I hoped that Willy, Chhotu, and Bikas were far from Bombay. Still, I looked over my shoulder at every turn, eyed every motorcyclist and blue Ambassador that crossed my path. I didn’t need to worry about the white Mercedes; the police had impounded it the night Chhotu tried to kill me. And, to be sure no one entered my flat without my knowing it, I attached a small piece of cello tape to the doorjamb near the top each time I left home. I cut the strip halfway so that it would tear if someone opened the door. That way, it couldn’t re-stick itself to the wood without leaving evidence that it had been opened.

And I even visited my old pal Inspector Lokhande. We had a long talk in his office, where I told him about my escape in Poona. I gave him all the details I could. That Bikas was working for Willy, who had ordered the hit on Lokhande’s nephew. He squinted at me.

“So, if this Bikas fellow was working for Smets, tell me, what was he looking for in your flat?”

“Evidence of my …”

“Your love affair with that mulgi? I tell you, Dan, I don’t like that. I don’t approve.”

I said nothing. He wouldn’t have understood the way I felt about her. He probably assumed I was just after a good time.

“Look, Dan,” he said. “If I had a photo of this Bikas, I’d have my men ask around. See if he’s been in the area. We might have a chance of catching him.”

I drew a sigh. “Inspector, if I had a photo of him, I’d share it with you. But I swear I don’t.”

I went back to the office. It was awkward at first. Everyone had witnessed the scene when Frank pretended to fire me. He made up a story that I’d begged for my job back and he’d decided to give me another chance.

That didn’t mean he was happy with the dud of an ending to my surefire Pulitzer story. I updated him on everything that had happened, including Chhotu and Bikas’s failed attempt on my life. Yes, I told him, Bikas turned out to have been part of the story all along.

“The police are looking for Smets here and abroad,” I said. “Be patient. They’ll get him, and we’ll have a great ending to this story.”

He shook his head in disgust, and I sensed I’d never win back his confidence.