Kev, Skylab and Holly on the Hunt

"Are you serious? You want me to drive to the northern borders, in the hope you can speak to Nick?" asked Kev.

"Yes, It's the least we can do for Myrtle, she is desperate with worry for him," answered Skylab.

She was busy throwing baby clothes into a holdall.

"They may be nowhere near the prison. What makes you think they stayed up there?"

"Because, I asked Khwam, that's why."

"What did you ask, exactly?" asked a frustrated Kev.

"I wanted to know more about the escape, she gave me the latest information."

"Such as?"

"Let me ask you something. If you had just escaped from a stinking hole, what would you do?" asked Skylab.

"How do you know it was 'a stinking hole', it could have been a juvenile centre? We never visited, we didn't even know where they were."

"Do you honestly think it was a hotel for these kids? That is why, this morning I went for a walk with Holly, and bumped into our new police contact, Khwam."

"Oh, you just bumped into her did you?"

"Yes, and no."

"And what does that mean?"

"I thought she may like a cup of tea with us. I called into the station and invited her over. She was about to go into a meeting with all the senior officers. She had time to tell me the latest."

"Which is?" asked Kev.

"She clarified the details of the escape. Sure enough, our two got away. The police up there had rounded up most of the others," stated Skylab.

"How does that help us?"

"As I said, what would you do first?"

"I'd need to eat and a change of clothes," said Kev.

"Yes, Khwam is on to that. Would you not need transport?"

"That depends on what the driver arrived in. Did any witnesses see the vehicle?"

"The person who aided the escape was female. She had a scar down her cheek and she spoke with a strange accent. Which makes Khwam think she was not Thai," said Skylab.

"So, who do they know like that?"

"We don't know. But we know they robbed a clothes store."

"That could be anybody."

"A scarred woman with two young kids, one not Thai, both filthy. And they tricked the sales attendant into taking their vehicle as a deposit until they got credit cards," said Skylab knowingly.

"How do you mean, tricked him with their car? How did they get away?" asked a confused Kev.

"Because, they left him the keys for the escape vehicle, a Toyota truck."

"I don't understand?"

"They had already stolen another car from a convenience store."

"Who is that skilled in stealing a car in seconds?"

"Anybody. The owner left the engine running while he made his purchase."

"Idiot. But he must have reported the theft?"

"He did. That is why they needed another car."

"My God, this is getting complicated?"

"Indeed, we are keeping young Khwam busy."

"Are we getting any closer? They could be anywhere," said Kev.

"Yes, but we now have a murder to deal with as well."

"What? Who?" asked Kev.

"The body of a priest was found amongst rubber trees. He had a cross carved on his chest."

"But…" stammered Kev.

"His car was stolen."

"Somebody killed him for his car?"

"Yes, it seems like our team. Two children and an older lady were seen by the priest's secretary. His phone was recovered in a hospital bin," said Skylab.

"And all of this happened in the Golden Triangle?"

"Yes, between Chiang Mai and the borders."

"That is why you want me to drive up there?"

"Yes, dear. I must see Nick again."

"But they could be anywhere, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, even Myanmar."

"That is why we need the car. Don't forget our passports."

"What about your speech, that is tonight, isn't it?"

"Yes, we can stop in Bangkok tonight after the talk, then travel north in the morning."

Kev groaned inwardly.

"You've got it all planned. Let's go," said Kev.

He hastily packed a bag, throwing his and hers in the boot, gently placing Holly's new holdall on top. They drove steadily to the city. The Embassy was generous enough to arrange a hotel in the centre.

Skylab went to the Embassy while Kev played in the hotel pool with his daughter.

"How did it go?" asked Kev as Skylab returned.

"Oh, great. I met some wonderful people. You never know they may help us either with this or in the future."

The happy family enjoyed a meal before an early night to prepare for their long trip in the morning.