“Okay. I better go. I’ll call as soon as I can.”
My father stood. “Tara? The baby?”
“Something’s gone wrong and they have to deliver her early. Dad, the baby’s in distress, he said.”
Dad rubbed his forehead, worry and frustration clear in his expression as in his emotions.
Ekanga stood. “Your grandchild is in danger? Then you must go.”
“Can we all leave?” Dad asked.
Ekanga bit his lip. “I’m sorry. But you and Javen, and Shardul too, please, go and with my blessing. Your family needs you.”
“Your family needs you, Ekanga,” I pleaded. “End this, and I promise I won’t rest until we know the truth.”
“Neither will I,” Shardul said. “Nothing will be swept under the carpet.”
Ekanga shivered suddenly, and coughed hard. This time, the blood ran down his chin. He wiped it off with his handkerchief. “My apologies for this sight,” he murmured, then his knees crumpled.
I ran to him, thinking to help him and stop him setting off the bomb, but as I eased him to the ground, he whispered, “It’s fake, Javen. There is no explosive. Don’t worry.”
“Then lie down and rest.”
Behind me, Shardul shouted, “Wait, Denge, stop!”
I turned and saw Kaushik Denge bolting for the door. “Leave him go,” Ekanga murmured. “It’s over. Go to your brother. He needs you.”
“No. I want to get you out of here first.”
“And I’m not leaving until my son does.”
I stared at my father, kneeling at my side.
“Nor I.” Shardul crouched to the left of me. “Ekanga, give me the gun.”
“No bullets,” he said with a weak smile, letting Shardul take the weapon and lay it aside. “I am a terrible liar.”
“You fooled me. Here, sit up a little.” We propped him against the wall, and I undid the harness holding the ‘bomb’ to make him more comfortable. “Hell, you’re a mess.” I pulled out my own handkerchief and wiped his bloodied mouth.
“You should go,” he whispered. “Nothing can help me now.”
“I’m walking out with you.”
“I miss my wife, Bala, and my son, Nandan. Do you have a wife?”
“No, I’m single. You’ll see them again.”
“No. Not even in the next life. I won’t be reincarnated, for I have done a bad thing today.”
“Not that bad. Save your breath, okay?”
“Javen...I will pray for your sister and her baby.”
“Thanks. I meant what I said, about finding the truth.”
“I know. But they will find a way to hide it.” He closed his eyes, and his hand went slack. I felt his pulse. Still there, and he was breathing.
Just then there was a massive crash as the back doors of the hall burst open, and before I could get to my feet, the place was full of yelling cops—and every one of them had their fucking weapon trained on Shardul. “Get down, get down!” a captain screamed at him, and Shardul obeyed, going flat. “Arms out, now! Do it!”
“Wait, he’s not—”
“Be quiet!” the captain yelled at me, high on authority. Two cops aimed their rifles my way and closed in. I put my hands up and looked at Dad for help.
One of the police had his gun against Shardul’s head, bellowing at him to identify himself, but Shardul didn’t say anything. “Answer me, beto, or I’ll blow your fucking head off!”
Knowing how bad this could get, I started towards him but the cops pushed me back with their weapons. “Shardul!” Damn it, why wouldn’t he answer? “Leave him alone, for sanity’s sake.”
“Enough!” My father moved in front of me, and then, with great dignity pushed himself between the cop with the gun on Shardul, and Shardul himself. He put his hand on the cop’s rifle and swung it away impatiently. “This man is an innocent bystander. A respectable lawyer. Stand up, son.” He helped Shardul to his feet, and dusted his jacket down with his own hands. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, sir,” Shardul whispered. My father straightened his lapel and gave him a discreet pat on the arm. Shardul still wouldn’t meet his eyes.
I moved towards him, and when the cops guarding me tried to stop me, I glared. “Damn it, the man you want is over there, passed out. I’m Javen Ythen, Governor Ythen’s son.”
The captain jerked his head and three men went to Ekanga’s side. “He needs urgent medical attention,” I said.
“We’ll handle it, Sri Ythen, thank you. We need to get you civilians outside first.”
“Come on, Sri Shardul,” Dad said to him, putting his hand on Shardul’s shoulder. I stood on Shardul’s other side. His jaw was clenched, as were his hands, and his face was quite bloodless. “We’re walking out now. Captain, if anyone out there shoots me, I shall take that extremely amiss.”
“You’ll be escorted, sir.” He barked an order and two officers came to stand in front of us. “Sorry for the confusion, sir.”
“I’m sure you were just doing your job, captain.”
Shardul didn’t even twitch at that, which told me how freaked out he was. I put my hand on his shoulder like Dad had. Shardul trembled like a newborn kolija. “It’s over,” I whispered. “Safe now.”
He glanced at me, lips pressed tight together, and nodded.
“Let’s go,” Dad said.
As we emerged blinking into the sunlight, a deafening wave of applause and cheers greeted us. I stopped, stunned, but Dad waved, completely relaxed about being in front of a crowd. Then he turned to me and offered me his hand. “I’m proud of you, Javen, and how you handled yourself today.”
“You too, Dad. Will you follow this through?”
“Of course. You don’t always have to blackmail me into doing the right thing.”
I flushed. “I thought I was doing what was needed.”
“You were. Just in the wrong way. But I want that behind us. Now, I have things to deal with here, but then I want to go to the hospital. Sri Shardul?”
Shardul roused himself. “Sir?”
Dad offered his hand, and Shardul, surprised under his confused fear, took it. “Damn impressed by you today too. I’d want someone like you on my side.”
“Better for you than against you, governor?”
Dad smiled. “Indeed. I wish you luck...and success.” He left us then, striding forward to talk to the crowd, and to the waiting reporters. No sign of Denge—his people must have hustled him out of the glare of the media.
I tugged Shardul away from the press pack. He was in no fit state to handle them, and I had things to deal with too. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, but his hands were still in fists. “I need to go with Ekanga to the hospital. He needs legal protection.”
“Agreed, and I need to help Yashi.”
He jerked a little. “Your sister-in-law. I’d forgotten. I hope she’ll be all right.”
“Me too. Let’s find the auto. You call your aunt. She’ll be out of her mind with worry.”
Ekanga had just been brought out on a gurney and was now being loaded into the medical transport. By the time I located my auto, and police acting under Dad’s orders had cleared my route, the transport had just started on its way to the hospital. No lights or alarms. Didn’t know if that meant he’d died or his condition wasn’t urgent. I hoped the latter.
After he made his calls, Shardul remained silent for the rest of the journey, still emitting shock and the aftermath of extreme fear. I made him stop at a chai station inside the hospital and drink at least half a cup before he went off to find out what was happening to Ekanga. “Come to me before you leave,” I said. “I’ll be in the private wing.”
I’d have gone with him if not for Tara, but Yashi needed me too. I now had to get my mind onto an entirely new crisis.
I found Yashi and Mum in a private waiting room. Yashi, eyes red and cheeks flushed, jumped up when he saw me and grabbed me into a bear hug. I hugged back, trying to impart some strength and
calmness through touch. “She’s in surgery now. Javen, I’m terrified.”
“It’ll be okay, Yashi. Come and sit down.”
I smiled politely at my mother. To my surprise, she responded much more warmly. “Everything’s all right at the ceremony? Everyone’s...safe?”
She knew, I realised, but Yashi didn’t. Thanking her silently for not burdening him with it, I nodded. “Everything’s just fine. Dad’ll be along just as soon as he tidies up a few details.”
“Good. I was just going to arrange some chai for us all, and something to eat. Would you like something too?”
“Thanks, Mum, I would.”
She smiled again, and brushed my hair with her hand as she walked past, as if the bitterness of the last year or so hadn’t ever existed.
“What did she mean, ‘safe’?” Yashi asked but before I could answer, his thoughts returned to Tara. “Sanity, how long will it take, do you think?”
“I don’t know. Have you called the boys? Maybe you should.”
“I can’t. What if I have to tell them...?” He covered his mouth with his wrist. “I can’t deal with her dying. I can’t live without her, I can’t.”
I shook his shoulder. “No one is going to die today.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do. So stop talking like this. You should be thinking about how you’ll handle your daughter coming home early, with Tara recovering from surgery.”
“I can’t think...I’m a mess.”
Yeah, no kidding. “It’s okay. We’ll help.”
A few minutes later, Mum returned with a catering assistant who served us excellent chai and sandwiches. I made Yashi eat, and forced myself to, even though my stomach was nearly as churned up as his had to be. The idea of Tara not coming home, with or without her daughter, was unthinkable. It would tear Yashi apart and who knew what it would do to the boys.
Dad arrived twenty minutes later, and mentioned nothing of the morning’s events. Mum must have called him when she stepped out. He sat and drank chai and offered manly sympathy to Yashi, while I wondered exactly what was going on in that well-groomed head, and what he would do about Kaushik Denge.
Tara’s doctor came in to see us not ten minutes after Dad turned up. “She’s fine, Sri Ythen,” she said, “and so is your daughter.”
Yashi collapsed onto a chair with a strangled sound. Mum sat beside him to hug him. Dad and I grinned at each other over their heads.
“Can I see them? Are they really okay? When will they come home?”
The doctor smiled. “Soon, yes, and soon. I’ll send someone to fetch you in a few minutes.”
Yashi wiped his eyes. “She made it. They both made it.”
“And you’re a father again. Congratulations, brother.”
“Yes, my boy. Well done.”
Yashi looked like he’d been hit over the head with a rubber mallet. “Isn’t it amazing how life can change so fast?”
“Yeah, really amazing,” I said. Dad glanced at me, one eyebrow raised, and then towards where Shardul hesitated in the doorway. “Oh, Shardul. Hold on a minute, will you?”
He hovered, uncharacteristically unsure of himself. “Is this a bad time?”
“Not at all. Yashi, I’ll be back in a tick.” In his dazed state, I didn’t think my twin even heard me.
I drew Shardul outside. “Tara and the baby are fine. We just heard.”
He exhaled. “Thank the Spirit. I’m very happy for you all.”
“And Ekanga?”
“Sedated. They’re going to treat him intensively for the poisoning.”
“Chances?”
“They won’t tell me since I’m not next of kin. The police are contacting his wife, and will bring her here if they can. I said I’d arrange for accommodation if she needs it. It’s likely she can be treated if she comes here too.”
“Might be the best thing for his family. I hope he makes it, though I suppose he’ll be going to prison.”
He winced. “It’s more than likely, but there’s no chance of him being questioned or charged for several days. I’ve told the police I’m acting as his defence until they hear otherwise, though I’ll have to pass it on to one of my partners if I’m required as a witness in a prosecution. Your father, uh, gave orders to treat him gently. I wanted to thank him for that.”
“I can tell him. Are you all right? You’re still shaking.”
He rubbed his arms. “I can’t seem to warm up, or stop thinking about it. The police pointing their guns, I mean, and making me lie on the ground. Ridiculous when I was in no danger. ”
More than he knew. I should have warned him but I thought Dad walking him out would have been more than enough to abate suspicion. “The mind’s a funny thing. Look, wait for me, will you? I won’t be long.”
Yashi had Mum and Dad to look after him, and most important, a live wife and child. Being there would be nice, but not necessary, and when I told him that Shardul had had a bit of a shock and I needed to deal with him, it was Dad who answered. “Go with him, Javen. Tara won’t want too many visitors and your niece can meet you tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? Yashi, is there anything you need me for?”
“No.” He roused himself and took in what I’d said. “Is Shardul okay? What’s wrong?”
“Uh...Dad can explain. He’ll be fine...eventually.” Dad actually gave me a sympathetic look. Wonders would never cease.
“Then go.”
I gave Yashi a quick hug. “Give the ladies my love, and tell Tara ‘well done’ from me. I’ll come by tomorrow. Call me if you need me sooner.”
Outside, I took Shardul’s arm. “Let’s find those drinks.”
He resisted my attempt to lead him out. “Wait. I don’t want to be in public.”
“My place and a bottle?”
He bit his lip. “No. My place and a bottle.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. As much as I’m sure of anything right now.”
A hotel would be neutral space but if the press saw us, there’d be speculation Shardul wasn’t up to dealing with any more than I was. And I shouldn’t assume Shardul wanted me to stay over. “Come on, then.”
Shardul might need alcohol for his nerves, but he needed food, especially carbohydrates, just as much, so when I bought two litre bottles of beer, I also picked up some snacks and nuts. I was worried about him. I didn’t think anything rattled the man, and because he’d been so calm about the ‘bomb’ and Ekanga, it hadn’t occurred to me that just facing gun-bearing police officers would make him feel so fragile. But the distress coming off him was real enough.
He told me to park around the back to deter the press, though I’d seen no sign of anyone paying particularly interest to either of us. Then I followed him up the stairs to the apartment he’d never allowed me to enter before.
After seeing his office, I wasn’t surprised that his home was neat and spare, with a few tasteful art pieces to break up the bare walls and shelves. Most of these apartments over the shops and offices in this area were large, with three and four bedrooms. Most, of course, were family homes. Shardul lived alone.
“I thought you’d have more books.”
“Through there,” he said, waving towards a doorway. “Let me fetch some glasses and plates.”
In other words, don’t follow him around. So I waited in the living room that revealed so little of the complex man I had come to see as my closest friend outside my family. Where were the signs of Shardul’s amazing dancing ability? His sly and devastating sense of humour? Or the profound faith which formed the basis of everything he did? Nothing on show hinted at his nature. It could be the home of a businessman, a merchant, a doctor, or a politician as easily as the fascinating, prodigiously talented man I called friend.
He was taking a long time. I risked going to the kitchen after all and found him staring at his open cooler. “You okay?”
“I thought we should eat but I can’t...there’s nothing here, Javen.”
I eased the door handle out of his grip. “I bought food, remember? Just glasses and plates. Where do you keep them? That cupboard?” I fetched things down, and shepherded him back out to the living room.
There, he shook himself. “I don’t usually eat in here.”
“Where would you like to eat?”
“Here is fine.”
I set everything down on the low wooden table, then pushed at his shoulder. “Sit down, Shardul.”
He looked at me, blue eyes despairing. “I keep hearing the click.”
“What click?”
“The click...all the guns aimed at me, going click.” He imitated the sound of a weapon being readied for firing. “I knew I was going to die. I can still feel where the policeman put his gun on my head.” He touched the back of his skull. “I couldn’t answer him. He kept shouting and shouting, but I was paralysed. Terrified. If your father hadn’t taken over...I’d be dead.”
I took his cold hands in mine. He didn’t fight me. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“I know why, but...I can’t stop replaying it.”
“Have some beer, relax. It stops, I promise you.”
“When?”
“Soon,” I lied. The truth was, it differed from person to person. I had no idea about Shardul. Hell, I wasn’t exactly an expert in this stuff. “Why don’t you sit down?”
He kept staring at me, gripping my hands almost painfully tight. “I need—”
“What? Tell me. I want to help.”
He let my hands go, and grasped my shirt instead. “I want to feel...not like this,” he whispered. “Alive.”
“Shardul, maybe that’s not such a good—”
He kissed me. Desperately, almost angrily. I tried not to encourage him because I knew he was vulnerable and not in his right mind. But his need, his desire, his pain swamped my thoughts, until I could no longer tell what was me, what was him. When he pushed me down to the sofa, I let him, even though alarms pinged hard and insistently at the back of my mind.
“Shardul, love, take it easy.” He lay half on top of me, hands busily groping and seeking, his mouth trying to silence me. I had to push him back a little to get the words out.
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