Assassins by Mukul Deva Read Free Book Online Page A

she is the bait.
    The thought that she could be setting him up angered Leon further.
    Betrayal could not go unpunished.
    If Leon determined she had shafted him, he planned to make her an example people would remember.
    Besides, she owes me money.
    The gun in his jacket pocket felt reassuring.
    And if she is the target, then I need to find out who else is in the game. More important, why?
    By now Fatima had halted in the middle of the lawn to the right of the Ashoka Pillar. She looked bewildered, gawking at people passing by.
    The taller man closed in and accosted her, pulling out a badge and showing it to her.
    Tourist guides. Leon realized it was like the badge the other tourist guide had flashed at him earlier. Or at least pretending to be.
    He almost laughed with relief, realizing they were likely setting her up. Leon was now certain she was the target, not the bait to unearth him. It was a timeless drill: approach solitary women as tourist guides, get them in a lonely corner, rob them, and, if the opportunity arose, rape them. Fatima would not even see the second guy till it was too late; first the taller one would lull her with sweet talk and tourist-guide stuff. From the ruins of Rome to the pyramids of Cairo and the monuments of Delhi, the same deadly game was played out a dozen times daily.
    Making up his mind with a snap, Leon accelerated. He needed to talk to her, and was confident that Laurel and Hardy would evaporate when they realized their mark was not alone.
    â€œ There you are.” Leon pitched his voice higher, again emphasizing the American accent. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
    A frisson of frustration crossed the taller crook’s face before his guileless smile slid back in place. For a minute Leon thought he would continue his tourist-guide spiel; then without another word he backed off. Leon noticed the other one falter in midstride and also change direction.
    In quick succession Fatima looked startled, confused, and then relieved.
    Continuing with the small talk, Leon casually took her elbow and led her away, toward the base of the monument where the crowd was thickest; there is always safety in numbers.

 
    EIGHT
    Fatima could not decide whether she was relieved Leon had made contact or more stressed at the difficult conversation that lay ahead.
    Before she could settle that question Leon arrowed in. “Care to explain what your people are playing at? Didn’t I make it clear I’d abort if your lot could not keep their mouths shut?” Mindful of the crowd, Leon kept his voice low; however, Fatima did not need to tap into her female intuition to feel his anger.
    â€œYou did. But it wasn’t my fault. I swear,” she pleaded. “We had no idea Cherry Rehmat would turn traitor … and I’m sure Ashok Verma explained it to you. We have already taken care of her.”
    â€œToo bad. That’s not my problem.” Still that same bland undertone. Fatima hated it. “Doesn’t change a thing. I’m pulling out. All I need from you is the five million due to me on reaching Delhi.”
    Fatima now sensed steel in his tone, as though warning her not to renege. Her heart plummeted; she didn’t care about the money, she just wanted him back on track.
    I cannot fail. Not when the end is so near.
    â€œPlease,” she appealed, “please don’t stop now. You have to do this.”
    â€œ Have to? I don’t have to do any such thing.”
    â€œBut you do.” Fatima was almost begging now. “This is not just about money, power, or any such thing. These two men snatched away from me everything that anyone could hold dear.” Fatima saw she wasn’t making any impression; her desperation mounted. “Just hear my side of the story and then decide.” She tugged at his arm. “Please.”
    Something in her tone caught Leon’s attention. Also, perhaps her uncanny likeness to Farah, which drew