Chapter Twenty-five

Over the next week, Jack received assistance from the Australian Embassy in Myanmar. They checked out the rice-exporting company and the names that Jack had been given by Oskar.

They reported that the company appeared to be legitimate. The Australians also recommended a hotel for Jack to use that was deemed appropriate for his entertaining needs. More importantly, they said they would also assist with looking after his personal security.

Jack then contacted the rice exporters in Myanmar. They were pleased that he wished to meet them and treat them and their wives to a dinner. It was agreed that everyone would meet at the Chatrium Hotel in Yangon on the evening of June 18.

The RCMP Liaison Officer stationed in Bangkok was also notified. Although the LO was unavailable to assist personally, he did arrange for a four-person Thai police security team to assist Jack in the Golden Triangle. Coupled with the four-person team from Canada, it was thought to be enough. Another RCMP LO in Beijing would also arrange security for Jack, should he be required to enter China.

On June 14, one day before Jack and the team were to depart, Rose called him into her office. When he was comfortable, she glared across the table at him and asked, “Did you ever happen to check Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s website about travelling to certain parts of Myanmar?”

“I did. I noticed that they don’t particularly recommend some areas.”

“Don’t recommend?” said Rose, sarcastically. “Their recommendation is to avoid all travel in certain areas. Let me read it to you,” she said, turning her attention to a page she had printed out.

It advises against all travel to areas along the border with Thailand, China, and Laos due to clashes between the military and armed groups, ethnic conflict, banditry, and unmarked landmines in these areas which pose risks to the security of travellers. Sporadic fighting between military forces and non-state armed groups is occurring in Kachin, Shan, and Karen states bordering China and Thailand. Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced internally and to neighbouring countries.

Rose looked up at Jack. “And tell me, what state borders the Golden Triangle?”

“Shan State, but you already knew that.”

“I wanted to make sure you knew,” replied Rose, briefly closing her eyes while she massaged her temples with her fingertips.

“I’ll be careful,” Jack assured her. “I’ll wear a wire and have backup. Oskar thinks I have asthma and am not athletic. Between me and the calvary I have for protection, if someone tries to stage an accident with me, they are in for a big surprise.”

“I don’t like it,” said Rose. “I’m tempted to cancel the whole deal.”

“So Oskar, or whoever pulls his strings, can send some other poor sap into a place like that? Someone who has no protection?”

Rose stared hard at Jack, but didn’t speak. A moment later he got up and returned to his office.

On the night of June 15, Jack checked in at the Vancouver International Airport for a red-eye flight to Bangkok. Travelling on the same plane with him was his cover team, comprized of Randy Hundt, Willy Mineault, and Tina Chan. The electronics specialist, Jim Purney, was also on board and would be part of the cover team when the situation called for it.

After an eighteen-hour flight, including a short stopover to change planes in Hong Kong, they landed in Bangkok and took a cab to the Miracle Hotel, which was located near the airport.

With the time difference, it was noon on June 17 in Bangkok when they checked into their rooms. Jack made a quick trip to a corner store and then returned to Randy’s room where everyone met to go over the plan again.

It had been decided that Jim, who was conscious of the electronic eavesdropping equipment he was carrying, would not enter Myanmar. Jim had previously received permission to have the equipment in Thailand and China, but had not sought permission for Myanmar out of fear of corrupting the integrity of the investigation.

It was not known what potentially corrupt contacts Oskar had in Myanmar, or if not him, then that of his taskmaster. Instead it was planned that on the following day Jim and Willy would fly to Chiang Rai in Thailand. Once there, they would rent a car to drive up to the Golden Triangle. This would give them a chance to check out the area prior to Jack’s arrival. Meanwhile, Randy and Tina would go to Myanmar on the same flight as Jack.

“Everyone clear?” asked Jack.

“An all-expense-paid holiday to Myanmar? What more could we ask for?” said Tina.

“Another shot of that,” said Willy, gesturing to the bottle of Thai Sangsom rum that Jack had brought to the meeting.

“You prefer that over my martinis?” said Jack, trying to sound hurt as he passed the bottle.

“Hey, you know I’m only learning to acquire a taste for this awful liquid so I’ll blend in like the locals.” Willy grinned. “Above and beyond the call of duty, actually.”

“Willy, I appreciate your dedication,” said Randy. “Remind me to recommend you for commendation when we get back to Canada.”

“Think I can claim the rum as a necessary expense when I get back?” asked Jack.

“I don’t know,” replied Randy. “They’re still looking at me sideways for approving that jar of olives you once claimed.”

“Seems to me, you had a few of those yourself,” replied Jack.

“Marinated, I presume?” said Tina.

“Oh yeah,” replied Randy, Willy, and Jack in unison.

Tina looked at Jim and he said, “Don’t look at me. I know all about Jack’s olive soup.” He took a swig from a can of Singha beer that he had scrounged from the minibar and said, “This is plenty potent enough for me.”

“So, Willy,” said Randy, “I brought a deck of cards with me. Anyone up for a little game of one-armed anaconda?”

“What the heck is that?” asked Tina.

Jack chuckled. “Randy tends to invent his own poker games. I don’t recommend you play.”

“Yeah,” grumbled Willy. “Like if it’s Thursday, then the four of clubs is wild, otherwise it is something else.”

“Like the guy with the axe,” said Jack. “Which translates to certain face cards.”

“Just thought I would try to give you a chance to get your money back,” replied Randy, sounding offended.

“No, thanks,” chimed Jack and Willy.

One hour later, when the bottle was empty, they all went to their rooms and slept.

It was ten o’clock in the morning on June 18 when the Bangkok Airways flight touched down on the runway in Yangon, Myanmar. As Jack waited to retrieve his luggage, he received a text message from Natasha. She wished him a happy birthday and sent him Mike and Steve’s love. He had forgotten that it was his birthday and felt a twinge of sadness that he wasn’t home to share it with those he loved.

He had previously given Natasha permission to contact him up until noon of that day. After that, contact by anyone would only be made in emergency situations. Jack smiled and reread the message before deleting it.

Minutes later, Laura also sent him a short text: H.B. Wish I could give you a present by telling you I double-tapped our friend, but no reason to … yet.

Jack might normally have sent back a humorous response, but Virgil was too evil and too dangerous to joke about. Besides … Laura isn’t joking …

Two hours later, Jack checked into the Chatrium Hotel and promptly received a knock on an adjoining door to his room. He answered and a young man stuck out his hand and said, “G’day, mate. ’Ow ya goin’?”