Novel Extract

The Silent Monument by Shobha Nihalani

Extract

‘You digger,’ Deva roared, pointing an accusatory finger, ‘what had you promised me and what have you ended up delivering? You have been careless and foolish. Your purpose was to feed the reporter information on a possible treasure in the Taj, and his job was to make it public and force the government to do something about it, which in turn would have led you to snitch on the IIA, and get me access and we would have found the treasure first. But nothing of that sort has happened, instead… instead, you have created a new problem.’

Mahesh was stunned at the man’s plan, which incidentally wasn’t the original plan at all. Mahesh was supposed to leak information that the government had chosen to keep secret. That was all. Where did the information on treasure come from? As far as he knew, those were just rumours. ‘What are you talking about?’ Mahesh asked.

“You have given Parag useless information and now it has fallen in the wrong hands. You idiot, that reporter died because of you!’ he shouted. Deva was sitting erect, hands on hips.

Mahesh looked appropriately shocked. ‘The reporter knew from the first time we met that the information I would give him could prove fatal. He was playing with fire. He insisted on asking too many questions from too many people. I am not the only one involved. Parag contacted me saying his newspaper and some American magazine would be publishing his articles next week and needed some more proof. I gave him the confidential information. I risked my job. What do you expect from me if the reporter got careless; I had already warned him,’ Mahesh said in defense. It was important to justify his reasons. Deva was a powerful underworld don and Mahesh didn’t want to be his next victim.

‘You fool!’ Deva stood up, fists clenched. ‘That reporter found something even more precious than the pictures. He found proof – some document, a letter with the stamp of the symbol of royalty. A scroll! It clearly has links with some secret hidden in the Taj. I am sure of it!’