“The only problem is, I don’t know for sure who did what when,” Marlee said, hoping it made sense. “If I could get the suspects together, I think I could tell for sure who was behind it all.”
“Then you should do just that,” said Dax.
“What?”
“Get everyone together and confront them with the information you have. Since everyone will be in the same room, they can refute what someone else says about them,” Dax suggested.
“How would I go about getting everyone together? I’m pretty sure Crispin and Professor Patel wouldn’t come if I threw a party. And they for sure aren’t going to come to a meeting of suspects,” Marlee said.
“You could send different reasons for gathering to different people. To Raj’s family you might word the invitation as a tribute to Raj.”
After serious thought, Marlee shook her head. “I think I’ll do what the great crime novelist, Agatha Christie, would do. In her books she would have an invitation delivered to each person requesting their presence at which time the identity of the killer or killers will be revealed.”
“That is a very good idea, except you do not know yet who is responsible for Raj’s death,” Dax said with a small smile.
“I think everything will fall into place once everyone is in the room. I’ll announce the information that I have and then set forth my conclusions.”
“Your conclusions which you have not yet formed,” Dax added.
“Quit being such a Debbie Downer! This always works in books and movies. The worst thing that could happen is that I look like an idiot in front of everybody. I’m used to that,” Marlee said.
Dax realized he wasn’t going to talk Marlee out of approaching her plan in her own way, so he agreed to help her. Within the hour, they had a strong plan laid out for getting all of the adults from Raj’s family home, Crispin and Eleanor, Professor Patel, Riya, and Meena to the faculty lounge on the top floor the Lotus Building. Ironically, it was the same place where she found Raj after he’d been severely beaten and left for dead.
At 7:30, Marlee met Dax at the Lotus and propped open the outside door which was locked after 6:00 p.m. She’d worn a long, dark green dress with a black sweater. Marlee went with the idea that dressing up might give her some confidence. She really didn’t know who killed Raj or why, but at least she could look good at the meeting.
Dax wore a dark suit, white Oxford shirt, and brightly colored tie. He always looked good, but tonight he looked especially dapper. Although skeptical at first, he had fully committed to Marlee’s plan and arranged for handwritten invitations to be hand-delivered to each of the suspects. He also reserved the faculty lounge and made sure there were enough chairs, arranged in a circle, for everyone. As if that wasn’t enough, he made sure to have pots of tea and trays of cookies delivered just before everyone arrived.
Raj’s parents were the first to arrive. Marlee was surprised to see they came alone and not with their two sons and daughters-in-law. They greeted Marlee with a little more warmth than she had ever received from them, except when she was initially under consideration to be their daughter-in-law. After helping themselves to cups of tea, they sat and stared at Marlee and Dax as they greeted the other guests/suspects as they entered the room.
Professor Patel was the next to arrive. He sauntered in as if he didn’t have a care in the world, a smirk on his face that Marlee would’ve liked to slap off. As if to communicate how little he thought of Marlee and the gathering, he wore an old sweatshirt, grungy-looking jeans, and scuffed tennis shoes. He plopped down across from Raj’s parents and pretended to look at his cell phone.
Eleanor and Crispin entered the room, both dressed in typical professorial garb. She looked nervous while Crispin appeared angry and impatient. This ought to be a lot of fun trying to manage him, Marlee thought ruefully. Crispin sat next to Professor Patel while Eleanor retrieved a cup of tea and two cookies for herself. Crispin leaned over to Professor Patel and made a snarky comment that Marlee did not fully overhear. The two men laughed at their inside joke, which Marlee suspected served no other purpose than to make her feel awkward.
Riya and Meena entered the room together, although Marlee suspected they came separately. Both poured a cup of tea and they sat side-by-side next to Raj’s parents, not saying a word. They looked around the room expectantly but didn’t ask any questions or even whisper back and forth.
The final group to arrive were Raj’s brothers Ajay and Sameer, along with their wives, Chandra and Gita. Interestingly, Sameer and Gita sat between Mommy-ji and Eleanor while Ajay and Chandra placed themselves next to Professor Patel. There was enough space so that everyone could move their chairs closer to anyone they wished, but Ajay and Chandra kept their distance from his parents. None of them availed themselves of the refreshments and kept their eyes on the floor, not interacting with each other or anyone around them.
Dax took his chair between Eleanor and Sameer while Marlee seated herself between Meena and Chandra, directly across from Dax. Everyone turned to look at Marlee.
In every movie, television show, or book the person who set up the meeting started with, ‘I know you’re wondering why I’ve asked you all here.’ Marlee didn’t dare begin the meeting by clowning around. She was hoping for everyone to take this gathering seriously, and she needed to do the same.
“Thank you all for coming. As you know, I will be revealing who killed Raj and the reason for doing so,” she said with confidence she did not feel. “My friend, Dax Kapoor, will be assisting me.”
“I heard you were engaged,” blurted Crispin. “Didn’t take you long.”
“That’s not true,” Marlee said firmly, not rising to take the bait. She knew Crispin would use every tactic he knew to derail the meeting, even if he was innocent in Raj’s death. The fact that Marlee dared to call him out about his sexual harassment of women on campus made him antagonistic toward anything she wanted to accomplish.
“Some of you may not know each other, so let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves and how we were each connected to Raj,” Marlee said. She pointed to his parents to begin.
Daddy-ji stood and said, “I am Vinoy Sharma, and this is my wife. We are Raj’s parents, and we want to see justice for our son.” He looked more uncomfortable than upset. Mommy-ji nodded along with her husband’s brief statement.
The middle brother stood next and said, “I am Sameer Sharma, and this is my wife. Raj was my brother. We, too, want justice for Raj.”
Dax stood even though Marlee had already introduced him. “I am Dax Kapoor, and I never knew Raj, but want to find out what happened to him, so we can better protect our citizens here in Delhi.”
Eleanor started to stand up, but Crispin pushed her back toward her chair as he stood. Clearly, he would be following the lead of the traditional Indian men and speaking for both himself and his wife. “I am Professor Crispin Kingsley, and this is my wife, Professor Eleanor Appleton. My wife teaches in the Sociology Department where Raj was a student. Oh, and they were also having an affair, which I just discovered. And to tell you the truth, I don’t give a damn who killed Raj or why. I’m just glad that he’s gone.” With that pronouncement, he sat down and looked around the room with a smug smile.
Except for Crispin, everyone in the room turned to look at Raj’s parents as Mommy-ji gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Even Eleanor, who was crimson from embarrassment, looked at Raj’s parents with horror.
Marlee ignored Crispin’s over-the-top pronouncement and gestured toward Professor Patel to continue.
“I am Professor Manu Patel, and I teach in the sociology program in which Raj was a student. Like Professor Kingsley, I too am glad that Raj is gone. He was a bad seed and caused us all a great deal of trouble. I think the world is much better without him.”
Mommy-ji wailed, this time clutching her chest as everyone in the room looked at the parents. “I cannot believe how truly horrible you are!” she shouted at Professor Patel then turned he
r fiery gaze toward Crispin. “This is our son you are disparaging.” Mommy-ji looked as if she was ready to unleash more anger, but her daughter-in-law, Gita, reached over to help calm her.
After the room was back under some semblance of control, the introductions continued. “I am Ajay Sharma, and this is my wife. Raj was my brother, and we want justice for him, and for his killer to be cursed in this life and for many more lives.” A tear formed in his eyes and threatened to drop over his bottom eyelid until he blinked it back.
“You all know who I am, but you may not fully know my connection to Raj,” Marlee began. “He was the first person in India to greet me and make me feel welcome. It was him who gave me a tour of the campus and gave me advice on how to deal with other professors. Raj provided me with mentorship, and I considered him a friend. I know he wasn’t perfect, but I will choose to remember the best parts of his character.” This was a bit more flowery that her real feelings, but there would be plenty of disparaging of Raj’s character tonight, and she didn’t want to add to it.
Meena stood and introduced herself. “Raj and my husband are cousins. I also work in the Sociology Department as a secretary. I, too, want justice for Raj.” Marlee wondered how sincere Meena was about seeking justice for Raj since she made several uncomplimentary remarks about him. Perhaps she felt the need to say something positive since many of Raj’s family members were in the room.
Finally, Riya stood and introduced herself. “I am a graduate student in engineering and have known Raj for a few months. We worked in the same office on campus.” She sat down but then jumped back to her feet and added, “I, too, want justice for Raj.”
Marlee looked around the room. All eyes were on her as she thought of what to say first. Before she could speak, Crispin took the floor. “This is ludicrous! How dare you summon us all here and air everyone’s dirty laundry!”
“Then why are you in attendance? No one forced you to come here tonight,” said Ajay Sharma.
Crispin snorted. “Because I want to know who killed Raj. As soon as we know who offed that little bastard, I’m going to shake his hand!” He sat back in the folding chair with such force that it creaked its displeasure.
“Speaking of little bastards,” Professor Patel interjected, “when is Eleanor’s baby due?” He looked pointedly at Crispin who sat next to him.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Crispin shouted, although everyone could tell by his voice that he knew exactly what Professor Patel intimated.
“I’m sure that you do,” Patel countered, stirring the pot.
At first, Eleanor had been embarrassed and speechless, but now she had recovered and was ready to unleash her fury. “You’re one to talk! Why don’t you enlighten us all as to why you were paying Raj to keep your secrets? I’m sure everyone here would like to know the details.”
Just as Marlee suspected, she didn’t have to do much in the way of prompting everyone to speak. Once the first insult was thrown out, many of those in attendance were ready for blood.
Professor Patel turned a deep shade of red, but not from embarrassment. He was used to calling out people, not being the subject of discussion and ridicule. Before he could speak, Ajay spoke up. “Was Raj blackmailing you? Is that where he was getting the money to pay back our family?”
“I do not know what you are talking about. I have no secrets,” Professor Patel said, his skin tone starting to pale.
“That is not true,” Meena said with a nervous look around the room. “You falsified your data on your Ph.D. dissertation, and you used a phony reference when you applied for the position at Delhi University.”
Professor Patel’s jaw dropped. Marlee turned to face Meena. “And how did you know all of this?”
“It was in the file. In his personnel file,” Meena stammered as she pointed to Professor Patel.
“No, none of that information was in the file. That is all information I found out through telephone calls. And I had all of my findings written down in my notebook. The notebook that was stolen from my apartment! Meena, you were the one who broke into my apartment and stole my notebook! Why?” Marlee turned to look at Meena, who was seated right next to her.
Where the needle goes the thread follows.
Indian proverb
Chapter 30
Meena looked as if she was going to deny it, but then stopped and took a deep breath. “Because I had loaned you something, and you did not return it. I was worried and came to look for it.” She chose her words carefully, not letting it slip that she gave Professor Patel’s personnel file to Marlee.
“What else were you looking for?” Marlee asked.
“Nothing, I mean it. I just wanted to get back the item I loaned you. When I saw the notebook, I grabbed it, thinking I could read what else you found out about Raj’s death. I made it look like there had been a burglary in your apartment by throwing some of your things around, and I am sorry for that. My plan was to return your notebook either to your apartment or your office and you would think you misplaced it,” Meena said. She pulled the notebook from her bag and handed it over to Marlee, hands shaking as she did so.
“How were you able to break into my apartment so easily?” Marlee asked. She took the notebook from Meena and placed it in her own bag which she kept looped over her shoulder so no one else could grab the notebook.
“It is university housing, and I have a key. After I was in your apartment, I left the door ajar, so you would assume it was a break-in. I am so sorry,” Meena said, wiping away tears.
Marlee nodded. “You should know that the item was returned just a few minutes later than you requested, and I put it back in its place.” She hadn’t decided yet if Meena was truly sorry for her actions or just trying to keep Marlee from letting everyone know she handed Professor Patel’s file to her. Since Patel was in the room, he would certainly do his best to get Meena fired.
The lull in the conversation allowed Dax to direct a question to Raj’s brothers. “You two assaulted Raj after he returned home on New Year’s Eve, correct?”
The brothers looked at each other, and Ajay spoke up. “Sameer had nothing to do with it. Raj and I argued, and I shoved him against a wall and punched him twice.”
“And you were arguing about?” Marlee enquired.
“Family business. Nothing of concern to everyone else here,” Ajay said curtly.
“Did it have to do with the money Raj misappropriated from the family fund?” Marlee asked. Ajay’s face remained stoic. “Or was it about Raj’s relationships within the family?” The color drained from the eldest Sharma brother’s face, letting her know she’d hit her mark.
“As I said, it is family business, not the business of anyone else.”
“I think you assaulted Raj because you knew he had an affair with your wife and might be the father of your youngest child,” Marlee said pointedly.
“No! That is untrue. Raj had no such relationship with my wife!” Ajay roared as his wife looked on in fright.
All eyes turned to Chandra, as she looked frantically about the room for sympathy. When the timid little mouse finally spoke, everyone was all ears. “Raj and I did not have an affair. Ajay is the only person who is the father of my children. To say otherwise is a travesty, and I will not tolerate it.”
“Then why were you in Raj’s room late at night? You were seen more than once by the staff at your house,” Marlee said.
“Yes, I was in Raj’s room late at night, but it is not what you think. We were reading poetry and discussing the great literary works. Ajay has no interest in literature or poetry, and I have been at a loss for those types of discussions since I married him. Raj knew I shared his interests, and we met in secret to avoid any rumors.” Had anyone else given this type of excuse, Marlee would have laughed in their face. But Chandra seemed sincere, and it was understandable how she could feel intellectually deprived as a stay-at-home mother and wife with few experiences outside the home.
Ajay be
lieved it too and looked at his wife with relief. “I have always thought you had an affair with my brother. I confronted Raj and he did not deny it, so I assumed it was true. On New Year’s Eve, he made comments about my wife and intimated that our youngest was his child. That is why I hit Raj that night.”
Raj’s father jumped in to confirm his eldest son’s assertions. “Yes, this is true. I was not truthful when you asked if anyone in the family had beaten Raj the first time,” he said, looking at Marlee.
“And what about the poison?” Marlee asked. “Did you really poison your youngest brother the day he died?” She looked at Ajay as she spoke, holding his gaze.
Ajay hung his head. “I am so ashamed of my past transgressions against my brother, but I promise that I did not poison him.”
“And do you believe this?” Marlee asked looking at Raj’s parents.
“We do now,” said Mommy-ji. “At first, we thought Ajay had poisoned his brother and took the glass away. We asked him many questions about it, and he has always denied it. Ajay is not a good liar, and I can always tell when he is deceitful. He is telling the truth.” Her husband nodded vigorously as Mommy-ji talked.
Marlee turned to face Ajay. “Why did you and Sameer chase me on campus and pound on my door?”
“We wanted to talk to you about Raj because we knew he might try one of his schemes on you. You certainly would not be the first foreign lady to hand money over to him after he gave you a sad story,” Ajay said, and Sameer nodded in agreement. “Then you were arrested, and later he died. We were not sure if you had been involved in his death.”
She heaved a huge sigh as she processed the information she’d learned thus far. “So, the only thing we have left to determine is who administered the final beating to Raj. The beating that ultimately caused his death. Before I announce the name and motive of the killer, does anyone have anything else to say?” Marlee was stalling for time. She knew the killer wasn’t anyone from Raj’s family, nor was it Riya or Meena. It certainly wasn’t Dax or herself, so that left Professor Patel, Eleanor, and Crispin.
Blood Feud Page 24