The security officer gazes at the image, his stance stiffening, then at Raylai next to me. “You can turn it off now.”
He flips the passport wallet closed and with a curt nod, dismisses me on to the gates.
Thirty minutes later, Thailand drops away below me.
*****
At the hotel, Raylai bounces onto the bed, looking expectant. “What now?”
“Now, as I told you, I'm leaving.” Taking the envelope from the briefcase, I hand it across to her. “Here are your tickets back home and the cash we agreed. It’s an open ticket, but this room’s booked for the weekend, so stay if you want. Everything's paid for.”
“What? Food and drinks and things?”
“Everything. Help yourself.”
“So… I can have a party?”
“If you like.”
“But I've got to party by myself?” She pats the bed by her. “You're nice. I'd give y
