Delhi, Monday, 9.30 hours: 007 stepped into his classic '83 Ambassador. The engine wouldn't start. 007 frowned. He stepped out. His thin, cruel lips ...
Delhi, Monday, 9.30 hours: 007 stepped into his classic '83 Ambassador. The engine wouldn't start. 007 frowned. He stepped out. His thin, cruel lips curved into a smile. In one swift, smooth action, he leapt in the air and delivered a sharp karate kick on the bonnet. After that, the engine started.
Delhi, Monday, 10.10 hours: He parked his car and walked towards the RAW building's secret entrance. M had told him 10 sharp. He was only 10 minutes late. 007 fished out a crumpled Charminar and gratefully lit it. The double-0 prefix gave him license-to-kill time. He stubbed the cigarette and leisurely walked in. A voice from behind the steel curtain sought his identity. "Bondopadhya," said 007. "Jamshed Bondopadhya."
"Enter 007," the voice said. The door slid open with a hiss. In M's office, Miss Moneypaisa was waiting. "A paisa for your thoughts, Moneypaisa," 007 said with a grin. "You're late again, Jamshed," Moneypaisa reproached. She looked wistful as he sauntered into M's room. "Come in, 007," M said wearily.
"What's up, sir?"
M quickly came to the point. "It's not just Rabinder Singh—too many CIA moles have infiltrated RAW.
What does CIA expect from them? Find out, 007...our enemies are laughing at us!"
"Is America our enemy, sir?"
"No 007, I meant IB."
Delhi, Wednesday, 15.35 hours: "I've got the info, sir," 007 told M. "CIA wants RAW moles to help them locate Saddam's WMDs!"
M frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, sir. A journalist on the American embassy's payroll told the MEA."
Washington, Thursday, 16.40 hours: George Tenet walked slowly along the Potomac. He was still dazed. He had been sure he would last his term as CIA director. He even dreamt of an extension under Kerry! His cellphone beeped. "Yeah."
"This is your President, George. We're on my private line." Tenet tensed. "Yes, Mr President?"
"Tell me, George. How on earth did you go wrong on the WMDs?"
"I'm equally puzzled, Mr President. My information came from an unimpeachable source."
"Who was it, George?"
"One of our moles in RAW, sir."
"For Chrissake's, how would he know?"
"They shot an Osama man working for Lashkar, sir. He had a diary giving full details of the WMDs."
Delhi, Friday, 14.25 hours: "We've identified all the CIA moles, sir. We can nab them any time!"
"Wait, 007," M said softly. "Let's first make sure—is CIA destroying RAW, or RAW destroying CIA."
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)