Murder in Mumbai (18 page)

Gaikwad reluctantly opened his eyes and looked out the window. The sun was already up. Lata was looking down at him, smiling.

“Chai?”

He nodded, smiled at her, and reached out his hand. She took it; he pulled her down onto him.

“Now—this is a good morning,” he said.

“The kids . . .”

“They won't wake up until you yell at them.”

“It's tempting,” she said, still in two minds. But Gaikwad was already kissing her.

“We'll be late for work.”

“One day is fine.”

She gave in, closed her eyes, and yielded to him.

The phone rang.

“Damn.”

“Must you get it?”

“I have to. It's the cell—I sometimes hate this job,” he said as he reached for the phone.

“Gaikwad here.”

“Sir, there's been a murder.”

Gaikwad listened silently as the details came one by one.

“I'll leave right away,” he said. He looked guiltily at Lata. “Sorry.”

“I am used to it,” she said. “I married a policeman after all.”

“I promise I'll make it up to you.”

“I'll hold you to it.”

He looked outside the window. Once again, it had begun to rain.

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CKNOWLEDGMENTS

Although the process of writing is solitary, there are many who've made the process easier over the years: my parents, who inculcated in me a love for reading; my older sister, a tough act to follow; my brother for his friendship; my agent, Josh Getzler, for incisive comments; and my editors Stephanie Kelly and Ben Sevier at Dutton Guilt Edged Mysteries. Lastly, this book wouldn't have been written, let alone completed, without my wife. She poked, prodded, and cajoled me, honest in her critique but always steadfast in her support. I dedicate this book to her.

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BOUT THE
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UTHOR

Krishnadev Calamur
is an editor at NPR in Washington, D.C. He was born in New Delhi and brought up in Mumbai, where he began his journalistic career. He has also lived in London and Missouri. This is his first published work of fiction. Calamur lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife and their dog.