There was a crunching crash that was followed by loud tinkling as shards of glass fell on the floor.
Samir jerked in his seat, and darted a look at the window: the window pane had cracked in a starburst centered on where the stone struck the glass. It had been small stone, small enough to penetrate the protective grid of thick wire fastened on the outside, but had hit with sufficient force to break a hole in the window pane. The shouts outside immediately sounded louder and more menacing.
Samir turned away from the window, and looked at the Second Assistant to Deputy Governor of the Navi Mumbai district. The First Assistant was a small, roly-poly man with shining bald head. His face was half-obscured by a flamboyant mustache and enormous glasses with thick black plastic rims. In spite of the mustache, he didn't look to be a particularly brave man. His posture suggested he was ready to dive under his desk.
