‘I have been trying to contact you for hours. I couldn’t call your officers, this is too important. And I couldn’t talk about it over the wireless.’

‘Whatever it is, it can wait. You have to know what I did …’

‘No, this is really important. The principal secretary from the ministry of environment and forests is coming to Balangir today to inspect the area. You know, for the report to the Supreme Court.’

‘Today? But they should have told us in advance.’

‘They don’t have to. The Supreme Court has asked the ministry for an independent report, which means they can come and go as they like. It has nothing to do with us. Anyway, I’m calling to say, I hope the day goes well and there are no problems. Not even a road accident anywhere in the district. Everything must be smooth, you understand? Meeting at my office in an hour. Everyone will be there. Even the jail superintendent. Please come. We have to make a quick plan. And we have to be good hosts but not let this fellow think we are doing it because of the report. Although he will know. He is a senior official. They don’t miss anything. So we have to make sure this Mishra doesn’t face any problems here.’

There was a very short moment during which Patnaik went deaf. He couldn’t hear anything, not even the sound of the traffic outside. It was still winter, but he had started sweating and his mouth had gone dry.

‘What did you say?’ Patnaik whispered.

‘Which part? Haven’t you been listening? I was saying a principal secretary of …’

‘The man. What did you say his name was?’

‘Mishra. AK Mishra. I just got to know his name this morning. Then I was trying to call …’

‘I will call you back.’

Patnaik hung up and turned towards the group of arrested men. For some odd reason, the Gond boy in the corner, a very thin little fellow, was smiling. The police officer looked at the senior Maoist leader sitting on the sofa. He too was smiling.

‘Is your name AK Mishra?’

‘Yes.’

‘Principal secretary, environment and forests?’

Mishra continued smiling.

‘From Delhi?’ Patnaik managed to croak. His throat had really gone dry.

Then Mishra held out his cuffed hands.

‘Could you please ask someone to open these?’ he said. ‘They are a bit tight. And then, I would like your man to give me his camera.’

15

MARCH

The bus was late.