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promotion, a move away from her work with the street-kids - and the idea filled her with horror.
     
    ‘. . . so as of now, Lieutenant, you are officially a part of the homicide team working under Investigating Officer Vishwanath.’
     
    He beamed at her, slivers of gold glinting between his big paan-stained teeth.
     
    ‘Well, do you have a tongue in your head, Lieutenant?’
     
    ‘I . . .’ She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry. I ... I can’t accept. I don’t want to work at Homicide. My place is with the children. I think that my skills can be utilised to greater effect at a grass-roots level with those who find themselves at the bottom of society . . .’ She realised that she was rattling off the line she used when high-caste acquaintances scoffed at her work with the kids.
     
    Singh was having none of it. ‘My dear Rana, I run a police force here, the biggest law enforcement agency in India, not some welfare scheme for Dullits, beggars and pick-pockets.’
     
    ‘I like working with children, sir. I wouldn’t be happy anywhere else.’
     
    ‘Your skills are needed elsewhere, Lieutenant.’
     
    ‘Are you saying that if I were less skilled at my job, then I would still be able to work with the kids?’ The thought appalled her.
     
    ‘I am saying, Lieutenant, that the department’s work with the homeless children of Calcutta is low-priority.’
     
    ‘But it’s necessary work, sir! Much of what I’ve done has given these kids jobs and security, kept them from prostitution and thieving.’
     
    ‘Lieutenant, your work will be carried on. I am not eradicating the post you held.’
     
    ‘Who?’ Rana asked. She stared at him. ‘You can’t mean Khosla? I thought he was only taking over temporarily?’
     
    ‘He’s a young, intelligent and ambitious officer.’
     
    ‘Ambitious for promotion, maybe,’ she said. ‘But he doesn’t know the first thing about the kids. You heard him today. He’s ignorant and dangerous. He has not the slightest sympathy with them.’
     
    ‘Then perhaps, Lieutenant, a year or two in the post will educate and enlighten him.’
     
    They stared at each other for what seemed like long minutes, opponents who would not concede defeat and back down.
     
    ‘What if I refuse the promotion?’ Rana asked at last.
     
    ‘Then I will be forced, with great reluctance, to ask for your resignation.’
     
    She shook her head. Was he calling her bluff?
     
    Commissioner Singh gave an indulgent laugh. ‘I’ve heard a lot about your unconventional spirit, Lieutenant. My predecessor called you a wild cat. I think he was understating the case.’
     
    Rana felt tears prickle her eyes as she realised what she had to do. Ah-cha, so she might not be able to work officially with the kids any more, but she could still see them in her own time. She would continue helping them, try to counter the mess Khosla would make of his posting.
     
    ‘When do I start, sir?’ she asked at last.
     
    ‘Good. I’m glad you’ve seen sense. You can go and clear your desk immediately. Vishwanath’s department is on the eighth floor. You’ll find him a good man and a hardworking boss. I hope you do as well in Homicide as you have done in Child Welfare, Lieutenant. Well done.’
     
    She stood, saluted, wheeled around and left the room. In a daze she made her way back to her office on the second floor.
     
    An efficient fan turned on the ceiling, disturbing what little paperwork sat on her desk. Her com-screen glowed with a dozen files she could no longer call her own. She stared at the windowless walls. One was filled entirely with the pix of young boys and girls, gazing out at her with eyes made tired by experience.
     
    Her screen flashed. It was Singh. ‘Oh, Lieutenant. I forgot to mention a couple of things. Firstly, you’ll be moving into a new apartment near the river. Also, you’ll be receiving a pay rise. I’ll download the information right away.’
     
    Seconds later Rana was staring