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Jay's eyes went wide... even wider than before... when he was confronted with the doctor who had been killing all his friends. And now, he was facing one of them... someone who was supposed to be dead... someone he slept with before... someone who looked like a psychopath and not the sweet girl he knew.
"Fai..."
"Hey, Jay!"
"You're not dead... how could this..."
"Because my babe is a doctor... because he was pretty much the first one on scene... because that drug he gave me is very efficient to make you look dead even if you're not. Now... Jay... I'd love to chat some more but we're on a tight schedule. Are you sure you won't choose? Cherreen or Champ?"
"I can't believe it! So everything that's happened was your doing? Why?"
"If you want to know that badly, Jay, then choose! Truth or dare?"
"I won't choose! I won't choose for anyone else to die!"
"Then your game is over!"
Jay watched in horror as Doctor Puth raised his gun and aimed it at him. Puifai turned around, about to go back inside the house. Jay closed his eyes as a reflex and when the gunshot resonated, he flinched. He waited for the pain... that never came. He opened his eyes : Puth was grunting, holding his hand. He wasn't bleeding... which probably meant that someone shot his gun and not his wrist. Jay took a breath and turned his head, looking for his savior.
"This is the police! Nobody moves! It's all over!"
Jay couldn't have been more relieved to see Kamin. The inspector rushed to Jay and stood in front of him, shielding him, still aiming his gun at the doctor.
"P'Kamin..."
"Jay... you owe an apology to the nice officer who was protecting you and who you hit on the head in order to sneak out."
"I'm sorry... I didn't have a choice... the letter... he put the letter in my bed this morning... the threats... P'Jade... and you... I'm sorry."
"Yeah... I was expecting something like that. After all, it's not like you did anything condonable they could use in order to bait you. And since you already knew Jade and I received a letter, it was easy for them to lure you here."
"I... they wanted me to choose, P'... between Cherreen and Champ... I... I can't..."
"It's okay, Jay. Nobody else is gonna die... don't worry. Doctor Phut..."
"Inspector Kamin... you're quite early. I wasn't expecting you so soon. And you're on your own. Did you leave the captain behind on purpose to protect him"?
"I tried... but he's a butthead so he'll be here soon. The special unit helping him to find this house is quite talented : they'll strike gold. As for me, I figured you'd try to lure Jay eventually so I put a GPS device in his bag. Quicker than tracking Champ's car with CCTV... which is why I'm early."
"I see."
"Now... I was expecting a deranged doctor so obsessed with avenging his girlfriend that he killed everyone who hurt her and stole her body from the morgue... I guess I was wrong. Khun Puifai... congratulations : you're my first murder case that ever solved itself."
"That's not Puifai."
Jay's words rang in everybody's head. Kamin looked at him with raised eyebrows. Jay's face, that was nothing but fear before, was now stern.
"I'm not buying it! The Puifai I know is kind, hard-working and poised. Even with all the horrible things that happened to her, she wouldn't do something like that. I know people can snap after a trauma but this is too much. I don't know what kind of drugs or mind games you played on her to make her like that... or why you're doing all this... but I'm calling bullshit! Fai... you asked me to choose earlier... how about that doctor? He can die... because I'm convinced everything is because of him!"
"Jay... I don't know if you'll take this as a compliment or not... but you're exactly like your brother."
"How come?"
"You're too shrewd and honest for your own good."
"You agree with me, P'Kamin?"
"Yes, I do. Your friend doesn't look pleased that we don't believe in her true love story, Jay : she looks scary."
"Which is a weird look for her. Like I said, Puifai is usually very kind looking. What kind of drugs could do that, P'?"
"Experimental antidepressants used in a bad dosage by a doctor who handles drugs on a regular basis. And if that doctor knows a little bit about hypnosis and auto-suggestion, then... bingo!... you get yourself a psychopath. But you know what, Jay? Contrary to you, I already know why he's been playing mind games with that girl. I'm sorry, young lady... I'm afraid you've been deceived. This case has nothing to do with your little revenge : he just conditioned you to think as told in order for you to become as psychotic as him. Those murders... it was misdirection. It's never been about those students... it's all about the drug network with Seon Jae."
"Are you delusional, Inspector Kamin?" Asked Puifai. "It's the other way around! The drug network was P'Phut's idea in order to keep you busy elsewhere while we dealt with my revenge. It made things easier for us that you wasted your time with that drug dealer. Also... you and Captain Jade flirting during a murder investigation... so unprofessional, Inspector!"
"But so gratifying."
"P'Phut and I planned everything for months! He loves me to the point of killing people for me! They hurt me... so he killed them! That's the truth!"
"Right... and I'm guessing that's why he looks so panicked now that he's busted."
"How weird!" Said Jay. "It's like those criminals P'Jade busts sometimes : when caught red handed, they lose face."
"Exactly!" Assured Kamin.
"Babe... don't listen to them! They're trying to win some time. You don't have to prove anything to me! I already know you love me... no need to try to convince them!"
"Fai! Enough with the whines already! You're giving me a headache!"
The cold words seemed to echo into the night. Puifai froze on the spot, her eyes wide. She turned around and watched in shock the scene on display in front of her. Champ was awake... he wasn't tied up anymore... and he was smirking. He slowly got up and started stretching in front of everyone. Jay's eyes went wide... Kamin's face became dark.
"Champ... way too early," said Phut.
"I was getting a cramp... and I couldn't stand Fai's whines any longer. Besides, it looks like Inspector Kamin already caught on so what's the use to keep pretending?"
"Champ..." said Puifai.
"I knew it!" Assured Jay.
"You did?" Asked Champ.
"Just... I had a hunch. When I was on my way here, I had this weird feeling that everything was because of you. MP's son always acting up, dealing with questionable people, getting himself into trouble because he knows that his father will always be here to protect him from the fallout."
"I'm afraid it's even more than that, Jay," said Kamin. "MP Ratana's influence was a big part of this drug network. Seon Jae always was confident... he knew that, even if he was arrested, he would never be convicted... because he had powerful patrons to support him."
"Inspector... before revealing the whole story with that satisfied face of yours, do you mind?" Asked Champ. "Fai... take a seat!"
"No... it's not true... it can't be... revenge... everything... my revenge... all dead..."
"You went too far with the dosage, P'Phut!" Assured Champ. "She's breaking down."
"I was expecting something like that," said Phut. "But again... not that soon."
"P'Phut..." said Fai, who was about to cry.
"Fai... are you really that dumb?" Asked Champ. "Did you really think such a fine man could be interested in someone like you? Wake up, stupid!"
Champ picked up the gun on the floor... the one Kamin shot from Phut's hands earlier... and he put it on Puifai's forehead.
"Sit down, Fai! Unless you want your revenge to end with you!"
A very shaky Puifai sat down on the chair where Champ was before. Champ tied her up in record time and then, he approached Phut, grabbed him by the collar and devoured his mouth in front of everyone.
"That I didn't see coming!" Said Jay.
"That boy is shameless," assured Kamin. "First, Puifai... then, Cherreen... and now, Doctor Puth. Greedy much?"
"That comes with being popular, Inspector!" Assured Champ, smirking. "You can go ahead with your explanations, P'Kamin! Fai looks so distraught that the truth might do her some good."
"The network... funded by MP Ratana... orchestrated by Seon Jae... and provided with drugs smuggled from the hospital by Doctor Puth. Let me guess : you were bored one day and you decided to accompany Seon Jae for the restocking... checking that everything was going smoothly at the same time. And when you got to the flat used as a drug storage, you met the love of your life."
"Don't be so dramatic, Inspector!" Said Champ. "Do P'Phut and myself look like foolish people believing in love at first sight? You know... people like you and Captain Jade. By the way... Fai was right earlier... very unprofessional to flirt during a murder investigation, Inspector."
"We didn't put any label on what we have for the moment," said Phut. "Just two very similar persons thinking alike and with the same goals."
"Not to mention the best sex chemistry there ever was!" Assured Champ.
"I don't think so," said Kamin. "That would be me and Jade. The man's got stamina to match mine."
"Yuck!" Screamed Jay. "P'Kamin... please! I don't need to hear that kind of gross details!"
"Sorry, Jay."
"Are you bragging, Inspector?" Asked Champ.
"Maybe I am."
"I like you. Anyway... back to that chemistry thing... well... at least a lot more chemistry than with those two!"
Champ pointed mockingly at Cherreen.
"That one is way too slutty."
And then, he turned around and pointed at Puifai.
"And that one... well... not really worth a second dip. Don't you agree, Jay?"
"You're a fucking asshole!" Assured Jay.
"If you say so. P'Phut... what do we do? Jay isn't willing to play, Puifai is out and Inspector Kamin is ready to shoot us."
"He can't do that as long as we have those girls at our mercy," said Phut. "Also, since it's obvious Jay isn't going to play with us, Kamin can't leave him alone to come after us. I think we'll retreat back into the house... the loaded with explosive subtances house... and we'll wait for Captain Jade and the others to arrive. Call your father, Champ : it's gonna be ugly."
"Roger that, P'! Inspector... as soon as your sweetheart is here... come inside and play! The truth or dare game isn't over yet but now, we're playing thunderdome : six enter... only one will stand at the end!"
"Two, Champ!" Assured Phut. "Unless you want me to die."
"I'll protect you, P'! Besides, with all the brilliant killings you've done lately, you know how to handle weapons to perfection now. See you inside, Inspector!"
And while Champ and Phut dragged the chairs where Puifai and Cherreen were seated inside the house, Kamin and Jay were frozen on the sidewalk... waiting for reinforcements... wondering if everyone would be safe and sound in the morning.
The end.