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“The committee is here...!” The ward in-charge began issuing frantic orders to restore the patients into the now checked and fumigated ward... Patients were rushed back, so was Dhatri...! 

“What committee?” she asked the nurse carrying her.  “Review Board... Some Delegates... “ The nurse replied vaguely.  Dhatri smiled inwardly...!  She saw D’amama sitting on her bed.  Dhatri rested her head on the pillow looking completely exhausted.  D’amama stroked her hand.

“Girl... you ok?” she asked in her nasal accent.  Dhatri just tried to smile.  “Winfree says you cured him again.... he can talk..” D’amama whispered in her ear leaning down.  Dhatri turned her face.  “I must get of this place...” She murmured feeling suffocated.  D’amama gazed at her intently.  “Wanna get out?” she again leaned down to ask in a whisper.  Dhatri just nodded hopelessly.  

“Wanna out, you will...!” D’amama said with determination and confidence.  Dhatri turned and looked at her ...  “I take you out!” D’amama said patting her head.  Dhatri smiled faintly knowing the futility of D’amama’s promise.  Dhatri knew it was a one way....” you can come in with your free will but can’t go out unless they send you out... on your feet or through the mortuary.... “

But she must try... take her chance to escape.... “Baby... you should have put your head down for the opportunity and then strike.... She was caught from behind and slapped hard for failing to escape.... Grumpy had beaten her up for her failure... Escaping was the crux of gorilla combating.... A five year old was taught to break the captivity and methods and ways to escape... with weapon or without one...!

“I will.... I will escape... !” Dhatri was determined.

“Send the boy..” she said and D’amama nodded without further discussion.  A nurse came in to prepare Dhatri for the procedure.  Dhatri waited.....! Patience... patience... she kept reminding her mind....! 

The security guards were frantically searching the source of the siren...!! 

******  ********  ********

“Vinit...!” Dharini stood in front of the sofa.  Vinit was still settled with closed eyes. 

“Haan?” he opened his eyes to see Dharini.  

“We require a week...” Earl said to Ravi’s disappointed.  A week? That was too much ...! Both Ravi and Jim were ready to strike any moment...! 

“I need to take permission...!” Earl justified.  “We just can’t barge in ... We don’t have any proof that she is in...” Earl pointed out the vital point.  Vinit turned to Ray...

“Are you sure she is in there?” he asked sternly.  Jim was not confident...Ravi too fumbled with no proof.

“I feel she is in there...!” he said looking at Rini.  Rini had made up her mind.

“Are you sure, you get permission in a week’s time?” Vinit took charge and asked turning to Earl.  It was Earl’s turn to fumble.... “I should, .. in normal circumstances...” he said not sounding very optimistic.  Vinit turned to Rini... She once glanced up at him and nodded in assertion.  Others gaped.  

“Couple of days! And then few more to clean up the mess...!” she calculated.  

“Forget it...!” Vinit turned to Earl... 

“I have a person.... his wife is a staff nurse there...!” Vinit provided.

“Who?” asked Dharini and the others gathered to get the plan.

“He is paki.. A Pakistani....” He said...

“Pakistani? You people are at war, right?” Earl asked in a ghostly voice...! Vinit turned to him.

“The sovereign powers are... not the people... The brethren still exists...!” he said gravely.  Earl looked down...! Vinit again turned to Rini.

“Couple of days...!” she said getting up... “We must clean sweep in a couple of days...!” she said getting up.  

“Ok. We are doing it...! Thank you Mr. Earl... We never met you... You do not know anything about this....!” she said holding out her hand.  Earl wiped sweat on his forehead.

“What do you mean?” he asked aghast with gaping mouth.  “Nothing...!” Rini turned.

“No... I mean... you can’t do that...!” Earl tried to bring some authority in his voice.  Vinit took a step ahead.

“Mr. Detective, you know whom are you pitched against.  Dr. Scott Humphrey is chairman board of Advisory committee to the President, on health issues...! You think he will leave some trails behind? He is a powerful man... You think your PD will stand up against the Federal power?” Vinit asked in a stone voice.  Earl gaped.  Vinit took out a paper from his bag.

“Here... This is his itinerary....for next couple of months and he is meeting the President three times...!” Vinit supported his point to Earl’s dismay. He was too low on the rung of the ladder to influence anyone in his department.  He looked at everyone with gaping mouth.  The tables had turned.  

“We are not here to bust the scam... We are here to rescue Dhatri.... We don’t need a whistleblower...” Rini said sternly and Ravi shot up.

“I am coming with you...!” he said with determination.  “Me too!” Jim said picking up his sack as if ready to move in that moment....! Rini shook her head....

“Ravi... Mr. Jim... You already have wasted your precious time... Now we will take on... You all carry on with your work....! Thank you very much...!” Rini said gravely.  “No!” they both said at once.  “We are not going anywhere ....” Rini turned to them.  

“Thats not possible...! Its risky...!” Rini tried to convince unconvincingly.

“No..” Jim opened his mouth... “She rescued me once... healed me..! Now its my turn..” he urged.  Ray looked away not knowing what to say...!

“But there is nothing you can do...! Its our job” Rini said looking at Earl.  

“I am coming with you, in my personal capacity...” Earl said getting up and Rini now had three people to convince not to come...! They all were determined.  Vinit had gone out...! 

“Rini... We got to wait for some time...!” He said walking in.  She nodded opening her bag. 

“We are taking the toys..” she said expecting Vinit to arrange for the weapons...! 

“If she is in there, we need one for her...!” she said pulling out her clothes.  “I need to change...!” she looked around.  Earl gestured at the rest room in his office.  

“No... For God sake... don’t do this... I will arrange...” he said pleading.

“:You cannot... You know who he is... and before Federal forces barge in for protection, we need to take her out...!” Vinit said in a bare whisper.  Earl gaped in shock.  

“But... it will be a big bust.... news of the year...” Earl’s eyes flashed with the possibility.  Vinit shook his head slightly...!

“We will retreat after her rescue.... No news... no busting..!” he said gravely. His phone buzzed.  We went out hurriedly.

Rini walked in ready to move out.  Earl urged.  She didn’t budge...! Ravi and Jim were already ready.  She tried to persuade them in vain.  She waited for Vinit’s decision. 

 

Vinit walked in after a while.  The wait was killing....

“She is in there....!” He declared and Rini pressed her hand on her heart.

“Weapons arranged.... from downtown Lincoln..” he gave information.  “With limited ammunition..” he put the limit.  Rini nodded.  

“But... you just can’t carry guns inside...” Earl tried to explain.  

“Guns will reach by evening... It is taken care of..” Vinit said and looked at Rini.

“And one for Dhatri..” he said mysteriously.

“Please ... for God Sake... No blood shedding...” Earl was all lost.

“Its only a fall back plan...” Rini explained.  

 “Gun? For her? No way...! She can’t handle ...! I will come with you...instead...!” Ravi said holding Rini’s hand pleading and urging... Dhaa... would be shattered.. devastated... She won’t handle a gun... She will injure herself...!” Ravi’s mind wandered everywhere in panic.

“Rini looked at Ravi’s horror struck face with a faint smile...!”

 “Ravi... She is a naxal trained girl..! !” she said gravely.  Jim and Ravi gaped.  “There are some sharp shooters and she is sharper...” Rini said mysteriously.  

“Dhut Teri... Can handle guns... What all she can do?” Ravi’s mind was all riot.  

“We are coming...!” Jim said in a threatening voice.  Vinit looked at them... and then gave a nod..  Rini didn’t like the decision.  She wouldn’t put others in danger.  

“Hello everyone...” Dr. Maria walked in after finishing her work...! She shook hands with Rini hugging her lightly.  Another round of informed planning took place.  She too wanted to be a part of the mission.  But everyone else opposed.  

“Dharini... Give her a tight hug for me...!” She said trying to blink away his tears.  “And you are coming here with her..!” she warned everyone.  

.......................

After six hours they had gathered in a small cabin of Shafi Abdur-Razzaq aka Razzy...! His wife A’idah aka Aidy... served food. 

“Bhai jaan... She will take them in...” A’idah nodded gravely.  

“Look... we don’t want to put you in trouble... “ Rini said guiltily.  “Its for a Pak, noble cause...” Aidy murmured.  Rini blinked emotionally.  

“There are a few allies for her” She looked at her husband.  “Our Fatima.. her son and a niger lady...” she said looking at Rini.  Razzy took out the guns and kept them on the table... Jim and Ravi gaped in horror.  Rini surveyed the toys with admiration... He placed a handful of ammunition on the table.  Rini counted in an instant.  They must avoid gunfire to save the bullets.. !”

“You are not giving one to Dhatri...” Ravi still couldn’t accept it.  Rini looked at his worried face.  “Don’t worry... We will involve her only if need be!” Vinit said patting on Ravi’s shoulder.  Jim’s phone buzzed.

“Hey.. good news... Review Board has demanded the physical stock taking... and Dr. Murrey has recommended us..!” He hugged Ravi in excitement.  Ravi breathed relief.  Now they both would officially enter the hospital... move around everywhere to inspect the cameras...!”

**********   ********  *****

“Where....?” Vinit pointed a gun at Rini...”Arm and Leg~” she said gravely closing her eyes...!

“No..!” Ravi could  hear the gun shots even after pressing his ears and screaming his lungs out.....! Jim screamed witnessing the horrifying scene ahead.  Rini had fallen unconscious with bullet shots in her arm and leg... A’idah was dialing for  the medical aid... Razzy ran out in the commotion..! Vinit kept the gun on the table neatly wiping it ...! 

Rini was to be rushed to the hospital... caught in the riots and taking gun shots ...!