‘Then I also swear I won’t say a thing to Big Boss. This issue will come to an end the moment the cd is destroyed.’
‘What if you dishonour your promise again?’
‘We didn’t do that earlier either. It’s all in your head that we didn’t stand by what we said. We brought up the cd again because of the turn of events. Did you or I think that we’d be dealing with the underworld don Mehboob Firangi—that too so soon?’
‘Hmm.’
‘So, what then?’
‘I’ll give you the cd.’
Both Gailo and Jeet Singh breathed a sigh of relief.
They were returning from Dharavi in Gailo’s taxi.
Jeet Singh was smoking in silence.
Gailo had turned down Jeet Singh’s offer of a cigarette.
‘Jeete,’ Gailo piped, ‘you did a great job today.’
‘Nothing of that sort,’ Jeet Singh said calmly, ‘I bluffed my way out and never expected it to work.’
‘But it worked very well. No?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can you say for sure that the cd doesn’t have a copy?’
‘I can’t, I can only hope that there isn’t another copy.’
‘What if it turns out to be a false hope?’
‘Then we cannot do anything about it as of now. He cooperated with us and there’s no point in nagging him further about the possibility of an extra copy.’
Gailo kept quiet.
‘And remember how terrified he was! He couldn’t lie about the copy under those circumstances.’
‘How can one know?’
‘You are right, how can anybody know?’
‘He was a smartass of the top order. Maybe he was only acting terrified.’
Jeet Singh took a long drag from the cigarette instead of replying.
‘Shall we finish him?’
‘Engaging in unnecessary bloodshed would be stupid. We can’t even handle this low-level jam, if we try to handle something high-level we’ll end up with the handle in our asses. However hungry you are, you should bite off only as much as you can chew. Got it?’
‘No, I didn’t. Too fancy for me, went right over my head.’
‘Then let me make it simple. Gailo, always make an important decision after due consideration, never in haste. Imagine what a waste it would be to commit a murder which serves us no purpose.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘One can’t do anything, Gailo, if luck is bent upon screwing him. And if that is the case with us then the other copy of the cd, if there is any, will come to light in such a fashion, despite Cherat’s death, that we’ll end up with our tail between our legs.’
‘Jesus!’
Just then, Jeet Singh’s mobile rang.
He looked at the screen.
Shekhar Navlani.
He answered immediately.
‘I told you,’ Navlani’s voice came over the phone, ‘I’d contact you if I caught hold of that big-shot lawyer!’
‘Did you, sahib?’ Jeet Singh asked hopefully.
‘Yes, I finally managed to reach him. I was told that he generally calls the potential clients to discuss their cases on weekends, as he is free only on Saturdays and Sundays. So I was expecting him to give us an appointment for tomorrow or the day after. But I just got a call from his office, and we have been given an appointment for today at four in the evening.’
‘But, sahib,’ said Jeet Singh, shaken, ‘the fee hasn’t been arranged yet.’
‘No problem, the first meeting is generally to get acquainted with the case, and hence is not charged.’
‘Is it so?’
‘Yes, because he could also turn down the case in the first meeting. What’s the point of taking money when he decides not to represent the client?’
‘Right!’
‘Mind you, if the client fails to reach in time, then the appointment is cancelled by his office, because other appointments are also lined up. So, it is necessary to reach in time—even better, a little before time.’
‘Necessary for whom, sahib?’
‘For the client, who else!’
‘Meaning Sushmita?
‘Yes.’
‘She has to go there alone?’
‘What’s the problem? She is an educated, mature woman.’
‘But she is not aware of this arrangement.’
‘Why? Haven’t you seen her yet? You still could not find the time to meet her?’
‘Now, what can I say, sahib!’
‘Go get her immediately. This meeting is very important. If the meeting is cancelled, it would be hard to get another appointment. He may even refuse to entertain us for another appointment. Get going now.’
Navlani ended the call.
Jeet Singh reached Chinchpokli in Gailo’s taxi.
Sushmita was in her kholi.
Jeet Singh told her about the appointment with the lawyer, emphasizing its urgency.
Sushmita listened, staring at Jeet Singh’s face.
‘You made all these arrangements?’ she asked in a surprised tone.
‘How can I do it? These things are beyond my capabilities.’
‘Then who did it?’
‘An acquaintance of Changulani sahib arranged all of it. He is a private detective, his name is Shekhar Navlani. He arranged everything.’
‘I know him. He came to Tulsi Chambers a couple of times to meet Sethji.’
‘Yes, the very same person. He did it.’
‘Why did he do it?’
‘He sympathizes with you. Because he thinks you are a victim of injustice.’
‘So he gives me special service! Because I’m a charity case!’
‘He is doing it because he says Sethji did a lot for him and he wants to repay the favour. He thinks this is a fine way of repaying Sethji’s debt. Or maybe Sethji left him some instructions.’
‘How did he know about what had happened to me?’
‘He is a detective. He might have investigated it.’
‘You informed him, didn’t you?’
Jeet Singh avoided looking her in the eye.
‘You know him. You told him the whole story!’
‘I am also indebted to him. He saved my life a couple of times.’
‘I know that.’
‘He asked me about it. What should I have said—that I was not aware of what had happened to you?’
‘Kindly don’t steer away from the subject. So, Navlani heard everything, fathomed everything, grasped everything and then started working for me like an anonymous philanthropist?
‘He did it for the sake of Sethji.’
‘He may have done it for whatever reason. That man does social service, does good at the end of the day, but doesn’t deem it necessary to tell the person for whom he is doing it?’
‘Navlani sahib is a gentleman. He might have preferred this style of work because he did not want to take credit. Or maybe there are some instructions from Sethji in this regard too?’
‘Therefore he works via the branch line!’
‘First of all, this is not the case. If you think this is the case and you object to it, then …’
‘What then?’
‘You need not do anything, need not go anywhere. Navlani sahib will understand you don’t need any favours. I will leave now.’
‘No, you will not leave now.’
‘Meaning?’
‘After Tuesday, you’ve finally shown your face here today. Where were you?
‘I was just loitering about here and there.’
‘At night too? Never sleep?’
‘You know that’s not possible.’
‘I know. Still you were never here any night!’
‘I have friends.’
‘How lucky you are!’
Jeet Singh thought he heard her sigh.
‘I went to Crawford Market twice.’
‘You did?’
‘A lock of mine was stuck. I thought there I’ll have it fixed for free.’
/>
Jeet Singh kept quiet.
‘You said, didn’t you, that if I had a lock in need of repair, I should tell you?’
‘I’ll go now.’
‘Again! Can’t you stay put?’
‘For what purpose?’
‘To tell me when to start.’
‘You must start now. Otherwise you won’t be able to get there by four.’
‘Won’t you come with me?’
‘I am not needed there.’
‘But I need you. I would have a problem finding the place. Then I’ll be late for the appointment.’
‘Don’t let that happen. You must get there by four. Otherwise the appointment will be cancelled.’
‘You seem to know everything. Have you become Mr Navlani’s assistant?’
‘No such thing. Shall I get going now?’
‘You may, but don’t leave.’
‘Why?’
‘I will go to the lawyer’s office with you. Wait outside. I will come within ten minutes.’
Jeet Singh was waiting outside in Gailo’s taxi when his mobile rang.
He looked at the screen but could not place the number. He was about to put the phone back in his pocket without attending the call when a bell rang in his head. The number was one of those five numbers he had made calls to in the morning from a pco.
He took the call.
‘Hello!’ he said with caution, ‘Who is calling?’
‘Badrinath?’
‘Who wants to know?’
‘Big Daddy Eduardo from Valpoi gave me your number. He said you wanted to talk directly.’
That lone point made it clear he was talking to the right party.
‘I also called you,’ he said, ‘but your phone was switched off.’
‘When? When did you call?’
‘Today, in the afternoon.’
‘It was switched off for some time then. Sorry about that.’
‘What’s the call for?’
‘I am coming to it, but first confirm that I am talking to Badrinath. No one else is talking to me pretending to be Badrinath.’
‘This is Badrinath here. Now, tell me who you are?’
‘Rajaram.’
‘What do you want?’
‘I want your expert services.’
‘How do you know I am an expert at something?’
‘I came to know of it from a fellow you have worked with.’
‘Name the person.’
‘Nayan Balsara.’
‘That bloody bastard! Bloody double-crosser! If I ever happen to meet him again, I will first put a bullet in his head and then ask how he is.’
‘How surprising! He was all praise for you. He said you did the impossible by busting the vault made for diamond dealers in Pune’s Hotel Blue Star. And you … you are cursing him?’
‘So he was all praise for me? Did he not tell you that he killed four of my partners so as to make off alone with all the stuff looted in the heist? I will definitely shoot him in the head first before saying hi.’
‘God! Such venom! Anyway, shall I tell you why I called?’
‘I don’t have the time for it now. And I won’t talk over the phone. You must meet me in person if you want to talk about it.’
‘But at least let me give you an idea of what it is all about.’
‘I have the idea. Big Daddy told me you needed an ace vault-buster. You can give me the details when we meet each other, so that I can personally see what Raja looks like, and what Ram looks like.’
‘Is this a joke?’
‘I’ll disconnect if you have called to listen to jokes.’
‘Oh no, brother, nothing of that sort. ok, give me a time and a place.’
‘You do that.’
‘Fine. Paramount Bar. Dadar. Tonight at 9 p.m. There is a row of cabins on the right side of the entrance. I will wait for you in the last one, at nine.’
‘Nine at night is a busy time. What if that cabin is occupied?’
‘It won’t be.’
‘Fine, I will be there. But come alone.’
‘You, too.’
‘Agreed.’
‘I am hanging up then.’
‘I will repeat it once more—Paramount Bar, Dadar, 9 p.m., last cabin in the row.’
‘Perfect!’
Sushmita came out just a little before the ten minutes were up.
Jeet Singh looked at her. She had changed—in place of the jeans and a T-shirt, she was now wearing a salwaar-kameez. Her hair was done up but there was no make-up on her face.
‘What are you looking at?’ she asked.
‘The outfit looks new.’
‘Oh, so you were looking at the dress. I thought …’
‘What did you think?’
‘Nothing. There is some good news, by the way. I got a job.’
‘Where?’
‘There is a garment exporter in Kala Ghoda, I will be working in his office. He was a client of my previous chartered accountant boss, so he knew of me. Gave me the job the moment I asked for it, and also gave me five thousand rupees in advance. Perhaps he was moved by my plight. I used the money to buy some clothes and some other necessary stuff.’
‘This is good news indeed. At least one of your problems is solved.’
‘Yes.’
Jeet Singh opened the rear door of the taxi for her, then went to open the door of the passenger seat in the front.
‘Come and sit back here,’ she said somewhat sharply.
‘No, I am ok here,’ he said, while sitting besides Gailo in the front.
‘Arre, we will have to talk.’
‘We will, we will.’
Sushmita sealed her lips.
Gailo started the taxi. When it reached the main road and set off in the direction of Parel, Jeet Singh turned back and asked curiously, ‘What was it you wanted to talk about?’
‘I don’t remember it now,’ Sushmita said angrily, ‘lost track of it.’
‘Try to remember.’
‘I will tell you when I remember it.’
‘Fine, let me ask you something instead.’
‘What, what is it?’
‘Do you know about any will of Sethji’s?’
‘Will!’
‘A previous will, which might be in effect for a long time, or a new one made by him after the marriage?’
Sushmita looked suspiciously towards Gailo’s back.
‘He is a friend,’ Jeet Singh said, ‘brother-like friend. His name is Gailo.’
‘Oh!’
‘What do you say about the will?’
‘Why should that be any of your concern?’
‘It isn’t, but Navlani sahib wants to know. He told me to ask you about it whenever I met you.’
‘Why did he not ask me directly? Why did he delegate this duty to you?’
‘He does not live in Chinchpokli, I do. That’s why he asked me.’
‘Why the question about the will?’
‘There could be a mention of you in that, and if so, it could well be a proof that you were Sethji’s wife in his lifetime.’
‘I don’t know about any such will.’
‘Did he never mention it to you?’
‘He did mention it a couple of times. He said he needed to draft a new will because of me. But I don’t know whether he did anything about it or not. I don’t think he did. He was planning to but kept procrastinating. And then …’
She shook her head helplessly.
‘If he said he needed to draft a new will, it means there must be an old will already.’
‘Yes, it does. But I don’t know about any old will, he never told me anything about it.’
‘Did he ever call a lawyer home?’
‘Why would he do that?’
‘To draft a new will!’
‘No, not to my knowledge. Otherwise, too, he would have called the lawyer to his Lamington Road store had he ever needed to, because it was there that he spent most of his day.’
�
�You’re right. So you know nothing of any new or old will?’
‘No, nothing. Other than the fact that he indeed wanted a new will drafted.’
The taxi turned onto Gokhale Road and sped towards Dadar.
‘Navlani sahib,’ Jeet Singh said, ‘heard from somewhere that Sethji’s near-and-dear ones were here in Mumbai even before the day of the death i.e. Saturday, the sixteenth.’
‘Who are these near-and-dear ones?’
‘The son-in-law. The younger son.’
‘What’s the story?’
Jeet Singh narrated everything Navlani had told him in detail.
‘Hmm,’ she said thoughtfully when Jeet Singh finished.
Nobody said anything for a few moments.
‘See,’ she said finally, ‘it’s not a big deal that the son-in-law Lekh Atlani was here in Mumbai before Saturday. His business is such that a monthly visit to Mumbai is imminent. He may even be here twice or thrice a month. And whenever he came multiple times in a month, he would not come home to meet Sethji, but just call and say that he was in Mumbai or around but was very busy and hence could not come to visit him. On a number of occasions he had gone to Lamington Road, just for formality’s sake. It was not always that Sethji would mention such calls, such visits. So, there is nothing surprising in the fact that the son-in-law was here in Mumbai before Saturday. But it is indeed surprising that Ashok came all the way from London, travelling nine thousand kilometres and still did not meet his father.’
‘What if he was very busy?’
‘All the same he would have dropped in.’
‘We have come to know that he did not take a direct flight to Mumbai from London. He landed in some other city and after finishing his work there took a domestic flight to Mumbai on Thursday or some other day before Thursday. He took an 11 p.m. British Airways flight to London from Mumbai on Thursday. In such a situation, the only purpose of coming to Mumbai seems to be meeting his father. He was Sethji’s son. He could not have dispensed with it as a formality at the Lamington Road store like Lekh Atlani. Even his father wouldn’t have allowed it. So, is it possible that he may have visited Tulsi Chambers without you knowing about it?’
She went silent, and thought over it.
‘It is possible only one way,’ she then said, ‘I was not home the whole day on Wednesday. I started early in the morning, and returned pretty late in the night.’
‘Where did you go?’
‘Lonawala, to meet my sister’s children. They had been calling me for a couple of days and insisting that either I must ask them to come to Mumbai, or go there to meet them. I decided to go and meet them so that they wouldn’t miss any classes.’
The Colaba Conspiracy Page 19