“Yes?”
“We know that you are not the culprit. It’s true that all of the cameras in the embassy were deactivated, except one.”
“In the ambassador’s office, I hope.”
“On a separate feed. Of course, I haven’t seen it. I’d prefer not to.”
“Then why are you searching for me?”
“The police must be seen to be doing something. It comforts our people to know that we have some idea who we’re looking for. Two of my men spotted you in the café. I had no choice but to follow procedure.”
“I understand,” said Simon.
“However, since you were there at the embassy, it might help if you were able to provide some information about the killer.”
“I take it there’s no photo of him entering the embassy.”
Major Rudi grimaced. “Or the country, it turns out. A capable fellow all the way around.”
“I’d be happy to,” said Simon. “Though I’m fairly certain he’s no longer in the country.”
“Still, I’d like to be of assistance to my colleagues abroad.”
“May I ask you something first? Were you close to Colonel Tan?”
“A fine officer. A credit to the Royal Thai Police and I say that without reservation. But let’s say that Albert Tan and I were on the opposite sides of many issues. Do you know about his family?”
“Just stories.” Simon rubbed his fingers to indicate “wealth.”
“In this country, there is still very much an ‘us’ and a ‘them.’ I come from Isan, the poorest region in Thailand. I am old to be only a major. Still, for my family, it is a victory. I am ‘us,’ the people. Colonel Tan, he was ‘them.’ A member of the ruling class. Rich. A friend of the king. Two worlds, really. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.” Tan…his involvement with Rafa…whatever lay behind it all. It was too big a can of worms to open at this point. If Simon did his job, Major Rudi and the entire Thai police force would learn the reasons behind Tan’s actions at the same time he did. “The man you’re looking for is mixed race, thirty-five to forty years old, five feet nine inches tall. Very strong. He goes by the name Shaka. He’s from South Africa and spent some time as a member of GSG 9, Germany’s counterterrorism brigade. He’s a trained professional.”
“It sounds as if you had a run-in with him before.”
“You can say that. He tracked me from the embassy and nearly killed me. Long story. If I had to guess where he’s headed, I would say Singapore.”
“Singapore? An arrogant bunch, the police down there. It will be a pleasure to tell them that this Shaka is on his way.”
“My guess is he’s already there. He probably arrived early this morning, if, that is, he took a commercial flight. He may have private transportation at his disposal.”
Major Rudi wrote all this down in his police notebook. “There’s more here than you’re telling me. I appreciate your discretion. I have no interest in learning about what Albert Tan may have been involved in. In this country, it is often better not to know. Is there anything else you’d care to add?”
Simon shook his head, shrugged, indicating that they had better get a move on. “I’ll need to get to the bank.”
“Yes, the passport. I’m thinking Canadian. A trustworthy country. A man just up the road does an excellent job. You can’t leave from any of the major airports, however. As I said, your picture is everywhere. We’ll be keeping a close watch on flight manifests. A cash ticket will raise a red flag. I’ll put in a word on your behalf, but it will be some time before your name is stricken and the watch is called off. I’m thinking a private aircraft to Malaysia—a turboprop—then the ferry across the Johor Straits. It will take longer, maybe all night, but I don’t think you’ll have a problem at the border.” Major Rudi replaced his beret and put on his mirrored sunglasses. “I take it you are going to Singapore?”
Chapter 35
Cannes
Transcript from Press Conference:The Raft of the Medusa
Salle de Presse, Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, 21 Mai 2020
Participants:
Thor Axelsson—Director
