THE FOUR DAYS
Chapter-6:
Me from his heart he jealously excludes:
Has he no shame who ceaseless on my heart intrudes?
-Thiruvalluvar.
Day-1:
Afternoon:
That afternoon we had convened at the conference table. We had mixed feelings about Sakshi's leaving. Though it was for only a couple of days, we would miss her for sure. And we were eager to see Arjun sir's reaction for that. As always he did expose nothing. In fact, we had mixed feelings inside the team that if there was any, particularly for her.
While concentrating the situation around, she was longingly looking up at his face as he took his seat.
Right! Coming back to the case, we were scorching the earth as Chottu said to get something solid keenly, but got nothing still. We did get No finger prints that could point a finger on someone, No suspects that could confess the motive or a clue to proceed further. We did everything we could. Threatened the victim's clients, haggled the relatives, and set loops for the local hooligans...
Before I could finish my moan Ayesha dashed in.
"Sir! There are no new finger prints on those iron rods!" she declared and put the report in front of Arjun.
The one in one of the rods is not new. Meaning-"
"Meaning , someone touched it before dust formed. No glove marking either?"
"That's right!"
" I see!" he said and seemed to be in deep thought.
He swiveled in his chair stood slowly and said, "That means Mr.Baradhwaj was not murdered but it was an accident!"
"An accident?" Chottu asked astonishingly.
Arjun paced the space behind his chair and said, "Yes, It was. According to the fact that Mr.Baradhwaj was storing the iron rods on the top of that well old staggering bureau and the autopsy report says the time of death was before 08:00 pm. In fact, Rupav did not get out of his house before 08:30 pm.
"And there was no robbery took place that night. Particularly no servants presented to get a tempt on the money sprayed on the table.
"He was well alone in the house. Say, he was calculating something and verifying the files kept in the bureau and when he was doing something, well... hunched down taking a file from the lower compartment, the rods above actually were already moved by the unlocking , slid down and slogged him at the back of his head."
We four of them took by utter shock at his findings that, we were just staring at him. But Sakshi who got her senses back first, said proudly,
"Bravo, Arjun!"
But he simply laid aside her remark, as always.
"He is coming for sure. Today is the hit!"
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me! I saw they sent the van. Everything was ready back from two weeks."
"Did you get anything else?"
"They were talking about some shipment. I think they are sending her abroad."
"I see!"
"There are inner circulars here. I couldn't get more."
"This is enough, I think. Good job! Be prepared for moving. Put your eyes and ears open! You will be paid as promised."
"Thanks!"
"Don't hesitate if anything arises!"
"I know where to reach you!"
Day-1:
Evening:
"Arjun!" Sakshi rushed behind him.
He turned to face her, and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"I'm going on leave for two days" she said quietly.
"That I know!" he said casually, and turned to walk away.
"Uh...Arjun!" she called him again to make him stay, but was searching for words to proceed.
He ceased walking and turned yet again, his face showed a mark of irritation, clearly.
He crossed his hands against his chest and stared at her.
"Uh-huh, well..."
"Well?" He urged.
"I wanted to bid a good-bye before I leave!" she described, directly.
"Right! Sakshi enjoy the holidays, Good-bye!"He commented.
She stood there; her eyes followed him as he moved away.
Just behave Sakshi! Before complaining that everyone's laughing at you."
In the dark, on a secluded street of Mumbai, a jeep was following her for the last few moments. It came to a full stop near her. A man in dark suit got out and approached her.
He was fishing his pockets.
"Ma'am! Would you mind guiding me the address, please?"
"Step near the vehicle. I switch the light! It's dark outside."
He was still searching the pockets.
She did not doubt him for a moment and reached the jeep in response. He took a handkerchief instead. The first thing she knew about his intentions was when he grabbed her around the shoulders and pressed the kerchief in her nose. She tried to resist, but the chloroform was too strong. What she saw last was his dark suit which turned pitch dark. Then nothing!
-DAY ONE ENDS HERE-
Cricket
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