“Okay” Sajjan started with a sly tone making Rajasaab feel more at discomfort, “let me tell you – point wise – You are a political leader. Your prominence is felt in politics all over the country – no matter – whether you are in the ruling government or sitting in the opposition – you still are able to pull the strings your way. People all around the country respect your leadership and you really are an influential leader. You have a heavy political clout and you can make or break any government.”
Rajasaab was impressed by this flattery.
“Apart from being one of the prominent leaders, you’re a shrewd businessman. You started off without any investment – and now – you have major investments in many industries and are definitely one of the richest politicians in this country. You earn a lot through these legal investments. However, you earn a lot more from your other investments – shall we call them shady ones?”
Rajasaab was now sitting straight. He wanted to know what all Sajjan knew about him.
“You developed few people who represent your shady businesses – the so called ‘Eminent Investors’. You own popular high standard brothels all over the country to satisfy the needs of corrupt and greedy people. You own at least a dozen more such lavish farmhouses in various parts of the country. I wouldn’t exactly call them high standard brothels – Let me say – high class refreshing holiday homes which have harems filled with few of the choicest beautiful women. They give people classy services, especially to those who are important to you and from whom, you want to get support or get some specific work done. You have nexus with notorious gangsters in many parts of this country who you get protection money from – lavishly. You provide them with the political protection and they participate in various dirty deeds and create the political terrorism in your favour. Most of your undeclared money in black is exchanged through these. The new tribe which has settled at the edge of the jungle… they loot travellers in the area till Jalasagar are your own men led by that guy Rana. I have seen them during my travel around this town.”
Rajasaab was a bit nervous now. Sajjan was reading him like an open book.
“You’ve had your hands full of muck in many scams and yet, you have managed to remain clean and survive. And last but not the least – you got strong connection with militants, terrorists and foreign governments who abate their activities under your guidance – religiously. Your main interest in them is your hidden business – dealing in illegal armament and narcotics – which are grown in your farms, processed at your processing units and distributed worldwide – heavy profits, eh?”
Rajasaab looked at Sajjan concerned that he knew almost everything about him and most of his activities, down to minute details.
“Now”, Sajjan said reassuringly, “don’t be concerned about what I know and how did I come to know about all this. To make this project a success, I had to study few politicians. That’s how I finalized on you. Do not worry – I am extremely loyal to the people who I work with. I can sacrifice my life if need be to protect their interests.”
Rajasaab, somehow, wanted to believe in Sajjan.
“Do you think I will waste mine and your precious time just to let you know as to how much I know about you?” Sajjan asked with a sly smile, “I want you to guess and put a figure as to what kind of profit do you think you would earn from this project.”
Rajasaab thought for a moment but couldn’t put a figure. But he guessed that if Sajjan was speaking truth, the profit was going to be a huge one.
“Rajasaab… This project of mine is worth A Billion Dollars – Every Month.”
Rajasaab’s eye twinkled at the thought of this figure even as he bent forward in a mere receptive posture. Sajjan put his hand in the cloth bag he was carrying and brought out two packets and kept them where Rajasaab could see them.
“On the way to this farmhouse, when your vehicle drove over a mound, I clearly saw a patch of field – it’s supposed to be hidden to the natural eyes – it’s an illegal opium plantation. I saw another patch like it when I travelled on train to Dheemapur. A normal person wouldn’t know the difference, but expert eyes would instantly notice those.”
Rajasaab was taken aback with this revelation by Sajjan. He had been sure that nobody would be able to notice those.
“By the look of it – the yield of opium should be of good quality – but, not the best one.”
“What do you mean?” Rajasaab was indignant at this provocation, “I imported the best quality for this plantation. No way, anyone can get anything better than these.”
Sajjan laughed out loud much to his annoyance.
“Rajasaab – that’s the difference between your experts and the knowledge I possess.”
“Please explain.” Rajasaab wasn’t able to digest that there could be a better yield than what he produced. He had words of experts and his clients all over that his produce was the best.
“I request you to check these packets out with your experts.” Sajjan challenged him. Rajasaab looked at one of the attendants and asked her to call his best expert to the farmhouse.
“Let’s discuss this project over another cup of tea.” Rajasaab was now completely interested to know about Sajjan’s project and was impressed by his knowledge, “Our discussion will be over by the time the expert reaches here. By the way, what share do you expect to keep in this project of yours?”
“2%” Sajjan smiled at astonished look on Rajasaab of disbelief.
“Such a huge and profitable project and you are satisfied with only 2%?”
“Yes. Rajasaab. 2% is more than enough for me. You can keep the balance 98%.”
“I’m surprised at your business mind Mr. Sajjan.”
“Rajasaab”, Sajjan explained, “You already have millions and you manage to show these profits both – legally and use it illegally – you manage to show or hide your profits. I’m nobody and sudden receipt of huge money will raise eyebrows of tax department and be a risk to this project. I’m content with just 2% of a Billion every month. Maybe – even this amount may look like a huge one – but that is something I would be able to manage.”
Rajasaab was now excited at this mouth-watering proposal by Sajjan.
They stopped their discussion as the opium processing expert approached them. Sajjan held out one packet to him. He looked at both Rajasaab and the expert.
“This is a different breed than the ones you grow here. Take a look at it.”
The expert looked at the opium in the packet and inspected its content; his eyes bulged at the quality. “Where did you get this?” he almost cried out in excitement.
“Tell me, what your reading is about this sample.”
“Rajasaab” he said in an excited tone, “This is solid gold. Even if we try our best, we won’t be able to match this quality.”
Sajjan held another packet out to him.
“This is the same breed that you grow here.”
The expert’s eyes almost popped out. “Rajasaab, this is impossible. I simply am unable to believe that someone could beat the quality we deliver. Both these samples are magnificent. If we start processing these in our units – be sure – we will earn at least five times more than we do.”
Rajasaab was satisfied at expert’s reaction and waived him back to his processing unit and turned his complete attention to Sajjan – his project seemed to be the best…
Are you ready for a thrill ride like no other?
Look no further than Prasad Deshpande, the mastermind behind heart-stopping, spine-tingling thrillers
that will leave you breathless and begging for more!
"Unimaginable Plots, Unrelenting Suspense"
With a twisted imagination and a flair for the unexpected,
Prasad Deshpande weaves intricate tales that will keep you guessing until the very end.
From shocking twists to heart-pumping action, it is a wild ride that will push you to the edge of your seat.
Dive into a World of Thrills and Chills
Explore the dark corners of the human psyche, where the unimaginable becomes reality.
Prasad Deshpande's thrillers are not for the faint or weak of heart,
but for those who crave a story that will haunt them long after the final page is turned.
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/