Another day in the office thought Akash as he watched the rain spray across his windows.
Screwing the cap back on the bottle after pouring his large whiskey, made him think about yet another case where he rejected payment for the work.
He puffed smoke into the air, after lighting up his last cigarette in the packet and began to recall the unforgettable investigation he did for the courageous twins who contacted him.
Weeks had gone by with no one calling Akash. But one evening on a Friday, as he was putting his coat on, the phone bleeped with a text message.
The text from a number he did not recognise said: Is this the Desi detective agency?
Akash puffed smoke and replied typing: Yes, who’s this?
Who it is does not matter.
Because that is just idle natter
What you need to know is what I need
And something to satisfy your financial need.
Akash noticed the rhyming words in the caller’s response. How odd he thought but wondered why too.
What do you want? Akash typed and sent.
To answer your question I must meet you in person
Please do not make me turn it into coercion
Akash shook his head and promptly replied out of curiosity: Okay, where and when?
The person responded with another rhyme.
The hour of six, in the evening, it must be.
The day of next Monday, it must be.
The local library lobby is where I will be.
Look for a girl dressed all trendy in black and yellow.
That will be me.
As Akash asked more questions by text. He got no further replies.
Flabbergasted by what he just saw on this phone, he had no idea of what to make of it all.
As he finished his cigarette and gulped his last bit of whiskey, he decided he needed to go to the local library the following Monday.
Just before six o’clock, Akash walked into the library, looking around as he made his way to the lobby.
Then suddenly this teenage girl walked past him dressed in trendy black and yellow clothes.
He went to follow her and as he did, another girl walked past him looking identical to the other in the opposite direction.
Confused and bewildered, Akash stopped, as he saw both girls go in opposite directions.
They then turned around and walked up to Akash at the same pace.
“Twins?… You are Twins!” he said.
“Correct. Well done for such a remarkable observation. Detective Ji…” replied the girls in unison with a cynical tone.
“Okay… Okay… What’s this all about? Why did you want to see me? I’m a busy guy you know…”
“Okay, we won’t keep you in suspense. Simply put, we need your help.”
“I’m Meena and she is Beena,” said one of the girls.
“We have an uncle who needs to be exposed for what he’s been doing and we need someone like you to help us.”
Akash looked confused.
“Exposed? Exposed for what?”
“We can’t tell you unless you are willing to help us,” said Beena, the other twin, who coincidentally sounded the same, thought Akash.
“Looks like I have no choice but to… Otherwise, I’m not going to understand what it is I’m supposed to be helping with…”
“You do realise I have to be paid for any work I do. It’s not some kind of charity I run you know.
“I’m a private detective, not a Desi community one… girls.”
Meena replied without hesitation.
“Yes. We know that Detective Ji.”
“We have money because our parents are very wealthy business people. So, just demand your fee and we will pay it, only if you help us.”
“But it does say ‘No Result No Fee’ on your sign does it not?” said Beena.
Glancing at both of them and realising they had done their homework on him, Akash responded carefully.
“Yes it does say that and it is the service I offer. But I cannot take on a case without knowing anything about it!”
“Okay so since you have agreed to help us and take on our case, we will tell you,” said Beena.
“But remember what we tell you is very personal and confidential.”
“It’s not easy for us to tell you what we have to. So, can we trust you?”
Akash got animated.
“Of course you can. I’ve heard and seen enough things in my career to justify my trust!”
The girls concurred with each other through some kind of eye contact. Meena then looked around and pulled Akash’s arm to take him into a quiet area, while Beena followed.
Meena then began to talk in a whispered tone making sure no one could hear her from the section of the library they were standing in.
“From the age of about eight, our uncle has been abusing us sexually.”
“He has done it so that neither of us is meant to know.”
“He’s told us individually to keep it as ‘our special secret’.”
“But what he does not know is that we both share everything as twin sisters and know what he’s been doing to both of us.”
“We are now seventeen years old. And we know what he has done cannot be ignored anymore.”
“It has affected us as family members, young women and totally destroyed our childhood memories.”
“He is my father’s elder brother…”
“Who is married, has a wife from back home and three children of his own too. All boys.”
“So, we need to find a way of trapping him and exposing him.”
As Meena finished her sentence feeling emotional, Beena highlighted an added cultural observation.
“We know this will devastate our family.”
“It will likely bring huge shame upon us as girls without a doubt.”
“But we cannot take it any longer.”
Listening to what the girls just told Akash, he withdrew into a feeling of shock and numbness.
He had not heard anything like this and realised how brave they were to approach him, especially to confide in him as a complete stranger.
“I’m very sorry to hear what you have taken incredible confidence in telling me. I’m somewhat lost for words…”
“Have you thought about contacting the police or other authorities?”
“Of course we have but it is not the way we want to do this.”
“This is why we both decided to contact you.”
“Because you are Desi and you will understand it all,” replied Meena.
After a deep sigh, Akash asked what they had in mind.
Beena started to explain the plan they had devised.
“Well. We need you to get close to him. Get to know him, his friends and his social circle.”
“He is well-known among them and is well respected by them. Including our dad.”
“Then once you are ‘in’. We will tell you the next move. You have to trust us.”
“Please – we have spent months planning this…”
“But how do I do that? I’m not some rich wealthy guy. I’m just a simple and not well-off detective!” exclaimed Akash.
“We can help you there. We have access to funds, remember?”
“So, we can create a great disguise for you. Detective Ji,” said Beena with a convincing smile on her face.
Upon agreement, the three of them left the library and agreed to communicate via phone over the next few days on further details related to the plan.
On the following Saturday, Akash found himself at a high-end men’s clothing store, where the girls met him.
Akash had never shopped in a place like this before. He was shocked at the prices and the styles of clothing.
After calming Akash down, they selected some outfits and got him to try them on. This did provide the girls with some light-hearted entertainment as he modelled the different styles outside the dressing area.
“By the way, don’t wear your hat. Remember you are undercover now,” said Meena.
They then paid for all the expensive outfits and passed them to Akash. Leaving him feeling pretty overwhelmed.
Next, they told him to meet them at a high-end car hire place. Where he was given an expensive car to drive for a month courtesy of the twins.
Then they made sure he was given addresses of hairdressers, shops, gyms, restaurants and bars their uncle went to. Including a lap dance club as well.
Akash was told to give the girls an expenses invoice at the end of each week and they would pay him for legit spending on the case.
But no money for cigarettes or whiskey bottles. That was going to come out of his own pocket.
He could not believe how these twin sisters had meticulously planned it all and here he was, driving in a posh car and on his way to a private gym all with a sauna and an attractive masseuse to pamper him.
Akash managed to book himself in for a massage next to the uncle of the twins. Known as Mr SK Mehta.
Both of the men lay there in the midst of soft lighting and relaxing music. The masseurs began their work on them, slowly letting their hands wander over their backs glistening with oil.
“Just what I need. These girls are fantastic with their hands…” said Mr Mehta in a relaxed tone.
“Not seen you here before. Are you new to the club?”
“Me? Yes. Yes, I am… And Yes. It does feel amazing…” replied Akash bedazzled by the feeling of the massage.
“I’m Mr SK Metha. An exporter and importer of expensive furniture, who enjoys luxury food and drink, and women’s hands like this!” laughed Mr Mehta.
Remembering what he had to say. Akash replied.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Rakesh Yadev. An antique dealer who specialises in South Asian artefacts.”
Mr Mehta instantly got interested and continued the conversation with Akash regarding the prospect of doing business as the masseurs continued on their bodies.
After a week, Akash had infiltrated Mr Mehta’s circle, joining him for nights out and sessions at the gym followed by massages.
The twins were informed of his moves on a daily basis and paid all of Akash’s expenses promptly and to the penny.
Then one night, Mr Mehta invited Akash to his home. Where he had dinner with his family.
Dinner talk was targeted at Akash needing a wife and settling down, especially by Mr Mehta’s wife.
In the house, he saw family photos. Including photos of the twins. Akash’s heart sank, realising why he was there and for who. As he gazed at the photos, Mr Mehta disturbed his thoughts.
“Those are my lovely nieces. Aren’t they beautiful?”
“They are so full of energy and very ambitious. Unlike my lazy sons who just live off dad’s money…”
“They are very close and dear to me. I keep on telling my brother not to worry. I will pay for their weddings.”
“That’s… It’s.. very generous of you to think this way… Since they are not your children…” said Akash
“Nonsense. They are my blood! So, we keep it in the family.”
Akash felt nauseated listening to the latter words uttered by Mr Mehta.
After a month of Akash getting close to Mr Mehta, the twins met up and told Akash the final stage of the plan.
The next day, Akash went to Mr Mehta’s business premises to see him.
“Ah! Rakesh good to see you, my friend. What brings you here?”
“Well.. I thought we could do some business together. I have a close friend who needs some help importing some goods.”
“What kind of goods? What’s in it for me?” asked Mr Mehta.
“You know. The ‘delicate’ kind. Those which can be hidden in your containers but provide you and me with a major return.”
“I never thought you were into this side of the business, Rakesh! What a pleasant surprise!”
“Well, something has to pay for this lifestyle… Doesn’t it… Mr Mehta!” chuckled Akash, playing along.
Mr Mehta laughed and nodded. He then discussed his terms.
“I will want 70% of whatever you are getting paid since I take most of the risk Rakesh.”
“70%! The maximum I can do is 60%,” responded Akash.
“65% or nothing Rakesh. Importing illegal drugs is no joke. So it has to be worth my while”
Akash then reluctantly agreed and a date was set for the import to take place.
On the day, Akash met up with Mr Mehta at the docks and waited for the container to arrive on a specific ship.
Once it was delivered, Mr Mehta took Akash with him to check the shipment. As he verified it all, Akash asked him to show the product to him.
At that point, Mr Mehta took him to show him an example hidden inside furniture. As he was doing this two men turned up at the door of the container.
“Mr Mehta? We are from the National Crime Agency and we are arresting you for importing illegal drugs into the UK.”
“What???” “What are you talking about??” “Drugs? Where?” responded Mr Mehta.
“Inside the furniture Mr Mehta…”
“You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence…”
“Okay. Okay. I’m not alone in this. He’s involved too.”
“Rakesh, tell them will you…”
Akash then moved to the side of the officers, as they began to handcuff him and escort him.
“You b**tard Rakesh. How could you…” yelled Mr Mehta.
As they walked him out. He saw his nieces standing there looking very appeased.
“Meena? Beena? What… What are you doing here?…”
“We’ve come to see you get ready for a long stretch in jail uncle.”
“For what you put us through and did to us. Remember ‘our special secret’?”
Mr Mehta looked pale and stunned by everything taking place around him as he was taken into the back of a car and driven away.
The twins went up to Akash looking relieved and very happy, and they both hugged him.
“Hey! That’s enough girls” laughed Akash.
“You did it! You’ve helped us with someone who completely ruined our lives.”
“We cannot thank you enough Akash!”
“Please tell us your fee and we will pay it into your account immediately,” said Meena.
At that point, Akash felt something that took him over. Immense compassion for the girls.
“You owe me nothing. I’m just glad I could help you…”
“I only managed to do it with your well-thought-out plan and financial support for the role…”
“Are you sure Akash??” said Beena.
“We know you could do with the money Detective Ji!” said Meena.
“Yes. I’m positive. I just hope you can put all this behind you now.”
“You have the choice of revealing your truth to the authorities as well now. To make sure he is put away for a long time.”
“Yes. Leave that with us Akash.”
“Once again thanks so much for all you have done. By the way, you can keep the clothes but not the car or club memberships!” laughed Meena.
“That’s nice of you girls! A new wardrobe! Thanks!”
The girls then offered to drop off Akash in town in their car. He waved bye to them as they drove off and watched their car disappear into the traffic.
Akash then went up to his office through the door at the side of the launderette.
After switching on his lamp, he poured himself a drink, loosened his tie and lit up a cigarette.
He sat with his feet up on his table and puffed smoke into the air, feeling very pleased with himself despite not getting paid for a case.
“Maybe one day… I will get paid…” said Akash with a smile.