A rustling in the hallway caused everyone in the faculty lounge to turn toward the door. In the past few minutes Dax had left the room to call the police. He now appeared in the doorway, flanked by two officers.
Dax and the two officers entered the room, followed later by several more police officials. Dean Reddy, Meena, and Ajay were all taken into custody for their roles in Raj’s assaults and ultimate death. Professor Patel was also arrested based on the accusations made by Professor Kommala at University of Mumbai about Hanish Kale’s death. He was released a short time afterward once it was discovered that Patel’s accuser wasn’t credible.
Mommy-ji ran toward Eleanor. “Please let us be in the child’s life. It is all we have left of Raj.” Daddy-ji, standing next to her, nodded in earnest agreement.
Crispin grabbed Eleanor’s arm and whisked her toward the door. Eleanor looked back over her shoulder at Raj’s parents, but the look in her eyes was inscrutable. They left without further comment, apparently still together as a married couple, at least for that evening.
Once the police had taken away Dean Reddy, Professor Patel, Meena, and Ajay, the remainder of those in attendance left as well. The only ones remaining were Marlee and Dax.
“It wasn’t until tonight that I realized Meena’s culpability. I looked at her USB drive earlier today to read her manuscript. I know I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t resist for some reason. That’s when I discovered her romance novel was actually erotica. She was so friendly and helpful to me. She and Raj were two of the first friends I had here in India.” Tears came to Marlee’s eyes as she thought about two people she believed to be friends who later turned out to be anything but friends.
“You are a sensitive person, Marlee, and you always want to help people. That is a good trait, but dishonest people can sense your kindness and take advantage of you. Raj and Meena honed in on your need to help and exploited you.” The gravity of the day weighed on Dax’s face and his body.
“Raj was an opportunist and a schemer. He did what he wanted to do and manipulated people. At the same time, I saw a person who was helpful and gracious. Maybe it was all an act, but I prefer to remember the positive aspects of Raj and not just the negative traits. If he was still living, I wouldn’t have anything to do with him because he couldn’t be trusted. But now that he’s dead, I choose to focus on his positive traits, even if that is being naïve.” Marlee blotted the remaining tear with the sleeve of her sweater. “And Meena, although she lied and manipulated me, she also provided some degree of comfort for this foreigner in a new land.”
There was nothing left to say. Dax laid out his thoughts, and Marlee countered with her reasoning for still liking both Raj and Meena. They faced each other amid the circle of empty chairs. The overhead light blared above them as they moved toward each other and embraced, leading to a passionate kiss.
“I knew you would agree to marry me,” Dax whispered in Marlee’s ear, their arms wrapped around each other.
AFTERWORD
It was never clear if Meena really had a recording of Dean Reddy threatening Raj. She made the claim on the night she was arrested, but then later denied it, possibly because it demonstrated her premeditation in poisoning him.
Meena Sharma was sentenced to life in prison for poisoning Raj. Much to Marlee’s surprise, a life sentence in India usually meant fourteen years. Meena could foreseeably be out of prison when she was in her early forties, although there wouldn’t be much of a life to return to after she paid her debt to society. Restrictions on women in India were harsh, and Meena was no exception. Her husband would divorce her, and the children would not accept her as their mother any longer, and Meena’s own parents and siblings would avoid her. She would be virtually unemployable due to her murder conviction and for writing pornography. Life in prison would be difficult, but life upon release would be worse.
Dean Reddy was convicted of assault. He received a short jail sentence and monetary fine. He was fired from Delhi University and moved away; whereabouts unknown.
Professor Patel was cleared of any suspicion in the death of fellow graduate student, Hanish Kale. True to his word, he moved to Auckland, New Zealand to start a new teaching position and leave his troubles in India behind.
Crispin Kingsley’s status of chair of the Engineering Department was stripped, and he was demoted to regular teaching, research, and service duties. He was not allowed to supervise any female graduate students or be alone with any female students in his office or classrooms.
Eleanor Appleton gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Given the baby’s alabaster skin, it was a foregone conclusion that Raj was not the father. Eleanor and Crispin remained married but kept a wary eye on each other.
Ajay and Sameer devised a plan to pull the Sharma family out of debt. They contracted with a local tourist company to provide in-home meals and discussions once per week to groups of tourists. Tour guides brought interested foreigners to the Sharma residence to experience a meal and discussion in a traditional Indian home. Small groups were treated to a full Indian buffet, a turban-tying and sari-fitting demonstration, and a historical overview of the family home. After the meal, family members floated around the room talking to small groups and answering questions about their lifestyle and culture.
Given the uproar in the Sociology Department, it was deemed in the best interest of Delhi University that Marlee not teach the American Criminology class. Dean Reddy’s firing left an opening, and Eleanor Appleton stepped in as acting dean until a permanent appointment could be made. Since Marlee had accused both Eleanor and her husband of killing Raj, Eleanor decided Marlee’s teaching and cultural advising services were not needed that semester. The class was assigned to Professor Patel, who was elated not only with the teaching assignment but with besting an American woman.
Although flattered with the romance and attention, Marlee continued to turn down Dax Kapoor’s marriage proposals until the day she departed for the United States. They agreed to stay in touch, even though they both knew they wouldn’t. Less than a year later, Marlee received a Facebook message from Dax announcing his engagement to a visiting professor of literature from Canada.
Before Marlee left Delhi, she went to lunch with Riya and tried two of the buffet dishes made with goat. To her surprise, she really liked them and was happy to cure her goat-phobia.
Marlee returned to Midwestern State University in Elmwood, South Dakota to sub-zero temperatures and two feet of snow. The first thing she did when she returned home was to call Barry to explain everything and try to make him understand why they could never be more than friends. Every single call went to his voice mail.
Even though Eleanor Appleton was more than happy to rid Delhi University of Marlee McCabe, she was kind enough not to place any of the blame on her for the reassignment of the American Criminology course. Since Marlee’s classes at MSU were already reassigned during her sabbatical that semester, Marlee was free to start a new research project. She had no classes or service requirements on campus, and since she’d suffered the trauma of Raj Sharma’s death and being thrown in jail, the administration decided Marlee should have the semester free to work on her research as she saw fit.
As she talked on the telephone to a warden of a prison in Dublin, Ireland, she glanced out the window and saw the swirling snow. If this warden gave his permission, Marlee would be back in business with her original research of prisons in Ireland.
I think Ireland will be a wonderful place to spend the winter, she thought. And after the grueling couple weeks I had in India, it will be nice to take things easy and concentrate on my research in Ireland. As long as no dead bodies turn up while I’m there, everything should be fine. Just fine.
I knew if I could repay the family debts that I would be back in their good graces, but I had a streak of bad luck at the casinos. When I fell behind, I unwisely took loans from Dean Reddy. If I knew then what I know now, I never would have become involved with him. He charged an exorbitant rate for
the money he loaned me and threatened to physically harm me when I could not pay back the loan on time.
Dean Reddy is the reason I turned to blackmailing Patel, Meena, and others on campus. Once I knew their secrets, they were indebted to me. As soon as I had my family out of debt and paid back Dean Reddy, then I would never gamble again. The money I received from Meena and Professor Patel would pay off the family debt, so they could keep the home and continue to live a comfortable lifestyle. I received money from others both on and off campus and that would be adequate to pay off Dean Reddy. As long as I could stay away from gambling, everything would be fine.
At first the affair with Eleanor was just a way to gain access to the files in the main office. That is how I learned of the secrets held by Patel and Meena. After Eleanor professed her love and said she would divorce her husband, I began to see another way out of my troubles. She and I could move back to her home country of England and be married. There I could begin a new life free of debt and obligations. After I divorced Eleanor, I would be able to live my own life in England as I saw fit.
When Marlee McCabe came to Delhi University, I saw another option. She was a nice, older lady with a rich, white-person complex. Once I discovered how guilty she felt about the poverty in India and the injustices toward homosexuals, I knew I could play on her feelings. With enough convincing, she would agree to marry a gay man and take him back to the United States to save him from persecution in his homeland. Once I established citizenship in America, I could file for divorce and receive a share of her earnings. Then my life would be my own, and I would no longer be indebted to anyone. At last, I would be free.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The writing journey with Blood Feud was nothing like my previous experiences with the five other books in the series. This book deviates from the South Dakota setting; however, it still contains much of the Midwestern flair as we find Marlee McCabe, a fish out of water, in New Delhi India. In February of 2017 I traveled to New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur in India. I was so taken with the country that I knew I had to create a mystery set in India.
I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Bharat Kinger, who provided me with information on India, answered my questions, and provided feedback. He was a tour guide on my trip to India and generously agreed to help me with my book. Any errors regarding India, its people, or its cultures are entirely mine, so don’t blame Bharat!
Samantha Lund Hillmer continues to wow me with her skill and eye for color in designing my book covers. Thank you to Sam for her expert design and also to Lindrik for the cover photography of the Taj Mahal, courtesy of iStock. My beta readers were instrumental in helping me refine my story and catch errors. Thank you to Dayle Angyal and Stacy Jundt for providing your expertise. My editor, Brian Schell, is to be credited for his patience and skill in editing this book. I also want to thank Michelle Maupin Barrett Photography for the author photo and for not making me look like a deranged serial killer.
Many thanks to my fellow writing enthusiasts at South Dakota Writes. This organization, which provides networking and support for writers in the state, has been instrumental in encouraging my writing endeavors. I especially appreciate our Pierre Chapter of South Dakota Writes. We’re all writers struggling to tell our stories.
This is the sixth year in which part of my book was written during National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo). I’d like to thank Nanowrimo for encouraging new and seasoned writers to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and JUST WRITE.
Finally, thank you to everyone who keeps reading my books. I appreciate you all more than you’ll ever know.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brenda Donelan is a life-long resident of South Dakota. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Stanley County, attended college in Brookings, and worked in Aberdeen as a probation officer and later as a college professor. Currently, she resides in Pierre with her two Himalayan cats, Yeti and Wolfie. She loves reading, playing with her cats, and traveling.
Blood Feud is the sixth book in the University Mystery Series. Brenda is currently working on her next book. She’s always looking for new inspiration for upcoming mysteries.
The author can be reached by email at [email protected]. For more information on Brenda Donelan, books in the University Mystery Series, and tour dates, check out her website at brendadonelan.com or find her on Facebook at Brenda Donelan – Author.
Photo Credit courtesy of Michelle Maupin Barrett Photography
ALSO BY
BRENDA DONELAN
Day of The Dead
When a college professor is found dead on campus, rumors and innuendo begin to swirl at Midwestern State University. The police department and the university are mysteriously secretive about the professor’s background and the ongoing investigation. Marlee McCabe, a professor of Criminology, is unwittingly pulled into the investigation leading her to question the integrity of the police department and her university. Despite warnings, Marlee uncovers information on the professor’s death, making her the next target of someone who has nothing left to lose.
Holiday Homicide
Criminology professor Marlee McCabe is thrust into a criminal investigation when a janitor is murdered at Midwestern State University. Marlee's sleuthing leads her to the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation and into the dangerous underworld of trafficking Native American artifacts and sacred cultural items. Those involved are not afraid to use threats, violence, and even murder to keep their secrets buried. What will they do to keep Marlee from exposing the truth?
Murder to Go
On the second day of a week-long class trip, a body is discovered in a motel room. Criminology Professor Marlee McCabe struggles to continue the tour of prisons and juvenile correctional facilities while uncovering the truth behind the life and death of the victim. As she protects her students from harm, Marlee begins to suspect the killer has ties to her university. What steps will the murderer take to hide the truth and prevent Marlee from revealing it?
Art of Deception
A million-dollar antique is stolen from an art show in Elmwood and Professor Marlee McCabe jumps into the investigation when her cousin, Bridget, is arrested and thrown in jail. Marlee steadfastly defends her cousin until secret details of Bridget's life call that loyalty into question. As Marlee struggles between dedication to family and the pursuit of justice, she is forced to make decisions which may destroy the rest of her life.
Fatal Footsteps
Get ready for a wild ride as Criminology Professor Marlee McCabe looks back to her earliest adventure as an amateur detective. It’s 1987, the time of acid wash jeans and big, permed hair. When a college dorm mate is found dead in the snow outside a party house, Marlee puts her newly-learned Criminology knowledge to use as she strives to find out who killed the co-ed and why. The more involved Marlee and her roommate become in the investigation, the more deadly it becomes for them and their friends. As the body count rises, Marlee fears she’s next on the killer’s hit list.
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