Meeting Max (22 page)

“Yes, I know how good you are at putting things off.”

“Getting closer was something that was not going to happen. We met often, and I got to know his interests. He was a big sports fan, especially of cricket, and he played golf and tennis. He said he had over six hundred bottles of wine in his cellar, and he collected stamps. He had one bodyguard in plain clothes who kept his distance when we were together.

“He told me that, twice a month, he invited friends to his house, usually no more than three or four men. They ate, drank, smoked the finest Cuban cigars, and told jokes. No women were allowed, and they spoke openly about their travels and mistresses. He said he mentioned me, without using my name, and told his friends I would soon be his mistress.”

“How did you avoid the sex? I mean…”

“That wasn’t difficult. He was a true gentleman, in his sixties and in a loveless marriage, and when we discussed sex, he said he was willing to wait.”

“What kind of information did you need? Did you get it?”

“I needed information dealing with his time schedules. Subhash always talked about his grandmother, who he loved dearly. She lives in Jaisalmer and he visited her periodically.

“When we talked on the phone to arrange our next meeting, he would always let me know when he would be flying to Jaisalmer. For security reasons, very few others knew. I was his confidant, and, in his mind, his future mistress. His schedules, whereabouts, and habits were the most important pieces of secret information that Kamran needed desperately.”

“Why? How did it fit into his plan?”

“The plan was totally dependent on timing, and it became the key bit of intelligence that made everything possible. Kamran is prepared to take him at the Jaisalmer airport when he visits his grandmother.”

“Take him? What do you mean by ‘take him’
?
”

“Take him hostage.”

“When is this going to take place?”

“In a few days at Jaisalmer airport.”

“Why do you have to be part of it? Your job is over.”

“Kamran wants me to stay with the minister until he’s on a biplane that will take him to Pakistan.”

“Elena, you’re out of this! When we get back, we’ll spend the night together at my place. Nobody will know you’re there. We’ll leave early the next morning, hide out somewhere else in India, and then get out of the country.”

“But my things, my clothes, everything I have. I need my…”

“Do you have your passport with you?”

“Yes, of course. I don’t go anywhere without it.”

“Good. Forget everything else. We’re together forever, Elena. Let’s just get you out of this mess. Call the authorities and tell them there will be an attack on the airport.”

“Can I make this call in private?” She said, her hands trembling.

“Of course.”

***

Elena moved a few paces away so she could talk privately. She called the Indian police station in Jaisalmer and was put on hold and then disconnected.

So much for telephone service in India
.

She tried to get the number of the IB, the Indian Intelligence Bureau, but telephone information for the area was not available. Just in case, she called Mrs. Vidya and asked her to tell her son, Meher, about the attack so he could report it as well.

With shaky hands, she called the police again and connected. She told them that a man named Kamran would be leading an attack at the airport and gave them his address. She knew he would not be at home because he would already be with his men.

Rick walked closer to her. Her hands were still shaking and she was taking deep breaths.

“I did what I could,” she said, tears running along her cheeks.

***

Rick couldn’t explain Elena’s behavior. Her tight lips and heavy breathing told Rick she was in a state of panic.

What didn’t she want me to hear? Did she really call the police or other authorities? She’s so scared, I can’t be sure.

Rick’s heart pounded. He knew they had to act fast. He quickly formulated a plan in his head. They would take the morning train to Jodhpur, then on to Bombay. After staying there for a bit, Elena could fly back to America.

Why did she do this? This is not a protest. There were no signs to hold up. This is terrorism! Why didn’t she call the authorities before? Was she that scared?

It was madness. What she had agreed to was extreme. She could lose her life. Getting away made the most sense. After she was on the plane to the US, Rick would continue his search for Eric in Bombay. He had a solid lead now. Then he would meet Elena back in the States. For now, they had to get away from Jaisalmer, Kamran, and all this insanity.

Rick would miss Elena if she had to go back to the US, but at least she would be safe. They would be cursed by the distance between them, but would enjoy the finer parts of their relationship that others, with the privilege of nearness, fail to notice. He felt that their letters, words, and voices would cut through the miles until they met again.

All they had to do was get out of Jaisalmer.

They finished their tea, sat by the fire, and watched the burning wood turn into embers. It turned cooler. They huddled together under their blanket and talked.

“Why did I do it? Now I’m trapped,” Elena said, biting her lips.

“Relax. Don’t blame yourself. We all make bad judgments. We can get you out of this if we work fast and run. We’ll stay together at my place tonight. There are probably no flights available and no trains tonight. In the morning, we’ll get the first train out of Jaisalmer to anywhere it takes us, maybe Bombay. Then we can safely make our plans.”

“Sorry for getting myself into this,” she said as tears filled her eyes. “It was stupid and impulsive. What is it with me? I made a horrible judgment about something that had no relevance for me. What was I thinking? Was I just fired up, ready to fight for a cause? Any cause? Stupid, just stupid.”

“Relax. Don’t brood over it. We’ll be okay, honey. Let’s get going. We have to act fast!”

Rick poured water on the remaining embers, packed their things, and left the tent where it was. They rode their camels back to where they started.

Elena told Rick that Guinevere had long eyelashes and smiled to herself.

***

They contacted Ganesh to pick them up. At their request, he tried to call the airlines for them, but services were closed. They said nothing to him about their predicament and did not want him involved.

It was a cold, moonlit night. They shivered their way back in Ganesh’s Jeep until they were safe in Rick’s room. Within minutes, there was a blackout, and Jaisalmer was without electricity. Their room was partially lit by the moon, giving them the opportunity to just about see each other.

Rick lit two candles, one in the bedroom and another in the bathroom. Elena’s body still had fine traces of sand on her skin. She got into the shower, closed her eyes, and let the warm water stream over her. Soon, Rick was beside her. The curves of her body were now familiar to him. They kissed and had no thoughts of anything except their love for each other.

Rick looked into her sparkling eyes, her face radiant and wet as warm water streamed over her, flattening her curls. Rick washed her hair and then soaped her body. His hands glided over every part of her, lingering at her breasts.

He watched the foamy soap bubbles slide along her glowing, tanned skin, lit only by candlelight. Then Elena shampooed Rick’s hair as he stood under the shower, soapy water trickling down his muscular body. They touched and felt each other without saying a word until the hot water ran out.

He raised her arms and held them against the shower wall as he gently moved her legs apart. He was consumed with their love for each other and heard her moans when he went deep into her. He looked at her face. Her eyes were half closed and fluttering, her mouth open and quivering. Rick felt her hand on the back of his neck, pulling his face closer to her.

He became lost in his passion and out of control, a place he wanted to be. He knew Elena was there with him. Dizziness consumed him. He felt a rush. Soon, their excitement reached new heights. He kissed her deeply, their mouths wide open, as they lost themselves in an explosive climax.

They held each other with their eyes closed and let the cool water flow over them. Rick looked at her in the flickering candlelight and imagined they were under a waterfall somewhere in Hawaii.

He helped Elena out of the shower and wrapped her in a fluffy towel. In a flash, the lights came on. The brightness made Rick squint. He was transported back into reality. The flaming candles no longer served their purpose, but lingered as memories of the moment they had just shared. The bright blue, yellow, and red colors of Elena’s towel were in stark contrast to the darkness that filled Rick’s mind, but at least they had a direction now. It was a good plan.

***

Rick awoke early. He checked the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation train schedules on the Internet, booked their seats on a train that would be leaving for Jodphur later in the morning, and called Kingfisher airlines and booked a flight from Jodphur to Bombay. The railway station was not far away. Rick breathed a sigh of relief. They would be out of Jaisalmer and Elena would be safe.

Rick was excited. He knew what had to be done. Elena would fly from Bombay to the States, and Rick would follow his leads to find Eric. He knew he would find his son.

It was October twenty-seventh, less than twenty-one hours before Kamran’s proposed operation. They sat close to each other at the rooftop restaurant on the same sofa where Rajeev served them dinner a few days earlier and ordered a quick breakfast, just tea and dosas.

Immediately, Rick felt Elena’s hand squeezing his in alarm, her nails digging in. Two men walked into the restaurant, approached their table, and stood in front of them, smiling. Rick felt Elena’s hand trembling as she introduced Sudar and Tariq. Rick remembered Sudar as the man who picked Elena up outside the airport in Delhi.

Both men wore the same clothing: blue denims, army boots, khaki shirts, and jean jackets.

“Do you mind if we join you, Miss Elena?” Sudar asked.

“Normally I wouldn’t mind, but we’re talking about a very personal matter.” She dug her nails deeper into Rick’s hand. “Can we make it later in the day?”

“It will just be for a few minutes, I promise you,” Tariq said as the men took seats on each side of them. “We were concerned about your well-being and have sent men to the airport and train station looking for you. We were afraid something bad had happened to you and you might need our help.”

Elena breathed a deep sigh. Rick saw it as a sign of despair, but nothing significant had happened yet. “Hello, Rick,” Sudar said as he opened his jacket and offered his hand. “I believe we once met briefly in Delhi.”

“Yes, I remember. It’s nice to see you again,” Rick said solemnly. He noticed Sudar had a gun similar to Elena’s holstered under his open jacket.

The waiter brought chai and dosas for Rick and Elena. The men ordered masala tea.

“Do not let the gun scare you,” Sudar said. “Jaisalmer can be a dangerous place. Some things are necessary. Please, enjoy your breakfast. It is our pleasure to share this moment with you. Kamran has not seen or heard from you for a few days and was concerned.

“It will not be long before our arrangements will take place. He would be liking to see both of you today. At present, he is staying at a very nice hotel. You can have a rest, enjoy a nice lunch with him, talk about the last minute plans, and then, after the operation, be on your way.”

Sudar spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. Rick ran his thumb back and forth over Elena’s hand as his stomach turned. He wasn’t sure what to say, or if he should say anything. He wanted them to leave.

“Gentleman,” Rick said in a low voice. “Before you arrived, Elena and I were talking about our marriage plans and…”

“Marriage?” Sudar said, his eyes widening. “I didn’t know.
Acchī kismata śādī kē jōṛē kō.
It means good luck to the wedding couple.
I can see you are well-suited.”

“Yes, we are lucky to have found each other and selected this morning to discuss the details of our wedding. We just need an hour or two, and then we can meet Kamran. Give us the name of the hotel. If you will excuse us, we must—”

“It is better to meet Kamran first,” Tariq insisted. “It will not take long, just a few minutes, maybe. Then you are free to be going to a place to discuss your beautiful plans. I, too, wish you good luck. I can see happiness is in front of you.”

Rick remained calm, but he could see what was happening. There was no escaping it. They were trapped!

***

The four of them entered the Suryagarh Hotel, which was beyond opulence. Sudar and Tariq escorted them to the exquisite palace room, where Kamran was staying, and then waited outside. Kamran greeted them with a smile and embraced each of them.