“So that is your position. You refuse to tell me what made you suspicious that your grandmother’s death might possibly not have been natural.”

“I don’t refuse. I offered to tell you but in neutral territory. I don’t like being locked up in this bunker.”

Veena got to her feet. “I guess you’ll just have to wait until morning. I have a strong sense that if you think about it overnight, you will see the benefit of dealing with me and not the others.”

“I wouldn’t count on it, Nurse Chandra,” Jennifer said without moving.

Veena walked back to the door and suddenly wrested it open. Cal almost tumbled into the room from having his ear pressed against it.

“I think she needs some more darkness,” Veena said. She pushed by the two men and climbed the stairs.

Cal grabbed the heavy door, and after giving Jennifer a quick glance, pulled it shut, locked it, and followed Durell up the stairs. After locking the upper door, he walked over to where Durell and Veena were chatting.

“That was mighty fast,” Cal commented. “Didn’t you try to convince her?”

“Not a whole lot. Couldn’t you hear through the door?”

“Not very well.”

“She’s very adamant. At the moment, trying to convince her of anything is a waste of time. My sense is she’ll feel differently in the morning, and I told her as much. Another fifteen or sixteen hours in absolute darkness and isolation will do wonders. I don’t have to go to the hospital tomorrow, as it is Saturday. I told her what the conditions are, and I told her I’d be back.”

The two men looked at each other and nodded. “Sounds good,” Cal said, but with a tone that suggested he wasn’t convinced.

They walked back to the bungalow. “Are we watching a movie tonight?” Veena asked.

“Yeah, we got a good one,” Durell said. “Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven.”

“I need distraction,” Veena said. “I’m still tense from worrying about Maria Hernandez having an autopsy. I can’t get it out of my mind.”

When they got to the bungalow, Veena headed toward her room. “See you guys at dinner.”

Cal and Durell watched her walk away.

“She’s really smart,” Durell said. “I think she’s absolutely correct about the Hernandez woman.”

“She smart alright, but now I’m bothered by her sudden flat affect. That’s the way she was when she went off and ODed. We should stop by her room every couple of hours and make sure she’s okay. And whoever sees Petra and Santana first, tell them to do the same.”

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

OCTOBER 19, 2007
FRIDAY, 4:40 P.M.
NEW DELHI, INDIA