'They can see us now?' Sharab asked.
Friday nodded.
'Then why did you have to search for us?' the woman pressed.
'Because they didn't want to tell me where you were,' Friday said.
'I'm with a different agency. There's mistrust, rivalry.'
'Stupidity,' she snarled. She shook her head.
'Less than twenty soldiers against one hundred. When will the Americans be here?' 'Very soon,' Friday said.
'How are they arriving?'
'By Indian transport, Himalayan Eagles squadron,' Friday replied.
Sharab thought for a moment. Militarily, the American unit would not be much assistance. However, there might be another way that she could use them.
'Can you contact the American unit?' she asked Friday.
'Through Washington, yes,' he replied.
'Good. Samouel?' 'Yes, Sharab?' said the big man.
'I want you to wait here with Nanda,' Sharab said.
'I will lead the others down to the valley. A half hour after we leave you continue along the route we planned.'
'Yes, Sharab,' he replied.
Sharab turned to go over to where Nanda and Apu were speaking.
'Wait!' Friday said.
'We're already outnumbered. Why do you want to split up?'
'If we contact the Americans by radio we can make sure the Indian ground troops also pick up the message,' Sharab said.
'That will draw them to us.'
'What makes you think they'll be taking prisoners?' Friday asked.
'It does not matter, as long as we hold them there as long as we can,' Sharab said.
'It will leave the path clear for Samouel's group to get through. You said yourself that Nanda is the key to stopping the nuclear attack. She must reach Pakistan. Her people will listen to her confession, her testimony.'
'How do you know she won't betray you?' Friday asked.
'Because I know something you don't,' Sharab said.
'The missiles your team is looking for? They are already in place.
Dozens of them. They are in the mountains, pointed at New Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay. A strike against Pakistan will turn the entire subcontinent into a wasteland.'
'Let me tell my superiors,' Friday said.
'They will warn the Indians not to strike--' 'Warn them how?' Sharab asked.
'I have no proof I don't know where the missiles are and my government won't reveal that information. I only know that missiles have been deployed. We staged attacks to distract the Indian military when elements were being moved into place.' The woman took a breath, calmed herself. If she grew angry and began to perspire the sweat would freeze.
'Unless Nanda wishes to see her nation ravaged, she will have to cooperate with us.
But that means getting her to Pakistan without the Indians killing her!'
'All right,' Friday agreed.
'But I'm going with her. She'll need protection. She'll also need international credibility. I was a witness to the blasts. I can make certain that officials from our embassy support her claims.'
'How do I know you won't kill her?' Sharab cried. The winds had picked up and she had to shout to be heard over them.
'You arrived in an Indian helicopter. How do I know you didn't want to take us back to Kargil? I only have your promises and a radio communication that could have come from anyone! These do not make you an ally!'
'I could have shot at you from the helicopter!' Friday yelled.
'That makes me not your enemy.'
Sharab had to admit that the American had a point. Still, she was not ready to believe him entirely. Not yet.
'You're wasting what little time we have,' the man went on.
'Unless you plan on killing me, I'm going with Nanda.'
Sharab continued to hold Friday against the wall. His hot breath warmed her nose as she looked at him. His eyes were tearing from the cold but that was the only life in them.
