“Me and my family.” She snuggled closer to him. He wrapped a hand obligingly around her shoulder. “My family is very well-connected, you know. They can do a lot for you, politically. You have the seeds of greatness, Jehan, but you’re still inexperienced in the world of politics. And it can be a vicious world. Unless, of course, you have the right friends. And partners.”

“Really? Is that how it works?” He sounded impressed.

“To a great extent, yes. My family has considerable clout in the political and corporate circles of Qayit. Their support can be invaluable…to someone in your position. For your detractors in the government and the media, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with. And you won’t have to worry about an election any time in the near future.

“At the very least, you’ll have the five-year term that would be your due in a normal premiership. And then, of course, you’ll still be calling the shots when Dehran takes the seat. This can be your decade, Jehan. The loyalty of the Rayeek family isn’t something to be trifled with. It can take you places you never dreamed you’d go.”

“As long as I don’t go anywhere near the Vanya dam issue, of course. At least not without your family’s permission.”

“It’s a small favor to ask, considering all that we’re willing to do for you in return. Wouldn’t you agree?” Rinisa murmured sweetly, a sharp edge creeping into her voice. “Friendship must be reciprocal, after all.

“We have the resources to consolidate and strengthen your position in this city. But you should know that we also have the power to do the exact opposite, if we were so inclined. Crossing us wouldn’t be the brightest idea for someone in such a…tenuous position as yourself, if you know what I mean.”

Fasih sighed, glancing out the window. “And it was such a nice day, too. Back at the institute, I’d have gone out for a walk, listened to some music. Politics is a tedious business, isn’t it? No wonder everyone’s on edge. You would be if you had to sit all day listening to boring speeches.”

Rinisa shifted slightly, putting a few inches between herself and Jehan. Abhijat could practically see the cogs turning in her head. He could almost sympathize. Every conversation he’d had with Fasih so far had given him a splitting headache for the rest of the day.

Oblivious to the change in his companion’s mood, Jehan continued. “Still, somebody’s got to do it, I suppose. And it isn’t fair of me to complain, after I raised all this hell to get here. But anyway, the point is, my dear, that I’ll have your family’s support whether I back Ishfana in the dam dispute or not.

“And I’ll be upfront with you, darling, since you’ve been so kind to me today. The point is moot. As you’re well aware, allowing Ishfana to have its way will cause Eraon to spiral into a water crisis,” he shook his head mournfully. “Which will then cause all kinds of awkwardness with the media and the non-profits.

“Plus, the separatists will have another excuse to hype up their fear-mongering. And so soon after the metro blasts, we really can’t risk another terror incident over something like this. Terrible for PR, you know. And if things go out of hand – as they likely will – the states might even demand Central intervention to resolve the whole mess later. Can you imagine that? Just the logistics of it! And in my first year as Prime Minister, too. Lord, it’s exhausting just to think about.

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“I want to help you, of course. I really do. But people can be so annoying, you know. Well, of course you know. You’re in politics! Anyway, they’re never more annoying than when they’re doing those…protest marches and rallies and whatnot. And there’s going to be plenty of rallies if Eraon loses access to Vanya’s water. All very awkward. And exhausting.

“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that it’s all completely pointless. It’s a big dam. Huge, really. 2,500 million cubic meters! Can you imagine that? I can’t. Besides, everyone has a right to the river water. And Eraon can easily say the dam was built without their permission. Then what? We can’t very well dismantle the thing, profitable as that might be for the bottled water industry. They’d never recover the costs.

“Nope, that’d never do. The dam stays. And if Eraon and Ishfana can’t play nice with each other and share the damn water, the whole thing will come under the control of the Central Government and they can negotiate their water requirements in Qayit. We’ll see how they like that. Although, between you and me, I have a feeling they won’t,” he giggled. “The only thing the states hate more than each other is central interference. It’s cute, really. Though useful, in this particular case.”

“You’re out of your mind!” Rinisa’s voice shook as she said it. “You’ll start another war. You can’t–”

“Oh, but I can. I can do a whole lot of things, Ms. Rayeek. Many of them beyond your wildest fantasies. For instance, I can bring to the media’s attention the fact that your family donated money to the campaigns of four of the five former cabinet ministers accused of receiving funds from Maralana.

“I can also bring to their attention the fact that your brother married the former Deputy Prime Minister’s daughter less than six months after Rayeek Industries obtained a license to open their fifth – and largest – desalination facility in coastal Eraon. Against the recommendation of the Environmental Commission, if I remember correctly.

“But I won’t do any of that, because…well, let’s just say I’m nice like that. But how much is reputation worth in Qayit, my dear? Like you said, I don’t know very much about politics, so you’ll have to guide me here. Think about it, won’t you? What’s the going rate for a good old-fashioned scandal this season?”

“You’re blackmailing me.” There was ice in her voice. Abhijat was surprised she hadn’t tried to strangle him yet. He almost wished she would. He’d have an excuse to shoot her if she did.

Fasih smiled. “Not at all. I’m just telling you why it’d be silly of you to try and blackmail me. I’m just a poor scientist, you know. The upside to having nothing is that you have nothing to lose. Handy in these sorts of situations.

“Anyway, I wouldn’t pursue the dam issue any further if I were you. Would be hell of a thing to explain if it ever got out, wouldn’t it? You trying to deprive your own people of drinking water. Very awkward.”

“You’ll pay for this,” Rinisa hissed.

“Hmm. Don’t think so. But tell you what. In the spirit of friendship and new beginnings, I’ll see to it Rayeek Industries is well positioned to win the tender for the next round of expansions of the Vanya dam. That should help you recover some of the losses on this ill-conceived venture.

“If you play it smart, neither of us has to walk away from this empty-handed. And if you don’t?” He shrugged, glancing out the window. “I don’t know much about politics but…Deputy Chief Ministers can’t be harder to supplant than Prime Ministers, can they?”

A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of the gigantic luxury hotel where Rinisa was staying. Jehan bid her goodbye with a warm handshake and a kiss on her cheek. She smiled, nodded, posed for the paparazzi that had followed them to the hotel, then stormed through the smoked-glass doors of the front lobby.

Abhijat watched her go, trying to decide if he should be impressed or incensed. “Well, that was something.”

“Something like a good day’s work.” Fasih smiled and slid back into the car. “What’re we waiting for?”