With the plan for tomorrow set, I walked Tara to the portico where her driver was waiting with her Jaguar. I sent Tara off, watching until her car was just a speck in the distance. I needed to know she was safe before I walked back into the line of fire.

Composing myself, I turned and headed for the guest area. The walk felt longer than usual, the shadows of the haveli stretching out like grasping hands. I smoothed my saree, locked away my panic about the book and Gagan, and prepared to face my father. He was waiting, and patience was not a virtue he possessed.