IPKKND FF:Justice Comes At A Price[Epilogue Upd!] - Page 4

Detective Inspector Kashyap was a reputed officer of the Delhi Police. He was highly respected and excellent at his job. He had cracked several cases like this before but this was the first time that he personally knew the people related to the case. Arnav Singh Raizada had been his sister, Lavanya's friend since college and both the families knew each other more or less. He himself had met Anjali and her husband quite a few times and it struck him as seriously odd that someone would want to murder him. Shyam Jha was a respectable lawyer hailing from a very wealthy family. He was probably the city's best criminal lawyer and Inspector Kashyap suspected that his proficiency at his job had resulted in his unfortunate demise. He sighed before ushering the first person in for questioning.

…

"I'm really sorry about this entire incident. But I'm afraid questioning is inevitable."

Anjali nodded her head. She trusted this man. She had seen him many times before and she knew that this quiet young man was the best in the business. If anyone could help, it would be him.

"I need you to recall all the events of last night. And please try to be as specific as possible."

"Well, both of us came down here yesterday around noon. He said he was really busy with a very important case, so he stayed in the study for most of the time. Chote was in office and came back around five in the evening. He freshened up a little and then called his Jeejaji down for tea. Payal came in just as we were starting tea. The four of us chatted for a long time and then NK and Parvati arrived. Shortly afterwards Akash arrived with his sister as well."

"So what was the purpose of this dinner party?"

"Actually, Payal is – Well she's in a relationship with Akash and her brother didn't approve of it at all. They were almost at loggerheads with each other so I tried to come up with a solution and invited him over so that they could get to know each other a little better."

"So you're saying that Shyam didn't know Akash at all well? Then why was he against the relationship?"

"Umm… That's partly got to do with Chote. Akash is from a middle class family and Chote thinks he's after Payal's wealth. So he convinced his Jeejaji that Akash's intentions weren't good."

Inspector Kashyap nodded his head gravely. Shyam Jha and Arnav Singh Raizada were very close and both relied on each other's advice heavily. And once Arnav was convinced of something it was very difficult to dissuade him.

"Ok, so when exactly was dinner served? And was Shyam behaving at all differently?"

"We ate at around nine. Things weren't going along so well. Akash was trying very hard but Chote was continuously succeeding in making him look bad. Payal was quite upset as well. Thank God that NK was also there. He really helped diffuse the tension a little."

"When was the last time you saw Shyam alive?"

Anjali's voice was starting to come out more choked as she neared the time of his death. Inspector Kashyap could see that she was struggling to keep in her tears and he felt very bad for her.

"As soon as dinner was over, he said he had to see to some important work and went up to the study. It was almost eleven but he still hadn't come down so I sent Laxmi up to call him. That's when – When s-she found him – Oh God!"

Inspector Kashyap quickly got up and opened the door as a sobbing Anjali rushed out of the room. He sighed and called for the next person.

…

"When was the last time you saw your brother alive?"

He watched as she lifted her distressed black eyes and looked at him sadly. Payal Jha was a slightly built young girl and despite her quiet and barely noticeable nature, she was quite attractive. Her dark brown hair was tied in a loose pony tail as smudges of kohl remained below her eyes betraying her sense of grief.

"Just after dinner. Bhaiya said he needed to get some work done on his important case, so he went up to the study. Bhabhi sent Laxmi to call him half an hour later but it was too late. Bhaiya was –"

Inspector Kashyap nodded his head and waited for her to regain her composure.

"Tell me, why was your Bhaiya so against your relationship with Akash?"

"Because he thought Akash only wanted to marry me for my wealth."

He was a little startled by her blunt reply but did not show it on his face.

"Thank you Payal. That will be all."

…

Inspector Kashyap glanced at the young man seated in front of him. Closely cropped hair, sharp features, firm mouth and dangerously expressive eyes – Arnav Singh Raizada was a thorough businessman and he went about giving every detail of the events preceding his brother-in-law's death with crisp accuracy. The facts were stated clearly and everything was presented without a shred of emotion.

"So Arnav, why are you so against Akash?"

It was the first time that he detected a flicker of anger in Arnav's eyes.

"Because he and his sister are nothing but worthless gold diggers."

Inspector Kashyap was not sure where this animosity regarding the Guptas had originated from but it was clear that not much would convince Arnav of otherwise. He decided that this was not the time to probe the matter further and asked him to leave as his turn was over.

…

"Well, we all had dinner and then Shyam Jeejaji said that he had some urgent work regarding his very important case. He went up to the study and half an hour later when Laxmi went up to call him, she found him dead."

Nand Kishore Mehra was Arnav Singh Raizada's best friend and for the life of him Inspector Kashyap couldn't figure out why. They were diametrically opposite in nature. Where Arnav was cold and ruthless, NK was friendly and understanding. Where Arnav was reserved and unsociable, NK was full of life and cheerfulness. But slowly through the course of the interview Inspector Kashyap realized why these two opposites were such close friends. They were both highly intelligent and their analytical powers were immense.

"NK, you're not directly related to this issue so I'd like your opinion on this matter. Why do you think Arnav is so against Akash?"

NK's cheerful face became very serious and his voice rang with sheer magnanimity.

"Arnav is not one who is fond of attachments. But when he does get emotionally attached and that doesn't work out for him, hell breaks loose. He doesn't realize that his personal disagreements can form potentially fatal motives for innocent people. I think that will be all Inspector. I'll take your leave then"

…

The door opened and along with a heavily made up woman, there wafted in the repulsively strong scent of an expensive perfume. Inspector Kashyap looked over the person who had just entered and couldn't help but feel an instant dislike for this red haired, arrogant looking, rich, spoilt woman. She was nothing like her down to earth, sensible and likable brother. She was the Parvati Mehra, NK's bratty younger sister.

A few minutes of questioning later Inspector Kashyap could feel a headache coming along. She had not answered any of his questions properly, preferring to comment on the clothes worn by the other females in the party, why the media would never be called in to this case even though she was involved and general gossip surrounding Delhi's high society.

"That's alright Ms. Mehra. I'd rather not listen to why women these days have no sense of fashion. You may leave."

…

Akash Gupta came across as a slightly nervous but altogether decent young man. It took him a while to settle into this alien atmosphere but once he had, he answered all the questions with modest sincerity.

Inspector Kashyap noted that he felt no animosity towards the victim for having opposed his relationship with Payal. He seemed to believe that things would have worked out eventually because Shyam was an understanding man according to his sister.

Inspector Kashyap was still confused as to why Arnav dislike this young man so much. He was mild mannered but had no such qualities in him which could arouse any negative feelings.

He sighed and asked for the final member of the party to be called in.

…

She was life personified. Her large hazel eyes sparkling with an elusive brightness, her small mouth set in a determined line, her long hair made into a thick side plait – Akash Gupta's sister was definitely something else.

Because he and his sister are nothing but worthless gold diggers.

Arnav is not one who is fond of attachments. But when he does get emotionally attached and that doesn't work out for him, hell breaks loose.

So this beautiful young girl was the reason behind Arnav's anger.

"Alright Ms. Gupta. When was the last time you saw Shyam alive?"

"During dinner. And please call me Khushi."

He smiled inspite of himself. She really was different.

"But everyone else said that they saw him just after dinner."

"I went to the washroom straight just as dinner was ending. I didn't see him going up to the study. Although –"

"Yes Khushi?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking of-of something else. Anyway, Anjali ji sent Laxmi ji to call him down at around eleven but as you know that was when he was found…"

"Thank you. That will be all."

Inspector Kashyap watched as she walked out of the room sparing one glance at him and confirming his suspicion that she knew more than she was revealing.

…

How was it? Do let me know!

Chapter Three - Motives And Much More