CHAPTER TWENTY – Confrontation
Joshua sat in the passenger seat of Patricia’s Town Car. Adele took the back seat, citing that Patricia was going to do most of the talking. Adele did, however, tell the story of the convenience store clerk, and the need to replace the jar of NIL.
“Tracy is in danger, big time, and so are you and Namanda,” Patricia began. “If she is not a covert operative, which I don’t believe her to be, she is playing a game way over her head. Joshua, I’ve been to India. I know how ruthless the police and military can be. Believe me, you don’t want to be at odds with the Indian military, the third largest in the world behind China and the US. This isn’t a big enough thorn in the side of India for our diplomatic relations to be irreparably damaged. Still, we have considerable assets there and that needs to continue in order to keep the Chinese on their toes, so I’m looking at the big picture. For that reason part of my plan would require Namanda to give up the names of the terrorists that she is withholding. We need that bargaining chip to call off the dogs.
I don’t see any other way for Tracy to be making contact with anyone, no matter where her contact may be, other than using her cell phone. I suppose it is someone she knows in India that she is working in cahoots with. The clear and present danger is the tracking of her cell phone. It is so easily done even from a remote location. In order to remove her cell phone out of this locale we would need to confront her and have her willingly surrender it. I have an idea on how to do that. Autry should be here any second to help carry out my plan. Are you willing to let me have a chance at it? Keep in mind it is for her own protection. I feel her life is very much in danger, and yours and the Mehra’s are too.”
“What do you think, Adele?” Joshua asked.
“I am motivated to do it because I don’t want to see you get hurt or this place get burned to the ground. I think we should do it.”
Autry pulled up two minutes later. After a brief consultation, the four entered the barn. Joshua asked Tracy and Namanda, who were busy in the workroom, to join him in the lounge. He noticed Tracy’s look of surprise when she saw who was already seated around the table.
Patricia began to speak after all were seated. “One of the more atrocious things I’ve ever heard is how Indians treat infidels, especially female infidels. The first thing that happens is multiple rapes by multiple participants. After they tire of that, the infidel’s tongue is pulled out and chopped off. Next the hands are cut off, then the arms. Some of the infidels are still alive at this point, but most bleed out during the loss of the arms. The body parts are collected, transported to the River Ganges, and fed to the sacred fish who will carry the lost soul to the gods. Doesn’t that sound like a terrible way to go?”
There was no response, though it was obvious Tracy had ascertained that she was the target of the horror story.
“You have involved yourself in a dangerous situation, Tracy. My fear is that you will never make it out of this country alive, but if you do, it will be much worse for you. My question is, why did you do it? Why did you risk this poor girl’s life as well as her parents?”
Tracy did not try to evade the questioning. Instead, she looked at Namanda. “I didn’t think you would be in danger. All I wanted was enough money to get out of India and to go back home to Belgium. I have texted someone who has arranged for the military to make a deposit in my account in exchange for me telling them where you are. All they want is for you, Amit, and Shreya to return to India. How long have you known?”
Namanda said, “Since Orlando. You tried to not think about it in my presence, but it’s hard to not think about something without giving yourself away. That’s all I am going to say other than I’ve hated you ever since then.”
“May I have your cell phone? Patricia demanded more than asked.
Tracy produced her cell phone and laid it on the table. Patricia grabbed it and quickly removed the battery.
“The Sheriff will accompany you to gather your personal belongings. For your own good, you will be taken into custody.”
“You can’t do that. I’ve broken none of your laws.”
“Wanna bet? By your actions you have endangered life and limb within the borders of my state. You will not be put under arrest, Tracy, just detained until it can be arranged for you to leave the country. If I were you, I’d never set foot on Indian soil ever again. If this cell phone remained on your person, you’d be fish food in a week’s time, maybe sooner.”
Autry rose and stood behind Tracy’s chair. “Please come with me, ma’am.”
When Autry and Tracy had left to gather Tracy’s things in the log house, Patricia turned to face Namanda. I am going to have to ask you to reveal the names of the terrorists that you withheld. It’s important, Namanda. It may be enough of a bargaining chip for the bad guys to stop pursuing you.”
Namanda revealed the names of three Al-Qaeda operatives without reluctance. Patricia wrote them down, then said, “You may have just saved your life and the lives of your parents. Let’s hope so. And now I must get back to Frankfort. Autry knows what to do from here.”
“Is the cell phone still traceable without the battery?” Joshua asked.
“I will have the cell phone sent to KICW. The battery will be reinstalled there. I’ve already made the connections for that to happen.”
“What is KICW?” Joshua asked again.
“The Kentucky Institute of Corrections for Women. When the battery is reinstalled up there, whoever traces it will find out it is a women’s prison. They may give up at that point, thinking their stoolie has been discovered.”
“What is going to happen to Tracy?”
“Autry will keep her down in his little lockup until it can be arranged for her deportation to Belgium. Come on, Adele, we must get going. By the way, none of this goes beyond these doors. I’ll not have our Washington brass find out about Namanda. It would eventually turn out to be more of the same for her.”
Joshua walked Adele and Patricia to the car. “Van called. He’s back at his home in California. There is a measles outbreak there. He’ll try to get some NIL in the right hands, once the shipment arrives. I’ll call him and let him in on what is happening here.”
“Measles, huh? That’s a first for us. Let me know how that works out.” Joshua gave both ladies a hug and then watched them drive away. A minute later he watched Autry escort Tracy into the Sheriff’s SUV. Tracy made eye contact with Joshua, then gave the Jesus-man a one fingered salute.
Namanda was still seated in the lounge when Joshua returned to the barn. “How far away are your parents?”
“Twelve miles, haHA.” She replied with a large smile.
“Call them. Let’s get them up here. When you’re done, help me water these plants.”