“Was that Aisha Sha?” Vikram asked, every sense on alert. When Ahana nodded, Vikram tried to remain calm. “What happened?”
Ahana’s tortured gaze met his. “I don’t know, but I think we should call the police.”
Vikram quickly turned the boat back toward his pier. “Are you sure? Maybe she just didn’t want anyone to know she was calling you.”
“She was talking really softly, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. But then I heard a crash and then—nothing. I’m worried something terrible has happened to her.”
Vikram understood where Aisha was coming from. The dark bruise around Aisha’s wrist had revealed an ugly story despite her claims of falling off the porch. He’d seen his share of domestic violence cases when he’d been in Bela Nagar, but he couldn’t figure out why the women didn’t just get out. He knew being a victim was part of the cycle, believing the guy was going to change, thinking that next time the same thing wouldn’t happen, but it was still frustrating.
“Call the emergency number for help and send the help over there just in case.”
Vikram could hear Ahana on the phone, speaking to Deputy Shahil, explaining Aisha’s abrupt call and the crash she’d heard. After Ahana finished, she turned back toward him. “They said they’d send a squad out to check things out.”
“That’s good,” Vikram said as he pulled up next to his pier. “Wait for me to help you,” he cautioned. Vikram made quick work of tying up the boat before giving her a helping hand.
Ahana crutch-walked up the front lawn at a fast pace. He followed close behind. “Do you know where Aisha and Kumar live?” Ahana asked as they rounded the house.
Vikram had a bad feeling about where this was going. “Yes. They live in a small house in the woods. They don’t have access to the lake, but their house is tucked into the trees. I think Kumar likes his privacy.” Privacy that gave him plenty of opportunity to hit his wife without anyone overhearing.
“Will you drive me there?”
Vikram didn’t want to because he was worried about her safety. Both Kumar and Tammy could be unpredictable. Yet how could he refuse? If anything, Ahana might be able to calm Aisha down if she was upset since she’d established a good rapport with the patient during her last visit.
“I’ll drive you there,” Vikram agreed. “But we’re not going inside until the cops show up.”
Ahana looked like Aisha wanted to protest, but Aisha didn’t say anything as she slid into the passenger seat. Vikram took the crutches, stuffed them in the back, and then jogged around to the driver’s side.
“Hurry,” Ahana urged.
Vikram was already pushing the speed limit, but he nudged the gas pedal a bit more. “Try calling Aisha back, see if she answers.”
Ahana did as he suggested, but apparently no one answered because she dropped the phone into her lap. “I don’t like it,” Ahana murmured. “Something’s not right.”
As Vikram approached the south side of the lake, Vikram heard the wail of sirens getting louder. The squad sped past them, kicking up dust and gravel, and Vikram couldn’t help feeling a sense of relief.
Vikram could only hope and pray the deputies had gotten there in time.
When Vikram approached the long, winding driveway, he pulled off on the side of the road and cut the engine.
“What are you doing?” Ahana asked, her tone laced with impatience. “We have to check on Aisha.”
“Ahana, the police are there. We can’t just barge up the driveway into the middle of what could be a bad situation. For all we know, Aisha could be a hostage. There could be weapons involved.” And from what he’d heard about Kumar, the guy was an avid hunter, so for sure he owned at least one gun, if not more. “Let’s just sit here for a minute and wait.”
Ahana’s expression betrayed her frustration, but when she bowed her head to pray, Vikram reached over to take her hand in his. “Dear Lord, we ask that You please keep Aisha safe in Your care,” Ahana murmured.
“God please safe and take care...!,” Ahana whispered.
Ahana stared through the windshield, searching for some sign of either Aisha or the police. Both windows were down, too, but they couldn’t hear anything, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. At least there wasn’t any shouting or gunfire. But what if everyone was already dead? Ahana couldn’t bear the thought.
Usually prayer helped keep her calm, but Ahana couldn’t deny an acute sense of urgency. Ahana was pleased that Vikram had prayed with her, and if the situation wasn’t so tense, Ahana might have asked him more about what had caused him to stray from his faith.
The sound of muted voices reached her ears, and she grabbed Vikram’s hand. “Did you hear that?” Ahana whispered.
Vikram nodded. “Maybe there’s nothing to worry about,” he suggested.
As much as she wanted to believe that, Ahana knew too well it wasn’t likely. Abusive men didn’t just turn over a new leaf. They always wanted to prove that they were in control, no matter what it took. And the abuse was always the victim’s fault.
You’re so stupid! How could you do something so stupid? Whack! Maybe next time, you’ll think before you open up your mouth! Smack!
Ahana shivered despite the warm air as memories of the past came rushing forward. Her stepfather had beat her mother on a regular basis, but it wasn’t until her stepfather started beating Ahana that her mother had finally escaped.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Vikram whispered. “You suddenly got very pale.”
Ahana needed to pull herself together. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
The sound of a car motor startled her, and Ahana held her breath until the squad car came into view. The two deputies inside looked grim.
