The Astral Alibi (18 page)

“Jatin, I think that’s enough. By now you should trust me to make the right decision,” Sonia remarked, a little crossly. But at the back of her mind she had to admit that he was right. It
was
impulsive.

“Trust
you
to be
professional
?” His exasperated tone said it all. “I hope you are aware that I cancelled my date with Naina! Simply because I couldn’t allow you to go romping alone round the State satisfying your investigative urges!”

“Well, in case you’ve forgotten, I pay you for
such services,
” Sonia retorted sweetly. “Also, it will help you to remember that you’re my
Assistant,
not my
Boss.
”

Jatin had the grace to blush. “I’m sorry, Boss, but you…”

“Okay, I accept that you’re right sometimes. But think of this trip as a holiday. A trip to the sea. Or better still, look at it as Recce—location-hunting. Who knows, you may like Kelshi enough to come here on your honeymoon with Naina?”

Jatin turned a deep red and laughed in appreciation. “If you put it that way…”

Sonia relaxed against her seat, satisfied with the accomplished and desired effect. That would keep him quiet and dreamy for a while.

The van rose and dipped, as per the mood of the uneven, wet, rough tar road. Jatin drove carefully, as Sonia studied the passing landscape. They had risen early and were now almost at their destination. The red mud, so typical of the Konkan—the west coast of Peninsular India—was very much evident as they passed mud houses plastered with dry Coconut branches and sloping red-tiled roofs. Wooden fences made of twigs, stone, and mud aligned walking paths. A variety of cacti covered the fences. The Flame of the Fire—tall trees with orange flowers—and the
Saveri—
the cotton-producing tree with the scarlet-petal leathery flowers—bordered the route. Blueberry bushes under which animals could take shelter spread like sprawling nets.

The van turned into a narrow track which soon opened into a small square. The village of Kelshi boasted nothing more than basic general stores. Jatin slowed down to study the surroundings. A State Transport public bus was trying to manoeuvre itself in the small space and Jatin pulled up on the side of a general store with wooden boards garishly painted in blue. The dust-covered red-and-beige bus, filled with the locals, backtracked expertly and headed out of the village.

“Remind me to buy cashewnuts and Kokam on our way back,” Sonia remarked, as she spotted a store selling the same items. “Excuse me!”

Sonia called out in Marathi to a lady clad in a green nine-yard sari and flowers adorning sleek oiled hair in a bun. The lady stopped at once.

“Could you tell me the way to the Naik bungalow?”

Others immediately joined the woman to answer Sonia’s question. Everyone seemed to know the Naik bungalow.

“Take the tar road straight down and turn off at the muddy track to the beach and walk the remaining distance.” A man in a white kurta pyjama pointed out the route. Sonia thanked the knot of curious people and Jatin immediately set the vehicle rolling. Sonia watched the houses surrounded and shaded by Coconut and Kokam trees, with their spacious
angan—
courtyards. Morning activities seemed to keep the locals busy. Smoke swirled through the
chool
on which huge containers boiled water for bathing. Wooden logs were piled high against the walls of the houses. It was the access to the houses which Sonia found fascinating. Belonging to the era of the Peshwas, a small water canal led to each house, and wooden bridges, like weigh-bridges, hung over the canals.

“So far, it’s a lovely, rustic place for a honeymoon,” Jatin reflected, and Sonia hid a smile. Jatin would be pretty occupied gazing at things through honeymoon-dipped eyes.

The van turned off at a wet muddy track and trundled right up to the beach. Jatin parked the vehicle beside a clump of Pine trees. A signboard on one tree read

The message was issued by the Forest Department of Ratnagiri.

Jatin expelled a low, appreciative whistle as his eyes travelled along the pristine beach. A boat filled with people was making its way slowly between the two shores. The boatman, in a red T-shirt and a knee-high white
lungi,
manoeuvred the boat with long poles.

In the distance, a little away from the beach, within a clump of Coconut and Pine trees, stood a tall, magnificent bungalow.

“That’s the place,” Sonia indicated, as they made their way past two high sand-dunes, wet with fresh rain.

A wooden bridge was little more than a group of logs tied unevenly together to form a platform and another raised log for support. Jatin eyed the bridge suspiciously, shamelessly awaiting Sonia to attempt the first step.

“Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe!” a voice rang out, and they both looked up to see a tall, slim woman in jeans and a black top. “Just hold the top of the bridge for support and don’t look down.”

“Easier said than done,” Jatin muttered but followed his Boss, who nimbly stepped onto the bridge. He avoided looking down at the logs, which had gaping gaps in them, revealing the sea lapping six feet down.

He heaved a sigh when he reached safe, stable land again.

“Hello! I’m Sheetal Naik,” the woman greeted, smiling pleasantly. “Sonia Samarth?”

“That’s right. And this is Jatin. And this must be Tina,” Sonia observed as the shy kid, in a multi-coloured knitted skirt and top, hung behind Sheetal. “Hello, Tina!”

“Pankaj is waiting for you. Come along this way.”

“This is a beautiful place.” Sonia spoke by way of conversation as they followed Sheetal towards the house.

“Yes, isn’t it? I loved it the moment I set my eyes on it. The house is beautiful, too. Little did I know that I would one day be living here. Pankaj really cares for his land. I think that’s what’s best about him. What he loves, he loves with his whole heart and soul!” An unconscious pride had crept into her voice.

“Have you been married long?”

“No, actually just a week. It all happened very suddenly. I’d been working here for a few months, looking after little Tina. I think Pankaj may tell you all about his first wife’s tragic accident. He had advertised for someone to fill a post of Governess and since I was on the lookout for a job, I thought why not try this out. It’s quite another story that I fell in love with Tina. She’s an adorable child!”

“And in love with the father of the child,” Sonia supplied softly.

Sheetal blushed. “Yes, that came as a surprise. More so because everything happened so quickly. I guess love does strike like lightning.”

They had arrived at the house. Sheetal led them through the garden, up the steps to the spacious porch, and through the wooden doors into a wide hall. Immediately, a tall man in a white shirt and black trousers appeared to meet them.

“Welcome to Kelshi.” Pankaj Naik smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. He had the brown good looks of a man who spent most of his life outdoors—a figure in perfect form, packed with energy. “I’m so glad that you could make it. Should we go straight to my study?”

“I’ll get us some hot tea.” Sheetal moved out of the hall and little Tina followed her.

Pankaj led Sonia and Jatin into another room on the ground floor. The windows overlooked the beach and the sea, giving the room a wonderful feel.

“Your house is beautiful,” Sonia commented, moving to a display of five old statues in a wood-and-glass showcase.

“Thank you,” Pankaj replied.

“Are these the antiques you were talking about?”

“Yes. I had about seven of these statues from the epic Ramayana. My grandfather bought them years ago and they are family heirlooms. About five months ago, I discovered that one of the statues was missing. Like I said on the phone, I thought then that I had merely misplaced it. Or that my wife…I mean, Anju, my first wife…I thought that she must’ve removed it and kept it someplace. I…haven’t been myself since…since she died, so I thought that’s probably why I didn’t notice it sooner. But when I found another one missing two days ago, I realised that something’s not right. I had to look into the matter.”

Jatin whipped out a pad and began making notes. Sonia nodded in appreciation.

“Is the cupboard always locked?”

“Yes, though I did it more out of a force of habit. Hardly anyone ever enters this room. My guests always meet in the hall and the dining room. Very rarely do I allow anyone in here. Except my wife—I mean, Sheetal—and my Secretary, Ganesh.”

Sheetal walked in with a tray. As she handed out cups of hot tea and
Kaaju barfi—
cashewnut sweet—she told them, “Ganesh Pandit has been working with Pankaj for more than a year now. I believe he’s quite trustworthy.”

“Can I take a look at the statues?” Sonia asked.

“Of course!” Pankaj readily rose and fished out a key from his pocket. He opened the cupboard door and moved aside to allow Sonia to make her inspection.

The wooden statues of the prominent figures from the Ramayana, polished with age, stood in a straight row. Sonia lifted one. It left a dent of dust on the shelf. She studied the statue, noticing the fine carving, the tiny painted thrones on each head, and the delicate features of Ram, Sita, and a deer. The statue surely was unique and no doubt worth considerable money. She replaced it and swept a casual hand over the rest of the antiques. They were impressive pieces of sculpture.

“They are teakwood, made out of whole wood. Notice especially the Ram and Sita couple with the deer. Isn’t it fantastic?”

“Absolutely,” Sonia agreed. “Are you sure that the lock wasn’t picked?” she asked as she turned from the cupboard.

“No, the lock was intact.” Pankaj turned the key in the lock and dropped it into his pocket again.

“Which means someone who has access to the key has taken the statues,” Sonia concluded. “And these windows? Are they always fastened from the inside?”

“Always. Almost throughout the year it’s so windy, and during the monsoons it’s so stormy that I have to keep the windows shut,” Pankaj replied.

Sonia took a seat on the sofa, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Which means that no one can climb in through the windows. No outsider ever enters this room and apparently no member of the house would’ve taken the statues.”

“It’s a real mystery, isn’t it?” Pankaj grimaced. “That’s the reason why I had to invite you. I’d heard that with the help of horoscopes, you’ve solved many cases.”

Jatin flashed his Boss a glance full of pride, but Sonia looked a little abashed.

“Yes, it’s my main crime-solving tool. And in this case, too, I shall need all the horoscopes. Including your Secretary Ganesh Pandit’s horoscope.”

“But you said it’s unlikely that it could be anyone from the house,” Sheetal reminded her.

“I said ‘apparently,’ ” Sonia corrected gently. “There are so many hidden crevices in a person’s character. And a horoscope invariably does define a character. One may believe in the predictions or not, but no one can refute the capacity of a horoscope to reveal the real character of a person.”

“Oh, that sounds very interesting!” Pankaj exclaimed. “In that case, I shall immediately fetch you the horoscopes. Sheetal, you have yours, don’t you? And I’d already asked Ganesh to bring his today. Also, I told you yesterday that I would need Jeetu’s horoscope. Did you get it from him?”

Sheetal looked a little uneasy. “I did, but is it really necessary? Jeetu has nothing to do with the antiques theft.” She frowned.

Pankaj laughed. “I know he doesn’t. But I’m curious about him. And, after all, he’s a good friend of yours. Why not try to find out more about him?”

Sheetal stared at her husband for a moment, but he maintained a smiling posture. Sonia glanced from one to the other but said nothing.

“All right,” Sheetal sighed. “I’ll be right back.”

The moment she left the room, Pankaj turned eagerly to Sonia. “Look, I know you must be wondering. But I must be frank with you. Jeetu has been Sheetal’s friend for a long, long time. Though I’ve never met him, I’m aware that he’s a very important part of my wife’s life. Before our marriage, I was almost afraid that she was in love with him. Thankfully she wasn’t, and we got married. But I’m truly curious about him. To be very honest, even a little jealous. I hope you understand. I love Sheetal a lot, but I have to know that there’s nothing between them. You do understand, don’t you?” His pleading voice and anxious gaze made Sonia nod.

“I know what you mean. But if I were you, I wouldn’t make your jealousy so obvious. I understand that you’ve just been married,” she remarked.

“Yes. After Anju, my first wife, died in a car accident, I was grief-struck and lost. I was incapable of even taking care of Tina. So I had to find a Governess for my daughter. I was lucky to find Sheetal. She’s studied child psychology and wanted to be with children before she embarked on another definite, more lucrative career. After I hired her, I totally ignored Sheetal. Life had lost its interest for me. But gradually, I realised how good she was with Tina. Tina also seemed to adore her. And then as days passed I began to find her terribly attractive. Before long I was in love and couldn’t bear the thought of her ever leaving. Luckily for me, Sheetal had also begun to have feelings for me. My only worry was Jeetu, who featured regularly in her conversation and in all her decisions. But ultimately it all worked out fine. And we are happily married now. I feel wonderful and alive. It’s only this antiques business which is worrying me at present, and just for my own satisfaction I’d like to be sure that Jeetu is absolutely no threat to our marriage!”

Pankaj paused, looking expectantly at Sonia, who responded with an understanding nod.

“While Sheetal is collecting the horoscopes, could we go over the house?” Sonia suggested.

“Of course. Let me lead the way.”

Pankaj took them on a tour of his home, which was a wonder of wood and stone. Parts of it were even built of mud. Sonia’s eye observed the tiniest detail and she liked everything she saw. It was a warm old house, a perfect blend of rural charm and urban comfort. By the time they finished, it was almost lunchtime and Sheetal insisted that they have an early lunch before Sonia turned to the horoscopes.