Private Delhi by James Patterson & Ashwin Sanghi

Author:James Patterson & Ashwin Sanghi [Patterson, James & Sanghi, Ashwin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781780894430
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2017-01-11T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 66

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, Ram Chopra, was sweating ferociously on his treadmill, feeling every single cigar and glass of whisky. God, these workouts hurt.

He was watching TV at the same time. Carrot and Stick, and Ajoy Guha was warming up for a sensational disclosure. Referring to notes through wire-framed glasses, Guha wore a determined look, like that of a soldier prepared to die in battle.

The words “Viewer discretion is advised” scrolled across the foot of the screen.

Oh yes, thought Chopra. What’s all this then?

Guha cleared his throat and said, “We at DETV have always believed in the primacy of the truth, no matter how it may affect anyone. Today we bring you footage that we have accessed through a source that shall remain unnamed for reasons of security. The footage is explosive, and we have had to blur out and mute portions of it in order to play it on national television. The person shown in the video is Mr. Amit Roy, the Health Secretary. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man responsible not only for our hospitals and hygiene but also for the welfare of families. What you are about to see will shock you, and indeed you should not only be shocked but also outraged. I for one am absolutely sickened by it.”

The studio and Guha’s blue jacket and red tie disappeared from view and a video of Roy sitting on a bed inside a small room appeared. He seemed to be ripping the clothes from a frightened little girl and forcing her to sit on his lap.

Chopra watched, and then switched off the TV. He stopped the treadmill, reached for his phone.

“Sharma,” he said a moment later, “were you watching Carrot and Stick?”

The police chief chuckled. “I was indeed.”

“I take it that Guha’s informant is you?”

“And I take it that the next call you make will be to Jaswal?”

“I’m glad you’re on my side, Sharma,” said Chopra.

Sharma laughed some more. “In the meantime, I’ll see to it that Roy is arrested, shall I?”

Chopra thought. “Yes, but wait an hour or so, would you?”

“And why would I want to do that?”

Chopra draped a towel around his shoulders, using a corner to wipe sweat from his brow. “Well, what would you do in Roy’s position?”

“Me?” said Sharma. “I’m no pedophile.”

Chopra sighed. “No, Sharma, I know you’re not, but just for a second try stepping outside your own rather limited mind and using something we like to call deduction, or imagination, if you prefer. What would you do if you were a pedophile who had just been exposed? If you were Amit Roy.”

“I’d kill myself.”

“Exactly. And it might just be more convenient for all concerned if he were to do exactly that. Let’s give him time to fall on his sword, shall we?”

“Consider it delayed,” said Sharma. “By the way, while you’re on the phone: Kumar.”

Chopra grinned. “The dear departed Kumar, may he rest in piss.”

Sharma sniggered. “The very same. You asked me to look into his interest in the

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