Shadow Tyrants (Oregon Files 13)

Eric snapped his fingers in recognition at what they were seeing. “We must be over the Red Sea Rift. It’s where the Arabian and African plates are spreading apart.”

Juan pointed at the surging masses of rising white clouds. “Then that’s what I think it is?”

Eric nodded. “The ship we’re looking for sank right on top of an underwater volcano.”

THIRTY-FOUR

MUMBAI

Driving a black Mercedes limousine, Hali pulled up to the front entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel moments before Kiara Jain strode out with a good-looking Indian man by her side. She was even more stunning in person, wearing a ruby red full-length gown with her shimmering hair cascading across her exposed shoulders. Her companion was dressed in a tuxedo and seemed to be in the same age range as the actress. Apparently, she wasn’t quite famous enough to require a real bodyguard. Neither of them looked happy.

Hali got out and went around to open the rear door. “Ms. Jain, Mr. Mallik personally requested me to bring you to the party. He’s a big fan of your films.” Of course, Hali had previously canceled the car that was supposed to pick her up.

She raised an eyebrow at him and then scoffed at the man beside her. “I told you, Gautam. At least he has good taste.”

With a huff and a toss of her hair, she slid into the backseat. Before following her in, Gautam looked at Hali with an apologetic shrug as if to say, See what I’m stuck with?

Hali pulled away from the hotel and began a slow drive in the direction away from Mallik’s party. Mumbai’s traffic was notoriously bad, and he was aiming for a jam that he’d already spotted on his mapping app.

“I shouldn’t have even brought you,” Kiara said in a low voice that was meant to keep the chauffeur from listening to the conversation. In a show of discretion, Hali turned up the volume on a local station playing music, but he could still hear them clearly.

“Then maybe I should have the driver turn around and take me back,” Gautam said. “You can show up at the biggest event of the year alone.”

“If you’re going to be that way, maybe you should. We all know who the bigger star is here. You wouldn’t have even been invited if it weren’t for me.”

Hali was glad for the petty argument. Gautam and Kiara spent the next few minutes sniping at each other, so neither of them noticed the route he was taking. But when there was a lull in the bickering, Kiara looked out at their surroundings, then peered at Hali in the mirror.

“Where are you going?”

“To the party,” Hali said with a smile.

“The party is at Mr. Mallik’s building.”

“Yes.”

She waved at the sea on either side of them. “Then why are we on the Bandra–Worli Sea Link?”

The causeway stretched across the mouth of Mahim Bay to connect the western suburbs to south Mumbai.

Hali played dumb. “We’re going to Bandra, where he lives.”

“He doesn’t live in Bandra, you idiot!” she yelled.

“That’s the address I have.”

“He lives on Altamount Road in south Mumbai. Everyone knows that.” She leaned forward. “Where are you from? You sound American.”

“My parents are from Mumbai, but I was raised in Los Angeles. I’m trying to break into Bollywood. In fact, when Mr. Mallik asked me to pick you up, I was so thrilled. I have a script I think would be great for you.” Hali reached into his bag and retrieved a script of some terrible movie he’d printed out from the internet. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but would you read it?”

She slapped the pages away. “Of course I’m not going to read your stupid script. Now, get us to Mr. Mallik’s house or I’ll have you fired.”

“Calm down,” Gautam said. “We’ll get there. This guy’s just trying to do his job.”

“This guy is going to ruin my career if we don’t get there on time. Do you realize how many important people will be there?”

“I’ll go extra fast and get you there right away,” Hali said. “Do you know the right address?”

“Give me the invitation,” she said to Gautam. He held it out, and she snapped it away from him. “I don’t trust you anymore. I’ll look it up on my phone and tell you how to get there.”