Episode 40
"Then how do we proceed, Sir?" Ranjan understood that the Joker had got a valid point.
"We can't let them search our property. The Inspector informed me that the frigging agency, Ravenous Eagles is involved in this operation. Someone very influential from Andhra is involved in this case. He has hired them, and this dirty agency has traced us. This agency is new in the arena and their success rate is very high." The Joker drank the remaining whiskey at a go.
"Ravenous Eagles? I know them very well, Sir. Last year, they captured the Black Jaguar, the indomitable drug mafia who had full control over entire Latin America. If they are involved here, we will have to be extremely cautious, Sir. I think we should pack up right now."
"You are saying this Ranjan?" The Joker seemed to be extremely disappointed. Sipping another peg, he said,
"Ravenous Eagles cannot make our hair curl. Forget about them, even the Indian military is no match to us."
The Joker boasted, and from his glowing face and the twinkling eyes, it appeard to all of them that the whiskey was having a good effect on the Joker.
The words of the Joker had a great effect on Xi, too. Suddenly, he garnered some courage and said,
"I have some hold on the state, as you know some of the politicians are in our country's payroll. I can influence them to stop any action on us."
Xi's words sounded real sweet to the Joker. In a jovial mood, he said,
"You little monkey, why haven't you revealed this before?"
"Ha ha! I like to give last minute surprise, Sir." Xi smiled from ear to ear.
"Sir, no doubt some of the politicians in this state are on China's payroll. But, these guys are not in power now. Please make sure that indeed these guys can stop the police." Ranjan seemed to be treading a fine line.
"Okay, let me try." Xi made a few calls in the next 15 minutes, and he received a few calls as well. Meanwhile, the Joker gave some instructions to some of his men, and Ranjan went somewhere, but came back after few moments.
Xi, at last, addressed the eager faces,
"Sorry guys, I didn't get any concrete assurance. Ranjan was right. Our guys have lost hold over the state machinery. They said they will try, but they are not sure of the outcome."
The Joker nodded his head both ways in an expression of disgust. The facial expression of Ranjan said that he knew it before. But, at that moment, the most taciturn, the most powerfully-built guy in the room, Sabbir Shiekh, who happened to be the 5th member of the board of directors, spoke,
"Don't worry guys! I can do it."
"You can do it?" Xi's jaws dropped. As a matter of fact, Xi didn't like the look of Sabbir. Sabbir was almost 1' taller than him. He had strong muscles. He was clean shaven. Despite being a Muslim, he dressed like an European and looked like an European. He was a business tycoon in the UAE, whose wealth was no lesser than Xi's. However, Sabbir held 11% share of this company. As Xi held 20%, he had a superiority complex.
Sabbir looked like an European, but his choice was like an Indian. All other persons in the room were having foreign brands of liquor. But, Sabbir loved the Indian brand Royal Stag. He liked it raw. Taking a sip, he said,
"Yes! I was just exposing Xi's fake talks. I have full control over the state government. Just wait."
Having said that, he called a few people, and received a few calls as well over the next 20 minutes. Again, the Joker gave some instructions to somebody over phone, and Ranjan went somewhere, but returned quickly.
After the last call that Sabbir received, there was a clear change of expression in his face. He had been speaking in a very confident voice so far, and his body language was very positive. But now, his facial expression had changed. He had frowns, and the jovial mood seemed to have vanished in thin air.
"What? Your balloon has burst, eh?" Xi laughed sarcastically.
"Sir, please tell this buffoon to stop. We are discussing a very serious issue." Sabbir complained to the Joker. His teeth clenched and his fists closed.
Joker said, "Xi, please don't interrupt. Let's hear what news Sabbir has for us."
"A very powerful businessman from Andhra is involved in this case, Sir. He has full control over the state machinery. Rajan is his college friend. That's why he has taken it personally. He is the guy who had hired that frigging agency.
However, the second most powerful man in this state ministry is my man. He said after a thorough enquiry that at best he can hold back the operation for only 3 days. He said that there is a pressure from the Indian government, though they are not directly involved right now, to solve this mysterious abduction of the NRI husband-wife couple. So, we get only 3 days Sir." Sabbir seemed to be extremely disappointed.
The Joker looked at Ranjan. Ranjan said,
"Thank you Sabbir. This will do. You give us 3 days, and I can always extract 2 more. 5 days and that's more than enough."
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"I can't do it anymore. Please give me a break." Archana pleaded.
Her shoulders drooped. She hadn't slept for the last 3 days. She was allowed to sleep for 4 hour at night and 1 hour at noon. Joker's men set the temperature of her room at a very comfortable level, they played a very soothing music which would have made any insomniac go to sleep. But, Archana didn't have a sound sleep. At most she slept for one hour, and then the nightmares woke her up. Shooting was the last thing that she wanted to do. She even cringed at the mere sight of a revolver, and now she had to target aims for 18 hours in a day.
"Well dear, don't be impatient. We are closing in. Your average score in now 6. Have you ever dreamt of achieving this great feat? Do you know not many people in the world can do this?" Ranjan tried to cheer up Archana.
"Why do I have to do this? I can't do this." Archana in a revolutionary voice protested.
"Don't you want to go back to your normal life? Don't you want to see your family alive? If your answers are yes, you have to do it. Also, as you have been in this place for few months, you should know that your opinion doesn't matter. This is Joker's place and only his commands matter."
No body knew that better than Archana. So, in a reconciliatory tone she said,
"Okay! Please tell me why do I have to practice shooting? This will help me to motivate."
"Okay Archana! If that be the case, I will help you to motivate. The final test requires you to shoot like a champion. That's the only way for you to win." Ranjan curtly replied.
"Can you elaborate little more?" Archana pleaded.
"Sorry, I can't do that. The final task is still a secret, even we don't know that. We were instructed by the Joker to make you a good shooter, because the final stage requires very good shooting ability to survive. That's all I know." Ranjan shrugged his shoulders pouting his lips slightly.
Archana understood that Ranjan would not divulge any more information. So, she asked,
"How long do I have to undergo this torture?"
"Torture? Ha ha! It depends on you. We have got this day only. That means 12 more hours. But if you can achive the target, we can end it in anytime."
"What's the target?"
"An average of 7 in 10 shots. Can you do that?"
Archana took her .177 calibre Black 10 Maxxim air rifle in her hand, and put on her hearing protection earmuffs.
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To be continued on Tuesday night
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