‘So what happened to those notes and the diary that she maintained?’
‘I do not know what happened to the previous notes, but after Gaurav bhaiya left for London, didi gave me two more notes for him – I have got them with me to give you. You can also keep the diary.’
‘Oh, thanks, this is great! But one more question. Did the children at least love their mother?’
‘Kinshuk was closest to his mother, but Tia and Gautam were not so close. Actually they were not allowed to be close to Richa didi. Gaurav sir kept a governess for them. I and the governess together took care of all their needs. They were being constantly brainwashed against their mother. Richa madam used to cry her eyes out. She was jealous of Juhi, the governess, because the children were becoming closer to her. Juhi used to nurture them and teach them and love them like her own children. Of course she did this to keep Gaurav bhaiya happy. Richa didi also made matters easier for Gaurav bhaiya by losing patience with the children at their slightest naughtiness. But she was so stressed out that it was very difficult for her to retain her normal calm, loving and nurturing self.’
‘Was there any relationship between Gaurav and Juhi madam?’
‘Sir, we are mere servants – we cannot know all the intimate details – but to be honest, I do not think that there was any physical relationship between the two, though by the way they looked at each other and behaved with each other, I would say they found each other attractive. Actually Richa madam had her own doubts regarding their relationship and had set up a hidden camera in the library to check whether there was something going on between the two of them. She had taken me into confidence. I have the recordings with me, which I hid after she died. I do not know if any details had been recorded. You can have a look. But I am sure Gaurav bhaiya would not have wanted any scandal as Richa didi’s father was a very powerful person and a hard man to cross. So he maintained a distance though he was probably very fond of Juhi madam and wanted to take the relationship further.’
‘And this of course made the situation even more intolerable for Richa didi,’ Vikram concluded.
Lakshmi sighed and said, ‘Yes, you are absolutely correct sir. It was really a sad and vicious atmosphere till Richa didi put her foot down. She asked her father to help her remove the governess. Gaurav bhaiya was of course too scared to go against his wishes. The children, as well as their father, were almost crying when the governess left. I think he started hating Richa madam even more after this. Then around two months after Juhi madam left, as soon as the summer vacation started, he went away to London with the children. Richa didi felt even more lonely, but she was an optimistic person and she was hoping that now the governess had gone, her relationship with Gaurav sir would take a turn for the better. But I do not think that it would have happened. She loved Gaurav bhaiya unconditionally and her determination to save their marriage cost her life.’
Agony at Richa’s fate, helplessness and frustration over her inability to help Richa was written on Lakshmi’s face.
‘Who do you think poisoned her?’ Vikram asked.
‘Sir, I would have said that Gaurav bhaiya poisoned her. But how he could have poisoned her when he was sitting in London is a matter of mystery to me.’
‘Hmm,’ Vikram said. ‘Okay, one last question. Tell me something about Kinshuk.’
‘His mother had showered him with too much love and this led him to keep the company of other similar rich and wild boys who introduced him to hard drugs. His mother mollycoddled him but Gaurav bhaiya really dislikes him and openly shows his dislike. This makes Kinshuk baba very unstable emotionally. But he is basically a nice and kind-hearted person. He might steal money but he would never hurt his own mother.’
Lakshmi delved into the bag she had carried with her and gave Vikram the diary, the notes and the tiny camera along with some SD memory cards. Dropping Lakshmi back near the Lohia estate, he mulled over the details he had.
The marriage between Gaurav and Richa had been far from happy. Some couples were very good at creating an illusion of happiness and living the good life to the outside world. Gaurav and Richa were one such couple. Vikram was dumbfounded to know the true extent of the troubles that existed in Gaurav’s marriage. As outsiders, one can never know what goes on behind the closed doors of a marriage Vikram thought ruefully. As far as he could make out from Lakshmi’s statements, Gaurav was a narcissist. He had gradually grown tired of Richa and focussed his attention on the beautiful governess. He made a mental note that he would need to consult a psychiatrist to understand more of Gaurav’s personality.
15
Juhi
Vikram drove back to his house to study the notes, the diary and the SD memory cards.
He plugged in the camera to his computer and studied the recordings, which were made around six months before Richa’s death.
Gaurav was wearing a fine silk sherwani and sitting behind his desk in the library. He was looking at himself and taking selfies from various angles. It was evident that he found himself to be very handsome. Vikram had to admit to himself that he did indeed look very handsome.
There was a knock on the door. Gaurav put down his phone and asked the person to enter.
It was Juhi. Tia was also with her. He looked very pleased to see them. He took Juhi’s hands in his and pressed them warmly. Juhi also looked very happy. The chemistry between them was evident.
Tia tugged at his sherwani and said, ‘Hello Papa.’ He laid his hand on Tia’s shoulder, and she looked up at him pleadingly as if asking him to kiss her. But that, it seemed, was asking too much. He merely said, ‘Hello Tia.’ Then as Tia moved away to look at the children’s book section, he turned to Juhi and smiled again. It was evident that he was seeking her out and reaching out to her for companionship. He said, ‘It is pleasant to see you with Tia. Great to see that you are taking such good care of the children.’
Juhi blushed and stammered out, ‘Yes Tia had been a good girl. Both the children have been good.’
He smiled and looking deep into her eyes said, ‘And what about you? Have you been good?’
As she blushed and stared down at her feet, Gaurav moved closer to her and said, ‘I think you are delightful.’
At that moment Tia wandered back towards them and Juhi drew back. Then she told Gaurav, ‘It is Tia’s bedtime now. She wanted to meet you once before going to bed. We must leave now.’ Holding Tia’s hand she went out closing the door behind her. But before closing the door she glanced back and gave Gaurav a sweet smile.
‘O-ho…’ Vikram said to himself and inserted the second memory card. This had been recorded around the time Juhi had been asked to leave by Richa.
This time the footage showed Gaurav again sitting in the library. There was a look of eager anticipation in his face. There was a knock in his door and Tia and Gautam ran in. Gaurav looked a trifle irritated and asked, ‘Where is Juhi madam?
The children looked apprehensive at his tone. They were clearly afraid when he was in an irritable mood. Gautam took Tia’s hand in his and stammered, ‘I will send her in Papa.’ They went out. Soon Juhi came in. She had taken special care with her appearance and was looking ravishing. All Gaurav’s irritation vanished on seeing her. ‘Why did you take so long to come down? I had been waiting for you for so long.’ Then he took her in his arms and kissed her. Juhi quickly moved out of his arms and said, ‘What are you doing, Gaurav? Someone might come in.’
Gaurav looked at her and said, ‘I cannot go on with this farce … Sometimes it is so difficult to behave so formally with you in front of others when all I want to do is take you in my arms…’
At this moment there was a knock at the door and Lakshmi came in with a cup of tea for Gaurav. Then Gaurav looked at Juhi and said formally, ‘Thanks for updating me about Gautam’s maths report. Let me know if he continues to do badly.’
Juhi nodded demurely and went out with Lakshmi.
So this was the reason that Richa had fired Juhi. She must have s
een the footage. Vikram felt a little sorry for Richa. To be betrayed by the very man she loved so much, and in her own house.
He then looked at the notes given to him by Lakshmi.
One note said, ‘ I know you will never like me, I know you make love to the governess with your eyes, I know that I am nothing special to you now, but tell me why I still cannot stop loving you? You did love me when we got married. We had such a loving relationship together. God gave us three beautiful children. Why, oh why do you break my heart and instigate my own children against me? What did I do for you to stop loving me? You and the children are my world. How can you be so cruel to me and distance yourself and the children from me?’
The second note was similar, pathetically begging for Gaurav’s love and attention. Vikram felt sorry for Richa. The diary contained basically notes of appointment with beauticians, dieticians and her friends. Only one personal entry was there. But it was a highly suggestive one. It said, ‘Thank God Juhi went today. Gaurav will no longer be distracted by her presence and will hopefully return my love. I feel hopeful but apprehensive as well. What if he retaliates against me for getting rid of Juhi?’
Here was the proof directly from the dead woman. Gaurav was seeking revenge because Richa had forcibly stopped their affair and got rid of Juhi from her house. Here was evidence that Gaurav had been lying to the police, at least about his relationship to his wife.
Next day morning, Vikram called up his psychiatrist friend, Dr. Anup Vyas, and asked him about narcissism. He more or less confirmed what Vikram already knew about a narcissistic personality. The information shared by Dr Anup, coupled with the information that he had gleaned from Lakshmi, seemed to confirm his opinion that Gaurav was a narcissistic personality and was even borderline insane. Vikram called Inspector Reddy and suggested that they go and meet Juhi that evening in the hospital.
Juhi was awake when they entered the hospital room. She was clearly devastated by the death of her Uncle and Aunt. Her eyes were red from crying.
Vikram said, ‘So you see the effect of your greed, Ms Juhi. You would not have faced this day if you had not got involved with Gaurav Lohia for his money.’
She looked startled and exclaimed, ‘What do you mean Mr Rana!’
‘No use trying to hide things. We know all about your affair with Gaurav. We have cc tv footage of the same. Richa has got back to you even after her death.’
Juhi said, ‘What could I do, Mr Rana? I had no option. My uncle forced me to encourage Gaurav. I was very frightened of my uncle and had to do what he said. In fact, I was in love with a boy of my own age. But my uncle would not accept him.’
‘Was he Bittoo?’ Vikram asked.
Tears fell down Juhi’s face unheeded. ‘Yes. Bittoo really loved me as I loved him.’
‘But my uncle wanted me to marry Gaurav after Richa madam died. He saw that Gaurav was in love with me. He pushed me to form a relationship with Gaurav Sir so that he could get his hands on his money. He looked very gentle and caring, but he was very ruthless. But I did not kill Richa madam.’
‘Do not lie to me,’ Vikram said, ‘You knew Dr Shetty and stole a prescription pad from him, did you not?’
Juhi was shaking badly by this time. She said, ‘I had to get the prescription pad. Else my uncle would have killed me.’
‘So what happened after that?’ Inspector Reddy asked in a hard voice.
‘Uncle wrote the prescription. He was an actor. He was of similar height as Gaurav sir and also quite similar in looks. He wore a false beard and the same glasses as Gaurav sir and got the phenelzine while posing as him. I really do not know what happened after that.’
‘Shall I guess what happened then?’ Vikram asked, ‘You handed over the phenelzine to Gaurav. You, with your knowledge on medicines, knew that phenelzine with Nyquil would be a deadly cocktail for Richa and she would die. You also hid the false beard and the spectacles in Rohan’s apartment. Then Gaurav pretended to fire you. After this Gaurav waited for two months so that you could not be blamed. Then he put phenelzine in a nearly empty bottle of Nyquil and left for London with his kids. He knew that Richa would take the last dose of medication in a day or two.
Juhi was arrested by the police that night and brought into custody. So long as she was proud of her cleverness, and acted her part, Juhi made no mistakes. But once her self-confidence failed her, she was as incapable as a child would be in keeping up a deception. Cross-examined, she went completely to pieces. But there was still no direct proof to link Gaurav to his wife’s murder.
16
Lakshmi Talks to Gaurav
Mulling over this problem, Vikram decided there had to be a solution for this. He brainstormed his idea with Inspector Reddy who agreed that though risky, the idea could work. They met Lakshmi outside the Lohia mansion and discussed their plan with her. Initially she was hesitant to cooperate, but the thought that Richa’s death would finally be avenged persuaded her. Mala took leave that day to ensure that Lakshmi would be sleeping alone in the first floor servants’ quarters.
Inspector Reddy spoke to the head of the security firm responsible for the safety of the Lohia family and ensured that he and Vikram could enter the premises secretly without any fuss.
That evening before Gaurav came home from office, Vikram and Inspector Reddy hid themselves in the library. It was easy as the library was large and quite dark except where Gaurav’s work desk was located. As per Lakshmi, Gaurav spent a large part of the evening working from his library.
That evening Lakshmi met Gaurav in the library after he had dinner and was working there. She knocked on the door and entered. Gaurav looked slightly irritated upon seeing her. Rather fretfully he said, ‘Well Lakshmi, what is it? I am rather busy.’
Lakshmi had come right up to his desk. She stood there looking down at Gaurav. Vikram was struck by the hard look on her face. Then she said, ‘I want some money.’
The request did not improve Gaurav’s temper. He said sharply, ‘Could it not have waited till tomorrow morning? Anyway, I will inform the secretary. He will give you an advance.’
A fair man, open to reason, though not to emotional appeal – Vikram thought. Lakshmi said, ‘I want ten crores.’
Gaurav sat up straight in his chair.
Lakshmi continued, ‘I have worked in this house for a long time. Now I want to retire with some money as savings for my old age. I think ten crores will be sufficient. And if you won’t give me the money I would be forced to inform the police that I saw you put the phenelzine into the bottle of Nyquil on the night before you left for London.’
There was a pause. Then Gaurav said in a completely unemotional voice, ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
Lakshmi smiled. It was not a nice smile. She said, ‘I think you do.’
Gaurav got up. He took ten lakhs cash from the cupboard above his desk and said, ‘I think that should be sufficient for now. I will arrange for the cash in a week’s time.’
Lakshmi nodded her satisfaction, looked at the money in her hand, put it under the folds of her saree and went out of the room. Gaurav stared at her and at the closed door. The expression on his face shocked Vikram. That arrogant, handsome face was transformed. The lips were drawn back from the teeth in a snarl, the eyes were alive with fury and an almost insane rage. This was the face of a remorseless killer who would go to any extent to get what he wanted. He marvelled at the supreme self-control of Gaurav Lohia. To have gone through the interview with Lakshmi with such frozen restraint when he was in such a rage was indeed remarkable.
Vikram texted to Inspector Reddy, ‘Lakshmi is not safe. You saw his face. He means to kill her. We will need to be extra cautious about guarding her.’
Once Gaurav had gone to his bedroom, the two men stealthily moved into Lakshmi’s bedroom. Vikram took up position behind the door while Inspector Reddy waited behind the curtain in the bedroom window. Somewhere a clock struck two. Gaurav’s door opened and he crept towards Lakshmi’s room. Stealthily open
ing the door to her bedroom he looked down at her. She was pretending to be fast asleep as per the instructions of the police. He put a pillow over her face and was trying to suffocate her when Vikram switched on the electric light near the door. And that was the end of Gaurav Lohia. He collapsed. He did not even try to fight. He knew he had played and lost.
Rohan was released. It was the scandal of the year and the tabloids, social media and television were full of the news for days on end. Vikram and Inspector Reddy were declared heroes, Richa was declared as the poor, persecuted wife and Juhi was roundly abused as the murderous other-woman. Gaurav hired the best criminal lawyer available in the country, Mr Ram Sibal, but whether he would be able to save Gaurav remained to be seen.
Rohan had invited Vikram and Inspector Reddy over to his home. He was now playing the role of the magnanimous head of a vast business empire. Kiara was also present and gave them a warm smile. She apologised very prettily to Vikram for behaving rudely to him when had met her in her office.
Playing the role of the billionaire business magnate to the hilt, Rohan said, ‘Vikram, I am so glad that you were available to get me out of this messy situation. You really turned out to be a friend in need. No words are adequate enough to express my gratitude. You saved my life, friend.’ He handed over a check of fifty lakhs to him. Vikram finally accepted the check after a lot of persuasion from Rohan and only on the condition he would be a silent partner in Vikram’s detective agency.
‘Tell us what exactly happened and how the murder was committed.’
Vikram began:
‘Much of it you must know already. But for Kiara madam’s benefit, let me recapitulate. Gaurav and Richa had a happy life to begin with. But after several years of marriage, Gaurav got very bored. He wanted to end the marriage, but Richa’s father was very influential and powerful. So he could not obtain a divorce. He was a narcissist and borderline insane.’
Vikram Rana Investigates: Tales of Murder and Deception in Hyderabad Page 8