The clock edged toward four in the afternoon when Teeradon's phone buzzed against his desk.
He dialed the club, waiting for Niwat's familiar voice—his right-hand man who could recite the daily operations blindfolded.
"The technician's here, sir. The computer company sent their head engineer personally. He's working on it now—should be finished by six, well before opening."
Teeradon's fingers drummed against his mahogany desk. "I'll be there at five. Tell Monta to prepare the project summary." He ended the call and stepped outside his office, scanning for his trusted secretary. The reception area sat empty—no Toey in sight. Back in his office, he pressed redial.
"I'm in the restroom," came the secretary's matter-of-fact tone through the speaker. "I need to urinate, just like everyone else."
"I need the Pattaya racing event file. When can I get it?"
"You just sent it to marketing for revisions."
"Go get it. Now." Impatience leaked into Teeradon's voice.
"Can I pee first, or do you need it in the blink of an eye?"
"Hurry up. I need to get to the club." Teeradon chose to ignore his secretary's deliberate needling.
"The technician's fixing the system right now. It'll be done soon—you don't need to worry. The technician's good. I know he'll get the system fixed perfectly."
"How would you know?" The question slipped out before Teeradon could stop it, though he already suspected the answer. Emergency calls always went through his secretary first.
"Well, uh..." Toey's voice fumbled. "It's just... um..."
Playing dumb again. As if Toey, his personal secretary, would ever be at a loss for words.
"Cut the act, Toey. Say what you need to say." Teeradon's voice carried the edge of a blade.
"Monta called asking for the computer company's number. She said the current service provider wasn't cutting it anymore. So I recommended this fresh-faced... I mean, energetic new computer engineer. You should actually thank me."
"Get that Pattaya file from marketing immediately. I need to sign off and leave."
Fresh-faced computer engineer, huh, Toey?
This time there's nowhere to run, you little speed-demon monkey. Whether you're dangling from The Dazzle's ceiling fixing computer cables, I'll catch you.
The moment Teeradon arrived at the club, Niwat and Monta materialized beside him, their reports ready like synchronized dancers.
"The technician's tracing cables, sir. The issue is purely electrical. Dusitia's system is fine, The Arena's lighting is fixed, but the computer can't control the walkway lights or emergency systems." Niwat's words came crisp and professional.
"The system's brand new, Niwat. How does it just break?" Teeradon's voice carried the weight of expensive investments gone wrong. He turned to the secretary walking on his left. "Monta, call the installation company. I want their MD here, not some underling."
"What time would work? Here or...?"
"Here. Saturday, ten AM. I have to visit the other company that afternoon." His answer came clipped, efficient. After a pause, he asked, "Why did we hire a different repair company?"
"This company works faster. Better at emergency fixes. Toey recommended them."
"When does our maintenance contract with the original company expire?"
"Next month, sir," Niwat replied.
"Don't renew it. If this company performs well, we'll discuss details. What's the company name again?" Teeradon needed confirmation, though something nagged at him.
"Network Solutions. Same company that installed the computer system expansion at Kunanon Brewery," his club secretary answered.
Ah. The handsome monkey's company.
Right now he's probably swinging from steel rails, checking computer cables.
"Where is he now?" The question burst out before Teeradon could filter it.
"Who, sir?" Niwat raised an eyebrow.
"The computer engineer."
"Checking cables on the catwalk above the Dusitia entrance walkway, sir."
Perfect. This time there's no escape.
We'll see each other soon.
***