09-10-2021, 11:02 AM
Chapter 4
“Thanks for coming on short notice Rudra. Can I get you something to drink?” Nikesh asked.
“Yes, please,” Rudra said as he took a seat on the large sofa. Rudra looked around the room as Nikesh made them drinks. It had been a long time since he had been here, but not much had changed. There were law books piled on desks and the shelves were filled from floor to ceiling.
Nikesh walked over and took a seat in his favorite chair. “It’s been a while Rudra. I’m glad you could make it.”
“It’s great to see Nikita and I can’t believe how Soni has grown.”
“She certainly has. She gets like her mother everyday; stubborn and a little wild I’m afraid,” he said with a worried smile like a nervous father. “Listen Rudra, I’ll get right to the point. I need your help.”
“Sure, anything,” Rudra said sincerely. Suddenly, he was very concerned. This seemed serious, he thought, as he took a sip of his drink. He stared at his long time friend and could see that he seemed tense. Rudra knew Nikesh took pride in not showing what he was thinking. He also noticed that he looked much older than the last time he had seen him. He looked pale, even frail. It was somewhat of a shock. He had always been a big, strong man and he was rarely sick. Rudra could see his hand tremble slightly as he took a drink. He suddenly realized that Nikesh looked ill.
“Rudra, I’m sitting on a big case that involves the racketeering. There are some big names involved here; very powerful people with mob connections.” Nikesh suddenly looked uneasy, taking a quick drink.
Rudra knew that Nikesh always had the toughest cases and, in fact, he seemed to revel in them. This one must be something really big for him to be asking for help, he thought, as he waited for him to continue.
“There is a rumor that they—these guys—are going to put a contract out on me or my family.” Again, Nikesh paused to let what he had said sink in.
Rudra’s security officer trained mind jumped into action. A million thoughts went through his head. However, he knew that he had to think clearly and act calmly. The situation seemed identical to his, almost ten years ago. “Why don’t you have security officer protection already?” Rudra said immediately. He hadn’t seen any patrol cars or men in uniform around outside.
“I’m getting to that. I said that it is a rumor so far. However, I can’t afford to take a chance. One of the problems is that the bench wants to sequester me for the duration of the trial. I’m okay with that but I know Nikita and Soni will rebel. They would never stand for being cooped up for an extended period of time—maybe weeks. Besides, there isn’t much time…” the Judge said and hesitated. “Preliminary arguments start tomorrow.”
“Well, Soni and Nikita don’t have much choice,” Rudra said firmly.
“Ah, spoken like a man that hasn’t lived with two women for years. I told you they were stubborn. That’s where you come in. I want you to protect them!”
“Me! Why not just have the security officer do it?” Rudra said, his voice raised.
“Because I trust you Rudra,” Nikesh responded calmly.
“I don’t deserve that trust. Remember, I was the one that couldn’t even protect my own wife.” Beside, Rudra thought, I can’t be trusted to be alone with your wife.
“Thanks for coming on short notice Rudra. Can I get you something to drink?” Nikesh asked.
“Yes, please,” Rudra said as he took a seat on the large sofa. Rudra looked around the room as Nikesh made them drinks. It had been a long time since he had been here, but not much had changed. There were law books piled on desks and the shelves were filled from floor to ceiling.
Nikesh walked over and took a seat in his favorite chair. “It’s been a while Rudra. I’m glad you could make it.”
“It’s great to see Nikita and I can’t believe how Soni has grown.”
“She certainly has. She gets like her mother everyday; stubborn and a little wild I’m afraid,” he said with a worried smile like a nervous father. “Listen Rudra, I’ll get right to the point. I need your help.”
“Sure, anything,” Rudra said sincerely. Suddenly, he was very concerned. This seemed serious, he thought, as he took a sip of his drink. He stared at his long time friend and could see that he seemed tense. Rudra knew Nikesh took pride in not showing what he was thinking. He also noticed that he looked much older than the last time he had seen him. He looked pale, even frail. It was somewhat of a shock. He had always been a big, strong man and he was rarely sick. Rudra could see his hand tremble slightly as he took a drink. He suddenly realized that Nikesh looked ill.
“Rudra, I’m sitting on a big case that involves the racketeering. There are some big names involved here; very powerful people with mob connections.” Nikesh suddenly looked uneasy, taking a quick drink.
Rudra knew that Nikesh always had the toughest cases and, in fact, he seemed to revel in them. This one must be something really big for him to be asking for help, he thought, as he waited for him to continue.
“There is a rumor that they—these guys—are going to put a contract out on me or my family.” Again, Nikesh paused to let what he had said sink in.
Rudra’s security officer trained mind jumped into action. A million thoughts went through his head. However, he knew that he had to think clearly and act calmly. The situation seemed identical to his, almost ten years ago. “Why don’t you have security officer protection already?” Rudra said immediately. He hadn’t seen any patrol cars or men in uniform around outside.
“I’m getting to that. I said that it is a rumor so far. However, I can’t afford to take a chance. One of the problems is that the bench wants to sequester me for the duration of the trial. I’m okay with that but I know Nikita and Soni will rebel. They would never stand for being cooped up for an extended period of time—maybe weeks. Besides, there isn’t much time…” the Judge said and hesitated. “Preliminary arguments start tomorrow.”
“Well, Soni and Nikita don’t have much choice,” Rudra said firmly.
“Ah, spoken like a man that hasn’t lived with two women for years. I told you they were stubborn. That’s where you come in. I want you to protect them!”
“Me! Why not just have the security officer do it?” Rudra said, his voice raised.
“Because I trust you Rudra,” Nikesh responded calmly.
“I don’t deserve that trust. Remember, I was the one that couldn’t even protect my own wife.” Beside, Rudra thought, I can’t be trusted to be alone with your wife.
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