“I’ve heard this word ghat,” Jack said. “What does it mean?”

“In this sense, it means stone steps on a riverbank,” Arun said. “But it also means a hilly range of mountains.”

“We’re aware of this Varanasi plan,” Laurie said. “The hope is that it is special enough to placate the involved families. But I can tell you it didn’t have that effect when it was originally offered, at least with two of the families.”

“So where is Varanasi from here?” Jacked asked.

“It is southeast of Delhi, about halfway to Kolkata,” Arun said.

“How far?”

“Four to five hundred miles,” Arun said. “But it’s all by major highway.”

“Would the bodies going by truck?” Jack asked.

“For sure,” Arun said. “It’ll only take eleven and a half hours or so. They will most likely be cremated late tonight or early in the morning. The burning ghats go twenty-four hours a day. But I have to say, it is unusual. Being cremated at Varanasi is generally limited to Hindus. For them, it is exceptionally good karma. If Hindus die in Varanasi and are cremated there, they immediately achieve moksha, or enlightenment.”

“They must have bribed someone,” Laurie suggested.

“Without doubt,” Arun said. “They would have to have bribed one of the leading Doms for certain. The Doms are the caste that has exclusive rights over the cremation ghats. Or maybe they bribed one of the Hindu Brahmins. The hospitals would have had to bribe one or the other, or both.”

“What’s the city like?” Jack asked.

“It’s one of the most interesting in India,” Arun said. “It is the oldest continuously occupied city in the entire world. Some believe people have been living there for five thousand years. For Hindus, it is the holiest of cities, and especially auspicious for rites of passage, like childhood milestones, marriages, and death.”

“What would be the chances of us meeting up with the two corpses if we were to fly to Varanasi?” Jack asked.

“Now, that’s a question I can’t answer,” Arun said. “I guess reasonably well, especially if you would be willing to spread around a few additional bribes.”

“What do you think?” Jack asked Laurie. “It would be good to get at least urine samples, even if we can’t do full autopsies.”

“Are there flights to Varanasi?” Laurie asked Arun. The idea of a nearly twelve-hour journey was hardly enticing.

“There are, but I have no idea when they leave. Let me check.”

While Arun was making his call, Laurie turned to Neil. “Under normal circumstances, we’d ask if you guys wanted to come. But I still think it best Jennifer stays in the hotel.”

“I agree,” Neil said.

Arun flipped the phone closed. “Several flights have already gone. The last flight is at two-forty-five.”

Both Laurie and Jack checked their watches. It was twelve-forty-five. “That’s only two hours. Could we make it?” Laurie asked.