The lamp had reached the end of its wick. Siri lay flat on his mattress hugging the diary to his chest. No mysteries had been solved from his reading. No answers had been given as to the point of his mission. In fact he was more baffled than ever. Naturally he’d already read the last page. He was Siri Paiboun, the detective, after all. It was one of the first things he’d done. But he thought that by reading the rest of the diary, the meaning behind that final phrase might reveal itself. It did not. He slept for a little while but was awoken by the sound of the doorknob squeaking. He hadn’t locked it. There was no light in the room but he could visualize the door opening and his wife stepping inside. He knew Daeng too well. He knew she’d never be able to sleep in another room knowing he was so close. She would crave that kiss from her Adonis, the touch of his warm hand upon her.

“I want you here naked, now, beside me,” he said, patting the pillow.

There was a long pause.

“Well, if you insist,” said Beer.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

The Kyoko Protocol

The standoff showed no sign of letting up. Three policemen in leg irons were holding down a kidnapper in tears. They’d tried to get him to talk but his pathetic sobbing wouldn’t let up. They’d gone through his pockets but there was no key. Time crawled by, and as if the situation couldn’t get any worse, the lamplight gave out.

“You know? Even if there was a comprehensive handbook for policemen,” said Sihot, “I doubt there’d be a section that got remotely close to this.”

“All we need is patience,” said Phosy. “Eventually we’ll get words out of him. The only way matters could get worse is if we accidently killed him, so I suggest you loosen the arm lock.”

Sihot let go and Ouan pulled away.

“Not so loose that we lose him,” said Phosy, who still had hold of the captive’s leg.

“What if he has an accomplice?” asked Jiep.

“Or a gang of them?” said Sihot.

“Let’s remain positive,” said Phosy. “Since our arrival we’ve only seen one person. He’s the one who drugged us and he’s the one who feeds us.”

“Then how did he get us here from the resort without help?” asked Jiep.