Read Online Show Business by Shashi Tharoor - Free Book Online Page A

weather.
    We’re one small happy family,
United, good and strong.
We’re one small happy family,
So nothing can go wrong.
    Maya’s response is to burst into a fresh torrent of tears.
    Outside the cell a Black Cheetah patrols the stone-flagged corridor in hobnailed boots. As Ashok looks up alertly, he hears another pair of footsteps. The commando’s boots pause in their stride.
    â€œWho is — oh, it’s you, Agent Abha.”
    â€œJust checking to see how things are, Ali. All well with the prisoners?”
    â€œThey were making a lot of noise, but its quieter now.”
    â€œCould I see them?”
    â€œI’m afraid not, Agent Abha. You know I can’t let you in. Strict orders from mighty Godambo himself. No one may disturb the prisoners.”
    â€œI won’t disturb them.”
    â€œSorry, Agent Abha. I have my orders.”
    â€œGood. I was just checking to make sure you were following them. Hey — what’s that?”
    â€œWhat?” The guard whips around, submachine gun at the ready. In a flash Abha brings the butt of her own revolver down on the back of his head. He sinks soundlessly to his knees. She eases him to the floor. Looking around quickly, she pulls his bunch of keys off the belt loop from which they are conveniently dangling and opens the barred gate of Ashok and Maya’s cell.
    â€œCome on,” she whispers urgently to the astonished prisoners.
    â€œHow do I know this isn’t a trap?” Ashok asks.
    â€œOf course it isn’t,” Abha says in an urgent hiss. “I’m risking my life for this. And the lives of my poor parents. Hurry. If Godambo catches us, it’ll be certain death.”
    â€œWhat have we got to lose?” Ashok asks rhetorically. He raises his handcuffs. “Do you have the keys for these?”
    â€œI think so.” Abha sifts through the bunch, finds a likely key and inserts it. It turns: Ashok is free. He rubs his sore wrists while Abha liberates Maya. The young girl smiles hopefully at her.
    â€œCome on, we’ve got to get out of here,” Ashok says unnecessarily, taking charge. “Do you know the way out of this place?”
    â€œYes,” whispers Abha. “But I’m warning you, it’s heavily guarded.”
    Ashok sets his jaw. “We’ll see about that,” he snaps, as the three creep out into the corridor.
    They advance a few paces. Abha presses herself against a wall and pokes her head round a corner. The coast is clear. She signals, and they run down one more corridor. At the next intersection of pathways, Abha repeats the maneuver. They run — and are drawn up short by the sight of Pranay standing in the middle of the corridor chewing calmly, legs astride, whip at the ready, and a demoniacal gleam of delight in his eyes.
    â€œAnd where do you think you’re going?” he asks sardonically. The red stains on his lips look like blood.
    It all happens very quickly. Abha pulls out her revolver. Pranay’s whip cracks, and the gun clatters harmlessly to the floor. She cries out, holding her hand in pain. He laughs and again cracks his whip. This time it is Ashok who screams. Pranay is enjoying himself. He advances, the whip snaking out repeatedly, with a noise like a pistol shot. Ashok is hit once more, but then dodges, jumps. Pranay is unperturbed; he enjoys the challenge. “Dance, Inspector Ashok!” he snarls with each flick of his weapon. Ashok sidesteps him nimbly. Pranay strikes, the look of arrogant cruelty on his face turning to one of surprise as Ashok catches the cord of the whip in midlash.
    Our hero grips the whip and wraps it around his hand, drawing his tormentor toward him. Pranay tugs at the whip handle, but in vain. Ashok pulls him irresistibly closer. As he nears Ashok, Pranay flings the stock of the whip viciously at our hero. Ashok dodges it. Pranay lunges for the gun on the floor. He is about to reach it when the whip