Free A Change of Heart by Sonali Dev

from the shame of having failed Jen.
    â€œCome in.” The home minister’s unerringly calm voice invited him in, and Rahul opened the door and marched in with more bravado than he felt.
    â€œExactly on time, as usual.” Kirit Patil’s kind eyes studied him with their usual generous approval. Instead of dissipating, Rahul’s shame intensified.
    Kirit shut the leather-bound folder he’d been studying and indicated the chair in front of him. Rahul hadn’t opened his mouth yet, but he could tell that Kirit knew he came bearing bad news.
    â€œStill no sign of the diary, sir.” He still could not believe that he had allowed such a crucial piece of evidence to go missing. If not for the fact that Kirit had been his mentor ever since Rahul’s father took a bullet for Kirit twenty years ago, he might not be standing here addressing the minister at all. He might be opening doors as a security guard outside some fancy hotel.
    Kirit shrugged. “It’s a closed case, Rahul. If you stop bringing it up, it would be a non-issue. You have to let it go, son.”
    â€œAnother disappearance was reported yesterday. That’s five that we know of this year. I have reason to believe this has to do with Dr. Joshi’s investigation.” Or what should have been his investigation. One he should never have let Jen get so involved in.
    â€œThis is ridiculous and you know it. We don’t have bodies, no proof that these people exist. We don’t even have proof that Jennifer Joshi was even actually collecting any evidence. How do you expect me to sanction an investigation when there is no case? I’ve let slide the fact that the diary was stolen under your supervision. That’s as much as I can do.”
    Kirit had taken a huge risk keeping such a blunder secret, and he had possibly saved Rahul’s job. But Rahul knew better than to thank him again. Kirit didn’t need more sniveling gratitude. What he needed was a DCP who did his job.
    â€œI got a call from Dr. Joshi today.”
    Kirit sat up, raised one questioning brow, and reached for the stainless-steel tumbler sitting on a tray on his desk.
    Rahul poured water into the tumbler from the jug and handed it to Kirit. “It was completely out of the blue. Dr. Joshi has been unreachable for close to two years now.”
    Kirit took a sip and raised his chin, signaling Rahul to continue.
    â€œHe wanted to know who had his wife’s heart. I tried to tell him about the diary and ask for his help with finding the evidence again. But he didn’t give me a chance.”
    The minister stood. Despite his lean build, the sun shining through the massive windows behind him turned him larger than life. He walked around the desk and put his hand on Rahul’s shoulder.
    His expression was innately familiar. Kirit’s kindness had helped Rahul survive his father’s death. Rahul would always carry the weight of Baba bleeding out on his lap after he had taken the bullet meant for the minister at the election rally. But he would never forget that Kirit had refused to flee the scene until the ambulance arrived.
    He’d stayed with Rahul through the ordeal at the hospital and held Rahul’s hand as he gave fire to his father’s pyre. Then he had helped Rahul channel his teenage anger and steered him toward the Civil Services Exam and the police force instead of the limited alternatives available to children like him, if the gangs in the neighborhood hadn’t gobbled him up first.
    â€œRahul, we already have the perpetrators in the Jennifer Joshi murder case in custody. This case is not going to spoil your perfect record. You’ve already managed to send the black-market organ ring into hiding. These disappearances—you’re trying to find a connection where there is none.” He leaned his head forward and let his steady gaze calm Rahul. “It’s time to let this case go, son. I don’t