Heroes R Us

'Shit! You scared me!'

Now it was Arnab's turn to be startled. The man facing him was someone he had met previously in a hospital room only a couple of months ago, but seemingly in another life as so much had changed since then. He was still wearing a safari suit, and soon composed himself, introducing himself just as he had done in the hospital room.

'I am P.C Sharma, Personal Assistant to the Minister Balwant Singh.'

Arnab began to wonder what kind of official business would require the Minister to send his PA to a night time rendezvous all alone, so he got straight to the point. He thought the chances of Sharma remembering his voice were remote, but took no chances, speaking as little as possible.

'What do you need?'

'Yes, yes. Straight to business. I think we will get along fine.'

When Arnab just looked at him, his hooded face not moving or speaking, Sharma wiped his forehead and asked a question that stumped Arnab.

'How much is the Opposition paying you?'

Arnab had no idea what he was talking about and just kept standing quietly, further unnerving Sharma, who took out another cigarette with hands that shook slightly and lit it up.

'You see, everybody has a price, and with what you have been doing to us, the Minister thought surely the Opposition must have struck a deal with you.'

Now Arnab was well and truly stumped and he asked Sharma what the hell he was talking about.

'You know, making the Government and Police look useless while you fight crime, and then with the elections coming up…'

Another long drag and Sharma continued, 'We need muscle, and you've been putting much of our muscle out of business.'

'Your muscle? All I've been doing is fighting criminals.' Arnab protested.

Sharma looked Arnab up and down as if to say nobody could be so naïve and then said with a wolfish grin.

'Criminal when you don't give a cut to the right people, muscle when you help out during elections, and our bosses when you enter Parliament. All the same people.'

Sharma's expression told Arnab that perhaps this Personal Assistant was not just the unthinking toadie he had taken him for. Like all Indians, he had heard stories of corruption in high places and of the nexus between politicians and criminals but to see it admitted so brazenly caught him by surprise. Sharma flicked away the cigarette that had been in his hand and began to walk away.

'Look, I don't think you'll answer me now, since you seem to be troubling yourself with burdens like a conscience. Think about it and let me know. With the elections coming up, we could use someone of your skills, and we pay much better than the Opposition.'

With a wink, Sharma walked off, leaving a bemused Arnab to ponder the strange proposal.

***

Arnab wondered if Sharma was acting on his own, or if Balwant Singh indeed was involved as well. That would be the irony or ironies-a Minister who ran the Home and Law Ministries himself asking someone not to put goons out of business since they were needed to do his bidding. Arnab, like most Indians, had grown up reading about the depths to which politicians could stoop, so it should have come as no great surprise. The difference was that this time, he was not reading about it in some newspaper but experiencing it firsthand. He decided to spend the next day resting at home, and was in deep slumber when his phone buzzed to life. He reached for his phone and saw a new message.

'Need your help on Stoneman case. Meet me at last crime scene at 2200 hrs-DCP Upadhyay.'

Arnab sat up with a start. He had been troubled by the lack of any real closure to the mystery of the so called 'Stoneman' and now with such a senior officer seeking his help, he was sure he could help the police get to the bottom of it. That night, as he made his way to the location of his showdown with the three policemen, he kept thinking of all the names and faces and details of the crime scene he had seen, so that he could be the most help possible to Upadhyay. He wondered how the DCP would react when he learnt that the 'Stoneman' was no crazed psychopath but some corrupt members of his own force.

When he reached the scene, Upadhyay was already waiting for him, dressed in uniform. Upadhyay was an imposing figure, standing a good head taller than Arnab and somehow seeing someone as senior as the DCP in person put Arnab at ease. He was careful though to keep his distance, since he didn't want to risk revealing his face and being recognized by the DCP from their earlier interaction in the hospital and with the Minister at his press conference.

'So, I finally meet the nation's new hero. Don't be afraid, I'm here to get your help, you don't need to stand so far away.'

Arnab took a step closer and asked the DCP what help he wanted.

'You see, you and I are alike. We both try and fight the bad guys, the criminals, and the leeches out to suck our society dry. I operate in a police uniform, and as I see, you have one of your own.'

Arnab was beginning to warm to the DCP and told him that he had some crucial information on the case that may be of help. But before he could speak any further, the DCP held out his hand.

'You know our country's problem? It's just too damn difficult to get justice done. Court cases drag on for years, and if you treat criminals the way they deserve to be treated, the human rights buggers are up your rear end with a microscope. That's why I admire you. Get the job done-no courts, no cases, no wasted time.'

Arnab wasn't sure any more where the DCP was headed, but such validation from a senior officer made him lower his defences even further and he said modestly, 'I'm just trying to help.'

'Oh, and you are. See, I have a proposal for you. I let you do your job and you let me do mine. Forget this Stoneman business and get on with it-there are many more criminals to catch in this city.'

'But why? Do you know who is behind the Stoneman…?'

Before Arnab could complete, Upadhyay laughed, a harsh, guttural sound that made Arnab's hairs suddenly stand on end. Upadhyay's kindly expression changed to a steely, cold look as he strode towards Arnab.

'I know-some policemen. And you know who is ordering them to do this? Me!'

Arnab shuddered despite himself, and Upadhyay, long experienced in playing on people's weaknesses, noticed. He grabbed Arnab by the shoulder.

'I may be no superhero, but I am the real power in this city. Those bloody dogs you see being dumped here are those I order killed in staged shootouts. Just like you-no court, no case. Instant justice'

Upadhyay laughed again, and Arnab realized he was very afraid.

'Are they all criminals or terrorists?' he stammered, hoping that somehow that would make Upadhyay less evil.

'Who gives a damn? I need a body count to please my masters. The bloody bureaucrats don't have the intelligence to catch real terrorists and even if they did, would they expect me and my half-trained constables armed with World War One vintage rifles to take on men armed with AK-47s? So when they demand results and a body count, I give it to them. The Stoneman gives me a convenient cover to dispose of my work. Nice arrangement, no?'

Arnab shook Upadhyay's hand off with such force that the big man staggered back.

'I won't let you do this any more!'

Upadhyay stood up straight, smiling, like a shark about to devour its victim.

'I was afraid you'd be so foolish. I have no superpowers to fight you with, but I do have some powers of my own.'

As he clapped his hands, Arnab saw a dozen policemen, all carrying rifles, walking out from the shadows. Their guns were pointed at him.

'Men, say hello to the Stoneman's newest victim!'

As a couple of the policemen raised their guns to fire, Arnab reacted. A few months ago, Arnab Bannerjee would have been paralysed with fear in such a situation, but countless nights as the 'Guardian Angel' had honed his reflexes to such an extent that his move came almost without conscious thought.