Read Everyone Burns for Free Online Page B

is that it helps to depersonalise what is a very personal issue, and starts a distancing process when the news is bad – as it usually is. I also strive to keep the language objective and the content factual. The human element from myself I reserve for the accompanying email.
    The summary reads:
     
    As instructed, Miss K has been under investigation and surveillance from [date1] to [date2].
    Inquiries have revealed that Miss K is not a divorcee, as represented, but is in fact still married. Her husband, Tai Tanchan, is employed as the restaurant manager in the Sea Garden in Bophut. They have no children.
    Mr . and Mrs. Tanchan own a house on the northern outskirts of Chaweng, where they live with Mr. Tanchan’s elderly mother. The address is [address1]. Inquiries into the apartment address [address2] of Miss K given to this Agency by the client, reveal that it is let out to Miss K on a short-term rental basis.
    Miss K has been observed on three separate occasions entering the apartment late at night with different Caucasian males. In each case the male in question did not leave the apartment until the following morning.
    Annex 1 gives details with times and dates of our observations.
    Annex 2 contains various surveillance photographs of Miss K. Such photographs are time-stamped for cross-reference to Annex 1.
    We can include as Annex 3 copies of any relevant certificates, filings and other documentation, but since these are in the Thai language and client does not read Thai, no Annex 3 is included. These can, however, be supplied on request, with an English translation at extra cost.
     
    It looks OK. I fill in the square-bracketed dates and addresses and save it as a final version.
    When I open my emails, however, I find I have just wasted the last twenty minutes.
    There is a mail from Joe.
     
    Dear David,
    I recently received an email from Kung explaining that she and her ex-husband have decided to give their relationship another try. While this is sad news for me, I appreciate her honesty.
    Naturally this makes your efforts on my behalf redundant. There is no need for you to send me a report.
    Please keep any balance on your retainer. If there are any further costs, let me know your bank account details and I will organise a transfer.
    Kind regards, Joe
     
    The romantic in me says that Kung had an attack of conscience and felt unable to take further advantage of this sweet guy. The pragmatist in me says she was tipped off about my surveillance, or saw me snapping photos, and decided the game was up. Either way, I am happy not to have to send Joe my report. We all need our little illusions. Or do I mean ‘delusions’?
    I reply.
     
    Dear Joe,
    I understand. I am sorry things did not work out for you.
    There are no further costs to my account. If I can be of service to you at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me.
    Best wishes, David
     
    I attach the report file and annexes and forward the email to Da.
     
    Da
    If you are not in labour, please convert attached to PDF and file under Closed Cases.
    David
     
    I logoff and power down.
     
    As I switch off the study light and emerge into the hall, I notice a white envelope on the floor by the front door. I pick it up. My name is written on it in a hand I have seen before.
    I take it into the study and open an anonymous-looking folder I had tucked away at the bottom of a locked drawer. From the folder I remove another envelope and compare the two. The envelopes are the same – cheap, white and obtainable anywhere on the island. On both my name is written in capital letters with a black pen in a style that looks either childish, or the way a right-handed person might write with their left hand.
    I spread my handkerchief out on the desk and place the second envelope on it. After putting on some surgical gloves, I take out some dusting powder and a small brush and carefully check the envelope for fingerprints. Other than my own on the corners, there are none. I slit