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STORY so far: Soon after the first indications of a fraud possibility surfaced at a routine meeting, there is a sitting with the boss.

As the saying goes, bad things should travel up fast, because only then can a corrective action be initiated quickly. And Chandru finishes up drafting a whistle-blowing policy. Also, the company's audit committee gets into action to chalk out a plan.

A crack team is formed with Gupta, Chandru, Balu and me to do a first-hand study of the problem and report within 48 hours. On our way to the contract site, I spot a familiar face.

Episode 33

It didn't take much time for me to recollect Vikky's face and compare with the roti maker. "Ki haal nay?" I gestured rather than asked `how are you', and he beamed his typical Punjabi grin even as he deftly handled the chapathis on the fire. He got his colleague to continue, and came to meet me near the car.

"Mauf karna," he pleaded, "Pleez."

"But why?" I asked. "For not telling me you're quitting the city to land here?"

"No," Vikky said. "For not recognising you. How was your trip? Did Gani meet you with his Nissan taxi? You seem to have lost weight... "

"Vikky," I interrupted him, before he went on with his questions. "Why are you doing what you are doing?"

"Meri smajhich nahi aanda," he blinked, meaning he didn't understand. "Ah, yes, my owner had to sell the gaddi because of finance problems. And I had a tummy to take care of, you see."

"I'll give you a job," I offered off-the-cuff, not realising what I was saying. But an offer was an offer.

"The only job I want," Vikky said, with a glint of hope in his eyes, "is to be a driver of a good car."

"Swati," Chandru called from inside the car. And Balu was checking the coolant level under the hood. Gupta was adjusting the papers in a folder and tucking them in a bag. "We can move as soon as you are through."

"Yes, coming," I called. "Vikky, suno. We are going on an assignment. Balu is having some problem with the car. Take a quick look."

"Why bother," Vikky said. "I'll drive and all of you just relax and think about your job."

*********

It was two hours since we left the eatery after a brief refreshment. And we were already clocking 120 kmph on an average. It was no problem getting my colleagues' okay to let Vikky take the wheel. "Hey, you've a bodyguard," Gupta jested. "What a relief," Balu sighed.

"How much should we pay him?" Chandru wanted to know. It had taken just 10 minutes for Vikky to pack his small trunk, settle his dues with the dhaba owner, wax his beard, change his turban and plant a Nanak photo before him. Minutes after the ignition had fired up, we all dozed off.

"Memsaheb," called Vikky softly, tapping my seatbelt and I half-opened the eyes.

"There is a big construction site coming up on the left," he said and I read the small board that had the name of my company. "Slow down, Vikky," I said. "Guptaji, is this the place?"

"Yes," he said. "Let us do a reconnaissance from here, before entering the premises."

"There is no sign of any movement," remarked Balu. "No trucks, no water tankers, no pile of steel."

"I have been paying regularly," fumed Chandru, "for scores of lorries ferrying construction materials, borewells sunk, tonnes of steel and so forth, plus hundreds of labourers paid on a weekly basis, complete with their thumb impressions on payroll sheets."

"Any holiday, bandh or some such?" I asked.

"Balu," Gupta called. "You go with Vikky inside the site to find out who or what is there. We will wait here."

*********

Another two hours travel and we were at the office of Gintee, the contractor, located in a town not far from the Kochi branch. The fact-finding at the site had been an anti-climax, because there was absolutely nothing there except an ancient-looking watchman who was not getting paid for the last several months.

No steel, no stone, no brick or sand, and no workers. "We are not talking about fraud possibility any longer," Gupta had observed grimly. "It is as definite as the scorching sun above us."

"A routine visit," Chandru told Gintee. "To check the papers for consolidation."

"Here are the ledgers," he said putting them on the table. "And, how are you Guptaji?"

"Perfect!" Gupta said. "Show me the plan, Gintee. I left the office copy in Chennai."

"Where is the site?" I asked. "87th milestone from here, madam," Gintee replied, "on NH 45."

Yes, that was the point at which we had seen the empty stretch, and I wondered what the contractor would have said if we said we wanted to visit the site.

"I'll take you there in the evening," he said, as if he could fathom my thoughts. "In my mini-van. So, you can leave your car here."

And an adiyaal (that is, a henchman) standing behind Gintee nodded obediently.

(To be continued)

swati_CA@hotmail.com

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