(This is the eighth part of the series that began here (I posted this before, but lost that post due to an unexpected glitch) . If you like it, and would want to be updated whenever I post the subsequent parts, you might want to subscribe to the posts via email)
“For one, the darker it gets, the better it is for us… but if it does not get dark, we can at least delay them till the last bus on this route is gone. One less thing to worry about. As for any surprise traffic we will deal with it, as it comes,” Vikas replied, “But the later it is, the lesser chance of a vehicle coming and surprising us.”
Rahul nodded his head in agreement, and Ramesh, as usual, was impressed by Vikas’ foresightedness.
“After that if possible you have to take out the exchange, or better still do it well before the day, maybe in the morning, in a way that does not say sabotage. Something simple but even if you can’t, it is a big worry, so just do the best you can.”
“Ok!” Ramesh said.
“From there on, you will be with them and for the time being your role will be over. You don’t have to worry about anything. At some point on the road between the villages Ramder and Farsen, we will find a way to stop your vehicle on the road, try to overpower you and take the money. I have some ideas about how to do it, but to do it in a way so as to not arouse suspicion nor be identified later is what I am still working on,” Vikas finished.
“Why not just throw a tree across the road and then as the men in the jeep alight to get the tree off the road, you can attack them and thus overpower them, but it will be two against three, you realize that,” Ramesh said.
“Yes, and that’s where you come in, if we are going down then you have to help us…somehow. That will be the trickiest part. Without letting yourself be too obvious you might have to interfere for us, but in a way that they can not see through, or we might have to kill them.”
“Kill them?” Both Rahul and Ramesh almost yelled.
“I am not killing anyone.” Rahul said with an air of finality.
“Neither am I,” Vikas said, “But if it comes to us against them, then I won’t hesitate. I am not asking you to do it, just don’t try to stop me from doing it, if the need arises.”
“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Rahul added, “ We are not criminals. I just thought it would be an adventure and that’s about it… and if anything was to go against plan, we would just abandon the whole plan.”
“That is still the plan. I am just preparing for the worst and that’s all. I don’t think it will come to that. So, don’t worry about it,” Vikas assured them, “We are all set to go. Tomorrow me and Rahul leave for our homes, just as we planned, there will be no contact between us anymore…Ramesh, are you sure you know your part well?”
“Yes, captain” Ramesh replied enthusiastically, his mind, it seemed, was preoccupied with the thoughts of the 33 lakhs that would be his as his share of the money. And he would do anything to get his hands on them.
“Good! Rahul, we are also not going to have any contact by phone, I mean we are not talking about this on the phone, you can call me and we can talk as we usually do. Everyone should know that we are coming back here the day after the day of the robbery. On the day of the robbery, you and I will meet at Ruktal. I will have a vehicle, try to be as discreet as you possibly can, and look as different from your usual self as you can. But, when you leave home act natural, tell them something about going away for a few hours , if all goes well we should be back at our homes safe and sound with the money in 4 hours.”
“Sounds good, if all goes as per your plan,” Ramesh said.
Rahul just sat there quietly, then they decided to call it a day. Ramesh a usual was the first to leave.
“So we are going to do it?” Rahul said.
“You still have any doubts.”
“I don’t know, I am just asking.”
“I am not sure how to answer your question,” Vikas was sitting there with a smile on his face.
“What do you think of Ramesh? You think he will be able to do his part well?” Rahul asked.
What do you think?