Chapter 5 - Run Away

A wine bottle crashed to the ground. Rich red liquid splattered on the plush white carpet and shards flew in all directions.

“Fuck!” ASR cursed and lowered his gun. A petrified Shyam stood with his back to ASR, cemented to the spot. Khushi’s head bobbed up to find his mummified look and she almost snorted a laughter forgetting the dire context.

ASR walked around and suppressed a smirk at the look on Shyam’s face. Prick!

“Geez! What the hell are you doing here?” ASR set his gun back and asked Shyam. “You can unfreeze now.” He said barely hiding the amusement in his words. Shyam’s shoulders relaxed and he looked straight at Khushi, who stood with her mouth covered, trying hard to appear compassionate despite her urge to laugh.

“I should be the one asking that question. What is he doing here?” he asked with disdain giving ASR a once over and looked at her. Any remnants of laughter disappeared from her face and a sense of foreboding took over.

“It’s a long story” she answered curtly. She grabbed a roll of paper towels and walked out of the kitchen. She began to clean the floor furiously as Shyam stood over her making no effort to move or help her. ASR winced at the sight and had a strong desire to strangle the man’s throat.

“Dr. Jha, let me explain.” ASR began when Shyam raised his hand to stop him.

“I am talking to Khushi, she will answer.”

She ignored him. She picked a long shard of glass and wanted to stick that into Shyam’s foot that stood tantalizingly close to her. She remembered the dead man and her body slumped. She sat against the wall, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Khushi!” ASR scrambled down to the floor and held her shoulders steadying her. “Are you ok? Do you need juice or water?” he asked. Shyam crouched next to him and pushed his hands away gently,making it clear that he was overstepping his bounds. Shyam lifted her chin and declared, “She looks dehydrated. Let me take you to the hospital Khushi, we can put you on IV and sedation to relax you.”

She pushed his hands way and got up on wobbly feet.

“Khushi, I don’t think it’s a good idea. We need to get out of here as soon as possible. I will arrange for an IV in the office, if need be.” ASR was growing concerned that the more time they spent in her apartment the bigger the chances the mafia henchmen would come looking for them.

“No, she needs to rehydrate and needs some rest. Can’t you see how pale she looks?” Shyam turned to face him and argued.

“Will you two just stop it!” she had had enough, “I’m a doctor dammit, not a baby. I can take care of myself.” She marched down to her room with false bravado she did not feel at the moment. She needed a hug, a warm, cozy hug and some chocolate chip cookies with milk – her sinful nightly indulgence. I miss you Dad!

“You have some explaining to do Agent Raizada. What is going on here?” Shyam asked and it was evident he was in no mood to be pleased with any answer ASR had to offer. So ASR decided to give it to him right in the gut, with unvarnished reality of the macabre deeds of the mafia. He spared no details in explaining the heinously ruthless way the mafia killed their victims. Shyam was dumbstruck.

When ASR was done, Shyam was on the sofa, rubbing his temples and trembling lightly in fear.

“Oh shit! This is fucking serious!” he said to no one in particular. “So what do we do now?” He looked up to the larger than life ASR looming over him.

WE? ASR exclaimed inside at the sudden inclusive tone of Shyam. He answered, “I will be taking Khushi into protective custody.” laying special emphasis on ‘I’.

He continued,”She will have limited contact with her family and friends. We will monitor and decide who meets her and when. Once we think things are safer, she can resume her normal life.”

“In that case, I suggest she stay with her parents.” Shyam stood up, and met his eyes. “Not many here know about their whereabouts and I think she will be safer there.” He concluded, with a satisfied smile at his own conclusion.

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“No, because it’s not up to you to decide where she stays. FBI has its safe houses where she will be safe because we can keep a close watch on her.” He shoved his hands into his pocket, to avoid punching the chunkily built doctor.

She walked in with two rollie bags and one duffel bag and her purse. She watched the two men and knew they were still sparring over her.

“I am ready when you are.” She leveled with Arnav. A silent look of understanding passed between the two and Shyam caught on that. Alarmed that this was actually happening, he strode over to Khushi and pulled her into his arms. He attempted a kiss when she turned her head away.

“Shyam! Not now.” She chided him and he knew he was quickly losing her. He glared at Arnav and let go of her.

“You better take care of her mister. And if I so much as see a scratch on her, you can bet your ass you will not die a peaceful man.”

ASR’s ears burned with anger but he could not let the possessive bastard get the better of him. Prick!

He exhaled and answered, “I will see to it.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Shyam muttered under his breath.

He turned to Khushi, “Take care cupcakes. And don’t forget to call Aunty and Uncle. I will make sure they are kept apprised of your whereabouts.”

The sudden tenderness in his voice surprised her. Her heart melted enough to have her kiss him on his cheek. ASR took her duffel bag and suitcase and the duo exited the apartment. Khushi’s receding figure left a hollow inside Shyam. He could not let her away that easily.

He dialed her parents’ number.

+++++

NK helped the bags into the car. Khushi dialed Gitu’s number.

“Hey! Angel, whats up? So did you meet Mr Too Hot ASS R?”

Khushi smiled at her friend’s usual exuberance.ASR caught her smile from the rear view mirror. She turned her face to look out the window and there it was, her neck, beckoning him back into an immoral pit.

“Yes, I did. But, it’s a little complicated.” She clutched her phone with both hands trying to find courage to explain to her friend.

“Holy Shit! Khushi? This is not a joke, girl. I mean, protective custody? Give the phone to Mr ASR.”

“Gitu please”

“I said give the phone over to him. Now!” she commanded.

Khushi tapped on ASR’s shoulder.

“My friend, Gitu wants to talk to you.”

ASR motioned NK to pick the call on his behalf. NK put the phone on speaker and answered.

“Hello there.”

“Now look Mr. Whatever ASR. You know this protective custody shit is serious business.”

NK smiled and answered, “I am aware of that.”

“So, where do you plant to take her? I want to be able to see her wherever it is.”

“Well, we will clear security for you and you can meet her then.” NK continued.

“Good. And I tell your lackey NK to shadow you, I don’t want my friend left unprotected ever.”

“Oh, you mean like a ménage-a–trios except in this case it’s for protection not seduction.”

The chirpy voice on the other end went silent. Khushi palmed her face and ASR smirked as he observed her through the rear view mirror. Then the phone crackled again.

“Is that you, Agent Neil Kavanaugh ?” Gitu asked cautiously.

“I am impressed. You remember my name! Its NK for you.”

“That’s not the point….NK. Take care of her, please.” she softened considerably. The guys sensed the bond between the girls, something they shared too with each other.

“Tell you what, we can clear security for you and you can meet her next weekend.” ASR spoke into the phone.

Gitu felt a rush of relief. “Thank you.”

(play music for mood)

Khushi dialed her parents next. Their landline was engaged so she tried her dad’s cell phone. His soothing voice came through, “Hello, Khushi beta. I heard about the protective custody from Shyam. Beta, I am worried, and we are planning to fly in tonite. We will arrange for a lawyer and you don’t have to deal with this at all.”

Khushi’s throat lumped. “Dad, I’m ok. I will be fine.”

“This is not done Khushi. I will sue the FBI for putting your life in danger. They can’t simply whisk you away?” 

It was more a question than a statement. Sasi laid out the plan and Khushi didn’t know what to tell him. She cursed Shyam for alarming her parents when really, there was no other way out. Whatever the mafia was after, she was at the center of it. They wanted something and she apparently had it, except she had no idea what it was.

“Dad?”

“Yes, Beta.”

“Please, don’t stress yourself. I am worried about your heart. Can you do me a favor and not listen to Shyam’s hyperventilation?” She urged her Dad.

“He is right you know that. FBI is playing with your life.”

“Dad, there is something I want you to do. Please call Kevin Calhoun, the FBI’s Chicago Director first before you do anything drastic. He will explain it to you.” Sasi reluctantly agreed, still fuming at the duress his daughter had to endure.

“Another thing, Dad…. Do you know anything about any Sabres that might be related to me or us?” she asked hoping her dad would be of help. ASR’s ears perked as he observed her expression.

Sasi was stunned to silence. He scratched the back of his neck before taking a deep breath and answering Khushi, “No. I don’t.”

“One more thing Dad.”

“Yes”

“I love you.”

She was relieved, ASR could tell. But that only complicated matters. No one knew what those Sabres meant and how she was connected to any of this.

+++++

Sasi’s heart went out to his brave daughter. She had never had it easy in her life and the new developments threatened to shake the very core of her foundation. He was scared for her and for his family. The memories flooded back to him, the ones he had wanted to forget the most. The struggle to protect his daughter from the unforeseen dangers that hounded her past had nearly destroyed him and Garima. 

He could not lose his daughter, not after all the years of pledging loyalty to her safekeep. The truth will destroy us. The Sabres! How did the mafia find out about them? He wondered aloud. He picked a picture frame with Khushi's picture and held it up. Its time to make the SOS call. 

He frantically searched his black diary and fished out a number written in worn ink from years ago. He dialed the number and waited.

“Grüezi , Henri Gutzmann speaking”  A voice with a thick accent spoke on the other line. Sasi spent the next hour in his study talking over the phone.

+++++

A few hours of paperwork in the office gave them some time think. ASR peeked through the glass windows of the waiting room. Khushi was tapping away on her phone, no doubt letting her staff know she was to be out of reach. The hospital would understand once FBI explained the criticality of the situation. She looked up and saw him watching her. He waved and she smiled weakly.

Dratted paperwork! He hand gestured to let her know it would be another 10 mins. She nodded and went back to her text. A half hour later he came rushing in with hit coat over his shoulder.

“All set. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going.”

“Believe me, you wont regret it.”

Kevin Calhoun, a tall bald man in his late 40s walked in just they were ready to exit.

“Dr. Gupta, Agent Calhoun.” He extended his hand and Khushi shook it. “I spoke to your Dr. Gupta, your dad a few minutes ago. Rest assured our agents will help protect you and we will get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.”

Not convinced of the assurance, yet unable to deny the man’s optimism she nodded in agreement. ASR led her to the elevator and they walked into the heavily secured parking garage.

“This is a minivan!” she looked at him in surprise, “where’s the Beemer?”

“We don’t want to stand out in the small Door County now do we?” he winked and opened the trunk to throw in his luggage and got out a navy blue sweater. “We will look the part of perfect suburban couple” he winked.

“Don’t you know no one vacations in Door County in winter?”She walked to passenger side and opened the door.

“Not true, snowshoeing and cross country skiers galore. I hope you know how to ski” he got on the driver’s side and turned the ignition.

Among all the weird things that had happened in the span of that day nothing could have been weirder. An FBI Agent, of Indian origin nevertheless, hiding his hot muscular body in a nondescript blue cardigan, looking like a yuppie suburbanite, posing as a vacationer, in a minivan no less, off to a part of country that did not sport a speck of melanin-rich skin for miles in winter. She burst out laughing.

“What?” he snapped in surprise, “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing” she secured her seat belt and giggled away. He frowned and pulled the car out of the garage.

A red PT cruiser waited a half a mile way. As the minivan drove into the highway, the car followed the minivan, keeping a safe distance.