Chapter 11

2 years ago

varshaoforange

@varshaoforange

It had been less than twenty minutes since Aryan send the emails that he received a response from Aditya. The man was pathetically predictable.

Aryan had pretended to be a mid-level employee at Sunil’s firm, and had claimed to be able to send Aditya the detailed accounting to prove Sunil’s embezzlement and the existence of a slush fund the CEO used to bring in clients, using the money for booze, prostitutes, drugs, and general bribes when necessary. However, all this was a little creative fiction on Aryan’s part. It took little effort on Aryan’s part to find the actual accounting from Dev’s firm, he knew other people besides Dev at the company, and honestly he didn’t even need anyone at the company to leak anything, he could have just hired the usual hacker he used. But, for this plan, he needed a paper trail, he needed the actual accounts and proof they’d come from within the company and weren’t fabricated. He wouldn’t be doing anything illegal, well it was a gray line. The plan hinged on Aditya Kumar Tripathi’s god complex working against Aditya’s own interest and skills, which Aryan had no doubt would happen. With the subtle implications in the fake email he’d sent Aditya, (which left room for this particular informant to be “wrong” about the slush fund and embezzlement), Aryan had roped Aditya in. Now with Aditya’s response that he definitely wanted to investigate this story and would pitch it to his editors, Aryan just needed to send the accounts, with a few lines redacted here and there, to make it easier for Tripathi to insinuate corrupt practices at the firm.

A smart reporter, a reporter that wasn’t drunk on his own ego, would take the time to pour over the accounts, there were nearly 1000 pages of transactions, and would independently confirm the “tip” he’d received from an anonymous employee. A smart reporter would try, and probably succeed, at getting a separate copy of the accounts by developing his own sources. It had been pretty easy for Aryan to convince people that were his acquaintances at the firm, and after a cursory look through the list of the staff on the website, Aryan could list of at least half a dozen people from senior management who would talk to a reporter, and even leak documents. But Aditya Kumar Tripathi had stopped being a smart reporter a long time ago. Aditya Kumar Tripathi didn’t have the intelligence or the drive to figure out which people at the firm were trying to get rid of Khanna, and that these people would lie to do it.

Now Aryan just needed Surinder to suggest a reporter to cover the ‘real’ story, the assault of the woman and her lost pregnancy. Aryan would have that interview ready in the wings and he’d make sure no other editor at the paper, especially Surinder, let slip to Aditya what the other story on Khanna was. Surinder and most of the editors already seemed to be doubting Aditya Kumar Tripathi’s skill at reporting on women’s issues (no surprise there considering Aditya’s sordid history with Malini and Imlie was common knowledge to everyone, something that was his own damn fault), so it wouldn’t be too difficult for Aryan to convince Surinder.

What would be hard would be to make sure that neither Surinder, any other editor or reporter, or himself would have any liability when Aditya went ahead with the embezzlement and slush fund story. It would be tricky, but not impossible.

An hour later Surinder and Aditya were both in Aryan’s cabin. Aditya had managed to shred any feeling of apology or guilt towards Surinder or Aryan for resigning the week previous, or for his deeply unprofessional behavior and comments towards Aryan.

“Mr. Rathore, I know a lot of you business folks like to stick together, but I don’t think the public would be happy to know that the Bhaskar Times is turning a blind eye to gross embezzlement, especially considering Khanna’s firm is one of the largest financial services firms in the city. It would be horrible for the citizens if we didn’t act on this tip—”

Aryan raised a hand to stop Aditya from continuing with his ‘I am the beacon of truth for the people’ lecture. Aryan hated it when this imbecile tried to convince people he was some sort of saint for the every man.

“Mr. Tripathi, in all my years as a businessman, I have never sided with those who conduct their business poorly. Poor business practices don’t just mean bad investments to me, they also mean people who purposefully break the law to make a profit. That type of business just ends up hurting everyone in the long run, even those who break the law. So I have no qualms with you going after someone who’s corrupt or embezzling, no matter how powerful he is.” Aryan paused to relish Aditya’s milk shock at Aryan’s acceptance of the story.

“However,” Aryan continued, and he decided it would be best to throw a bone to Tripathi here, to protect the paper’s and himself from liability and because it was just fair play, “it would be prudent for you to make sure you have all the facts, you’d have to double check and triple check your work. You should see if you can develop more than once source at the company. You said the tip your received was anonymous—”

Aditya interrupted him, and Aryan knew he’d taken the bait, “Mr. Rathore, I’ve been a journalist for ten years, I know how to do my job.”

Aryan bit back a smile and looked to Surinder, “Mr. Ahuja, do you have any problems with this story?”

Aryan had emailed Surinder to let him know not to reveal the other story that was in the works about Khanna, and he hoped Surinder knew to keep his mouth shut.

Surinder cleared his throat, “Aditya, like Rathore ji, I just want to make sure you’re aware of what a big undertaking this is. I’ve done some preliminary research on Sunil Khanna, and this guy isn’t going to take this lying down. He might retaliate. And even if he doesn’t, it’s incredibly hard to prove financial crimes, not just in India, but almost in every country. Also, it’s very hard to actually explain to the public, let alone a court of law down the line, what the actual harm being done is, especially because so many of these companies are able to stay in the black even if they are engaging in corrupt practices. Also, someone like Khanna probably has government officials on speed-dial, they’re probably in his pocket and just wait year after year for his campaign donations. You really have to be careful—”

Aditya was impertinent enough to interrupt his own editor, who had ten years more experience than him. Aryan had to dig his nails into his hand to stop from laughing, Aditya Kumar Tripathi really was one of the biggest dunces the journalism world would ever see.

“Ahuja sir, you trained me, I know exactly how to investigate an issue like this. And I haven’t forgotten Mr. Rathore’s condition from this morning, there’s no story if it doesn’t have final approval from him or you. I won’t make a mistake.”

Before, Surinder could protest anymore, Aryan clapped his hands and decided to end the meeting here, step two of his plan had gone without a hitch, “Great, I look forward to an update from you on this investigation, Mr. Tripathi. If you need any help with anything, my door is always open.”

Surinder stood up to leave, “I wish you luck Aditya, and just like Rathore ji, if you need help, I’m here for you.” He left the cabin.

Aditya stayed back for a moment before following Surinder out the door, “I won’t be needing help from you Mr. Rathore, but thanks for the offer.” Aditya paused again and Aryan noticed what he was staring at, Imlie’s desk.

“Mr. Tripathi, Imlie is on assignment, and I hope you don’t have plans to bother her today, especially considering you have such an exciting new assignment. I mean this assignment is so much better suited to your status than interviewing a couple of Bollywood actors, I presume.”

Aditya clenched the doorknob and turned around, “First of all, I don’t take assignments based on my status, but based on what’s important for the public to read.”

Aryan raised his chin, “Very impressive Mr. Tripathi, clearly your journalistic ethics are above reproach.” Aryan smiled.

Aditya continued, “And I don’t know what the hell you’re smiling about, but secondly, stop thinking that giving Imlie stupid assignments here and there is going to affect me from now on. I know you think making her do the grunt work at this paper is infuriating me, but I know Imlie better than you. She can handle grunt work. Also, she’s deserving of much better assignments than what you give her. I don’t think an ethical business man like yourself—“

Aryan wasn’t amused anymore, he raised his hand, and his distaste and anger was evident on his face, “No.” Aryan continued, “No, Mr. Tripathi, this is where you’re mistaken. I have never given Imlie an assignment that was beneath her, because Imlie is one of the few people in the world who treat any work, in fact, all work, as important and deserving of recognition. From the day I asked her to wash my car to her piece on the brothel raid, Imlie’s shiddat is unparalleled. What amazes me, is that even though you’ve known her longer than a year, you still don’t understand this simple thing about her. And I will say this for the final time, your relationship with Imlie is over. It was over the day you decided to trust Malini Chaturvedi over your wife. Don’t you dare,” and at these last words Aryan walked around his desk to stand just a couple feet away from Aditya, “don’t you dare try to interfere in her career. She doesn’t need my help, or yours, to succeed.”

Aditya wasn’t taken aback, in fact, he was angrier now. His words came out through gritted teeth, “With what right are you telling me that my relationship with Imlie is over. You have no right over her. And I don’t know why the hell you’re claiming to support her career so much. You have to be hiding something, or planning something. Don’t bring Imlie into whatever games you’re playing with me, Aryan. Or I will—”

Aryan had to laugh at the foolishness here. After his laughter died down he relished the shock on Aditya’s face, “Again you are wrong, Mr. Tripathi. You are wrong to think that anyone except Imlie’s own Amma, has a right over her. You are wrong to think that Imlie is so weak that anyone, even me, can stand in the way of her success. I wasn’t telling you to stay out of Imlie’s way for her benefit, I was saying it because I have seen the fire in that woman’s eyes, and that fire has the power to burn down whole cities. Have a nice day, Mr. Tripathi.”

Aryan opened his cabin door and stared pointedly at Aditya until he left.

He closed the door and ran his fingers through his hair, That man won’t stay away from Imlie for long, Aryan thought, Even if he does fall into this trap with Khanna, it doesn’t guarantee that he gets out of Imlie’s life. That jungli is going to do whatever it takes to save him when he gets into trouble. What if she gets hurt trying to do that?