The Astral Alibi (14 page)

“My God! What a plan!” Mohnish remarked, amazed.

“Yes, a well-scripted and enacted plot of an obsessed mind,” Sonia agreed. “But it was all conjecture on my part, without a foundation of solid proof. And that became the major difficulty—proving it all. The only and last chance we had was the message on Jaya’s answering machine. Harmless though it appeared on the face of it, it would indisputably prove that Deepa was a liar, since she was not really pregnant! I guessed that she would try to erase the message at the first possible chance. I was pretty sure that she hadn’t done so already, since the constables were on constant guard outside the house. So I asked Karan to inform her that the case was off and that we were convinced that Anup and Jaya had indeed killed each other. Deepa was satisfied. Perhaps she even enjoyed a good private laugh at our expense. She instantly seized the opportunity of going over to Jaya’s house. Unfortunately for her, her near-perfect master plan fell to pieces at that point.”

“Excellent!” Inspector Divekar exclaimed.

“But what exactly did Anup have in mind? He surely did not expect to get away with murder?” Jatin asked.

“I’m not sure, but I think he would’ve pocketed the fake bottle and declared that the bottle which contained the deadly poison was standing on the stool ready for use, placed there by the stage manager. He would have disclaimed any knowledge of how the poison had got into the bottle. And it could’ve worked, for a lack of substantial motive. After all, why would he kill a colleague he got along famously with?”

“The things people do for love!” Inspector Divekar shook his head.

“You know what saddens me the most?” Sonia asked. “Deepa’s hard-hearted remorselessness. Her absolute belief in her actions. Not a shred of regret, no guilt. She truly feels she did the right thing. That conviction is the most dangerous quality in a person, certifying her as a real criminal.”

“I feel sorry for poor Jaya. Caught in a crossfire—between a jealous lover and a murderous wife! Jealousy sure is man’s biggest enemy!” Mohnish sighed.

“And absence from the police station will be mine if I don’t return to headquarters soon!” Inspector Divekar grinned. “Good work, Sonia. Keep it up and see you later.”

He lifted his police cap from the table and with a wave strode out of the room.

Jatin picked up his
chai
cup. “Boss, aren’t you happy we didn’t remain on the fringes?”

“I am,” Sonia accepted.

“And that you were willing to let go of the past for the present? You know what I mean, Karan—”

She blushed. “All right, Jatin, you’re dismissed for the day!”

“If you say so. But, Boss—don’t you think Karan resembles Mohnish a lot? The same face and even the same thick straight hair with the flick!” Her assistant winked at her suggestively, swallowed his tea, and buzzed out of the room.

Mohnish glanced at Sonia and raised an eyebrow. “What was all that about?”

“Just Jatin and his fancy ideas!” She shrugged.

“Not the whole truth, Boss.” Her assistant had popped his head in.

Sonia made a face. “
Goodbye,
Jatin. Isn’t Naina waiting for you?”

Jatin guffawed and shut the door.

“Who’s Naina?” Mohnish looked bewildered.

“Oh, that, I can very truthfully say, is the beginning of a brand-new love story!” Sonia grinned.

4

Cheating Destiny

The July rain lashed against the Stellar Investigations Office, and the windows shut with a bang. Nidhi jumped, startled. She had eaten her fish and was cuddled up on the pillows. The rain poured on the streets, like the sizzling of a frying pan. The cat meowed and Sonia glanced up momentarily from the piece of paper she was studying.

“It’s all right, sweetie. I’m here with you.” She spoke soothingly and moved to the cat, to stroke a comforting hand over her silky head.

Nidhi immediately closed her eyes, stretched her neck, and allowed her mistress to scratch her under her ears and her collar.

“What do you make of it, Boss?” Jatin demanded, entering the room.

Sonia gave Nidhi a final stroke, then returned to the table and took the piece of paper in her hand.
“Cut the Astrology trash!”
stared back at her, rather insolently.

“I still think this is a rather cheap expression of rivalry,” she answered dismissively.

“But, Boss, this is the
second
note. Don’t you think we should do something about it?” her assistant asked, with a frown. “I mean, you can’t allow some stupid person to keep sending us threatening notes.”

“I think it’s too soon to give it so much importance,” Sonia remarked, a little stubbornly.

“To give what so much importance?” Mohnish interrupted, as he strode into the room. He moved one hand carelessly through his thick hair, which glistened with raindrops. The other held three freshly roasted
bhuttas—
maize corncobs—with a mixture of lime, red chili, and salt rubbed on them. The smell of the roasted
bhuttas
filled the room as he handed one to each. “To Sonia and Jatin. To celebrate the beautiful monsoons!”

“Thanks!” the other two exclaimed and Nidhi raised her head to sniff what had arrived. Sonia broke off a few grains from the cob and dropped them before her. She examined them, took a grain into her mouth, and munched it reflectively.

“She likes it!” Sonia laughed. “Which means these
bhuttas
are good!”

“I’m glad I got the approval from the highest quarters!” Mohnish grinned.

The rain thrashed outside, as the
bhuttas
continued to be devoured.

“Hmm…delicious,” Sonia murmured appreciatively, and Mohnish observed her with a great deal of interest. Her absorption in the
bhuttas
was fascinating.

“Take a look at this.” Jatin interrupted Mohnish’s observations. “Boss doesn’t seem to think it the right time to react to this nonsense!” He passed the journalist the slip of paper as he munched on his corncob.

“Relax, Jatin. There’s really nothing to get panicky about,” Sonia admonished as Mohnish took the slip of paper and read it.

“And there was another one before this. It categorically said, ‘Get lost with your Astrology!’ ” Jatin informed Mohnish indignantly. “Now, tell me what you think of it.”

“I don’t think this should be taken lightly,” Mohnish agreed instantly.

“I can’t believe you guys!” Sonia exclaimed. “What’s so terrible about two trashy notes sent by some demented mind?”

“The demented mind could be trouble if you’re not careful,” Mohnish remarked.

“But don’t you know that barking dogs don’t bite?”

“Sure, but this is a human being—an unpredictable human mind which belongs to someone callous enough to send two crude threats to a noted detective. Doesn’t that say something to you?”

“Sure. I’m not saying I’m not going to act on it. I will, but there’s no urgency about it,” Sonia conceded.

“Boss, do you want that person to attack you before you take action?”

“Now, Jatin, don’t let your imagination run away with you,” Sonia scolded lightly. She took a last bite of the corn from the cob and sighed. “Okay, I’ll think about it. Period.”

Mohnish shrugged and returned the note to Sonia, who dropped it into her drawer. Jatin shook his head and collected the remains of the cobs.

“I’m going to keep these for the cows,” he announced, and walked out of the room. But he returned immediately. “Boss, your dad’s here with a friend! They’re outside talking!”

“My dad!” Sonia couldn’t be more amazed. “Send them in.”

She rose, smacking her
bhutta-
eating lips. The tangy, spicy taste lingered deliciously in her mouth. Jatin led Mr. Samarth in, the cornless
bhuttas
now discreetly hidden behind his back. Sonia’s father, a tall, athletically fit figure in a crisp white shirt and blue trousers, strode in. A single lock of grey streaked through his thick black hair.

“Hello, Sonia dear!” He smiled. “Thought I’d give you a surprise!”

“Sure, Dad.” Sonia returned the smile, but her gaze travelled to the man who had followed her father inside with slow, tentative steps.

“Hello, Mohnish, good to see you again.” Mr. Samarth shook hands with the Journalist. “Meet a friend of mine, Sonia. This is Dr. Bhatti—a noted scientist. He’s retired now.”

Both Sonia and Mohnish smiled in acknowledgement at the imposing guest. Dr. Bhatti had a serious, square face with a prominent jawline and a straight, sharp nose. His head was swathed in a bottle-green turban. Intelligence radiated from his face, as deep black eyes smiled at Sonia, from behind square steel-rimmed glasses.

“I’ve been hearing so much about you from your father and so many others, I simply wanted to meet with you and see your setup. Crime and Astrology. Very interesting indeed!” Dr. Bhatti swept curious eyes over the room.

He reminded Sonia of the first time Mohnish had walked into the office, an apprising, almost arrogant look on his face. Of course, that had been a year ago. Mohnish was a different person now.

“Do sit down. Can I offer you something?”

“Oh no, dear, we were just passing by and thought we’d stop to satiate Bhatti’s curiosity. He wanted to see it to believe it. He’s a scientist after all!” Mr. Samarth chuckled.

“I’m glad we did,” Bhatti accepted. “But one day, I’d like to come and discuss the scientific viewpoint to your crime-solving solution.”

Sonia’s heart sank. She really wasn’t into trying to prove the worth of Astrology, certainly not to scientists.

But she needn’t have worried, because Dr. Bhatti added immediately, “Don’t think I’m a disbeliever of Astrology. It’s only the angles that differ.”

“Maybe one day, we will.” Sonia smiled.

“You are going for the wedding, to Mumbai, tomorrow, aren’t you, dear?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Good. We’ll talk at home. Goodbye, Mohnish. And Jatin.”

Mr. Samarth led his friend out of the office and Sonia expelled a soft sigh of relief. Mohnish glanced at her.

“Looks like a very influential man,” he commented.

“Wonder what he really came to see.”

“Perhaps he thought you would have almanacs hanging for decorations and horoscopes as wall pieces?”

Sonia grimaced. “Can’t argue that. I never seem to be getting over this science versus Astrology issue.”

“Which is not your concern anyway. Each to his own belief.”

“Absolutely.” Sonia was glad Mohnish shared her viewpoint. He’d come a long way from the curious disbeliever he had been only a year ago.

Jatin’s mobile trilled. One look at the number and he blushed. He quickly excused himself and left the room.

“Naina,” Sonia told Mohnish. “The new love of Jatin’s life.”

“Oh, you mean the girl of his dreams. Have you met her?”

“Not yet, but Jatin is most keen on introducing us. I’ve no idea when that lucky day is!”

“Well, I better get going. Tomorrow’s Sunday. Any special plans?”

Sonia nodded. “I’m going to Mumbai by train—by the
Deccan Queen,
to attend a cousin’s wedding. Will return the same evening. So I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Enjoy your trip.”

“I will. And thanks for the
bhuttas.
”

“My pleasure, as always.” He looked at her and smiled warmly. Then he left.

Sonia realised that feeling Mohnish’s presence even after his absence was growing into a pleasant habit. And she wasn’t sure if she approved of it.

Sonia stood on platform No. 1 of the Pune Railway Station. The big old wall clock showed the time as six forty-five in the morning. The departure time was ten minutes past seven and she liked to be at the station with plenty of time to spare. Catching trains always made her uneasy. She dreamt constantly of missing them and was relieved only when she arrived well in advance. Normally she would’ve driven down to Mumbai, but her parents had absolutely refused to allow her, all alone in her secondhand van, to risk the wet, water-clogged roads of Mumbai.

Dressed in jeans and a peach-coloured sleeveless top, she wore a rain jacket draped over her shoulders. The rains continued to flood the city, falling ceaselessly. Passengers rushed to the shelter of the station, their colourful umbrellas dripping and forming pools of water on the platform. Clutching her handbag, and an overnight bag in which she carried the sari and jewellery for the wedding, Sonia approached a stall and bought
The Times of India.
She paid the vendor and turned, almost barrelling into Jatin!

“Good morning, Boss!”

“Jatin! What are you doing here?”

He smiled, looking a little abashed. His hair was ruffled and his clothes disarranged, as if he had awoken in haste.

“That’s the latest style, Boss,” he said hastily, as he saw her eyeing his shirt.

“Half tucked out?”

“
Half tucked in!
And anyway, Naina likes it.”

Before she could open her mouth to comment, Jatin dragged a girl forward.

“Boss, this is Naina. I wanted you to meet her.”

“Oh!” Sonia turned to face the newcomer and stared.

Going by Jatin’s lover-like ramblings of how pretty his girl-friend was, Sonia had mentally braced herself to make allowances. But nothing had prepared her for this. Naina was of medium height with a slightly curvaceous figure. But her face was one of the loveliest Sonia had ever seen. Soft, rosy complexion; pink lips and almond-shaped black eyes; a waist-length, shiny mane of hair; and most important, an enchanting, shy smile. Jatin had not exaggerated. She truly looked like an angel. And this angel loved
Jatin
?

Jatin awaited Sonia’s reaction with bated breath. He looked young and innocent with his tousled, cropped hair, and he was, in his own boyish way, rather attractive. They suited each other quite well, Sonia decided.

“Hello, Naina!” she greeted brightly. “Why in heavens did Jatin drag you to the station this early?”

Naina’s smile broadened as she flashed an affectionate glance in Jatin’s direction. “He’s so impulsive.” She spoke in a lovely voice which matched her face. “He insisted that I had to meet you right away.”

“Actually, I checked my horoscope in the newspaper and the reading said that it was an ideal day to create good impressions,” Jatin added by way of explanation. “So I decided that I wouldn’t waste any more time and get done with it—I mean, get done with the introductions. I would really hate it if you disapproved of Naina, Boss, so I’ve been unfairly postponing the introduction. But not anymore. Boss, your opinion matters immensely to me. You do know that, don’t you?”

Sonia was speechless. Her assistant amazed her. “Thank you, Jatin,” she managed.

The blue-and-white train hooted. The
Deccan Queen
loudly announced its arrival as it entered the platform and its passengers readied to get onto the train.

“I’m glad we finally met, Naina. I know we can’t talk now, but we will soon.” Sonia flashed both of them a warm smile.

“There’s something else, Boss. You’ll be able to read it in the Pune supplement of the paper.” He indicated the newspaper in her hands. “There’s a small bit of news about some ghostly figure in white being spotted around our office a couple of days ago. Some of the area residents witnessed this ‘ghost’ when they returned late from a party. The figure ran out of the office premises and straight into their path, almost colliding with their vehicle, and then it vanished.”

“Are you sure it’s our building?”

“It definitely says the Stellar Investigations Office. We’re quite famous now, Boss,” he smirked. “Everyone knows our office. But what do you think of it? Is there really a ghost lurking in our building?”

“Of course not! But we’ll have to look into the matter. We’ll talk about it when I return, okay? I really must go now. Goodbye, Naina.”

“Bye, Soniaji. It was a pleasure meeting you,” the girl responded with a beautiful smile.

“Boss, do you want me to find your seat or carry your luggage?” Jatin offered.

“I want you both to go home and continue your Sunday beauty sleep. Go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Sonia waved to the happy young couple, scooped up her bag, and moved towards her
bogey
compartment.

The wedding had gone off well, she thought, as the train chugged out of Dadar Station and headed out of Mumbai. Except for the rain, which had created relentless hurdles from the moment she had arrived in Mumbai, she’d had a good time, despite the many problems. The train had halted way out of the station, as water had flooded over the tracks and the passengers had to descend prematurely at a relatively dry spot. No
taxiwala
had agreed to head towards Bandra—a suburb in Mumbai—since even the buses had been swept half underwater. Finally she managed to convince a brave soul to accept her offer of paying double the taxi fare. But halfway to Bandra, water had seeped into the taxi almost up to her waist and she had experienced a moment of extreme panic. At last, drenched and bedraggled, she had landed at her Aunt’s doorstep and had scrubbed herself for an hour in the bath!