Kusum glanced at the champagne, at Kolabati, then turned an icy smile at Jack.
'May I compliment you on the decadence of your attire.'
'Thank you. I knew it wasn't stylish, but I'll settle for decadent. How's your grandmother?'
'Physically well, but suffering from a mental aberration. I fear.'
'She's doing fine,' Kolabati said with a scathing look at her brother. 'I have the latest word and she's doing just fine.' Then she smiled sweetly. 'Oh, by the way, Kusum dear. Jack was asking about durba grass today. Anything you can tell him about it?'
Jack saw Kusum stiffen. He knew Kolabati had been startled when he’d asked her about it on the phone today. What did durba grass mean to these two?
Still smiling, Kolabati sauntered away as Kusum faced him.
'What did you wish to know?'
'Nothing in particular. Except...is it ever used as a laxative?'
Kusum's face remained impassive. 'It has many uses, but I have never heard it recommended for constipation. Why do you ask?'
'Just curious. An old lady I know said she was using a concoction with a durba grass extract in it.'
'I'm surprised. I didn't think you could find durba grass in the Americas. Where did she buy it?'
Jack was studying Kusum's face. Something there... something he couldn't quite define.
'Don't know. She's away on a trip right now. When she comes back I'll ask her.'
'Throw it away if you have any, my friend,' Kusum said gravely. 'Certain durba grass preparations have undesirable side-effects. Throw it away.' Before Jack could say anything, Kusum gave one of his little bows. 'Excuse me. There are some people I must speak to before the night is over. '
Undesirable side effects? What the hell did that mean?
Jack wandered around the room. He spotted Gia again but she avoided his eyes. Finally, the inevitable happened: he ran into Nellie Paton. He saw the pain behind her smile and suddenly felt absurd in his old-fashioned tuxedo. This woman had asked him to help find her missing sister and here he was dressed up like a gigolo.
'Gia tells me you're getting nowhere,' she said in a low voice after brief amenities.
'I'm trying. If only I had more to go on. I'm doing what I—'
'I know you are, dear,' Nellie said, patting his hand. 'You were fair. You made no promises, and you warned me you might not be able to do any more than the police had already done. All I need to know is that someone is still looking.”
'I am.' He spread his arms. 'I may not look like it, but I am.'
'Oh, rubbish!' she said with a smile. 'Everyone needs a holiday. And you certainly seem to have a beautiful companion for it.'
Jack turned in the direction Nellie was looking and saw Kolabati approaching them. He introduced the two women.
'Oh, I met your brother tonight!' Nellie said. 'A charming man.'
'When he wants to be, yes,' Kolabati replied. 'By the way—has either of you seen him lately?'
Nellie nodded. 'I saw him leave perhaps ten minutes ago.'
Kolabati said a word under her breath. Jack didn't know Indian, but he could recognize a curse when he heard one.
'Something wrong?'
She smiled at him with her lips only. 'Not at all. I just wanted to ask him something before he left.”
'Speaking of leaving,' Nellie said. 'I think that's a good idea. Excuse me while I go find Gia.' She bustled off.
Jack looked at Kolabati. 'Not a bad idea. Had enough of the diplomatic crowd for one night?'
'For more than one night'
'Where shall we go?'
'How about your apartment? Unless you've got a better idea.'
Jack could not think of one.
11
Kolabati had spent most of the evening cudgeling her brain for a way to broach the subject to Jack. She had to find out about the durba grass. Where did he learn about it? Did he have any? She had to know.
She settled on the direct approach. As soon as they entered his apartment, she asked:
'Where's the durba grass?'
'Don't have any,' Jack said as he took off his tailed coat and hung it on a hanger.
Kolabati glanced around the front room. She didn't see any growing in pots. 'You must'
'Really, I don't'
'Then why did you ask me about it on the phone today?'
