Krish took a sip of his now-cold chai, merely to have something to do. “Avi made mistakes. And he might have owned up to them, too, if he hadn’t been so scared of how you and I would react to those mistakes.”
Aarthi’s mouth turned down. Clearly, she’d heard that part of Isha’s conversation. “I would have helped him, if he’d told me.”
“Would you have? Or would you have been quick to believe the evidence—like you actually did?”
There was a long silence. Krish wondered if he’d gone too far.
Aarthi’s voice was raspy when she finally spoke. “You’re right. I suppose I was so quick to believe Avi did all the things they accused him of because if he had been innocent, I would have felt terribly guilty. I know I pushed him into the FBI. If his mere position there led to him being captured or killed, it—it was easier to believe he was corrupt than for me to face any hint of failure on my part.”
“In this case, you and Krish were both right. Avi did some illegal stuff. He also didn’t do everything they said he did.”
Aarthi switched her attention to Sejal. “You’re not mad? Avi hurt you, too.”
“I’m mad. If I ever see him, I’ll tell him exactly how mad. But if he apologizes prettily, I might forgive him.” She shot Krish a glance. “I actually don’t mind everything that came out of this whole experience.”
Krish’s smile was slow and came from his soul. He took Sejal’s hand in his. “This is a good lesson for us both to have some grace with each other. And with ourselves. See things less black-and-white.”
Aarthi cleared her throat. “You’re right. Both of you.” She stood and swept up her disguise into her hat. “I have to go find my son. I’ll be damned if my baby exiles himself while much more actively corrupt people run amok. He’ll face the music and do something good in the process.”
Wait, what? “Mom. You’re not going to Mexico.”
“Krishna, please. If your brother was last seen in Mexico City, as this Isha has stated, then it’s because he wanted to be seen in Mexico City. No child of mine would be so careless. Avi’s probably somewhere in Iceland by now.”
The last thing Krish wanted to do was chase his mom chasing his brother. In Iceland, no less. “Isha said she’d find him.”
“Then I guess we’ll see who’s faster. Don’t worry, Krish, I’m not going anywhere myself right away. All of these things are done over the computer.”
Aarthi looked down her nose at Sejal. “May I give you some maternal advice, Sejal?”
“I suppose.” Sejal’s expression was wary, and Krish didn’t blame her.
“That was a nice trick you did, with the cards. I couldn’t see everything, but your audience seemed entertained. People need to be entertained. You should consider thinking bigger than a hobby.” Aarthi made a face. “I can’t believe I just encouraged someone to be a professional magician, of all things.”
“You’re becoming soft, Mother.”
“I hate it.”
“I’m definitely trying to think less short-term,” Sejal promised.
Does that mean she sees you in her long-term?
Patience. They’d talk about this soon.
His mother, however, had no patience. “When will you two figure out your... situation?”
“Not sure.” Sejal rested her elbows on the table. “We’ve got a lot more time to think about it now.”
“Well, do it fast. For what it’s worth, Sejal, I don’t love you as much as you do me, but I could see you growing on me.”
“You’re playing hard to get? Lady, that makes me love you more.”
By the way she pursed her lips, Krish knew his mom was trying not to smile. “Given your necklace, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised if you two end up together. It’s clearly meant to be.”
Sejal touched the infamous necklace that had gotten her out of more than one set of handcuffs. “What?”
“Your necklace. It’s abstract, but I believe that design is meant to depict Krishna’s flute.”
“Oh.” Sejal looked at Krish. “My aunt did seem amused when she found out your name was Krishna. How about that.”
