Authors: Rafael
Janesh
washed Ronan’s still bleeding gash and packed it with lakebed mud. Spear once
more in hand, he set a slow pace as the three returned to the forest. Behind
them the land animals resumed their feeding.
Again
Miranda glanced at the clock. 6:43pm. She backed away from the mirror for a
final once over. Her white, one-piece, sleeveless, below-the-knees, full skirt
dress had been a steal. And a perfect fit no less. Its décolletage managed to
be just revealing enough without passing into immodesty. Smooth, clean lines
contrasted well with her hair’s untamed finish. The skirt billowed and fluffed
as she turned and whirled. A small, thin-strapped, over-the-shoulder bag held
the minimal necessities and matched her red wedge pumps. Light mascara and
bright-red lipstick completed the look.
She
smiled at her reflection. Sara Bell might have reawakened the girl, but Janesh
McKenzie brought out her woman. She glanced at the clock. 6:46pm. He’d called
last night after three days and confirmed 7pm for dinner. A quick scan
confirmed nothing untoward left about. The evening did not include bringing him
back here but then again, when had she last had a man?
Hallway
sensors detected her exit and summoned an elevator. “Floor, please?”
“Ground
floor, please.” she responded, smiling at the polite exchange with a machine.
She wanted to arrive early to see if Janesh McKenzie did too. Unlike most men
in her presence, who became obsequious and accommodating, he had remained
somewhat impenetrable. If he arrived late, she’d take a cooler, more aloof
approach. An early one might indicate a reciprocal interest. She’d press to
find out.
Turned
heads at her entrance confirmed the dress had the desired impact. An enchanted
maitre d stepped from behind his stand. “Kumārī Logan. It’s a
pleasure to see you again. May I escort you to a table?”
“No,
thank you.” she smiled. “I’m meeting someone at 7. May I do so at the bar?”
“Of
course. This way, please.” The bartender’s eyes widened at their approach.
“Is
this acceptable, Kumārī Logan?”
“Perfect.
Thank you, so much.”
“I
am at your service should you require anything else.” He bowed before returning
to his station.
“Vodka
tonic, please. With a lime.”
Miranda
sat and turned the seat to face the entrance. On her right a metal rail
separated the dining area. She leaned back and crossed long, shapely legs glad
the dress’ length eliminated any need for adjustment. The bartender carefully
placed the drink and napkin before her. “Anything else.”
“Not
at the moment.” She sipped, nodding in approval.
Janesh
McKenzie arrived neither early nor late. Precisely at 7, he stood at the
entrance. Without scanning the room he locked eyes with her and smiled. The
maitre d rushed to his side. Miranda watched him shake his head and point
toward the bar. He sauntered over oblivious to the eyes following his every
step. Well-tailored, smoke-gray slacks accompanied a black, collared pullover.
A black-banded Patek Philippe decorated his wrist. Shined, black leather shoes,
glinted every few steps. A hair strand again creased his forehead. His muscular
physique did not bulge through the clothes but the ensemble couldn’t hide it
either. Warm, brown eyes took her in. A raised eyebrow marked the only
reaction.
“Good
evening, Dr. Logan. How nice to see you again.”
“Good
evening, Mr. McKenzie. I see the wild man is equally at home in the civilized
world. Given this is India, have you considered you might be the Earl of
Greystoke reincarnated?”
Before
he could add to his soft chuckle, the bartender rushed over. “
Mahān Śikārī. It is an honor, Sri
McKenzie. How may I be of service?”
“Bourbon neat, thank you.”
“You are quite the celebrity, Mr. McKenzie.” Again he chuckled.
“I assure you, Dr. Logan. If we take a walk, you will garner far
more attention than I.” Janesh looked about the room. “I expected you’d be
sitting at a table.”
“An unaccompanied woman sitting at a bar is daring. An
unaccompanied woman at a dinner table is lonely. Which do you prefer?”
He gave her a sidelong glance, grinned, then sipped his drink. “Are
you hungry, Dr. Logan?”
“Quite.” Janesh emptied the glass.
“The evening demands a meal that is up to it. Come. I know the
perfect place.”
For a moment her confidence faltered. “Where, where are we going?
Am I underdressed, overdressed?”
“A
daring woman would be curious. A lonely one wouldn’t care. Which one are you?”
She returned his look and grin, then opened her bag to pay.
“The
bill is already taken care of.”
“Well
then, Mr. McKenzie. Lead on.”
Outside
the setting sun reduced the coming night to delicious warmth. A few cars honked
as they crossed the street. One slowed to engage Janesh in Hindi. The driver
gave Miranda the once over, laughed, and sped off. Janesh turned toward
Miranda. “See what I mean. No one’s paying the slightest bit of attention to
me.”
“What
did that man say?”
“Oh,
something about your availability for mating.”
“What
did you say?” Janesh grinned at her.
“Not
for the next few hours.” Miranda laughed.
“Thank
you. I think.”
Across
from the hotel an open-topped, two-seater jeep sat parked. It looked either
brand new or well kept. She couldn’t tell which. Duncan and Ronan, sitting in
the rear storage area, wagged their tails. He’d left the key in the ignition.
Miranda wondered if anyone had even thought about it. As he mounted the sidewalk
to open the door, she noticed the gash along Ronan’s hindquarter. “Oh my God.”
She leaned in stroking Ronan’s neck and back. “Easy boy, easy. Let me look at
that.”
Instinct
surrendered to her professional competence. Ronan stood still as she examined the
wound. Calm, steady hands felt along the tear. Someone had shaved the fur and
covered the slash with an antibacterial salve. Her eyes flashed as she turned
toward Janesh. “Did a tiger do this?” He walked around to the driver’s side.
“Oh
please. He’s been insufferable. Showing it off every chance he gets. He feels
like he’s been initiated into the club.” Miranda frowned at him before bending
to sniff the wound for any sign of infection. She placed a hand on either side
of Ronan’s head to examine his eyes, gums, and teeth. A small crowd gathered,
marveled at her manhandling the huge dog. Miranda buckled herself into the
passenger’s seat.
“He
had excellent care. My compliments to the vet.” Janesh wore a chastened
expression.
“For
what it’s worth, he did berate and lecture me.”
“How
did it happen?” Janesh pulled into traffic.
“It’s
not something I normally talk about.” He glanced at her and smiled. “So we’ll
label this Exception #1.”
An
edited version of their two days in the forest ensued. Miranda listened in rapt
silence, shuddered at the thought of swimming in a crocodile infested river.
She leaned back in the seat, letting the breeze from the car’s motion, the
passing sights, the warm air, the deepening night cocoon her.
In
the span of three weeks a dull zoologist had gone from watching a hippo give
birth to riding through a foreign city in an exotic land next to a wild man who
hunted and killed tigers. In between she’d joined the CIA who paid for fancy
trips and fancy clothes. All in pursuit of a demonic killer who might be a
genius lunatic. She allowed a slight, self-satisfied smile. Her staid,
predictable life had become operatic drama
Thank
God for Professor Akiyama. Through all the bizarre absurdity, Janesh McKenzie
emerged as an implacable rock. Next to him she felt at once secure and
invincible. Greg Dawson’s face appeared before her. She shook it away. Perhaps
in time something like contented love might emerge. Dear, sweet Greg would make
a supportive husband and nurturing father. But who would she be? She needed—and
wanted—a man.
And
yet the one next to her remained a complete stranger. She knew nothing about
him. Could she stand the heartache if he entered a wilderness and never
returned? His grin, his eyes, his hair, his voice. Without so much as brushing
against her, she had to squeeze her thighs to ease the heat surges within. He
made her feel savage. She sank deeper in the seat and cleared her thoughts. The
night enveloped her.
“Does
tiger hunting pay the bills, Mr. McKenzie?”
“At
what point do you stop calling me Mr. McKenzie?”
“The
instant you call me Miranda. But don’t answer a question with a question.”
Janesh
slowed and pulled head first into a space. A few maneuvers and he killed the
engine. The key came out of the ignition. He turned and grinned at her. “Okay,
Miranda. But it’ll have to wait. We’re here.”
She
didn’t wait for him to open the door. Nothing jumped out at her as a
restaurant. The building’s windows displayed professional offices but Janesh
stepped onto the sidewalk and headed for its entrance. “Right this way. A short
elevator ride and we’ll be there. Promise. Come.” Startling a few passers-by,
the eager dogs leaped from the jeep and trotted up behind him as he held the
door open.
The
dogs, placid and calm, sat while Janesh allowed the lobby to clear before
boarding an elevator. “They really are very well behaved.” Miranda exclaimed.
“Actually,
they’re a gift from my friend, the restaurant’s owner. He too worried about my
forest forays and trained them himself. He’d kill me if I left them
downstairs.”
“You
used to hunt tigers alone?” He nodded.
“I
used to be much better at it. They’ve made me a bit lazy.” An astonished
Miranda couldn’t tell if he was putting her on.
The
elevator opened on the top floor to a short hallway. At its end, a tuxedoed man
looked up from the reception stand. His eyes widened in delight as he rushed
out from behind it.
“Sri
McKenzie.
Mahān Śikārī. It’s
wonderful to see you again.” He shook Janesh’s hand with great enthusiasm and
warmth.
“Singh, this is Miranda. Miranda this is the very affable, Singh.”
“Good evening, madame. A distinct pleasure to meet you. Welcome to
Chatur.”
“Thank you, Singh. I’m very glad to be here.” He turned to Janesh.
“I’ll tell Chatur. He’ll want to greet you out here.”
The genial Singh hurried away. Moments later, Chatur strolled
through the entrance. Janesh extended a hand.
“It’s good to see…” The short man brushed it aside
“I heard about your latest adventure. I’ll speak to you soon
enough.” Chatur locked his gaze on Miranda. He bowed deeply, took her hand to
kiss. He straightened.
“Your skin is like ivory, your eyes like emeralds, your hair like
rubies. This uncivilized lout has never brought a woman to my establishment and
now a goddess accompanies him. I am humbled and honored…”
“Mi, Miranda. My name is Miranda.”
“I thought nothing could exceed your beauty until I heard your
name. It sings. I am Chatur. Welcome to my restaurant.”
“Alright, alright. Laying it on a bit thick, don’t you think?”
“Ah, the ardent suitor grunts and betrays his jealousy. For daring
to speak in your presence, we’ll let him suffer a bit longer. Permit me for the
moment to greet two friends who know the true meaning of loyalty.”
Chatur stepped away to pat his chest. “Come, Ronan, come.” The dog
stood to place his paws on Chatur’s shoulder, towered over him. Chatur
scratched his sides and back while Ronan eagerly licked his face. “Yes, yes,
you are a mighty warrior. The Infirm Hunter dodders if he let a tiger get this
close to you.” The ever dispassionate Duncan paced and whined, lost patience,
and pushed Ronan aside. “Ah, Duncan. Don’t let yourself become as rude as the
Feeble Hunter.”
With a parting scratch, Chatur turned back to Miranda. “Despite
having to endure the sight of this unwashed oaf seated there, it would please
me to no end if you would accept my best table.”
“You may console yourself, Chatur, with the knowledge it is I who
must eat with him.” He smiled at her.
“My suffering endures. Yours has just begun. Singh, table 3,
please.” He bent to kiss Miranda’s hand again. “I’ll join you as soon as my
duties permit.” As she followed Singh, Janesh bent low.
“How quickly we forget our friends, Dr. Logan.”
“Come along, Mr. McKenzie. We must take our blessings where we
can.”
The entrance opened to a gigantic circular room. Against the
walled circumference, service stations positioned every twenty-five feet along
with cabinets bulging with china, silver, and glassware permitted the wait
staff to manage their assigned tables. Above the five foot wall, huge picture
windows stretched thirteen feet to a dome adorned with the goddess Vishna. A
circular platform, raised four feet off the floor, filled the room’s center and
its almost imperceptible rotation provided diners a 360° panorama illuminated
by Chandrapur. Dim, subdued lighting finished the effect with a warm, intimate
atmosphere.