Eventually James was escorted into the other side of the visitor gallery his eyes become rather bright to see Slit sitting on the bench waiting to see him. He jumped forward and said, “Jesus Slit, how the hell are you. They told me Christine someone was here to see me, I never figured you had a real name. What are you doing here?”
 
Slit was pleased to see he was looking healthy and stood up learning against the bars putting her arms though to his side to grab him but quickly worked out from the guards yelling that she was being told to stay away from the bars so she complied and simply said, “Hi Mullet, Jesus! You look like crap, you got to get out more.”
 
Mullet responded with, “Thanks Slit I knew I could count on you to know how to fix things. I’ll be looking forward to that in another thirty-nine years. Now how about telling me what you’re up to over here?”
 
“Well, sit yourself down and I’ll get started,” Slit said, while beckoning Mullet to come closer so she didn’t have to share their conversation. With Mullet seated in front of her she continued, “Mullet I’m here to get you guys out. I’ll be filing an appeal with the courts this afternoon to get you a re-trial and I’m confident this time you will be walking free.”
 
Mullet interrupted her saying, “Jesus Slit, we have done this to death, save your time and money; justice doesn’t work like that here, you get what you’re given and take it on the chin; it’s not actually that bad.”
 
Slit continued, “Never figured you for a quitter, Mullet; Hear me out you might like what I’m saying. Tomorrow you will be transferred back to Klongprem prison in preparation for a new appeal hearing. It is my understanding that you will be in a cell with Brett Savage. Make friends with this guy tell him how bad it is here, have him believe he is being eyed off as a pretty boy by the faggots, anything you like, but scare the crap out of him. You will have to be quick because you only have a few days left in here. Do some exercise will you you’re looking flabby. Joanne will want you looking your best for the flight home. I cannot stay any longer I have to go and see Joanne over at Bangkhen and then we have your appeal to lodge. I’ll let you know how Joanne is when I see you tomorrow, if you don’t see her over the fence before me. One more thing make sure Brett Savage knows you’re on your way out of here, over the fence and that your solicitor, Christine Shine is making all the arrangements, we want to milk this turd. I’ll be seeing you mate. I’ll buy you some good crap paper over at Klongprem so you can practise living outside, it would be silly to buy it here and let someone else use it. Oh I almost forgot for Christ sake don’t let savage share his food with you it’ll turn you inside out.”
 
Mullet started to smile and as a parting word said, “You’re an evil lady Slit, you’ve got style girl. I’ll see you tomorrow; tell the wench I’ll be having the window seat for the flight.”
 
With that Slit got up and retraced her steps out of the Bangkwang, returning to Nonthaburi pier where she caught the bus for the twenty-minute trip to Bangkhen prison. She went through the procedure to see Joanne Frost then exited the prison only to enter again going through the identical process to see Megumi Ioka even though both ladies were in the same cell.
 
On the bus and ferry trip back to town Slit was proud of her new found composure, she hadn’t abused or punched anyone all morning. She put it down to the relaxed feeling of still having her faithful knife undetected after four comprehensive frisks in less than a day. It made her wonder if she would find it had she been doing the frisking; “Women are dangerous,” she thought “Guys just don’t stand a chance.” 
 
Slit finished off her day by lodging papers for leave to appeal to the high court for a review of the forty-year sentence given to James Scotch. Eventually the clerk stamped the appeal documents and Slit went back to her hotel to try out the bathtub again, she was starting to like the jetsetter solicitor lifestyle.
 
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Next morning started like a repeat; jog, shower, conservative cloths, breakfast, ferry to Nonthaburi pier, bus to Klongprem, Ms Christine Shine to see James Scotch, arms out fondle, fondle, grit teeth, say nothing, this way please. “Hi Mullet, How the new accommodation?”
 
With the move effected Mullet was ready to believe he was on the way home, he could smell the froth on the beer back at the stockade. Mullet explaining how he was in contact with Joanne across the fence and had met with Brett Savage, he was already calling him a wanker. “The guy is scared shitless about being raped, and cannot even talk about the death penalty; he thinks they use an electric drill through the eye socket. Although shitless is not the correct term the cooks are really doing a number on him,” he added with a loud chuckle.
 
Slit replied, “OK, good work, Mullet. Arrange for someone to threaten him directly, but for Christ-sake keep your nose clean and get the message to Joanne and Megumi to stay out of trouble too. Make sure all three of you don’t leave any photos about that can be used to identify you. We start altering the records on the Thai justice system databases tonight. We want to make sure they look in the wrong places at the wrong faces. If you guys draw the crabs the whole thing will go up in flames. Joanne will be getting a visit tomorrow she will get a message to you if we have things you need to know. I have to go now. I’ll be back soon, probably in two days, be all squared up and ready to go. Oh and I dropped a few ‘Hot Bike’ magazines and a packet of triple ply crap paper at the desk for you. You can sell it to Brett wanker, sounds like he needs it. Yes; Explain to ‘our’ Brett if he wants to stay safe, even alive in here, he needs good friends on the outside. The thing to do is to contact Phu Ngoc Trinh, tell him he’s the man around here. Explain that he should give over about five million US dollars to go towards supporting Thai charities. Tell him people around here expect these things to be done on trust it’s how they gauge friendship. I’ll see you in a few days Mullet; stay out of trouble.”
 
Slit exited the prison and while returning to the Hotel phoned through another prewritten text message saying, “All work completed – looking forward to the trip home; all’s cool.”
 
Slit returned to her hotel to freshened up, tried out the hotel restaurant for lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon wondering the numerous shops and markets trying and buying all manner of things; a rare treat. Towards evening Slit received a text message saying, “All is ready. Have a pleasant trip; stay cool.”
 
The message brought a brief smile to Slit’s face and started her searching the markets for something yummy for dinner. A difficult task as everything seems so inviting with fresh exotic smells and flavours floating on the air, a delicious fried noodle dish with a host of ingredients including peanuts, shallots, dried shrimp and tofu, won the full attention of her taste buds. Dinning in the market atmosphere afforded Slit extra time to experience the joy of the orient, first hand. A brief chat with a couple of Thai students on a casual evening out, staring into each other’s eyes while dreaming up a future, compounded the pleasures of Slits evening and helped her smile herself straight to sleep upon returning in the hotel room.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Slit woke early as was usual she jogged, showered, dressed conservatively and ate breakfast. Before packing and checking out of the hotel, retracing the journey to the airport by rail. She then made her way along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to the Ebina House Hotel adjacent to the airport complex, and checked into her waiting room as Katherine Rumble handing over her passport, as is the custom in tourist orientated budget hotels.
 
Slit had no sooner put her bag down when she heard the split door of the adjoining room open, followed by a quiet knock. Slit opened the door to be greeted by Bang saying, “Ms Rumble?”
 
To which Slit replied with a pleased to meet you hand shake, “It’s Katherine; Mr Standing, and this must be Dianne,” turning to the sobbing form of Dianne Lacy seated on the bed.
 
“Yes, she’s in quite a state. Dianne hasn’t eaten, slept or stopped crying since we left Phuket yesterday afternoon. It’s been a long night we drove for 13 hours to get here, it was quite a shock,” Bang said, with all the compassion expected of his now well-rehearsed metro-sexual persona.
 
“OK, why don’t you check-in to the embassy so they can finalise the arrangements. My car is waiting for you down stairs; remember to take Dianne’s and your own details with you. My driver will find you in the foyer he knows what you look like. Dianne and I can stay here and have a chat I’m sure she will feel better when she gets everything off her chest girl-to-girl,” Slit said as she moved across to hide the role of her eyes and cheeky grin from Dianne’s view behind Bang’s head.
 
Bang picked up his carry bag and made for the door with Dianne becoming quite alarmed, saying, “Where are you going. Don’t leave me here alone.”
 
Bang turned back to her and gave her a re-assuring hug, “It’s alright Dianne. Katherine will take care of you.” Bang gave her a gentle kiss to the top of her head and a further re-assuring rub of her back. Dearest, I have to go so we can get you out of this mess and take you back home to the sunflower fields where we belong.” 
 
Slit sat on the bed and held Dianne’s hand while passed her the hotel tissue supply saying, “Here dry your eyes and tell me what happened. Jason has to go and look after a few details for the flight home. It will be all right everything has been arranged he needs to pick up the paperwork from the embassy, in person. Normally, I would take you both to my office but it’s best we keep you away from the embassy as the Thai authorities may be looking for you there by now.”
 
With Slit’s passionate distraction Bang slipped Dianne’s grip and made his exit. Dianne slowly started to sob less and tried to make herself presentable with the tissues even though she had mascara streaks and smudges covering her face.
 
Dianne tried to remain strong as she portrayed the horrible events of the previous afternoon. She explained how they had been on the beach until the afternoon sun started to make it uncomfortable so they decided to go to the hotel bar for an afternoon cocktail. Jason had gone straight to the bar while she went to her room to change, because she didn’t want to look like one of those cheap hussies wearing only a swimsuit and towel in the bar. When she walked into her hotel room she was confronted by two men who slapped her around, telling her she was going to take some packages strapped to her legs and stomach on the flight home or she would be killed and so would her parents in America. They told her if she didn’t get to the USA with the packages her parent would be killed and they would find her as well.
 
The men told her to pack her bags as she was coming with them now. She was beside herself, not knowing what to do. They sat on the bed, telling me to hurry up while she packed her clothes. When she went to the bathroom to get her toiletries there was some loud crashing and shouting noises like there was a struggle going on in the room, then quiet. Dianne remained hidden in the bathroom for some time, to frightened to come out. Eventually Jason came to see where she was. The room was in a mess with clothing, powder and blood everywhere, the two men lay on the floor dead.
 
“We didn’t know what to do,” Dianne said, holding back yet more tears, “I would have been arrested and put in jail. That’s why Jason rang the embassy and spoke to you. We did everything you told us. We left the room taking only my passport, the camera film and the family photos from my wallet. We went to where you told us, got in the van found the money you left for us and drove straight here. Please don’t let them put me in jail I didn’t do anything; I swear.”
 
Slit held her tightly saying, “It will be all right dear I believe you. You have been through a terrible ordeal. This kind of thing happens over here, we will get you back to the States where you will be safe. You have nothing to worry about now you are with us. We have also informed the state police of the situation and they are keeping an eye on your family back home, just in case. Why don’t you clean yourself up, have a shower and we will get you something to eat. You must keep your strength up, we cannot have you getting sick over here; we need to get you home quickly.”
 
Slit took Dianne to the bathroom, started the shower running, helped her undressed and eventually got her under the flowing water. Dianne was so frightened she wouldn’t allow Slit to leave the room or even close the shower door. The task completed and having no fresh clothes Slit took her through to her own room and put her in some of her own underwear, dried her hair applied some makeup and dressed her in some of her finest Asian garments from her luggage. Warm, clean skin touched by feminine silk began to calm Dianne such that she began to clear of self-pity.
 
Dianne, becoming aware of her own beauty, under Slit’s guiding hand and expensive clothes and commenced to ask Slit about her work at the embassy, finding time to throw in all those girlie questions about marriage, children, etc. Slit was polite but offered Dianne nothing about herself allowing Dianne to create an image in her mind that in Slit’s line of work one needs to travel lightly and leave everyone without looking back. Dianne decided she understood about Slit and changed topic to asking questions about the beautiful clothing in Slit’s luggage.
 
Slit invited Dianne down stairs to have something to eat even taking her for a short walk to Don Muang shopping centre, explaining it would be safer for her to move away from the hotel where the foreigners can be found lounging. Eventually Dianne started to forget her problems and joined in the shopping experience of the Thai markets. Slit generously paid for everything Dianne wanted to purchase, cloths, jewellery, shoes and even presents for relatives, they even purchased an ‘irresistible’ Glow-in-the-Dark collar for some neighbours bloody dog.
 
The experience tested Slit, challenging her resolve; she remained quiet with a smile plastered across her face through the whole ordeal. Slit even started wondering who would hold her hand and listen to her explain about the trammer of having to witness and experience repetitions of, ‘which colour matched what complexion best’, ‘whether the outfit looked to big from that side’, etc, and being invited into the change room to help! Slit was sure the mornings experience was much more horrific then a simple punch up and a couple of losers bleeding out on the floor. Slit kept thinking how she had a new respect for Bang the guy was rapidly becoming her hero in the personal discipline stakes.
 
Eventually the focus got back on something to eat; Slit watched Dianne’s face turn away from the exciting offerings to the extent that they eventually matched Dianne’s culinary comfort zone by dropping all the purchased ‘crap’ back at the room and walked down to the airport departure terminal to McDonalds. Slit lost her appetite but Dianne was able to find everything she could dream of. With a full stomach Dianne’s twenty-hour ordeal with no sleep rapidly caught up and they returned to the room so Dianne could crash, safe in the knowledge that she was amongst friends. Slit relished the quiet with Dianne sleeping, she thought once about cutting Dianne’s throat while she slept to prolong the silence but resisted the temptation and occupied herself hanging her clothes and tidying up the mess Dianne made getting dressed besides she thought, “I need her to wake up and get on the plane if only to get all this ‘crap’ she purchased out of here.” Slit did duck out quickly while Dianne slept, returning to the markets to purchase two more suitcases, after studying the extent of Dianne’s shopping spree.
 
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Towards evening with Dianne still sleeping Bang returned, Slit left a note for Dianne so she wouldn’t panic if she woke-up. They went down stairs where Slit at great personal expense purchased a six-pack of Budweiser for Bang as her way of showing him she knew what he had been through the last few days. Bang knew why and laughed openly saying, “Did the wench work you over too; you know she’s a lot happier then you and I. Christ Slit we talked for two hours the other night about what powder goes best on a babies arse.”
 
“So what happened to these jerks down there did someone really whack then or what,” Slit asked between sips of a delightful coffee.
 
Bang crushed the second of his cans with his hand and opened the third replying,  “Yep that’s about the strength of it. I sussed the two guys staking her out two days ago. They had three other mules on the same plane, you know. I realised what was on yesterday when she went to the room alone, it was the way they followed her. I slipped up over the balcony and dropped them with a willow over the thirty-eight Boss sent me, then went back over the balcony to the bar, finished off a beer and went up to see what was keeping her. The poor thing was hiding in the bathtub hyperventilating. I’m her hero for rescuing her; I think she wants to have my babies, move to Nebraska and iron my overalls while watching me make trackers for the rest of my life. It must be really great to have such simple ambitions.”
 
Bang continued, “OK, I saw Joanne and sussed the place out. We need seventy-two kilograms of Flex-X or eighty-two kilograms of C4. Two kilograms will be used for the distractions and half of the rest in each of two soft packages like a backpack and two broom handles or something to prop them against the surface of the wall at chest height. The best placement is three metres in each direction adjacent to the common wall where the two prison join. I have already put a blue chalk mark on the footpath so we don’t need to pace it out again. The blast will go out fifteen metres and rocks and crap will knock peoples’ heads off for fifty metres on the inside, in a sixty-degree radius, so we will need to clear the area with the distractions. On the outside is cool, we only need to be three metres away from the blasts in all directions. If Megumi, Mullet and the wench get right up in the corner of each prison yard where both walls meet they will be as safe as houses because the blast will propagate out with a sixty degree plume and the shock wave at ninety degrees, meaning it will be absorbed by the walls leaving quite a large void for them to safely stand in. They will even have a smoke screen to hide them while they jump through the hole. No layman will believe they could survive being so close to the blast, so if they all move fast enough the authorities may not even look for them, as it will be thought they got blown to pieces. All they need to do is cover their ears and eyes with padding to protect them from the pressure of the initial blast. I have explained all this to Mullets wench and she is going to get the word and method to Megumi and Mullet. I have also explained how I will count them down so they can be ready without drawing attention to themselves; all is cool on the inside. I explained how they would need to stand right in the corner but not lean against or touch the wall. If they do touch the wall they will get hurt as both walls will flex some and it will be like being hit with a sledgehammer. The location affords us full protection on the outside as well, plus the guards in the towers cannot see us when we are within two metres of the wall so they will not see us preparing. This is a walk in the park Slit. Get me the explosives by tomorrow morning and they can be out at for lunch.”
 
Slit asked, “By the way which names did you pair use to check in here today?”
 
Bang relied, “I’m Kevin Stacey and Dianne is Kerry Quaint, but she doesn’t know about any of that, she was so out of it when we arrived. I’m not sure she is going to get on the aeroplane on her own.”
 
“Dianne is a lot more relaxed now, She has convinced herself I’m with the CIA or something and I’ve been assigned to look after her, she watches too many movies. I’ll just tell her we can only get one of you on the plane tonight and she needs to go first. I’ll say you will follow on the next flight. She will be OK if she can keep her mouth shut on the plane. God, Bang you’re my hero,” Slit said with a shake of her head as they both started back for the elevators to return to the rooms.
 
When Bang and Slit arrived at the rooms Dianne was still sleeping so Slit suggested Bang get in bed and jump her or hold hands, what ever they do in Kansas. Slit explained she had to go out for a few hours, tell her I’ve had to return to the office or something; gone to finalise her ticket detail so she can be on the midnight flight home. Help her pack; make out you are going also and I’ll spring it on you that you cannot travel tonight when I return. Bang did dive into the bed with Dianne, but only to get some kip, he had been up for thirty-six hours and thought a few hours were due to him. He knew better then to go near Slit’s bed for any reason.
 
Slit quickly prepared her appearance for another visit to Mr Trinh and set off to town on the train to the tailor shop and a meeting in the usual manner. Mr Trinh greeted Slit like an old friend explaining with joy that Brett Savage had transferred five million dollars to him as a goodwill gesture for charity. When Slit asked for the explosives he offered them free of charge, paid for by Brett Savage. He gave his word the explosives would be left in a van in the hotel car park by dawn tomorrow and gave her a key to the van on the spot, saying it was a clean van; meaning no one cared what happened to it. 
 
Slit declined the generous offer to join them for the evening meal as she had pressing business to arrange, promising to return soon to share his table. Mr Trinh thanked her and explained his daughter would be pleased, adding she was so looking forward to meeting you again. Slit explained the precise detail of the breakout tomorrow at 2:00pm and took particular care to explain the damage angles and such to allow Mr Trinh to make arrangements. She also explained the diversion processes, which amused Mr Trinh. She didn’t explain where the escapees would be going or how they intended to leave the country and was relieved Mr Trinh didn’t ask; trust can only extend so far.
 
Slit returned to the hotel explaining how all the travel arrangements were now finalized. Jason couldn’t go on the flight tonight he would be travelling tomorrow. Dianne would be going tonight alone.  Dianne was concerned but accepted Slit’s word it was the best way to do things. Dianne became excited as Slit handed over the travel documents, discovering she would be travelling in first class. She was given a passport in the name of Christine Shine and was somewhat intrigued how the passport could have her image in it with all the immigration stamps for the trip over as if it were her own passport; she knew better then to ask how it might have been done.
 
Slit stressed the need for her not to tell anyone her real name or what had happened until she passed through customs in Los Angeles and it would probably a safe idea for her to say nothing about all this to anyone at home. It was explained to Dianne how she would be approached by another operative at Los Angeles airport where the passports would be swapped back, allow her to continue on to Kansas, and the rest of her life as Dianne Lacy again. Slit added, how Dianne must understand the department will deny any of this ever happened, a nice touch.
 
Slit told Jason to stay in the hotel room so he and Dianne were not seen together at the airport, just in case. Slit again advised Dianne what to wear and effectively dressed her for the flight while coaching her how she should behave so as not to draw any suspicion to herself. Slit sent Bang to get a trolley so they could move all Dianne’s baggage.
 
It was now 10pm and time to go; Slit set off out to the elevator with the luggage leaving Jason and Dianne to say all those things young lovers needs to say before being separated for a day. Eventually a teary eyed Dianne came out and immediately started to tell Slit how she and Jason would be getting married next year, she would move to Fairbury and iron his overalls, or something like that; Slit had trouble concentrating on the detail.
 
They both went straight to the Airport terminal, Slit watched as Dianne checked-in. Slit didn’t bother to tell Dianne about the first class lounge taking her directly to customs so she could wait at the boarding gate with everyone else for the flight. Slit waited at the airport until the plane took-off with Dianne safely seated inside, before walking back to the hotel. On the way she pulled out her phone and sent a prewritten text message saying, “First package on the way, will arrive tomorrow; all’s cool.”
 
At the room a relieved Bang was already into the last two of the Budweiser’s and was delighted to see Slit return, not only because Dianne had finally gone from his life but Slit was carrying another two six packs.
 
“Here Bang! Christ you earned these. Get some sleep tonight you need a clear head tomorrow; we are on for 2pm. That’s it for me today I’m off to bed. Shut your half of the door so I don’t have to listen to you grunt and fart in there,” Slit said as she closed her side of the door.
 
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