#21

Presently, CIA analyst Markham (in his early thirties) was working on his desk sitting before the computer in the Langley office of CIA. The screen of the computer displayed an image of Perkins. He went through the details of his career as an FBI Agent. He came across a page headlined as 'CONTROVERSIAL SHOOTING ON ASIANS SPARKS VIOLENCE AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT IN NEW YORK'. He picked up his phone from the table and made a call.

Rubina and Erik were sitting before each other at the booth of a diner. A waiter came to them with a tray in her hand. The tray two bowls of fried rice. She kept the tray on the table and served them their respective bowls. She left the table. Rubina and Erik picked up the spoons from the stand to have the lunch.

He said, " Following Rizwan's incident, Perkins went on trial in which he was found guilty of murder of two more people. They were too South Asians. One of them was from Bangladesh and the other one was of Nepal. "

" Why he was targeting them all? "

" He was a great admirer of Kyle Hopkins who was once a strong contender for Great Democratic Alliance in the presidential election. Kyle always had the opinion that South Asians were a big threat to the security of their country. After his controversial statement his candidature was cancelled and was banned from contesting any election. After that it was also heard that he left country and became anonymous. "

While Erik was washing his hands at the basin, Rubina was reading an article on her tablet. The news article had a headline, 'GREAT DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE LEADER FLEES COUNTRY'. There was an image of Kyle Hopkins in the article.

Vihaan was sitting at a metal table inside an interrogation cell. There was another chair on the either side of the table. The room was cold, sterile and walls painted with bland shade of grey. His cuffed hands were at the table and he seemed a bit stressed but trying to conceal his emotions. There was only one tubelight in the room which was illuminating a dim light. Two CCTVs at the corner were keeping an eye on him. He looked to his left where there was a one way observation glass window. He couldn't see anything across the mirror but knew there was someone standing behind the one who was keeping a watch on him. A whirring sound came from the opening of a biometric automatic door of the room. A man stepped in. He was Aditya who was in his late forties. He was carrying a thin manila folder in his hand.  He came near to the table, pulled the chair, kept the folder on the table and sat on the chair. He cleared his throat and then moved his hand near to his mouth and coughed a little. He sighed.

" Mr. Vihaan Bakshi, I am Aditya Mehra. "

There was a silence in the room for a couple of seconds.

Aditya said, " I have been appointed by the Arclight as the lead investigator to look into the case of Mr. Subhash Bansal's apparent death. Mr. Bakshi, you are the prime suspect in this scenario because you were the last person with whom he talked to. "

Vihaan went perplexed after hearing that he had been charged with such a serious accusation.

" I just want you to clear first that he had called me in garden to talk in private. "

" What was it about? "

" It's something that can be discussed with anyone. "

" Ah, I understand. Talk between the handler and his most trusted agent whom he didn't know that the latter was going to kill him just after the meeting. "

" I didn't kill him Mr. Mehra. There was another person who was keeping an eye on us. "

" Who was he? "

" I don't know. I tried to identify him but he slipped away from my hands. "

" It's a good story Mr. Bakshi but we couldn't find any other car except yours in the CCTV footage of the grocery store. "

" What do you want to prove by this statement? "

" It has already been proved that Mr. Bansal called you in garden where he revealed that he had came to know about your identity as a double agent who is actually working for ISI in exchange of a luxurious life in a middle East country. "

" That's not true. "

" That's the truth. After killing Dhiven in London you must have realised you too deserve a life similiar to the one he used to lead. "

" Mind your words, Mehra. You should check my records. You should go through the details of the assignments I had been sent for. "

Aditya picked up the file.

" This file? I have read it. It took me a whole night to go through it. "

He dropped the file at him on the table.

He said, " But its just a past. "

Vivaan sighed. There was a silence in the room for more than five seconds. Aditya picked up the glass filled with water and sipped from the glass.

Vihaan said, " I am still not able to digest the fact. Why an another organisation has been choosen to intervene in the matter of Unicorn? "

" It's a direct order from the ministry. Unicorn can no longer be entrusted with any further external operations unless your name is cleared. The CDS was killed in the presence of a Unicorn operative and now your handler Mr. Bansal was also murdered in front of your eyes. "

" Are you serious? Do you have any idea what are you talking about? Unicorn is an autonomous body. None of your intelligence organisation has any right to intervene in our actions. "

" But your actions are apparently questionable that's what the intelligence believes so and which is why you are here. Your presence in this room oblige  you to answer whatever I am going to ask you with plausible explanation. "

" Go on. "

Aditya took out a notepad from under his jacket. He took out a pen from his front pocket and pushed the button.

" Why did you leave the party early? "

" I was called by Subhash to meet him at the garden. "

Aditya chuckled.

" I knew it. I was right. He had came to know about you. "

Vihaan smiled and nodded.

" I got it, Mehra. I got it. "

" What? "

" Now I am getting a clear picture about it. Whoever has appointed you to investigate the matter knows me very well and wants to frame me as a part of his conspiracy. "

Aditya remained silent. Vihaan looked at the one way window.

He said, " I know he is glaring at me right now. "

He looked at Aditya.

" Remember, whoever is behind this I will find him no matter who comes after me. "