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foremost patron. He supported her on almost everything. Why would he, then, push her towards failure now? And why would Joshi second that.
    'It's a significant case, if you solicit my advice. It bestows on you exposure to an international case — many of us here never got the opportunity — and though this is no democracy, which allows candidates to accept or decline cases, for you if you want to relinquish... because of your recent recovery, trust me it shall not be taken as insubordination.' Joshi's tone wasn't didactic like a supervisor; it wasn't even cautionary, it was advisory.
    'It's just that I wasn't expecting a significant case so soon after a break. Of course, I'll take it.'
    'That's my bo…girl.'
    As a woman in what has, around the world, always been a man's job, Rita was accustomed to being referred to as a boy/man. Joshi had, at least, graciously corrected himself.
    'When do I start?'
    'Monday.'
    Rita hadn't cared about the days during her long break; she took her a moment to think what day it was. It was Friday.
    'You mean…'
    'Yes this coming Monday. Some detective is coming over from Brussels to brief us, and I want you to be present from the start.'
    'Yes sir.' Rita hunched up to move.
    'Are you in a rush?''
    'No sir, I thought this was it. I'm sorry.' She parked her arse back in the chair.
    'Your usual team, Vikram and Jatin will report to you. At this stage we are not sure who else will be required but we'll get more team members as and when needed. You report to Mr Saxena directly. I'll be here if you require any help with the bureaucracy, and I'll instruct the uniformed police to provide all back up and assistance. Commissioner Saxena and I have no hesitation that you'll be successful again, DCP Ferreira.'
    'Thank you for your confidence sir. But, as they say, you've got to roll the dice to see the results.'
    'I know you can roll the dice better than most. Any questions?'
    'None whatsoever sir, thank you.'
    'All the best Rita. I'm not in the office tomorrow, but feel free to call me on my mobile if you have any questions. Commissioner Saxena had to take a day off today for something important, but he'll be back in the office next week.'
    Sexy taking a day off meant he was booked on the golf course. Sexy on the golf course meant he was playing with someone who fitted the who's-who list. He was a suave politician in uniform, a scratch golfer. Rita had no doubt he would brag about lending one of his protégé to an international case, as no one else had the talent. To use a word from his own advanced lexicon, he would be vainglorious at its sparkling best.
    ***
    When Rita returned to her office one of her man Fridays was seated on the visitor's side of her desk. Senior Inspector Vikram Patil, in his mid-thirties, was Rita's next in command. He had more experience in the police but was lower ranked because he was a State Police cadre. Taking Rita's position, when she moved or got promoted, was his aspiration, and with the mettle he had shown in the last few years it wouldn't be a wrong or unreasonable replacement. Though not as sensuous, he was fit, six-foot-one, muscular and agile.
    'Welcome back, ma'am.' Vikram stood up. Saluted.
    'Thanks Vikram. How have you been?'
    'I'm fine, ma'am. Good to have you back.'
    'So what are you currently working on?'
    'Nothing consequential, just paperwork on my previous case and some court hearings.'
    'Good. Whatever it is that you need to complete, please finish that or hand it over to someone. We have an important case. Where's Jatin?'
    Jatin was her other go-to direct report. She had a brusque parting with him due to circumstances, but later, in retrospect, he had appreciated the reasons. He had called Rita while she was in Goa and insisted he still wanted to work for her and be in her team.
    'He's on vacation, ma'am. He's back on Monday. What's this case that you know of, already, and I have no inkling yet?'
    'A homicide in Belgium. The murder happened some months