RESONANCE by AJAY Read Free Book Online Page B

Systems Engineering."
    "Something to do with city water supply."
    "A bit more than that. My research papers are about the environmental impact of big dams."Aban sighed heavily.
    "When are you submitting your research paper?"
    "Before Christmas."
    "Is your work complete?"
    "No."
    "How much of your research work is still to be finished?"
    Aban brooded for a while, "More than half."
    "Is this vacation time in your school?"
    "No."
    "Why did you go to Lahore?"
    "My mother wanted me to visit her."
    "Why?"
    "She said she was feeling lonely."
    "So you went to Lahore to make your mother happy."
    "Yes."
    "Tell me the password."
    "I don't know."
    "Mr. Malik, your story is complete trash. You say you bought this MacBook through eBay and logically you must have the data of your research paper in it. And you say you don't know the password."
    Aban kept absolutely mum, as he saw no point in arguing with the officer. The officer continued, "You have to submit your research paper before Christmas and your school is not closed for vacation. Still you are jockeying around in Lahore. You don't inspire any confidence, Mr. Malik."
    Robert McLean recorded Aban's statement and declared, "You are under arrest."
    When Robert McLean came out of his room, Juhi hurried up to him, "Sir, can you tell me what's going on?"
    "The matter is serious. I'm afraid I can't tell you anything right now."
    "I know Aban. He is a simple guy."
    "This is a matter of national security and I suggest you leave this place now."
    Juhi came out, but decided to wait around the Residency office instead of leaving the terminal. After a while, Aban, handcuffed, and accompanied by Robert McLean and two other officers came out of the room. His eyes met Juhi's fleetingly. Juhi's blue eyes remained fixed on Aban, who walked slowly as the officer exited the JFK terminal.
    Juhi could barely hold back her tears when she dialled her father's number.
    "Where are you, my little doll?"The delighted Ambassador was quite over the moon.
    "At the airport."
    "Why? Your flight landed four hours back."
    "I'm in love with a boy, dad."
    "Great! That's wonderful, my little bird. Is he the reason for you being tied down at the airport?"
    "Yes."
    "Oh! Come home quickly and bring him along, so that your mind is not stuck with him while you are here."
    "Dad…"
    "Is the boy with you?"
    "The FBI has arrested him."

The Intelligence Bureau
    Operation Black Tornado finished when the last terrorist was shot down at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. The terrorists had massacred one hundred and seventy three people, ruthlessly bumped off three senior police officers of the Mumbai ATS, cold-bloodedly shot dead a Major of the NSG and liquidated dozens of cops and commandos. More than three hundred people were grievously injured. Many battled for life while a few became incapacitated for life. A few lucky ones got away with simple first aid.
    They had inflicted an eternal everlasting wound on the vibrant city, something that would bleed for a long, long time.
    Siddhartha Rana went to Delhi to brief the Director of IB about all the leads pertaining to the Mumbai attack. When he mentioned that the FBI wanted to interrogate Juhi, the Director became uncomfortable. "You shouldn't have got the daughter of our Ambassador involved."
    "I agree, sir. I told Robert to leave her alone. But he doesn't seem to have ears."
    "What is making him so hard-nosed?"
    "He says Juhi claims to be the girlfriend of Aban. On the day of the Mumbai attack, she was in the rooftop restaurant of the Hotel Taj Mahal. She managed to escape without so much as a scratch, when others even from the second and third floor, could not make it. As soon as she came out of the hotel, a Pakistani national called her on her cell phone. They have arrested the same caller, Aban Malik. According to Robert, the whole series of events is like smoke and mirror, raising sufficient suspicion in the minds of the FBI."Siddhartha went on to explain everything he had heard