Weapon of Vengeance Read Free

when he said that. “We move out tomorrow. We should be back in two weeks.”
    â€œThat’s it, eh? Short assignment.”
    â€œYep. Short and sweet. And lucrative.”
    â€œThat’s my type.” A laconic laugh. “Where are we headed?”
    â€œIndia, eventually.” Momentarily, just the mention of India unleashed a whirlpool of raw emotions inside her; about her father … a father who abandoned me … he means nothing to me. Without realizing it, she made a dubious moue. Doesn’t he? She pushed away the thought. Not now!
    â€œIndia, eh? Exotic! Sounds good to me.” He’d made that humming sound again. “Say, boss,” Mark asked, somewhat bashfully, “we flying coach or—?”
    â€œFirst class, Mark. Nothing but the best for you, mon ami. Your ticket will be in your mailbox shortly. Meet me at Heathrow a couple of hours before the flight.”
    She knew it was a happy Mark who’d put down the phone. He looked happy even now as they came out of the Colombo airport and headed toward the taxi stand.
    *   *   *
    Traffic in Delhi is never easy. These days, with construction taking place all over the city and the massive influx of games’ tourists, it was maddening. To make things worse, Delhi had not seen such heavy rains, not in the last forty years.
    As the car labored through clogged streets, Ravinder wondered what it was that the Home Minister wanted to discuss, hoping for no more unpleasant surprises; their first meeting had been one hell of a shocker. His mind fled back to that day.
    â€œHave you heard the good news, Gill?” Thakur had greeted them with a big smile when Mohite and he reached his office that day. “India is hosting the Israeli–Palestinian Peace Summit.”
    â€œWe are?” Ravinder was stunned. One glance at Mohite’s face and he realized the news was not news to him. Damn the man! When will he learn to play for the team? “The Israelis and Palestinians are talking? That’s a surprise, considering the recent terrorist attack on Jerusalem! When did that happen, sir?”
    â€œThat’s what triggered it off. The Americans … in fact the entire international community, has put a lot of pressure on them. Everyone is fed up with the endless bloodshed.”
    â€œAnd India will have the honor of playing host,” Mohite chimed in. “Just imagine! We may help peace return to the Middle East.”
    â€œYes, we are going to be doing exactly that.” Thakur beamed. “Isn’t it great?”
    â€œWhen is it?” Ravinder ignored their euphoria, preferring to focus on the practicalities.
    â€œExactly two weeks from now.” Thakur would not stop beaming. “This is our chance to showcase India.… It is going to be the most critical and game-changing event of our times.”
    â€œTwo weeks?” Ravinder was floored, but the other two were so caught up in their enthusiasm that they missed it.
    â€œPrecisely. It starts on the thirteenth of October.”
    Thirteenth! The number sent a shiver up Ravinder’s spine. Too much had happened to him on that particular date … and none of it good.
    â€œBut that is exactly when the Commonwealth Games are due to start, sir. Such an event will require massive security, and we are already hard-pressed for resources.”
    â€œResources are never available, Mr. Gill”—Thakur waved dismissively—“we have to find them. Don’t you see what this summit will do for India’s prestige?”
    â€œI do, sir, but don’t you—? I mean … one must account for the fact that so many terrorist groups will strive to disrupt it. Palestine is the one cause that all the jihadis use to pull in money and recruits. They will never allow this.”
    â€œAll that is fine, Gill, but we have to make it happen. Maybe things will be simpler if we can keep it