Thursday, Early Morning
The Police Chief of Solan was actually asking for their help in a case! The three crime busters were surprised and thrilled.
‘Look,’ he said, ‘we do not want the world to know that Pingu has been kidnapped. Rhea is inconsolable. She has been crying since the time Pingu went missing. She has had the cat for eight years and she stays with her at all times, except when she has to go for official functions or when she has to give a shot during a film shoot.’
‘Then how did someone make away with Pingu?’
‘There was an official reception for the two teams a few hours back in the party hall at the hotel. Rhea and Rahul were attending that. Pingu was in their suite at that time. By the time they got back someone had kidnapped Pingu and left this note.’
The three detectives looked at each other, before Aditya nodded at Chief Walia and said, ‘We have to find Pingu, and we will.’
‘I am hoping that you will,’ Chief Walia said with a sigh. He looked tired. ‘I am assuming that the kidnapper will look out for the police. He will never suspect that instead of the police, the Solan Mystery Solvers are working on it.’
‘Super Mystery Solvers,’ Aditya corrected him.
‘That’s what. Super Mystery Solvers. This will allow you easy access to people and information. You will be able to infiltrate the hotel clandestinely and figure out who has kidnapped Pingu.’
‘But why would anyone want Rahul to lose the match?’ Aditya asked, suddenly turning all business-like.
‘Well, I can think of two reasons. The first is that the Indian team has not been doing too well. If Rahul loses this match, he could lose his captaincy too. Someone who can benefit from this could have done it,’ Chief Walia explained.
‘Like another cricketer?’ a shocked Akriti asked.
‘The Indian team is filled with people who wear their patriotism on their chest. I don’t think it could be one of them,’ Chief Walia replied.
‘But we will have to investigate and question everybody instead of assuming anyone’s innocence,’ Kabir commented like a pro. Aditya and Akriti nodded in agreement.
‘Look, if I could interrogate and question people, I would have done that. We don’t want any publicity on this. We don’t want word to get out. So you will have to do it carefully and all by yourself.’
‘You said two reasons. What is the other reason, Dad?’
‘Betting. These could be people for whom country doesn’t matter and they can go to any lengths to make money.’
‘Betting?’ the three asked in unison.
‘Yes. They would have bet their money on Australia winning the match. If Australia wins they become very rich because they win the bet. If India wins, they lose the bet and have to lose a lot of money. So, Pingu could have been kidnapped by anyone who has bet on Australia winning and wants India to lose.’
‘But do you think just because you cannot find Pingu in time, Rahul Bedi and the team will intentionally lose the match?’ Aditya asked Chief Walia.
‘No. This is a very strong team and it is made up of very committed players. Rahul will not give in to the kidnapper’s demands intentionally. The worry is that Rahul is the best player of the team. He is also the captain. If we don’t find Pingu in time, that is, by day after tomorrow afternoon, the stress on Rahul will be enormous. For him, losing Pingu is like losing a family member. Hence, he will not be able to play to his fullest potential. And when the team’s captain-cum-best player plays at suboptimal levels, a win is almost impossible. They will lose.’
‘So, we only have time till the match begins. It is already Thursday. That means we have only a day and a half.’
Getting up to leave, Chief Walia said, ‘Yes. Now get a good night’s sleep because tomorrow is going to be a long day. The SMS gang has to save the Indian Cricket team.’ As if on second thought, he added, ‘I will request for the CCTV footage from Anto under some false pretense. I don’t think the kidnapper will be dumb enough to get caught on camera but I am still going to give it a shot. I will let you guys know if anything comes up.’
Chief Walia’s words rang in their heads. They knew he was right and that they should be sleeping, but sleep eluded them. Akriti logged into her Instagram and began to check Rhea’s profile. Sometime later, Aditya and Kabir’s phones pinged.
Akriti had sent a message to their WhatsApp group. It was Pingu’s picture from Instagram with the message – ‘Guys, do you remember how scared that cat was without his owner the other day? Pingu must be terrified too. We have to find her.’
Within moments, Kabir’s reply came – ‘Yes. Dad said Pingu can’t stay without Rhea as well. We have to find her.’
The last message from Aditya hardened their resolve – ‘We will.’