Chapter 11

Chapter 11

11 May

At three AM in Thailand. Roger’s private Jet’s pilots Eddie and Freddy had just checked into the hotel near Bangkok airport, and their satellite phone rang, they were told to take the Jet back to Mumbai.
They were sitting in the hotel lounge and waiting for the taxi to the airport.
“Hey Freddy usually we stay in the hotels around the airports. Right.”
“Right.”
“We waste our time waiting for the taxi. Right.”
“Right.”
“We should ask boss if we could keep two bicycles on the plane. Right.”
“This is brilliant idea, Eddie.”

2

Poppy was a rising star of a gang in the Mumbai Underworld. He started his career as an independent Pickpocket in Central India. Three times he got caught and people beat him up badly but police saved his life because he always gave them a commission on his pickings. Later on he joined the protection of a group. They were about fifteen people, were expert in creating a crowd around the victim. They used various ways to divert the attention of their victim, first they created a crowd around him and then some pushed him or some one diverted his attention by staging a make believe fight or heated argument etc. and one cut the fabric of the pocket with a piece of shaving blade and had a safe run, even if the goon was caught by people or the victim, fifteen of his colleagues came to rescue their comrade. One day they were drunk and in a brawl Poppy killed the head of the group. To save his own life, he took the first train to Mumbai. He knew of a Mafioso there, Mumbai Underworld recruited him on the spot. He was instantly promoted; he was not picking pockets anymore, but was stealing passports from the foreigners. Passports were altered to smuggle people and criminals abroad. Underworld took the passports stolen by him and his bonus was the stolen credit cards.
Then he was transferred to illegal betting division. There he made his first kill; his biggest achievement was that he handled American Billionaire Roger’s nephew’s account. He worked on Sonny gradually; he gave him tips and let Sonny win for a while then influenced him to put a massive bet on a cricket match, which was already fixed by Mumbai mafia. In a single shot Underworld made serious money, which was equivalent to multiple bank robberies. This Money was delivered at their door. Don in Dubai, congratulated him personally on the phone.

Poppy woke up at five in the morning, went to temple to pray for the new promotion, he was to run a kidnapping division that was more profitable and also offered a chance to travel. Poppy liked to travel. His new headquarter was in a nice neighborhood.

He still had Sonny’s account and decided to stay as his contact person till Underworld bleeds him dry of everything they got. News was out, Roger gave huge amount of money to his brother Bishambar; Poppy had a plan to extort more money from Sonny. Death of Sonny’s father was excellent news to them.

Poppy was running on a tight schedule, since Sonny said that his future brother-in-law Rishi would be coming for a job. His mind again started making new plans to use Sonny’s brother-in-law to blackmail him then to dip into Roger’s bottomless pockets. His only worry was the timely arrival of this new client referred by Sonny who was expected to arrive at 10pm at night. Poppy was to catch a late night flight to Dubai. He just got a call from there that the rising star of the kidnapping division will be bringing a special suitcase and some merchandize to him, at evening to be carried to Dubai.

3

Hermit and Rishi woke up early and they woke up the boat driver Mahadev, the place they caught the cobra was on the shore so they decided to go there on the boat. They bid farewell to Joshi the Priest, he insisted to stay in Alipore because he was in peace there. He was committed to perform the last rituals of Bishambar otherwise he wanted to go back to Uttarkashi.

They released the snake and arrived at Gateway of India.
Rishi said to Mahadev, “What are your plans today.”
“I have no plans.”
“Go back and bring Sonny here and then take him to home.”
“Rishi Sahib, yesterday night I called Police to tell them about the bomb and get Sonny arrested. I was about to talk to them; you came and served us dinner. You cooked dinner for us.”
Hermit shouted, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
Mahadev continued, “I called Police station, again I was about to talk to them then I saw you both had no food left because we were so drunk, we ate most of it. Then I thought that you were in the boat too, Sonny tried to kill you both too. You gave me equal room and status in that expansive resort, you gave us a whisky bottle, you cooked us food and we ate all of your food. Then I cursed myself, for calling the Police I was betraying a person like you. I found myself betraying a sage and a Hermit, so I disconnected the phone. But I want justice.”
“Thanks Mahadev, I will personally give you a chance to punish Sonny the way you want, the way you desire and the way he deserves.”
Mahadev looked at Rishi in astonishment.
Hermit said, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.” They turned to hail a taxi.

Roger’s jet was at the airport, his Mumbai CEO Sanjay personally delivered them money and packaged breakfast and he also arranged ground transportation to the plant. They were airborne at 10am, Rishi found Roger’s shaving kit in the bathroom, he shaved. The Jet crossed Indian subcontinent in three hours, and they arrived in Gowhati, Assam at 1pm. They were running short of time and Hermit was worried. Rishi was as carefree as usual.
“Bye Eddie and Freddie wait for us till sunset.”
“Fine with us.”

They were waiting for taxi.
Hermit said, “Rishi Sahib, we could never make a round trip to the border of Myanmar, before sunset, even if we get a fast helicopter and it is about to rain.”
“So what do we do Gangagiri?”
“Climate wise Meghalaya area is similar as the area we are about to go. We should try in Meghalaya, I never been there, but may be we get lucky?”
Rishi said, “Gangagiri, never use the word luck.”
“Rishi Sahib, I will leave the luck in the hands of Ganga Mai.”
“Gangagiri, leaving the luck in the hands of Ganga Mai is still a matter of luck.”
“Rishi Sahib, I am confused.”
“Let the will of Ganga Mai prevail or Inshah-Allah. Who are we to judge, what luck is or what is not. What today is luck might be a curse tomorrow or what today is a curse might be a luck tomorrow.”
“Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
“Rishi Sahib today I climbed another step.”
“Gangagiri you climbed another wrong step?”
“Why?”
“You go and you go wrong, because it was your act.”
They laughed.

They hired a taxi for day use and luckily driver was aggressively fast. In half hour they entered in Meghalaya, and geography changed abruptly and they were in lush green temperate mountains. They saw a semi naked tribal walking on the road, Hermit asked the driver to stop the car.
He got off the car and went to semi naked tribal, they talked for ten minutes, and they started laughing. Hermit led him to the car and opened front passenger door.
“Rishi Sahib we have another passenger.”
Rishi silently passed two five-hundred-rupee bills to the new passenger, he was more then happy to have the money.
Now tribal was their navigator. For two hours they made several turns on barely drivable mountain rural roads. At a place he asked driver to stop and pointed to a tree grove.
Rishi, Hermit and tribal walked to the grove and Hermit looked at a tree and laughed, that tree had orange like fruits hanging on it. Tribal climbed on the tree and tossed about 20 fruits.
Taxi driver laughed. “So you hired a taxi to pick this good for nothing waste.”
When tribal got down from the tree, Hermit again whispered in his ears. Tribal again came with them in the car and took them to a place at the road where a trail went in the woods. He got off the car and disappeared in the woods.
“He is gone to a tribal village. He said he will be back in half hour.” Hermit said.
All the sudden rain started, it was a brutal rainstorm.
Tribal returned and handed Hermit a plastic pouch, he again sat in the car. Luckily they made it to paved road. Hermit told driver to take them to airport. Tribal left the taxi at the exact place he joined them.

They reached at Gowhati airport a little before four, rain was relentless and it was flooding everywhere.
They saw their Jet was moving on the taxiway.
Rishi yelled to a man in uniform, “Why is our plane leaving.”
Man in the uniform looked at Rishi from head to bottom. Rishi was wearing wet and cheapest clothes and a pair of chapels. “Your plane!”
Rishi laughed. “Want to have a ride to Mumbai.”
“We asked the plane leave the airport. A cyclone is pounding on the east coast and airport may flood soon.”
“Stop the plane.”
Plane was now on the runway and it raced to take off.
Man in uniform ran to a phone on the counter.
Plane was racing with full speed and suddenly it slowed down and finally it came to halt. It turned on the taxiway and headed towards the terminal building.

They were airborne again. Hermit asked Rishi to ask the pilots if they have rubber globes. Freddy gave him a pair of janitorial globes. Hermit removed several potato colored nuts from the orange looking fruits. Then he carefully removed the core of those nuts. Rishi spread a cloth on the aircraft floor and neatly arranged thousand rupee bills on the sheet. Hermit dissolved those cores of the nuts in a mineral water bottle. They needed water to wash the hands but aircraft’s water tanks were empty because pilots had no time to get aircraft serviced in Bangkok, Mumbai or Gowhati.
“Rishi Sahib we have no water, now we have contaminated all bills.”
“Let the will of Ganga Mai prevail.”
Hermit took out the pouch that tribal gave him. He was very cautious and told Rishi to sit away from him. He asked Eddie if the air-circulation system of the plane can be turned off. Eddie nodded and went in the cockpit and turned off some switches.
Pilots were very curious about what they were doing but turbulent weather made the piloting the plane very demanding.

Freddie said, “Party is over, buckle up. We are about to land in Mumbai.”
It was 9pm in the evening. Rishi looked in the aircraft and found a closet containing Roger’s clothes and shoes. He wore Roger’s tee shirt, a pair of pants and the only shoes lying in the closet.
“Well Freddie and Eddie, keep in touch.”
“Why are you wearing our boss’s clothes?” asked Eddie.
“I am Roger’s brother-in-law.” Rishi said, “His clothes – it is just the beginning.”
Eddie and Freddie had a good laugh.
“Well Eddie and Freddie, I think I need a belt.”
Eddie said, “Don’t look at me.”
Freddie said, “Yes, don’t look at me too.”
Rishi went to Roger’s cabin and removed an electric cord from the printer and tied it around his waist.
“Brother Eddie, and Brother Freddie, bye-bye.”
Rishi and Hermit walked out.
“Hey Rishi,” Freddie shouted, “You forgot your clothes.”
“Oh it was a trade off, now those are Roger’s.”
Eddie shouted, “Roger will never wear those clothes,”
“In billionaires club.” Rishi shouted back, “at Halloween party.”
“Alligator see you later,” shouted Freddie.
Rishi shouted back, “Hey Eddie and Freddie, thanks for the ride, take this Rickshaw back to Bangkok.”

4

Taxi dropped them at the nearest suburban train station, there was a market near by, and Rishi bought a Mumbai map, surgical gloves, rolls of bandage and a bottle of iodine-based antiseptic. Hermit arranged everything in his bag, which was already heavy with the money. They took a taxi but left it about a mile away from the slum where Poppy had his temporary HQ. They walked to slum and inspected the surrounded. There were two ways to go to Poppy’s place, one was the a motor able dirt way which ended near slums a little after Poppy’s home, that was on the edge of the stagnant water lake. A dirt median went across the lake and divided it into two equal parts, that not long ago was a narrow road but slum dwellers dug it up for their construction needs. One could still pass through that narrow maiden, it lead to the road just near Poppy’s place. But people avoided it because slum dwellers used that maiden and the area around it as a toilet grounds.
A tube light lit on a municipal light pole where path and the dirt road met.

Rishi and Gangagiri walked on the median path, in moonlight. A roofless abandoned structure in shambles lay on the half way of the path, which might be a shop at one time. They entered in the structured and now they were not visible to anyone. Hermit bandaged Rishi’s both hands and sprayed antiseptic over it.

Gangagiri was weeping.
“Well Gangagiri it is the time to go.”
Rishi Sahib, “I must accompany you.”
Gangagiri, “it is a one man job.”
“Why are you doing this for a selfish nephew of a selfish businessman.”
“Because this businessman is engaged to our friend Vinita, and Roger’s family problems must be solved to give her a good family.”
“Rishi Sahib, it is all your doing.”
“Ganga Mai is at work.”
“No, I won’t buy this.”
“Gangagiri, creation flies us like we are dry leafs.”
“Rishi Sahib please undo everything and let’s take Vinita back to Uttarkashi.”
“Gangagiri, a leaf should not offer resistance.”
“Why you can not undo everything? This is a lie. Please reply me.”
“Everything is changing. Creator and Creation are not separate. Dance and the Dancer are not separate.”
“Rishi Sahib that is not the answer of my question.”
Rishi said, “Mind invents question with a motive, and mind invents answer with a motive. Mind is a thought. Only God happens. There is only Ganga Mai.”
“Rishi Sahib, this is not an answer.”
“What is your question Gangagiri?”
“Why you can not undo everything? Please reply me.”
“Ten day ago I met you in Uttarkashi, can you undo yourself.”
Hermit was stunned, even his tears stopped.
“Rishi Sahib I cannot undo myself, Go with God. Go with Ganga Mai,” Hermit whispered.
Rishi whispered back, “Allah Hafiz! Security is in the hands of Allah.”
“Be careful Rishi Sahib, all bills are poisoned. Bills in polythene are double poisoned, keep your face away from these, even smelling these can bring a painful death.”

Rishi walked on the path in the direction of the dirt road that led to the Poppy’s place. He walked carefully not to soil Roger’s shoes in the slime. He reached on the road and came under the light pole; suddenly he saw a short and dark colored man coming from the bend of the road. Rishi turned and pretended like he is about to urinate but their eyes met and locked for a seconds. Rishi smiled and he too smiled.

5

A high-ranking government officer visited Bishambar’s home, he asked to see Roger who was always inaccessible. He wanted to make sure if Roger was to attend the last rites of his brother at May 15th. Roger was contacted thought New York and the reply came that he would attend the last rites. Officer informed them that state would arrange the venue because Chief Minister and Governor too would be attending. Finance Minister of India would be coming to represent Prime Minister. Many other VIPs and Rich of the Richest would be attending. Arrangements were assigned to Roger’s Mumbai CEO.

6

Rocky was the rising star of the Mumbai Underworld’s Kidnapping division, was about to leave Poppy’s place, because stench of the slums and the sewage lake around it was oppressive, he too was having itching in his nose. Now he understood why Poppy and Tony were always picking and poking their noses. Danny wanted to deliver the merchandize himself to Poppy, but he had no appetite for the stench, so he delivered three packets to Rocky who brought it to Poppy. Rocky also brought specially made suitcase with him.
Rocky said, “My job is done, you are transporting this merchandize so you must pack it with your hands.”
“Bye Rocky.”
“OK Poppy, have a nice trip. Say my hello to boss.”
Poppy opened the door and then immediately closed it.
“What’s the problem?”
“That son of bitch Kalu Yadav is outside, he chases me like ghost.”
“Who is he?” Rocky asked.
“He is a small time criminal. He is trying to impress me. Today morning as I took out a cigarette to smoke, he appeared from nowhere and lit my cigarette.”
“Poppy, it is unsafe to have such a man around you.” Rocky said.
“After Dubai, I will take care of him.” Poppy said.
Rocky said, “No man, let’s do him now.”
“I would have done him anytime but what are we going to do with the body.”
“We are three people,” Rocky said, “We can wrap up his body with some cinderblocks and sink in the shit lake.”
“OK, I will call him in, he will be happy to have a chat with us.”
They heard a knock on the door.
“May be it is him, rat came to three cats.” Rocky whispered.
“Who is this?” Poppy asked.
“Sonny sent me, I am Rishi,” reply came from the door.
Suddenly Poppy remembered Sonny’s call and he whispered to Rocky, “Close the suitcase, I have to attend this VIP visitor.”
Poppy opened the door.
“I am Rishi.”
Poppy extended his hand for handshake it then he noticed Rishi’s both hands were bandaged.
Poppy said, “What happened to you hands?”
“Please don’t ask.”
“Please come inside, I am Poppy.”
Poppy locked the door.
Rishi raised his right hand; they three softly touched the thick bandage and performed hand touching ceremony. Smells of iodine replaced the stench for a while.
Rishi said, “It is a joy to meet you.”
Rocky whispered in Poppy’s ears, “His shoes alone cost at least five thousand dollars; they are made of real crocodile skin. His pants and tee shirt too cost at least thousand dollars each. His pockets are bulging with money. He is made of money. You sure his name is Rishi.”
Poppy whispered back, “Does he look a ghat-washer to you?”
He was in ecstasy, another good news for the boss in Dubai.
“Mr. Rishi what do you do?”
“Please don’t ask.”
They laughed.
Poppy asked, “Mr. Rishi do you wash ghat.”
“Do you have a ghat on the lake outside?”
They burst into laugher again.
Room had a bed, three dirty plastic chairs, a large table in the corner served as kitchen, a new suitcase lay on another table in the other corner of the room.
Rishi looked at a new suitcase. “So you are off to somewhere.”
“Yes, a business trip. You know that we have to travel for our clients,” said Poppy.
“Of-course, we all do.”
Rishi, Poppy and Rocky took the chairs; Tony sat on the corner of the bed.
Rishi said, “Please pull out the stuff from my front pockets.”
Poppy pulled out wads of money from Rishi’s front pocket.
“Now empty my back pocket except the one with button.”
Poppy happily did it.
Rishi ordered, “Now count the money.”
Poppy’s heart was now beating faster. All money was in thousand-rupee denomination bills.
Poppy asked, “How much is the money, I mean you might have some rough estimate.”
“No idea.”
Three criminals looked at each other and smiled. Poppy divided the money in three almost equal heaps. They started counting. They licked their fingers several times. Poppy and Tony both picked and poked their nose several times. Rocky too wanted to pick his nose but he was resisting the temptation. It took them ten minutes to count the whole amount. Finally they added the three figures.
“Four hundred twenty two thousand rupee.”
Poppy was very happy because they cheated in the counting.
Rishi smiled. “Thanks.”
“Now you keep the money which Sonny owes you. Hand me the balance.”
Poppy said, “Are you kidding. This is not even half the money.”
“Look he is a kid; he is not a business man. Let’s deal it in a business manner.”
“Mr. Rishi, forget it because I am accountable to some one else, we have a boss too.”
Rishi said, “Sonny is my future brother-in-law. I am settling his debt from my own pocket. His father expired yesterday and he himself is in the hospital. Soon he would get his father’s money, later on you can charge him extra but today I want you to close his book. Do it then I have a business proposition for you.”
Rocky whispered in Poppy’s ear, “He is a rich businessman and tough negotiator. Let’s not piss him off and make him happy, you can explain to Boss in Dubai. Let’s see what business proposition he has brought?”
Poppy whispered back, “Yes, he is little eccentric, he is using an appliance chord as his waist belt, look at the plug, it is for American appliances. He is a stubborn kind, take-it-or-leave-it kind.”
“Consider the book on Sonny closed. ” Declared Poppy, “I can call the boss now and give him the news.”
Rishi said, “I am scared of cell phones, please nobody make any phone call.”
“Our lines are secured and we talk in codes,” Rocky said.
“Please no?”
Poppy pulled out a little diary from his pocket and marked some entry.
“I have closed the book. Are you happy?”
Rishi nodded.
Poppy said, “When I heard about Sonny’s father’s demise, I was shocked. He is my best friend, poor kid, he is too young.”
But actually Poppy wanted to laugh.
Rishi said, “Thanks and now let’s come to my business proposition.”
“Sure.”
Poppy said, “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“Well Poppy, I love to drink your tea but I can’t pick the cup.”
Poppy pretended embarrassed.
Rishi ordered, “Now I want you to empty my last pocket.”
Poppy pulled out a transparent polythene bag containing a wad of more bills; most of the bills were new.
“First count these bills, and then check if you can isolate the fake from the real.”
Poppy started counting bills.
“No you all take your divide the bills, I want you all three to learn something.”
They started counting the bills. Their fingers just slipped from the bills, they licked their fingers several times.
Poppy said, “They are slippery and they smell strange.”
“It is the new ink.”
“Now we know the secret behind your expansive clothes.”
“These are not my clothes.”
They laughed.
“Now I want to drink a cup of tea. Then we would talk about an important business.”
Poppy went to make the tea on the gas stove that was lying on a dirty table in the corner.

Rocky had another appointment but he was very curious as well nervous, extremely valuable merchandize was lying in the room. He was repeatedly looking at the suitcase. Also he didn’t want to miss the show Rishi was skillfully putting in front of them.
Rishi asked, “How many are these.”
“Oh! We forgot. I will count them again.” Rocky counted all the bills and again licked his fingertips.
“Five short from two hundred.”
Rishi declared, “I don’t think so.”
Poppy said, “You telling us liar.”
“You telling me a ghat-washer.”
This time Poppy had a fit of laugh.
“We all make mistakes. I will count the bills again.”
“Poppy put the gas stove on low and counted the bills.”
“Ninety five.”
Rishi said to Tony, “This time you count.”
He counted bills again.
“Yes five short from hundred.”
“Put these bills back in the polythene bag.”
Tony repacked the bills.
Poppy was again attending the tea.

Suddenly Tony was breathless; he started pressing his stomach to pump himself.
Rocky asked, “What is happening to you.”
Tony fell from the bed; he crashed on the floor with a thud.
Rocky and Poppy looked at him in surprise.
“Is he okay?” Rishi asked.
Poppy said, “I don’t know.” Then he felt his tongue was very heavy. Rocky was also surprised suddenly he felt his own tongue heavy and felt like he had to make an effort to breathe or even to say a word. Poppy suddenly felt dizzy his mind went numb and he crashed on the water bucket.
Rocky stared at Rishi he was a cunning person. He understood everything.
This Rishi has poisoned us.
He tried to pull his loaded revolver from a hidden waistband but was unable to unbutton the band, his respiratory muscles were failing. He pressed hard to breathe but he felt he was moving a mountain. He tried harder and his lungs collapsed with his own efforts.
Deadly arrow poison Curare-Woorari paralyzed their lung muscles and their lungs collapsed.

Rishi’s wanted to run from the scene but his gut feeling forced him to open the new suitcase, it was unlocked. He was still able to work with bandaged hands. Suitcase was empty except three brick sized boxes; each was of a king size brick and equally heavy. Rishi tucked Roger’s tee shirt in his pants and put three boxes and all the money between his undershirt and the tee shirt and walked out. He heard a cell phone started ringing in the room.

Hermit was still wearing surgical globes. He saw Rishi coming he murmured, “Thank you Ganga Mai.”
“All went well. They were three.” Rishi whispered.
“What are you carrying in your shirt?”
“Money and some other things.”
Hermit removed Rishi’s bandage.
Rishi put the money and three boxes in Hermit’s bag that he always kept with him.
“Rishi Sahib, It is heavy, could be a bombs.”
“I don’t think so.”
Hermit said, “Let’s get out of here.”
Rishi picked up all bandage and wrapped it around a stone and tossed it in the stagnant water lake.
“Is there a way we can use these poisonous bills?”
“We must wash these bills many times, or many innocence people may die.”
They walked back in the direction of the small bazaar. As they reached on the edge of the lake they heard cries.
“Gangagiri it seems like a lady is screaming in a great distress.”
“It is a dog in a distress.”
“A dog in distress cries like a lady?”
“I am sure it is a dog, Rishi Sahib.”
“Gangagiri, let’s see the dog.”
“You fool! You dummy! Stupid! Idiot! We must run.”
“Gangagiri, first let’s see the dog.”
Hermit was white with fear and anger.
“Fucking idiot let’s run.”
“Gangagiri I can’t run. You run please.”
“I beg you to run.” Gangagiri pleaded, he was weeping.
Rishi said, “I must follow Ganga Mai’s wishes.”
“You fool, don’t involve my holy mother in this whole affair.”
“It is her wish,” Rishi said.
“No, it is your wish.”
“It is the same thing, God does everything. There is only God.”
“Tomorrow you can rescue hundred dogs.” Hermit sobbed.
“I cannot live with a burden on my conscience. This is Ganga Mai’s wish.”
“Keep your lecture to yourself.”
Hermit gave up, he split with Rishi, they were near the houses and a bazaar he rushed on the road and disappeared. Rishi saw a small crowd on the edge of the same sewage lake. A dog’s only head was visible, it was apparent that it was loosing the battle in the mixture of mud and sewage. Short and dark person whom Rishi had seen under the streetlight near the Poppy’s home was there too. Their eyes met again.

Rishi jumped in the sewage lake. Whole crowd watched him in silence. Suddenly Rishi found himself in waist deep marsh. He tried to reach the dog that was about four feet away. It needed a Herculean effort to move and he found he too was sinking in the sewage. Now just dog’s snout was visible and its cries were muffled with the mud in its mouth. Rishi pushed himself and his right hand touched dog’s teeth. He had the dog by its lower jaw. Dog had no choice but to close the mouth tightly to held on Rishi’s hand. He started pulling the dog. Rishi pulled the dog’s snout up but it was not releasing its mouth in fear of drowning again. Everybody watched it in horror.

Rishi heard ‘Hur, Hur Gangae’. Now Hermit was also in the sewage. He cursed bystanders to give him the hand and a man took his one hand. Rishi raised his hand and grabbed Hermit’s other hand and finally they pulled each other out. Rishi had intense pain in his hand but dog was not letting it go. Rishi forced dog’s mouth with his other hand but it let his right hand go and now bit and hung on the left hand.

Dog finally realized that it was on the firm ground for sure, it opened it mouth and released Rishi’s hand, it was completely covered with black scum, was now looking at Rishi and waging its tail. Only Rishi’s head was not black with scum, and Hermit was soiled waste deep. Now crowd was even bigger and everybody applauded.

A team of Hermit and a man rescued a dog, in that noble act of kindness this spread like wild fire in the neighborhood and in the small market. People brought buckets of water and washed them and the dog too got a bath.
One man offered, “Come to my home and use my bathroom.”
They accepted his offer and went to his home and took the bath. Somebody brought them old clothes and they discarded their soiled clothes in a polythene bag. Rishi’s both hands were bleeding with the dog bites.
A boy came running in the home, he was breathless.
“Maharaj Ji, you forget your bag at that place.”
Hermit took the bag. In the frenzy to rescue Rishi, Hermit forgot everything about the bag.

Women came and touched Rishi and Hermit’s feet then men and children followed the suit. A doctor came running with a first aid kit. Whole neighborhood was competing with each other to have them at their home for dinner. They were instant celebrities.

7

Don had a sinking feeling in his heart; he was pacing in his sea-facing verandah in his home in Dubai. His brother Denny hand delivered diamonds to Rocky who was supposed to hand them to Poppy. Those diamonds were the lifelong monetary achievements of his crime family. He had already made arrangements with airport authorities on the both ends.
Abdul was worried too.
Hope all goes well or his compressor would damage beyond repair.
“Check with Popp, if he got the stones and the suitcase.”
It was a specially built suitcase with hidden, lead lined cavities to fool X-rays scanning machines, and a hidden tracking device.
Abdul tried several times but Poppy was not answering the call.
“Sir, bell is going but he is not answering the phone.”
“Call Danny, call Tony, call Rocky.”
Abdul tried to call them one by one.
“Sir Danny’s phone seems out of signal, but Poppy, Tony and Rocky are not answering the phones.”
Don could feel his own heart thumping in his chest.
“Keep trying,” he said, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a small towel.
He watched Abdul trying in vain.
“Sir may be network is malfunctioning in India.” Abdul tried to console him.
Don yelled, “You fool! Those all three numbers belongs to three different providers.”
Abdul ignored the comments and he was still trying to call all three numbers one by one.
Finally he said, “Sir I have the phone number of a public phone shack near Poppy’s place. I will call him to go there and see if Poppy is there.”
“Wish we had another choice.” replied Don.
Abdul made the call; Don was staring at his face.
“Sir, he says he will go to Poppy’s home immediately, he asked us to call back after twenty minutes.”
Abdul feared Don might have a heart attack. He rushed to get medicines and BP checking machine.
His compressor may fail.

8

At 10.40 pm. public phone shack attendant received a call to check if Poppy was in the home. Call came from some unspecified location and the number was not visible on the caller ID. Phone booth Attendant had a hunch that Poppy was involved in the illegal activities so just to avoid any confrontation with criminals he pulled down the shutter and rushed to the Poppy’s home. He knocked on the door and then pushed it, light was on but door opened by itself. It was the scariest scene of his life; two dead men were staring at him with wide-open eyes. Then he saw Poppy too was lying on a turned water bucket in the corner that served as kitchen.
He ran with fear.
I left my fingerprints on the door and may be at other places. Now criminals are dead but Police would haunt me forever.
When he returned to his booth, his phone was ringing.
“Did you go to Poppy’s home?” Same person barked.
“Three men are dead there including Poppy.”
Caller did not say a word but ended the call.
Phone booth attendant called the police.

9

Cell phone fell from Abdul’s hands and Don yelled, “You blind swine pick up the phone and talk.”
“Three men are dead there including Poppy,” Abdul said in a low voice.
His compressor!
Don felt as sky was falling and earth shaking. His vision went blurred. His whole body started jerking and he fell down from the chair on the concrete verandah with a loud thud. He was having an epilepsy seizure.
Abdul ran to kitchen and brought a spoon that had the clear plastic handle with the red Canadian maple leaf printed on it. He forced it in Don’s mouth to prevent him to bite his own tongue.
He raced to the shoe closet, brought a Bata shoe (made in Canada) and placed it under Don’s nose because he saw people doing this to epileptic patients all the time in Pakistan. Recently Don started loving all made in Canada things and anytime he went to shopping mall he preferred Canadian made products. Abdul could not call for ambulance because Don was keeping an extremely low profile in Dubai and calling for an ambulance meant waking up the news media in the whole of the Southeast Asia.
What a shame! An Epileptic Don! Hope his compressor is not damaged.

10

Vinita wept alone, things were not going the way she dreamed. Roger was always busy and had no time for her. She felt like a caged bird.
I was born poor and now I am married to money.
Why you did this to me Rishi?
She remembered the funeral she saw on the banks of the Holy River, in Uttarkashi, from the height of the mountain. She was calm again.
She saw herself in the mirror and smiled.
Yes I am engaged to the money and this marriage is arranged by Ganga Mai, a life with a cause.

At the same time Rishi said to Hermit, “Gangagiri life without a cause is an instant freedom.”
“Rishi Sahib, today I climbed another step.”
“And you climbed another step away from the freedom.”
They laughed.

11

His name was Kalu Yadav; he was short and dark colored, Kalu means black in India. He was in his twenties and lived in the slum, was a small time criminal and knew about Poppy’s criminal activities. Poppy was his hero. He was slowly trying to impress Poppy and make him friend. To catch Poppy or Tony’s attention, he used to walk in front of Poppy’s home, several times a day and whenever he saw Poppy, he smiled and saluted him. This morning Kalu got lucky because he saw Poppy pulling a cigarette pack from his pocket, he lit his cigarette and Poppy said thank you.

That night he was again on his rounds to find and salute Poppy. He knew that Poppy and Tony were at home with some another high profile criminal guest. As he was to pass the only streetlight on the way, he saw a young man walking in his direction. Kalu Yadav wanted to know Poppy’s all friends and visitors, but this man didn’t seem to be a criminal, he had a peaceful face and calm eyes.
Nobody wants to urinate under a light pole; in the dim light he saw this stranger had something white in his both hands. That man pretended to urinate because he was hiding something in his hands.
Kalu Yadav walked away but kept looking back; indeed that guy was knocking on the Poppy’s home with his feet. Now why is this guy knocking the door with his feet, it is not a manner to knock a door?
Door was opened and he went in like Poppy and Tony were waiting for him.
Now I get it, his both hands are bandaged but why a man goes to criminal’s HQ with bandage on his both hands.

Kalu walked to a dingy bar in the small market and ordered a half bottle of country made liquor to celebrate his success with Poppy, who thanked him for lighting his cigarette now they were friends. He stayed in the bar for half hour, walked back in the direction of Poppy’s home but then he saw a dog was hauling in the sewage lake. It was a heartbreaking howl of a desperate dog; he felt pity on the dog so does other people, but it was just a dog. That same man appeared from nowhere and jumped in the stinking sewage. After some time a Hermit jumped after him. He had no time to witness more of the scene because he wanted to make another round by the Poppy’s place to catch his attention.

Kalu Yadav was near Poppy’s home; suddenly police arrived on a jeep and motorcycles. Police entered in the home a man came out and started barking on the hand held radio. Police surrounded the home.
Kalu Yadav shivered on the sight of Police Inspector Daya Ram.
He tried to walk away but a constable rudely yelled, “What were you doing here?”
Kalu Yadav was very scared of Police torture especially Inspector Daya Ram’s and he started weeping. Police inspector knew that deaths have occurred recently because bodies were still warm, and it was unlikely that this drunken fool has killed three dangerous criminals but he wanted to follow all leads.
Poppy was a golden egg laying goose and Inspector Daya Ram was very unhappy to see him dead.
It was a clear case of a well planned and skillful robbery because a suitcase was lying there open and empty, hidden cavities exposed, there was an electronic device in one of the cavity.
May be somebody tracked the suitcase, murdered them and escaped with the contents.

Inspector shoved Kalu Yadav inside Poppy’s home.
“Look at this, do you know them.”
Kalu Yadav went pale on the sight of the two dead bodies. He started trembling and inspector was maintaining an eye contact with him.
Inspector shoved him to Poppy’s body. His star hero was dead too. Kalu started weeping loud.
“Do we need to take you to Police Station?”
“I saw a guy under the light and he pretended to urinate under the light pole. He had bandages on both of his hands. I saw him knocking at this home with his foot. Door opened and he went inside.”
Inspector said softly, “We must take you to police station so you can help our police artists draw the picture of the man you are talking. Your memory is fresh now.”
Kalu Yadav was not new to Police Stations. Police tortured him twice for petty offences and he didn’t want to go to police station at any cost.
“I saw that same man near market. He jumped in the shit lake and pulled the dog by the mouth.”
Now inspector was really angry, “Now you are telling me that this same man with bandaged hands jumped in the shit lake to rescue a dog?”
“That time he had no bandages on his hands.”
Inspector looked at him in disbelief and slapped him hard on the face and yelled, “Your story is not holding ground. You would tell us straight in the Police Station.”
Kalu Yadav pleaded, “That man was there ten minutes ago. He and a Hermit were all covered with muck.”
“You drunk dog, now you are adding a Hermit in the picture.”
“I am not lying, he jumped in the shit then hermit too jumped after him.”
“Bastard, before we arrived here, we have sealed the whole area. Nobody could have left the slum and the market area. If you are lying, you will regret to have born on this earth.”
Inspector had doubts on Kalu’s statements but still he wanted to follow each and every lead before it is too late.
“You come with me to find that person.”
Inspector dragged him by the ear to the jeep outside and two constables shoved him in the back seat. Three police constables jumped in, one sat on the front passenger seat and two sat with Kalu Yadav in the back. Kalu Yadav urinated in his pants. A constable hit him on the ankle with the full force of his small cane. Kalu Yadav screeched with pain. In less then a minute Kalu led them to the place where dog was rescued.

It was 11pm. but whole area was awake due of the Police activity. More and more police was arriving; nobody was allowed to leave the premises they were in.
Police Inspector yelled to a constable, “Take this creep out.”
Constable pulled Kalu Yadav out of the Jeep and as he got down other constable hit him again on the same ankle, Kalu Yadav screeched again and jumped with pain.
“Where is that man who had rescued the dog?”
“We must ask people around here,” Kalu Yadav said.
Inspector went to a man who was looking out from an open door. “Did a man and a Hermit rescue a dog from the shit there?” Inspector pointed in the direction of the lake.
“Yes they did. They are having dinner in that green house.”
They all rushed in the direction of the green house. Two constables were dragging Kalu Yadav with them; he had an unbearable pain in his ankle.
Inspector knocked at the green house a lady opened the door. Before lady could say a word, Inspector pushed her aside and stepped inside.
In the living room four men were about to finish the food.
Inspector yelled to Kalu Yadav, “Who is that man.”
Kalu Yadav pointed to a Rishi. “This is the man.”
Inspector was in bewilderment because Rishi’s both hands were bandaged and he was wearing worn up and out of size clothes, had a spoon tucked in bandage of his right hand.
Inspector thought: So after all this dark man is telling the truth.

Inspector looked at Rishi and roared, “Take off these bandages. I would like to see your hands.”
Girish was the head of the household. He intervened, “Inspector he rescued the dog by its mouth and it bit him on both hands. A doctor has bandaged his hands. People gave them these clothes and chapels too.”
Inspector was stunned.
“Who is that Doctor?”
“When he rescued the dog, we washed him and saw his bleeding hands. We called the doctor from the next street, we can call him again.”
Inspector was confused. He looked at Kalu Yadav in rage. Kalu Yadav was again weeping.
This drunk dark fool is full of delusions. Probably he saw this Godly Dog Rescuer’s bandaged hands and then his imagination took a flight.
Hermit opened Rishi’s bandages, Inspector and four police constables looked at Rishi’s hands in disbelief. Dog’s jaw was clearly printed on the both sides of the both hands, right hand was worse.
Inspector said to Hermit, “I believe you are the Hermit.” It was apparent because Hermit had long resinous ponytails on the head.
Hermit shouted, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
Inspector replied, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
Then he turned to Rishi and said, “May I know your name.”
“Rishi.”
Inspector politely said, “I see. I would like to know what you are doing here.”
“We were passing and we heard a dog crying and here we are.” Rishi replied politely.
Inspector asked Rishi, “How you know this Hermit Maharaj?”
“We wander together and serve Ganga Mai.” Hermit replied.
“Three people are murdered here tonight, may I know where you were before you rescued the dog.” Inspector asked Rishi.
Rishi laughed, “We were here in this neighborhood.”
“Together?” Inspector asked.
“Yes together.”
Girish said, “Inspector I know both of them for some time. They are here on my invitation.”
Inspector hissed at Kalu Yadav, “You would regret for this joke for the rest of your life. You stalled the investigation so the real killer could escape. Take him to the Police Station.”
Hermit thundered on the police inspector, “Oh a good man of the God. This man is innocence. We can save an innocence dog as well an innocence person.”
“Maharaj, he is a sack of lies.”
“He has lied to you because he is scared of you, look he has wet his pants.”
Kalu Yadav sobbed, “I got scared. I had to tell you something otherwise you would have taken me to Police Station to torture me.” Then he looked at Rishi and continued, “I saw this man of the God rescuing the dog and his picture just entered in my heart. He was the only person who was in my mind at that time so I invented the story.”
Inspector declared, “This man is a mental. He has wasted our valuable time.”
“What would happen to him,” Rishi asked.
“We will teach him a good lesson.” Inspector replied.
“He did that in fear. I request you to leave him alone.”
Inspector smiled at Rishi, “Consider you have saved two dogs today.”
He turned on his heels and walked out. Four constables also rushed out after him.
Hermit wanted to bandage Rishi’s hand again.
Rishi said, “I feel better without bandages, wounds would dry sooner.”

Police Inspector Daya Ram returned, he asked Rishi. “I was leaving but I liked your face so I came back for a handshake.”
They extended hands and he softly shook Rishi’s wounded left hand.
Rishi noticed he was wearing a gemstone ring on each finger including one on the thumb.
“Inspector you are wearing lots of rings.” Rishi said jokingly.
“I went to five astrologers and each recommended me a different stone so I wore them all.”
Rishi said, “Hope they all bring you good luck.”
They laughed.
“Mr. Rishi actually the dog saved your life. Otherwise this dark Kalu Yadav was to help us make your Police Picture and you were in big trouble.”
Hermit shouted, “Jai-Ganga-Mai.”
Inspector left followed by five constables. Media vans had started arriving; news was already broadcasted on the TV and Radio channels.
Rishi said, “Mr. Girish, I request you to let Kalu take a bath and if you can give him some used clothes,” said Rishi.
“As you say.”
Kalu Yadav washed his clothes, took bath and hung his clothes on a rope near bathroom.
Rishi said to the head of household, “Mr. Girish we have given you enough trouble. Please excuse us.”
“You can sleep here.”
“No we must go.”
“There are no buses at this time; there is a taxi stand on the road. Do you have money?”
“Yes we have money.” Rishi replied.
Girish opened the door and whole household came out to see them off including Kalu Yadav.
Two constables walked to them and one of them rattled, “Only the two who rescued the dog can leave because they are already questioned. Everybody else get back in the home.”
Girish waved them from the door, “Don’t forget to get the rabies shots tomorrow.”

Rishi and Hermit walked to the main road, a police constable came to them running.
“Hey Maharaj, you forgot your bag at the home. They sent it to you.”
“Thank you Inspector.” Constable was flattered.
“This bag is heavy.”
“We have three bricks.”
“I can feel it.” Constable said, “Why are you carrying three bricks?”
“We never refuse a donation of any kind,” Rishi said.
Constable had hard time to stop his laugher.
Rishi added, “We came from Uttarkashi.”
Constable turned and walked away because he was not able to resist his laugh. He wanted to share this joke with his senior.
“Gangagiri why are you laughing,” Rishi asked.
“Rishi Sahib, a truth can always be misused, today I climbed another step.”
“Gangagiri, one day you will climb to heaven.”
“That is not my goal, Rishi Sahib. I want to be free from the desires,” he added, “just like you.”
“Gangagiri, desire to be free is still a desire.”

Constable ran to his senior, pressed his stomach and started laughing.
“What?”
After five minutes both were laughing for another five minutes.
“Three bricks! We never refuse a donation of any kind!”
“Cartoons! Circus escapees!”
Senior had a new thought he started laughing again.
“Hey Gopi, they dumped their donation and made an escape,” Senior said, “Almost.”
“Yes almost. But we got them. We helped them to maintain their integrity.”
They both caught their stomachs and laughed again.
“Uttarkashi! Tibet border.”
“We never refuse a donation of any kind.”

As they Rishi and Hermit left, Girish didn’t let Kalu Yadav enter in his home.
“You tried to hand a Godly man to police.”
Kalu sobbed, “I am really sorry.”
“You can come tomorrow to pick up your clothes.” Girish shut his door on Kalu Yadav’s face.
Kalu Yadav looked at both constables.
“Where do I go?”
One constable said his senior, “Inspector cleared him too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I was in there.”
“I guess he can go too.”
Kalu Yadav was running away from Mumbai forever.
Inspector will be coming back to get me. I was making at least twenty rounds around Poppy’s place each day, for the last three weeks. Many people in the slum knew this and actually they laughed at me. I am a prime suspect or corroborator.
He had intense pain in the ankle and he was limping badly. He saw a constable running behind him he was again scared.

Kalu Yadav saw Rishi and Hermit walking by a clock tower. I must thank them for saving my life.
He shouted, “Maharaj, stop.”
Rishi and Hermit looked back and stopped for him.
At that time gong of the clock tower rang. A new day was born.

12

Eddie said to Freddy, “Boss’s stocks are falling again today and seems like he is cleaning up.”
“Yeah! I think so.”
“Don’t they have a Security Exchange Commission, like we have it in the United States.”
“Yeah! They have municipal dog catchers too in India but stray dog bit me twice here.”
“I am scared of dogs, man! When I open the door of the plane I first make sure there is no dog around.”
“Eddie you are paranoid, man.”

13

Don found himself lying in his living room sofa. A made in Canada spoon was his mouth and Abdul was standing with Bata shoe in his hand, Red Canadian Maple leaf was printed on the under sole.
“What are you doing with my shoe?”
“You had an epilepsy attack.”
Suddenly Don remembered that three of his best operatives were dead. He was again in a state of trauma.
“Give me the shoe.”
Don hit Abdul with his Bata shoe.
“You swine, never ever bring a shoe near me, you understand.”
“Yes Sir.” Abdul bowed.
“Any other news?”
“Danny said that first Omar called from Bangkok and then Mulchand called from Pattaya.”
Connect me with Danny.
Abdul dialed Danny; he was instantly on the line.
Don asked, “Any news about our merchandize.”
“I just spoke with Inspector Daya Ram, he says the suitcase was empty with its all hidden cavities exposed including the one with tracer. Big brother we lost everything. We are strip naked.”
Phone fell from Don’s hands.
He murmured, “We lost everything.” Tear stated felling from his eyes.
Then by the force of habit he repeated the same sentence in Spanish, “Perdimos todo.”
And then he slapped on his own face.
Danny called again.
“Big brother, Daya Ram says it was a craftsmanship, a definite and guaranteed mob hit. Either it was a highly coordinated and corroborated effort of a whole group of criminals or a right man arrived at the right place at the right time which is highly unlikely.”
Don screamed in anger, “A wrong man arrived at the wrong place at the very wrong time.”
“Big brother, I am just telling you what inspector said.”
“What was the cause of thir death?”
“Cause of death seems to be a very meticulously planned poisoning. Police had ordered a speedy biopsy and we may know the cause by tomorrow morning.”
“Was it a cyanide?”
“Who knows? Inspector says it is one of a kind, a historical hit. They murdered our three best people and cleaned us up.”
“I know who did it. I knew it. I always knew it. It is a war,” Don of the Mumbai Underworld declared.
Danny said, “Omar and Mulchand sold their loyalty to our enemies and Mulchand knew about diamonds, that’s why they are shunting in Sri Lanka and Thailand, we will get them later on; tonight we will finish their mentors. We will finish our enemies.”
“It is a war, a war for our existence,” Danny said in distress as well agreement.
Don assured himself and Danny, “I want to see a wholesale action. We will get back our merchandize.”
“Bye big brother, it is going to be a busiest night of our life.”
“Go with God.”
Don disconnected the call.

“Abdul, Give me my insulin shot now, it is going to be the busiest night of my life,” Don said in anger.
He looked at the wall, three clocks were hanging, one had Dubai time, middle one had Indian Standard Time and third one on the left showed US & Canada Pacific Time.
“A new day has started in India, a very bad day for our enemies. They have put their hand in a hornets’ net.”

Doorbell rang, Don jumped with fear.
“Sir Doctor from the green house has come, he asked if he could come.”
“Bring him in Abdul and serve him baby lamb curry and keep my medical records handy.”
“I have invited him for lamb curry, he is my friend now.”
Abdul went to door, Don also followed.
Cardiologist hugged Abdul and shook hands with Don.
“Well Abdul, let’s check your world famous lamb carry.”
Abdul was already on the way to kitchen and they sat in verandah.
Doctor said to Don, “Splendid man! This Abdul.”
Don was angry.
Abdul brought a bowl full of lamb curry.
Doctor smelled it. “A treat to taste buds.”
After each spoon he nodded and he said, “Great!”
Don had an acidity attack; he went to a flower pot and spat the bile.
Doctor had two more bowls.
Don said, “Doctor, it is about my heart.”
“Your heart can wait. I have to talk to Abdul.”
Abdul said, “Yes doctor.”
“It is about my AC compressor.”
“You came to the right place doctor.” Abdul assured.
“Abdul last night I could not sleep.”
Abdul was worried, “What happened! AC failed again?”
“AC did not fail, not at all. It is still running. Thanks.”
“Then why you did not sleep at night?”
“It is about hermetic compressor, last night we both discovered similarity in functioning of a hermetic compressor and a human heart. I was wondering what you did with the compressor because it is still working. May be we can use the same phenomenon with human heart. Anytime I have a question I lose my sleep.”
“We all do. I too did not sleep whole night” Abdul replied, “Doctor I assure you that you came to the right man.”
Cardiologist said, “Today I bought five books on Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, but it is quiet tough subject. Tougher then cardiology, couldn’t understand a damn word, it is all mumbo jumbo.”
Abdul agreed, “Yes Doctor, it is quite a tough subject. That’s why I learned this line. I always loved challenges.”
“Good! Good, I like this attitude.”
“Thank you doctor,” Abdul said, “You were wondering what I did with the compressor.”
Cardiologist said, “Yes, yes I love details. What you exactly did to it? Tt is noisy, it runs and then stops to rest for some time but it is still working. Today I opened the shell but I was confused, it was just a mesh of wires, I got scared and closed it, I tell you cardiology is quite easy.”
“I agree with you one-hundred-and-one-percent. What I did was a complicated procedure.”
“Tell me about it. I have all the time.”
Don was boiling with anger. He had no time.
My heart is running wild and Cardiologist is talking about the hermetic compressors.
Abdul brought a pen and a notepad and it took him half hour to discuss complicated procedure.
Doctor said, “Splendid! Splendid! So you connected run and start winding in parallel and used a capacitor to boost the start torque.”
“Yes Sir, motor could live without a capacitor, so I used its capacitor for hermetic compressor.”
“In medicine we call is organ transplant. Today we have connected two lines of sciences together.”
“We have connected three sciences Sir.”
“How come, Abdul?”
“Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Medical Sciences.”
“Wow! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Splendid.”
Abdul was nodding in pleasure.
Cardiologist said, “But why the hermetic compressor runs and then stops for a while to rest.”
“Winding is damaged, when it heats up a thermal safety automatically trips, when it cools down, it resets automatically and compressor runs again.”
“Great!”

Don jumped in, “Are you done with your hermetic compressors. My heart needs attention. Today I had an epilepsy attack.”
Cardiologist said, “Ditto!”
Abdul said, “I agree with you one-hundred-and-one-percent, anxiety overload trips his safety in the brain.”
Doctor said, “I agree with you one-hundred-and-two-percent. He is lucky; his safety trips and load diverts in the direction of nerves. In stead of having a heart attack he has an epilepsy seizure.”
Don murmured, “Two fools met.”
Doctor left and Don had another epilepsy attack.
Abdul said, “OO! His safety tripped again and load is diverted in the direction of nerves.”

Don woke up from his seizure and stared at the sea. He though about Omar,
We sent Omar and Mulchand to kill a man named Rishi in the mountains. We selected Omar for the job because he was trained in the terrorist camps in the mountains of Afghanistan. Mulchand was to kill Omar so we could blackmail Roger through Sonny. This Rishi job sucked us into this misfortune. Mulchand ganged up with Omar and they fooled us.
Rishi arrived in Mumbai on Roger’s jet.
Don shouted, “Oh my god. Roger set us up; this Jackal Rishi is his hired professional, the best in the world. Roger came to India to just to avenge with us.”
He felt ice on his spine.
Poppy said Sonny’s rich brother-in-law Rishi was going to see him at he exact time they three died. From beginning, it was a mistake to mess with Roger who meets with Prime ministers, Saudis are his friends and Dubai sheiks are his friend. He set us up through Rishi, his mercenary.
He screamed to Abdul, “Call Danny.”
“Very well.”
“Fool! You call Danny immediately.”
Abdul punched a number and handed him the cell phone.
Don shouted, “Danny are you here?”
“Yes big brother, I have more bad news.”
“Danny stay away from Sonny and Roger. Roger set us up. May be he will return us our diamonds, he is not a robber but just want to teach us a lesson. Tell Poppy to back up.”
“Big brother Poppy died.”
“Oh! I forgot.”
“Big brother we have already started a war. When you set for revenge you must dig two graves, we dug our grave, and it is just the matter of who dies first.”
“Stop the war immediately.”
Danny laughed in hysteria. “You are hiding in Dubai, and you are telling me to stop the war. One can only start the war, stopping it is not in our hands.”
“Rishi has our diamonds. Ask for his forgiveness, may be still we can escape. Don’t tell anything to Daya Ram.”

Don had a worse day in his life. A strong dose of sedatives put him to sleep.

14


It was a bad day for India too. A cyclone wrecked and flattened many towns on the East Coast. There was a heavy mortality and people had no food or water to drink because seawater contaminated most fresh water systems.

End of Chapter 11