Chapter 8

Sabari was astounded as he saw the photo of James and Ramesh hanging dead. He asked, ““S… sir…Who did this to them?”

“Do you wanna guess?”

“Sorry… I’m not in a position to guess it”

“It is our boss… Sidharth.. Got this image a minute before you stepped into my room… Scary!... Right?’

Sabari gave silence as the answer.

Just then, Prathap’s mobile phone rang. The display said it was Sidharth. He immediately picked the call.

“Yes sir”

“Anyone else in the room?”

“Yes…”

“Who?”

“Sabari.. “

“Oh... Our guy... then it is fine... Hope you got the image that I sent… “

“Yes sir”

“It may take some time to digest it... We cannot work in a peaceful environment until they are alive. Therefore, as per the rulebook, this is how we have to move forward. These kinds of obstacles have to be removed instantaneously. This is much needed to achieve what we want.”

“I agree sir”

“Now, can you handover the phone to Sabari?”

“Sure sir”

Prathap gave the phone over to Sabari and said, “It is Sidharth… “

Sabari took over.

“Hello sir”

“Hi Sabari.. Did Prathap update you on the happenings?”

“Yes sir.. He did”

“These shouldn’t bother you. Inspector Mahadev might visit the office regarding this case and Prathap will handle him. Your concentration needs to be in the completion of our ‘Bionic’ research project. We have only three months left out of the six months deadline provided by the ‘International Research Institute’. We are left with no option other than working hard and provide a positive result. Else, we will not get the required funding for the project.”

“Sir… Can I say something?”

“Yes??”

“Our research with the Chimps is already in the headlines and it is a trending discussion topic everywhere.”

“So?”

“We will need few more chimps in the coming days and we will have to transport it from other states. As this investigation is in the peak, all the vehicles might undergo scrutiny. That might land us in trouble.”

“Is that your only concern right now?”

“Yes sir”

“Don’t worry about that. Leave those headaches to Prathap. He will get you the required chimps without any of these issues. As I said before, your job is to get a positive result in your research. The result would get us over ten million dollars as ventured funding from the International Research Institute. We cannot afford to fail in this. You got it?”

“Alright sir”

“Forget James and Ramesh forever.”

“Sure”

“We will catch up again tomorrow.. Bye”

The call was disconnected and Sabari turned gloomy after the conversation. Prathap read the signs quite easily and turned to Sabari.

“Looks like our boss has started putting pressure?”

“Ya… The deadline stays the same… He wants a positive result”

“Hope you can do it”

“The chances are fifty-fifty. It may go either way. There is no guarantee that all the research ends on a positive note.”

“Let me tell you something. I am affirmative about your talent. I have to remind this every time that you are a gold medalist in Bio Technology. One of your research papers on Genes titled ‘Bio-Truth’ has appreciation from the scientists and was recommended to the WHO (World Health Organization). I do not have any problem in acknowledging that you are more knowledgeable than I am. Our company is lucky to have you. So, here is what I want to say. Forget these small incidents and concentrate on your work”

Sabari seemed to have some confidence after Prathap’s pep talk. He smiled and said, “Sure sir.. Thanks”

Sabari came out of the room and walked in the corridor. He took a few steps and then he heard a female voice from behind.

“Mr. Sabari”

Sabari turned at the direction of the voice and a young lady walked towards him. She had short black hair and was dressed in a black long floor-length gown and a white shirt. She carried a handbag hanging on her shoulders and a file in her hand.

Sabari was surprised, as it was a new face inside the office. As she came near him, Sabari could smell the aroma of her perfume.

“Yes?”

“Hi.. I am Chandrika. I have an interview today and that’s why I’m here.. “

“Hmmm.. Ok.. So?”

“Actually I’m not going to attend the interview. Because, I came to this office with the intention of meeting you”

Sabari was surprised once again and asked, “Why do you want to meet me?”

“We need to talk”

“What?”

“Yes.. But not here… We are going out now… “

“Come on… What the …. “

Sabari stopped abruptly as he spoke as he saw the lady with a pistol and its mouth pointing at him.