Murder Games- Part 9

The earlier parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8.

The next morning sun rose with a new gleam and looked Ashish in the eye as he ran down the hill in sweatpants and a football jersey. Running his first round of his daily jogging and exercise schedule, he loosened the muscles from his sleepy body and trotted into the morning sun. Though his body was still a bit immersed in the clutches of sleep, his brain was completely active and running through all of the clues and leads obtained from the first day of the investigation.

A vibration on his mobile phone brought him away from his thoughts, and he glanced at the screen. It was from Shanaya to inform him that the transcripts were ready, and that the lawyer’s appointment had also been fixed in 2 hours. Unmoved, the Detective kept running.

An hour later, the Detective pulled into the drive way of the Police HQ, and went to his desk. Shuffling through the sheaf of papers, he started reading the transcripts. On the other side was the official report which ascertained that the weapon was indeed a gardening knife. The report also talked about the absence of any fingerprints on the clothes which had been found just outside the compound wall.

As he kept the report down, a knock resounded on the door, and Shanaya stood there.

“Good morning darling, did you sleep well?”

“Of course sir. What about you?”

“I managed. Is it time to go to the lawyer’s place? What did you say his name was?”

“Sandeep Kothari, Sir. His office is around 4 kilometers from here, so I guess we should leave.”

“Sandeep Kothari? You must be joking! That guy was my class mate in school! Let’s rush there right now!”

15 minutes later, the duo sat in the plush office of Sandeep Kothari.

“So it was you, eh? When your secretary called me up I had a small hunch that I knew you, but it really is you.”

“Never lost your habit of lying did you? Even now, you earn your living by lying,” Ashish said with a laugh.

“And you didn’t lose your sense of humor. Now what will you have?”

“Just a small file and some information on a client of yours.”

“Keep the file Ashu, not a problem. And I’m not talking of the information, I’m talking about breakfast?”

“I just want a peep at it, nothing more. You still mad behind free food fatty?”

“I’ll pay today dog! And I remember that my treat after the results did remain.”

“Ha-ha. So Sandy finally remembers his debts to us. Not today Sandy, next time. Let’s keep this official. I need details on Major Unnikrishnan’s estate and all about his will as well.”

“He was supposed to sign his will in a couple of days, and it was all ready.”

“Could I see it?”

“Yeah sure. I’ll have a copy sent to you as well. So, the Major was going to donate the whole estate to the Army Kids Foundation which supports Army orphans and widows.”

“What would be the approximate valuation of the whole estate?”

“It’s quite large and I haven’t got all the details as well.

“So now, the estate will go to the closest family member and not the Foundation?”

“Sad to say, yes.”

“Get me the details on the whole estate’s valuation Sandy. Please.”

“I’ll have someone work on it in sometime and I’ll send it across to you. You have any idea who’s done this?”

“Thanks Sandeep. We do have some suspects, but we still aren’t too sure on the exact identity. I’ll have to take your leave now. Here is my card, and here’s my personal number. And keep yourself free this weekend or the next, and let’s get the gang together.”

“Sure sure Ashish. I’ll call you up ASAP.”

With a handshake and a tight hug, the Detective left the room with Shanaya in tow.

Murder Games- Part 8

The earlier parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7.

“Tring tring…”

Shanaya’s mobile phone rang incessantly as she continued her interrogation of the old maid. Excusing herself, she walked out of the room, and picking up the phone, she heard her Boss say.

“Hey darling, can’t you pick your lover’s phone faster? What if I will be in danger someday and when I’ll call you, you’ll pick up the call very late?”

“Aww, sorry sir. Was talking with the maid.”

“Its fine sweetheart, but next time, don’t make this fan of yours wait, okay?”

 “Of course sir, the feelings aren’t one-sided anyways, so I will make sure I pick up the first time.”

“So, I found a treasure trove here, so you ask the guard and the maid if the postman is saying the truth. Also have Patil interrogate the grocer, the milkman and whoever is sitting in that queue outside the room. I’ll want the transcripts and audios of each conversation by tomorrow morning, so work on that as well.”

“Okay sir.”

“I’m going home as soon as this site on the grounds is secured; I need to hit the gym and chill out a bit. You head home after debriefing the maid.”

“Take care Sir.”

“You too.”

As soon as Ashish cut the call, the phone started ringing again. It was Shinde, the officer he had sent to escort Lady Unnikrishnan home.

“Wait just a minute Shinde, I’ll call you back,” Ashish said into the phone as Tambe signaled to him for a minute.

“Sir, the weapon has been identified. It’s a knife, but not a common one. It’s a gardening knife.”

“Are you sure Tambe?”

“Completely.”

“Perfect. Now take these clothes and find some evidence so that I can shut the case and arrest the gardener.”

“I’ll try sir.”

“I want your findings on my desk tomorrow morning when I come in.”

Dialing Shinde’s number, he apologized and asked him what had happened.

“Ashish Sir, there is a thing which is racking my mind. When I asked the Lady to let me in for a normal check if things are fine, she refused straight on my face. I managed to peep in though, and I saw some trophies on display and in the shed, there was a lot of mountain climbing equipment as well.”

“Now that’s some good stuff. Click me some pictures, and get them in tomorrow. Get a background sketch ready as well by 3 pm tomorrow.”

“Okay Sir.”

“Good work Shinde. After the pictures are taken, go on to the gardener’s place and check that out as well. Lastly, get me backgrounds on all the suspects. Take the list from Shanaya and get that done as well.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir.”

Keeping the phone down, Ashish murmured to himself as he walked to his car, “Now mountain climbing sounds interesting. This case isn’t as straight as it looks then, but the gardener is sure to have a part in this.”

Murder Games- Part 7

The earlier parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

“So where were we? Ahh, on the murderer,” Ashish continued as he entered the room. “Did you get a look at his face?”

“No sir. He was walking away from me, but the limp was seen quite well.”

“That will do, could you describe the figure for me at least? And another thing, show me the place where you saw the murderer jump over the wall.”

“Sure sir. The figure was not too tall or too short as well, and he was dressed in black. He had worn a mask as well, so I could not make out the hair or any other details.”

“So you are not sure if it’s a man or a woman?”

“No.”

“That will do. Would you show me where you saw the person jump out?”

“Okay Sir.”

As the two of them went out of the room, Ashish motioned the Forensics team waiting just outside to follow him. At the scene, Ashish and the team went into action with a speed which made the postman’s eyes widen in shock.

“Are you sure this was the place?”

“Yes sir, for sure.”

“Damn! This place has nothing to offer us! Tambe, did you get a fingerprint or a scrape in the algae, or even a single clue?”

“No sir. This place is clean. But yes, there is a slight depression at the top which could have been caused by the placement of a hand, but it’s very minute.”

“Get a sketch of it, and find out the size as well. This may help us find the size of the gloves worn at least.”

“Okay sir. I’m on it. I have called for a ladder as well, checking the other side is still left.”

“What the heck do you need a ladder for fat ass? I’ll check it out. You Forensic guys need to hit the gym, fat pigs all of you.”

Jumping over the wall in a single push of his legs, he went over to the other side, and called out to Forensic Captain Tambe.

“Tambe, get your fat butt here buddy! I found some treasure and I’ll take it home without paying any damn tax on it!”

“I’ll come only if you promise me a part of it Sir.”

“Get yourself here within a minute. I’ll have you receive a court martial.”

“Damn, this man has the ears of an elephant.”

“I’ll jump over the wall and make you run around the ground 5 times Tambe if I hear another comment from you fatso!”

“I was just asking what you found Sir.”

“The murderer’s black dress. We have this case in the bag now.”

Murder Games- Part 6

The earlier parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

Ashish stood at the chair, wondering about the suspects, when the next man walked in. Dressed in a brown shirt, and a similar pant, the man also wore glasses, and looked just around his 30s. As soon as the Chief Detective made the man sit on his chair, he started talking.

“Sir, I saw the murderer.”

“What!?”

“I saw him limping away slowly into the distance. As soon as I called out to him, he ran ahead and jumped over the wall, grimacing in pain.”

“Are you sure? Didn’t you tell the guard at the gate?”

“He wasn’t there when I came, so I had to let myself in. The maid took the letter from me, and at that time I mentioned about the man to her.”

“What did she say then? And what about the guard?”

“She took my help to walk to the guard’s cabin and we informed him about what had happened. He went to search the grounds, but nothing futile was found in the search.”

“How long did you take to walk from the guard’s cabin to the house and back there with the maid?”

“Around 10 minutes. I had to fill my bottle as well, so I told the maid to get it done, and she readily accepted.”

“Would you like anything to drink? Please do help yourself, I’ll be just a minute.”

“I’m fine Sir.”

Going out of the door, Ashish went to the room where Shanaya was talking with the maid.

“Shanaya, don’t let her go after you’re done, and get me a map of the grounds as well. Also summon the security guard.”

“Any developments Sir?”

“The postman has seen the murderer. And there are some things I wish to clear out as well. Call the station and tell a sketch artist to be ready. We may need him as well.”

“Oh my God! But Sir, what if the postman is lying? He could have slipped upstairs and killed the Major when the maid was filling his bottle, couldn’t he? The sight of the murderer could just be a way to sideline our search.”

“Are you getting smart or is it just my presence which incites such questions in you? Keep using that head of yours and one day you will be in my position.”

“Oh, really Sir! That would be so great!”

“I’m just kidding dear. You will retire before me, I’m sure of that! And anyways, I’m not getting promoted any time soon. Now get to work. I’ll talk to the postman and join you in 5 minutes. Let’s get this case closed today itself. Then off we go on a holiday.”

“Oh wow Sir, where are we going?”

“Somewhere far, where there is no one, and there is only peace of mind. And the silence wakes us…”

“Should I pack my bag? When will we leave?”

“Completely your choice love…but I’ve got loads of holidays remaining, you don’t.”

“I forgot that sir,” Shanaya said dejectedly.

“We’ll go next time sweetheart.”

Continuing to himself as he exited the room, he said, “A true blonde. She still doesn’t know that after solving a case, the detective in charge and his subordinate get 3 days off. Thank you God for such a bright assistant.”