Once Lakshmi gave him her cell number, he called her number and then helped her to save his number. He was about to leave when he suddenly remembered that he had to get Juhi’s address.
So he asked Lakshmi if she had Juhi’s address and phone number. Lakshmi could provide the phone number, but did not have her address. She asked the driver, Ram Singh, who was loitering around the huge grounds, to come up. He had taken Juhi home frequently. Ram Singh told Vikram that she lived in Srinagar Colony and gave him her address.
Vikram slowly walked back towards his car. He lit a cigarette and then leaned against the bonnet of his car. He mulled over the information given to him by Lakshmi. So Richa and Kinshuk had a fight on the day before her death. Kinshuk was short of money. He must have needed money desperately to feed his drug addiction. Kinshuk must have known about Richa’s will. Was it possible that he killed his mother? Did he feed the cocktail of drugs containing phenelzine to his mother by some means during the night and then pretend to be in deep sleep when she was screaming in agony? But what sort of son would kill his own mother for money? Yet matricide was not an unknown phenomenon.
What other unknown drug could have been administered which could have caused seizures and death within such a short time? More importantly, how was it obtained and administered? Vikram decided to go and meet the governess in person to see if she could provide some more clues.
He was about to get into his car when he saw a yellow Porsche roar up the private road. The driver was Kinshuk Lohia.Vikram recognised him from the pictures he had seen in an edition of India Today where a feature on the Lohia family had been published. The car stopped with a screech of brakes dangerously close to the gate and Kinshuk blasted his horn imperiously. A security guard ran out to open the gate. He was clearly scared of Kinshuk. Vikram decided that he would like to talk to Kinshuk. He waited for some time and then walked up to the security hut and asked them to connect to Kinshuk. But Lakshmi took the call. Vikram said, ‘Lakshmi, this is Vikram. I would like to talk to Kinshuk. Can he spare some time?’
Lakshmi said, ‘Sir – I will ask – please hold the line.’
Lakshmi came back on the line and said, ‘He says that he cannot see you now. He asked you to call him and fix an appointment for a later time.’
So Kinshuk was a rude and arrogant person who had no interest in his mother’s murder investigation. This was certainly strange. Did any of the children really care for their mother? Kiara seemed to be right at least about Kinshuk. He really was a spoilt rich kid, though possibly a poor little rich kid, Vikram thought to himself.
6
A Meeting with the Governess
Vikram called the cell number of the governess, Juhi that Lakshmi had provided to him.
A soft, well-modulated and husky voice answered the phone. It was a voice that conjured up images of a beautiful woman. The deep, sultry and slightly breathy voice sent shivers down his spine. Vikram had always been susceptible to women with beautiful voices.
He introduced himself and asked if he could come down and meet her and she immediately agreed to meet him after lunch, at 3 pm.
Vikram went down to his favourite Chinese restaurant in Banjara Hills and had a sumptuous lunch. He was a regular customer there and the waiter welcomed him with a warm smile.
He had tom yum soup, teriyaki chicken, and prawns with spicy royal thai sauce. He also ordered bamboo rice as he loved the flavourful grain.
He felt blessed after that splendid meal, and expressed his gratitude by tipping the waiter handsomely. He was very sleepy as he proceeded to meet Juhi.
Exactly at 3 pm he rang the bell of the modest apartment where Juhi lived. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet to stop himself from falling asleep. In a minute, the door was opened by a woman around twenty-four years of age. She was wearing a simple cotton salwar suit in a light floral print.
She had almond shaped eyes, which were large and expressive, neatly shaped eyebrows and elongated earlobes. She had a prominent but sharp and straight nose. Her full lips were a symbol of sexuality and fertility, and she had long, thick, black hair which she had left loose. She had an hourglass figure with ample breasts and hips, while her waist was narrow. She was of above average height and was slim, but not willowy. She was the epitome of Indian beauty and her movements were extremely graceful. She had a strong resemblance to yesteryear actress Madhubala.
She smiled at him and said in the same well-modulated and sexy voice that he had heard over the phone, ‘You must be Vikram Rana.’
Vikram’s sleepiness vanished on seeing this beautiful vision in front of him. When he confirmed his identity, she bade him to enter, and shut the door. The drawing room was clean and tidy though shabbily furnished. Vikram politely waited for Juhi to sit down before sitting down himself on the faded blue sofa.
Smiling warmly at Vikram, Juhi asked, ‘How can I help you?’
Vikram said, ‘You must be aware of Richa Lohia’s death. I have been asked to investigate the matter as I already mentioned to you over the phone. You had been working with the Lohia kids. You can speak openly to me. I am an old close friend of Rohan Lohia and he has given me a free hand to conduct this investigation.’
Juhi said, ‘Yes, Rohan sir called and asked me to extend all possible help to you. I was extremely shocked to learn about her death through the news channels. Poor woman! What a horrible way to die. But before we start would you like to have a glass of water or a cup of tea?’
Refusing her offer, Vikram said, ‘Tell me something about your background. Why did you choose this profession?’
Juhi said, ‘I was born in a lower middle class family. My father passed away when I was two years old and my mother used to do menial jobs to support me and maintain a roof over our head. My mother instilled in me the belief that education was very important for me to grow as an individual and to be successful in life. I used to be a voracious reader and read a variety of books, which I got from the school library. Because of my interest in learning, my school teachers helped me get a scholarship for studies. Story books helped me to escape from my unhappy domestic situation. I also believed that education would allow me the freedom to improve my position in society by teaching me to act like a "lady," and my success at school also increased my self-confidence. I completed my graduation with flying colours.’
Vikram was startled at this information. He said, ‘Then why did you stop studying and start working?’
‘When I started my post-graduation, my mother passed away suddenly. So I had to quit studying and find work immediately.’
‘How did you get the work in the Lohia household?’
‘I saw an ad in the papers seeking a governess for the kids. Gaurav sir’s secretary interviewed me. The offer of a position in the aristocratic household of the Lohias was irresistible to me, despite a vaguely ominous warning from Gaurav sir’s secretary that it would be a challenging one.’
‘So was it really challenging?’
‘Definitely. The chief difficulty in the Lohia household was the moody and impulsive Richa madam. She was jealous of the way my patient consistency and helpfulness won the children's affection and Gaurav sir’s respect.
‘I had to give Tia and Gautam the emotional support they needed as Richa madam was becoming more and more unbalanced with every passing day and Gaurav sir wanted me to take over their responsibility completely from their mother. Kinshuk did not need me, but Gautam and Tia needed my help. Gautam needed help with his studies and also moral support that normally his mother should have given. Tia needed a lot of love and emotional support.’
Vikram asked, ‘But was Richa madam happy with this arrangement?’
‘Yes, initially Richa madam found me to be very useful. But after some time she turned against me. Maybe Lakshmi, who did not like me right from the start, influenced her. I do not know. Maybe her unbalanced nature was to be blame? Whatever, after around a year, Richa madam furiously accused me of stealing the love of her c
hildren. I could see that she wanted me to leave.’
‘So why did you not leave?’
‘Sir, the money was excellent. The children were settling down with me and wanted me and I grew extremely attached to them. Gaurav Sir was happy with the way I was taking care of the children. In fact, initially, Gaurav sir insisted that I continue. But she threatened Gaurav sir with divorce. So I had to leave the job.’
‘But they referred you to your current job with the Suranas.’
‘I think Richa madam felt guilty that she was taking away my job as she knew of my financial situation. So she got Gaurav sir to talk the Suranas into employing me. As I was saying, Gaurav sir had to let me go even though the children loved me more than they loved their mother. All of us were crying when I packed my bags and left. Only Richa madam and her maid, Lakshmi, seemed to be happy.’
Tears were pouring out of Juhi’s eyes as she remembered the injustice she had suffered at Richa’s hands. Vikram waited silently for her tears to subside. He felt sorry for the young girl.
He asked gently, ‘Anyway, you do have a new position. So that should be fine.’
Juhi said, ‘Yes, Sir. I am happy with the new position with the Suranas. I get a lot of free time for myself. Like right now they have gone out of town for a couple of days and I got an unexpected holiday. But I miss Gautam and Tia. And they too felt upset when I had to leave. It was very unsettling.’
Vikram abruptly asked, ‘As you mentioned, Richa madam was becoming more and more unbalanced. So did Gaurav Lohia seek comfort with you? Did he ever make a pass at you?’
Juhi blushed. The pink glow on her olive complexion made her look even more beautiful.
“What nonsense. Gaurav sir was a thorough gentleman. He treated me with courtesy as his children’s governess, nothing more.’
But Juhi had been attracted to Gaurav and it showed in the way she talked about him. It could have been entirely innocent. It was not unknown for an employee to fall in love with her employer, especially if the employer was young, handsome and rich, and was trapped in an unhappy marriage – thought Vikram cynically. Even classic movies like ‘Sound of Music’ had been made on such relationships.
Before he could ask any more questions, the doorbell rang. Juhi got up from her chair and opened the door. A tall, fair man in his forties walked in. He must have been very handsome when he was young but time had ravaged his appearance. Clearly the entire family had been blessed with extreme good looks. His face looked vaguely familiar to Vikram, as if he had seen him before somewhere, but when or where he could not remember. He was smiling, but it was a forced kind of smile, and Vikram had an idea that he was extremely nervous. After introducing Vikram, Juhi said, ‘This is my maternal uncle, Kalyan. Now that my mother is dead, he and my mami have kindly given me shelter.’
Kalyan shook Vikram’s hand, and his hand was clammy. Vikram had a notion that he was seeking to control himself. Juhi had changed with the coming of her Uncle, but Vikram was not sure in what way, but it was as though a shutter had been drawn over her expression.
Kalyan smiled and said, ‘This is the least I could do for my sister’s child.’ He had a very kind smile.
Then he turned towards Juhi.
‘You are not looking too well. Are you okay?’ he asked, looking at Juhi, and Vikram could not see his face clearly.
"Yes, Mamaji." Juhi’s voice sounded faint as though she were a little girl and not very sure of herself.
He had turned to Vikram and said, ‘Forgive me, Mr Rana. I am concerned for Juhi. She has a nervous disposition and not used to visits from detectives and police. Do you have something to ask me?’
Her welfare is his greatest concern, Vikram thought. He also noticed that he had gentle black eyes. He looked like a very nice and kind-hearted man.with a benevolent disposition
‘Yes,’ Vikram said, ‘I wanted to speak to you regarding Rich Lohia’s death.’
While he was speaking, Vikram was becoming more and more sure that Kalyan was somehow related to the Bombay Film Industry. He decided to take a chance and asked, ‘Have you acted in any film?’
Kalyan seemed to be very pleased by this recognition. He cleared his throat and smiled, ‘Yes, I acted in four films.’
Vikram then remembered seeing his face on the inside pages of an old film magazine.
‘So you are a professional actor?’ he asked Kalyan.
‘No, Mr Rana. You know how the Bombay Film Industry works. To catch a break in Bollywood if you are not a brilliant actor, you either have to get very lucky or have some legacy connections. Without any contacts it is difficult to find work. I worked in a few films – some of them did not get released. Soon the offers dried up. So I came back to Hyderabad, and now I am an insurance agent. After all, I have a family to maintain. On top of that, my wife, Juhi’s Mami met with an accident and is now an invalid. Who would take care of her? I did not feel like basing the rest of my life on luck – especially Bollywood luck – and then starving.’
‘Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. But now I guess, Juhi is also helping with the family finances. So things must be better now.’
Kalyan looked tenderly at Juhi and said, ‘She has been such a good child all her life. I do not know what I would have done without her help.’
‘You must have been upset when Juhi lost her post with the Lohia’s?’
‘Mr Rana, the Lohias are high society people. The rich and famous are like that. As long as they need you they treat you well, and then they discard you.’
He sounded bitter. ‘They kept Juhi as long as the kids were young. Once they thought the kids had grown up, they kicked her out.’
He was a man with leftist tendencies – Vikram thought. But he also exerted a good deal of influence on Juhi – Vikram could clearly feel this. Juhi herself Vikram did not fully understand; she was a quiet person who had a quick smile. The first impression she gave was that she was merely an innocent girl; Vikram didn't know what made him feel that smooth, rather expressionless perfection was a mask. By the time Vikram came out from Juhi’s house it was 6 pm. It was peak traffic time and the road from Srinagar Colony to Begumpet was chock a block with traffic. It was 7:30 pm by the time he reached home.
‘Hi, Baby.’ Vikram said in a loud voice. ‘I am back! What’s for dinner?’
Veena was lying in the bedroom.
‘Must you shout?’ she complained. ‘I am exhausted.’
Vikram gaped at her. ‘Have you been jogging or something?’
At this hour, Veena was generally slogging in the kitchen, preparing dinner. To see her lying in the bed inactive was a shock to Vikram.
‘There are times Vikram, when I think you are stupid. The project that I am working on right now, the one for which I will need to work from Mumbai, is very challenging. I have been struggling with fixing the bugs in the application. The client has been shouting at me and I have been on constant calls trying to coordinate between teams in Mumbai, Germany, and Australia. It has been exhausting.’
‘Yes – tough. What is for dinner?’
Veena glared at Vikram. ‘Can’t you think of anything else except food?’
Vikram leered. ‘Well, there are other things, but that can come later. What is for dinner?’
‘I don’t know. I have had a brutal day in office and I am tired.’ Vikram regarded his wife and then recognising the signs, he decided that the situation would need to be handled with tact and soft soap. ‘Poor baby! So it has been a brutal day. Will it be like this till the project ends?’
‘I hope not. I suppose things will stabilise in a week or so once the critical defects are fixed.’
‘Fine … fine I am sure it will be all right.’ Vikram shifted from one foot to the other. ‘What’s for dinner?’
Veena sat up, her face turning red with anger.
‘I do not know! I don’t care! If you say that again I will divorce you.’
‘Okay, sweetheart! No need to lose your temper. Calm down. I will make som
e tea for us. You take some rest.’
Vikram went to the kitchen and prepared some tea. He made a mess, using four utensils when one would have sufficed, and spilled tea and sugar all over the kitchen counter. He then poured the rather weak tea into two cups and took the cups into the bedroom.
Veena softened at the sight of him carrying in the tea and got up from the bed. She took one of the cups from him with a smile. Seeing Veena cooling down, Vikram smiled hopefully and asked, ‘What is for dinner?’
7
Discussion with Rohan
Next day, Vikram decided to synch up with Rohan and update him on his investigation. He called him and arranged to meet him in his office at 11 am.
It was ten past nine when he woke up. He had slept around 4 am in the night. He had spent the night making notes, analysing and reviewing the case. He shaved, took a shower, dressed. Veena had made some porridge and had already left for office. Vikram packed the porridge in a plastic bag. He thought he would give it to the beggar who sat near the temple. But the beggar made a face on seeing the porridge and gave it the stray dog nearby. Vikram shrugged and then made his way to his favourite restaurant for breakfast. He had a very satisfying breakfast of idly sambar in Minerva Café in Somajigudda. After finishing his filter coffee, he felt ready to face the day. He went to meet Rohan in his office.
Rohan greeted Vikram gravely. Today he was playing the role of a suave and savvy business man. He offered Vikram a cup of tea but Vikram declined, saying that he had coffee half an hour back. Then he looked at Vikram and in a no-nonsense kind of voice asked, ‘So what is the progress, Vikram?’
Vikram said, ‘I wanted to discuss what I have discovered so far. You might know some of the facts already, but please bear with me.
Vikram Rana Investigates: Tales of Murder and Deception in Hyderabad Page 4