Where Angels Prey by Ramesh S Arunachalam Read Free Book Online Page A

corpulent presence. He is surprised. The government insignia on his car’s license plates usually guarantees smooth entry into any official premises.
    The policeman tries to peer past the driver to catch a glimpse of Rashid.
    “Saab is the CEO of TERP!”
    The policeman is clearly puzzled.
    “Arre… Trust for Eradication of Rural Poverty. Please don’t waste
Saab’s
time. He has to go to the CM’s house next!”
    The mention of the Chief Minister works like magic and the car is allowed to pass through.
    “What is happening, Gopal? Why is there such heightened security?”
    The driver is surprised. Has his boss not heard the news?
    “Sir, there is that procession today against the suicides,
na
! Also, they are threatening to bomb the Secretariat.”
    Of course, the papers had carried reports. Rashid had been so busy mulling over the upcoming meeting that he had forgotten all about it. The Principal Secretary was a very business like man and did not appreciate his time being wasted. And certainly not at a moment like this.
    The Andhra Pradesh Secretariat building is a rather fine piece of architecture, just a few years short of celebrating its centenary. It is the seat of power in the state, both legislative and bureaucratic. A high security zone even on normal days, today it resembles a fortress. There is a whole battalion of security personnel milling all over the place, doing a thorough check of anyone who attempts to enter the premises.
    Rashid jumps out of the car even as it slows down before Sampreethi, the Secretariat’s L block, and dashes into the building, hurriedly flashing his ID at the security personnel who try to stop him. On normal occasions, he would have flexed his bureaucratic muscles a bit. But there is hardly time for that today.
    Rashid glances at his watch repeatedly as he makes his way into the Principal Secretary’s office, where he is greeted by Subbalakshmi Srinivas, the efficient administrative assistant.
    “Does he have someone with him or can I go in?”
    She shakes her head.
    “He’s waiting for you. Please go right in.”
    He groans inwardly and hurries into the inner chamber.
    The Principal Secretary, Maruti Rao, better known as MR, stands by the window, gazing at the large expanse of sun-dappled water that represents the Hussain Sagar Lake. Rashid doubts if he is appreciating the scenic view, though, since a frown mars his forehead. The frown deepens when
he sees Rashid enter.
    “Sorry, sir. But the traffic jam was terrible. And then all that security! Sir, I believe the traffic has been disrupted in several parts of the city thanks to the procession of anti-MFI protestors. Of course, the intelligence report that Maoists may be mingling with the crowds and trying to bomb the secretariat, sir....”
    Rashid comes to a halt as he realizes he is babbling. Maruti Rao looks irritated.
    “We need to rush if we are to get to the CM’s house in time. No time for a chat. You can update me on our way there.”
    With that, MR quickly walks out of his room with Rashid almost running behind him to keep pace.
    They are soon seated in the car and heading towards the Chief Minister’s official bungalow.
    “So, what is the latest?”
    “There have been reports of four more in the last two days, sir!”
    MR frowns.
    “Why am I not surprised?”
    “Sir, the MFIs are fully to blame. But the Maoists are, of course, working at the grassroots to rouse popular sentiment against the government on this. There has to be some swift and hard action.”
    MR sighs before answering.
    “We need to have a watertight case that will stand in a court of law.”
    “Sir, the families of the victims would surely be willing to testify. In the guise of inclusion, they have allowed their greed to prevail and pushed more than fifty people to kill themselves so far!”
    “Be careful, Rashid. You head a rival programme and the MFI lobby will only accuse you of misrepresenting facts.”
    “Sir, the SHG model of