91

“Hell.... ! Bring the tapes up...!” the man ordered and the person ran out.  The secretary walked in.  “Get his latest reports...!” he ordered. 

“I want her in the lab...!” he ordered on the intercom.  A apprentice nurse hurried into the room.  “God, No!” she looked at the girl on the bed with foam at mouth.  She dashed out  for help.  An elderly lady at the Nurses’ bay responded. 

“Oh!” she touched Dhatri’s forehead and took the thermometer to measure her temperature.  It was an hour since Dhatri had cured the little boy and no one had bothered to take care of her.  She had passed out with rising temperature, foaming at mouth.

The nurse went out to get the medicines... what Dhatri needed was a cold water bath... No body knew about it..!

......  .....

“Hello... Wake up!” She held Dhatri’s burning hand and dropped it on the bed.  Dhatri’s fever had not reduced.  She looked at the dripping IV.  She came out rushing towards Block II, 23.  The boy was in the bed waiting for her.  She shook her head hopelessly.  “No..!” she said and the boy sat up.  “She needs help...!” D’amama said looking at the pale faced boy.  “I go, see her!” the got up with a jerk and the IV bottle undulated.

“No!” his mother stopped him.  “I go see her” she said looking around, in a hushed voice.  She knew the boy would be monitored... for he had tried to escape....! She promised and went out again. 

She peeped into her room again.  Dhatri was still unconscious.  The nurses were busy injecting the medicines.  She stood there waiting for the opportunity.

“How is she?” she asked.  The nurse shook her head.  “Not good!” she said.  D’amama looked at pale and weak Dhatri.  She had to do something... She touched Dhatri.  Her fever had not subsided.  D’amama looked around and saw a cotton gouge.  She knew the household remedy.  Dipping the cotton cloth and wiping the forehead! 

The cold water did the trick.  Dhatri stirred a bit... “Pani... Wa... ter” she blurted faintly.  D’amama didn’t understand anything...! She kept changing the cold water gouges on her forehead... The nurse walked in... D’amama removed herself from Dhatri’s bed.  Two persons walked in and shifted Dhatri on the stretcher and took her away.  D’amama watched dejected.  She could do nothing....!

******   *****

“Find out everything about this person..!” Vinit almost ordered and jim blurted in excitement...

“Look... he is walking in.... Time... 12:15:46 ..! He has come in after the Key Note address...!” Ravi had already opened his profile ....! 

“Dr. Scott Humphrey, Jan 26, 1951, Lewistown, Montana... Schooling: Lewistown school district..! Stanford University, .. “ Exclaimed Ravi... “Look at his achievements...! Boy..!” Vinit had already scanned the net for the information he needed.  He went out clutching his phone to his ear. Came back after half an hour.  By that time the gang had scanned every video for the images of Dr. Scott.  

“Look he is talking to someone and Dhatri is in the group.. You are here.!” Jim pointed at Dr. Maria.  She merely gaped.  “He is here... talking to Dr. Ghosh...!” Indroneel stuck his head in between.  “Oh.. Yes... I didn’t know who he is... I was talking to Dr. Raymond... Professor Botany... Yale University...!” Indroneel clarified.  

“Look... He is having food...!” He was talking to a group of people... They went on scanning the footage of all the cameras.  They didn’t see him talking to Dhatri.  He was nowhere near her.  They again had hit the dead end.  

Vinit entered hurriedly... “We must find some clue... ! Find something to nab him..!” he blurted and the gang looked at him alert.  

Everyone individually started scanning the videos... “Wait a minute...!” Nondon exclaimed... “Look... He has his back.. But who is there facing him... I can’t see...! “ Maria zoomed the picture.  Sure there was someone.  He had held out his hand.  The other person was too small in front of his huge plum figure.  “Look... What is he doing? Holding her... Hugging her? Her or Him?” Nondon blurted.  Vinit was altogether in a different world not bothering to see the video.  If was he heard was correct, then he had found out the person... or at least a suspect...! It only needed to be confirmed....! Project MKUltra was still alive... Dhatri was in danger.  He made up his mind...! He needed further investigation...! He dashed in.

“Vinit..” Indroneel called out excitedly.  Vinit stopped... “Look... The person behind... Is she a girl or boy? He is guiding her or him somewhere...! Restroom?” Vinit gazed at the video...! “No cameras in restroom...! That could be the exit point...” 

“Look he has come out..! But where is the other guy?” Indroneel blurted.  Vinit asked them to rewind.  The person was completely hidden behind his huge figure...! 

“I think... this is him... look he has come out of the restroom wiping his hands... ! He was the person with Dr. Scott...!” Indroneel concluded.  Vinit was not sure.  He looked at Ravi.  Ravi rewinded the footage... 30 minutes...One hour...! They didn’t see the same person entering the restroom.  Vinit had a doubt.  The person was short, skinny... !

“Find this person ..!” Vinit said.  His phone buzzed.  Dr. Koite had dozed off again.  He had no patience to see the same boring clips.  He couldn’t locate anyone... Everybody looked same... He couldn’t even locate himself in the tapes...!” Vinit went out for some time and when he came back, he only had work with Nondon and Dr. Koite.

“You said this Dr. Scott, receives grants...!” Vinit started off with interrogative tone.  Nondon nodded.  “Where can I get the information?” Vinit asked.  “Websites..!” Koite said looking blankly at Vinit.  Vinit shook his head.  He had already had an account of the grants received by Dr. Scott.

“There are a few Research .. I mean... Companies funding for research ... Like Pharmaceutical .. Nondon said gravely.  Vinit waited for further information.  “Some Research Labs are secretly funded under the cover of donations... and gifts, travelling opportunities fully funded... buying researches...! Research has become an enterprise now a days...!” Nondon shook his head hopelessly.  Vinit looked at Koite.  He gaped.  

“Dr. Can I have a word with you?” Vinit asked politely.  Nondon understood and went away. 

Vinit came back alone.  Maria looked up.  “He had some urgent work..!” Vinit said and fixed his eyes on the screen.  Maria merely nodded.  

******   *******

“She is not in a condition....!” The nurse opined.

“I don’t care...!” The man behind the table had fixed his gaze on his screen watching the footage....! Dhatri’s fingers were moving in a lightening speed on the boy’s chest and neck.  The boy was at peace lying on the bed.  Dhatri had bent over..... Her movements slowed down gradually... she was muttering something... Tears rolled down her cheeks defying her shut lashes....! Slowly she collapsed in a heap.... The boy was breathing steadily.... ! he got up after what seemed like five minutes and looked at Dhatri lying beside...! He hugged her crying... Spreading himself to cover her.. to shield her...!” 

“The man got up and marched out.  The Nurse paced after... He had no time... He had to finish it .... !

“Get that boy first... Winfree...!” he ordered and the Nurse Rushed to Block II... !

The man entered the Huge white room, meticulously measuring the liquid in the syringe.. The human papillomavirus (HPV)  had to be administered again...in small quantity.. ..!!

****  *****

“Mama, I want to see her..!” the boy said hoarsely.  D’amama pressed her hand on his mouth... “Stop... Nothing can be done now... They took her away...!” she said.  

“No... !” the boy broke into tears... She is good!... She cured me!” he said and D’amama looked around in fright to make sure no one was around. The boy cried loudly...

The nurse walked in.  “Let’s go!” she said detaching the Drip and capping the needle.  She lifted the boy.  The boy cried for help.  D’amama was equally helpless, as Dhatri was...!

90

Dhatri was untied.  She again was prepared, for the procedure... with the electrodes cap stuck to her scalp...! But this time she was not strapped.  

“Conducting Electroencephalography twice in twenty four hours might prove harmful..!” one of the team of four said.  The person behind the table shook his head.  “I don’t care..!” he said.  “We need to accelerate ...” He was in a hurry.  The man gaped.  “It could be dangerous...” he thought gravely.  “What is he up to?” The man behind the table stood up.

“I am monitoring, this time...” he said to others’ shock.  “Get her ready...!” he said moving out of his cabin.  Others ensued.

.............  ......

“D’amama...” the Doctor stood before and she got up struggling.  “Where is your son?” he asked.  The Dean of the hospital asked about her ailing son.  She looked up with tearful eyes.

“Block II, 23” she spoke.  He moved away.  

He was at the bed.  The boy was watching TV with IV dripping.  “Boy, get ready...!” he said checking his heart beats and pulse rate.  The boy looked scared.  “You will be alright...” the man assured him patting on his head.  The nurse helped him get up and placed that skinny ten year old on the stretcher.  D’mama... a Afro American single parent, wiped her eyes holding her son’s hand.  She was grateful to the hospital authorities for providing free medical help for people who couldn’t afford medical treatment.  The doctors provided free consulting as a part of social service.  It was a well equipped hundred bed hospital running on donations and grants from Government Health Departments. 

...................  ...........

“Call Dr. Ghosh...!” Vinit almost ordered.  “We need him...” 

Ravi dialled Indroneel’s number.  “Yeah.. ! He will reach in half an hour..” Ravi said disconnecting the phone.  “Ok. We take a break of half an hour!” said Vinit looking at Maria.

“Right!” She said getting up to order food.  It was almost twenty hours of scrutiny with minimum breaks.  They were completely exhausted.  His eyes burning, Dr. Koite just slumped on the bed.  “Wake me up!” he said and Ravi smiled.  

“Have you read about project MKUltra?” asked Vinit and everyone looked at him blankly.  “What is that?” Jim asked.  Vinit got up.  

“This is only a possibility...!” he said mysteriously.  Maria sat up.  “It was a part of CIA’s scientific Intelligence Division..., halted finally in 1973 for misconduct and illegal use of human in tests and clinical trials...!” Vinit informed.  Koite looked aghast.

“But it is said, Project MKUltra is still carried out... for unethical drug trials on humans..by many Pharma companies...! Using illegal emigrants.. Africans, Asians... Afro Americans..” Vinit added.

“...You mean...!” Dr. Koite blurted in shock.  “No! I am just informing you... That she could be used ...” Vinit chocked.  His Dhaa could be used as a Laboratory Rat...! “No! That can’t be true!” Vinit brushed away his thought.  She must be kidnapped by someone for healing ... ! She would be back soon...! 

“She will be back...! Nothing can happen to her...!” Ravi again lost himself, thinking about Dhatri..!”

.............   ...........

“Mari mai... Mari mai...” She prayed.  Ravi’s thoughts couldn't vanish from her mind.  “He will know soon... He will find me out... to tease me, to taunt me...! Ravi... Let it be.  Let him tease me.. trouble me... please... please... find me... Ravi!” Her Mari mai had vanished from her chanting.   “Find me... find me... someone....!” she closed her eyes.

“sh..huff... !” she looked down, startled.  A small African boy was hiding under her stretcher.  She looked around in fright.  The boy had vanished under her stretcher.  “What is this? From where did the boy come?” she looked at the open door.

“Escape... escape...!” Grumpy was pleading... She got down from the stretcher.  Her electrodes cap, still on her head.  She took a step ahead and a huge figure appeared at the door.  She turned in fright.  

“Relax...!” the nurse ordered her hurrying into the room and pressing her back on the stretcher.  Dhatri waited with bated breath.  The boy still hid under the stretcher.

....  ........

“All set...!” the nurse walked into his cabin.  He got up clutching his writing pad.  The nurse followed.

“Dr. Murrey Trepka online ...!” his secretary followed hurriedly.  He stopped dead. Dr. Murrey was Chairman, Institutional Review Board established under Federal Regulations for the protection of human subjects in research (45 CFR 46). Its purpose is to help protect the rights and welfare of human participants in research.      

  “Yes..!” He took a U turn gesturing the Nurse.  “Send her back...!” he ordered entering his cabin to take the call. 

Dhatri was pushed on the stretcher and was brought back into her room.  She took a sigh of relief when her electrodes cap was removed.  The nurse washed her hair and gave  her a bowl of cereals and milk and went away.  She kept the bowl on the bed and bent down.  The boy had shifted himself from under the stretcher to under her bed.  She smiled beckoning him.  She held out the bowl for him.  He smiled and she poured the milk into the bowl of cereals.  He looked at her hungrily.  She beckoned him to eat.  He shook his head.  She kept the bowl aside.  The boy settled himself on her bed.  She moved her hands on his head.  “No... !” her hands slid down his fragile body...

“Winfree..!” his mother pushed the door of her room in search of the boy.  The search was on for the escaped boy, everywhere...!

“What?” she stopped dead...! The boy had hugged Dhatri .  

 “No...!” he screamed hoarsely.  Dhatri had passed out with high fever....!! His mother stopped shocked.  

“What?” she looked at Dhatri’s motionless body on the bed and the boy had spread himself on her, embracing her tightly. 

“No...!” he screamed again looking back.  She came in running closing the door shut behind her.

“You can talk...!” she blurted aghast.  “No... I am not coming...!” he said hoarsely again straining himself.  “Shuu... stop.. don’t strain ..!” she touched him to lift him.

“No..! She... is not well!” The boy said pointing at Dhatri.  The woman touched her burning body and took her hand back reflexively.  Dhatri was running high fever...! 

“Oh God!” the woman looked around and then rushed out to get help.  The boy held on to her...!

The nurse came running and took away the boy, ignoring Dhatri’s condition completely. 

***  *****

“Hello...!” Vinit got up seeing Dr. Indroneel rushing in with another man.  

“Sorry to call you back!” Vinit apologized.  “My cousin...!” Dr. Ghosh introduced the other man.  After the initial pleasantries, Vinit came to the point glancing awkwardly at the new man.

“Umm.. Dr. Ghosh... I mean it was urgent..!” Koite took over.  “We need to talk to you...!” Maria said at once and the other person shifted on his feet.  

“Āmi bā'irē apēkṣā karabē!:” he said turning to move out.  “He knows...!” Indroneel blurted... and Vinit looked at his back.  

“He is a professor too..! Psychology...! Santa Clara University..!” Indroneel provided the information.  The person had moved out.  Vinit looked serious.  “He knows? About Dhatri...” he asked looking suspicious.

“Yeah.. he has met her when he was in India...When she was small...!” Indroneel gave an awkward smile.  Vinit looked at others.  

“Yeah, you can call him inside..!” Vinit permitted and Indroneel felt relieved. 

“Nondon..!” he called out.  The man came in.  “He knows about her, kidnapping...!” Indroneel said in a small voice.  He had discussed it with his cousin...! 

“You know about.... her....” Dr. Koite didn’t know how to ask him.  “Yes. I know and I believe in such abilities... Dalai Lama had visited our University... He talked about power of our mind and about such abilities..... “ he said looking at them in turn.  And then suddenly taking a step ahead... “I want to help.. if I can...” Vinit looked at him in surprise and then nodded.  

“Of course...! Please join us...!” he said to others’ surprise.  The Videos were replayed.  Nondon kept on providing information on the persons he knew in the crowd.  Most of them were professors from different universities.  

Vinit played the segments of videos while others relaxed a bit.  Vinit was working relentlessly noting every minute detail.  Hours passed by.  Koite had dozzed off.  

“Wait a Minute....! This man... what is he doing here?” Nondon pointed at the screen.  Vinit grabbed the frame.  

“Who?” he asked sounding curious...! “He... Dr. Scott Humphrey... Big Man.. Big Man... Philanthropist...  “ Everyone gathered including Dr. Koite.  

 Vinit scanned the delegates list again.  Dr. Scott’s name was nowhere.  “He must have been invited as guest...!” he concluded.  Ravi and Jim had taken out their laptops to search his entry into the conference hall.  

Nondon added.... “He was twice nominated for Nobel ... Medicine... Runs a charitable big hospital in Nebraska... Receives huge grants....!” Vinit looked at Nondon intently.  

“But what is he doing here... ? This was on plant science, right?” Nondon asked getting confused.  

89

“Fine... Let us view the videos ... “ Jim had reset the video clips.  “Try to remember the conversation... ok?” He looked at Maria’s miserable face.  She nodded tentatively, not sure how this would help.  Jim plugged his laptop to the big screen.  The video played. 

With every appearance of Dr. Maria, they stopped, asking her about the conversation.  The first few she could remember and then somewhere she lost in the crowd. 

“For God sake, Maria... Remember something...!” Even Dr. Koite lost his cool.  Maria looked more devastated.  “I am trying...!” she said fixing her gaze on the screen.

I remember this... Dr. Ghosh and I were discussing with the professors... See .. He is explaining something.  These are my colleagues ... from Stanford...! Look... Dr. Nelson... Sociology Department... I was talking to her.... but ... I didn’t mention Dhatri...!” Jim continued with the video. 

“Try and remember Maria...!” Dr. Koite was impatient.  “I am trying my best...! Stop breathing on my neck..!” Maria was irked.  Dr. Koite looked away frustrated.  They had been into the video reliving the conference for almost four hours with no success.  She just couldn’t remember what she was talking to whom....! Ravi’s phone buzzed.

“Ravi... Bhanu..!” Ravi went aside.  “Vinit arrived yesterday and we are at your place...” he said hurriedly and Ravi felt relieved.  “Mari mai... !” he prayed thanking Mari mai. 

“Where are you?” asked Bhanu.  “Dr. Nixon’s place... “ Ravi gave the exact location to Bhanu.

“Ok. We will come there... but... I mean I need to go back immediately... I have a flight in two hours...!” Bhanu hesitated.  “Thats ok.  I will manage...!” Ravi heard Vinit’s voice. 

“Vinit?” Ravi blurted.  Vinit took over and took the address, landmarks, location and said...”Fine, I can manage.  Bhanu need not come..!”

“Hello... Vinit is coming...in an hour!” Ravi came in and declared.  Everyone looked up confused.  “He is.. I mean... Dhatri’s... I mean Dhatri’s sister’s fiancé!” He said.  The others still were confused.  “I mean he should be able to help us... I mean he is in intelligence ... In India!” he said to other’s relief. 

“Oh God! Finally someone who could help us... before we go to Detective Earl.  “ Dr. Koite sighed.  “We need a break now!” he looked at Maria.  She went out to order some food.  Jim and Ravi continued playing the clippings for some clue...!

****** ******

“What are they going to do with her...?” A fat lady outside the door wondered.  She had seen many coming in with informed consent forms.  But this girl seemed to be losing her battle...unconscious, weak, and strapped to the bed...! “Must be an ailing patient...!” she thought to herself shrugging and went away.

Dhatri opened her swollen eyes.  “New place?” she looked around.  The room was brighter.  She tried to sit up in vain.  She was strapped to the bed.  She closed her eyes again.  “Pray...Pray... Mari mai.. mari mai...!” Dhatri had nothing else to do.  “Escape... Baby... Run... Run....” Grumpy was shouting floundering on the ground in pain...! Dhatri tied hard to get up.  

“No...!” she wailed.  Someone opened the door.  The team came in and took over.  She was prepared for Electroencephalography.  A set of twenty five electrodes were stuck to her scalp, on her forehead, her temples, behind her ears....! She was placed on a movable stretcher and slowly her head disappeared in to the gantry.

“Don’t move!” someone ordered and she moved her eyeballs under her lashes.  “Don’t move!” she was nudged.  She turned herself into a statue.  “What are they going to do?” she didn’t know.  She didn’t care either.  A forty five minute cycle was over.  She was brought out and gain a sheet was pulled over her head.  She thought, she was carried to the same room back but to her surprise she was taken to a huge hall.  Her sheet was removed from her body and she was released.  She looked around.  This room had windows... She looked at the bright sunrays...! Sunrays...! Ray..! Ravi...! ABCD...! she shuddered with the thought.  

“He would know... he would definitely know, I am missing... His gaze followed me everywhere....! I would know...!” Dhatri wailed as her straps were removed painfully. 

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

“No contacts...!” ordered a man behind mahogany table.  The lady nodded.  Prepare her for the next level..!” he said mysteriously.  The lady looked up.  The man was writing down something.  The lady waited.  

“Three hours..!” he said giving her the piece of paper he scribbled on.  The lady went out.  “Humm!” he gazed at his palm.  The healed deep cut gazed back at him.

********  ********  *******

“Sorry.. took little more time to locate...!” Vinit was at the door.  Ravi had opened the door eagerly.  They came in.  Maria was still struggling with the videos.  Jim looked lost.  Ravi introduced Maj. Vinit Pandit formally.  Vinit took over.

“She doesn’t remember... But she thinks she blurted out about Dhaa’s powers...!” Ravi summed up.  Vinit was listening to the story intently.  

“Here... footage from all the cameras... more than 112 hours of data..!” Jim turned his laptop.  “I have seen the footage... !” Vinit said to others’ relief.  They didn’t have to re run the video.  Maria was still lost.  “Maria... collect yourself!” Dr. Koite was losing his patience too.  

“Thats Ok! If she doesn’t remember..!” Vinit said and everyone looked at him in shock.  He pulled the laptop from his bag.  

“Look..! She talked to people all day...! It is difficult to remember every conversation... !” he relieved Maria’s tension.  She smiled faintly.  

“I read about this conference and the delegates, awardees and students...! The list of delegates is on the University website... Guests are not listed...!” Jim and Ravi gaped at Vinit.  

“Let’s begin the dissection...!” He reloaded the videos. 

“Camera 1 : Full screen...!” he said handling the remote control.  Their eyes glued to the screen... The entrance...! They could see people filing in... “Dhaa...!” Ravi blurted seeing his own figure and his group.  Jim was walking with her. 

“One should scrutinize the profile of the delegates... All! Official as well as on social networking....! Check them on Linkedin too...! Anything unusual... flag the profile...!” Vinit ordered and Jim took up the responsibility.  There were 287 delegated and the list was published on the website.  

“M’am...!” Vinit turned politely to Maria.  She looked up expectantly.  “Can you recognise the faces... Atleast some of them....?” he asked her and she nodded.  She began her commentary.  Ravi checked in the delegates and awardees list to strike the names out and make a guests list...!

“Sir...Can you please spot Dhatri in footage of every camera and people around her having their backs to the camera?” he asked and Koite agreed.  “Mark the time please!” Vinit clarified.  The gang put to work.  

They didn’t know for how long they were glued to their laptops; Each one doing his assigned duty; not even bothering about the food..!  Maria listed the persons she was talking to during the conference. 

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

“Don’t even spare a single person.  Everyone should be under the radar..! We will contact the Detective handling the case, if need be...!” Vinit continued with his dissection. 

“Look.... Is she Dhatri?” Dr. Koite had a blurr vision after watching the footage for so long.  They were working round the clock enlisting the people they could recognize...! Jim peeped in.  “Yeah... I think so...!” he looked at others.  Ravi gazed at the screen.  A figure hidden behind a group moved away.  “Yes..! She is Dhatri...!” Vinit gazed at Koite’s laptop rewinding it.  A group of persons with their back to the camera were talking to Dhatri.  She moved away.. A few followed... They could see her towards the water fountain.  A fat, plum, elderly person moved behind lining up to drink the water.  Few more joined.  “Time...!” Ravi looked at Vinit.  They all checked the time with shock. 

“She vanished after this...!” Ravi blurted in realization.  Vinit rewound the clipping again. 

“Check all the cameras around this time...!” he ordered and everyone sprang into action.

“Look there is another theory...! There must be someone... critically ill with chronicle ailment.. Terminally ill.... with no hope... For himself or for his dear ones...! If you know someone... list them out!!” Vinit ordered again.

“Another possibility.... There is someone ... involved in research... !” Vinit shook his head in self realization.  Most of them were researchers...! 

“Wait a Minute...!” What is he doing there?” Maria pointed at the still frame.  “She was talking to a group of people and a person, fat and plum was talking to another with his back on her. 

“He is the one when Dhatri went to drink water...!” Ravi pointed the similarity.  

“Ok. Who is this person?” asked Vinit.  Koite had a hard look at the face and blurted.. Great man! Receives huge grants... works with Universities.. “Look, he is talking to Dr. Ghosh...!” he said looking around.  Maria nodded.  “Yeah...!” she seconded.

“Where is Dr. Ghosh?” Vinit asked suspiciously.  “Oh! He went to his cousin for a couple of days...!” Ravi gave the information.  “Santa Clara” he added further.  Vinit turned back to his laptop.  

“Look... I divided the videos in segments... If you know people in those clippings... list them...! I am excluding students for now...!” he said turning his laptop to others.  Ravi took over to copy the segments...! Now every person present for the conference was under radar... including the team members...!

Vinit’s phone buzzed.  “Excuse me..!” he went out clutching his phone to his ear.  After a long time he came in to continue his search.