WHO KILLED ME: The Strangest Whodunnit

by Irfan Khan

  Reema is intrigued about Poonam’s intent “There is something which may be useful. I remembered it just now.”

  Reema is eager to know about this new development. Afterall she still had to find a killer so that Madhav could get off her back “Get in the car and we will speak.”

  They get in the car and before Reema could start driving Poonam started,

  “Sid had stayed with me a few times and used my computer. He sent some emails and did some chatting. I have those emails and chat records.” Reema glanced at Poonam as if urging her to continue “He did not know that I have a cloud backup of all activity on the computer. Once I overheard him talk to someone in his language. But the name Rudra was clear, he was referring to someone called Rudra. He made that call through my phone and I have that phone number.”

  Reema was pleased “That's very good, Poonam. Now we are going for a drive.” Poonam looks perplexed.

  . . .

  New Twist

  Reema has parked the car right outside Sugaoni police station.

  Madhav is sitting beside Poonam who is browsing through her laptop and showing him her mails and chat messages.

  Reema was impatient to make her point “So here it is Mr. Madhav. The real culprit. The moment I heard Poonam’s confession, I took her home and got her laptop and hard drives. Now please make sure you get that Sid.”

  Madhav did not like the commanding tone that Reema had acquired suddenly “No one has informed me that you have been appointed my boss in Sugaoni.”

  Reema huffs in disgust and looks away.

  Madhav had to cut her down in size “If you don’t shut up then I will ask you to leave the police station.” Reema is still defiant and continues to stare at Madhav who turns back to person of interest, “Poonam, play me the portion where he is speaking about Rudra.”

  Poonam scrolls down and searches. Madhav gestures to Jagan who dials a number on his mobile and puts the caller on hold.

  Poonam finds the file “This is a call recording of Sid.”

  She plays the recording as all pay attention to the conversation but cannot understand because it is in Tamil. Jagan holds his mobile closer to the speaker. Recording over Jagan puts his phone on speaker,

  Jagan speaks to the caller at the other end of the call “So Venkat, what did you understand”?

  Venkat, on phone replies “This is a very dangerous talk happening. The caller is telling this Rudra on another side to come to an address and he wants to shoot somebody. Is this going to happen? It’s so scary.”

  Madhav is impatient “Please continue, what else are they talking about”?

  Venkat continues “The caller is saying that he will send the photo and address by email and also the advance money online. He is booking a hotel room for Rudra. That’s all. Is it helpful? Can you stop this murder”?

  Madhav replies “No. The murder has already happened. We are trying to catch the killer. Thank you for your assistance.”

  Reema is most relieved with the new information “Thank God now we have real proof about the killer. At least now you will believe that I am innocent.”

  Poonam reacts sharply to Reema’s statement. She didn’t not know about this part. Reema catches that reaction and shuts up. Poonam tries to look normal.

  Madhav is already on with his instructions, “We need to find the mail that Sid was talking about.”

  Poonam starts searching through her computer and finds some encrypted mails. She calls the office and forwards the mails for decryption.

  Madhav advices “Poonam if Sid tries to contact you, please let us know immediately.”

  Poonam looks sad as she says “Now I have no hope. Since he is involved in a crime, he is never coming to Sugaoni again.”

  Reema tries to pacify her “I am so sorry. You were getting serious about him.”

  Poonam almost has tears in her eyes when her mobile rings. The office is giving her instructions on how to view the files they are sending back. Poonam follows instructions and opens the mails. As she scrolls down reading every mail along with Madhav and Jagan she comes to the mail sent to Rudra. The mail has been translated from Tamil to English.

  ● “Location: Sugaoni, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

  ● Date of arrival: 28 March

  ● Accommodation: Hotel Oscar

  ● Name of Target: Nikhil Kumar (see pic attached)”

  Poonam clicks on the attachment and a picture of Nikhil opens. The picture has been taken from Nikhil’s social media account. Reema starts sobbing when she sees Nikhil’s picture.

  “Thank you, Poonam, you will have to leave behind your laptop and drives. Now they are part of the evidence. We will return them in a few days. You can go now.” Then Madhav turns to Reema “maybe you can drop Poonam back to her house. I will be in touch with you.”

  “I need a minute with you in private.”

  Madhav walks out to the interrogation room and Reema follows

  Reema is adamant with Madhav “This Hotel Oscar connection is very clear that this person was involved in destroying my life and troubling Nikhil too. I am being framed as murderer.”

  Madhav is on the verge of losing his cool with Reema “Reema, go home. The investigation is still on. We will keep you informed.”

  Reema wanted to stay back and make sure that the police had stopped suspecting her and Karan. But she leaves because Madhav was sounding very stern.

  After dropping a crest fallen Poonam home. Reema returned home and called Karan.

  Karan was very upbeat “There is good news for us. The police have undeniable proof that Sid was planning to kill Nikhil. We can’t be the accused”?

  Reema was still cautious “So far this is how it looks. I am not sure whether to feel free yet. These police guys can turn anything to implicate us.”

  Karan persisted with his optimism “No, Reema. I think it’s all over. Now they have to find that ‘Sid’ guy.”

  “The video is hanging on our necks like a sword. If they are unable to nab Sid, they will make us the scapegoats. That video makes us look guilty.”

  Karan pipes down “This Poonam chick is the key to know more about Sid. If Sid is caught then it’s all over, right? You have to get more details from Poonam. Any small bit of information can help.”

  Reema slips deep into her thoughts.

  . . .

  Cosy Nest

  Reema climbs the wooden staircase of the old bungalow. She knocks with the metal ring hanging on the door. Poonam opens the door almost immediately since Reema had called her on phone earlier. Reema enters the small room embedded in the loft.

  Reema looks around the tiny studio apartment “This is quite cozy.”

  Poonam smiles “Thank You. Serves my needs. I have made some tea for us.”

  Reema sits on the cane chair and looks at Poonam’s drawings and paintings. Poonam returns with tea and chocolate tarts.

  Reema gets straight to the point “Poonam, I need your help. I guess you already know that I am in trouble.”

  Poonam looks blankly, unsure of how to react.

  “The police are trying to implicate me for Nikhil’s murder. But I am innocent. You have seen for yourself what Sid was planning. Don’t you think he is the actual killer”?

  Poonam replied “It does looks like that Ma’am.”

  Reema is satisfied with the reply and moves ahead “You must tell me everything that happened between Sid and you. I need all the smallest details. We have to find Sid. Please Poonam.”

  Poonam felt embarrassed by Reema’s pleading “I want to help you but I don’t know how. I am so confused. I don’t know who is the culprit and who is innocent.”

  Reema went on the offensive “So, you also think it could be me? How dare you Poonam. You are supposed to be on my side. Nikhil left most of his wealth for you guys and now when Nikhil’s wife needs your support. You are not sure”?

  Poonam was taken aback by the onslaught. She had to hit back “Nikhil sir was a good man. I will d
o anything for him but ma’am… you both were not really together.”

  “What nonsense! How can you say such nonsense”? Reema thundered.

  “Because you were not faithful to him.” Poonam felt good after blurting it out. She was pretty upset about the indiscretion on Reema’s part.

  Reema jumps up from the sofa.

  “Shut up! You dare speak another word. What kind of filth do you think…”?

  “I am sorry for being so upfront Ma’am but I have seen your video.”

  This hit Reema like a sledgehammer. She tried to comprehend how the video could have reached Poonam. Reema starts sobbing and collapses on the sofa.

  Poonam did not feel sorry for the crying adulteress. “I did not want to reveal it in front of the police. I did not tell you because I was not sure of the what and why. I found it on Sid’s pen drive. I wanted to discuss it with him but never got the chance before he vanished.”

  This information shocked me. How could Sid access my cloud servers? Reema realized the information just given by Poonam was very important. Suddenly she had the answer to many questions. Sid mailed the videos to them and the police.

  Reema made an attempt to explain “I don’t blame you. I want to tell you honestly that there is no connection between the video and what happened to Nikhil. The police are trying to use that video to make me look guilty.”

  Poonam nodded her head “That's what anyone would have thought. It’s not a fake video, is it”?

  Reema put on her most sorry face “That was a terrible mistake. Just one mistake has made my life a living hell. I was engaged to that man before I met Nikhil. But the question is why Sid sent the video to the police? Obviously to frame me so that he would go scot-free. Tell me how deep were your relations with Sid? Are you still in love with him”?

  Poonam sighed “It doesn’t matter now. It’s over. It seemed so real at that time. How can someone fake their love so blatantly”?

  Reema ignored the tinge of guilt that she felt on that statement.

  Reema worked out a plan in her head “You can use his feelings for you in a way that can help me. Can you contact him? Poonam toys with the idea and starts thinking about how she could manage that. Reema continued “I will fly you to Chennai or wherever he is to meet him. All you have to do is find out who was the shooter. I promise you when the shooter is caught, we will not pursue Sid anymore. All I want is to get out of this case.”

  Poonam wants to feel sympathy for Reema but the video is too fresh in her mind and Reema did look like she was having a good time. But then the opportunity of meeting Sid was very tempting.

  . . .

  Hyderabad Airport

  Poonam sauntered out from the airport at Hyderabad. She had packed some of the delicacies that Sid liked a lot. Sid was in Hyderabad for some assignment. She called him after landing and he texted her an address. Poonam booked a pre-paid taxi and called Reema from the phone provided for the trip.

  This is her first trip anywhere outside Himachal. She is nervous and wishing that all goes well. First, the fact that Sid should still be in love with her and second, the confusion on Nikhil’s murder gets sorted. Contacting Sid was tough. What helped was the online game Fortnite. Sid was an avid gamer and she was sure he would be there sometime. Poonam started playing the game. One of the features of the game is that the players can chat and talk with each other. Poonam spent many evenings looking for Sid and finally he popped in. Then he gave her his new mobile number.

  The address she reached was a two-star hotel. Sid is not anywhere and the hotel reception gives her a key to the room. She calls Sid again.

  “Hi, I have reached the hotel.”

  “Good. Make yourself comfortable. Have a bath and I will be there in an hour then we will go out for lunch. Sounds good”?

  Poonam unpacks and goes for a shower. When she steps out of the bathroom, she finds Sid sitting on the bed. She was just wearing a towel and turns around in shock to go back inside the bathroom. Sid is quick on his feet and grabs her before she could getaway.

  “No, don’t hide. You don’t know how much I missed you.” Poonam is frozen and submits meekly.

  Sid starts kissing her on the neck and lips. Poonam had spoken with him on phone erotically and had phone sex with him when she called to set up the meeting. This was advised by Reema. Reema said that it was the surest way to make him agree to meet. Now Poonam was confused. She got intimate with Sid but somehow, she felt cheap. She had been told that an hour after Sid meets her, she has to give a missed call and someone will come to interrogate Sid.

  Sid had slipped off the towel and was caressing her back down to the ample buns. Poonam was trying to catch her breath and it sounded like moans of approval. Sid was out of his shirt and pressed his torso to hers. Poonam’s bosom crushed against his chest and he moved around gyrating against her. Poonam was still frozen with indecision. She was getting mixed signals from her brain and body. As Sid reached down between her thighs, she knew that her wetness would be a giveaway. She clenched her thighs but the erect nipples had already given out the secret. Sid guided her to the bed and kept murmuring sweet nothings to her. The lovemaking was gentle and passionate just as Poonam had imagined and wished for. When they finished Sid went to the bathroom and Poonam dialed the number but there was no response.

  Sid returned and asked her to dress up as they are having lunch at the Paradise Restaurant. They were out of the hotel in ten minutes and immediately surrounded by four toughies. They were dragged into a van and their heads were wrapped in a black bag.

  Sid trapped

  When the black bags came off her head, Poonam was in a room without Sid. She could see Sid on a laptop screen, he too was tied up. She recognized Inspector Madhav and Jagan along with some local policemen.

  Madhav spoke to Sid “You are the prime suspect in the murder of Nikhil Kumar. We have a warrant for your arrest. You will be taken back to Sugaoni and prosecuted there.”

  Sid looked flabbergasted “You have no proof of me killing Nikhil. You can’t take me anywhere.”

  “We have enough proof. Your conversations with Rudra were recorded and we have the emails. We have a witness that will recognize you when you were searching for a hitman. We know you were planted in Nikhil’s company by Sudhir Belawadi. He is also being arrested now.”

  Sid tried to explain “You can prosecute me for planning to murder but not for the actual act.”

  “You are agreeing that you planned the murder but you didn’t murder”?

  Sid replied “Yes. I was sent by Sudhir but . . .”

  Madhav wanted to clear one doubt “Are you the one sending us those secret emails and videos implicating Reema Kumar and her lover”?

  “No sir. I did not send any that video to anyone. I found some videos when I hacked into Nikhil’s cloud storage account.”

  Sid is interrupted by Madhav who has just seen a new email. The email has been sent by the same secret source. Madhav reads the email and smiles.

  “Where is Rudra”?

  Sid replies softly “He is in Salem, his home town.”

  Madhav continues “I need his address and phone number. When your shooter came to Sugaoni, where did he stay”?

  Sid was now singing like a canary “I booked him into a good hotel so that no one should get suspicious. He stayed at the Hotel Oscar.”

  Madhav felt like he has cracked it “That's it. We are done here. You are under arrest and we have got your transit remand. We are going to Sugaoni.”

  Sid is lifted by his arms as he is in handcuffs. Poonam is sad about the outcome. Karan walks in to the room.

  Jagan compliments Poonam “You did very well Poonam.”

  Poonam wanted to solve a puzzle “How did you guys find which hotel we were in”?

  Jagan explained “We were tracking the location of the mobile we gave you. We will be taking a different flight after Sid and Madhav are on their way.”

  . . .

  The Raid

 
Day 10

  A police jeep raced down the road that leads to Hotel Oscar. Madhav has a smug smile on his face as Jagan coordinated on the phone about the origin of the video and the sender. When the jeep came to a halt outside the hotel. Madhav jumped off and looked across the road. He could see that the Hotel was right across the spot where Nikhil was murdered. Now that can’t be a coincidence.

  Madhav walked into the lobby and asked for the manager. The receptionist was polite and asked them to be seated as he dialed the intercom. A waiter appeared with welcome drinks. Soon the manager also sauntered in asking whether they would like tea instead. Madhav was already looking around and estimating the angles of the CCTV cameras. He positioned himself in the same spot he saw Karan and Reema at the reception.

  Madhav asked for the register of entry which is mandatory for the guest to fill in details. Madhav finds the entry of Rudra Shivam. Rudra checked out on the day Nikhil was murdered. Madhav was pleased that Rudra has been arrested and was being brought to Sugaoni. Madhav then went straight to the date that he had seen on the video. He saw the entry of Karan. He asked the manager about the entry. The manager said he is our regular guest and stays for a few days every month. This part Madhav had figured out in his head. He wanted to get the damning evidence. He asks the manager whether Karan stayed there alone or with someone. The manager did not bat an eyelid and said he was staying alone.

  Madhav looked at the manager sharply. He asks the manager sternly “do you want me to see the CCTV recordings of every day to see how many unregistered ladies go up to the room? The manager froze and in a squeaky voice tried to ask Madhav what was the matter. Madhav asked for the keys to Karan’s Room 305. The manager collected the key and escorted them to the third floor.