Satellite shots begin to fill the display, followed by a series of grainy surveillance photographs. Trucks are parked along a narrow dirt road carved through rough terrain. Several heavy crates are stacked beside them, some of which are partially open. Even with the low resolution of the images, I can make out what they contain. Assault rifles, packed explosive shells, and military communication units sealed in protective casings. Armed men patrol the vehicles like restless wolves guarding their kill.
“You already know Parag Reddy has been camping near the Nepal border for the past few days,” Haider says, stepping beside the table.
My eyes continue to study the screen.
“He’s there for an arms deal,” Haider continues, zooming in on one of the satellite images.
“These weapons didn’t originate here,” he explains. “They are moving through a corridor where Central Asian suppliers push cargo towards the Nepal side. The Reddys take control from there and handle the next leg of the route.”
“Distribution,” I say quietly.
Haider nods once. “He’s there to broker the deal and move the shipment forward. These are military-grade weapons, not small cargo either. But enough to arm a small militia.”
I lean back slightly in my chair.
“That corridor runs east,” Haider adds. “Once the exchange is complete, the trucks will move through the border routes and eventually towards Southeast Asia. Buyers there are already waiting for this shipment.”
The information does not surprise me. The Reddy empire breathes through narcotics, guns, and the kind of violence that forces politicians to look the other way. Deals like this are the pillars that keep their influence standing.
“When does the shipment move?” I ask.
“The exact timeline is still unclear. But from the movement patterns we’ve tracked, it will take a few more days before the convoy is ready to cross the border corridor.”
He pauses for a moment before adding the part that actually matters.
“And once the transfer is complete, Parag isn’t heading back south immediately. He is planning to come here. To RK Estate.”
My jaw tightens.
“Apparently, he plans to spend some time with the princess before taking her back to Cape Town.”
For a moment, I say nothing.
Spend some time with the princess.
Whatever the hell that means… it’snothappening. I don’t say it out loud, but my hands curl into fists against the edge of thetable, and an unpleasant irritation begins to spread beneath my skin. The thought alone is enough to darken my mood.
“I donotwant him setting foot on this estate, Haider.”
Haider studies my expression carefully before replying. “Blocking the Reddys directly would draw attention,” he says. “The cleaner option would be for Siya Vardhaan to leave before he arrives. If she is not here, Parag has no reason to come to RK Estate.”
He’s right. Logically, that solution would resolve the problem without raising any suspicion. But unfortunately, my instincts tell me that the woman in question has no intention of leaving anytime soon.
I push away from the table and walk to the window, my gaze settling over the dark stretch of the valley as my mind begins to weigh through possibilities.
“How long before he gets here?” I ask.
“Ten days. Possibly less,” Haider answers. “Once the arms exchange near the border is done, he will head straight here.”
Ten days.
My gaze remains fixed on the darkness outside. In that case, the solution is simple. Make sure the deal doesn’t finish on time.
I turn back to him. “Delay it.”
Haider’s brow immediately creases. “How long do you want to hold something like that back?”
“As long asIdecide.”
