CHECKMATE

Chapter 28

Kavish began trembling as soon as he saw Pratap. He gulped the lump in his throat and a drop of cold sweat ran down his temple.

He was absolutely stupified as to how Pratap and Anjali were still alive despite his goons confirming the huge accident and that they were dead.

Pratap simply smirked at the man and stepped closer to him whispering, "Shocked?"

Kavish immediately snapped, "What are you talking about?"

Pratap smirked once more taunting, "Do i have to mention the details or...do you know them? By the way...I've found a lot of money on you..."

Kavish's eyes widened in horror. Nobody had any idea about his illegal funds and trading going on with the goons of UP and Rajasthan politicians owning local alcohol brewing factories.

"Do you want me to name everything?" Asked Pratap plastering a smile on his face. "In Uttar Pradesh you have....45 illegal local alcohol factories...which...tch...tch....employ underaged children!"

Kavish gulped hard once more. He looked visibly shaken.

"Now...child labour is prohibited under the Act of 1986 but you my man...haven't changed." Taunted Pratap and then flipped a page continuing, "Oh this is amazing! There are many politicians involved in this....Good....What's next ..." He mumbled and flipped another page. "Aha! You also have...employed children in cigarette factories! Wow Kavish I'm impressed!"

"What..."

"Now like a typical villain don't ask me what proofs I have and what I don't have." Snapped Pratap folding his arms. "I've got your full kundali in my hands. Now you must be considering me an idiot as to why I told you about this."

Kavish nodded in agreement. He did find Pratap a fool to tell him everything, but also knew that Pratap was extremely sly.

"I told you because I'm filing a case against you." Smiled Pratap. "Good luck for not being thrown in prison."

Saying that Pratap walked off and sat back in his car where Siddharth was sitting and watching the drama.

"That was awesome bro!" Chuckled Siddharth. "How did you find out so much?"

"I lied. I don't have a single proof against him." Replied Pratap and Siddharth's mouth fell open in horror.

Immediately he grabbed the papers from which Pratap had been reading out and found it blank. Siddharth's eyes widened in horror and he exclaimed, "WHAT THE HELL!"

Pratap grinned glancing at his friend and smiled, "So, you liked the show?"

"Hang on," interjected Siddharth shaking his head in confusion. "What's going on? I mean you just blabbed anything on Kavish's face and he bought your lie!"

"That's exactly how you lie." Winked Pratap. "Yes I know I blabbed but.... Kavish's face said more than what I knew about his illegal works."

"So you mean he does have alcohol factories and....has employed children!" Exclaimed Siddharth in bewilderment.

Pratap nodded with a grin replying, "I've scared the living day lights out of him...now he'll do something stupid for sure and that's when I can nab him."

"You are.... Shakuni...." Chuckled Siddharth shaking his head making Pratap laugh saying, "A lawyer is a certified lier."

"You proved that today." Replied Siddharth. "Even I can't lie so smoothly....but I hope your plan works."

"It will." Insisted Pratap. "Kavish knows he's wrong and when a man knows he's wrong he tries his level best to cover it up. He'll do something foolish."

"But what? What exactly are you expecting?" Asked a curious Siddharth. All of what was happening felt like an adventure to him and he was excited to help.

"I don't know yet but...I'll need your help."

"Yes, yes by all means!"

Pratap grinned at his enthusiastic friend and said, "Wiretap his conversations on the phone and....keep a constant look out on Kavish's actions. That's one way we can gather some proof."

"Oh Mr. Advocate!" Exclaimed Siddharth immediately. "Evidence illegally obtained is non admissible in court. Do I really have to remind you that?"

"I know it Sid, but I have a plan." Insisted Pratap. "Just do what I'm saying and if this plan fails then I've made a plan B."

"And what's my payment for all this detective work?" Asked Siddharth folding his arms across his chest.

"A bottle of aged whiskey." Smirked Pratap.

"Prefect!" He exclaimed. "But I'll need some help especially to keep an eye on Kavish."

"Leave that to me...." Saying that he stopped he car at the police headquarters.

"You're sending me to prison!" Exclaimed Siddharth frowning as soon as he saw the huge building.

"Yes." Replied Pratap and got out of the car along with his friend. 

Stepping into the huge building they went straight to Commissioner Khan.

"My regular visitor..." Taunted the commission as soon as he looked at Pratap. "And that's...a criminal I hope."

Siddharth stared at the commissioner for a second or two and then exclaimed, "I'm a respected citizen of this country sir."

Pratap smacked his forehead and looked at Siddharth whispering, "That's how commissioner Khan greets everybody. Either you are a criminal or a lawyer. According to him nobody visits the police station other than those two."

"What about the aggrieved person who need to lodge a complain?" Asked Siddharth.

"That is taken care of by the constables." Replied Pratap and sat down in front of the commissioner.

"So my golden card visitor what brings you here?" Asked Abdul Khan folding his arms across his chest.

"Kavish," began Pratap in a firm voice. "I need to look for proofs against him."

"And?" Asked the commissioner.

"And...I'm resorting to wiretapping and stalking him." Came Pratap's quick response.

"Basically you are becoming a criminal to catch the criminal." Nodded commissioner Khan with a mock impressed look on his face. "Is there no other way?"

Pratap shook his head in denial. "I can't go the straight route for this fellow. He's too cunning. Once he does something stupid our plan can begin here. I need your help in this but."

"Hmm...?" He nodded. "Go on."

"I need your spies to stalk him and...not just stalk but also mingle amongst Kavish's goons or those of the associated politicians." Said Pratap in a firm voice.

"That's not a problem." Replied the commissioner. "The problem lies in making all your illegal evidences legal in court."

"Don't worry about that." Reassured Pratap. "Siddharth will wiretap the conversations and your khabris will be in touch him Siddharth."

"Hmm..." nodded the commissioner once more. "How are you going to make all your proofs admissible in court? Do you plan to bribe the judge?"

"You never know," shrugged Pratap casually making commissioner exclaim, "I'm a police commissioner, if you have forgotten. Don't make me come behind you with my laathi."

Pratap and Siddharth chuckled at his words and shook their heads taking the commissioners leave.

The man sighed and mumbled, "Don't get into trouble Pratap..."