Chapter 11:// Eating out

 

The biggest problem with meeting in a fast-food joint, was where to hide away the cobra. Bhai Sharan sent her off to the alley, with explicit orders not to bite anyone. No reason working for free, after all.

He stepped inside the place and got a few glances, for his exotic look. But nothing more. Except one, who had met his gaze and was sweating profusely.

The man waiting was old, important. He wore a suit and was sitting in a booth, sipping on one of those tall cups of coke. He was totally out of place, but then again, who was Bhai Sharan to judge?

He sat across the man, whose eyes darted around. “You weren’t followed?” he said nervously.

Bhai Sharan sat straight and eyed the man, with his single eye. “Of course not,” he said coldly. “So, first part is done. What do our employers say?”

“I didn’t say anything about employers! I’m the one hiring you,” he said trying to appear calm.

“Don’t insult my intelligence,” Bhai Sharan said. The suited man was old, with grey hair. Acting on behalf of his employer, he was important enough to handle a matter as delicate as this, but expendable enough to set aside should something go wrong. “This can only come from one group of people, we both know that. You, no matter how high your credentials and how many stocks you own, are not in that group of people.”

The old man was shocked. “I-I cannot confirm or deny that.” He shook his head. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. Yes, we have confirmation of the first part. The accident went well. The surgery had a complication but we handled the matter,” the man said waving his hand dismissively.

“What complication?” Bhai Sharan hissed. He was good at that, hissing, even without many ‘s’ sounds. Hanging out with snakes all day had that effect on you.

“The… mark, you chose, asked for a second-hand prosthetic for some reason. But we reprogrammed the nanodaemons quickly. Everything should go as planned.”

“I see. What does our employer want me to do next?” the snake-charmer asked.

“You are to wait. Events have been put into motion. Just keep tracking the mark. Once the nanodaemons are activated,” the old man said glancing around, “I will inform you for another meeting.”

Bhai Sharan eyed the man. He knew he was making him uncomfortable, so he waited a few seconds longer before responding. “You could, save the both of us some time and tell me now.” He opened his palms. “We are here after all.”

“No.” The man shook his head and grasped his briefcase. “It’s best to stagger information as it is needed. You will know when the nanodaemons are activated, trust me. Observe the mark, let events play out and then you get your next orders.”

“I thought that by now you’d have faith in my skills. The accident, after all, went very smooth. What was the plan you’d come up with? Kidnap him?” Bhai Sharan said, taunting.

“Keep your voice down! Are you nuts, speaking out loud like that?”

“Nobody is listening,” Bhai Sharan said with a shrug.

“Okay, yes,” the old man whispered. “Your plan was better, and it slid into the next event nicely. All it needed was a call from the PR department to set it up. And your choice of a man… of a mark was spot on. I’ll get you a bonus and everything.”

“All I asked for was some trust. But sure, if you want to add a bonus, that’s fine as well,” the snake-charmer said.

“Okay. Now, leave first, and I’ll wait a few minutes and leave as well,” the old man said, looking for something in his briefcase.

“No. You leave first. Since we’re here, I might as well eat something. I hear the burgers here are excellent.”

The old man stared at him, mouth open. “Aren’t cows sacred or something?” He pointed at the red turban.

“Cows sure are sacred,” Bhai Sharan said smiling, “But haven’t you ever tasted a burger? They’re almost worth it, as sins go.”