The Grip Of Infamy. Episode 26. By R. Sittamparam

Episode 26 (Scroll down the Literature section to read earlier episodes of this serialised novel)

Releasing his embrace and clasping Dineswaran’s right hand in a hearty handshake, Thana led him to the settee set against the left wall of his room.

How are you ‘bang… It’s been a long time. Come, come have a seat. We have a lot to catch up on.

So, how are you keeping boss. I was wondering … you didn’t turn up at the party our boys threw for me in your kawasan.

Dineswaran gave a closed mouth grin, the great width of his pursed thin lips that appeared to cut into his cheeks intensifying his froggy look.

Sorry ‘bang. I was overseas that time. Congratulations on your win.
Sorry our party boss and other big guns lost. He said this with a certain amount of glee in his heart as he felt Sankaran Velu and his inner circle deserved the loss for the disgrace he suffered being dropped just like that.

It’s a good time for you to move up ‘bang. You have my support. Grab the opportunity. Don’t wait.

Thana clasped Dineswaran’s hand again.
Yes ‘bang, with your support I’m sure I can ….

You are still senator. We can form a team and defeat the old guard at our coming party elections. No sentiment. When chance comes, grab it I say.

We will make MVP strong again. In our hands, we can ensure our coalition boss gives us more space and power.

I am hearing that Bakar’s replacement, Datuk Seri Zainal Mohd is seeking greater muscle power to meet his objectives for Ketuanan and The Alliance.

He wants to control all the big corporations in Merekasia after the next elections which according to him will not be long now.

No need to wait for five years bang. He has plans to topple these pretenders soon and there is opportunity for us to fit into his plan as well.

After seizing power, Zainal’s idea is to force businessmen to include the coalition directly nto their payroll just like our `pau’ collection.

I assure you `bang we will play a strong role in The Alliance when he comes to power, Thana said with a wink.

Dineswaran listened intently. Although he was older than Thana, he was held in great awe of him especially the latter’s penchant for risk taking.

Dineswaran hailed from a family of gangsters – his brother a chieftain of the notorious gang 13, now locked away in a detention centre down south. His father was a loan shark cum liquor merchant who had a controlling hand in MVP’s running during its early days.

But Dineswaran had recently realised he could not match Thana’s notoriety and foolhardiness, to go the length in getting what he wanted.

That’s an ambitious strategy, something we’ve been waiting for all this while YB. I have confidence in your foresight. Count me in `bang.

When is Zainal taking over `bang? Can’t wait for the action to start.

Everything’s so slow these days. The Angkatan guys are taking their clean governance thing too seriously. They have closed off most of our jalan. Our boys are finding it hard to move.

We have to do something fast to overthrow this bunch. What do they know about running a country. Can the government survive without us especially the police?

They will mess up everything if we don’t stop them soon ‘bang.

Overjoyed at hearing the enthusiasm of his fellow politician-in-crime Thana lunged his left shoulder forward extending his right hand to give Dineshwaran’s shoulder a squeeze.

Bang, your words are truly a great encouragement for me. I am sure we can work together well.

I will be meeting Zainal soon. I am already in dialogue with his political secretary. You will be the first to know of any outcome ‘bang. We will hold a proper meeting then together with our boys.

Taking the cue that it was time to leave Thana’s office, the portly gangster politician stood up and clasping Thana’s hands took his leave.

Immediately after Dineshwaran left Thana called up Zainal’s political secretary Mohd Danial using his private mobile phone.

When the response on the other end came Thana quipped: Yo bro’ Selamat Tengah Hari. Any latest news?

At that time there was a knock on the door and Thivya’s soft voice informing Thana, there was another visitor.

A minute later the door opened and she peered in with that enquiring look on her face indicated by her squinting eyes and her slightly twisted lips.

The cute expression on Thivya’s face made Thana break out into a smile and he raised his palm faced outwards and shook it slowly.
Thivya immediately withdrew her head and closed the door.

All the events and characters portrayed in this serialised novel are fictional and any parallel with real life persons is purely coincindental.