“I don’t have a lot of time, but I came across your blocked access requests.” His eyes shifted to the side and back. “Synaxel isn’t letting you see that data because they’re under investigation and they don’t want that disclosed. Their lead bioethicist quit a year ago.” He lowered his voice and leaned toward the camera. “This goes way beyond Synaxel. I gather from your latest queries that you’re beginning to understand that, too. Your agent will receive a file from an anonymous source. Read it. You’re a smart person. Follow the bread crumbs in there.”

He ended the call before Nithya could say a word. This is too much right now. Her mind felt like it was on the opposite of flow, whatever that would be. Mush? A drug that made it impossible to hold on to a thought.

Sita spoke in her ear. “Do you authorize receipt of a file from an anonymous sender?”

“Yes,” Nithya said.

Part of her wanted to take a pill and delve into the file. Would it solve the mystery of Welga’s malady? Or was it malicious, something from the Machinehood? But that was paranoid thinking. Why would that group care about her or her inquiries into Synaxel?

Never mind all that right now! It’s Carma’s birthday.

“Sita, break down my alcove and make some small tables and chairs for the children.”

“Are you finished with work?” Carma said.

“Yes. Let’s decorate for the party.”

“Papa didn’t answer, but he sent me this picture. Look!”

Oscar and Luis stood in front of an interior wall with a still-wet coat of paint, their faces contorted into silliness. Luis had air-scrawled Happy Birthday and drawn a heart around their image.

Aunty grumbled in Hindi to hide the meaning from Carma. “He could have sung a song at least.”

“He must be asleep or on a gig,” Nithya replied, also in Hindi.

Gig didn’t have a translation from English, so Carma picked up the word. “Papa is always working.”

“And you should be happy for that,” Nithya chided. “It helps put food in your mouth. Go change your dress, Carma. You can wear your new pavadai again when we finish putting up decorations. It’s made from static silk. I don’t want you to get it dirty.”

After Carma closed the bathroom door, Aunty launched. “I don’t know why you defend your husband’s lifestyle. I suppose that’s a modern woman’s duty, eh? To earn the money, take care of the children, and support her husband. What kind of world we are living in! Do you know how we had to fight to stay unmarried? Even though we could earn our keep, our parents thought it was too scandalous or too dangerous or some nonsense. And here you are, giving it all up.”

Nithya held up a hand. “Enough, Chitthi, please.”