Free A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev Page A

want you to contact Dr. Joshi again. And you cannot let anyone know about the diary being stolen. If the media finds out that evidence has gone missing, I won’t be able to protect you any longer. There is only so much I can do.”
    First, the murderers they had in custody weren’t the real murderers, not the ones who orchestrated the organ stealing that Jen had unearthed. Not the ones who had threatened Jen and then had her throat snapped in an alley. Second, the deaths hadn’t stopped. The department just didn’t have the resources to go after disappearances of undocumented slum dwellers, not without Kirit’s approval. No, this was far from over.
    â€œSir, I know that the evidence is still out there. I know Jen’s . . . Dr. Joshi’s husband has access to the evidence. I don’t think the diary being stolen is an accident. I just need a little time to get through to him. He’s coming up on the two-year mark. Even the most badly affected victims’ families are ready to get back to their lives after two years. I know if I can just talk to him that he can lead us to these monsters.”
    â€œYou said that when we passed the one-year mark. So far the victim’s husband has shown us no sign that he wants to cooperate. We have no case and even if we did we don’t have jurisdiction. He’s taken himself and all her possessions back to the US. There is nothing more we can do.”
    â€œI need clearance to access the donor records.”
    â€œIt’s out of the question.”
    â€œPlease, sir. I’m begging.”
    Kirit squeezed his temples. “You know how hard it is for me to refuse you, son. I would give you anything you wanted if I thought it would get us anywhere. I’ll tell you what. I’ve recommended your name to head up the security team for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.”
    â€œYou’re transferring me?”
    Kirit looked hurt. “No, I’m giving you a promotion and the kind of responsibility anyone else with your seniority would kill for.”
    â€œThen don’t. I don’t deserve it. I haven’t earned it.”
    Kirit patted Rahul’s shoulder again. “You deserve so much more. You just have to learn to keep your emotions out of it. If you get my meaning. This business is too dirty to let your heart get involved.” He held Rahul’s gaze, until he was sure his words had sunk in.
    This wasn’t about Jen, or how he felt about her. But he was not getting into that with Kirit. Based on Kirit’s set face, it seemed like Rahul wasn’t getting into anything more with him today.
    â€œCome on, son, let it go. It’s over.”
    But it wasn’t over. There were still five people who had disappeared. Jen’s donor registry database was still erased without a trace. The diary was still missing from police custody. Nikhil Joshi’s dead-man voice was still searching for connections to his wife, a woman Rahul would avenge if it was the last thing he did.
    But he had reached a dead end with Kirit and he’d just have to find another way.
    Kirit must have seen the resignation in Rahul’s face, because he sank into his chair, looking suddenly old and weary. “You’re coming home for dinner tonight. Kimi is cooking some fancy foreign food again.”
    Rahul groaned. “Come on, sir, do I really deserve that?”
    Kirit laughed, and Rahul knew that the minister had switched over to doting-father mode. “Why must I be the only one to suffer her experiments?”
    â€œI’ll be there.” It’s not like he could refuse the invitation, even though after his last encounter with Kimi he really needed to stay away from her. He gave Kirit a quick salute and left.
    The minister, of all people, should know how much damage the black market did to legitimate organ donor lists. Kimi had, after all, waited years for her heart. For Kimi and for Jen, Rahul