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The journey out of Bangkok was relatively uneventful. I field-stripped the pistols, balled up the knives with my discarded clothes, and tossed them down separate storm drains. We returned to the hotel long enough to gather our things and check out. That was the most dangerous part of the operation, but I couldn\u2019t burn my passport if I could avoid it.<\/p>\n
The driver took us to a bus terminal, where I paid him off. Plus a bonus to keep his mouth shut. Allondir and I caught a series of buses to the train terminal at Hat Yai. We took the train to the town of Butterworth in Penang, and another to Kuala Lumpur. Then we caught was a direct flight to New Haven.<\/p>\n
Allondir didn\u2019t say much. He moved as though in a haze, needing guidance and direction. He ate, drank and slept mechanically, solely to meet the bare minimum biological needs. As he rested overnight, I checked my inbox. Read a few emails, sent a couple more.<\/p>\n
When the plane landed on American soil, Allondir heaved a long sigh of relief. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said finally. \u201cYou saved my ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
The moment we cleared immigration, four large, beefy individuals closed in on us. One of them held up a badge.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Allondir?\u201d the orc said. \u201cSpecial Agent Ferosis, FBI. We have a warrant for your arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cArrest?\u201d Allondir sputtered. \u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSexual abuse of a minor and possession of child pornography.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d Allondir turned to me. \u201cCyr, do something!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpecial Agent, may I see your badge please?\u201d<\/p>\n
He held it out for me. I made a big show of scrutinizing it. \u201cLooks legit to me. I can\u2019t interfere with law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCyr, you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I see some identification please?\u201d the orc asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy passport is in my left front pocket.\u201d As he nodded, I slowly handed it to him. \u201cMy name\u2019s Dominic Cyr Lee. I\u2019m registered on the Private Peace Officer database.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fed worked his scroll, comparing the display to the passport. Nodding, he returned it to me. \u201cThank you, Mr Lee. You are free to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, not so tight!\u201d Allondir said. \u201cCyr, can\u2019t you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cSorry. Our contract is finished. All I can do is advise you to find an attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Come on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, yeah, there is one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPayment for services rendered, net seven days. Invoice in your inbox.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat!\u201d<\/p>\n
The feds laughed, hauling him away. Switching on my scroll, I checked my inbox. I had one new mail. It came from a secure one-use-only email address. No sender, of course, but I knew which old friend from the service it came from.<\/p>\n
Thanks for the tip. Found more filth on his hard drive and forwarded them to the Feds too. Not every day you get to put a freak away.<\/em><\/p>\n P.S. He had a healthy off-the-books numbered bank account in Helvetia. Had. No need to pay me this time.<\/em><\/p>\n I snickered. Kept the scroll away. Walked out into the sun.<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n If you enjoy blending sci fi and fantasy, check out my latest novel\u00a0HAMMER OF THE WITCHES<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Cheah](\"https:\/\/steemitimages.com\/0x0\/https:\/\/files.steempeak.com\/file\/steempeak\/cheah\/tIwwZf3j-Cheah20Git20San20Red.jpg\")
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