The Tomb (Repairman Jack)

looked at lack and began to laugh.

It was going to be a very long day.

5

Kolabati paced the apartment, clutching the empty bottle that had once held the rakoshi elixir, waiting for Kusum. Again and again her mind ranged over the sequence of events last night. First, her brother disappeared from the reception; then the rakosh odor at lack's apartment and the eyes he said he’d seen. There had to be a link between Kusum and the rakoshi. And she was determined to find it. But first she had to find Kusum and keep track of him. Where did he go at night?

The morning wore on. By noon, when she had begun to fear he would not show up at all, she heard the sound of his key in the door.

Kusum entered, looking tired and preoccupied. He glanced up and saw her.

'Bati. I thought you'd be with your American lover.'

'I've been waiting all morning for you.'

'Why? Have you thought of a new way to torment me since last night?'

This wasn't going the way Kolabati wanted. She’d planned a rational discussion with her brother. To this end, she’d dressed in a long-sleeved, high-collared white blouse and baggy white slacks.

'No one has tormented you,' she said with a small smile and a placating tone. 'At least not intentionally.'

He made a guttural sound. 'I sincerely doubt that.'

'The world is changing. I've learned to change with it. So must you.'

'Certain things never change.'

He started toward his room. Kolabati had to stop him before he locked himself away in there.

'That is true. I have one of those unchanging things in my hand.'

Kusum stopped and looked at her. She held up the bottle, watching his face closely. His expression registered nothing but puzzlement. If he recognized the bottle, he hid it well.

'I'm in no mood for games, Bati.'

'I assure you, my brother, this is no game.' She removed the top and held the bottle out to him. 'Tell me if you recognize the odor.'

Kusum took the bottle and held it under his long nose. His eyes widened.

'This cannot be! It's impossible!'

'You can't deny the testament of your senses.'

He glared at her. 'First you embarrass me, now you try to make a fool of me as well!'

'It was in Jack's apartment last night!'

Kusum held it up to his nose again. Shaking his head, he went to an overstuffed couch nearby and sank into it.

'I don't understand this,' he said in a tired voice.

Kolabati seated herself opposite him. 'Of course you do.'

His head snapped up, his eyes challenging her. 'Are you calling me a liar?'

Kolabati looked away. Rakoshi were in New York. Kusum was in New York. She could imagine no circumstances under which these two facts could exist independently of each other. Yet she sensed that now was not the right time to let Kusum know how certain she was of his involvement. He was already on guard. Any more signs of suspicion on her part and he would shut her out completely.

'What am I supposed to think?' she told him. 'Are we not Keepers? The only Keepers?'

'But you saw the egg. How can you doubt me?'

She heard a note of pleading in his voice, of a man who wanted very much to be believed. He was so convincing. Kolabati was sorely tempted to take his word.

'Then explain to me what you smell in that bottle.'

Kusum shrugged. “A hoax. An elaborate, foul hoax.'

'Kusum, they were there! Last night and the night before as well!'

'Listen to me.' He rose and stood over her. 'Did you ever actually see a rakosh these last two nights?'

'No, but there was the odor. No mistaking that. '

'I don't doubt there was an odor, but an odor can be faked—”

'There was something there!'

'—and so we're left with only your impressions. Nothing tangible.”

'Isn't that bottle in your hand tangible enough?'

Kusum handed it to her. 'An interesting imitation. It almost had me fooled, but I'm quite sure it's not genuine. By the way, what happened to the contents?'

'Poured down a sewer.'