The tension between Yada and Deputy Director Gert Singh was evident. Yada had only been appointed as the chief of the Spanda Police Station three months ago, whereas Singh had been there for nearly three years. Singh had hoped to step into the role of director himself, but Yada's sudden promotion had shattered that ambition.
Singh's resentment simmered beneath the surface, and he had made no efforts to cooperate fully with Yada in the station's daily operations. While Yada was new and somewhat untested in the eyes of the veterans, Singh was the established figure. However, the Spanda Police Station wasn't just any ordinary station. Located in Mumbai, India's financial hub, it had a higher staffing level and more inspectors than typical police stations. As a result, both Yada and Singh held inspector-level ranks, which was unusual for a small police station. This rank disparity fueled Singh's discontent even further.
If Singh were merely a deputy inspector, it would have been easier for Yada to assert his authority. But the difference in their ranks made it difficult for Yada to completely overshadow Singh, and Singh resented the power dynamic. He felt that he should have been in Yada's place, a sentiment that had worsened since Yada's arrival.
Despite this, Yada understood that Singh had no choice but to endure his position for the time being. He knew that Singh's power at the station was significant, and any open conflict could destabilize the station. Yada's thoughts turned to the case at hand. Rajiti Nair, the finance minister, had summoned him privately, which meant that there was something more to the case than what appeared on the surface. Rajiti wasn't a person who would deal with a lowly police director unless something serious was at stake.
When Yada and Rowton arrived at the luxurious villa, the power disparity between them and Rajiti was palpable. Yada stood stiffly, refusing to sit, while a servant brought them tea. Ten minutes later, Rajiti arrived with one of his secretaries. Without a word, Rajiti sank into the sofa, and his secretary gestured for Yada to sit. The conversation was conducted in Marathi, and Rowton, who was proficient in English, translated the secretary's words for Yada.
It turned out that Rajiti's safe had been stolen the previous night, and it was vital to retrieve it as quickly as possible. The theft occurred while the safe was in transit, and the car had broken down on the way to its destination. During the repairs, the safe had been stolen. The incident happened within the jurisdiction of Spanda Police, which was why Rajiti had reached out to Yada for help.
Yada wasn't thrilled by the request, considering the immense gap in their status. However, he was not in a position to refuse. It wasn't just a case of theft; it was a case involving a high-ranking politician, which meant everything had to be handled discreetly. Rajiti's secretary had hinted that they needed to recover the safe without drawing too much attention to the matter.
Back at the station, Yada called Rowton to his office to discuss the case further. "This matter can't be disclosed to anyone. It's... sensitive," Yada said, his gaze serious as he looked at Rowton.
Rowton responded, "I understand. I will handle it."
Yada's hesitation was evident, but he reluctantly handed the case over to Rowton. Despite his reservations about Rowton's abilities, he was in a tight spot. Yada trusted Rowton to keep quiet about the sensitive nature of the case. The theft, though serious, could be kept under wraps if handled correctly.
However, Rowton had already come up with a lead. He explained that he had seen a few members of the Black Lion Gang acting suspiciously the previous night in Dharavi. They were carrying a box, and though he hadn't thought much of it at the time, the suspicious behavior combined with the location and timing now seemed to make sense.
"Black Lion Gang?" Yada looked concerned. "Those bastards... even they wouldn't be bold enough to steal from someone like Rajiti. This could be dangerous for them."
Rowton continued, "I think it's worth investigating. The safe must be recovered, and we need to act quickly."
Yada agreed, but there were strict conditions. "I'll have Bud assist you. But keep the specifics about the safe and its owner to yourself. This is just a theft, nothing more."
Rowton nodded, though he knew this was only part of the picture. The safe, containing a large sum of money and valuables, was linked to something far bigger—Rajiti's alleged involvement in bribery. Rowton was aware that, two years later, Rajiti would fall from grace and be implicated in a massive corruption scandal, but for now, Rowton's focus was on the safe. If he could recover it, it would be a major feather in his cap, and it might just be his ticket to a promotion.
But Rowton wasn't just thinking of the reward. He also knew that the Black Lion Gang had connections, and their boss was close to Deputy Director Singh. This revelation didn't sit well with Yada, who was already suspicious of Singh's dealings with gang members. Yada didn't want to draw too much attention to Singh's involvement, but Rowton had subtly hinted that Singh was not as clean as he seemed.
Yada's face darkened at Rowton's words. He knew that Singh's ties with gangsters were well-established, but this was not something he could openly confront yet. As the chief, Yada understood that maintaining his position in the station meant keeping things in balance. However, the situation with Rajiti was different. He couldn't afford to let it slip through the cracks.
"You're right," Yada said after a moment of contemplation. "You handle this case. Make sure it's done swiftly, and without anyone finding out too much. As for Singh... we'll deal with that later."
Rowton's heart raced. This was his chance to prove himself, to gain Yada's trust, and to secure his future in the police force. However, he knew that dealing with Singh would be complicated, and revealing too much could have unintended consequences. But for now, the most important thing was solving the case and recovering the safe. The rest could wait.
As Yada began to give him more detailed instructions, Rowton felt a surge of determination. This was his moment. He wasn't just going to be a low-ranking officer forever. He was going to rise to the top, and this case could be the breakthrough he needed.