Willy stood there in the corridor, aiming his flashlight into my eyes. When he lowered the beam, I realized he wasn’t alone. Chhotu and Bikas glared at me from behind him. The big boy stepped around Willy and pointed a gun at my chest.

“This is an unexpected gift,” he said. “Bikas has a score to settle with you, Dan.”

“Stop,” said Willy.

He entered the bedroom and approached me carefully. He flashed the light on my hands then back up to my chest.

“Not armed, Danny Boy?” he asked.

I shook my head.

He came closer. Close enough to kiss me. He regarded me for a long moment, as if searching for the answer to some riddle in my eyes. At length, he ordered Chhotu and Bikas to wait in the drawing room.

“We don’t have much time,” said Chhotu in protest. “Let Bikas take care of this worm.”

“I said wait in the other room,” repeated Willy. “Keep an eye out the windows for signs of activity, and we’ll leave in plenty of time.”

Willy turned to me again. Was he puzzled or hurt? I couldn’t tell in the dark. Then he motioned to the bed and told me to make myself comfortable. I sat beside Sushmita’s pillow. He drew up a chair, lit a candle on the nearby dresser, and switched off the torch. The effect was quite spooky, with the dancing flame illuminating his face, throwing shadows across his prominent mouth, nose, and brow. He waited a good long time before finally speaking.

“I never expected to see you here, Danny. How did you find out about this place?”

Now that I could see his face, I saw that he was worried. Maybe he was doubting the integrity of his security. If I’d found him, might the police discover his hideout as well? Maybe I’d even brought them with me and they were waiting outside.

“I’ve known about it for some time now,” I said.

“So you’ve been here before? This is where you and Sushmita …”

I nodded.

“And have you come alone?”

“Who would I bring? The CBI? CID? FBI?”

He ran a hand over his lips and down his chin as he tried to read me. “You’re wet. You came on foot,” he said. It wasn’t a question. “From the station. That’s a couple of kilometers. Why? Why have you come here? Were you hoping to find Mita?”

“No.”

“Then you’ve come looking for me?”

I held my breath. I wasn’t going to tell him about the film. That was all he needed to murder me with no further worries.

“No. I … came to see this place one last time. For sentimental reasons.”

“You have more courage than good sense, Danny. We only stepped out to fill the petrol tank. Otherwise, we would have welcomed you at the door. Did you not expect to find me here?”