A Dangerous Liaison

-26-

late February

Talay

Wednesday

Talay sat stiffly at the table in the tiny briefing room of the police station, massaging his forehead as if to prevent an oncoming headache. But in truth, he was just exhausted, confused, and thinking about his new unwonted addiction to Akira. He blamed it on last night's sex venture with him...the sort of drunk, messy, wild sex that ended with no regrets, only with the desire to do it all over again. 

Talay shut his eyes - what was he doing?  He wondered if he was being driven to insanity with obsession, if fucking Akira more than once would only complicate things, if any of his feelings had any meaning...if it was love or just some fleeting attraction? These last two months had been....unforgettable and crazy, leaving Talay struggling to get through a single day without the constant urge to see Akira. 

Was Akira really that important to him? 

May cleared her throat, snapping Talay out of his thoughts. "I've been reviewing the documents I recovered from Star's office for the last few weeks. The financial situation is...murky, but there are definite signs of money being funneled to her account, evidence of bribery payments, and illegal chemical manufacturing. So far, there is no proof that she is involved with Somchai's money laundering cartel, but with something a lot more serious," she said, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. 

Talay tensed, listening closely as May continued - this was their third meeting that month. May had brought evidence to the table every time, Talay had not, and Korn was starting to lose his patience with him. 

"I met with Star's financial advisor, Jenny Sombat," May's expression darkened as she glanced at Korn. "She suspects that Star's brother, Eddie, didn't commit suicide. She thinks Star had something to do with it. They had multiple fights, a feud...a rivalry. It was hatred that stemmed from jealousy and hurt," she paused, throwing a file on the table. "Jenny believes it was over Mick Thepnakorn." 

Talay shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "The politician's son?" 

"Yes," May replied, opening the file. "I compiled some documents together about him, his work, his relationships. It's all written in here," she turned the first page, diverting Talay's attention to a magazine photo of Star and Mick at a public event. "According to Jenny, Mick was having an affair with Eddie, and she believes that was the initial drive that fueled their hatred of one another. But I don't. I believe Eddie knew about Star's shady business operations and was threatening to reveal them...to what purpose? That is still unclear, but the truth was damaging enough to potentially give her a reason to murder him." 

"Does that give us grounds to arrest her?" Talay asked, but he was struggling to keep up with it all. The ghost of Akira's hands all over his body, the taste of his lips...his skin, lingered in his mind. It distracted him, making it impossible to concentrate; he feared that Korn and May would notice if he didn't compose himself quickly. May must have replied to his question, but he failed to hear it. 

"Talay," Korn's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. "What about you? Have you found anything in Akira's restaurant?"

Talay's stomach clenched at the sound of Akira's name, and he had to remind himself to breathe. He straightened up, willing his voice to remain neutral. "No. Nothing."

Korn narrowed his eyes, disappointment evident. "Nothing? Did you search thoroughly? Did you check anywhere else - his house, the other restaurants?"

Talay hesitated, guilt flooding him. The truth was, he hadn't had the chance - or maybe he hadn't wanted to. The pull he felt toward Akira was too strong, and the idea of betraying him, even for the sake of the case, felt... wrong.

"No, I didn't. I didn't get the chance," Talay admitted, trying to keep his voice steady.

Korn's expression darkened, and May shot Talay a sharp look of disbelief. "You didn't get the chance?" Korn repeated, leaning forward. "You've been on this case for months, Talay. Months. This is serious. You know what's at stake here. We're talking about a criminal cartel with connections that could implicate half the city...and now a potential murder case. Have you been to his house at all?"

Talay tried to swallow the lump forming in his throat. "Yes, but," he paused, noticing how May crossed her arms, her disapproval palpable. Not for the right reasons, he thought, but he instantly pushed that away, "There was nothing in his office linking him to his father's cartel. I think he's innocent," he mumbled, but the words tasted bitter in his mouth; Talay wasn't sure if he fully believed it, not quite. 

"You think he's innocent," May replied, her tone slightly on edge. "With what evidence, exactly?"

Talay felt a rush of frustration rise in his chest. "I...I don't know," he whispered, placing his head in his hands. It was all too much - the reality of his betrayal, the lies, his feelings for Akira...his love? 

Korn cut in, his voice sharp. "Next time, you need to check every one of Akira's restaurants. Find a way to get into the back quarters, the kitchen, the store rooms, even if you have to make something up to get there. We need to act now. The higher-ups are preparing to make arrests soon, and if we don't cough up the evidence, then we cannot do so. Understood?"

Talay nodded, feeling the crushing weight of his words. Korn stood, signaling the end of the meeting. But as Talay gathered his things to leave, Korn stopped him at the door. "What's going on with you?" Korn asked quietly, his eyes searching Talay's face. "You've been distant, distracted. This isn't like you."

Talay swallowed hard, his throat tight. How could he explain what was really happening? How could he admit that he was torn between his duty and his feelings for Akira? He forced a smile. "I'm just tired. Frustrated. I haven't found anything to link Akira to his father, and I know I need to."

Korn studied him for a long moment before nodding. "You will. But you need to make a bigger move, Talay. We don't have time to hesitate anymore. Gaining his trust was wise, but the time to chat is over - it's time to put this family behind bars. Star will be arrested, so now it's down to you to find the incriminating evidence that will give Akira the same fate. The rest of their siblings will follow, without a doubt."

Talay nodded again, though the guilt still consumed him as he walked out of the station. His mind raced with doubts. Was he making the right decision? Was betraying Akira really worth it, even for the sake of the investigation? He had never felt this torn before. His mind had always been clear, focused, prepared for anything. But now...everything felt blurry. 

He was halfway to his car when May caught up to him, her expression cold and calculating. "Talay, wait."

He turned to face her, the frustration still simmering under his skin. "What is it, May? I'm not in the mood to fight."

May's gaze hardened, her voice sharp. "I'm not here to fight. I just want to make sure you understand this: If you don't produce any evidence within the week, I'm going to take matters into my own hands. I'll arrest Akira myself - on suspicion of money laundering. Capeesh?"

Anger flared hot in Talay's chest, and before he could stop himself, he shouted, "You don't even know if he's involved!"

"That's not the point, Talay! We need results, not excuses!"

Talay couldn't deal with this - not now. Sat in the driver's seat of his car, he slammed the door, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he tried to process the emotions swirling inside him. As he sped away from the station, a painful realisation hit him. 

He really was in love with Akira. 

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