Free The Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome Page B

Jehan popped out of his grasp like a wet cake of soap. Alisha caught it neatly with one hand and placed it back in its stand in the display cabinet.
    â€˜What’s the matter?’ Ruby asked Gerald. He was wriggling his fingers in the air.
    â€˜That thing just gave me a jolt,’ he said. ‘Like it was electric.’
    A jovial voice boomed across the room.
    â€˜It does seem to come to life sometimes, doesn’t it?’
    Gerald looked up to see Mr Gupta walking towards them with hands outstretched and a smile on his round face. ‘Greetings, Gerald. I’m so glad you and your friends have come for a visit. I trust Alisha has made you welcome.’
    Gerald’s eyes darted to Ruby. She was gnawing on her bottom lip. ‘Just like home, Mr Gupta,’ he said.
    The man clamped an arm around Gerald’s shoulders and squeezed. ‘Your timing is perfect. Now I can thank you properly for recovering my diamond. It’s been in the family for more than fifteen hundred years—it’s the centrepiece of my collection. It would be very poor form for me to lose it.’
    â€˜It was very kind of you to invite us, Mr Gupta,’ Ruby said in her politest voice. She avoided Alisha’s eyes.
    Mr Gupta let out a raucous laugh. ‘The least I could do—seeing as you were in the neighbourhood.’
    He tapped a fingernail on the glass of the display case. ‘All these bits and pieces are from the Gupta empire. At that time, our ancestors controlled almost all of India. Sadly, those days are long gone. But a few trinkets have been handed down through the centuries.’
    Gerald looked around at the opulent furnishings and the palatial scale of the house. He guessed that more than a few trinkets had found their way into Mr Gupta’s care.
    A servant dressed in a long white robe appeared bearing a tray of iced drinks. Mr Gupta ushered Gerald and the twins to a suite of armchairs. Alisha made a point of sitting very close to Sam. But she didn’t take her eyes off Gerald.
    â€˜It’s very hot in Delhi this time of year,’ Mr Gupta said, taking a sip from a frosted glass. ‘The monsoon rains that usually cool us down are late. So, if it fits in with your plans, I suggest you spend only a few days here before escaping the heat. My company sponsors a tiger reserve in Kerala and, if you like, you can have a week on a houseboat there, cruising the rivers. I think you’ll find it fascinating.’
    â€˜That sounds great,’ Ruby said. ‘I’ve always wanted to see a tiger in the wild.’
    Alisha leaned forward and rested a hand on Ruby’s knee. ‘Let’s hope they’re not very good swimmers. We’d hate to have an accident.’
    There was an awkward silence. Ruby pressed her lips together, restraining herself. Then Alisha turned back to Sam and unleashed a smile that would light a small village, revealing dimpled cheeks and two rows of orthodontically perfected teeth. ‘First, I want to give you a taste of Delhi. A traditional market. Let’s go this evening.’
    Sam slipped back into his stupor and nodded readily. Gerald wasn’t sure, but he thought he could hear Ruby’s teeth grinding.
    â€˜I’ve told you, Alisha, I’m not happy with this market idea,’ Mr Gupta said. ‘There are too many dangers.’
    Gerald sensed some tension. ‘If it’s a problem,’ he said, ‘we can do something else.’
    Alisha stood up. ‘There is no problem, Gerald. Other than my father wanting to keep me behind glass like the rest of his precious collection.’ She glared at Mr Gupta, then sailed out of the room.
    Mr Gupta’s face darkened. He excused himself and went after his daughter.
    Ruby grinned to herself. ‘Trouble in paradise?’ she murmured.
    The servant returned with a fresh tray of drinks. Ruby selected a tall glass filled with sweet lime juice.
    â€˜Will there be