‘I have some contacts’ said Nandu , one of my neighbor. ‘Let me know if you need help and we will see how to go about it’ he continued. He was not the first person to offer help with support of his contacts. Events of last few days had drastically changed my impression about my town, acquaintances and also about myself.
About a week ago my phone rang. From the other end came a ‘Hey’ in a husky male voice followed by cough and gulp, which I assumed was caused by cigar being smoked. ‘Your life is in danger unless you part with Rs 3 lakhs’ he said.
‘Hmm’ was he only thing that I could utter. My life is in danger and all I could say is hmm? ‘
‘This is no joke you fool. Pay 2 lakhs or your safety and 1 for safety of your family’
I was being valued at twice my family, wow. But this statement won’t go down well with my wife. I better not repeat it.
After brief details about place and time of delivery the phone went dead.
Was someone playing a prank on me? Or was it a wrong number? Why would someone threaten me?
After 2 more calls followed it became clear that it was a real threat.
Me, a toy shop owner, this tiny town a far cry from metros. I was not aware that crime existed in my town. Thus my 1st myth was shattered. To be threatened, my second myth was shattered as well, I was rich!
As I sat in our living room taping fingers on sofa hand rest, clueless about next proceedings, a question came from my wife ‘why were we being asked ransom? There are many rich people in town, why us?’
‘May be they all have already paid’ I replied gloomily. I am a sarcastic person but it surprised me that even under these circumstances sarcasm sprang up.
‘What next?’ I asked.
Up until now all issues of my life revolved around toys, which toys were in trend, when to make payments, where is our shipment….. you get an idea. Go to guy for all these was Ramesh my business manager cum consultant. He had started out as helper and now was as important to business as me.
After a long discussion with Ramesh, we arrived at a conclusion: Call the cops.
‘If you need any help, may be I can help you. I have some contacts’ said Ramesh.
This was the first time I heard this statement. This was second frightening moment of the day. I did not want to believe that Ramesh knew people whom we normally avoid.
Cops/police whatever you call them, whether in British English or American English, that won’t change their attitude. This was my first and a forgettable encounter with this department. After a few visits to the police station, I felt more like a criminal than an innocent citizen seeking help. I felt invisible. Everyone ignored me. Did they know I was on watch list of some local criminal? Were they on paycheck of that criminal? I may never know.
A thing about small towns is that rumors and facts you don’t want people to know travel faster than internet speed we have. My visits to police station brought with it a bunch of rumors as well as the truth out. Entire town was abuzz with talk about me. A string of visitors followed, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and some who were just interested to listen to my story. If entire town knew by now, the caller was bound to know my visits to police station. I received a call as expected. ‘Hey’a cough and gulp….. Lucky for me he demanded the same ransom and did not double it as seen in the movies.
I had exhausted one option. What next? I thought
Visitors offered various solutions, most popular being paying the ransom. Next most used phrase was ‘I have some contacts’. Nandu was 2nd person today to make that statement. I was bewildered when our local priest offered help through his contacts! Lets keep that option open was my reply. I was unsure how many ‘Don’ like characters did exist in my town?
Being a businessman, I did what a smart businessman does: Negotiated.
Nope that did not work either. But its adverse effect was a furious wife!
‘You bargained? When our lives are in danger?’
‘How do you expect me to pay all the ransom money? If I pay without protest he may demand more’. Wow that last statement was something I had just thought. I had negotiated just to save some money.
A week has passed. Threatening calls had continued. It is human tendency to adapt to new environment quickly. After anxiety of initial calls had died down I was more relaxed every time my phone rang. I had also gathered courage to ask why I was a target. A month ago I had booked a row house on the outskirts of the city and that was the reason I gathered.
‘So that makes you think I am rich? That house cost me 30 lakhs. So are you demanding 10% of that amount from every owner?’ as soon as that statement was out my mouth I realized I should have stopped at asking question.
‘We are not buddies. So just mind your own business’ the phone went dead.
My deadline to make payment was just 3 days away. I could not gather all the ransom money. To surrender was not what my parents had taught me. But then it was just theory. My life was in real danger now and I am no action hero. Visiting temples to bribe gods was a thought. Will gods help atheist? Why take a chance? So that option is ruled out. I returned home thoughtful of my next course of action. I was greeted at the door by my wife, ‘do you want more enemies? What were you thinking while spying on Ramesh? He called and told me you were tracing all his calls. That poor guy says he can understand what you are going through but what about customers who walk into our store. You were asking them suspicious questions? Ramesh told me you scared away a couple of parents.’
Oh yes I did do something of that sort. I don’t seem to recall entire episode. These phone calls were driving me crazy.
‘Now we have only one option left. You have to use some contacts. We don’t have entire ransom money. Our caller wants nothing less. So now use iron to cut iron. Whether you like it or not we need a rogue to get us out of this.’
I agreed to use our last option.
My hunt to search a perfect contact began. My only criteria: someone with highest criminal record. Just one name popped from everybody’s mouth Mr Sendil. Everyone knew he was a criminal but all they could offer was contact with his driver, bodyguard, manager etc etc All these options were ruled out. I needed a solid basis to threaten my caller. Finally Ramesh came to my rescue.
‘I worked at Mr Sendil’s garment factory before I joined you. There were a lot of irregularities there. Main source of income of that owner is not that factory but a lot of illegal businesses that he runs. I can get you the in touch with his right hand man. I do not know him personally but I believe he will be willing to listen to you and take up this issue. Once I get you the contact details, you are on your own.’
‘That seems reasonable. And that’s one of the best option so far’ I muttered.
With number in hand and prayer on lips I dialed, a husky male voice replied ‘Hey’, followed by cough and gulp ……..
