Chapter 6
A jeep driven by four young men, in a boisterous mood swung into the courtyard of a big house. The jeep screeched to a halt and the young men jumped out.
One shouted,”Devan, are you sure, we are at the right place? I don’t see any girls here and you promised me good time; remember .I will hold you to it.”
“Yes. Yes. They are here alright. These girls are not the type to flaunt their wares out in open. Have some sense. They are all there, believe me.”
They walked in. The house looked empty. Devan took out a grenade and lobbed it into an empty room and ducked for cover covering his ears. A loud explosion brought the walls down exposing six nervous goons."Hey Devan, I see one girl here alright, but not my type though.” By now the gang was very close to the waiting goons. Next few minutes were over fast. The young men jumped and kicked. They swung their hands around and punched and pulled. They were incredibly fast and brutal.
One sirdar shouted,”That Gurkha gave us just four minutes to finish the job and we are late by two minutes. That guy will fry us over low fire for next thirty days. Let us go before he shows up. Our work is over”. Six stiff goons were lying on the floor spread eagled.
Dickey walked through still settling dust and kicked the door open. Kaddu screamed, “you took your time, you idiot. But I love you.” She took a running jump and smothered Dickey. Then she turned to the judge Vikram and told him,” I told you vikram, I told you he will come, here he is.’
She allowed Dickey to free himself and walk towards Vikram who stood looking dazed. He extended his hand towards the man in white T-shirt and kaki short. Hesitatingly he said,”Major, this girl here is driving me nuts with stories about all great things you have accomplished. I am somewhat disappointed ,I was looking for someone ten feet tall , broad like a truck, not to talk about Popeye forearm and ham fist’. He grabbed Dickey’s hand and put his own arm around him in a tight embrace. He continued, “notwithstanding anything I said, let me say, I am very impressed.’
Dickey shook his head and said softly. Judge, people always complain that I am selectively deaf .I did not hear one word. But that should not worry you. Mai is waiting at home with a big heap of steaming biryani and she says eating cold biriyani is like eating rubber. So let us make our self scarce and run before the neighbours look in to see what all the noise was about. He saw Mouli looking unhappy. Dickey stood in front of him and said, ‘I understand you took three of them out single handed that is something I could never do. I always needed an army to do my dirty work. You were great, Commissioner. Give me your hand, young man. “ Mouli stood stiff and erect. They shook hands like soldiers, ’Pleasure to meet you, Major. My day is made. You said three. The fourth one floored me.’
They all laughed. There was relief in that laughter.
‘It happens all the time, young man. It happens all the time.’ Said Dickey like a sage, ’the trick is to take a break after three, take a deep breath, and swing again .You will learn all the tricks if you stick to me’
That moment a new bond was cemented between the young IPS officer Mouli and a retiring army man Dickey.
They walked out of the house. An inspector heading a team of six policemen was running towards then. He recognised Mouli and stopped and saluted...Mouli glared at him. The Inspector said, ‘Very sorry, sir, for not showing up earlier. There is total confusion at HQ. I could not wait any more, so gathered my men and rushed here. I see you are all free. Anything left inside for me to do?’
Mouli relented, yes, there are ten goons lying in there in different conditions of damage. Pick them up and roast them over low fire till I come. I have some unfinished work. I will be back at the HQ by late evening. Some body has promised hot Biriyani and if I miss that I will never forgive myself”
The inspector did not understand one word. He saluted and said,”yes, sir.You attend to your work .I will take care of stiffs in there.
And Sir, what was that explosion?”
Mouli pointed out to Dickey, “Don’t be fooled by his dress. He sent Half the Indian army to make a hole in the wall to make a great entry. His men took the goons out and we are free”
The Inspector looked at Dickey and grinned. ’A little messy but effective, I would say .Thank you sir.’ He turned and walked away.
“That man has got guts’, said Dickey.
‘Yes, sir. That was Inspector Kamath. The toughest cop on the beat. He will be cursing your commando trainees for not leaving behind any decent work for him....’
Dickey told Kaddu, ‘you all please go home in my car. I will look up this Prakash Agarwal .George is waiting there keeping tabs on him.’
Mouli stayed back,
I will go with you.
Dickey did not argue. He simply walked ahead towards the hotel. George had put his men all-round the hotel and all floors. They recognised Dickey and waved to him. ’First floor, Dickey. He has got three men with him. George saab is in a room opposite, waiting for you. George would not allow us to take him on. He said you have some plans for him”
Okay, Arun. Thank you. Just Stay put here and do not allow anyone to surprise us once we are inside.
Dickey walked ahead. They took the stairs to the first floor. The hotel looked deserted .George had told every guest to get out, including the hotel staff. He told the guests, that some terrorists have gained access into the hotel and anti-terrorist squad is moving in. The hotel owner was worried. George assured him that there won’t be any damage to the hotel. Just stay away for one day. Come in the morning and take over and do not talk too much.
Dickey whistled and he heard the response from a room on the left. He turned to the left and saw George sitting on a chair, facing the opposite room... He had a gun in his hand .George saw Dickey, got up from his chair and gave a bear hug with a genuine happiness of seeing a great friend. “Good to see you, chotu. Your man is in that room with three other people. I think he is worried because the telephone in his room has been disconnected. He may not know what is happening outside. He possibly knows that kidnapping a judge is an offence. He has come to the end of the road. There may not be much of fight left in him if he knows that the judge has been rescued from his captivity. So be careful.”
Dickey nodded.
If he knocked on the door, he would possibly receive a bullet through the door. So he fell to the floor and pushed a chair against the door and kept banging it against the door making a racket. The door opened suddenly and a bulky gent holding a gun stood at the door. He looked up to see Mouli standing and he raised his gun to shoot .He had not seen Dickey on the floor. Dickey yanked the leg violently making the man fall on his back and his shots went through roof. He fell with a thud damaging his head in the process. Mouli walked through the door , picking the gun that had slipped from the goon’s hand. two other men rushed recklessly to see why there was SHOOTING. They were holding their guns in hand ready to shoot, but were surprised to see Mouli with a gun. He shot their guns out of their hands and ran into a staggering Prakash Agarwal. Mouli grabbed him fast and pushed him on the bed face down and taking a belt tied the hands .Then he yanked him back on his feet and marched him out of the room. George’s men appeared all over the place and quickly tied him with ropes. George sent a call to police hq informing the IG office that Deputy police commissioner has arrested Prakash Agarwal.
Next week the case against Prakash Agarwal came up for final hearing.Judge Vikram sentenced Agarwal to a ten year simple Imprisonment.