Ursemin dropped and I urged him and Tushar to get under the heavy table, not because it would really protect them, but because it would hide them. I called the emergency number and gave the address. “We have shots fired. Repeat, gunshots fired into the house. There are three civilians here, exposed.”
“Don’t move, stay down. Police on their way.”
Another bullet slammed into the room, smashing a lamp high on the wall. Tushar shivered and huddled close. “They’re trying to kill us?”
“Don’t know. Don’t move from under here, okay? Stick with me, and do as I say. Lalit? You too.”
“Yes.”
Seconds ticked by. Sirens in the distance, and shouting—neighbours, possibly. Had Shardul’s team heard? Were they under attack too? I called Shardul’s number. “It’s Javen. Someone’s shooting at Ursemin’s house. We’re inside, police on the way. Make sure your people are safe.”
“Are you?”
“No one’s hurt. For sanity’s sake, keep down if you’re headed here.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
The room was now silent except for our harsh breathing. No more bullets, though the sirens and shouting were louder now.
“Is he still there?” Tushar whispered. “What if he comes in?”
“Too many people watching. It’s probably a long-range shot. The police are here. We’re safe,” I said, hoping it was true.
My phone went. “Sri Ythen? Lieutenant Dawil. We're outside the house. Is everyone safe?”
“Yes. No one’s come inside. We’re in the living room. Front room with the broken window.”
“All right. Don’t move. We’re coming in. Tell your companions we’ll need to check you all.”
“Understood.”
I looked at Tushar. “The police are coming in. When they do, I want you to obey every command quickly and silently. They’ll want to check none of us have guns, or are concealing the gunmen. It’s standard.”
“But we’re the victims,” Ursemin said.
“The gunmen could be in here, forcing our cooperation. It’s okay. Follow my lead.”
Seconds later, the front door burst open. “Police! No one move!”
“In here, lieutenant. We’re under the table.”
I made the others stay where they were until the police entered. “Come out from under there. Slowly,” Dawil said. “Now, through to the kitchen. Stay low, move quickly.”
I led the way, and once we were safe away from the front windows, I identified myself to Dawil. “I’m Javen Ythen.”
“I recognise you, Sri Ythen. Can you vouch for the others?”
“This is Tushar Latangi Omanand, and his manager Lalitchandra Ursemin. Neither is armed. I am. I’m carrying a licensed weapon.”
“Show me.”
I revealed my holster, showed my ID. Dawil was satisfied that none of us was the gunman. “We need to get you out of the house. Whoever it is, could come back. Sri Omanand, you’ve received threats before, I understand.”
“Yes! But not guns!” Tushar shook as I put my arm around his shoulders. “Why won’t they stop?”
“Try to stay calm, Sri Omanand,” Dawil said. “We’ll take you to the station now to get your statements, and then if you want, to a safe house for tonight. Sri Ythen, will you staying with them?”
“Yes.”
“Javen, you don't have to, and the press—”
“Damn the press. I’m sick of lying. It’s not making you any safer.” I hugged Tushar close and dared Dawil to comment.
Dawil told Tushar and Ursemin to pack for a couple of nights away. As I watched Tushar sort out his clothes, I called Shardul again, hoping he might be able to suggest a safe place for them to stay.
“There’s a boarding house here in old Hegal, run by good friends of mine,” he said. “Between our surveillance and the police, we should spot any problem coming.”
“I’ll let them know, if you can arrange it. These people have a problem with a Kelon visitor?”
“Not if they know in advance,” he said, giving nothing away in his tone. “No word on who is doing this?”
“No one saw a thing. The shots came from a distance, most likely. Your people okay?”
“Yes, thank you. Javen....”
“What?”
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Thanks. I, uh, better go. They want us out of the house.”
“Of course. Call me when you know what they want to do.”
Tushar looked at me as I put my phone away. “What did he say?”
“He has a place you can use, if you don’t have something better.”
He wrapped his arms around himself and shivered. “So long as it’s away from windows.”
I went to him and held him close. “Scary, I know.”
“Guns, Javen. Guns and knives. What did I do to these people?”
“Nothing, sweetheart. Come on, sooner we get out of here, the happier you’ll be.”
Someone had tipped off the press, and as we were led out to the police vehicles, camera lights stripped away any chance we had of making a quick getaway. Tushar waved bravely to his fans and the photographers. I held him defiantly, staring at the reporters while refusing to answer any of their questions. Ursemin scurried ahead of us, but insisted on Tushar and me getting into the police auto first. Cameras lit us through the windows until the police drove us clear of the house and the street.
Tushar didn’t like the police station. Couldn't blame him, considering the experiences he’d had with the police, and the reason he was there. Dawil, to be fair, was pleasant and sympathetic, though whether my presence had anything to do with that, I didn’t know. He spoke to Ursemin separately, then took our statements with a minimum of fuss and reassurances that stopped short of promising outright safety.
When we’d signed the record, I asked, “What about Phanindra Benay?”
“The stalker? Ruled out. We’ve had him under surveillance and he was the first person we checked. He’s at home. Hasn’t left his house all evening. Oh, and there’s a note here that I expect Lieutenant Mahre planned to pass on—Benay’s got an alibi for the knife attack. We rechecked shop surveillance footage and he was near his workplace at the time Sri Omanand was assaulted. No way could he have done it.”
“Sri Tushar,” Tushar murmured. “So there are two groups at least who hate me. Maybe three.”
The slight hysterical edge to his voice alerted us, and I pushed the chai Dawil had arranged over to him. “Drink this. You’re safe here. The police will make sure you stay safe.”
“That’s right, Sri Omanand...Tushar. The orders are to maintain around the clock surveillance on you until this case is resolved.”
“What if they never catch the people? I’ll have to live under guard? I won’t. No one can live like that.”
I put my hand on his back. “Shhh. A few days, anyway. It still might be to scare you, make you end your concerts.”
“Regrettably, high profile entertainers such as yourself do run an added risk,” Dawil said.
“It’s late, lieutenant, and Tushar was already tired before all this. Can we wrap this up?”
“Of course. Have you somewhere you wish to stay, or do you need us to arrange a safe house?”
“Shall I call Shardul-ji?” I asked Tushar.
“Please. Or a hotel. You can guard us in a hotel, can’t you?” he asked Dawil.
“Yes. We just need you out of Sri Ursemin’s house so we can investigate it forensically.”
Tushar blinked at me, as if the words meant nothing to him. “Looking for clues,” I said as I pulled my phone out and pressed the fast code for Shardul. “Did I wake you?”
“I was waiting for your call. They would like to stay at the boarding house?”
“Yes, though Tushar said they could stay at a hotel if it’s too much hassle.”
“No, my friends insisted he stay here.” He gave me the address, which I entered into my reader. “I’ve told them wh
o to expect. I’ll meet you there.”
“Thank you.” I put the phone away. “We’re all set.”
“Then let’s go. Thank goodness there’s no show tomorrow,” Ursemin said, staring at Tushar in concern.
“Lieutenant, you’ll keep us informed?”
“Either I or Lieutenant Mahre will, personally.”
“Governor’s orders?”
Dawil straightened and glared at me indignantly. “Not that I know of, Sri Ythen. I don’t know if anyone’s told your father about this...development.”
“Sorry, that was unfair of me. Time to get to bed.”
Ursemin caught up with us outside. “I’ve been taking calls. I think the best way to handle all the media interest is to hold a press conference tomorrow. Javen, if you wanted to be there, you could—”
“Make my position clear?”
“Yes. A little cooperation now in exchange for being left alone later.”
“Good idea. I’ll think about it, but now I want to get this one,” I said, nudging a sleepy Tushar, “and you somewhere you can put this behind you for a few hours.”
“I don’t know what we’d have done without you, Javen.”
“I’ll arrange a ride for you to your accommodation,” Dawil said, coming up behind us. “Sri Tushar, Sri Ursemin, you mustn’t leave that place without informing the police stationed outside. Sri Ythen, we have to assume you might be a target too. Uh...you and Sri Tushar together may make a more tempting target.”
“If they want me to go home, I will.”
Tushar looked up at me and shook his head. “I won’t let these people drive you away. Stay...if you want.”
I kissed him. “I want. There’s your answer, lieutenant.”
“As you wish.”
Tushar rested against me for the short journey, rousing only once to ask his manager if he’d contacted Tushar’s father. Ursemin confirmed he’d sent a message of reassurance. “Javen, what about your family?” Tushar asked.
“I sent my brother a quick message earlier. Everyone else will hear on the news.”
“Oh.” He squeezed my hand but asked nothing more. I was glad not to have to explain.
Shardul was waiting for us, just as he promised, and Sri Ramanuja, his friend who owned the little hostel. I introduced them to the officers accompanying us. Sri Ramanuja then took the police, Tushar and Ursemin inside to check the rooms, but Shardul put his hand on my arm to stay me.
“This worries me greatly,” he said.
“You and me both. Benay’s categorically cleared. Solid alibi for both attacks.”
“But that’s not what worries me. We’ve been monitoring network chatter, as you suggested some time ago. There was no increase in discussion or virulence before either attack, and until the press broke the story, nothing after, either. Whoever it is, isn’t boasting about it on the usual channels.”
“It might not be racially motivated.”
“Hard to imagine what else it could be, unless Tushar has two sets of sexually obsessed stalkers.”
“Not as unlikely as you think, Shardul. Look, it’s late, and I should go in and let him settle in. Thank you for this.”
“It was for all of you, of course.”
“Sure. I’m thanking you for my slice. Um, Ursemin’s going to arrange a press conference. I’m thinking of attending, going public with...you know.”
Shardul stiffened, concern and a little anger coming from him. “You’re making yourself a target. And him,” he added, though almost as an afterthought.
“Dad made me a target when he became governor. The press already know about it, so anyone who wants to take it amiss, can do that without any more help. But if we give the press a few tidbits, that’ll buy them off for a while. I wasn’t asking for your permission.”
“I’m not offering it. I’m merely expressing concern.”
“So noted.” He pursed his lips in irritation, so I added, “But I appreciate it. I know the risk, but I want to protect him.”
“You’ve fallen fast.”
“And hard. He’s very special.”
Shardul bowed. “Then may the Spirit bless your relationship, and guide your path. Good night, Javen.”
“’Night, Shardul.”
He headed off up the street towards his home, pride and disappointment radiating from his straight-backed and always elegant figure. I wanted to call him back, have it out properly with him about Tushar, but what point would it serve? I didn’t want Shardul to hate me over this. He was important to me in so many ways, even if he’d firmly closed off the one way I’d gladly have taken with him.
I rubbed my face. Time for this later. Tushar needed me, and I needed him and a good night’s sleep. With any luck, our mystery attackers would kill themselves out of guilt and leave a handy note explaining their motives, and then Tushar could go back to his normal life. Whether I ever would, I had no idea.
~~~~~~~~
Madan said nothing as I stomped into the office, threw off my coat, and fell onto my chair with a sigh. “What?” I snapped.
“I watched the press conference. I thought you handled things well.”
“That won’t be what my family think. Fortunately I don’t care what my family think. Tell me something normal.”
“My daughter’s pregnant.”
“Really? Wow.” Guiltily I remembered I’d not been the least support to Tara lately, nor had I done anything about finding my own place to live. “Okay, that’s pretty normal. Uh, and congratulations. But I meant about this place.”
“Javen, it’s never normal in here. Where’s Sri Tushar?”
“Back at the hostel, resting. Writing music, probably. He’s under guard. The police have got nothing. Nothing. The shooters used ceramic bullets, so no way of tracing them from that, and no one saw a thing until the window shattered. We think it was fired from the roof of an unoccupied house a little way up the street.”
“Not a very accurate place to pick someone off.”
“If that’s what they’re doing. I get the feeling it’s all about warning Tushar off, but there’s been no messages, which you’d expect. Shardul says there’s been no increase in chatter from the whackos either.”
Madan tugged his ear as he considered this. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say it sound more like a jealous lover than a racist.”
Could it really be that simple? “Tushar’s ex! He said he’d broken up with him rather messily, but...beloved reason, don’t tell me they missed something that obvious.” I reached for my phone. “But of course, until two days ago, they thought they had the perp.” I spoke into the phone. “Yeah, Lieutenant Mahre or Lieutenant Dawil? Thanks.” I looked at Madan as I waited to be connected. “Still, no note, and Tushar doesn’t connect it with him. But he said his boyfriend...hello, lieutenant. My partner’s just brought up something and I wanted to know if you’d followed it up. Tushar’s ex-lover apparently didn’t want him to come to Hegal to perform. They broke up pretty hard. Anyone checked out where he is? No, don’t know his name. He lives in Tushar’s hometown. I’m not with him right now. Sure. Anytime.”
I closed the call and tossed the phone onto my desk. “They didn’t even know about the guy. Mahre says he’ll chase it right up. Cursed insanity, is this the answer?”
“Makes as much sense as any other theory. Um, we do have some actual paying work to look at, if you’re up to it.”
“I’d better. The kids are back next week. Please, let this all be over by then.”
“And which deity is to answer your prayer, Javen?”
I made an extremely rude gesture, to which he responded by grinning and sending a stack of messages over to my account.
I did my work like a good little business owner and employer, and even managed to carry out some moderately responsible conversations, but my mind was on Tushar and the possibly vengeful ex-boyfriend. When I had done enough to satisfy conscience and my hard-working partner, I called Tushar at the hostel. “Hey, sweethear
t. How are you?”
“I’m bored. Come play with me.”
I laughed. “I wish. Did Lieutenant Mahre call you?”
“About Mitul? Yes. But it can’t be him, Javen. He’d never fire a gun.”
“Jilted lovers do all kinds of things they wouldn’t normally. And it might be someone he’s asked to scare you off. So if you see him or anyone from back home you recognise, you call me, or call the police.”
“None of my people would do such a thing.”
It wasn’t worth upsetting him about, at least not until we had some idea if this Mitul was in Hegal or not. “What are you doing for lunch? I can’t get away until supper.”
“Someone from an entertainment channel is coming to take me out. Nice of them, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, altruistic as hell. So you’ll be on the media feeds again.”
“Looks like. Have you seen the footage from this morning? You look so handsome. And your family...um....”
“Yeah, um. Let’s just say my looks won’t do much for my reputation in their eyes. My brother’s family will be excited.”
“I want to meet them. How wonderful to have a twin brother. That’s a great blessing, you know.”
“I sure do. Once this stuff is behind us, I’ll introduce you.”
“Yes, let’s not drag them into it now. Do you miss me too, Javen?”
“Jealous brat, yes, I do. But I have a very boring job I have to do so I can pay my two hard-working assistants, so don’t even think of tempting me away.”
“Me? I’d never.” But the gale of laughter that followed called him a dirty liar. “Will you see Shardul-ji soon? I didn’t have a chance to thank him last night.”
“I might, and I’ll pass the message on. I have to go. Be careful when you leave, okay?”
“For you, I will. ‘Bye, Sri Sexy Voice.”
Madan caught my grin. “The lad certainly makes you happy.”
“Doesn’t he. He’s so...full of life, and no malice in him at all. It draws people to him. I wish my parents weren’t so bigoted. I know he’d charm them.”
“Some people are resistant to all our charms,” he said. “Tushar’s doing great things for the indigenous reputation. If he opens doors for more of our entertainers, we’ll owe him a huge debt.”
Different Senses Page 34
