Thakur met the silver-colored USAF jet at the VIP area of Palam Air Force Station. Slightly balding, ruddy-faced, yet with an aura of power, the senator had a wide smile as he descended from the plane, no doubt looking forward to playing a key role in the historic summit. He was miffed that there was no press there to meet him and hail America’s critical role in this event. Mohite was hovering around Thakur. Jennifer Poetzcsh was there too, the senator being her responsibility. Suspicious of everything and mistrustful of the security cover provided by the Indians, her hand never strayed from her gun. Thakur, also eager to make his presence felt, accompanied the senator to the hotel to make sure he was comfortably settled in. Ravinder joined them there a bit later, still groggy from the events of last night. His head now hurt less, dulled by painkillers. But he was also still reeling from the emotional jolt. Ruby’s actions had him completely confused. However, still unable to ignore the evidence against her, he would continue the surveillance till the delegates left India; that seemed the sanest course.
