Jacky extended her hand. “I’m Jacqueline DeSilva.”

“Marty mentioned that,” she said, shaking hands. “I’m Radhika Fernandez.”

“I do know you. You have a show on ITN…? I knew I recognized you!”

The Independent Television Network was a Sri Lankan state-governed network that broadcast content in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Rad was a longtime host of an English travel show that chronicled her travels throughout South Asia.

“Mad Rad, that’s me,” said Rad. “Would you care to join us for a drink?”

“Sure—”

“I don’t think so—”

“Don’t be so rude, Marty.” To Jacky, “Have you ever been to Beach Wadiya?”

∆∆∆

Beach Wadiya was less than two blocks away from the pier, located along a stretch of Galle Face that overlooked virgin beach. It was a Thursday night and the pub was crowded. The hostess showed them to a table that was being cleared of dishes and wiped down. A waitress promptly came by, and Rad and Jacky ordered the same cocktail.

“Marty?” Rad said.

“Nothing for me.”

She said to the waitress, “A Scotch on the rocks for Mr. Grumpy Pants here.”

“No, thank you,” Marty told the girl.

“Yes, please,” insisted Rad. “In fact, make it a double.” Then she sat down at the table with Jacky, and the two of them began chatting like old friends. The waitress blended back into the milling crowd. Reluctantly Marty sat as well. For the next several minutes he listened silently to Jacky and Radhika’s animated conversation. Jacky was asking about an episode of Rad’s show filmed in the mountain range that ran parallel to the west coast of India. Rad and her crew had been exploring a cave when they came across a twelve-inch-long centipede hanging from the rocky ceiling by some of its feet and feeding on a dead bat. It had devoured most if its meal in about three hours (which Rad’s production team had time-lapsed down to a handful of seconds).

“It makes my skin crawl thinking about that little horror,” Jacky said, shivering. “And you pitched your tents right outside the cave! Weren’t you afraid that the centipede might crawl into your sleeping bag at night?”

“I made sure my tent was zipped up. Besides, centipedes, no matter how large, don’t attack humans unless in self-defense. They prefer more manageable prey like frogs, mice, birds, small snakes.”

“I think you’re incredibly brave. You’d never catch me in half the places you’ve visited.”

The waitress returned with the drinks. Marty immediately took a burning sip of his Scotch, while Jacky and Radhika clinked their blue cocktails in a toast.

“Lovely meeting you, Rad,” Jacky said.

“Likewise, Jacky,” said Rad.

“Did you two want to get a private room?” Marty quipped.

“Ooh, a threesome,” said Rad. “I’m up for that! I’ve been trying to get Marty to be a little more adventurous in bed for some time now!”

He scowled. “That’s not what I meant—”

“How long have you two been together?” Jacky asked.

“We’re not together,” Marty said promptly.