Page 57 of Rising Tiger

“Two nights ago in Jaipur,” said Vijay, his voice icy cold and firm, “an American citizen was murdered. The killer usedyourmotorbike in the crime.”

“Mymotorbike?” she stammered, realizing the severity of the situation. “All I did was give my son a small loan. He needed the motorbike for his work. It can’t possibly be a crime for a mother to help her son, can it?”

“That is going to depend.”

“Upon what?”

“Upon whether or not you answer my questions.”

The woman smiled, revealing surprisingly more gold teeth than Harvath had previously noticed.

Vijay didn’t smile back. “Yourson’smotorbike,” he clarified, in hopes of securing her cooperation, “was used in the murder of an American citizen. We would like to ask your son some questions. Where might we find him right now?”

“He works for the Kumar family.”

“I am aware,” Vijay replied. “Where is he at this moment?”

“He moves around from warehouse to warehouse. It changes day by day.”

“Are you dependent upon any medications, Mrs. Ali?” the ex-cop asked, changing the subject.

The question took the woman by surprise. “Medications? What do my medications have to do with—”

“You’re refusing to answer me and are being purposefully evasive. Perhaps you’ll be more forthright at police headquarters.”

“Police headquarters?” she repeated. “Are you arresting me?”

“Only if you continue to resist.”

“Me? Resist? Who’s resisting?”

“Where are your medications?” Vijay asked, moving toward the bathroom. “Back here?” Looking at Harvath, he added, “She’s obviously not going to cooperate. Go to the kitchen or the bedroom and find me a garbage bag or a pillowcase. Let’s take any medication she has. I don’t know how long they might want to hold her.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” the woman protested.

“So then help us,” Vijay replied. “Tell us where your son is.”

“If I do, what will happen to him?”

“We just want to ask him some questions.”

“Do you think he’s the killer?”

It was a good question. Plenty of criminals, across time, had attempted to cover their tracks by reporting incriminating property missing.

“I can’t know whether to rule him in or rule him out,” said Vijay, “until I speak with him. But if you’re asking me as a parent…”

“Yes,” Mrs. Ali said, “I am asking you as a parent.”

The ex-cop shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

The old woman’s shoulders dropped, as if there was no longer a weight there she had to carry. “I think it would be better for everyone if he came to you.”

“Excuse me?”

“It wouldn’t be a good idea to go to his work. Not for you and definitely not for him.”

Vijay looked at her warily. “What are you proposing?”