Inspector Zhang And The Dead Thai Gangster Read Online Free PDF Page A

allowing anyone off the plane until your investigation has been completed, but Mr. Yip tells me that the economy class passengers are starting to get restless,” he said.   “We’ve turned the engines off and we haven’t connected to an ancillary power source yet which means that our air-conditioning isn’t on. Here in Raffles Class it isn’t a problem but economy is almost full and it’s getting hot back there.”
    Inspector Zhang nodded thoughtfully. “I think we have almost concluded our investigation,” he said.
    “We have?” said Sergeant Lee, surprised.
    Inspector Zhang smiled at the chief purser.   “Mr. Yip, members of your cabin crew would have been in the galley throughout the flight, yes?”
    Mr. Yip nodded. “Of course.”
    “Then I need you to confirm with them that at no point did any of the economy passengers move through the galley to the front cabin.”
    “They wouldn’t have been allowed to,” said Mr. Yip. “Not even to use the toilet. We insist that economy class passengers remain in the economy cabin.”
    “I understand, but I would like you to confirm that for me,” said the Inspector.
    Mr. Yip nodded and hurried back to the galley.
    “Captain Kumar, would it be possible for the passengers to disembark from the rear of the plane?”
    “It wouldn’t be a problem, though we would have to bring out a stairway,” said the pilot.
    “If the economy passengers are getting off then we should be allowed to get off with them,” said Mr. Woodhouse from his seat in the middle of the cabin.
    “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” said Inspector Zhang.
    Mr. Woodhouse waved a blue passport in the air. “I’m an American citizen,” he said. “You can’t keep us prisoners like this.”
    “That’s right,” agreed his wife.
    “We’re just tourists, this is nothing to do with us,” said Mr. Woodhouse.
    “Exactly!” said his wife.
    “I am sorry for the inconvenience,” said Inspector Zhang.
    “Being sorry doesn’t cut it,” said the American. “This isn’t fair. You’re saying that if we had flown economy you’d let us off, but because we bought business class tickets you’re keeping us prisoner.” He jabbed a thick finger at the Inspector. “I demand that the American Ambassador is informed of this immediately.”
    “Immediately!” echoed Mrs. Woodhouse.
    “Please Mr. Woodhouse, Mrs. Woodhouse, just bear with us,” said Inspector Zhang calmly. “This will all be resolved shortly.”
    Mr. Yip came back down the aisle. “I have spoken to all the cabin crew and I have their assurance that no passengers left the economy cabin throughout the flight.”
    “In that case, Captain, I have no objection to you allowing the Economy passengers to disembark from the rear of the plane.”
    “I’m going too,” said the Chinese businessman. He stood up and opened the locker above his head and pulled out a Louis Vuitton briefcase.
    “I am afraid I must ask you to remain in your seat for a little while longer, Mr. Lung,” said Inspector Zhang.
    Mr. Lung turned to look at the Inspector, his upper lip curled back in a snarl. “No,” he said. “I’ve been here long enough. This is Thailand. You’ve no jurisdiction here. You do not have the authority to keep me on this plane.”
    “You might well be right, Mr. Lung,” said the Inspector. “But of one thing I am sure, immediately you step out of this plane the Thai police will have the authority to arrest you and I will make sure that they do just that. And I am also sure that you would not appreciate the inside of a Thai prison, because that is where you will be held until this investigation is complete.”
    “This is an outrage,” snapped the businessman, but he went back to his seat.
    “I agree,” said Inspector Zhang. “Murder is an outrage. Which is why I want to solve this murder as quickly as possible. Once the perpetrator has been apprehended we can all leave the plane.”
    The bodyguard was sitting in his