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“I can’t promise that. Sledge being in that building is the only thing holding them back. If they decide that video was faked, they’re going in.”

Chapter68

Sledge stared at the crack of light coming through the corrugated tin roof. A seam that represented freedom. The metal roof was only four and a half feet from the top of the CONEX container he now called his cell, and the light told him that the section might merely be laid on top of the concrete walls instead of screwed together, like metal palm fronds someone put up to keep out the sun and rain.

Sitting next to the electric lantern, Manjit said, “What are you looking at?”

Startled, Sledge said, “Nothing. Just thinking.”

Between the two terrorists, Manjit was the kind one, if that was even possible. Sledge knew that Kamal would kill him without a moment’s hesitation, but Manjit appeared to be reluctant in his position as his guard. He was definitely the only one willing to converse.

Kamal had gone out to get their dinner—another plate of barely digestible slop, Sledge was sure—leaving Manjit to provide guard duties. Sledge had begun to enjoy the brief interludes when this happened. Kamal wouldn’t say a word except for commands, and had snapped at Manjit when he’d tried to answer a question. But Manjit would talk when Kamal was gone.

Sledge said, “Why are you guys doing this? What’s the point?”

Manjit said, “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me. You know, I’ve spent a lot of time in this country. I’ve seen the poverty, and I’ve tried to help.”

Manjit scoffed and said, “What haveyouever done to help here?”

A little miffed, Sledge said, “I started a foundation called Everclear. It brings clean water to rural areas in India. I’ve dug more wells than anyone.”

He saw recognition on Manjit’s face. “Youstarted Everclear?”

“Yes. You know of it?”

“I’ve seen the wells in my home state.”

“Where is that?”

“Punjab.”

“I know it well. Enjoyed my time there.”

Manjit started to ask a question, then shook his head, saying, “I know what you’re doing. Don’t try to sway me. You know nothing about my home.”

Sledge remained quiet for a moment, then asked, “So why are you doing this?”

“You said you’ve been to Punjab, so you know the plight of the Sikhs.”

“But you’re not Sikh. You don’t have a turban or a beard. I thought you were Muslim.”

“We’re Sikh, and I don’t wear a dastaar or grow a beard precisely because it would mark me. The government has hounded us for generations and now, with this government, it only gets worse. You’re either Hindu, or you’re dirt, just like it is for the Muslims. Unlike the Muslims, who have plenty of places to go outside of India, there is no homeland for the Sikh. We can’t go to Pakistan and be welcomed. There is no government fighting for us like the Muslims have in Kashmir. Wesuffer in silence, only now, we’re fighting for ourselves, and our voice is being heard.”

“But slaughtering innocents isn’t the answer. Killing me won’t do anything for your cause. It’ll only bring the United States down on your head.”

Manjit spit on the metal floor and said, “Tell that to the Palestinians. It seems to be working for them.”

Sledge heard Kamal’s voice shouting in Hindi from below. Manjit said, “Be quiet. I’m going to retrieve your food.”

He disappeared down the ladder and Sledge waited, listening. The luggage shop workers had left a half hour ago, the noise of the machinery quiet. He heard Kamal talking to Manjit at the front of the shop and sidled over to the crack he’d seen earlier.

He poked it with a finger, and it moved up an inch. He put both hands on it and pushed, finding the entire section was only laid on top, without any fasteners. He gathered up his courage, his brain wanting to fling it open but his muscles refusing to commit.

He heard Kamal shout and then Manjit coming back in a hurry. He immediately dropped the section back in place and sat on his thin mattress.

Then the gunfire started.