Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Six


James was waiting at the lobby. In fact, he tried to call Rudy’s room. There was no response. That really surprised him. The Rolls Royce Silver Seraph arrived at the entrance of the Holiday Inn just in time for the meeting. As Rudy rushed to the information counter, James called him from the lobby.
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling your room all night,” James said.
“I couldn’t get back from last night’s party at Pathumthani. Okay, I’ll be back in ten minutes. Are we late?” Rudy asked, glancing at his Rolex.
“My driver got drunk last night. So, I’ll be driving the Mercedes,” James responded.
“Oh, then I can be a bit late. Just kidding. I’ll be right back,” Rudy said. James walked back to the lobby to grab the Bangkok Post.

The lobby was crowded with Japanese and Korean tourists. Their noisy conversation and repetitive photo sessions distracted him, and he couldn’t concentrate on his reading. They were just trigger-happy with their electronic gadgets making sure everyone was in the picture. He folded the Bangkok Post, and decided to move elsewhere so that he could watch some good-looking blondes checking in at the reception counter. He wondered at their nationality, but from their physical properties they looked very much German, and he wasn’t wrong. He heard them speaking German. Before he could get a bit closer to them, Rudy arrived with his luggage and paid the bills. The service was swift and efficient. The bellboy carried the luggage to the waiting Mercedes. Rudy paid him a tip.
“You’re not staying here anymore?” James asked surprisingly.
“Nope. SV City. That’s my new residence,” Rudy replied.
“Wow.”
James drove past Silom, and turned right to Rama IV road for the toll way. The traffic wasn’t that bad. It was moving. But the countless high rise buildings under construction, and the ones occupied, glittered in the morning sun. Bangkok had only one problem—too many cars and empty buildings.
“I did some homework regarding Seri. I think we are in a good position to take over his operation. He is in heavy debt. Gambling, I suppose,” James said.
“So I wasn’t wrong. But we need him for other purposes. Most important of all, I want to find the real guy who laid the trap in Cambodia. And I’m sure they are aware of my presence in town,” Rudy continued, “and they will do anything to keep me silent.”
“I know, but this time you are safe. First, get Jeffrey into our net. Maybe he has something interesting to share,” James added.

Jeffrey Generall, a New Yorker in his late fifties, had been competing with Rudy for the past ten years. He not only traveled inside Cambodia, but also had illicit dealings with the Burmese junta. Though an American, he traveled extensively in Burma and Vietnam, using a fake Irish passport. He took advantage of the neutrality of this ancient country, working secretively in order to close deals with all sorts of shady characters. Khun Sa was one of his reputed hosts who took care of him when in his territory. Imperial quality jadeite jade, good rubies, and sapphires were his main staple. Once when he recognized a competitor had entered his territory, the easiest way in which he dealt with the matter had been to use proxies to learn their interests, and then lay a trap in the jungle in the guise of making a secretive deal. Gem trading had always been secretive and everyone fiercely protected their interests and people—to avoid duplication and loss of a lucrative supply route. But getting him into the net had been the most difficult part. Seri, one of his patrons, took care of Jeffrey’s interest in Bangkok.

They pulled over at a nearby gas station to buy some drinks and snacks. In three hours time, they should be in Chantaburi. It was a Thursday. The sound of a BMW changing gears caught James’s attention, as he got into the front seat of his Mercedes. It was difficult to guess their intentions. Meanwhile, a tour bus had been discharging a bus full of Japanese tourists gazing in all directions. Rudy bought a few bottles of mineral water and took it to the front seat as James waited. They were now on the familiar highway, and that very BMW James saw at the gas station was following his car.
“Do you still see a car following us?” James asked Rudy.
“I think so. What’s the matter?” Rudy seemed to care less. He opened the water bottle and drank in one gulp. He was tired from last nights long chit-chat. James looked worried as the BMW swept effortlessly past. The road was wide enough to overtake the BMW. Somehow he decided to keep the speed limit intact as other heavy duty vehicles passed by. Taking any chances in this situation was dangerous, because they were in a different territory. The highway police were always on the look out for speeders, and entertaining them with tea money wasn’t always a pleasant experience. As he was thinking of how to handle the situation, the car suddenly took a left turn, and disappeared into one of the back roads leading to a rubber plantation. He sighed with relief. Rudy was already asleep.