“I’m sorry. I don’t know what egalitarian means. Or treatise,” she said.
“It means you have a very fair mind,” he explained. “It means you believe everybody should have equal rights, regardless of their status in society, young or old, rich or poor.”
“I do,” she said boldly.
“And you get that from your parents, do you?”
“Yes,” she said, and pictured them together, Mama and Papa, feeling a great rush of love for them that threatened to bring her to tears right there and then.
“They must be very proud. What a shame they couldn’t make the prizegiving. Perhaps they will be at home, will they?”
“Later on, my mom will get home. Not my dad.”
“I see.”
The car slowed. “Do you know,” said Roy, “I seem to be more familiar with this area than I thought. I could take a right turn here and get you home more quickly.”
Maya was nervous about the idea and was about to say so when she caught sight of Heena on the street and before Roy could stop her was lowering the window and calling out to her.
From the corner of her eye she caught sight of the expression on Roy’s face.
That mask slipping again.
Chapter 66
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, Ram Chopra, was sweating ferociously on his treadmill, feeling every single cigar and glass of whisky. God, these workouts hurt.
He was watching TV at the same time. Carrot and Stick, and Ajoy Guha was warming up for a sensational disclosure. Referring to notes through wire-framed glasses, Guha wore a determined look, like that of a soldier prepared to die in battle.
The words “Viewer discretion is advised” scrolled across the foot of the screen.
Oh yes, thought Chopra. What’s all this then?
Guha cleared his throat and said, “We at DETV have always believed in the primacy of the truth, no matter how it may affect anyone. Today we bring you footage that we have accessed through a source that shall remain unnamed for reasons of security. The footage is explosive, and we have had to blur out and mute portions of it in order to play it on national television. The person shown in the video is Mr. Amit Roy, the Health Secretary. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man responsible not only for our hospitals and hygiene but also for the welfare of families. What you are about to see will shock you, and indeed you should not only be shocked but also outraged. I for one am absolutely sickened by it.”
The studio and Guha’s blue jacket and red tie disappeared from view and a video of Roy sitting on a bed inside a small room appeared. He seemed to be ripping the clothes from a frightened little girl and forcing her to sit on his lap.
Chopra watched, and then switched off the TV. He stopped the treadmill, reached for his phone.
“Sharma,” he said a moment later, “were you watching Carrot and Stick?”
The police chief chuckled. “I was indeed.”
“I take it that Guha’s informant is you?”
“And I take it that the next call you make will be to Jaswal?”
“I’m glad you’re on my side, Sharma,” said Chopra.
Sharma laughed some more. “In the meantime, I’ll see to it that Roy is arrested, shall I?”
Chopra thought. “Yes, but wait an hour or so, would you?”
“And why would I want to do that?”
Chopra draped a towel around his shoulders, using a corner to wipe sweat from his brow. “Well, what would you do in Roy’s position?”
“Me?” said Sharma. “I’m no pedophile.”