Hello everyone!
Yes it's me again, and I know most of you are ready to pull your hair out with my late updates, but sorry guys I have to thread very carefully in the next couple of parts, there is so much happening and its taking me long to pen it all down, so please be patient with me and my lateness.
Thank you all for all your wonderful comments and for liking this story, I have no words to thank you all for continuing to follow this story and for all your encouragements.
This next part may seem like a filler and it is short too, but trust me it is much needed part. I have given few explanations and now the team is starting to connect few dots, but all hell is about to break lose so brace yourselves.
Hope you like the next part.
Here we go...
Part 43
Two weeks after the incident at the warehouse ETF hit yet another dead-end, once again they could not link the victim, Sameer's informer, to anyone. None said anything but all had the gut feeling that this was the quiet before the storm.
Entire atmosphere at the EFT office was tension filled with yet another dead end and other cases they had to solve along with working on finding Sikandar. Days were filled with running after clues and evidence on current cases while late evenings were spent returning back to the old case files.
Priya was going through the file she had compiled and comparing the people from her list to the known name who had been involved in Nikhil's business ventures when a name on the list caught her attention. "Shree didn't you mention Shekhar Sharma in connection with something few days back?"
Shree looked up from his laptop and frowned. It was just Priya, Shree and Chotu in the conference room. Sameer and Arjun had been summoned to the DIG's office for a meeting. "Yes, Sharma's political party is about to put his name in for chief minister's elections. He is currently the minister of Home Affairs and Enforcements."
"So that's why Shukla has decided to join his political party here in Mumbai," Priya murmured absently.
"What is Shukla's connection to Sharma?" Chotu asked from the other side.
"Shekhar Sharma was one of Nikhil Malhotra's associate and one of his investor too if I remember correctly. And I believe one of Shukla's friend was, Akash Sharma, I believe was his name. What are the chances that Akash and Shekhar Sharma are related? Is there any way to look into this Shree?"
Shree nodded his head and tapped some keys on his laptop. "Give me some time to look in to it. I will get back to you soon."
Priya glanced at her watch worriedly. She wondered what was taking Sameer and Arjun so long. And on top of that Arjun had gone secretive on her since the day he was wounded. Several times during the past two weeks he disappeared on her after arriving at ETF.
When she asked him about it, all she got in reply was he had to go back for some follow up check ups at the hospital. She had even asked Swati about it but she had also claimed to know nothing about Arjun's visits to the hospital. Priya turned her attention back to the files and put aside her worry over Arjun's mysterious visits to the hospital for the moment.
"So what is the big secret you are hiding from Priya and me both?" Sameer asked as he drove towards ETF headquarters.
Arjun smirked, "You mean to tell me your better half didn't share it with you?"
Sameer braked suddenly at the intersection and gave Arjun a wide-eyed look, "My better half? You mean my doc knows what you are up to and she is helping you with whatever it is you are trying to keep from us." Sameer was amazed by it all and started laughing. He couldn't imagine his Swati helping Arjun of all people.
Arjun hid a smile as his mind flashed back to the day two weeks ago when he had asked Swati for her help. It hadn't been easy as Sameer was making it sound.
Arjun winced when she started stitching his arm, "I wanted her attention away from me. You saw her reaction. I didn't want her to blame herself. Besides there was something else I wanted to discuss with you." He said as he glanced at the other bandage on his arm
"You want to discuss something with me?" Swati asked in a shocked tone.
Arjun waited till she finished stitching his arm. "More like I need your help with certain matters."
"What kind of help?" Swati asked as she discarded the dirty gloves and washed her hands.
Arjun removed the elastic bandage on his arm and held out his arm to her. "I want to get rid of this."
Swati's mouth pinched in irritation when she saw the tattoo on his arm. "Just what were you trying to prove with getting her name permanently tattooed on your arm?" Arjun didn't miss the fact that Swati couldn't even bring herself to say Roshni's name.
Arjun sighed, "At the time I was trying to show her that I only belonged to her." He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to blast him. "Yes I know that was a stupid thing to do, believe me I have come to realize this already."
"So why do you want to get rid of it now?" Swati knew the answer to that already but she wanted Arjun to voice it out to her anyway.
"First tell me why you hate me so much." Arjun knew Swati hasn't forgiven him for what happened in the past.
Swati leaned against the counter, "I don't hate you but I do dislike you still because you hurt the two people I love the most in this world. They are very generous and forgiving but I am not."
Arjun looked away from Swati, "Believe me when I tell you that I am very sorry for what happened and I haven't forgiven myself for it either. If I had a chance to redo things I would but unfortunately all I can do now is ask for forgiveness and make up for what I did."
"I can't undo everything that happened but I can make amends by redoing certain things." Arjun turned back to Swati. "I love Priya, always have and always will. I don't want to get rid of this tattoo for myself but I don't ever want her to be reminded of that dark part of her life every time she sees the tattoo on my arm. I want to start my life with her without the shadows of the past."
The sincerity, which he spoke with and the love in his eyes must have convinced Swati enough to give him another chance. Arjun sighed in relief when she turned and started writing something on a note pad.
Swati tore the paper from the notepad and gave it to Arjun, "I am giving you a second chance because only I know what she has really given up for you, but if you turn your back on her again I will personally make you pay for it Arjun. Don't make me regret this."
Arjun had cringed at her warning tone and hoped he never took a wrong step with Priya or else he would have hell to pay with Swati. He broke out of his thoughts just as Sameer screeched to halt at the side of the road to answer his phone.
Arjun gazed out the window as Sameer dealt with the phone call but his head snapped around when he heard Sameer give a sharp command to the person at the other end of the line. "What happened?" He asked just as Sameer ended the call.
"There is information that a local school in our area is being held hostage by some terrorists." Sameer said as he slammed the stirring wheel. "I knew it! While we were chasing our tails, they were planning something big."
Arjun couldn't help but agree with Sameer, but he also felt that this was just more than a terrorists attacks. "Have they contacted any government officials yet?"
"Yes, that is what the phone call was about. There is an order from the top asking for ETF's presence at the school, stat! No other police is to be involved in this. They will tell us their demands once we reach the school." Sameer exclaimed.
Bingo! Arjun thought. "No they don't just want ETF, they want us." He said thoughtfully as he planned.
Sameer turned towards him, "What do you mean?"
"Drive to the school Sameer, we can't take any chances with kids' lives and I will explain." Arjun pulled out his phone and dialed Shree's number then waited impatiently for Shree to answer.
"Shree, where is Priya?" He listened to Shree's reply then relaxed. "Fine, be sure she does not step out of the office on her own. I will call you in a while, we have a situation on hand." He hung up without waiting for Shree's reply.
"Do you think its Sikandar or his people?" Sameer asked as he alternated his gaze between the road and Arjun.
"I am not hundred percent sure Sam, but my gut feeling is telling me that this is happening in a broad day light for a reason and in one way or another he is behind it." Sameer gave him a questioning look, "How can you be so sure?"
"For one the information is coming straight from the top, this means the attackers hasn't contacted the kids parent's. This is obviously not a case of kidnapping for money." Arjun was sure that something big was being planned right under their noses.
"And the second thing, they asked for ETF's presence at school, why?" Arjun's mind was reeling with all kinds of questions and possibilities. He wasn't sure of anything but one thing he was sure of was he needed to keep Priya away from the school. His instincts were telling him that whatever is happening is connected to them all but most specially Priya.
Sameer was beginning to have similar thoughts as Arjun. He dialed Swati's number as he drove towards the school. "Hey Doc, are you working till late today?"
Swati frowned at Sameer's question. She wondered why he was asking her if she is working late. She had informed him in the morning she would be late today. "Yeah Sameer, I thought we discussed it this morning. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah everything is fine, I just wanted to make sure that's all." Sameer quickly reassured her. He glanced at Arjun who was lost in his own thoughts then turned back to his conversation with Swati. "Okay I will come pick you up. I love you."
Swati wanted to push Sameer for answers, she was sure he was hiding something from her but she didn't want to distract him with her worries so she simply replied back, "I love you too." Then ended the call.
Sameer hung up the phone and wondered why he had felt the need to call Swati and hear her voice before he faced whatever was waiting at the school for them but he had felt the need and followed up on it.
In an undisclosed location near the school, a man is sitting in his leather chair, rolling a paperweight in his hand, as he looked at half a dozen monitors mounted on the wall behind his desk.
"Is everything in place?" He asked the man standing next to his chair.
The second in command snapped to attention at his boss' question, "Yes sir, everything is just as you planned. We should be getting the live feed from the CC cameras soon."
"Let the games begin," he said in a soft, menacing voice just as the monitors came alive and he saw a SUV pull up in the school parking lot.
At the school, Arjun and Sameer stood at the hood of the SUV and gauged the area around the school. They both exchanged a look at the quietness surrounding the area. There was not a single sound coming from inside the school of from the surrounding buildings of the school.
Again both Arjun and Sameer concluded that whatever was happening inside the building had nothing to do with monetary benefits but something else was being played out altogether.
They also realized they needed to thread carefully. Many innocent lives may be in danger. They were sure whoever is behind this had no qualms about killing innocent little children.
Arjun pulled out his phone and dialed Shree's number again. As soon as Shree answered the phone Arjun started giving him instructions on what he needed, "Shree listen to me carefully, I need you to check if Mira elementary school has something special going on today. Also find out if the school has CC TV cameras and try to get a live feed from it. Also find out what is going around the office buildings surrounding the school."
Shree tapped on the keys of his computer keyboard at his desk as Arjun instructed him on what he needed. Within in minutes Shree had everything on screen. "Sir the offices surrounding the school are closed today. Mira elementary school is supposed to get a visit from some political dignitary of sort. The school does have CC TV camera but it will take a while to get the live feed."
"Shree find out which political dignitary is visiting the school." He hesitated, "Where is Priya?"
Shree was about to answer when he saw Priya behind him, "She is right here sir."
Priya snatched the phone out of Shree's hand, "Arjun where the hell are you?" She snapped out before he could say anything. She had been feeling uneasy about his and Sameer's absence for a while now.
Arjun pinched his eyes closed when he heard the worry and fear in Priya's voice. He was hoping to avoid talking to her but the choice was taken out of his hand. On second thought he was glad the choice was taken from him.
Arjun relayed everything he knew to Priya and waited for her reaction. "Something is not right Arjun, don't go in without a back up."
Arjun's shoulder slumped when he heard the worry in her voice. "We have to do something Priya. We can't take a chance of risking innocent lives."
Priya was about to argue with Arjun when she happened to glance at one of Shree's computer monitor. "Shree, isn't that Shekhar Sharma?" She asked pointing to the picture.
Shree's head snapped up, "Put Arjun sir on the speaker." Priya quickly did as he asked. "Sir the dignitary visiting the school is minister of Home Affairs and Enforcement, Shekhar Sharma. He is a candidate for chief minister seat and accompanying him will be Harish Shukla, who is supposed to replace Sharma as minister of Home Affairs and Enforcement once Sharma is elected as CM."
"Why is minister of Home Affairs and Enforcement visiting the elementary school? What kind of lecture would he want to give to small children?" Arjun asked, genuinely stumped by the news.
"Sir actually they are not visiting the school for any lectures. They are there for a special function organized by the school officials to show their appreciation for the large amount of donation that Sharma gave to the school recently." Shree clarified. "And sir, Sharma was not the only large contributor but a CEO of a big international export company also donated a large amount of money to this particular school."
"So the minister is the target, not the kids." Arjun voiced.
"No Arjun, kids are still the target, more specifically this is a trap set for us." Priya said absently. "I am sure Sharma was one of the investor in Nikhil's company."
"And Shukla has joined hands with him." Arjun added.
Arjun made a quick decision. "Send Chotu in with the back up Priya, but under no circumstances you are to leave the office."
Priya was quick to take the phone off the speaker and walk away from Shree's desk. "Don't be foolish about this Arjun."
"No Priya, not this time. Please just for once listen to me and stay away." Arjun pleaded which silenced Priya completely.
Arjun took a deep breath, "Priya, I.." He stopped suddenly, "Please just stay away from the school for my sake. We will be fine.
Priya gave in but did not promise to stay away. They didn't have enough time to argue at the moment but if it became necessary for her to be at school then she didn't want to be bound by a promise to him. She couldn't take that kind of risk with everyone's life, especially his.
Arjun took her silence as a promise and hung up the phone. He didn't want to say goodbye and what he wanted to say to her could not be said over the phone. He dialed another number from a memory and waited for the phone to be picked up at the other end. "Jai hind sir! This is ACP Arjun Rawte, I have a special request sir."
Once he finished the conversation he turned to Sameer who was watching him closely. "So you called in the favor."
Arjun nodded his head slowly, "It is time to use it Sam. I can't risk you, the kids and most especially my second chance."
Sameer patted Arjun on the arm, "Okay, I have also called in few favors. We should have some discreet backups available soon." They both leaned back against the SUV and waited for their back up.
At the ETF office Priya sent Chotu, with back up, to the school then handed the phone back to Shree. She had a feeling that things are not going to go smoothly as Arjun is predicting. There is a specific reason for what is happening and she also had feeling that they won't begin the real game until she shows up at the school.
"Shree what is happening with the CC TV feed?" She asked, putting aside her fear for the moment and concentrated on helping Arjun and Sameer in the best possible way.
"I have it," Shree tapped a key and brought up the images on the monitors. "We only have images from the halls, main offices, and the outside of the school, not the classrooms."
Priya's heart skipped a beat when the monitors switched to the cameras outside of the school. She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted both Arjun and Sameer leaning against the SUV.
Her hand automatically lifted towards the monitor as if to touch him to be sure he was real but suddenly the screen went black. Priya gasped as Arjun's image disappeared. Her heart sank when she realized that something has gone wrong at the school.
*~+~*
Thank you all once again for all your wonderful comments.
I would like those of you who would like to continue to follow the story to please like the update and comment to remain on the PM list or to be added on the PM list. After this update I am going to update my buddy list and remove everyone who is not following this story. Some of you I already know would like to receive PM so no worries but I would still appreciate if you would let me know.
Thank you so much!
@Farheen, please forgive me this cliffhanger but I did give you something special in this update.😉
Edited by ll-Shilpa-ll - 11 years ago
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