The Assassin on the Bangkok Express by Roland Perry

Author:Roland Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Dingo Press
Published: 2017-05-17T04:00:00+00:00

23

THE CHALLENGED

Huloton was embarrassed with the entrance of the American ‘Edward Blenkiron’. He appeared to have trouble with manoeuvring the heavy chair over a step. Only a train official stopped it from toppling over. Cavalier cursed under his breath as the chair was pushed forward to the table. Huloton asked a question about his wellbeing. Cavalier, wearing his darkened ‘special’ glasses, looked slightly to the left of Huloton, and pretended to be hard of hearing.

‘Sir, I do apologise for this routine,’ Huloton said, moving around the table to clasp Cavalier’s hand. Glancing at Jacinta, the Frenchman added, ‘You have poor eyesight?’

‘What?’

‘Er …’ Huloton began raising his voice, ‘we will do everything we can to make your trip comfortable. Is your eyesight not so good?’

‘Not the best, no. I need these glasses, you know,’ Cavalier said, his drawl as much like Ted’s as possible, ‘it’s gonna be a race between me goin’ legally blind or bein’ dead!’

He laughed at his own joke, which brought a wince from Huloton and no expression at all from Jacinta.

‘I can see shapes at night but it’s better in the day, mostly,’ Cavalier said more soberly. ‘Depends on the weather and how I feel. We’re all organic, ya know. There are good days and bad ’uns.’

‘This is trip is for pleasure?’ Jacinta asked, paying a fraction more attention to him.

‘Well I sure hope so, Ma’am,’ Cavalier said, ‘don’t want it to be business or boring. I have promised myself this train trip for twenty-five years since it first started. I’m doing it because, well, frankly, I don’t have long to live and I just wanted to. The mystery of the Far East and all that. I’ve read Conrad and Orwell. Two of my favourite authors.’

‘You booked one of the only two presidential suites, specifying carriage 29,’ Jacinta said. ‘Any reason for that?’

‘I want to be close to the observation car. Means I don’t have to go so far.’ He paused and turned more towards Jacinta. ‘Is there a problem?’

‘No, no, not at all,’ Huloton said, glaring at Jacinta. ‘It happened to be free. We are gratified that you have taken it.’

‘I don’t want to be in the way. These chairs are wonderful but heavy, and barely squeeze down the corridors. I don’t plan to use the dining cars. Afraid I cause too much damned disruption.’

‘We will make sure our stewards ’elp you.’

‘Nope, won’t be doin’ it.’

‘As you are travelling alone sir,’ Huloton remarked, ‘we will make sure you have company at lunch and dinner.’

‘Oh, that won’t be necessary, I have my books. If I am not in my suite readin’, I’ll sit in the observation car.’

‘Sir, the food is exquisitely French. It is a feature of our train. We have Monsieur Charles Bonnet, the grand chef from Paris’ legendary Hôtel Plaza Athénée, with us now. You will meet the most interesting people.’

‘Maybe I’ll have something in the suite,’ Cavalier said with a tilt of his head, ‘Besides, if I am stuck with someone who is not too bright, it is difficult for me to extract myself.

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