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Manjit crawled down the ladder, hoping that Kamal hadn’t heard him talking to the hostage. He reached the front of the shop and saw Kamal near the open door holding two plastic bags of food, a scowl on his face, which answered that question.

Kamal said, “What did I tell you about talking to the hostage?”

Chagrined, Manjit said, “I can’t just sit up there staring at him in silence. I was telling him about what we were trying to do here.”

Kamal glanced out the door to the alley beyond, saying, “Trust me, he doesn’t care.”

“I think this guy actually might. He could be on our side.”

Kamal turned back to him, dropped the food, and put his hands on his shoulders, saying, “Manjit, you may have to kill this man. When the time comes, I might not be around and it’ll be up to you.”

Manjit said, “Wait a minute. Listen to me. You remember that new well in our hometown? The one with the Everclear logo? That’s him! He did that with his own money.”

“I don’t give a shit if he turned the Ganges into gold, he was with Thakkar, which means he’s with the state. He isnotyour friend. If you don’t believe me, google Everclear. We got one well, but I’ll bet the Hindu areas got a hundred. He’s not saving himself by some good works, because the bad far outweigh him.”

Manjit glanced away, remaining quiet. Kamal said, “If I tell you to kill him, can you? Or is it too late for that?”

Manjit said, “He’s an American. He’s worth more alive than dead.”

“I know that, it’s why he’s still breathing, but I need to know you’re capable.”

“I’m capable. I understand. If you give the word, I can do it.”

“You didn’t kill the woman at the party.”

“That was different.”

Kamal glanced out the door again and said, “You get the food from now on. I’ll watch him.”

Manjit started to respond when Kamal pushed him out of the light. Manjit said, “What are you doing?”

Kamal held a finger to his lips and pointed to the door. Outside inthe alley Manjit saw two uniformed policemen walking past. Manjit sank deeper into the shadows, whispering, “It’s got to be a coincidence.”

They kept walking and Kamal went to the side of the open doorway, peering out. Manjit came up behind him, looking as well. Both men were wearing sunglasses even as the sun had already dropped behind the buildings. They walked another thirty feet, then stopped, standing still and appearing to simply be talking to themselves.

Kamal said, “Take a hard look at them. What do you see?”

Manjit said, “A little late in the day for sunglasses.”

“True, but that’s not what I mean. Look at their belts.”

Manjit did, and saw both had Glock pistols in a holster on one side, a baton on the other. He said, “Police equipment?”

“No, that’s definitelynotpolice equipment. The patrol officers areneverarmed. They don’t carry guns.”

Manjit said, “What are you saying?”

He pulled a pistol from his waistband. “I’m saying those guys aren’t cops on a beat. They’re here for us. Go back to Sledge. If I go down, or I give the word, kill him.”

Manjit started to turn back to the hallway when Kamal said, “What the fuck?”

Manjit whipped back to the doorway in time to see a Caucasian man and woman attack the policemen. His mouth fell open as they struggled, then gunfire erupted from farther up the alley.

Kamal backed up, screaming, “Go to Sledge, go to Sledge!”

Manjit took off running to the narrow hallway and the ladder.