Conjurer & The Sacred Lemons (22 page)

“ Yes for many years. He used to come to me at least 2-3 times in a week to sell handmade clothe dolls “ Kerren replied.

“ When Rag Peter met you last “ Bob started going into the detail.

“ I think 1 day before he was murdered “ Kerren replied.

“ So you are aware that Rag had been murdered “ Bob asked.

“Yes officer, entire town knows and had a great sympathy for this poor fellow” Kerren replied.

“ Do you have any clue about possible animosity or grudge someone may had against Rag “ Bob tried probing further

“ To my knowledge no…” Kerren replied.

Bob now decided to open another topic .

“ Madam , you also have clients who are in different professions. Like builders. Estate agents “

“ Yes I do have. But what it has to do with this case ?” Kerren seemed baffled,

“ Will you be able to share with us ..The list of such clients “ Bob requested.

“ Officer , as you know there is confidentiality and trust in our business. People openly share their personal and professional issues with us sometime with real names and in some case even they give fake names . It will be unethical on my part to share these names.” Kerren looked firm

“ But if you can hint me what is the connection of these people ..” Then I may rethink

“ Madam , Rag Peter was occupying one makeshift abandoned home for years together. We suspect that someone was trying to evict him from that makeshift home and take over that property “ Bob shared their suspicion.

“ Give me some time to check if someone from my clients has anything to do with that property. Let me refer my notes taken during sittings with them. If I can get something I will definitely share with you “ Kerren assured them.

There was nothing Bob and Tayler could ask further. They thanked Kerren for her cooperation and left for the police station.

On the way Bob and Sargent Tayler were trying to discuss the next steps.

“ I am sure some vital clue is lying either with Pedro or Kerren but either they are not sharing the entire details or they are trying to safeguard someone’s interests” Bob remarked.

“ I do not agree Bob. Both these people were totally transparent and shared their relationship with Rag. Kerren also assured that if anyone of her clients shared something about the said property she would share the details with us. So I think they might not be hiding anything “ Sargent Tayler shared his opinion.

“ Sargent , I am not saying these people are involved but knowingly or unknowingly they might have some connection to this incidence.” Bob was firm on his opinion.

“ Let us continue tracking both of them for another 2 days. Keep a detailed tab on all their movements and visitors “Bob asked Sargent Tayler.

“Yes..” Sargent replied.

Chapter 21

Unexpected Turn

As usual Bob arrived in the police station early in the morning. He was having a look at yesterday evening reports from the cops who were keeping a watch on Pedro and Kerren. The report contained visitor vehicle numbers , colors , no. of persons and their descriptions. The report was also having details of Pedro and Kerrens movements outside.

“ 20 clients visited Pedro and around 15 visited Kerren ..Seems that this is a better business than that of a doctor “ Bob said to himself.

He called one of the officers on the duty and asked to collect the names of all the vehicle owners from the transport department in the city.

Meanwhile Sargent Tayler arrived in the office.

“ Sargent I have asked one of your officers to collect details of the owners of the vehicles who had visited Pedro and Kerren yesterday “ Bob briefed him.

Sargent did not offer any comment.

“ Bob , there are two thefts in the locality yesterday night . I would have to for recording the incidence, evidence collections ,,,it may take 2 hours” Sargent informed.

“ Ok..Sargent..I will wait for you. Till then let me check some other inputs “Bob replied.

Sargent Tayler along with two cops left for the investigation.

Meanwhile the report on vehicle owners was arranged for Bob. Bob had a close look at the list. The list contained some known names while most of the others seemed to be common people. One of the known people in the list was Luk Martin who was a reputed builder in the locality. The second name was that of Alexandra who was a well-known real estate agent in the locality.

Sargent Tayler was still to return. Bob was in a doubt on next course of action.

“ Will it be a prudent move to question Luk and Alexandra.. They are both influential and highly respected..” Bob was thinking.

“ But on what ground ? Just because they had visited Pedro and Kerren? What it has to with Rag Peter case. It is just a suspicion. Without any further clue..” Bob’s thinking process was continuing.

Meanwhile exhausted Tayler along with two cops returned from the house theft investigation.

After lunch Bob and Tayler started their discussion on the Rag Peter case,

Sargent Tayler opposed Bob’s idea of questioning  Luc and Alexandra. He argued that just because we are suspecting that the house where Rag lived can be one of the motives , that are our own theory. Based on that theory we cannot suspect all those who are builders and real estate agents.

Bob’s argument was that he had come to the conclusion that there are only two possible motives behind this murder. Either a quarrel or spot rage in which someone killed Rag without any apparent motive or the second one was of course the estate or property motive. Rag was occupying this abandoned property for a long time and someone eying it might have tried to remove him. There is absolutely no third motive possible.

Sargent listened to this calmly. He did not react immediately.

“Bob, I think the first motive to be the most probable reason... The second one is little far stretched... A wealthy builder could easily have paid huge money to Rag Peter or even he could have arranged him an alternative small home. At the cost of his reputation he would not dare to kill someone “Tayler shared his thought.

“If first motive is the real one  ... Then it is difficult to reach to the culprit”

“One day before the murder Rag Peter was with Kerren and Pedro. I had a strong suspicion that the real clue is there. Kerren and Pedro may know it or maynot.But if Rag Peter had seen someone there or heard something there, could also have triggered this murder..” Bob continued harping on his point.

“Let us assume , Rag had seen or heard something. What was the nuisance value of Rag ?? Nothing. A man with a beggerlike life ..What harm he could have done to the influential parties “ Sargent argued

“ Do not underestimate the power of a common man. The common people have dethroned even the king’s .anyhow many people did not like their secret to be out “ Bob replied.

They were unable to reach to an agreement on the next course of action.

In the evening , a cops posted out of Kerren’s house produced a report in which he had mentioned one lady came to her house barefooted and was with her almost for 2 hours. The lady client left the house horridly carrying some material in the basket. The cop followed her but she disappeared in the crowd .The cop suspected that she is living in the same locality. Description of the lady was also given  by the cop.

“Bob , this must be some lady client who could be taking Kerren’s services for her personal issues. I suspect it must be something related to her martial issues “ Sargent opened his mouth.

“ May be. But Kerren had spent 2 hours with that lady…that means the client must be an important client to her. Kerren’s 2 hour time means 150-200 dollars fees .” Bob shared his opinion.

“ Sargent what I mean here is that something fishy must be there.it may be connected to our case or not .probably we may unearth some other scandal “ Bob shared his view.

“ Ok.. Bob my cops would try to find out the lady and starts keeping a tab” Sargent promised.

Meanwhile both Bob and Tayler had a telephonic conservation with the police chief. They shared the investigation status with him. Chief was not happy.

Time was running out for both of them.

Chapter 22

The Shabar Ritual in the Grave yard.

The William’s wake up early at 5 am the next morning. Both Patrick and Ursula took a bathe and were ready by 6.30 am. They came to the hotel lobby where Sikha was waiting for them carrying the items required for the rituals. The trio left for the Nath Temple at the Ganges Ghat. At 7 am they were in the temple. They had to wait for 10 -15 minutes as there was a small queue of the devotees waiting for their turn. When their turn came the trio entered the Nath temple. The temple seem to be quite old as it was built completely in stone and limestone the material which was quite prevalent in 17’th and 18’century in India. There were three stone statues inside the temple. At the extreme left was the lord Shiva statue, in the middle was the statue of Lord Dattatraya and at the right hand side there was a stone statue of Matsyendranath. The trio bowed down in front of the statues and offered their payers and flowers.

By 7.45 am the trio was at the entrance of the Grave yard. Baba Guru Nath was yet to arrive so they all sat under the Banyan tree near the entrance. Today also they could see 2 pyres burning meaning two death rituals happened early morning here. They did not have to wait for a long. Baba Guru Nath arrived carrying some religious books with him.

Baba Guru Nath then started the preparation for the rituals. First with small garden tool he had made a square hole. Then he lined this square hole with 3-4 layers of bricks lying nearby. This is called as havan kunda (Altar) which is generally used in all the religious ceremony for offerings to the gods and spirits. This ritual of Haven is a symbolic form of communication between human beings and the Gods and the spirits. Shikha narrated this to Ursula and Patrick.

Then Baba Guru Nath had arranged all the material which Shikha was carrying with her in order near the havan Kunda.Then he had asked Ursula and Patrick to come forward and sit near the square kunda (altar). He himself sat opposite to Ursula and Patrick.

“ Before starting the ritual we all have to offer prayer’s to the lord Shiva , Lord Dattatrya and all the Nine Nath for asking their Blessings and also forgive us in case we have done anything wrong during the rituals “ Baba Guru Nath told the trio

After finishing the initial prayer, Baba Guru Nath drew a circle around Ursula and Patrick with a wooden stick in the ground. The circles symbolizes to the divine power and the spirits that those who are seated inside circle drawn are the ones who are performing this rituals and asking for their prayer.

“The first ritual we are going to do is called as Rudra Haven. Rudra is another name for the Lord Shiva as well as for Marut (Storm god). The haven will be accompanied by the hymns and mantras from Shabar siddhi. This combined ritual will offer our prayers and food to the supreme divine power of the Lord Shiva or the Rudra. This ritual will help both of you to protect you from all the negative influences and negative energies which are currently hovering around you both inside the house as well as outside “ Baba Guru Nath briefed the purpose of the first ritual.

Then Baba Guru Nath sprinkled some drops of the Ganges water on Ursula and Patrick. He also applied Vermillion and Turmeric on their forehead. Then he had given one betel leaf with one areca nut each in their right Palm.