The Chiang Mai Chronicle: A Declan Power Mystery by T. Hunt Locke Page A

she’s rather uptight, buttoned up, not the type to go for that I guess is what I’m saying.”
    “Is she new, or did she come with building?”
    “No. Nikki was Martin’s administrative assistant. She’s been invaluable in making the transition as seamless as could be expected. But, I doubt she’ll be receptive to what you’re suggesting. Too straight and narrow if you know what I mean.”
    Declan tried to keep a straight face. Minor was most likely a crack businessman, but he seemed to have little knowledge of the inner workings of Chiang Mai. Everybody was for sale. “Oh, I’ll have a word, if it’s ok with you, and we’ll see what happens.”
     
    Martin Gay rustled himself from a fitful sleep. Pangs of hunger waved over him. “Where’s that leg,” he grumbled loudly as he stumbled into the darkness. He gratefully retrieved it then sat contentedly against the wall. He felt a set of eyes boring into him. “Sorry to wake you mate. I woke up just famished.” Gay took a hungry bite and ripped off a sizeable chunk of meat.” He returned Ben’s intense stare. “Where are my manners? Do you want a bite?”
    He offered the leg to his silent cellmate. “Suit yourself Ben. And stop eyeballing like that mate. I said I was sorry. Now we’ve just got to wait patiently and hope Declan Power is turning things around.”
    Gay leaned his head over to Ben. He listened carefully and offered a grunt. “Yes, yes, you’re right. I probably shouldn’t have said some of those things to your friend Declan. But shite mate! He blew up a perfectly good thing we had going. And who are you to complain? Hell, I had you pulling down seventy eighty quid per month. With no university degree to boot I might add.”
    He heard the cave echo with laughter. It continued bouncing off the creviced walls. He swatted the air in frustration. “Stop it Ben! I truly do have my Ph.D. Hell all those liars were just trying to bring me, bring us down.”
    He looked his friend straight in the eyes and nodded his head in agreement. “Good advice. We cannot argue amongst ourselves. That’s just what they want. But just to let you know, I truly am Doc Martin.”
    He took Ben’s head to his chest. A forlorn look swept over his ragged face. A tear started its lonely journey as a deep sob inched it along. Something disturbing was happening. He was conscious of the change even if he couldn’t quite comprehend it. Still, there was a hint of optimism, a single grain of hope to hang on to.
    “We’ll weather this storm Ben. Just the two of us mate. And we’ll walk out of this forsaken place hand in hand.”
     
    Declan looked at his watch. He had a schedule to keep and was in no mood to pay extra for the photographer and his studio. Lek, the photographer he usually used, was gracious enough to take on another model at no additional charge. He wouldn’t give away his time so easily.
    Oum, as per her usual industrious self, easily took control of Meow and had her well into her shoot. Nikki, on the other hand, was still intent on negotiating a fee for her readily available service. Christopher Minor was astonished at how easily Nikki was talked into her first modeling gig.
    “It will be good for business Mr. Chris,” she explained with a smile.
    Indeed it would Declan thought wryly. He had explained to her the advantages a photo shoot could do for her freelancer career. Her contact information, Facebook and email address, would be prominently displayed making appointments far easier to arrange.
    She was a shrewd negotiator though. A price had finally been reached much more to her liking than his. But, at the least, he had cornered her into an interview.
    “Ten minutes,” Lek yelled in his high pitched squeal from across the studio.
    “Ok Nikki, you’ll need to get ready,” Declan advised. “Lek has an assortment of lingerie for you to choose from and while you get ready I’ll need to ask you a few questions.”
    With a flick of her wrists, a