— CHAPTER FOUR —

Facing the Facts

 

The next morning, when Inspector Rajan came to pick her up, Nikki asked, ‘Sir, have you been able to find anything about the dead woman?’

‘We have put an ad in today’s newspaper with the photograph of the woman. This is a small place—I am sure I will get some lead,’ the inspector continued, ‘There is one more thing. Our forensic department has found two sets of footprints from that area apart from our footprints and the footprints of the girl and the woman. They have done a casting of both these impressions. This means that it was not one but two people who were involved in the killings.’

‘Oh I see,’ said a somewhat surprised Nikki. ‘Does that mean that the two killings were not done simultaneously but with some gap of time, maybe a few minutes?’

Inspector Rajan became pensive and said, ‘It is unlikely but, yes, we can’t rule it out.’

At the hotel, Nikki found Mrs Taneja much more composed though Mr Taneja appeared somewhat fidgety. Inspector Rajan asked them some general questions regarding Mr Taneja’s personal life, his business, other family members, income and properties, business partners, etc. ‘Are you absolutely sure that you have never previously seen or met the dead woman?’

‘Yes,’ replied Mr Taneja, but he didn’t sound very convincing. Both Nikki and Inspector Rajan noticed this.

Finally, the inspector asked, ‘Do you suspect anyone who could have killed your daughter?’

‘No.’ And this time Mr Taneja appeared more firm.

Inspector Rajan said, ‘Well, thank you. I will see you later.’ Then turning to Nikki, he asked, ‘What about you, young lady? Are you coming with me?’

‘No, thank you. I will stay here for some time.’

Mrs Taneja quietly said, ‘In the afternoon, I will be going to the hostel to collect Jyoti’s things. I will drop her back.’

After the inspector left, Nikki found the atmosphere tense. No one spoke. After an uncomfortable silence, Mrs Taneja stood up. ‘I am going to the temple to offer prayers for Jyoti and will be back in about an hour’s time.’ Turning to Nikki, she asked, ‘Would you like to come with me?’

Nikki replied, ‘No, thanks. I’d rather stay with Uncle.’

After Mrs Taneja left, Nikki took out the white envelope from her pocket and handed it over to Mr Taneja. She said, ‘This was found in Jyoti’s backpack.’

Mr Taneja read the letter. His face became pale.

Nikki took back the letter and put it in her pocket. She asked, ‘Is it correct that you had adopted Jyoti when Aunty gave birth to a stillborn child?’

‘Yes,’ replied Mr Taneja in a dull voice.

‘Does Aunty know about this?’

‘No, I didn’t tell her for obvious reasons. She has thought all along that Jyoti was her own child.’ Then he asked, ‘Do the police know about this letter?’

‘Not yet. I first wanted to get the facts confirmed. Moreover, the letter at this stage would completely devastate Aunty.’ Mr Taneja looked visibly relieved.

Nikki asked, ‘So that means you had met the woman earlier?’

‘Yes, a few days back she came to my office and asked about Jyoti. Although her facts tallied, yet, her bringing up the matter after so many years made me suspicious. I thought it could be a trap engineered by my rivals or perhaps the lady was simply trying to blackmail me.’

‘What exactly did the lady want from you?’

‘She told me that she had recently come to know about the swap of her healthy baby with the dead child done by her husband without her knowledge. She wanted to have her daughter back.’

‘What did you tell her?’

‘I thought one thing might lead to another and I was also not sure about her credentials. So I denied the swap. She looked disappointed and left.’

Nikki asked, ‘Don’t you think the whole thing has put you in a spot? If all the facts are known to the police, they will surmise that you had motive to kill that woman.’

‘What nonsense!’ said a visibly agitated Mr Taneja, ‘Both the murders took place at the same place and at the same time. Do you think I would get my own daughter killed?’

Nikki kept quiet. After a while she asked, ‘Did you meet her husband at the time of the baby swapping?’

‘No, the whole transaction was done by my personal assistant,’ he informed Nikki.

‘Where is he now?’ asked Nikki. ‘He is still in my company but he is now a manager.’

Soon Mrs Taneja returned. They had a quiet lunch in the room after which Nikki and Mrs Taneja left for the hostel.

In the hostel Mrs Taneja began to cry when she saw her daughter’s clothes. She tenderly caressed each article before packing it in the suitcase. When Jyoti’s belongings had been packed, Nikki picked up the bag and went to see her off at the gate.

On the way back, Nikki went to the Common Room and dialled Inspector Rajan’s number. She asked, ‘Sir, did you get any lead about that woman?’

Inspector Rajan said, ‘Yes, the owner of a hotel called us to say that she had stayed with them a few days before her murder. I went to the place. There was nothing much by way of belongings. There were a couple of saris and some other personal things. The significant thing which emerged is that according to the hotel register she had come from Somabad.’

After a brief pause, he said, ‘Do you understand what that means? The woman belonged to the same town as the Tanejas and she was with Jyoti at Crescent Point. But Mr and Mrs Taneja say that they do not know her. I somehow don’t buy this.’

‘So, what do you plan now, inspector?’ Nikki asked.

‘I am sending her photograph to all the police stations in Somabad to find out more information about her. I am sure the two murders are linked,’ said Inspector Rajan.

‘Thank you,’ said Nikki and replaced the receiver.

The next day Jyoti’s body was handed over by the hospital to the Tanejas. Nikki went to their hotel and stayed by their side as they completed the various formalities. Mr Taneja arranged for a hearse, which was in fact a modified ambulance van, for carrying the body. They were planning to leave after lunch. Mrs Taneja said to Nikki, ‘Jyoti had told me that you were to spend your vacation with her in Somabad. She had made a lot of plans for the holidays.’ Nikki kept quiet. Mrs Taneja asked, ‘What are you going to do during the holidays?’

Nikki replied, ‘I don’t have any plans. I suppose I will stay in the hostel.’

‘Why don’t you come with us? You two were so close. You can attend her funeral and stay with us for a few days more. I get a lot of comfort by talking to you.’

Mr Taneja added, ‘Yes, please come. At least for a few days let her have your company. After the holidays my driver will bring you back here.’

Nikki thought for a while and said, ‘Alright, I will come. Let me go to the hostel and pick up my things. I have to inform the warden as well.’

Nikki was secretly happy that the opportunity to go to Somabad had come by itself. As soon as she reached the hostel she called Inspector Rajan and informed him, ‘There is a development. The Tanejas want me to accompany them to Somabad to attend the funeral and to spend a few more days with them.’

‘What have you decided?’

‘Jyoti was my best friend. I want to find out who was behind her murder. Maybe in Somabad I can get some information.’ Then she added, ‘Mr Rajan, can I contact you from Somabad if I need any help?’

‘Of course. Please note down my contact numbers, you can call me any time. I am also giving you the details of my counterpart, Inspector Vinod in Somabad.’

Inspector Rajan continued, ‘The culprit may have committed the murder himself or may have hired a local goon of Sangalina Hills. I am working on both the possibilities. In any case, a connection with Somabad is obvious. I am also not ruling out the Taneja family. So keep your eyes and ears open. I have already spoken to Inspector Vinod. You can contact him if you need help. As soon as I get some tangible lead about the woman, I will come there myself.’

‘Thank you very much, Inspector Rajan,’ said Nikki. She felt elated that the inspector was seeking her help.