To say that the house was a mess, was an understatement. For the past forty-eight hours, JT and his friends spent most of the day and the evening camped out at Gwen's. They had roamed the market and purchased everything they needed to make her property more secure. New doors and window frames, glass to fit them with, mesh, more wooden fencing, solid wrought-iron gates, and the likes. They consulted contractors, big and small, to get quotes on construction jobs as well.

Once deals had been placed, men of all kinds waltzed through the house; electricians to check on the wiring, masons to build walls, laborers to carry construction material up and down the hillside, technicians for alarms and cameras... you get the idea.

At the end of the first day, everything was coming along well enough. After endless hours of listening to the pounding of hammers, whirling of drills, shovels hitting the ground, and clanking of metal against metal, the house now sported double door entrance and exits, and double paned windows. The north and east boundary that ran parallel to roads were sporting partially built walls while the south and west boundary that faced the cliffside had barbed wire fencing. The intimidating front gate was resting in a cement foundation, awaiting a shiny new coat of paint.

JT, Aalam, and the others pitched in when necessary; digging holes, shoving posts into the ground, cutting through the undergrowth, checking security camera placements, and providing direction for where the fencing was to go. JT threw in a pretty wooden gazebo as well. An open airy yet sheltered spot where Gwen could sit and enjoy her evenings, or read on a calm afternoon. It quite matched the rustic look of her house with its faded tile roof, and rough log supports. Since she liked bonfires so much, he had a pit dug, cemented and bricked in to serve that purpose. They oversaw the cementing of the spirally staircase behind the house and installed a rustic banister for greater safety.

When night fell, the property found itself deserted. Everyone had gone home feeling exhausted yet encouraged by a sense of accomplishment.

JT was no different. He was so excited that he could barely contain himself. He groaned when he realized that in all this, he had forgotten his promise to call Gwen. After their magical evening and his hasty retreat he knew he'd have some explaining to do.

He cursed himself for not calling her first thing in the morning and now, the whole day had gone by, and he had been preoccupied. No time better than the present, he said to himself mustering up the courage to call her. A perfectly reasonable explanation, he reminded himself. Not like he was intentionally callous or cold. She'll be happy once she knew. JT thought of every reason to convince himself to make that call when he felt his courage wane.

Taking a deep breath, he dialed her number and waited for an answer. "Huh," he said looking at the screen when the call disconnected. She didn't answer. Perhaps she's busy? He decided to wait for a little before trying again.

Joining his group in front of their bonfire at the army barracks, he began the proceedings for their meeting.

"Whatcha find?" he asked grabbing a cold beer.

"Nothing unexpected," Aalam replied digging into his pocket for a crumpled piece of paper. "He got out at 10:00 walked with his guide to the market, stopped for breakfast. Then caught a ride to Nainital for souvenir shopping. Very touristy and inconspicuous."

"Is that so?"

Aalam continued, "They went sightseeing to Tiffin-top and the Lake. Returned after lunch. Drove past Gwen's twice."

"Really now?" JT muttered not quite surprised. He had figured Tom would be watching the place and had hoped that all this activity would act as a deterrent.

"That bold son of a bitch," Dev spoke up for the first time since the meeting began.

Aye... aye agreed the rest of the group.

JT stared at the fire. He watched the flames flicker and was transported back to his magical night with Gwen. He wondered if she had truly been too busy to take his call. He didn't like the alternative.

Aalam's voice droned on in the background, "The TRH mentioned that Tom made two international calls. So I checked with my contact." He threw a disc at JT who shook off his reminiscing and caught the disc midflight. "The service provider recorded the calls for us. We now owe my contact a huge favor."

JT groaned. He didn't like owing people, anything. But this was necessary, he told himself as he turned the disc around in his hand. He tossed it to Dev. "Let's see what we have here."

Dev was the techie in their group. He had a sharp mind when it came to anything that involved technology of any kind. He dug into his bag and pulled out a laptop. The group waited patiently as it powered up. Intimately familiar with the laptop, it didn't take him very long to stick the disc inside and play the recording.

"Hello,"

"Dude. Where ya calling from? I don't recognize the number."

"India."

"Can't believe you actually went after the bitch. She ain't worth the trouble man."

"The fuck you saying? I had her right where I wanted her, and she ups and leaves! I haven't been banging her all this while to walk away empty-handed. She owes me!"

"True, she's got a large inheritance, but dude, surely you can find someone richer and prettier right here."

"Hell no! I don't have the time to start from scratch. Besides, I scared her good and proper. You should have seen her when my fists did the talking. She cowered in the corner and whimpered like the bitch she is."

The unknown voice laughed and then wheezed. A cough followed. Then he cleared his throat and hawked.

"Geez man, you sound worse."

"Bah, I'll be fine. You sure she's coming home with you?"

"Yeah. I let her stew over for my ultimatum for a few days. I've been watching her place in between."

"The crap joint she bought? Man, that must have hurt. All that money wasted!"

"Yeah not quite crap anymore. She's been fixing it up some. Who knew the bitch had brains? Now when I sell it, I'll get more money."

"Fixing it up?"

"Some walls, some gates. Like she thinks that'll stop me from coming after her."

Both men laughed for a minute before the coughing and wheezing started again.

"So, when do we expect you back? I've got an itch to scratch, and you know all the girls who'll be willing to scratch that itch for free."

"Keep it in your pants a little while longer. When I have no more use of the bitch, you can keep her."

"Be careful man and speak with you soon."

"Be careful of what? The bitch isn't capable of anything. And yeah, call you later, fucker."

"Shit that's some cold stuff," squeaked Etash. "She's in so much trouble, and she doesn't even know it."

Aalam cracked his knuckles. "Let's teach him a lesson or two."

"Play the second call," JT instructed his voice calm despite the anger building up inside.

"Thank you for calling the Earl's Court. How may I help you?"

"Put me through to Farthing."

"May I know who is calling?"

"Benefactor."

"Yes sir, hold just a minute please."

A moment of silence followed by instrumental music.

"Fucking retard music. I hate this shit."

"'Bout time I heard from you. Got my money yet?"

"Almost."

"What's that mean? Either you have it, or you don't."

"I will have it when I'm in London?"

"When's that gonna be? When both your feet are in the grave?"

"A week at the most."

Silence

"All right, if you're sure, I'll give you an extension. Just remember this will be the last. Failure will mean dire consequences."

"I said I'll get it."

"We'll know soon enough."

Phone disconnects.

"Be back in a minute," JT said standing up. He dropped his can in the trash pile and dug into his pocket for his phone. No return call from Gwen. He was convinced she was upset with him now. No other reason for the radio silence from her end. He stepped further away from the bonfire and dialed her number hoping that she'll at least give him an opportunity to explain. Either way, he knew he had to warn her.

Pacing round and round, he waited for her to answer. Come on Gwen, he whispered, frustrated. When the call automatically dropped, he tried again. Shit. She wasn't responding. He decided he'll have to stop by the shelter come morning if he were to make peace with Gwen.

JT stomped back to the bonfire, his earlier mood now replaced with a sour one.

"She's mad at you," Aalam said grinning. He was quite enjoying this messy situation. JT considered wiping the smirk off Aalam's face. Then decided against it.

"Really? I hadn't noticed," he said plopping back in his chair and reaching for another can of beer.

"Don't bite me. You ran out on her."

"Back to business shall we?" he sighed.

Dev tried keeping the conversation in the right direction, "Right, so what's the plan now?"

"We've got another training scheduled in three days. Reckon he'll appear before, during or after the training?" Etash mumbled, his mouthful of peanuts.

"What if he does more than just hit her this time?" Brij wondered out loud the one thought no one else wanted to think about.

"What about this business about returning to London in a week with Gwen?"

"Think she'll go with him?"

"He must have something to force her with. I don't see her leaving voluntarily."

"Shit, shit and some more shit."

Round and round and round the conversation went. No one offered any suggestions, brilliant or otherwise. Only doubts and fears were voiced.

Beep ...beep... beep... beep

"What the fuck is that?"

"It's the fire alarm at Gwen's!"

"You installed a fire alarm? Excessive but smart. Let's run."

Twenty minutes later, the five men stood in the clearing in front of Gwen's house surveying the damage.

"What the fuck happened here?"

"Well from the looks of it, someone didn't approve of the changes."

"Think Tom swung past?"

"I wouldn't put it past him. Sleazebag that he is."

"Did you leave the camera running when we left?"

"Sure did."

"Well let's take a look then," JT said turning around to face the house. "Dev, stay here and be invisible."

"It's not here."

"What do you mean?"

"The room is trashed, the equipment is damaged, and the disc is gone. No way to tell who did this."

Aalam cracked his knuckles again. "I'm telling you, let's go grab the fucker and have him spill his guts."

A crash echoed through the quiet property, and the men rushed out just as Dev was rushing in.

"No need to go looking for Tom. He's still here."