Gemscentric

Written by Julian Robov


Thirty Two


Rudy was back at Prapan’s office on Silom Road.
“Remember the conversation we had at Chantaburi,” Prapan continued. “About the car, the explosion and all that stuff?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I have some bad news for you.”
Rudy decided to remain silent.
“I hear that you have decided to go into partnership with Seri Fonhlaeng. I also know that you are holding Meechai against his will. Shall we call this ritual kidnapping? What’s going on my friend? I don’t understand. I want you to disclose everything, before I make my decision,” Prapan explained.
“I think there is a misunderstanding along the way. Firstly, I had a genuine reason in becoming a partner in Seri’s company, not because I liked working for him. Instead, truly for business reasons. I am well aware of the risks and rewards, and I will explain the details when the deal is over. Secondly, I want to know who was behind the kidnapping, and my informants suggests it was Seri Fonhlaeng and Jeffrey Generall. Thirdly, Meechai and I were in the same region in Pailin, as captives of the Khmer Rouge, and he told me everything about it. How he and Seri laid the trap to kill me, and the deceptive treatments they did on blue sapphires without disclosure, and doctoring of gem identification reports, before selling to some of the top guys in the Cambodian establishment and elsewhere. Meechai became the fall-guy, and Seri came out as the disguised winner. His own brother was left to rot, and it’s still a mystery how he got out of Khmer Rouge captivity. I don’t trust him completely, but he did tell some interesting facts about Seri and Jeffrey. Now my last statement is we didn’t kidnap Meechai, he contacted us as soon as he reached Bangkok to help him out, because his own brother was now out to kill him for obvious reasons. I don’t know if he is a double-agent, but we have taken enough precautions to avoid another blunder. But the information he had shared so far is valuable, and he is ready to leave his hideout any time. And that’s the truth, the whole truth,” Rudy answered.
“I see. So far, so good. You’re still alive and they are after you again. They want to gemsicute (put to death according to a plan because of gemstones) you as they say nowadays. Now about Suvit, I did conduct my own investigation, and it comes out that he too is part of the team. My informants believe it was Suvit, who had paid the bribe to release Meechai from Khmer Rouge directly or indirectly through the influence of Iang Sery, and look where he is now hiding. Isn’t that strange? Actually it was they who had created this fictional situation to know your plans, and the business details so that once and for all you are buried again, never again to be resurrected. In fact, they did make some mistakes while playing their games in Cambodia, and as always some win and others lose, and you’re here sitting in front of me, because of one person….”
“Who is that?”
“Me. James was just an intermediary. It was my plan to keep it that way. So there you are my lucky pal. You want to die again?” Prapan asked.
Rudy sat dumbfounded searching for the right words to thank Prapan. Finally, Rudy wai-ed Prapan.
“So what do you want me to do?” Rudy asked.
“Just go ahead as you wish. But don’t make the same mistakes twice. That’s all I can think of at the moment. I have more clout than other gem dealers in this city. Trust me. No one plays games with my friends,” Prapan said.
Twenty minutes later, Prapan took out an amulet from his safe, and reminded Rudy to wear it all the time. Rudy accepted the gold chain with the amulet reverently. Prapan’s cell-phone rang. He had an important appointment with the Minister of Finance, and left the office immediately.