Weapon of Vengeance by Mukul Deva Page B

of.” He announced grandly. Though afflicted by the typical islander accent, his English was okay. “I will wait while you freshen up.”
    â€œNo worries.” Ruby was in no mood to tarry. “Come on up to the room with us.” She threw a glance at Mark, making it clear that he was to stick with her.
    The first-floor room Chanderan led them to was about the size of two prison cells. It had a queen-size bed in the center, a minuscule wooden table near the window, which overlooked the noisy street outside, and had a chair pulled up against it. The bed was covered with a flowery, cotton bedspread. A stale smell hung in the air, making it obvious that the hirers of these rooms usually took them by the hour, and it had been a while since the room had seen any housekeeping services. With the three of them in it, the room felt claustrophobic. Mark threw an amused look around. No air conditioner. Just an ancient-looking fan slowly churning overhead. Ruby thanked her stars that they were staying just the one night. She waited till Mark closed the door. “Our mutual friend said you could be relied on to get us what we need.”
    â€œHe is most kind. I will try my best.” She saw nothing about this Chanderan that convinced her he had been the primary weapons supplier to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the terrorist group that had held the island captive for two decades. Of course, with the group now destroyed, Chanderan’s business had nosedived. Ruby had been given these inputs by Uncle Yusuf when he called her from Dubai. The memory of what had since happened to him overwhelmed her; the ghastly manner in which he had been killed filling her with fury. She pushed it away.
    This is not the time. I must focus. That will be revenge enough. His death will not go to waste.
    She saw Mark watching her as she focused again on Chanderan. Yes, he would be delighted to supply them with whatever they needed.
    â€œThis is what I need.” Ruby handed over a short list to him. He scanned it, all at once mutating from bumbling hotel manager to seasoned arms supplier. Ruby could see why he had survived.
    â€œThe rocket launcher and the rockets to go with it are not a problem.” Chanderan looked up. “The Glocks will take some time.”
    â€œHow much time?”
    â€œTwo weeks at least. Maybe even more. I will need to check. New stuff stopped coming in a while ago … ever since…” He shrugged.
    Damn! “I don’t have that much time.”
    â€œMaybe I can give you something else in that category?”
    â€œNo.” Ruby shook her head; the Glock 17 was crucial. With 17 percent of it high-tech plastic polymers, it was almost undetectable. If unassembled, it required an expert manning the detectors to ascertain its presence. And its seventeen-shot magazine capacity offered a huge advantage. She’d need that for the thirteen targets to be taken down. Not to mention the security men between her and the targets.
    Chanderan was about to say something when Mark spoke. “Boss, can I have a word with you?”
    Chanderan took the hint. “Why don’t I organize some refreshments for you … while you two discuss things.” He left.
    â€œHow badly do we need them Glocks?” Mark asked softly as soon as they were alone.
    â€œWe need them for sure.”
    â€œI know a guy, way bigger and more organized than him”—Mark nodded toward the door through which Chanderan had exited “—who can get them for us in India.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œAs sure as I can be. I have dealt with him.” Mark shrugged. “In any case, what have we got to lose? This guy doesn’t have them for sure. So even if the chap in India doesn’t, we go for the next best option.”
    Ruby nodded. “Fair enough.”
    â€œWe can even get all the rest of the stuff in India … why cart it all the way from