Assignment - Cong Hai Kill by Edward S. Aarons Read Free Book Online Page B

introduced Hinayana Buddhism
under King Ramakamhaeng, and codified laws under the Ayudhya emperors
and Prince Ramatibodi. The ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
testified to die despotism that the Thai people had overthrown to gain their
precious freedom. In Major Muong’s eyes was a reflection of that
stubborn spirit that had kept Thailand independent in an Eastern world of
vassals and slaves.
    Muong   did
not look particularly dangerous. He wore a white suit and a silk necktie
somewhat askew under his thin neck, and his shoes were badly scuffed. His
Panama hat was of fine straw, but it had seen better days. Still, it was not
hard to reconcile an innocuous appearance with a tough reputation. He had some
doubts about Major Muong. But then, it was necessary to doubt everything
in his business.
    When the Thai shook
hands, his fingers were as smooth and strong as a jungle vine. “You have been
exceedingly busy tonight, Mr. Durell.”
    “We almost lost our
little pigeon,” Durell said.
    “Yes. Forgive me, I had
men following you. I thought it necessary. But they were too slow to help.”
    “Slow, yes.” Durell’s
smile matched that of the Thai. “I could have been killed. I assume you found
the dead man? He looked like a hill man, to me. A Cong Hai, to judge from
the snake emblem he wore in his headband.”
    “Just so." Muong lit
a thin black Philippine cigar. “It depends. There should be no trouble about
the one you killed.” He took Durell’s arm and led him across the lamp-lit lobby
of the hotel. There were Chinese businessmen, two Englishmen, and an
astonishing tourist couple, both stout and perspiring, from West Germany. At
the hotel bar were two lean, whipcord, suntanned Frenchmen from the
plantations. Muong Watched Durell order imported bourbon. The label
looked fake. Muong said: “Everything depends on your cooperation,
sir. We both work for the same objective, yes? We must destroy the Cong Hai before
they gain a foothold in Thailand as their revolutionary brothers have done in
Vietnam and Laos. One destroys a snake by cutting off the head, is it not so?
But the crimes the American renegade, Lantern, committed were crimes against
the Thai people, and as such, will be punished by Thai justice.”
    “We can leave that to
the authorities in Bangkok."
    “But I know your orders,
Mr. Durell. You are to return your prisoner to Washington at once.”
    Durell smiled. “Your
service is most efficient.”
    “Better than you know.” Muong’s brown
eyes were without satisfaction. “You see, Mademoiselle Danat has not
yet revealed where Orris Lantern will surrender to you, but we can
guess now. The girl’s flight to Chang, a respectable businessman, suggests the
answer. We know that Chang went upland to the Danat tea plantation
and is due back on the riverboat tomorrow morning. I have checked the steamer’s
position by radio. It is a two-day trip, and there was some trouble. The boat
ran aground on a shoal, thanks to a pilot who jumped overboard to escape the
captain’s wrath. You understand, the steamer often goes aground. But I do not
like it that it went aground on this trip.”
    “How much is the boat
delayed?”
    “It will arrive tomorrow
morning, it there are no troubles with the Cong Hai. When it does, I
expect to find Mademoiselle Danat’s ‘Uncle Chang’ aboard. And with
him—the head of our snake, Orris Lantern.”
    “I’m impressed.” Durell
smiled. “I was told you were a very good cop, Major.”
    “Thank you. If that is
in my Washington dossier, I am flattered”
    “Don’t be.” Durell’s
voice hardened. “There are some questions about you for the years of the
Japanese occupation during World War II. We understand you spent a lot of time
in China then.”
    The brown eyes were like
marbles. “I was there on my country’s business. What are you trying to say?”
    “What you were doing is
your affair, but it leaves a few raw ends sticking out of the