Chapter One
Det. Shlok Agnihotri's dinner date had to be called off half way through. They hadn't even had the the main course. Not that he was complaining. He was dying of boredom listening to what her name was anyway, going on and on about how she always gets the first edition of her favourite designers shoes, bags, dresses and the must haves for the season. He couldn't care less. But he was planning to get some action at least tonight. But all that will have to wait for another day.
He was making his way through the busy streets of Mumbai in his 1965 black Ford Mustang with the top down, wind in his face and the siren blaring. He reached the scene of the crime in no time. The house was in a posh locality. Where glitter and glamour of bollywood mingled with old and new money. He pulled up at the massive wood carved gate. The constable saluted seeing him, with a nod he proceeded on to the driveway along the landscaped and artistically illuminated garden. The house was a two storey palatial marvel.
Two patrol cars, an ambulance was already present. As soon as he got out of his Car he was briefed on the situation. It was a homicide. Just two people where present in the house. Victim and his wife. All the support staff were on leave, Since it was Diwali the next day.
As he entered, the paramedics and the medical examiner were waiting for him to give the all clear to remove the body. Forensic team was yet to arrive. Without taking the photographs of the scene of the crime they can't remove the body.
The Victim was identified as Mr. Stanly Almeida. He kneeled down to take a closer took at the victim. Victim a male, in his early fifties, medium built, height about 5'7, he was dressed in a tuxedo pant, crisp white shirt now drenched with his own blood. His coat was lying on the floor few feet away from his body. Bow tie had come undone. He was stabbed repeatedly in the chest. A very violent attack indeed. And the murder weapon still stuck to the victim.
He had fought valiantly with his attacker or attackers, which was evident with his defensive wounds on his hands and the broken furniture and glass proved it further.
This could be a burglary that went horribly wrong. A case of occupants surprising the burglars with error in assuming the time of their return. Det. Agnihotri was going through possible scenarios in his head. While still assessing the crime scene.
He turned to one of the first officers to arrive at the scene. Dispatch had received a frantic call by a female claiming that her husband was attacked. She has been hysterical. They're still unable to confirm if anything valuable is missing from the house. For the victims wife is still in a state of shock.
They had ruled out forced entry. For the house was armed with a state of the art home security system. With cameras and electric fences it was next to impossible for an intruder to enter this mini fortress without getting caught. So there goes Det. Agnihotris'theory of surprised burglary out the window.
Next he turned his attention towards the wife. The sole witness to the murder. They have not been able to talk to her at all. She was too disturbed to talk. The paramedics have given her a sedative to clam her down. She was resting in the one of the guest rooms in the ground floor. One of the maids have been called in.
He walked upto the room. He needed to talk to her as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. The door was closed. He knocked gently. The maid came and opened the door. He looked inside hoping to see that she's calmed down and he'll be able to get a statement from her. And find out exactly what happened to her husband. She looked more like a small child than a married woman sleeping in foetal position. She would've been mistaken for the victims daughter.
Something scratched his wooden heart. He was so taken by what he saw. Poor girl he thought, the trauma of her beloved husband being brutally stabbed to death. Even the strongest of the strongest would struggle to come to terms with such a horrifying experience. She looked too tender and delicate even to have a prayer of getting through this nightmare without having a permanent impact.
He stepped out of the room. He felt a certain uneasiness starring at her sleeping figure. He asked the maid to come outside. She was reluctant to leave her mistress at this hour of need, but she didn't have a choice. Det. Agnihotri was very serious, and the poor woman wouldn't dare deny his request.
He needed to get some answers. She was the only source of information. No family member or a family friend was present. She will have to do for now. Until Mrs.Almeida wakes up.
He gestured her to sit pulling two chairs closer to the guest room door. To put her at ease. Then took out a small recorder. And informed her that the conversation will be recorded and will be used as evidence if needed. The maid nodded to say she understood.
My name is Det. Shlok Agnihotri, I'm In charge of the investigation. I know it's a tough time but I really need to get some information. It won't be for long.
He continued on. She was very forthcoming with her answers. As per what was revealed by the maid.
They have been married for 5 years. No kids. It was an arranged marriage. He was a very busy man. She played the dutiful wife. He assumed more of a trophy wife. His family was living in Pune. Hers' in Bangalore. They were a loving couple according to the maid. He was a strict but kind person. He never raised his voice to her or to any of the employees. He had taken care of her every need. Bring loads of stuff for his young wife when he retuned from his many foreign travels. None of their parents seemed to be close to them. For she said she's not met them more than few times in the mansion. She's been working at the mansion from the very first day of her mistresses arrival as Mrs.Almeida. So from what he gathered was the victim was a loving husband and they seemed to have had a good marriage.
She was not employed. She didn't need to. And the maid spoke with motherly affection towards her. She didn't have Anything bad to say about her but just what a wonderful kind, generous and humble person she is. Who treated all her employees like family members and as someone who never went out alone, unlike other women did with their husbands money. She hardly went out shopping or out with freinds. Infact she said, she was a loner. But she seemed very content with her life. Never complained about her husbands frequent business trips or the long and lonely nights she spent waiting for him to Come home. She was a ideal wife and very loving wife who took extra care of his likes and dislikes. Everything was done according to his preference. She would never object nor suggest anything to her husband.
So looks can be deceiving. At first sight one would assume because she's young and he's much older than her, she's in it for the money, she would be termed as a gold digger even. But this unlikely couple seemed to have had a almost a perfect marriage. Something that many struggle even with everything going for them. But unfortunately it all has come to a very tragic and abrupt end. He felt sorry for the surviving spouse.
Det. Agnihotri listened to all this in muted interest. It was fascinating to him, to think why such a beautiful and well to do young lady would not want to go out and spend her husbands money on undesirable and unwanted designer clothes. At least most of the women he's met so far seemed to have been carved from the same tree. Not her. Interesting he thought. She's hiding something. For sure. Some deep dark secret. After all it's true, all that glitters ain't gold.
Just as they were finishing the questioning she walked out in a frightened daze. He got up seeing her coming out. She just came and hugged him.
"Thank god it was just a dream! It was so real and so horrible" she said tightening her hands around him.
Next chapter
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/113308980
Edited by Anunilmini - 11 years ago
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Cricket
Hindi TV Shows
