“So you peeked, did you?”

“I knew I’d want to call you.”

It was good to hear her say that. “I had the number changed and never bothered to change the label.” Actually, he purposely had left the old label in place.

“I have a favor to ask you,” she said.

“Anything.” Almost anything.

“The U.K. Mission is holding a reception tonight. Will you accompany me?”

Jack mulled that for a few seconds. His first impulse was to refuse. He hated parties. He hated gatherings. And a gathering of U.N. types, the most useless people in the world… it was a grim prospect.

“I don’t know… “

“Please? As a personal favor? Otherwise I shall have to go with Kusum.”

It was a choice then between seeing Kolabati and not seeing her. That wasn’t a choice.

“Okay.” Besides, it would be fun to see Burkes’ face when he showed up at the reception. He might even rent a tux for the occasion. They set a time and a meeting place—for some reason, Kolabati didn’t want to be picked up at Kusum’s apartment—and then a question occurred to Jack.

“By the way, what’s durba grass used for?”

He heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. “Where did you find durba grass?”

“I didn’t find any. As far as I know, it only grows in India. I just want to know if it’s used for anything.”

“It has many uses in traditional Indian folk medicine.” She was speaking very carefully. “But where did you even hear about it?”

“Came up in conversation this morning.” Why was she so concerned?

“Stay away from it, Jack. Whatever it is you’ve found, stay away from it. At least until you see me tonight!”

She hung up. Jack stared uneasily at his big tv screen on which an empty pair of trousers was silently chasing a terrified woman down an English country lane. There had been something strange about Kolabati’s voice at the end there. It had sounded almost as if she were afraid for him.

7

“Stunning!” said the saleswoman. Vicky looked up from her book. “You look pretty,

Mommy.”

“Smashing!” Nellie said. “Absolutely smashing!” She had brought Gia to La Chanson. Nellie had always liked this particular boutique because it didn’t look like a dress shop. From the outside, with its canopied entrance, it looked more like a chic little restaurant. But the small display windows on either side of the door left little doubt as to what was sold within.

She watched Gia standing before a mirror, examining herself in a strapless cocktail dress. It was mauve and silk, and Nellie liked it best of the four Gia had tried on. Gia was making no bones, however, about what she thought of the idea of Nellie buying her a dress. But it had been part of the deal, and Nellie had insisted that Gia hold up her end.

Such a stubborn girl. Nellie had seen her examining all four dresses for a price tag, obviously intending to buy the cheapest one. But she hadn’t found one.