Meeting Max

by Richard Brumer

  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.

  “Please, come sit and we will talk. We have a very well-stocked mini bar. Please, what would you like?”

  “Nothing for me right now,” Elena said, slipping her hand into Rick’s.

  “I’m okay, thanks,” Rick said.

  “Fine. We can talk for a while and then have a nice lunch. Rick, it is a pleasure to meet you.” Kamran smiled pleasantly as he spoke. “Jassu has told me you are a biology professor. It is a noble profession. It is a good thing to pass your acquired wisdom to your students. Each generation must absorb what has gone before.”

  “It helps me too,” Rick said. “The students invigorate me and keep my mind going with their questions,” he said nervously. “Biologists are delusional optimists. We keep searching for dramatic new directions.”

  “Such as what?” Kamran asked, opening his palms.

  “The Genome Project, for one, sir. Sequencing holds great promise to eliminate many diseases. We’re busy learning the language of genes.”

  “It may be the language of God,” Kamran said with a shrug.

  “Maybe, sir. You never know.”

  “Knowledge is a wonderful gift, Rick. It reshapes our civilization and constantly creates new ones. It is too bad there is so much cruelty in our world. We have had wars since the beginning of time. Why do you think that continues?”

  “It must be part of man’s basic nature to make war. We call ourselves civilized and yet we go on killing people.”

  A chill passed over Rick. He was standing in front of a man who intended to kill many people quite soon. Kamran explained it all away with his dogma, and Rick believed he deceived even himself.

  Kamran sat back in his chair and stroked his chin. “What you say is true, but wars have contributed to innovation. Think of the Great Wall of China and your Manhattan Project during World War II, which I believe was a necessary war.”

  “Yes,” Rick replied. “A lot of learning took place as a result of your examples. Some evil people can convince the masses to believe something that is wrong will be good for them. Hitler, for example. I’m happier with other innovations, more positive ones.”

  “Such as?” Kamran leaned forward.

  “Well, space exploration, for one. I see our planetary system becoming the back yard for Earth.”

  “Well, that could bring wars too, even on a grander scale.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think it will. Ever
since the 1950s, space exploration has been a unifying experience between nations. It’s just the beginning for us. There are no new places to find anymore on Earth. We know where everything is. We have to go beyond our world to other planets. True, we’re only a dot in our galaxy, but it’s our dot and our civilization.”

  “I like your thinking,” Kamran said, nodding. “Although I am not so sure that we have explored all aspects of our planet. I believe we are polluting the air and our oceans will get warm. Everything we have here on Earth now is the result of the building blocks of the past. Maybe new science will lead us to other heavenly bodies when earth will no longer support human life.”

  Rick felt that Kamran was a thinker, but he knew the dark side of his politics and his ominous sense of justice.

  For a man who thinks war and violence is a bad thing, he isn’t living his beliefs, and he’s putting on an act for us. I have to keep him engaged in conversation. I need time to think of an escape strategy.

  Rick hoped against all odds that if Kamran saw Rick and Elena as kindred spirits, he might let them go. Anything could happen, but Kamran was in control.

  “Rick, it seems you and Elena have a liking for each other,” Kamran said, smiling again.

  “Yes, we plan to marry.”

  “Shubh Kaamnaayein. Good luck to you both.”

  “Thank you. Sometimes, love just happens.” Rick smiled.

  “Yes, of course. Has she told you anything of our plans?”

  “Not really, except that many people feel Pakastani Nationals are being held in Indian jails for no reason and that you’re planning an action in Delhi to protest their imprisonment.” Rick spoke with a straight face, trying to act naïve.

  “I see. A demonstration, you mean, and she told you nothing else?”

  “No, nothing, but I think it’s good that people protest against injustice. In the sixties, in my country, there were demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. It was a protest rally against injustice, like the one you are planning. It brought positive change.”

  “So, it was demonstrations she told you about?”

  “Yes, but why the guns?”

  “What guns?” Kamran answered, frowning.

  “The guns Sudar and Tariq carry. I saw them.”

  “India can be a dangerous place. It’s difficult for me to believe that Elena didn’t tell you more. After all, you are lovers.”

  Rick smiled and shook his head. “Lovers don’t bother with serious topics.” Rick felt Elena squeezing his hand. “Politics were the last thing on our minds, if you know what I mean.”

  “Well, I have to tell you, Rick, I don’t believe you know so little, but maybe Elena’s feelings for you told her that it would be better for you if she left you in the dark. I cannot take the chance that you do not know more than you say. We plan something more than demonstrations.”

  “Uh, well, that’s good. I didn’t know that. Sounds like you’ve got something great going on here. Would it be all right for us to leave after lunch? We still haven’t told our parents about our marriage plans. It would be a wonderful surprise for them.”

  “Well, that might not be a good idea for two reasons. One is that our plan is very important to us, and two, I believe you have knowledge of it, so it would be in our interest for you to stay with us until tomorrow night. Elena probably used her usual good judgment and perhaps did not tell you everything, but you must know that it would be prudent for me not to take that chance.”

  “Please, sir, let us leave after lunch. We would disappear.”

  “Even if I considered it an option, we would still need Elena’s services at the airport.”

  “Please reconsider. You’re a very sensitive and caring man. I feel it. Please, let us go,” Rick begged.

  “That is something I cannot do. Our plan is to take the defense minister hostage. Elena’s presence will put him at ease. She will be with him for a few minutes, then you are both free to go. Within weeks, a large sum of money will be left for Elena in her Indian account. Use it well. I wish the two of you the best of luck in your lives together.”

  “Kamran, I give you my word as a gentleman that neither I nor Elena will divulge anything about your operation. Please let us leave after lunch. Elena and I love each other. There appears to be a human quality about you that I respect. What Elena and I share is beautiful. We want to be married and be together always. Can you please trust us?”

  “I request you both stay with us until after our job is done. Elena has been very helpful getting the information we need. I will assign someone to stay with you, Rick, and protect you at the airport. Elena will be protected as well, so you will have nothing to worry about.

  “After Elena leaves the biplane with the defense minister on it, two well-trained commandos will deliver her to you. I will not fail you in this matter. I am human and aware of your feelings for each other. You can trust me.”

  He ‘requests’ we stay with them. They have the guns!

  After a lavish lunch, Elena and Rick were shown to a fashionable suite in the hotel. Kamran assured them he would post two men outside their door in case they needed anything. The staff of the Suryagarh Hotel had been advised to fulfill their every request.

  The suite was the paramount of wanton luxury. It combined modern and medieval styles. A king-size bed with a canopy sat in the middle of the bedroom, covered with a quilt of the finest fabric.

  The sitting room had a well-stocked bar complete with an assortment of the finest liquors and mixers. The large bathroom had an oversized pink tub with a colorful tropical fish tank embedded in the wall above it. Full bottles of shampoos, bath salts, sandalwood soaps, and lotions were arranged around the tub. Hanging alongside the door were two plush, white, terrycloth robes.

  They ordered two Masala dosas as a snack to have with a bottle of 1997 Bollinger Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Francaises , which they saw on the menu for a mere five hundred USD. They ate in order to be energized in case they had to run.

  Rick looked through the draperies. He saw Tariq standing on the street across from the entrance to the hotel.

  Damn. We are hostages. We should have left the desert and gone to the train station, but Sudar said they had already looked for us there and the airport.

  Elena and Rick were exhausted, but felt that they would not be in any real danger. After all, Elena had done her job. She gave Kamran the necessary time schedules of the defense minister. The last thing she was asked to do was to assure the minister that he was in safe hands during the operation, but too much hung over Rick and Elena. Kamran’s mission was like a suffocating blanket.

  It will be over soon.

  In the lush bathtub, only candlelight surrounded them. They poured some of the cold bubbly champagne over each other’s hair and watched the bubbles of the expensive champagne stream down their faces. They kissed, said nothing, then went to bed and lost themselves in passion. That was their escape, for now.

  Sudar knocked on the door at four in the morning. “Come, come, you have twenty minutes.”

  They dressed, checked for their passports, and left. Soon, they would be free.

  Chapter 20

  They arrived at the airport at five in the morning. The sun would not rise until nearly seven, and it would be dark for almost two more hours. Ali had already placed two high impact C4 explosives in the road that led to Jaisalmer, and Nasim, Raj, and their team were in town with a van full of containers of gasoline, explosives, and blasting caps. Elena was on the biplane, and Kamran was nowhere in sight

  The airport had limited scheduling this time of year, but a few people were lined up in the terminal to check-in for the only outgoing flight to Jodhpur, which was almost fully booked. Sudar and Rick were at the end of the line, acting as passengers.

  “Soon, you and Elena will be on your own,” Sudar said, putting his arm around Rick in a friendly manner.

  “I can’t wait.”

  “I am wishing you very good luck in your marriag
e.”

  “Do you think I can trust Kamran when he said Elena will just spend a few minutes in the biplane before they let her go?”

  “Kamran is a gentleman, a man of his word, and she will be well-protected by our commandos.” Sudar patted him on the back as if they were brothers. “You are not to worry.”

  “I hope so.”

  Rick watched Sudar as he looked at a green light flash on his two-meter ham rig. He held it to his ear and raised his hand. The action began.

  ***

  Two men who were part of the attack team, dressed as passengers in the line, started a fake fight. The only police officer in the terminal ran to break it up.

  Sudar yelled, “Kill him, kill him!”

  One of Kamran’s men shot the officer three times and left him on the floor with blood spilling out of his mouth. The attack team, as a distraction, set off harmless flash explosives in the terminal to prevent everyone from noticing the commotion going on outside. The blasts sounded through the terminal and gave off spirals of black smoke.

  Everyone was traumatized, shaking and coughing as they sought cover behind stacks of luggage, diverting their attention away from any outside activity. Then everything went black. Not even the backup generators worked.

  From the terminal, Rick surveyed the scene outside. He saw no activity from the fighter planes and assumed they were disabled by sniper fire. The lead car was in flames. He watched the second car, the one carrying the minister, come to an abrupt stop.

  Rick’s heart pounded and he hoped Elena would be safe in the biplane. It was far from the action. The police officer and the two security officers in the minister’s car came out wielding semi-automatic weapons. It only took three headshots from the snipers on the roof of the terminal to kill them, but Kamran’s men arrived too late and the minister evaded capture.