“I have taken over this case and will carry out the investigation. So it’s going to be a fun ride, I guess,” said Erika smirking and clapping her hands.
No one uttered a word as they could not believe that the case had been re-opened so abruptly and that they now would have to go through the same trauma and frustration like they did 20 years back. The trauma was so brutal, that even a massive gap of 20 years could not diminish the effect it had on them, Richa being the worst affected victim amongst them.
“So we will start by calling each one of you, one at a time and will be recording your statements. And proceed from there, as you all were the primary witnesses on the crime scene back then,” announced Avinash.
“And yes, we are going to do this the old fashioned way. This is going be so much more fun,” exclaimed Erika. “So let’s get going,” she added with a unique spark in her eyes.
The interrogation room was set. A sofa and two chairs opposite each other. A water jug kept on both the ends. A recorder kept on the table that separated the chairs and the couch. A notebook kept neatly besides a pen in such a way that it prevents the pen from rolling off the table. The ticking sound of the clock filling the room with anxiety to the brim. The room was set and ready, and so were the two officers.
“Let’s begin with the most basic question out there. At what time did you arrive at the party,” asked Erika, writing something down in the diary.
“I reached around seven, I guess. If I remember correctly,” Vibha answered as she was the first one to be interrogated.
“Oh, please do. Because that dreadful night is not the one to be forgotten easily, I believe,” Erika said, looking up, raising her eyebrows.
“Seven it was” replied Vibha
“Very good” said the officer. “And were you alone?” she added.
“Yes, I was” replied Vibha, jittering a bit.
The series of questions had begun. All of them were called in turns and asked a wide range of questions. Ranging from when they had reached the party, what they had for dinner, where they had slept that night, to what time did they got to bed, and many more. It looked like Erika was a woman on a mission.
“You were the last one to go to bed that night, right?” Erika asked.
“Yeah, I was. I could not sleep early that night,” Nishant answered.
“So did you check if the windows or doors were locked or not,” she asked.
“I did do that, and everything was closed and airtight,” he answered.
“Or were you busy stuffing the massacred body into the refrigerator?” she questioned.
“What!? I would never do that. And why on earth would a 20 years old boy, commit such a gruesome murder and stuff it into the fridge?” lashed out Nishant. “And trust me, I wasn’t physically cut out for carrying out such a thing back then.”
“Oh no, just joking. How could a young adolescent possibly carry out such an ordeal task,” said Erika looking at Avinash. “Unless he got some external help maybe?” she continued mysteriously as she leaned back on the chair.
“Look! We did not have any motive, no plan to start with, and we would kill no one,” said Nishant leaning forward, clutching his teeth, his jaw moving. “I think you are just wasting your time and resources here,” he added.
Hearing this, Erika sat there silently and then smiled widely, and exhaling she said, “Avinash inko batao sarkari samay kitna kimti hota hai” “I don’t think we are wasting any time here. We are just doing our job and using the resources in the best possible manner” she added.
Saying this, she asked Nishant to leave and asked him to send in Kaajal.
“Kaajal, you were the one that organized Abhimanyu’s party, right?” asked Avinash.
“That was 20 years back and my memory isn’t that strong,” she answered.
“No issues. We have your official statement given on that day. That might help jog your memory,” said Avinash taking out a sheet of paper.
Kaajal read the statement and said, “If it says so, then yes, I did organize the party.”
“Great! So how many guests were invited?”
“Around 30, including us. Abhimanyu always liked his parties to be small and close,” said Kaajal. “And shouldn’t you guys be interrogating all the others too?” she added.
“Yeah, right. We…we are going to do that too,” Avinash said.
“The fact that you guys are the primary witnesses, we are just getting done with you first and next we will be interrogating all the others involved in the case too,” Erika said.
“Yeah, sure,” said Kaajal
“Okay, let’s take a break now and will resume later,” said Erika getting up from her chair.
“We seriously have nothing on them. Plus, they have no motive for killing some random girl,” said Avinash as they walked out of the house. “No forced entry reported. No damage to the property. No unusual activities in the photos clicked. All the statements seem true. And no room for any foul play. We are at a roadblock,” said Avinash hurriedly, trying to keep up with Erika’s speed as they walked out of the villa.
“You know I never wanted to become a police officer,” said Erika, suddenly stopping in her tracks. “It was just that I couldn’t get over the truth, that it was me who ratted out my father. It has been with me ever since, just like my shadow. Hence I became a cop, so that I could help all such falsely accused and bring justice to them. Mein chali thi system badalne. System ne mujhe hi badal diya” Erika said.
“But there is nothing at all here,” said Avinash sounding concerned. “And you have been a little too interested in all of it from the start.”
“Avinash, that envelope contained not only the note but also some cash. It had a thick bunch of Rs.500 currency notes in it. So this only shows that there is someone out there who has complete faith in me and also in my abilities to bring justice. And it’s been a really long time since someone has shown that kind of trust in me,” said Erika firmly.
“But here, in this case, the justice has already prevailed and there is nothing more to it,” said Avinash.
“I do have a feeling that the answers are right here somewhere. Right in this villa. Right in front of our eyes. We just have to look in the right direction,” said Erika looking up at the mansion.
“That all sounds good to hear. But how are we even going to continue with the investigation from here? We have no leads, no suspects, and to top it off, it’s an twenty years old case, and there is no evidence left for any new investigation,” Avinash explained. “And you do know that DCP Sawant wasn’t completely convinced for re-opening the case. So we are fighting against a lot of odds here”.
“You are right, but there should be something that cracks open this case, and I know there is something,” said Erika walking towards the house. “Bring in all the photos clicked on that day which we have as evidence,” added Erika.
They both entered the house again, passing the group sitting in the living room on their way in. They glanced at the group and made eye contact with them, which only lasted for a few seconds. Avinash asked Balaram to bring in all the old photos they had as evidence from that night.
“He must be one rich lad to own a digital camera back in the early 2000s,” said Avinash as both of them poured over the photos.
“Let’s call in Richa now, and let’s show her these photos. Let’s see if she reacts to any of these differently.”
Avinash went out of the room and called out for Richa.
“Somebody has to go in with her though,” said Vibha. “She isn’t mentally stable.”
“I’ll go with her,” Ishaan said. He helped Richa get up, and then they both went into the room.
“Hope she does well in there. They are damn good at what they are doing,” said Nishant as everyone ignored him.
Ishaan and Richa sat on the sofa and had all the photos stacked in front of them on the table.
“So we are going to start the recording now. Richa will be shown these phot
ographs clicked on the night of the party, and any of her abnormal reactions will be recorded in a video format,” Avinash explained.
Avinash then leaned forward, taking the stack of photos in his right hand. He placed the images on the table one by one. Richa’s reaction after every photograph was recorded. Richa sat there expressionless without saying a word when Avinash showed her the 12th photograph in the stack. Her reaction was also same for the 30th photograph. Avinash gave Erika a puzzled look as he kept the 35th photo on the table. But this time, something changed. Richa cringed. Her heartbeat increased and her eyes widened to an extent where her eyeballs could pop out. Avinash placed another photo over the 35th one, and Richa started to calm down slowly. But as soon as Avinash picked up the picture, making the 35th picture visible, Richa again had the same expressions as she was scared of something or someone! Ishaan sat there, baffled at what was happening. Why was Richa reacting in such a weird manner on seeing that particular photograph? He was clueless as to what was happening.
“Stop right there! Wait!” exclaimed Erika as she got up from her chair and went up to the table, and picked up the photo. The photo had Kaajal, Nishant, and Richa, raising their plastic cups and screaming.
“Scan this photo for me right now,” Erika commanded.
Avinash took the photo and scanned it.
As they were scanning the photograph, Richa returned to normal with Ishaan by her side, trying to calm her down.
“Who is this guy standing in the background with the glass. I have not seen him in any of the other photos so far,” Avinash wondered. “Seems to be of their age back then,” he added.
“Ishaan, come here for a minute” Erika requested.
“Yeah, sure,” replied Ishaan comforting Richa, who was now slowly calming down.
“Do you remember this man from that night?” Erika asked.
Ishaan crouched to get a better view and stared at the picture for a minute and said, “Yeah! He is Vivek Sequeira! The guy that Richa brought along with her that night. He was a local cab driver, and she tagged him along, that was a bit odd thing to do frankly speaking”. “He was a last-minute addition. But if I am not mistaken, he did leave the party pretty early,” he added.
Both the officers looked at each other in disbelief. “Oh, okay, thanks for your help, and you may leave now with Richa,” said Erika seeing them off.
As soon as they left, Erika asked for the file that had the confessions of all those present that night. She checked the whole list but could not find anyone named Vivek. Avinash again checked the entire list, but in vain.
“He was at the party but was never questioned?” asked Avinash in astonishment.
“Ishaan said that he was a local cab driver, so he might be from around here. This is a small town. Send the two constables to enquire with the local taxi drivers and find this Vivek Sequeira. He might be our guy,” instructed Erika.
Avinash implemented the instructions at once, telling both the constables to enquire about Vivek.
“Wasn’t I telling you there was something off about this case from the start?” Erika said.
“We cannot let the others know about this though, not until we have some conclusive evidence,” Avinash suggested.
“Yeah. But this case isn’t easy or simple as it seems. There is always more than what meets the eye,” replied Erika.
Chapter 13
The sun was shining brightly, directly over the head now as the clock struck midday.
“How are they even connecting us with this whole incidence? We don’t even have a motive in this, for that matter,” asked Ishaan.
“I don’t know. I asked the same to them, and as far as I know, we did not commit any murder,” replied Nishant relaxing on the couch. Just then, the two constables came running in and went inside the room, which was now the interrogation room.
“They seemed in a hurry. Wonder what they have found?” Ishaan thought to himself.
“What did you guys find?” asked Avinash to the constables.
“Sir, we enquired with all the cab drivers and also talked with a few union members, but we could not find anyone with the name Vivek Sequeira” said constable Balaram.
“But we did find out that there is a certain Sequeira that still drives around and he is 67 years old. The fact that he is still around and hasn’t retired is quite odd,” added Shinde.
“A 67 years old cab driver of the same surname, huh? Did you manage to get his address?” asked Avinash.
“Yes Sir, he lives on the outskirts of the town. Here is his address,” Balaram replied.
“We could go and check it out. Worth a shot,” Avinash suggested.
“We should definitely. Let’s get on with this,” said Erika picking up her coat and her gun. “And don’t let anyone leave the villa till we are back. If they need anything from the market, either of you two get it for them,” Erika instructed the constables.
Erika and Avinash got into the car and sped off as Nishant stood there at the window, staring at the car suspiciously.
They drove through the busy city streets. Everyone was out on the road as the weekend was around the corner. The duo drove their way through the city traffic and finally reached the outskirts where now the strongly built concrete houses of the city, had been replaced by mud houses.
“Is this the turn mentioned in the address?” asked Erika as they came to a crossword.
“It does seem so. Let’s take it,” Avinash replied.
As they continued on the road, they saw a small two-storey structure on the left side of the road. It was a blue coloured house with a staircase running from the exterior of the house up to the terrace on the second floor. They agreed that this could be the house. So they steered left off the road, towards the house. A taxi was parked near the house, which somewhat confirmed that this might be the right house. The duo parked their car and walked up to the door, and rang the bell, but there was no response. Then they rang it the second time, and this time the door was opened by a plump, fair, old lady, with burgundy coloured hair, who stood clueless on the other side of the door.
“Kitay (what)? asked woman in Konkani.
“We are from the Goa police,” replied Avinash.
“English?” asked Erika.
“Little little,” she answered.
“Okay, so we have a few questions we would like to ask about an accident nearby. Are you willingly to invite us in?” asked Erika.
The woman was hesitant and stood still for a few seconds, then went back into the house. The duo entered the house. The hall was well ventilated, with the sky blue colour of the walls adding to the brightness in the room. There were many showpieces in the cabinet, and one of them was a duplicate statue of the dancing girl from the Harappan civilization. A staircase wound up to the second floor, and the whole hall was clean and well kept. There was a sharp smell of a fried fish that came from the kitchen and filled the entire living room.
“That is a first copy of the dancing doll of the Harappan civilization,” said a man walking down the staircase. “My son had many more, but we had to sell them eventually. It was his hobby to collect such showpieces of ancient civilizations, even if they were duplicate,” he added. Erika instantly kept back the doll that she had picked up from the showcase.
“Hello. We are from the Goa police, and you must be Patrick Sequeira, right?” asked Avinash reading out the name from his phone.
“Yes, I am and this my wife Silvi Sequeira,” he answered.
“Sir we are here to ask a few basic questions about….
“You have a warrant?” he asked.
“Pardon me? We don’t want to search your house. We just have a few questions,” Erika said.
“No warrant. No question. Please leave,” he ordered.
“Sir, we only need a few minutes of your time, that’s it. Then we will be on our way,” said Avinash trying to convince the man.
But the man was in no mood to listen to Avinash, so he started walking t
owards him, pushing him towards the door with every step. The man raised his voice, ordering them to leave. In this commotion, Erika glanced at a framed family photograph hung on the wall, near the staircase. It took her a few seconds to realize.
“That’s your son in that photograph?” Erika asked in a loud voice, walking backward.
“Yes, it is, but we have no connection with him anymore,” replied the man, still ordering them to leave.
“We might have something on him!” exclaimed Erika. And that might have worked because the man stopped instantly on hearing this and stood there motionless.
“We have come here, to talk about him. We want to know his whereabouts,” Erika asked.
Listening to this, the man stopped and walked back into the hall. The woman couldn’t understand what the commotion was all about and was clueless about what had made her husband stop because she couldn’t comprehend what Erika was saying. So she stood near the kitchen stupefied.
“Your son Vivek, Is he around? When will he be back?” Avinash asked.
The old man just sat silently on the sofa, motionless, staring into infinity as if some film was playing in his head.
“We just want to ask him a few routine questions about an accident that he witnessed a few days ago,” said Erika wondering why the couple was weeping.
“We don’t talk about him in this house anymore,” said the father, now looking at the officers. This statement caught the officers off guard, and they were taken aback.
“Why would that be?” Avinash asked
“He left us when we most needed him,” replied the father, trying to get himself together.
“What do you mean left you? He doesn’t stay with you anymore?” asked Erika.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Then would you tell us his new address or which place has he shifted to maybe?” asked Avinash intently.
“We don’t know. He just vanished 20 years back. Never returned,” said the father crying again.
This statement shocked both the officers, and they looked at each other in disbelief.
Into The Shadows Page 8