An Appointment with Death

By Sachin Nirhali

Amit Choudhary is a vile, unscrupulous builder of Thane, a bustling satellite city of Mumbai. Although married, itches to lay girls on and off.
Vaishali Chitnis, a college-going girl, gets ensnared in his murky net, but suddenly, the tables turn and Amit finds himself at the receiving end.
While there are many out there who are willing to give anything to see him dead, foremost among them is an eminent lawyer, Amrish Agarwal, who has an ax to grind against him.
The lawyers hassled legal secretary, Ashu Kulkarni, has vowed to get to the root of the murky matter and send him packing from the legal firm.
Suddenly Amit gets murdered in his Chandrama bungalow, sending shock waves throughout the city.
And while the police are still on the lookout for the elusive killer, a blackmailer, out of the blue, appears on the scene.
To make matters worse, a girl is suddenly found dead in mysterious circumstances beneath the secluded seven-story building.
Time is running out for the police, who are still groping in the dark. They have to swoop down now on the killer, who is still at large, and apprehend him before the third murder rocks the city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Apr 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482820461

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Sachin Nirhali.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER IX

CHAPTER X

CHAPTER XI

CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER XV

CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVIII

Death is inevitable.

It comes to all.

But some imprudently

fix

An Appointment

with Death.

Sachin Nirhali.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I hereby dedicate this novel to my wife, Parvati, who encouraged me to write and stood by me, through thick and thin, like rock of Gibraltar and of course, to my fourteen year old son, Hrithik, who wanted to see my novel in print.

I also take this opportunity to thank my nephew, Aniket Kotkar who called up, now and then, to find out whether I was keeping my nose to the grindstone or not.

Thanks.

CHAPTER I

No, no, keep your dirty hands off me, you fiend, Ashu screamed at the top of her lungs, shoved Amrish Agarwal away, whirled around and darted towards the door of the cabin, yanked it open and then started scampering madly through the ill-illuminated, deserted hall on the eighth floor of the legal firm.

The despicable lawyer began pursuing her.

She rushed out of the hall like a bat out of hell. For one or two ticks, she remained undecided, in a limbo, as to where to turn to? On her left side down the corridor, was a lift from which she could make a fast getaway, but if it wasn’t on the same floor, then she was definitely cooked.

Hell! She couldn’t take chances, certainly not, when Amrish was hot on her trail. Wouldn’t it be a cinch for the lawyer to bundle her up and then deflower her?

To her right was a long corridor and at the far end of it were the stairs to her freedom, but then she had to descend eight floors. But hey! It was quite possible she could meet someone while hurtling down.

Making up her mind in a twinkle of an eye, she tore through the dim-lit passage, and while she was still running for her life, fleetingly glanced over her shoulder and found to her horror, Amrish close on her heels.

She gathered momentum and few moments later, when she was about to climb down the stairwell, Amrish, in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, caught up on her.

Smiling wickedly, he grasped her long, lustrous hair and gave a pull. It was more than enough to trip her. She collapsed with a resounding thud on the floor.

Like a greased lightning, he lurched forward; she rolled to one side and somehow scrambled to her feet.

Amrish too, had rose by then and was now standing blocking her only access to the stairs below.

Oh God!

In a frenzied panic, she turned and mounting the steps swiftly, ran, panting and puffing, into the very cabin from where she had scampered out some minutes before.

No sooner had she closed the door and bolted it, Amrish started pounding it menacingly. The flimsy door was shuddering under the impact of his heavy blows and she realized with trepidation that it could cave-in any moment.

She was trapped, all right.

Suddenly the door flung open and smiling lasciviously, the lawyer stormed in and then lunged at her. She reeled back and fell, taking him on top.

Even though she was trying with all her might to wriggle out of his clutches, she wasn’t able to free herself. Her strength was waning with every tick.

Amrish, pressing her firmly down, had brought his ugly mouth on hers till then and had started mashing her rosy lips, while his big hands were feverishly trying to get rid of her blouse that had till now veiled her bosom from his hungry, protruding eyes.

No, Amrish. Back off. She yelled yet again…

All of a sudden, she sat bolt upright quivering on her queen sized bed while her heartbeats were still racing unabatedly. Her gown had got completely soaked with sweat.

For few moments she looked around her small, dark room blankly with fogged mind and then slowly it dawned upon her, that she was safe and sound in her little apartment and whatever had happened, had happened in a dream, rather a nightmare, but which, she rightfully feared, could turn into reality any day as her vile boss was always on the lookout for the opportunity.

Hell! How was she going to escape his clutches and for how long?

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Although Ashu Kulkarni was on her cell phone for about half an hour chatting with Manish, the thoughts of her office were gyrating at the back of her mind. She momentarily glanced at the clock that was monotonously ticking on the drab wall and realized that she had to end the call as it was getting late. She bade him goodbye, ending his call rather abruptly.

Oh my, it’s already seven-thirty. How time races off? She anxiously muttered to herself and deposited the cell phone in her purse that sat on corner of the table.

It had been a daily routine. Even though she had insisted her boyfriend, Manish Deshpande not to ring her in the morning, he had turned a deaf ear to her plea and had gone ahead with his calls.

Exactly at seven a.m. her cell phone would start ringing and would incessantly keep on ringing till she answered his call. The continuous rings used to irk her immediate neighbours who had reprimanded her on more than one occasion as it got in the way of their peaceful sleep.

She was also aware of the fact that spending some time nattering on the phone with Manish, collapsed her timetable. But then too, she used to take his call, just to keep him smiling.

She deposited her mobile in the purse, zipped it and gathering speed, thereafter collected her clothes and a yellow Turkish towel from the wooden cupboard, walked briskly into the bathroom, hung them on the hook and marching out while brushing her teeth, set the kettle on the stove for brewing the tea.

She then took a quick rejuvenating bath under the shower, dressed up quickly and whilst combing her lustrous black hair that reached up to her waist, sipped the scalding tea.

Till the time she had completed all her household chores, the minute’s hands had raced at full throttle to 7.45a.m.

She hurriedly placed a red bindi on her forehead and stretching her lips, applied the pink lipstick and thereupon appraised herself in the small mirror placed on the table top by the window, overlooking the busy narrow lane.

Ashu Kulkarni was in mid twenties with glowing skin with five four height. Her dove shaped sparkling brown eyes with thick long lashes, straight nose, and high cheek bones made her very appealing.

While on the one hand, women envied her big bust and curves, on the other, it grabbed men’s attention, who ogled at her and secretly ached to lay her.

Satisfied with her elegant looks, she picked up the ‘DNA’ newspaper delivered at her doorstep, briefly glanced at the headlines and slinging the big maroon purse on her shoulder, she stepped out of her one room kitchen apartment on the second floor. She closed the door behind her, which locked automatically with a clicking sound.

Dressed in a soothing green flowered pattern kurta and bottle green plain chuddidar with a matching dupatta on her left shoulder, she descended the flight of stairs two at a time.

Stepping out of her apartment, she signaled to an auto that was passing by speedily.

Aunt Shobha, her next door apartment neighbour, striding ahead, overtook her and dropped her bulk into the auto, without a second thought.

Hey! Hey! Stop. You can’t snatch it like this! It-it isn’t fair. Ashu grumbled, glancing at the obese lady in her mid fifties, clad in Punjabi suit.

Sorry, but I’m in a hurry, why don’t you take another auto. They are always available. Aunt Shobha said with a smile, showing her uneven white teeth and then turning towards the auto driver, commanded him, Bhaiyaji, market chalo.

The auto turned and zoomed away leaving back plume of smoke. For few moments Ashu glared at the departing auto.

What the heck? Isn’t my office important? She mumbled to herself and then desperately flagged another rickshaw heading in her direction.

Station… Quick, I’m getting late. She said, adjusting herself in the back seat.

Yes madam… The lean auto driver replied without looking back and moments later started weaving his way through the thick traffic.

Although it was early morning, she could still feel the scorching heat of the sun which was traversing in the cerulean sky.

She wiped away the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand without even bothering to draw the small, pink handkerchief from her purse as she was too preoccupied with the thoughts of reaching her office in time.

Her legal firm was located in the reclamation area, Mumbai and it took nearly an hour from her home to reach the office premises.

As it was Monday, the roads were flooded with numerous autos, cars, motorbikes. The people, as usual, were returning to their mundane jobs after enjoying the weekend.

There was utter chaos on the road. The vehicles were trying to rush ahead along the Masunda Talao as if there was no tomorrow. In the corner of the road many cars were double parked resulting in bottlenecks. Honking was rampant even in the no honking zone with utter disregard to the traffic rules.

Oh no, I will get late if I miss the 8.05 local. She mumbled to herself peeking at her tiny wristwatch with a brown strap.

After ten minutes or so, the auto somehow managed to enter the Thane railway station which was unusually crowded.

She paid off her auto without waiting for the change as she was racing against the clock. She scurried towards the platform no.1, pushing and shoving the thick crowd towards the local.

But to her utter dismay, the train started chugging off.

Ashu reduced her pace instantly and watched helplessly at the departing train which now had gathered speed and was rattling off the platform, carrying people who were packed in the stuffy compartments, like sardines.

She shook her head desolately.

Cursing herself, she slammed her head. A portly man standing next to her on the platform, fleetingly looked at her and then a smile appeared on his round, chubby face.

The wearer knows where the shoe pinches, she thought wryly and seconds later, chucked the thought out of her mind. Neither had she the time nor the inclination to ponder over such a frivolous thing.

Subsequently, she neatly set the dupatta on her shoulder that was swaying on the grubby, mud-splattered platform and while she was catching her breath, her trained ears caught the announcement that 8.15 a.m. C.S.T. bound local was arriving on platform No.3.

It was peak hour and she knew the train would be jam packed, but she could not afford to miss this train. Could she?

She took a deep breath and reluctantly dashed towards the congested narrow bridge.

While descending the stairs she caught sight of the train that was slowing down. She pushed her way through the teeming crowd. Panting and puffing she caught the middle bar and heaved herself up in the ladies compartment even before the train had come to halt on the platform.

Her eyes moved over the compartment. But alas! She couldn’t find any vacant seat. Even the fourth seats were occupied with the chattering ladies.

She caught the overhead handle tightly, whirled her head outside the crammed compartment that hadn’t an inch to move, took a gulp of fresh air and stood anxiously for the train to depart with her back pressed tightly to the steel aisle.

Exactly after forty-five minutes the train reached CST. Moments later, thousands of commuters scattered on the massive platform like grains spilling from the sack and shoving each other, started rushing towards the buses and taxis.

Walking briskly, she crossed number of crowded platforms, turned to her left and started going in the direction of the large, cobbled bus depot just outside the CST, from where the red double Decker buses usually departed to reclamation area.

Reaching the spot, she glanced over the long beeline and a sigh escaped her lips.

Living in a Maximum City having colossal population had its hazards.

She glanced apprehensively at her wristwatch. She couldn’t afford to wait even for few minutes to catch the bus. The minute hand of her watch was ticking feverishly and every second counted.

Peeved, she glanced around and unwillingly flagged the taxi that was going to gobble into her money. Actually, she always felt that taking a taxi was waste of hard earned money but today, she guessed, time was more precious.

After crossing over the bustling ‘Hutatma Chowk’ signal, the taxi took a sharp right turn and after cruising for a while behind a red double Decker, took left turn and started racing by the lush green oval ground where lots of budding ‘Tendulkars’ were practicing in white uniforms while the coaches kept their weary eyes open for new rookies who were always welcome to fill their coffers.

Even though she sat resting her elbow on the window and looked outside, she never registered these things as she was quite busy praying to the Lord Ganesha in her mind, Please almighty do me a favour… see to it that my boss does not reach the office in time. A traffic jam would do the trick. And if he remains absent, well… that would be icing on the cake.

A smile escaped her lips.

Even though she knew very well inwardly that it was a childish prayer, she prayed feverishly from the bottom of her heart for a miracle to happen.

Amrish her boss, was a despot and a Sr. Counsel in ‘Sharma & Associates’ a well established legal firm that offered legal services in the areas of criminal and civil matters.

He was around fifty with thinning grizzled hair and dark, bulging eyes, over six feet, corpulent, with a protruding belly.

Ashu was working under him as a Personal Secretary for about two years after she had passed LL.B with flying colours, from the esteemed Mumbai University.

It had never crossed her mind to look for another lucrative job as the pay and perks were quite satisfactory. The atmosphere in the firm was cozy and friendly except Amrish, her immediate boss, a rotten mango considered by many but uttered by none.

He was a scoundrel to the hilt. The ladies working under him tried to keep him at arm’s length. His notoriety needed no PRO. He devoured female bodies with his big, bulging eyes, always hungry and searching.

Ashu, his personal and private secretary was especially on his radar. He felt she was a vulnerable prey on whom he could very well pounce one day and satisfy his lust.

As a Personal Secretary she had to attend calls, type legal documents, take dictation and arrange meetings. She had to remain on her toes and was at his beck and call. Her job demanded so and she had to yield to it, no matter how she loathed him from inside.

To keep her pot boiling she had to work with such a bastard who looked at the ladies as if they were a part of his Harlem. Someday he would get transferred or switch to another legal firm. Ashu used to keep thinking. Wishful thinking perhaps, but it certainly helped her jittery nerves to calm down a bit.

Every morning she would feel nauseated when her mind would get swarmed with the thoughts of working with Amrish whose eyes feasted on her feminine curves body. Manish Deshpande, her boyfriend had on innumerable occasions insisted her to look for another job so that her boss could keep his dirty hands off her.

But she was hanging to this job, not only to make ends meet but also because she wanted to learn the nuances of the legal profession and carve her name in gold letters and make a mark in history as one of the prominent lawyer some day.

It was here she could learn the nitty-gritty of legal drafting, pleading, cross examining the witnesses, and winning the cases and bringing smiles on her client’s faces.

Suddenly the taxi halted giving a rude jerk, breaking her chain of thoughts. She instantaneously whipped out a crisp twenty rupee note from her purse and handed it over to the taxi driver.

She then slid out of her seat, shutting the passenger door, hurriedly crossed the wide road avoiding the oncoming vehicles that hurled with great velocity towards her, blasting horns.

She entered the commercial tower with a glass facade that stood dotting along with other skyscrapers, towering on the broad sea front.

She crossed the airy massive foyer which housed a bank of elevators and ambled to the fourth elevator where seven to eight eager persons were waiting impatiently for their turn.

Oh my Gosh! Feeling helpless, she murmured to herself throwing her hands in despair.

Don’t worry. Just chant Manish’s name and like a Superman he will appear out of nowhere and will soar with you to the eighth floor in a jiffy. Swapna her dear friend and colleague, who worked as a legal assistant in the Administrative section, mischievously whispered in her ears.

Ashu whirled around.

A bad joke! Moments later, she said wrinkling her nose at her lean, dusky, curly haired colleague clad in sky-blue top and stretch jeans with high heeled sandals.

I don’t think so. Just come out with the truth. Weren’t you thinking on the same lines? Placing her hand on Ashu’s shoulder, Swapna asked earnestly.

You think so? Jealous, huh? Ashu wisecracked and laughed heartily.

This kind of bantering would always take place between them, banishing the monotony from their lives.

Ohhhh… so Manish is your Prince charming, huh? What’s he going to do? Come galloping on his white horse and whisk you to his heavenly castle?

Any doubt. Girls drool over his looks. She stated feeling somewhat elated by the praise showered on her boyfriend.

You love him unconditionally. But does he reciprocate love in the same manner? Swapna wiggled her eyebrows and solicited earnest reply from her.

Yes. I can bet my life on it. Ashu said confidently giving a slight slap on her friend’s shoulder thereby telling her implicitly to keep her mouth shut and then went to add, holding her chin high, He is not in the flirting business. He is one woman man. He is mine… . forever.

"That’s your opinion? Isn’t it? Swapna persisted.

It’s a fact. Ashu replied digging her heels. He is always there to lend a hand and support me.

Ok… Ok. You win, I lose. Happy?Swapna said and lifted her hands with open palms acknowledging her defeat.

Ashu Kulkarni winked and playfully danced her thumb in front of her friend’s eyes, showing flawless victory.

They laughed and later, hi fived.

This repartee had released the tension from Ashu’s mind. The thoughts of facing Amrish which troubled her till some minutes back had lost their strength and were fading away.

People standing near the lift were amused to see them acting like school going girls.

Shh… Suddenly becoming aware of their stares, Ashu whispered her friend to maintain silence. Swapna smiled and nodded her head.

Later on, she stepped into the elevator along with Swapna and was straight away whisked to the eighth floor which housed the entire legal firm.

The metal door slid open and both of them stepped outside and started walking briskly through the long marbled passageway. They passed the partly filled typing pool on their right and reached the establishment section where they at once signed on the thick Muster.

Two minutes later they reached the administrative section. Swapna glanced around. Her colleagues were already busy at their desks drafting and typing legal documents.

See you in the lunch time. She said to Ashu and turned to her cubical, where heaps of pending files were waiting to be cleared. With a heavy heart, she settled in the chair, wiping the sweat from her bro.

Ashu walked past the number of cabins to her left where Sr. advocates usually counseled their clients and brought mullah to the legal firm.

She headed straight towards the Sr. Counselor’s cabin which was situated at the corner of the Administrative Section.

As she reached her desk, she bent down to keep her purse beneath the table, switched on the computer and then picked up the receiver and ordered the canteen for a tea and a grilled sandwich as usual.

For a fleeting second she thought about entering the cabin to make sure whether Amrish was at his desk or not. Moments later, she tossed that thought out of her mind as swiftly as it had entered.

Catching a glimpse of his wolfish face would have certainly ruined her day. She decided against it. Had he called her, she would have been left with no choice but to present herself.

Occupational hazards… she thought to herself feeling somewhat blue.

After five minutes, give or take, the young canteen boy arrived with a tray and placed piping hot tea cup and grilled sandwich on her table.

Ma’am, tea…

Thanking him with a wide smile she began to seep the hot tea. But even before she had finished, the intercom on her table buzzed.

She instantly felt a knot form in her stomach. Hastily keeping the half filled cup on her desk, she plucked the receiver from the cradle, breathing irregularly.

Yes sir She said politely.

So, Miss Ashu… late again?

Only five minutes late, Sir. She could have retorted, but then on second thoughts kept mum. Silence was golden. Wasn’t it?

"Isn’t your duty to arrive on time and that too before your boss reaches the office? Amrish asked her tersely.

Although she was prepared for the verbal volley, his words scalded her mind. She winced but reminded herself not to answer back as she was not in a position to clash with him. She had to keep cool under trying circumstances. She had done it before. She could do it now. Working under him was a pain in the neck but had to go through to make her ends meet.

She was absolutely sure that Amrish was using this gimmick to harass her as she hadn’t responded to his amorous overtures.

She had been ignoring his passes and he therefore took digs at her whenever he had the opportunity. She knew that he wanted her to enter into the illicit relationship as his wife had deserted him due to his despicable nature.

Finish your breakfast and see me in the cabin. A Caveat has to be filed in the Court at eleven a.m. sharp. It’s urgent. He teed off.

Yes sir. She said glumly and kept the receiver, gulped her tea that had turned tepid, glanced momentarily at the grilled sandwich which lay on the centre of the table, but didn’t feel like eating as she had suddenly lost her appetite.

She took a deep breath, plucked out a shorthand notebook and a ball pen from the cluttered drawer, got to her feet and within two minutes, she knocked on the frosted glass door of the lawyer’s cabin.

Come in.Amrish growled as she entered inside, breathing heavily.

It was a spacious red carpeted cabin with a French window overlooking the Maine Street below. To the left side of the window a large bookshelf covering the entire wall was crammed with law books. To the extreme left corner was private washroom.

The split A.C on the wall was humming, giving out cool fresh air.

Amrish had clinched the L.L.B degree with a gold medal and had twenty years of legal experience under his belt. Clients from various parts of the state flocked to him for the redressal of their grievances. He studied meticulously the cumbersome cases and with his razor sharp mind, always came quickly with the solutions. He fought the cases with much needed fervor and enthusiasm and saw to it that he and his wealthy clients had the last laugh.

His cross examination used to be a delight for the Court and many novice lawyers used to attend the court to gather the nuances of cross examination from him. They used to keenly observe and absorb like a sponge his cross examination techniques which were par-excellence.

Amrish had rose to become a prominent and leading lawyer as he had many lethal weapons in his arsenal that brought the witness to their knees, and to him, name and fame.

Right now he was perched on a large leathered swivel chair, donning a plain, full sleeved white shirt and a black trouser. The jet black tie was resting on his protruding belly.

Resting his left hand on the edge of the table, he was diligently preparing the Caveat for his affluent client. As he heard the footsteps, he stopped writing and easing back, glanced upwards at Ashu’s face and started eyeballing her.

She cringed inside as his ogling made her uncomfortable. But seconds later, she gripped herself and shot him a fierce look, contracting her brows.

His searching, hungry eyes waivered momentarily, but again got glued on her stunning face, which nauseated her immensely.

His eyes then slid downwards towards her bosom. She hurriedly adjusted her dupatta so as to screen her body from his prying eyes.

Her coughing, which was rather deliberate, met with little success.

He laughed wryly. His thick skin had no effect whatsoever. It rather amused him.

This was a blot on his personality which she thought, was some or the other day going to end his otherwise brilliant career.

Good riddance!

Some female employees had earlier verbally and in writing complained to Mr. Sharma, the founding member of the legal firm ‘Sharma & Associates’ about the lawyer’s amorous behavior.

But it hadn’t affected Amrish, who had strongly refuted all the allegations as baseless and had categorily stated in his statement presented to Mr. Sharma that these claims were made with the sole intention of tarnishing his image.

As no concrete evidence was found against the crafty lawyer, he was naturally enough allowed to work in the firm.

Ashu too, was hunting for an opportunity to get this menace out of the system once and for all, but had wisely enough, stayed away from the whole drama that had lasted for a month. Instead of weakening the lawyer, the allegations leveled against him had, in-fact buttressed his position.

It had definitely made Ashu Kulkarni wise. She wasn’t going to rush and fall flat on her face as her colleagues had. She intuitionally knew that the window of opportunity would somehow present itself one day and his one false step would send him packing from the firm, but for that she would have to wait patiently and work under him.

She wasn’t going to lock horns with him without any concrete evidence in her hand as he was now wielding enormous power in the firm.

She reminded herself that she couldn’t jump and destroy her blooming career. It would have been foolhardy to think and act on impulse, but then she had to keep him at the arm’s length.

. The situation was no doubt, dicey.

Rascal. The word unexpectedly leaped from her mouth as she came out of her brief trance.

Did you say something? Taken aback, Amrish furrowed his brows that were turning grey.

N… No… Sir She mumbled as she realized the derogatory remark had come out of her mouth, in spite of herself.

I think I heard something.

No sir. I-I swear…She said pinching her throat. It’s okay. I don’t mind. He cut her midway You see, I am a large hearted person. Even cuss words from your mouth would be like flowers showered upon me. Then he added eagerly: If you want to reach the top, the pinnacle of your career, you shouldn’t antagonize your boss. In fact, you should have someone on your side, a person who can guide you reach your cherished goal. A mentor…

A Godfather perhaps… She wryly interrupted.

Her witty remark made him laugh.

I wouldn’t fit the term, my dear. I’m not a mafia don. Rather, a dear friend always eager to help would fit my image. What do you say?

An elderly friend? Would that suffice? She asked with a tinge of sarcasm.

You must be kidding. Do I look like an old person, huh? He said with a twinkle in his foxy eyes. My dear lady, take my advice and don’t you ever go by the looks. If you delve deeper inside my heart you will be surprised to find me young enough. He said looking deep into her sparkling eyes. She looked gorgeous. He ached to lay her.

Even though she tried hard to avoid his gaze, she still felt them penetrating her defenses.

He fished out a cigar from his pocket, put it in his lips, lighted with butane lighter and then took a deep drag. The thick smoke swirled in his mouth.

After ten minutes or so she came out of the cabin feeling bushed. She lowered herself on her seat and then began typing speedily although her mind still lingered on the conversation that had made her pale.

Half an hour later, she took out the prints from her laser printer and opening the door half heartedly, crossed over the cabin and leaned over the mahogany table to hand over the prints. Amrish, who was perusing the Civil Procedure Code, suddenly lifted his gaze and peered at her cleavage hungrily and then in a flash caught her hand.

She grimaced and tried to wriggle her hand with all her might. For some seconds the battle ensued.

Hell! Was her nightmare going to come true today itself?

Keep your dirty hands off me. She screamed at him, her eyes blazing.

Amrish kept his vicious grip intact, smiling wolfishly.

"Why are you upset, Ms Ashu? He asked her in a mild tone as if nothing had happened.

Sir, I am not that type of a girl. You know my nature very well. She yanked her wrist from his steely grip and yelled at him as she couldn’t dam her feelings however hard she tried. His relentless pestering was already annoying her immensely and today he had gone overboard and dared to touch her body which she considered it to be sacrosanct. She couldn’t take it anymore. It was high time he was made aware that he was crossing his limits.

I know… I know your nature. But aren’t you failing to see the assets bestowed upon you by the Almighty? Think twice. Ashu Kulkarni, you should use your beauty to your advantage. Brains with beauty is a deadly combination. You have been endowed with both. It can propel you to dizzying heights. I assure you. He tried to placate her.

I think my brain is more than enough to catapult me in my career. She said summoning her nerve. The tumult in her mind had found sudden speech. I don’t have to use unfair means and certainly not my body. Other girls may be flirting with their bosses, even sleeping with them to reach their desired goals. But sorry, I am certainly not one of them.

Oh! Don’t act stupid. He said brushing her cutting words aside, leaning back in his chair, while he eyed her curiously. What you don’t realize is that you can achieve a lot by just saying ‘yes.’ It will transform you life.

Humph! My answer is still a big ‘No. She said firmly, not budging an inch from her stand.

It infuriated him incalculably.

Tsk… tsk… you seem to be out of your mind. My dear lady, one shouldn’t antagonize a shark when one has to live in water. He said crossly few moments later. Then all of a sudden he rose to his feet, went near her and patting on her shoulder tried to persuade her. Don’t be a spoilsport. C’mon…

She shuddered at his filthy touch and took a step back.

Mr. Amrish, behave yourself or else I will have to report it to higher authorities. She threatened him with dire consequences. This had gone too far to turn a blind eye.

He laughed twitching his lips showing yellow teeth as if she had cracked a joke. Then suddenly he turned vicious. Narrowing his eyes, he pointed his thick finger towards her and boomed: Please yourself. This kind of gab doesn’t unnerve me. I have gone through this before. The ladies who had dared to complain against me are now rotting in the organization. I have sealed their carrier. Don’t you know that?

He clenched his fists and then added coldly, You have fifteen days to take a decision. Keep cool and give it a thought. But remember one thing, there’s no way out. Either you are going to sleep with me or are going out with a pink slip.

Few moments later, he resumed: C’mon it happens in every organization. It’s a standard practice. Discreet affairs, aren’t you aware of it? Let’s shake hands, end this enmity and fix a date. He extended his hand smiling slyly.

She glared at him wanting to slap him hard across his face. Then abruptly turning back, crossed the cabin in a huff and closed the door with a thud behind her.

She hastily returned to her desk and sat down trying hard to fight back the tears which had welled up in her eyes. His words had mortified her. Licking her parched lips, she reached for a water bottle placed on her table and gulped it down her desiccated throat.

She sat still like a statue for few odd minutes, reflecting on the stomach-turning conversation.

She had taken the bull by the horns? Had she made a grave mistake? Was this incident going to land her in a soup? But had she any option? Of course, not. Dilly-dallying wasn’t going to help her any way. He had brazenly told her to sleep with him.

Bastard!

The time had come to find the solution to this vexing problem and fix it once and for all, she thought disconsolately, massaging her forehead that had started aching as the tumultuous thoughts whirled in her mind.

Sweet beaded her upper lips. She scooped her hand through her thick black hair trying to think hard to wriggle out of this quagmire but nothing positive came to her mind.

Amrish was hell bent on laying her and was going to hound her till she yielded to his unscrupulous demands while she was dead against allowing him to intimidate her, using his position and have his way.

But she had comprehended by now that her resilience was leading her to catch-22 situation whereupon she was left with no option but to kiss her job goodbye.

These gnawing thoughts bothered her and drained her immensely and while she was trying hard to dispel them, could not hurl them completely away. Instead they came back at her, reinforced.

She shook her head glumly and finally surrendered to them.

All of a sudden, the phone rang, startling her. Some moments fleeted away while she tried to compose herself.

She lifted the receiver and said nonchalantly, Hello, Sharma and Associates. May I know your good name, please?

Danny Menzes speaking. I would like to speak to Mr. Amrish please. Ashu heard a gruff voice that had ominous ring around it. She suddenly felt uneasy. Her instincts signaled her to remain alert.

Just a moment. She said and punched the red button. The call was instantly diverted to Mr. Amrish’s intercom in the cabin.

Yes? Amrish growled.

Sir, one Mr. Danny Menzes wants to speak to you. He is on the line. She said clearing her throat.

Uh? Well… put him on.

She at once connected the line and while she was about to replace the receiver, she heard Danny whispering on the phone, A.C.M.

That made absolutely no sense to her. She couldn’t comprehend the meaning but was absolutely sure that something was cooking. With bated breath, she listened with rapt attention.

Amrish was scoffing at Danny on the line: Keep your dirty mouth shut, you moron. It’s an open line. Don’t you realize that, you blockhead? Anyone can hear your crap. Don’t you utter a single word. Listen, meet me tomorrow, at ‘Vihang Inn’ Ghodbunder Road, Thane at seven thirty sharp and if you wish to contact me, then ring my mobile.

The line went dead. Moments later, she carefully replaced the receiver.

Inside, Amrish was furious that Danny had made the fatal mistake of calling him in his office and that too on the open line.

Had his personal secretary pried upon the conversation?

He suddenly turned edgy as the thought hit him.

He instantly decided to find out.

Without wasting a fraction of a second, he hastily crossed the spacious cabin and slightly opening the door, peeked to his right, at the Ashu’s desk.

He found her busy, rummaging through the file.

Satisfied that she hadn’t eavesdropped, he slowly closed the door.

Ashu heaved a sigh of relief as she had missed being detected by a whisker. She had, in the nick of time put down the receiver before Amrish had opened his cabin’s door and glanced outside.

Whew! That was indeed a close call.

She tried to steady her breath and started immediately thinking on the clandestine matter.

She was dead sure that something fishy was going on. Why the hell the person named Danny had used the code words? And why the hell her boss, Amrish had suddenly turned hyper? She had no clue whatsoever. It left her wondering.

It was indeed as clear as mud.

The thoughts of deciphering the baffling ‘A.C.M’ began to race at full throttle through her agile mind.

Hell! She wasn’t even sure if it was a single word, or an abbreviation of something or perhaps some alphabets. But whatever it may be. She was certain about one thing. It was definitely dark and mysterious.

Whatever it might be, if Amrish was doing something that he shouldn’t be doing, he could be nailed, she thought scratching her forehead. She could very well then bring to light his murkier business, rattling his overconfidence and capsizing his boat.

Yes, this could be the answer to the vexing problem she was facing for some time now. It was sure to put Amrish in a tight spot once his dark secrets were laid bare, hopefully, by her.

A ray of hope emerged in her overcast mind. The gloomy thoughts which were hovering till now, started dissolving, relaxing her instantly. Finally things had started looking up a bit for her.

She glanced upwards at the big wall clock which showed 12:30 p.m.

Heck!

She had to spend five more hours, she thought anxiously, before she could eventually meet Manish in the evening and narrate this bizarre incident. She hadn’t any iota of doubt that her boyfriend, who she knew, had fertile imagination could enlighten her on this mind bending riddle. And maybe, even hit the bull’s eye and solve this enigma. Yes, he could certainly do that.

But Ashu hadn’t anticipated that her search for these mysterious code words was going to change her life permanently, open a can of worms and suck her in the vortex of the murkier world where blackmailers and predators were always on the prowl.

She hadn’t the faintest idea that the imminent fatality was awaiting just around the corner, not only for her, but the two others and before long it was going to rock the peaceful city of Thane.

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CHAPTER II

Despite the fact that Arjun Deshmukh @ Jacky was working on crankshaft of the car that had recently met with the accident and which was towed some time back into the garage, he wasn’t able to entirely immerse himself in his work. Anxiety filled thoughts were making him restless and as a result of which he was toiling mechanically without putting his soul in his work, as he usually did.

Usman Chacha, his co-mechanic, working on the other car was observing Jacky for a while and was puzzled by his atypical silence.

Jacky was six feet two, sturdy guy with oval face and muscular shoulders. His unkempt long hair, dark eyes and rugged jaw with peppered stubble naturally gave him a tough look. He was dressed in dark blue shirt that, with sleeves rolled up to his forearm and stonewash jeans that fitted him perfectly.

Arjun Deshmukh was a diehard fan of Jacky Shroff, the Bollywood actor and was aptly nicknamed by his friends while he was in Pune. The name had stuck to him till date, although he had moved with his younger brother, Anil to Thane, years back.

Clearing his throat, Chacha turned to Jacky and asked, Yaar… Jacky… what’s the matter with you? You seem to be lost today.

Jacky stopped working, glanced at