Chapter Twenty-Nine
The silence stretched out as Aster tried to come to terms with the depth of their misery. Too scared to approach the police, unable to explain to the Hivertons what was happening and desperate to do nothing that could harm their daughter and other members of the village.
Priya waved the fabric at Aster. ‘This means she is still alive.’
‘Absolutely. We’re going to get your daughter back. And the others. Leave it with me.’ She stood up and started pacing, then looked at her phone. It was early, but Nick wouldn’t mind. Neither would Ari and both would already be awake.
‘I need to call my sisters. Please carry on as normal.’
As Priya stood up to leave, Aster asked how many guns were in the village.
‘One,’ said Amit as he wagged his head morosely. ‘I bought it last month, but I regret to say I don’t know how to use it. I am very happy to say I have never fired a gun. But also, I am sorry that I have never fired a gun.’
Waving her hand, she already knew she was out of her depth and in a very vulnerable situation. She dialled both sisters, setting up a group call on the office laptop.
Calling Ari first, she explained the call was serious and she watched her sister get up and start calling out for Seb to mind the children. Telling her she would get back onto the call from her study, Aster then called up Nick, who was out on her bike. Pulling her bike across the kerb, she settled down next to a hedge.
‘Problems?’
‘Major, but Ari will be joining us in a-’
She cut off as Ari’s face now joined the screen.
‘What’s wrong?’
Aster explained as her sisters interrupted occasionally to ask relevant questions and then Aster summed up.
‘So basically, we need to free the kidnapped villagers. We also need to protect them from ongoing incursions and protect our crop.’
‘We also need you to get to a place of safety,’ said Ari. ‘Can you get a lift back to the city?’
‘Not a good idea,’ said Nick.
‘What?!’
‘Nick’s right. The road to this village is probably being monitored. We have to assume my arrival has been noted. If my driver left yesterday, he may have already been pulled over and interrogated. They’ll want to know who I am. Which means if I try to get back to the city, I might not make it.’
‘Jesus. Aster!’
‘I’m okay. I have a whole village here. I don’t think they’ll make a move. But we need to hire mercenaries.’
‘Christ,’ said Ari, a hint of panic in her voice, ‘we have to get you out now. I’m calling the embassy.’
‘By all means. But I think mercenaries will be faster. Nick, how much can I spend?’
‘Knock yourself out. Call in the SAS if you want. Jesus, Aster, call in the whole Indian army. Just get those villagers safe and take care of yourself.’
‘Okay,’ said Ari, her voice shaking. ‘Here’s the plan. Aster, ask the villagers if they know of any local…’ She broke off and ran her fingers through her hair. ‘Christ, I don’t know. Off-duty police officers, retired soldiers? And call the Kolkata police force as well and ask for assistance. I know Amit says he has tried, but let’s try again. Nick, find out who we can call on. I don’t care how dodgy their connections, I want Aster safe. I’m getting on to the embassy. Any developments, raise another call, otherwise we call in again in an hour’s time. Aster, I love you. Nick, crack on.’
Ari’s face disappeared and Nick nodded to Aster. ‘Spend whatever you need. And Aster—’
‘Yes, I know, you love me.’
‘I was going to say you’ve got this.’
‘I know.’
‘Also, I love you. Now get to work.’
Buoyed by her talk with her sisters, she headed out of the office in search of Amit. She knew the situation was bad, but she was here and could get stuff done. Her sisters were grappling with the fact that they were so far away and felt powerless. Hopefully, in an hour’s time, they’d have some plans.
‘Lady Aster.’ Amit had been squatting across the way, but now he sprang up and came across to join her. In his wake was another man and she recognised Nikhil, her taxi driver from the day before. ‘You should return to Kolkata. Here is not safe.’
‘Neither is driving back on my own. I’m staying here.’ She turned to her driver and frowned. ‘And so are you, Nikhil. But why are you still here? You were going to leave and find me a new driver from the village.’
‘I did.’
‘So why did you stay?’
‘Me. I am your driver.’
‘I thought we had an understanding?’
‘We do, but also I had an understanding first with Mr Edward.’
Aster groaned but was actually relieved. She had hated the thought that he might have been intercepted.
‘Very well, Amit. I need to call the police force here. Maybe I can pay them to come out.’
‘It is a lot of money.’
‘It doesn’t matter.’
He looked worried and Aster paused.
‘Is there more I don’t know?’
‘If you call the police, they may tell the bad men. They may be paying them already. May they stand in a shower of diarrhoea.’
Aster groaned. There was a lot of money tied up in this counterfeit ring. Amit was probably right, they had probably sewn everything up already. Including keeping a watch on the village for developments.
‘Right. Look, there’s no need to worry immediately.’ Though she was worried that her arrival may have set off a chain reaction. ‘I need your gun. I know how to use it, so it makes more sense if I have it. Do either of you know any mercenaries, men with guns that we can hire?’
‘No, no, no. If they arrive, the men will kill our friends.’
Aster swore again. The situation was intolerable. Without knowing where the villagers were being held, their hands were tied. Life was cheap out here and she knew any witnesses would simply be killed rather than being allowed to incriminate them.
She was about to speak again when the sound of distant machine guns rent the air, sending flocks of birds up into the sky.