The only information Chaits got relevant was that Raj is in Sundernagar to check the progress of legal investigation. He was staying in a lodge that was on the other side of Sundernagar.
Alisha called the police helpline as & gave the information of novice who was an aide of Vicky – the most sought after criminal. Police swung in action. Even as Chaits & Alisha started the car, they could hear approaching sirens & knew they’d take care of the novice & his friends.
“So when are we going to grab Raj?” Alisha asked & Chaits kept silent thinking how he’d go about it – the lodge Raj was staying in was a dangerous shanty area – it was full of criminal activity & he didn’t want Alisha to accompany him there – it could be too dangerous.
“Chicken” he muttered as Alisha sharply looked at him & he hastily said, “How about a good chicken meal?” and pulled over “Let me introduce to you the Baba’s – the best taste around for a chicken dish…”
Alisha smiled – he’s getting more normal – I wish he overcomes his grief as quickly as possible…
Soon they were home and Alisha relaxed a bit. “Now you’ll understand how we work, Chaits.” Chaits looked at Alisha – obviously she was missing her work & her team “Just like we did today, we wait patiently for our sting operation ‘pigeon’ to show up & then we swing into action with our cameras & recorders”
“Ya… I got a hang of it today” said Chaits
“Hey! Where are you going?” Alisha asked the as Chaits put on a jacket again & fished out his helmet.
“I’m not too familiar with the area where Raj’s put up – so I’m going for a small bike ride. I’ve been there just once or twice when we crossed over that shanty – on our way to Matheran a hilly picnic spot nearby.” said Chaits as he opened the door, “I’ll be back in an hour or two latest so that we can plan it out for tomorrow”
Alisha took his word & nodded. Chaits left a bit relieved that Alisha wasn’t accompanying him as he headed toward the crime infested outskirts of Sundernagar.
He paused in front of the lodge as he studied the structure. He could see that it was an easy entry into any of the rooms as they were interconnected through a long balcony. On an impulse – he entered the lodge & stood in front of the counter…
“Hi!” he beamed at the guy at the counter, “could you tell me how much time it’ll take me to reach Mumbai?”
The guy looked at his helmet & knew he was riding a bike & pondered for a moment “It’ll be about 4 – 5 hours at this time. The road leading there is not so good…”
Chaits looked at his watch & feigned despondency, “Oh! No! I’ll reach there at an unearthly hour – umm – well – do you have a vacant room? – I think, I’ll rest here for some time, & then be on my way…”
The guy at the counter was taken in by Chaits words & looked at easy & quick money. “Well” he paused, “We normally charge Rs 800 for a day’s stay – 24 hours checkout. How long are you planning to stay?”
Chaits looked at his watch – it was around 10:45 pm “Well, maybe for a couple of hours if I leave here by 1 am – I should reach by about 6 am – right?”
“Ya – that’s right – well – here’s a deal – I’ll not make your entry till 2 am – if you leave before that – I will charge you only Rs 300 without a receipt – if you stay here till morning – I’ll have to charge you the complete amount…” he looked expectantly at Chaits, his eyes greedy for those unethical extra bucks…
Chaits paused “I’ll take the deal”
“Could you tell me which rooms are vacant?” Chaits asked peering at the guest register
The counter guy mechanically opened the register & started scanning – so did Chaits – he was scanning for that particular name. His sight got arrested when he looked at the name occupying Room #17 – ‘So Raj is in room #17’ thought Chaits
“Can you give me room no. 20, or 21?” he asked casually
The guy looked & offered him and offered room #18 – that’s what Chaits had hoped for – he had seen in the register that room # 18 was vacant.
“Okay” he said & shrugged, “whatever… I just need to rest and freshen up…”
The guy came along with him to open the room which looked murkier that Chaits had expected.
“Are all the rooms similar?”
“They’re exactly the same – corner to corner with exactly the same furniture…”
“Okay – here’s the money I promised.”
The guy greedily took the money & vanished… Chaits studied the room for details. He located the switches, the door and the wardrobe & made himself familiar to the layout…
‘Well – since I’m here – I’d like to snoop around in his room for any further information’ thought Chaits & bolted the door behind him He switched OFF the light & entered room #17 through the balcony corridor. He was surprised that the door wasn’t bolted…
He groped around the wardrobe & was turning toward the dressing table when he heard a sound – he wasn’t alone in that room…
Instinctively he turned around & in time saw someone lash out at him from the dim street light that came in there the balcony door. He managed to avoid that punch & grabbed the person. He instantly knew it wasn’t Raj… because the person was taller and well built.
After a brief scuffle, Chaits managed to ground that person & put a judo body lock on him, ensuring the he’d be unable to make a move. He saw another figure get up from the corner and was taller than the person he was holding as well looked well built…
He took the gun out of its holster & raised it toward the other person even as the other person switched the light ON – blinding Chaits for a moment.
His vision cleared, he stared at a mean looking elderly man who was pointing a revolver at him. He looked at the tough guy who he was holding – he didn’t look like a criminal… He released the tough guy & pushed him toward the elderly man who was still pointing a revolver at him…
“You don’t seem to be from Vicky’s gang – nor you seem to be a policeman – who are you?” the elderly man asked in a curt voice.
Chaits still had his revolver pointing toward the man, his gaze fixed on his trigger finger. “Even you don’t seem to be from Vicky’s gang – who are you?” Chaits challenged them.
“Police” said the tough guy. “Young man, I can arrest you for pointing a gun at a lawman” he was still curt.
“How do I believe you?” asked Chaits.
The elderly man put his hand in his pocket & fished out an id – so did the tough guy… They were careful not to make any sudden move lest Chaits fired in anticipation.
“Oh! I’m sorry.” said Chaits & put the gun back in its holster, “I’m Chaits” he introduced
“Oh! My God!” sighed the elderly man, his voice still curt, “I should’ve known – anyways, follow me he said switching the lights OFF & walked out into the balcony corridor – waiving to the tough policeman to stay put in the room.
They walked through the balcony corridor he said, “I wanted to detain you at Delhi – now I’m going to escort you back…. I’m Inspector Sharma – I’d be free at 3 pm meet me at police station…”
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