Pooja went inside the house. "Why dad mentioned about Uncle Sharath. There were no disputes between her dad and her uncle. Or was he like Ramu, being the best and finally showing his true face." Lots of questions bombarded Pooja's mind. She was very curious to find who killed her parents. Her day went with lots of questions.
It was mid afternoon and some one ringed the calling bell. Pooja went and opened it.
"Hello Madam, I am Shankar, the sub inspector of Ooty branch. The murderer has perfectly used his gloves. We did not find any finger prints in the knife. Mam, I need your permission to question few of the people who were around during the murder.” Inspector Shankar was introducing himself to Pooja and her Aunt Rekha hearing this came outside the Kitchen.
They showed him inside and Shankar started with his investigation.
Before Shankar began Rekha came out with the answer, "Sir, me and my husband were not here when it happened. One of our Company staff was getting married and we went to that function. Pooja's parents said they will join us after a while for the function. When they were not coming, we tried to reach them through mobile and the land line several times but there was no reply. When we came home, we saw them dead." Rekha was gasping for breathe hiding those tears inside.
Inspector Shankar does not seem to compromise on those tears. He has a duty to question everyone "What happened to the servant maid. I think you have a servant at home who stays in the hut behind this house. She and her husband works here right."
Shankar was keen to get some answer from Rekha and Pooja was listening to all the conversation. She did not want to mention about that letter to him. She cannot trust anyone now. Even a police inspector for that matter.
Rekha replied spontaneously, "You know it is the month of auspicious days and they too went for a marriage function. In fact they were not in town from Monday and returned only after knowing the news."
Pooja continued before Rekha opened her mouth, "Rani ammal our servant maid works here for the past 20 years. We would trust them a lot. Her husband Muruga too is a trustworthy person. We need not suspect them Inspector Shankar."
Inspector Shankar paused for a moment and then replied, "Fine Mam, but we have chances that the murderer could have got some information from those innocent people and used it to kill them." Shankar turned toward Pooja and said.
"Yes Sir, that is possible. May be if you can question them, we might get a clue", Pooja told Inspector and called Raniammal and her husband Muruga.
After some questions, they came to a conclusion that both of them have not discussed any personal matter about them to anyone. Also they have not smelled anything odd at home.
The inspector finally said, "I am done with the questions, but if I find any leaks I will come to visit you both anytime. Thanks Pooja. Your father was a loyal man. I feel sorry for them. Hoping that we will soon close this investigation."
Rekha said, "We are also hoping that the case gets closed soon. We are living in a good society and police visiting our house often is not advisable."
Inspector immediately responded, "Mam, two people have been murdered. The man was a big businessman and his daughter needs to be safe from the murderer if it was a plot for getting the property or any such criminal issues. As a police, we need your help to find out who is the killer and keep all of you safe."
"Sir, I perfectly understand. As you said, we are also scared of Pooja's life and that is why we have planned to get her married soon and surrender her to a safe hands. So if we have frequent visit by the police, you know how people spread it. We need to safeguard her life. That’s the only promise we can hold for their parents." Pooja felt a care and affection in Aunt Rekha's voice. She felt sorry for suspecting her Aunt in her parents' murder. Wonder if she knows Uncle Sharath is cheating dad.
The inspector went and Pooja's mind was in the last statement of Rekha's. They want to get her married "No. I somehow have to insist Uncle and get back to college. My dad wanted me to come up well in career and mom wanted me to be a good caring wife and a daughter in law.” Pooja was thinking.
Marriage is a long way for her. She wanted to finish her graduation first.” I am talking to Uncle and Aunt today and making it clear. I can promise them to visit every weekend and it will also help me to find out what Sharath is doing, if he was involved in the plot too"
One week went very fast. She had flashes of her parents' memories. Sharath went for a business trip and she did not find time for the past one week to talk him. Also Archana was busy in her sister marriage so she was not able to talk to him either.
Now, Pooja has to wait for one more day for Sharath to return!
1 comments:
nice
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