Weapon of Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page A

headshot. He could not have let the man detonate the bomb; the casualties on the crowded road would have been horrendous.
    It was over as swiftly as it had begun.
    It took but an hour to sort out.
    â€œHe was Mir Kasab, from the Jaish-e-Mohammed. A known terrorist … we have a thick file on him. Came in from POK last week,” Mohite reported to Ravinder. “We found a map of this area in his pocket and the numbers of three cars: yours, Ashish’s, and mine. Apparently, he’d been tasked to take out senior ATTF cops.”
    â€œLooks like the terrorists want us out of the picture at this juncture.”
    â€œI guess so.” Mohite’s tone was grim; he was still sweating. Ravinder could see that he had been badly shaken. He himself wasn’t feeling so bright either.
    â€œDon’t think too much about it, Govind. It could well have been my car. Or Ashish’s … He would have gone for whoever he reached first.” There was a silence. A shitty feeling. “The luck of the draw, my friend.… Who knows when one’s time is up.” Ravinder had to lift the mood, Mohite’s and his own. “Look at the bright side; we got the bugger before he got us.”
    But the words had little effect. On either of them. Both knew that the next time the tides might well favor the other side.
    â€œThere is more, sir. He was not alone,” Mohite almost stammered. “He was part of a cell of three men.”
    â€œWho are the other two? Find any clues on him?”
    â€œYes, most probably Javed Khan—we already have a file on him—and an unknown called Aslam. They came from POK together. Most likely the other two are out there”—Mohite stared out the window—“somewhere in Delhi.”
    â€œWe have to find them.” Ravinder controlled a tremor.
    â€œI have already issued an APB and also alerted the int agencies.”
    â€œWe’d better find them … before they find us.” Ravinder thought for a moment. “Have the guards doubled. At the office and all three residences.”
    Mohite ran to the phone.
    Ravinder knew there was nothing more they could do. Not right now. “Now let’s focus.” He knew that work was the best distraction. “We have a summit to secure, Govind. The PM’s office is waiting for our security plans.”
    *   *   *
    Had it not been for their car’s air-conditioning, the seven-hour drive to Vavuniya would have been miserable. The dust from the potholed road added to their misery. Though tougher, Mark was not handling the heat and dust well. He took every opportunity to sleep it off. Ten minutes into the drive, and he was sprawled against the car door, tucked away in dreamland, snoring lightly. Every so often, Ruby saw him smile; obviously having pleasant dreams.
    Oh well … at least someone is. A mirthless smile creased her face. He was looking good, if a trifle uncomfortable with his head knocking against the window every time they hit a bump. Pity he is gay! All the good ones … either gay or married. Ruby sighed; she could do with some comforting. It had been a while since she had enjoyed being held … not since Chance had gone. Wondering where he was right now, Ruby felt a tug. She missed him.
    For a moment she dwelled on the contrast between Chance and Mark; it was huge. Physically they had a lot in common; both tall, well built, and fair, with similar close-cropped hair. But that’s where it ended. Chance was so much more sensitive and caring … and his sense of humor … Ruby smiled. Whereas Mark was not cerebral, liked to plunge into action without much thought. Well, that is what I need right now … someone who will simply follow orders.
    Ruby couldn’t sleep; she felt hyped up, as though pumped with pure oxygen. She sat on the edge of her seat, watching the countryside fleeing by.
    Barring small,