THE STERADIAN TRAIL: BOOK #0 OF THE INFINITY CYCLE by M.N. KRISH Page A

everyone stay at the Oceanic because it’s not too far from the campus and they gave us the best deal on rooms.’
    ‘Do you remember meeting or seeing him, how he looked?’
    ‘No Josh, there were hundreds of participants at the conference – I don’t remember meeting or seeing him in particular.’
    There was only a moment’s pause before Joshua spoke. But it seemed to have effected a marked change in his manner. He was breathing more heavily and his voice was intense with excitement. ‘Could you find out what exactly he was up to at the conference and get back to me? I’d like to know things like when he came, what he did, did he present any paper, what was it about, whether it’s available somewhere . . . as much detail as you can gather. Even little things that may seem unimportant. Could you dig around and get back to me?’
    ‘Josh,’ Lakshman sighed, ‘do you know what time it is now?’
    ‘Sorry, Lax,’ Joshua said. ‘I didn’t mean you have to do it right now. Could you do it tomorrow? . . . Tomorrow morning? . . . First thing tomorrow morning?’
    ‘Sure, shouldn’t be a problem.’
    ‘I also need to know what else he was up to in the city – where he went, what he did, stuff like that.’
    ‘I’m not sure how I can help you there,’ said Lakshman.
    There was a disappointed pause from Joshua’s end.
    ‘But we may be able to think of some way,’ Lakshman said. ‘First, tell me this. How do you even know that this guy was here?’
    Joshua told Lakshman about the placard in the boot of the car.
    ‘Then you have an opening right there,’ said Lakshman.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Get hold of that driver and ask him to do some digging for you. Of course it’ll cost you a little, but it may be worth it. Who knows, he may come up with something.’
    ‘Not a bad idea, Lax,’ Joshua said. ‘Not bad at all.’
    ‘If you bring the fellow over to the campus tomorrow, I can talk to him in Tamil and tell him what to do.’
    ‘This fellow speaks decent English so I should probably be able to talk to him myself. But in case I have trouble convincing him, you can turn on your charm for me.’
    ‘I don’t think there’ll be any need for that. These guys are so poorly paid they can’t afford to turn you down,’ said Lakshman. ‘But you haven’t told me what all this all about. There’s an old saying in Tamil about getting dropped into a jungle with a blindfold on. That’s exactly how I feel right now. Utterly clueless.’
    ‘It’s all a long story, Lax. Can’t go over it on the phone,’ Joshua said. ‘We need to sit down some place quiet for a couple of hours. Why don’t we meet tomorrow sometime?’
    ‘All right.’
    ‘Thanks, Lax. Thanks for everything,’ Joshua said. ‘I won’t detain you any longer. I’ll let you catch up on your beauty sleep. Please apologize to Urmila for me for disturbing you folks so late in the night. But this is an emergency and you’re the only person I could turn to for help in this country.’
    ‘No problem, Josh.’
    Joshua hung up after wishing him good night. Lakshman mounted the receiver back on the cradle, switched off the lights and sprawled out on the spare bed in his reading room, wondering what lay in store for him in the morning.
     

 
    9
    J oshua was no stranger to India, a backpacker on his maiden visit enjoying his first bout of Delhi belly. He was born with a robust immuno-digestive system, in India, in Cochin, and spent a couple of years there as an infant before migrating to Israel with his parents. He did not remember those days in Cochin but he harboured a certain curiosity and interest about his country of birth. His parents, both refugees from Europe, had found a safe-haven in India and had always remembered the years they spent there with a certain fondness and affection.
    Joshua grew up hoping to visit the country one day and he got his first chance in the Seventies when Lakshman invited him to his colourful wedding in