“We don’t have all the details yet but she could be our backup target. What the Indian Embassy wants is to be seen stepping in and saving the rioters from harsh sentencing. That will earn them huge credit with their people back home. On our part, we can claim that the statement of this fake undercover police officer has uncovered new evidence that needs to be incorporated. We can ask for a deferment of sentencing. In time to come, the court can pass a lighter sentence on the rioters by claiming that it was this singular act of mischief by this mysterious local woman who triggered the riot. That way, the Indian Embassy is appeased, and the public cannot blame us for kowtowing to pressure because the agent of mischief is one of their own.”

Hashwini felt her head spin. This was surreal, eavesdropping on a conspiracy to implicate her. She glared at Teddy, who had stood up and was pacing the room speaking into the mobile phone in an inaudible whisper. She found it hard to believe that such a sweet and affable creature, who had treated her with unfailing gallantry all these weeks, was in fact a mean and deceitful villain. Had she not overheard the phone conversation, she would never have guessed that he was the one who was plotting to push her into the snake pit.

When Teddy eventually decided to start the game, Hashwini was not able to concentrate. There was always the underlying contest of speed when croupiers dealt for Teddy. Not only could the man count cards as fast as any trained croupier, he always played five hands simultaneously, for he claimed that “5” was his lucky number. That required the croupier to stay sharp and focused. Hashwini was anything but sharp and focused that very moment. Every gesture and every word that came out of Teddy’s lips irritated her. She could now spot the insincerity in his signature dazzling smile that once used to mesmerise her. How could she have been so blind? Teddy was but a more evolved form of the Beast. He was pure malice coated with honey.

By the third game, the pit supervisor had to interrupt and ask if Hashwini was feeling alright. Not only was her dealing slow and clumsy, she was making too many mistakes. Hashwini feigned discomfort; she was having woman trouble. Teddy gallantly excused her and allowed for a change of croupier. Very quickly, another croupier was summoned from the staff lounge to take over.

Jingxuan was chatting with another croupier at the VIP lounge. She waved Hashwini over and pointed at the bowl of chendol she held in her hand. “This is really tasty!” Jingxuan told her. “One of the perks of dealing at the VIP lounge that croupiers at the Mass Gaming Area do not enjoy. You should scoop a bowl for yourself.”