Chandni Bar - Updated 23rd Nov - Page 18

Chapter Twelve

When Riya had first joined the ETF team, Rathod had been the only one to say that she was good enough. When she was promoted three years later from a research specialist to an ACP, it had been Rathod who had recommended her. So when Rathod had ordered Riya to stay behind at the shack instead of going to Chandni Bar, it had been a far bigger hit to Riya's confidence than any insult from Arjun had ever been.

Keeping this in mind, Riya had wondered whether to present the diamond she had found to the team or to pursue the lead alone. The idea that the only clue in the case - the clue she alone had discovered - would be taken away from her and given only to the others gnawed at her.

But ultimately, despite what Rathod thought, Riya was not like Arjun. She was a team player and it wasn't because she was, as Arjun often suggested, a sunshine-and-daisies kind of girl', whatever the hell that meant. It was because she knew just how much it hurt to be excluded and deemed incapable.

Nevertheless, it was with a certain degree of anxiety that Riya presented the diamond to the team. She looked carefully at her team members' faces and tried to gauge their reactions: Arjun's face was, as always, passive, while Chotu and Shree looked suitably impressed.

Rathod, however, stared at the diamond for a long while and then nodded. "Good. Now we're getting somewhere."

"Where, Sir?" Chotu asked. "We don't know whose this is."

They all stared expectantly at Rathod, who seemed too lost in the diamond to have heard Chotu.

"Sir...?"

"Huh?" Rathod snapped to attention and caught Arjun looking at him with a smirk. He scowled and looked at his team sourly. "I didn't realise it was only my job to work out what this diamond means for us. My mistake. Why don't we do something? You all sit down, aaram se, and I'll get some coffee and cutting chai for you all. What say?"

Shree, Riya and Chotu looked at each other, perplexed at Rathod's sudden mood swing. It wasn't like him to be absent minded during a case and, although he liked to run a tight ship, Rathod was rarely unnecessarily harsh.

Arjun, too, seemed to recognise this, for he sat forward and said, "Save all your feelings for your diary, Sameera. Chotu was asking a legitimate question. But if you can't stand the sight of us, why don't we go our different ways for the rest of the day? You go to Chandni Bar alone and we'll split up between the crime scene and seeking out the Bhadra family."   

A muscle in Rathod's jaw jumped but he nodded curtly.

Arjun, who hadn't waited for Rathod's reply, was already outside the shack and the others followed, a little sheepishly.

Belatedly, Sameer realised that he had forgotten something. "Riya! Come here!"

Confused, Riya raised her eyebrows at Chotu and Shree before walking back to Rathod.

"Yes Sir?"

"Riya, I understand that you were upset at my asking you to stay behind the other day."

"Sir, it's okay. I don't -".

Rathod raised his hand and cut her off. "I'm not finished. I know it's true. Raute told me."

"He what?!"

"He's terrible, Riya, there's no denying it. But sometimes - just occasionally - he's not entirely terrible. But that's not my point. My point is that there is a reason why I asked you to stay back. And it's not because I'm worried about exposing you to Chandni Bar's atmosphere, nor am I more concerned for your safety than I should be."

Riya looked at Rathod expectantly and, when he didn't continue, prompted, "Then why was it, Sir?"

A few beats of silence passed and then came Rathod's ominous reply.

"I have a plan."