Chapter 44

Caroline

‘We’ve found her!’ Janiki’s voice was so loud Caroline had to hold the phone away from her ear. ‘We’ve found her, Caroline, I know exactly where she is! We’ve found her!’

‘Where – how…’ Caroline could only stutter.

‘She’s in a house in Kamathipura. Kamal has to go and look at her between three and four; the trouble is I can’t find him anywhere. He’s gone out with Sudesh – the social worker – and no one knows where they are. I don’t think I’ll find him in time. God, how I wish he had one of those mobile phones!’

‘If you know where she is, if you have an address, can’t you just send in the police? Why do you need Kamal?’

‘Caroline – you heard what Dr Ganotra said. You can’t trust the police! They are paid by those pimps. They’re absolutely in their pocket – they’re all thugs together. If we run to the police I can guarantee that within five minutes they’ll put Asha somewhere else and we’ll never find her again. No, I’ve set up an appointment for Kamal and he’s the one who has to go – I’ll explain later how, but now I just wanted to ask if you’ve seen him? If he’s been in touch?’

‘No,’ said Caroline. ‘Kamal hasn’t been in touch. The only person I’ve seen since yesterday is Gita. She’s coming to pick me up at two. In fact…’ She looked at her watch. ‘It’s nearly two now. She could be here any time.’

‘Damn. Damn damn damn. I should have tried to force a night appointment, we’d have had more time to find him.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Just thinking aloud. I need to do something, postpone the appointment. He won’t be pleased.’

‘Who won’t be pleased? What’s going on?’

‘I’ll explain later – it’s just that I went to a lot of trouble to get this appointment and Kamal is supposed to go and look at her through a peephole to confirm he wants her and then he can buy her tomorrow. We have to negotiate a final price; but he has to make a down payment today, before he views her. It’s complicated. One lakh rupees he has to advance today.’

‘How much is that in dollars?’

‘A lakh is a hundred thousand. At today’s rate it’s about one thousand five hundred dollars.’

‘I’ll pay it. I’ll go myself. I’ll cash some traveller’s cheques and go. Or go to HSBC bank; Wayne told me he’d wire money to my account there.’

‘Wait. Let me think this through. Someone has to go but he expects a man. They don’t know what Kamal looks like, so any man can go – but the problem is, only Kamal can really identify her. I might be able to get one of Dr Ganotra’s team but they’re all out working right now. It’s too short notice. The money has to be paid to the brothel madam.’

‘Make up some story – tell them Kamal can’t come so he sent me instead. Tell them anything. As long as I hand over the money – just for looking, that’s a crazy amount – they shouldn’t mind.’

‘An American woman instead of an Indian man? It just sounds fishy. He’d never believe me. He’d know something’s up.’

They both fell silent, thinking. Then Caroline said:

‘I know someone who might do it. If they don’t know what Kamal looks like any man will do, right?’

‘What man is this, Caroline? You can’t just pick a man off the street—’

‘No! Somebody I met. An Indian. Same age as Kamal. I told him the story. He knows. He’ll help, I’m sure. I just have to ask him.’

Yes, Hiran would help. She’d apologise for walking away last night. For being so rude after he’d been so gallant, so helpful. She’d beg him to help. He’d been so supportive; of course he’d do it. She’d promise him anything, anything. He’d said he had today free; maybe she’d find him, ask him, offer herself – whatever he wanted. Just let him go and find Asha.

‘He’ll do it. Janiki. I’m completely sure. He’s nice. He’s helpful.’

‘Well…’

‘Janiki! It’s our chance! We have to, don’t you see? Just give me the address. I’ll go and talk to Hiran – that’s his name. Get the money, and it’s done.’

‘Well I guess that’s a good enough option. You said he knows the whole story?’

‘Yes. I was – I was lonely last night and I told him everything. He really cares, Janiki. He’ll help, I’m sure. I’ll show him a photo of Asha so he can recognise her. Are you sure it’s Asha, by the way?’

‘Absolutely certain.’

‘Well then. Let me do that. I need to do something, Janiki. I feel so helpless. Let me do this. Let me. Please!’

‘Hmmm… well, I suppose it would work. He only has to hand over the money, say the password and look through a peephole. That’s it, really.’

‘See? It’s not much. He’ll do it.’

‘Ok. I’ll give you the address and the password. Have you got something to write with?’

‘Hold on a minute… yes. Fire away.’

Janiki dictated the address, spelling out the Hindi words as Caroline wrote them down in her diary. ‘And you need a password. The password is Blue Lily.’

‘Got it,’ said Caroline.

‘OK then. I guess that’s it. Confirm it’s her, and tomorrow Kamal buys her back. That part should be simple enough – he’s supposed to be buying her as a live-in companion and maid.’

‘Ugh. Horrible. Makes me want to puke.’

‘I know. But if it works that’s all that matters.’

But Hiran was not in his room. He was not in the dining room either. He had probably gone sightseeing on his own, and now she was stuck with the address: a priceless winning ticket and no one to redeem it.

She had left a note for Gita at reception, and indeed, there was Gita waiting for her, jumping to her feet at her approach.

‘Hi,’ said Caroline. ‘I’ve got news.’

She gave Gita a quick summary of the situation.

‘So either we have to find a man to replace Kamal immediately, or—’

‘Or we lose this chance,’ Gita finished.

‘No. Or I go myself.’

‘You must be crazy! It has to be a man!’

‘I’ll fix that,’ said Caroline. She opened her handbag and showed Gita a large wad of banknotes. ‘Money speaks. It’s just a brothel manager who will show me Asha, not the actual pimp. I’ll give her the money for the pimp as arranged – see, there it is in the envelope, all counted out – and pay her extra for letting me in instead of a man and keeping her mouth shut. An extra lakh. It’s nothing for me, and a fortune for her. She’ll do it. I bet she’ll do it.’

‘Caroline, you’re—’

‘Brilliant, right?’

‘I was going to say crazy. But brilliant will do. And brave.’

‘Maybe all three. But c’mon. Let’s roll.’