Cavalier walked out of the early morning heat and into the roofed complex, a hundred and fifty metre lane with bars either side. From nightfall it was glittering, and filled with cacophonous music sounds from opposing bars as the women competed for the wallets of tourists. Now, at 8 a.m., it was empty of people but for a few cleaners.

At the end of the lane was the Muay boxing ring. Cavalier stood for a minute watching as two fit young Thai men exchanged blows watched by Jacinta Cin Lai, wearing a green and yellow tracksuit and MAGA hat that said ‘Make Australia Great Again’.

He watched as Jacinta stepped in and demonstrated a high kick. A rush of blood caused one of her boxing pupils to throw a punch. It collected Jacinta on the upper arm. In two flashes she had given him a half-punch and kick in return. The strikes were pulled but still the exuberant young boxer went down on his back.

Jacinta helped him up and admonished him. Then she noted Cavalier standing beside the ring. At first, she seemed to melt in indecision then, showing her exceptional suppleness, she did a backflip over the ring’s ropes and landed on her feet two metres from Cavalier. They embraced. Jacinta stepped back, embarrassed that her sweat had left marks on his shirt.

‘I’m sorry for not being in touch,’ she said, blushing, ‘but I know that I am still being watched and reported on.’

‘For what happened on the Bangkok Express?’

She nodded.

‘Very wise. I think we must avoid each other in Thailand for another year,’ Cavalier said, taking her by the arm and walking her a few metres away.

‘What are you doing here?’ he asked.

‘I have an Australian boyfriend.’

‘Hence the hat and the tracksuit.’

Jacinta blushed.

‘I think of you when I wear them,’ she said.

‘Bargwan!’ He smiled. ‘Are you living with him?’

‘No. He sends me money each month, but not enough! I act as an instructor here and in a gym.’

‘Would you be open to an assignment?’ he asked.

Jacinta stared, searching his face.

‘Not that kind of assignment,’ he said with a serious expression. ‘This would be one of surveillance and possibly protection.’

Jacinta sat down and watched her two pupils slug it out in the ring.

‘It would be in Hamburg. All your expenses would be paid. Your fee for a couple of weeks’ work would be ten thousand American dollars.’

She eyeballed him.

‘Would you be with me?’

Cavalier nodded.

‘Then I’ll do it.’

43 THE KISLEY CONNECTION

43

THE KISLEY CONNECTION

Cavalier rang Modinsky in Moscow.

‘Caval-e-a!’ the Russian said, pronouncing the name the French way rather than the English ‘Caval-ear’. ‘How are you?’

They exchanged pleasantries before Cavalier asked about Putin’s proposition for Haut to meet Kisley in Hamburg.