Somjit over there." She glanced in the direction of the woman who was standing with her arms wrapped tight around herself. "I think he deserved to die, but I get sick whenever I think about it."
Isara looked briefly at the woman then turned back to Pajeeka. "I understand. Are there other witnesses?"
"That man over there." She raised her hand slightly in the direction of Surat. "He is Nuang's husband. Nuang was here earlier but she ran away. The police kept him here for questioning but they're not arresting him. His surname is Duansawang. I'm sure of that."
Isara nodded. He handed the last baht-note to Pajeeka. "In case you need anything. Don't worry; we'll be back in Phitsanulok by tomorrow evening."
"I trust you, Isara." On impulse, she added, "What about my vacation?"
Despite the situation, Isara couldn't stop his laugh. "I haven't forgotten. I want to see Laht now. I'll see you later tonight. I promise."
He stepped aside and let the policemen resume their duties. "Take good care of her," he said as they left the hospital. He went to the registration desk, "I want to see my son. His name is Laht Horungruang."
The nurse made a brief call then said, "Dr. Phansak wants to see you. His office is there."
Isara hurried to the door she had pointed at.
Inside the room sat a young doctor. He stood, smiled, and wai'ed at Isara. "I am Dr. Phansak. I'm pleased to meet you. You don't know me, but your son is my friend. We met in medical school. Laht will be okay. He's had a nasty blow to his head but there is no internal bleeding. He's awake and coherent."
"I want to see him."
"Right now he's getting a few stitches. I think it’s best to wait until that is done."
"Are you sure he will be okay?"
"We'll be keeping him overnight just to be safe. I think he can leave tomorrow. You can relax; we'll take good care of him. Like I said, he's my friend and I look forward to talking to him myself."
"Could you have the nurse let me know when he's in his room?"
"Yes. Also, I'll let him know you're here."
"Thank you," Isara said.
In the waiting room, he saw a nurse leading Somjit into the treatment area. Surat was already gone. He went to the registration desk. "Is that young woman okay?"
"I think she'll be fine," the nurse smiled. "The doctor will examine her just to be safe."
"What happened to the man who was here? I think his name is Surat."
"If you mean the man who talked to the police, he stepped outside less than a minute ago."
He thanked the woman, then walked to the exit and looked out. The scene set him in motion.