There had been encroachments by Pakistani troops over the line of control in Kashmir. Editorials solemnly urged the government to adopt a firm stance… - Shamini Flint

It's impossible to run a business in this town. Corruption, nepotism, cronyism – you name it, it's here." "So was Ashu Kaur an example of nepotism?" "Because she was Tara Singh's granddaughter? Actually, she was a good worker, smart, knew her stuff. And she didn't mind getting her hands dirty." "What does that mean?" "You're not from India, are you?" "Singapore." The American calmed down immediately. "Now there's a place I like to do business. Clean, organised, honest, efficient and no slums on the doorstep.

The act of speaking, the release from silence, invariably meant that the prisoner would say too much, give something away, let slip an honest truth in the midst of the self-justification. Inspector Singh, like a fine piano-tuner, could listen to these verbal outpourings and pick up those hints of expression or emotion that were off-key and those that rang true. And so he waited for Jasper Lee to open his mouth, and a door to the truth, at the same time.

“Where’re you from?” “I’m a policeman from Singapore and a distant relative by marriage to Ashu’s family,” replied Singh. “I’ve been there – most boring place in the world, I think,” said Sameer. Singh grinned. This was a different opinion from that of the American boss.