“What kind of hell? What’s happened to them?” Hannah slid into the chair across from Max. Amelia leaned against the wall and waited for his reply.

“You know her people are Hindus. Well, it seems there was an issue about a mosque being built on what was considered a Hindu holy site, and this triggered hostilities on both sides. The mayor, a Hindu, was ambushed and killed by God knows who, which led to the looting and burning of a prominent Muslim businessman’s home. After that, it degenerated into a free-for-all.

“Sarina’s brother-in-law, the accountant, was shot and wounded in the leg on the way to his office. They think it was a random shooting, but it’s crazy over there, Zachary says, and everyone suddenly has a gun. Sarina’s entire family and all their servants have fled to their home in the south. Just as well, it seems, for after they left, one of their stores was torched. Sarina’s baby is due next month, and they felt they’d be safer here until the turmoil gets straightened out—if it ever does.”

“How frightening to live in a world like that,” Amelia said. “People shooting other people, burning property.”

“After the Twin Towers going down, I wonder if we’re much safer, or if safety is just an illusion.” Hannah shook her head.

“I think of India as a peaceful country, and Hindus as tolerant of all religions,” Amelia said.

“This Muslim/Hindu hatred has taken root in many parts of India,” Max said. “No one knows where it will lead. Zachary did the right thing. Sarina will have the baby here.” Satisfaction showed in his eyes.

Hannah knew Zachary had been hardheaded in expressing his dislike of Covington. He had been cruel and had rejected his father and his father’s business, and had hurt Max deeply. Max had buried the hurt, and despaired of ever seeing any grandchildren. Had Max told Zachary that she and Max were married? If he had, what had been his son’s reaction? Hannah did not trust or like Zachary, and she was certain that if his reaction had been positive, it was not sincere.

An uneasy feeling settled over her. Their pleasant lives were about to be cast into confusion.

Hannah looked at Max. “Have you told Zachary that we’re married?”

Max shook his head. “There’s been no time. Sarina was exhausted, traveling this late in her pregnancy. She collapsed when we got her upstairs. The fright and the stress of it all, leaving her family and home, the trip—it was too much for her. We got her into bed, and Zachary took her up some chicken soup. If she relaxes and falls asleep, he’ll be down, I imagine.”