part 17

"Yes."

"By the way, for your information, one of the reasons for this last-minute change is that our next party wanted the delivery here in Gurgaon instead of Delhi this time. So, to accommodate their special demand at the last moment, this step was taken."

"Actually,"—Babu hesitated—"I meant something else."

"What?"

"That I wasn't informed about any such change in the final program in advance."

"That's because there wasn't an opportunity to inform you,"—Khurram said dismissively—"Anyway, your point is noted, and if something like this happens again, we will take special care of it."

Khurram's words were surprising for Babu. He was usually the kind of person who dominated conversations, and for him to brush aside a complaint like this was truly unusual and unheard of until now.

"The next party has never made such a demand before."

"Exactly. That's why there has never been any change in a fixed program before either."

"Strange."

"What's strange about it?"

"Just that if the party refused to take delivery in Delhi, and if we were ready to fulfill their demand by delivering it here in Gurgaon, then why did they specifically choose this location?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"That if we were ready to deliver the goods anywhere for their convenience, then they should have simply had it sent directly to one of their own locations."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that even here in Gurgaon, it is still being delivered from our base."

"Yes, so?"

"So why didn't they order it at their preferred location—say, their own house?"

"Interesting,"—Khurram took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, and said—"You've become quite suspicious."

"Yes…"

"And perhaps that's why you've managed to survive in this fancy courier business so successfully."

"Yes."

"We're pleased."

"Thank you,"—Babu said quietly—"But that doesn't answer my questions."

"There's no need to answer any of your questions here,"—Khurram's tone sharpened—"You were given a job, and you completed it."

"But like this…!"

Khurram locked eyes with Babu and said, "Yes, so?"

Babu shifted uneasily in his seat.

Suddenly, the atmosphere felt heavy to him, and he had a growing sense that something was wrong.

But what?

"Mind your own business, Babu,"—Khurram issued a veiled threat—"This is how this business works."

"Yes, but…"—Babu swallowed hard.

"But what?"

"I need to speak to the boss—Gosai Sahib,"—after a brief hesitation, Babu spoke in a decisive tone.

"Have you ever done that during a delivery before?"

"No…"

"Then why today?"

"Because today, the situation is different."

"So?"

"So I'm still not convinced about this matter,"—Babu finally clarified his stance and, gathering his courage, said—"As long as the package is in my possession, I am responsible for it."

"Were."

"Were?"

"You were responsible for it as long as it was with you,"—Khurram said—"Now, it's in the right hands—with us—so we are responsible for it."

"But…"

"Enough!"—Suddenly, a revolver appeared in Khurram's hand—"You will silently leave the briefcase key on the table and walk away."

The gleam of the weapon in Khurram's hand sent a fresh wave of shock through Babu.

"I am willing to do that, but first, I just want to make one call to the boss—just once,"—Babu reached for the briefcase on the table.

"What you want doesn't matter,"—Khurram pointed the barrel of the gun at Babu and spoke in a cruel voice—"Only our will matters here."

Babu's throat went dry, and he immediately pulled his hands back.

In the changed atmosphere, he no longer wanted to stay there for even a moment. He was no longer just suspicious—he was certain that something was definitely wrong.

Such a last-minute change in a fixed program had never happened before.

And neither had he ever been summoned like this before Khurram.

Even if Khurram hadn't pulled out a gun, Babu had no real authority in front of him. But the fact that Khurram was so agitated at the mere mention of calling the boss proved that these were not ordinary circumstances—something was definitely off.

However, the briefcase key was still in his hand.

"Freeze,"—Khurram gestured toward the keys and said—"Any reckless move from you will send you straight to heaven. The loss of a young life would be unfortunate, wouldn't it?"

Babu had no choice now. He extended his hand and prepared to drop the key onto the briefcase.