— CHAPTER NINE —

Burgled

 

That evening, Nikki decided to venture out again on her investigation. She asked Lakshmi, ‘I would like to go for a walk. I also want to eat out. Is there any good restaurant nearby?’

Lakshmi said, ‘Yes, you cross the road and go to the other side. There are a few good hotels. They only serve food, there’s no staying arrangement like us.’

The bustle at the bus terminal was much less at that time of the evening. She crossed the road and went to the opposite side, which was livelier with bright shops and a number of small eateries. She noticed that most of these shops had extended themselves up to the pavement. Sensing a potential customer, several shopkeepers invited her to visit their shops. Nikki chose a restaurant at the far end and sat at the table placed on the pavement. The food was good and the service quick. She had a leisurely meal and gave a generous tip to the young bearer who saluted her several times.

When she returned to the hotel, Lakshmi had already left for the day. Prasad was at the counter. She went up and put her key to the door of her room. As she was turning the key, the door opened on its own. She was surprised. She went in and switched on the light. What she saw astounded her. Her room had been ransacked! Her empty handbag was lying on the floor and her clothes were scattered on the bed. She checked her things. Her clothes were intact but the folder containing all the papers including the bank passbook, photograph and pencil sketch was missing. Nikki was furious. She went down to Prasad and shouted, ‘What kind of place is this? Someone entered my room and ransacked it. Several of my things are missing.’

Prasad looked shocked. ‘This is impossible. I have been here all along and before that Lakshmi was here. Nobody can enter without our seeing him.’

Nikki snapped, ‘Come with me and see for yourself!’

Prasad went up with her to the room and was taken aback by what he saw. He looked at the suitcase and said, ‘But the suitcase has not been opened.’

‘Because this is not mine. It belongs to my aunty. Only my handbag has been searched,’ Nikki replied.

Prasad asked, ‘Did it contain money or other valuables?’

‘No, but it had some important papers which are missing.’

Hearing that no money was stolen, Prasad was visibly relieved. He said, ‘I am very sorry, Miss. This has happened for the first time in our hotel. Please don’t complain to the police. Our reputation will be ruined. I will check with the bearer in the canteen and try my best to find your papers.’

Nikki, still furious, said, ‘I don’t want to stay in this lousy place. Tomorrow first thing in the morning, I will leave.’

After Prasad left, Nikki collected her clothes and kept them in the handbag. She was pretty sure that the culprit was Feroz Khan. He had every reason to steal the photograph and the pencil sketch so that he could remove any evidence of his involvement in the murder. But why would he take away the bank statement and other papers in the folder? This was something which she could not understand. Things were not as simple as they looked. Someone had obviously become suspicious and entered her room. It was no longer safe for her to stay in this place, she thought. She got up and checked the window and the door once again before going to sleep.