Crab Xacuti

The Chekon family copes with the recent turn of events. Joshy and Priya often visit the Chekon's home to ease the couple's tension. Keerthi is diagnosed with PTSD and Anxiety. She undergoes therapy. Parthiban and Uma restart the cafe within a fortnight and have settled back into their usual routines. They're serving the morning breakfast guests as a few men in black suits enter.

The Wild Beans Cafe:

Parthiban and Uma restart the cafe within a fortnight and have settled back into their usual routines. They're serving the morning breakfast guests as a few men in black suits enter.

A bald man with wrinkles walks to the counter and sits, smirking at Parthiban.

“Sir, how may I help you?” asked Parthiban.

“You know, I don't generally visit cafes. I'm lactose intolerant,” said the tall man with dark goggles.

“That's ok, sir, we have lactose-free milk,” suggested Parthiban.

“Sure, but it's never the same, right? These new variants are never the real deal. Milk is milk, and it can never be replaced.”

“Well, would you like something to eat instead, Sir?” asked Parthiban.

“I’m also on a gluten-free diet; in my younger days, my friend and I used to eat a heavy Goan Crab Xacuti, three meals through the day. But now, I have lost both my appetite and my friend. Pretty lonely these days, don't you feel the same? Leo?” smirked the man.

“Sir, I don't know what you're saying, but there's a nearby restaurant with that same cuisine you described. Maybe you should try that,” said an irritated Parthiban.

“But the crab I seek is a Goan one, not something from the coasts of Kochi. Crabs here are meek in nature, unlike the wild ones in Goa, eh Leo?”

“Sir, what do you mean by Leo? I think you have mistaken us for someone?” said Parthiban.

“Sir, please leave the table for paying customers if you don't intend to dine,” Uma jumped in.

The man removes his glasses to reveal a scarred eye.

“Pete Rozario, Ms Chekon. It's a pleasure to meet you. It's great to see my friend has yet to lose his taste in women, although he seems to have lost his taste for crabs.”

“Please leave, or else I'll call the cops!” shouted Parthiban.

“Alright, but I'll have the extra green matcha next time I come here. Heard it's back on the market,” said Pete as he laughs hysterically and leaves the cafe with his entourage, all of them eyeballing Parthiban.

“Who were these guys, and why are they calling you Leo? Is it the same name as that Leo Rozario guy?” asked Uma.

Parthiban shirks his shoulders and says, “I have no idea who these people are. It's the first time I've seen that guy.”

“You pick up the kids and take them back home. I'll close the shop early and come back. I'll speak to Joshy tonight,” said a worried Parthiban.

Chekon Residence:

Joshy decides to bring along some files on his visit upon Uma's request.

“Parthiba, these people, they are not the usual thuggies we see as a border town. These are hard-core criminals,” said Joshy as he settled into the sofa with his chai.

“I had checked the CCTV footage and ran the license plates through our database. The first place they visited in town was your cafe. Have you heard about the Rozario’s?” Joshy probed letting his police instincts take over.

“No, this is the first time I'm seeing them,” said Parthiban.

“Tell us more about this gang; why did they visit us?” asked Uma.

“The Rozarios are based out of Goa, they're said to have links with the Italian mafia in New York,” continued Joshy.

“The gang's elder brother Anthony Rozario is the night club Barron of Goa. However, the clubs are just a front for to run the biggest cocaine network in the country. Remember that drug bust I was involved in?” Joshy didn't stop as his listeners were coming to terms with the content of his Rozarios-101.

“Although Anthony headed the gang. The foundation for this drug empire was built by two men. His brothers. The middle one, Alexander brought about his contacts from the west and built the supply network that runs to this day. He used the revenue from this to massacre anyone that stood in his way. For example the Europeans,“ continued Joshy with a dead stare.

“The men that visited us mentioned someone, a Leo Rozario?” asked Uma recollecting the conversation.

“Ah! That's where things get interesting. If Alexander was the muscle, Leo was the brains. A Chemical engineer from NYU and the gang’s ingenious cook. He used his background to develop impeccable strains that flooded the market.”

“So what about him?” Uma asked impatiently.

“I’m getting there. There was a leadership conflict in the gang a decade ago. Some say Leo was killed in that conflict while some believe he ratted on the gang and left. Your husband, Parthiban. Resembles the younger brother,” said Joshy cooling pointing towards Parthiban.

“Can I see his photo?”

“Unfortunately, no. Anthony and Alexander have gone underground but they’re validated and we have their photos. Leo, however, has no trace in online and offline records. It’s as if someone surgically removed his prints,”

“How’s that fair Joshy? Anyone can claim anything in that case illa?” Protested Uma. Joshy agreed with an unconvincing nod.

“Hmm, idhu enna oru Lokesh Kannagaraj padam madhiri irukke. Life la positive thoughts entertain pannanum, especially after the recent turn of events. I know you're there to protect me and my family. It's best I don't know the details of these people, or I'll be unable to function correctly,” quipped Parthiban.

Joshy and Uma agree and settle for a calm dinner with the family. Although Joshy aimed to soothe the environment, everyone at the table had their own questions through supper.

Chekon Residence:

Parthiban goes about his chores through the week, occupied with thoughts about his prior visitor. After a day in the cafe, he leaves for his home only to find the yard completely destroyed, and his children and wife tied to chairs, with Pete waiting for them.

“Ms. Chekon, or should I say Ms. Leo Rozario? We want you to make a choice. It's either your children and your lives versus your husband's. Whom do you prefer I take with me to Goa?” said Pete as his goons surround Parthiban.

“You see, your husband here has some unfinished business he needs to tend to up north,” continued Pete.

“What the hell do you people want? I’m Parthiban Chekon. I was raised in an orphanage in Kerala and met my wife Uma in this town. We have settled here for a decade and a half. You seem to have confused me with some drug lord.” argued a frustrated Parthiban.

“I do agree with you partly; you could have become a drug lord if you had stayed. Anyways, Anthony has asked you, and we need to leave.”

Pete understands Parthiban not budging.

“What's stopping you, brother? I only did what I had to do because of Anthony's orders. He asked me to side with Alexander. I was in fact, happy to know you're alive after all these years, even after you gave me this scar,” said Pete as he removes his glasses again.

“Are you coming with me, or should I leave a similar scar on your son for him to remember his uncle, Pete?” said Pete bringing the scapula closer to the Siddhu’s eye.

“Should I or Shouldn’t I? Screw it” Parthiban thought.

Pete and his gang are distracted by a church bell as Parthiban pulls a quick manoeuvre on the goon next to him and grabs his gun. In an instant, he shoots Pete point blank and fends off the henchman.

Uma and the kids are stunned by the sight of their mild-mannered Parthiban fight like a dancer, swift, methodical but with blunt force.

“Uma, call Joshy! Quick!” shouted Parthiban.

Uma rushes to the phone. The sight of Parthiban's steady left-hand sticks out as he holds the gun firmly.

As Joshy and the cops arrive, they talk to Parthiban and Uma about the encounter. Parthiban gets a call from an unknown number and moves aside.

“Simba! You're required here. Do you really think that killing Peter will stop your problems? Veetuku vada thambi! Tamasa moths bhau vats pahta ahe (Marathi for 'your brothers are waiting for you') Titos Calgunte tomorrow 10 PM”.

Parthiban cuts the call and turns to Uma and Joshy.

“Uma, I need to leave for Goa. I’ll deal with this alone.”

“Why don't you tell me everything? Are you really the person they say?” asked Uma.

“Uma, I can handle anyone questioning me. How can you ask me this? All my life I have lived in Thekkady! The most I want out of this life is to be with you and Mathi and Siddhu.. How could I be a gangster?”

“Uma, let’s not come to conclusions now” interrupted Joshy like the ever ready wingman he is.

Uma storms into the house unable to respond.

“Joshy, I’m leaving. Give me any of the unmarked guns at your disposal. I’ll get you this Alexander guy.”

“Parthiba, I don’t think you’ll need to use that gun. I’ll join you. I have an old beef with Anthony and Alexander,” said Joshy.

As Joshy gets into the Jeep, he tells Parthiban: 'After all this is done, you'll have to explain how that left hand of yours is steady now.'

Parthiban simply nods.

Titos Calgunte, Goa:

Parthiban and Joshy drive towards Goa, and Parthiban is enters the night club. He knows his way around the bar and orders a drink. The bartender leads him to the terrace penthouse, where a grey-haired man makes a drink for two.

“Lahanace Ghazi svagata ahe da thambi! (Marathi for 'Welcome home brother’),” said Anthony.

“I never thought I'd see you again. It's been tough since you left and my cancer took over. Alexander had it tough, too; he had to fight the remaining gangs all alone,” Anthony struggles to make the drink as his hands tremble.

“I’m sorry I ordered Pete to kill you once I realized Alexander considered you as competition. I wanted both of you to work together, but both your camps were at loggerheads. Your conflict was weaking us while the Europeans were at our doors. I had no choice then,” continued a remorseful Anthony.

“But now there's an opportunity. Alexander has simmered down, and we're also on the lookout for expansion. We need you. Alexander doesn't know you're alive yet. When I saw you in the newspaper, I immediately sent Pete to bring you home. Pete seems to have taken the wrong method,” smirked Anthony.

“What's the problem with working under me and Alexander? We were at our best when we were together. Why don’t we can team up again, chota bhau!” asked Anthony as he passed on the drink to Parthiban.

“Take it, Leo, your favorite Whisky.”

Parthiban reluctantly picks it up. Anthony and Parthiban smile as Anthony brings his forehead closer to Parthiban's, akin to a lion cub petting.

“I must admit I was disappointed when I say you with this guy” Anthony said pointing to Joshy in the photograph of Parthiban leaving the police station in Joshy’s jeep.

“We couldn't have a Rozario in bed with the cops. Cosa Nostra does not work this way, thambi!” explained Anthony.

At a distance, there is a sudden glare as Joshy steadies himself with the sniper rifle. As he adjusts the scope, he sees Parthiban talking to Anthony, and Anthony slowly raising his gun. Anthony's henchman surrounds Parthiban.

At the right moment, Parthiban lunges and strikes Anthony down while Joshy experiences the quick recoil of the rifle firing as he takes out the remaining henchman.

Parthiban tackles Anthony.

Joshy mumbles into the earpiece, “Come on, Parthiban! Why did he tackle Anthony? I had a clean shot.”

All Joshy hears through the earpiece is muffled noises. There's a faint phrase in Marathi: 'Tula marayala have hote' (Marathis for 'should have killed you last time') and a hysterical laugh.

Through the scope, Joshy sees Parthiban stand up with a blood-soaked shirt. He looks over the balcony and points for Joshy to call in the raid.

NCB Office Thekkady:

“Then I heard a ruffle and saw Parthiban stumble across the parapet wall. That, Sir, is how this internecine conflict of the Rozarios ends,” Joshy said debriefing the panel of NCB officers.

“You should have told us you were going to raid Anthony Rozario. Dammit, Joshy, there are rules to this game!” shouts a panel office, revealed to be Commissioner Jose (from the movie Vikram).

“Let it go, Jose. It's good that Anthony is dead, and we can sell this as a win for the department.” said Commissioner Anbu Cherian.

“Release Parthiban and see to it that the case files are destroyed. We don't want the newspapers saying a civilian helped us catch this notorious gangster” continued the Commissioner.

“Jose, I'm sending you to Chennai. You’ll help with operations there; co-ordinate with Prabhanjan from the NCB special task force!' the Commissioner concluded.

Joshy walks out of the panel room. He lights a cigar and calls Parthiban.

“Parthiba, you're free to live your life! The Rozario issue is resolved, and no one will know about you. It seems that Leo Rozario has been dead since the gang's leadership conflict occurred. There are photos of the body. We got this from the documents found in the raid on Anthony's club. I'm also sorry to have doubted you,” said Joshy.

Parthiban let out a sigh of relief.

“Good to hear that at least now I won't be confused as a mobster again! I need a good break from all this.”

Joshy receives another call from Paris.

“Parthiba, I’m getting another important call. I’ll talk to you soon,” he cuts the call.

“Yes, Stanley. Anthony is dead..” Joshy says to the European on the other end.

Shangirla:

Parthiban cuts the call slowly and drives to Shangrila.

“What will you have, Sir?” asked the waiter.

“One Crab Xacuti with buttered naan, please.” said Parthiban.

Parthiban picks up his phone and switches on encryption and scrambler mode.

“Bejoy, Chennai STF,' says the speaker on the phone.

“Today is your lucky day officer! I have new information about the Rozario gang.”

“Who is this? How do you know about the gang?” asked Bejoy.

“Listen carefully; you'll receive a list of drop box spots containing raw substance or actual meth and cocaine in bulk. The Rozario gang uses these spots to form a supply chain of drugs throughout the country. Raid these at the same time, or you'll lose them.”

“Who are you? Don't you read the news? Rozario is going down,” said Bejoy.

“Rozario's real head is still alive and will come out soon with Anthony’s death. Alexander Rozario, code-named ROLEX, is your guy. You'll not find him that easily, Adhuku oru "Sakalakala Vazhavan" varanum,”

“Anyways, use this information as a head start and trust only your close friends with this. As far as who I am, consider me as the "ghost" in your equation”

Leo cuts the call and relishes his Xacuti.

Wild Beans Cafe:

The cafe is closed for a week as the Chekon’s take a break after the recent turn of events. Uma, though is at the cafe cleaning the kitchen.

She finds a set of buckets hidden behind the cold brew jars within the freezer room. She opens one of the bucket to find a yellow package sticking out with a label that reads "Extra green matcha."