The door’s heavy lock turned, and the door screamed open on its ancient hinges. Setri jolted up. A middle-aged man in a clean uniform looked down at her. There was no pity in his eyes. Two younger men in less sparkling khakis, their faces equally hard, stood behind him. They looked like they were itching to get into the cell. Perhaps she should have used her shalwar to hang herself from the rings in the wall.
“My name is Alok Sharma. I am Superintendent of Police here in Jodhpur. You’re being held for the murder of three of my officers. We’re still hunting for your leopard, which will be put down when we find it. In fact, all the leopards in your village will be put down. They’re a menace to the public. As you are. And we will find a way to put you down as well.”
He thrust his chest out
