Inspector Reddy asked, ‘Did she not have any friends or visitors?’
‘Occasionally a cousin of hers, Deepak Murthy, used to come and meet her. He was working at the Times of India I believe, and I saw Kamini Dhavala, who used to share a room with her, once or twice, but other than that she did not have many visitors.’
‘Who was her new roommate after Kamini Dhavala left?’
‘After Kamini left, Shobha was her new roommate.’
‘Is Shobha still around? Can we meet her?’
‘I think she leaves for her office around 10:30 am every day. So she should be in her room right now. If you wait in the visitor’s hall, I can send her along.’
They heard light footsteps coming towards them. Shobha entered the room. She was thin and of average height – and a face that one would pass by in a crowd and promptly forget without feeling the need to look back. She appeared to be in her early forties. The bitter look on her face told the story of a person whose youth had passed her by.
‘Ms Shobha, we are sorry to take up your time, but we do need some information about Janaki,’ Vikram said.
‘She seemed like a nice and kind gentlewoman. Her daughter Khushi was her life. She lived for her. She hated to stay away from her in this hostel. But she was forced to stay here as a daily commute from her home in Uppal to her office in Madhapur was not feasible.’
‘Do you know Krishna Mohan Dhavala?’
‘Wasn’t he the guy who was found murdered near Necklace Road?’
When Vikram nodded, she said, ‘Yes, Janaki did mention him once or twice. It seemed that he was her close friend’s husband. She said that he was going after her daughter and she was very bitter about it.’
Inspector Reddy started in surprise – ‘Krishna was after Khushi?’
‘That is what she said…’ Sobha shrugged.
‘Did you know Mrs Kamini Dhavala?’
‘No Sir, she moved out before I moved in. But she seemed to be a nice person based on the stories that Janaki shared about her.’
Vikram got up. ‘Thanks for sharing this information with us. If we need anything more, can we call on you here?’
Shobha said, ‘Sure Sir, anytime,’ and left the room.
Vikram turned towards Inspector Reddy, ‘I think that we have got all possible information from here. Let us go down to Uppal and meet Janaki’s mother and Khusi and inform them about her death. We will also need to warn them. They may be in great danger. There seems to be a dangerous lunatic murderer on the loose. Khushi seemed to be such a happy and cheerful person. I feel so sorry for her.’
Both men felt dispirited that Janaki’s life was lost. Vikram said, ‘We should have arrested Janaki yesterday. Then maybe her life could have been saved. But I was thinking that she herself was the murderer. I need to rethink the whole thing through again. I feel so bad. I am sure her death was not an accident.’
8
Ms Khushi Papula and another Meeting with Kamini
They drove down to Uppal and though they drove fast, they did not reach Janaki’s mother’s house until 11 am. While they were driving down, Reddy called the Uppal Police Station and urgently asked them to arrange for a police protection for Khushi and her grandmother.When they rang the bell, the door was opened by Khushi. She hesitantly asked, ‘May I help you?’
Inspector Reddy hesitantly asked, ‘We have important news to share. Can we come in?’ As they entered and sat in the drawing room, Inspector Reddy gently said, ‘We will also need to meet with your grandmother’.
‘Sure. I will call her.’
Once they were all seated, Inspector Reddy said, ‘I have some sad news. I'm so sorry to tell you this; Janaki was in a terrible car accident.’
Khushi took a deep breath to collect herself. Then she said, ‘What happened?’
Inspector Reddy said, ‘I'm so sorry, but she was killed.’
Khushi’s face registered shock, anger, and disbelief while her grandmother looked sad and distressed. The room was deadly silent and they looked as if they were finding it very difficult to absorb this terrible news. Her grandmother started to cry quietly, but Khushi remained seated as if turned into stone. She made no attempt to console her grandmother.
Inspector Reddy said, ‘Please let us know if there is some way we can help. But let me also add that this may not have been an accident. We are still investigating the matter, but both of you may be in extreme danger. We are very sorry to disturb you at this time but we believe that whomever may have killed Janaki, is getting more and more dangerous. So we need to gather all possible information from you now, even though this is not the best time. We also know that a Facebook profile in the name of Sonia Sinha was created from her laptop. Do you know Sonia Sinha?’
Khushi looked bewildered. She said, ‘I have no idea about Sonia Sinha. In fact, I did not even know that my mother knew anybody called Sonia Sinha.’
Inspector Reddy said, ‘Do you have her laptop?’
Khushi said, ‘Yes I do have the laptop, but a few days back the laptop crashed and is not in a working condition.’
Vikram said, ‘We will still like to inspect it. Can you get the laptop?’
Khushi silently got up and came back with the laptop.
Vikram said, ‘I repeat, your life maybe at stake. Are you sure that you did not know Sonia Sinha?’
Khushi said emphatically, ‘I am positive!’
Vikram asked ‘Did you know Vamsi Rao?’
Khushi nodded, ‘I run a dance school. In the annual day program, I had invited Vamsi Rao as a chief guest and Krishna had accompanied him. After that, when one day I was coming back from school Krishna accosted me and wanted to drop me back to my home in his car. I refused and took a taxi back home. But after that Krishna started stalking me and I was forced to complain to my mother.’
‘Was your mother upset with Krishna?’ Inspector Reddy asked.
‘Yes, she was very upset. She discussed her feelings with Mrs Dhavala, Kamini Aunty, who was equally helpless. But my mother met Mr Dhavala and talked to him directly. After this he stopped stalking me. Sir, I also have a request – please announce a reward for any person who can give information regarding the car that hit my mother – I am sure someone must have seen something! We are willing to pay up to one lakh rupees.’
Suddenly she began shivering as if the shock of her mother’s death which had numbed her senses was starting to wear off. Tears rolled down her face as she said fiercely, ‘I must know who killed my mother. She was a beautiful woman who single-handedly brought me up. She was such a helpful person. She did not deserve to die like this. Please help us to find her killer. I will sell all my jewels to get the reward money.’
Inspector Reddy held her hands and gently said, ‘I am not sure if that will help – but no harm in trying – I will update the Madhapur Police as soon as possible to announce the reward.’
Then he looked at Janaki’s mother and said, ‘The loss of a child can bring tremendous grief, but I hope you will remain strong for Khushi.’
At that moment the doorbell rang again. It was a constable who had been sent to look after Khushi and her granny. The constable’s name was Venkat Thummala. Inspector Reddy explained to Venkat the critical nature of the situation and warned him that Khushi’s and her grandmother’s lives might also be in danger. He requested the constable to be extremely alert. Although the constable seemed a bit sceptical, as if he thought Inspector Reddy’s urgent warnings a bit farfetched, he assured them that he would remain extra cautious.
Vikram looked at Inspector Reddy and indicated to him that they should leave. Vikram said, ‘We are done here for now. Take care of yourself and your granny. Constable Thummala is standing guard outside. He will be relieved by another constable in the evening. We have arranged 24/7 police protection for you until we can catch the murderer. But please, also take precautionary measures yourself. Take care and we will get back to you soon. Again, our apologies for intruding upon your grief, but it was a necessary meeting
as I am sure you realise.’
Khushi nodded mechanically as if she only half understood what they were saying.
Vikram called up Mrs Dhavala and asked if she was available for them to call on her. She confirmed that she would be at home. Keeping constable Thummala posted outside Khushi’s home, Vikram and Inspector Reddy went to Banjara Hills to meet Kamini.
Inspector Reddy gently imparted the news to Kamini that her friend Janaki was dead.
‘What – oh no!’ Kamini’s eyes filled with tears. ‘How did she die?’
‘She was hit by a car, but the police could find no trace of the car or the driver,’ Inspector Reddy replied.
He then asked, ‘Did you also know her daughter, Khushi?’
‘Yes, of course. We used to be their neighbour in Uppal before Krishna built this house in Banjara hills. Also Janaki told me that Krishna was pestering Khushi.’
‘Oh, is that so? That is quite an interesting bit of news. Then what happened?’ Vikram asked.
‘Janaki went to Krishna and warned him that she would go to the police. Krishna knew this would be calling for trouble and backed off to avoid any scandal as he was already a suspect in murder of Karuna, his business partner. In fact Janaki was very bitter about the whole incident. To ensure her daughter’s safety, she organised a car and driver to take Khushi to school and Janaki’s mother used to accompany Khushi every day. Janaki could not afford to spend so much money on cars and drivers and I used to help her out even though I had very little money myself in those days. ’
‘Okay thanks, Mrs Dhavala. We seem to be up against a very wily murderer. If you learn of anything, do let us know immediately. It is not safe to withhold information. Janaki seemed to know something and she was murdered. Please take extra care of yourself and keep all doors and windows properly locked,’ Inspector Reddy said. ‘I will also arrange police protection for you. Till that time stay safe and take care.’
‘Is Bilas around? We might as well talk to him once before leaving.’
‘Yes, he should be around somewhere near the garage. I will send for him.’ Wiping a stray tear from her face, Kamini went out. Bilas came in a few minutes time.
Vikram said, ‘Bilas, we have a dangerous murderer on the loose. If you know something, do not hesitate to tell us now.’
Bilas smiled and said, ‘I really do not know anything. Whatever I knew, I have already told you.’
Vikram said, ‘Bilas, I am warning you again. Janaki Madam, Kamini madam’s friend, knew something and she is dead. The murderer will not hesitate to strike again if needed. If you know anything, anything at all, it will be safer to tell.’
Bilas said earnestly, ‘Sir – I really do not know anything…really there is nothing to tell.’
Vikram srugged his shoulders and said, ‘There is nothing more to discuss in that case.’
As they drove towards Banjara Hills Police Station, Vikram turned towards Reddy and said, ‘I am pretty sure now that he is blackmailing the murderer. The fool! He does not realise the simple fact that a person who has murdered twice will not hesitate to kill thrice. In fact, I am becoming more and more certain that Kamini is providing him with the finances. Maybe he even helped her with the murder? In that case, is police protection needed?’
Inspector Reddy shook his head. ‘We are not sure that Kamini is the murderer. There is no proof as of now. Just because a strong motive exists does not mean that Kamini would necessarily murder her own husband. In fact, keeping her under police protection has the added advantage that she will also be under police observation twenty-four by seven. That would deter her from murdering anybody else – in case she is the murderer.’
They drove down to the Banjara Hills police station again where Inspector Reddy filed a 24/7 police protection order for the Dhavala family. Inspector Reddy then took the laptop to the cybercrime department to confirm that it was in fact same one that had been used to create and operate Sonia Sinha’s Facebook profile. Once this was arranged, Vikram and Reddy got into the car. Vikram would drop Reddy to his office before driving back to his own office.
9
A Black Alto
‘The murderer seems to be getting pretty desperate. Let us find the culprit before there are further murders and bloodshed. You seem to be extra protective about Kamini Dhavala,’ Reddy teased on a lighter note after driving in silence for sometime.’
Vikram shook his head and said, ‘No. I am genuinely concerned for her. As Krishna’s wife, she knew many of his dirty secrets, including his close connection with Vamsi Rao. She might even know the information that Krishna used to blackmail Vamsi. People like Vamsi Rao will go to great lengths to protect their reputations, including murder. For the same reason, I believe that Bilas might also know something important. We have a lunatic murderer on the loose.’
‘So you suspect Vamsi Rao as the possible murderer? Hmm, it will be a very tricky situation for me then. He is very powerful and is known to be quite close to the chief minister. And you know how our commissioner sucks up to the high and mighty politicians.’
Vikram had been a brilliant police officer. But he had earned the wrath of the commissioner of police by going after a rich and corrupt politician who had been involved in a murder case. Though he had proof that the politician had murdered his driver, the commissioner had stepped in and removed him from the investigation team. He had then been transferred to Vizag. After working there for two more years, he had felt heartsick and homesick and had quit his job to open his own investigative agency.
Vikram had been reporting to Inspector Reddy while he was on the police department in Hyderabad. Inspector Reddy had been very sad when he had left. He had worked with Vikram on the murder case involving the corrupt politician. He knew how the politician had pressured the commissioner to get Vikram transferred to Vizag. He had tried to help Vikram at that time but had been powerless. He had been happy when Vikram started his own business. But he still felt Vikram’s loss in his department. They had worked so well as a team. He had been confident of Vikram’s abilities and was the first person to celebrate with him when his detective agency became a big success.
Reddy nodded his head in agreement, ‘Well, he has benefited greatly from the murders if you think about it. Krishna Mohan Dhavala was becoming too careless and was openly flouting the law. He expected Vamsi Rao to bail him out every time. Vamsi must have been getting extremely tired of him. As per Mrs Dhavala, Janaki knew that Krishna had tried to take advantage of her daughter and threatened to make this fact public. So Janaki’s death would have been a big relief for him. Kamini would also know quite a few secrets about the minister. So logically we can conclude that she might also be in danger. This is really tricky. If anything goes wrong or we falsely accuse the minister, my job will be at stake.’
After dropping Inspector Reddy at the police station, Vikram went back to his own office. As he was walking from the lift area towards his reception, he heard Murali and Radha talking. Murali was telling Radha about his next door neighbour’s daughter. It seemed that she had a crush on him and he was trying to avoid her. He was asking Radha advice on this matter. Radha was very seriously trying to advise him how to politely turn down the girl, when Vikram walked in. Radha hurriedly picked up a typing assignment to show Vikram that she was very busy while just as hurriedly, Murali took up his seat. Vikram surveyed the scene and then walked into his office. He smiled inwardly as he could sense a romance brewing in his office.
He rang for a sandwich to be delivered to his office, and started reflecting on the case. He was still thinking when his mobile rang. It was Inspector Reddy. He said, ‘We have found out the car that hit Janaki, was a black Alto. The old model.’
‘How did you find out?’
‘There is a local history sheeter, Ramesh. He was returning home half-drunk. He saw the incident it seems. But he was worried that we might think that he himself was involved. So he did not come forward. But after we announced the reward money, he told us what
he saw.’
‘Did he notice the number plate of the car or who was driving?’
‘No, but he was sure that it was a black Maruti Alto. Says it happened too fast for him to notice anything other than the model of the car. It was too dark to see the driver and the windows had shades from the inside. Vikram –I will call you back. I have got another call.’ Inspector Reddy cut the connection.
Vikram called Khushi. When she picked the call, he said, ‘Hi, Khushi. I have news that will make you feel slightly better. We have identified the model of car that hit your mother. It was a black Alto, the old model. We will search for each and every Alto till we find the correct car.’
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other side. Then after a pause she said, ‘Are you sure about the model and color of the car?’
‘Yes,’ Vikram said. ‘I assure you that we will not rest till we find the car.’
Khushi said, ‘Thanks for updating me. I feel a lot better that there is progress in my mother’s murder. Bye for now.’ She abruptly cut the connection.
Vikram sat behind his desk, reflecting on Khushi’s strange behaviour. But there were other routine activities that needed his immediate attention. So parking his thoughts, he focused on his tasks.
Murali walked in looking excited. He said, ‘Sir, I traced this Urmila Seth. She is a call girl as you rightly guessed. She said that she had gone with Krishna Dhavala a few times. Says that he was quite a generous customer. She says that Krishna used to drive his SUV alone but Bilas, his bodyguard always used to trail him in a separate car. In fact, he would also wait outside the hotel that they used to go.’
‘Great find Murali. Good work.’
Looking extremely happy, Murali asked if Vikram needed any further help. Vikram pushed a letter towards him and said, ‘I have a letter from a prospective client, a Mr Nitin Hase, whose dog is missing and wants our help to find his pet. Go and meet him and see how you can help.’
Vikram Rana Investigates: Tales of Murder and Deception in Hyderabad Page 13