I reach my contact’s home around 4:30 am. The gate is unlocked. I run to the front door and ring the bell insistently. After a delay of five minutes he opens the door. He had told me once that he lives alone. He is shocked to see me. But he quickly drags me inside. He is very angry. But I am shaking and quivering. I need my drugs. He sits me down in the drawing room and comes back with the drug. I snort it up. Additionally he injects me with a sedative to calm my nerves, he explains. I am at peace. Gradually I fall asleep.
When I wake up it is noon. My contact gives me some lunch, gives me some more drugs and then drives me back to the safe house. Tomorrow, he will bring a doctor to see me.
17
DR. PRIYA’S NARRATIVE
Dear Mr. Rana,
As requested by you, I am drawing a character sketch of Dr. Renuka. Please note this is just my view point and may differ from other people’s account about her.
As you know, Dr. Renuka and I were very close. She was more like my mother than a mother-in-law. Unfortunately for us, some of her close friends had monetary expectations from her. They did their best to fill her ears against me. But our relationship withstood these minor storms and was stronger than ever.
Dr. Renuka was a fantastic human being who devoted her life to the cause of the poor. She donated huge amounts of money to charity. The way she took care of the poor could have rivalled Mother Teresa. She did not charge any doctor’s fees when treating the poor folks in Brahmanwadi. Not only that, she had paid for the medicines and tests as well in many cases. I fully supported her in these endeavours.
When my husband, her only child died, she had become increasingly depressed and had to be hospitalised after attempting suicide. I had discovered her in time and rushed her to hospital. I had set aside my own grief to pull her through those stressful times. Since then, she had always looked upon me as her own daughter. She even made me a partner in her hospital and gave me a lot of responsibilities with which came a lot of learning. I will always be grateful to her for that.
Whenever she got time off from her busy schedules, she would visit temples and donate to the poor. As I could not always accompany her in these visits to the temples, Barkha aunty would go with her and needless to say I am happy that she got such a selfless friend to help her. She was a very unhappy woman because of her son’s death and this was her way of gaining some measure of happiness.
I feel so unhappy now without her. Whenever I was out of town for some work, she would call me so many times, just to check that I was okay. Even now, anytime the phone rings, I feel she is calling to check my well-being. Then I would realise that she would never call again. Why didn't somebody hear her scream when she was bludgeoned to death? I used to have dreams at night and I could hear a woman screaming. I would first fall asleep and would wake up hearing her screams and still hear the screams when awake. But I did not know what to do. For a while I did not know if they were dreams or was it really happening.
If I saw the murderer today I would shoot him, kill him. This man has scarred so many people. Such a lovely woman did not deserve to die the way she did – but I hope that wherever she is now she is in peace.
18
DR. KIRAN CHANCHU
Dr. Kiran Chanchu had been discharged from the hospital, though he was still advised complete bed rest for the next two weeks.
Reddy and Vikram met him at his home. He had a stately mansion in Jubilee Hills. The door was opened by a dignified looking butler. They were shown into a luxurious study.
Dr. Kiran’s study was full of books. Some were medical books but there were a number of books on poetry and novels of Dickens, Bronte, Jonathan Swift, Shakespeare, Milton, Tagore and other great poets and authors. There were also books on history. History of the world, History of India and even history of Hyderabad.
There was a stack of DVDs, mostly of Hollywood movies. The movies had been made by acclaimed directors like Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Torentino - all award winning movies. He had clearly excellent taste in art and literature as well as the keen dressing sense which Vikram had noted before.
As Vikram was looking at the books and the CDs that were neatly and methodically placed on the shelves, Dr. Kiran was wheeled in by a male nurse. He was still looking very sick and weak and his head was heavily bandaged.
Reddy looked at him and said, ‘I am sorry to disturb you when you are yet to recover. But I am under a lot of pressure to nab the killer. Hence I could not postpone our meeting any more. Hope you are feeling well enough to answer a few questions. We promise that we will take as little time as possible.’
Chanchu raised his hand and said, ‘Mr. Reddy, there is no need to apologise. I perfectly understand your situation. How can I help?’
Vikram now said, ‘I see that you are very fond of English literature, history and Hollywood classics.’
‘Yes- if I hadn’t been a doctor, I would have taken up English literature for higher studies. But though I loved literature and arts, I also wanted to be a doctor. But I am also interested in history – especially history of Hyderabad. For example, I assume that both of you are born and brought up in Hyderabad. Did you know how Hyderabad city got its name?’
Vikram said sheepishly, ‘Unfortunately, being a local you tend to take the local history for granted.’
‘In 1589, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the ruler of Qutb Shahi dynasty, selected the present site of the city and named it "Bhaganagar" or "Bhāgyanagar" after Bhagmathi, a local nautch (dancing) girl with whom he had fallen in love. She converted to Islam and adopted the title Hyder Mahal. The city was renamed Hyderabad in her honour. According to another source, the city was named after Haidar, the son of Quli Qutb Shah.’
‘Wow, that’s a pretty story.’ Reddy said.
‘Yes – isn’t it? Did you know that the Charminar will be celebrating its four hundred and twenty sixth birthday this year? That is pretty well maintained a structure, considering the age. According to tales of old, there exists a secret tunnel between the Charminar, leading all the way to the Golkonda fort. There have also been rumours of treasures being hidden there. But till date, no one has been able to locate the route. The story is till shrouded in mystery.’
‘Yes – I have heard about this one though.’ Vikram said. ‘Yes, you are really a person of science and art being a doctor - a lovely combination I think, an artistic person who makes people better.’
Reddy said, ‘Yes, a bit like Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was a leading artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance who's known for his enduring works "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa."’
Vikram looked at Reddy sharply to check if he was being sarcastic, but he remained poker faced and it was impossible to tell if he was joking or seriously complementing Dr. Chanchu.
Reddy was continuing, ‘Dr. Kiran, it was extremely foolish of you to go walking in KBR Park on the 15th May.’
Dr. Kiran looked sheepish and said, ‘I really didn’t think that there was any risk in a public park. Anyway, I have learnt a lesson and will be more careful in the future. I had always thought that I am a harmless man and have no enemies.’
‘Did you see your attacker?’
Dr. Kiran shook his head. ‘I was walking minding my own business when I felt someone hit me on my head from behind. Then I remember nothing.’
Vikram spoke, ‘Dr. Chanchu, I would like to monitor Dr. Amit’s social activities over the year before his death. Can you please do me a favour? Can you please write an account of how he felt, what he did? I do not want a detailed account. Just the highlights or main events. What was his equation with all the close friends in his life, both male and female? You had been his close friend. You would definitely know. Since I can see that you have still not recovered, I suggest that instead of talking to us, think of all these points and write down an account. It will definitely help us to understand why the random killer targeted him.’
Dr. Kiran Chanchu said, ‘Yes definitely – anything to end this random killer
menace.’
There was no other information that he could furnish. Seeing his weakened condition they left without disturbing him anymore.
19
DR. CHANCHU’S NARRATIVE
I am writing down Dr. Amit Pancholi’s description on the request of Mr. Vikram Rana. This is entirely a private account and shouldn’t be disclosed to the public. I am revealing details as I want Mr. Rana to understand Amit better.
Amit Pancholi was a close friend of mine. The day he died was the longest day of my life. For the past four years we have worked together in Asha Foundation. He was a very efficient doctor. But he had relationship issues. He has had a very colourful love life, with some of his flings lasting for less than six months.
As his friend and well-wisher, I had often advised him to settle down. I think that he always meant to be good but couldn’t always help himself. He had confided to me once that his mother had many lovers as well. She was an alcoholic who ultimately ran away with their chauffer when he was only ten years old. He and his older brother had then been brought up by his father’s mother. He’d no idea where his mother was now. I think this affected him psychologically and he has had issues with women because of this. He was hostile to women though he was physically attracted to them. By treating them badly he was getting his revenge on his mother. This is only my personal opinion.
Since the time I have known him, I think his first serious relationship was with Dr. Priya Reddy, a young widow who stayed with her mother-in-law Dr. Renuka Reddy. I approved of the relationship though as far as I understand, her mother-in-law didn’t approve. But then, while he was engaged to Dr. Priya, he fell for Padma.
I had warned Padma against this relationship. But she ignored my advice. I had warned Amit that Dr. Priya would make a much better wife for him. But both of them ignored my advice.
I’m not sure why Amit fell out with his brother who stays in Hyderabad and was like a father figure to him. But after distancing himself from his brother he became even melancholic though he wouldn’t admit that to even himself. He became so lonely that he took to heavy drinking. Don’t get me wrong. He was an excellent doctor and did his work efficiently. But after work he became a totally different character. A bit like Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
As his friend and well-wisher I tried to reform him – but he snubbed me and disregarded my advice. I gave up in the end. I didn’t want to lose our friendship by unnecessarily meddling into his personal matter.
As to the reason why he was targeted by the random killer, my opinion is that though he was a good doctor, he was a bit strict and often harsh with his patients. He believed that he needed to be harsh for their well-being. Maybe one of the patients didn’t take this in the right spirit. So he became a random killer, and targeted Dr. Amit. This is only a theory and of course I may be totally wrong.
But one thing I can tell – Amit was a good doctor and was a good human being to his friends. He could have led a long, fruitful life, if he had been given a chance.
20
SATYA PRAKASH THE DRUG ADDICT
On 25th May, the Ameerpet police station received urgent summons from the owner of an apartment in Sanatnagar. Rajagopal had been stabbed to death by a person named Satya. Satya had been groaning and on hearing his groans the security guard had peeped in through a window to discover the scene of carnage. He had promptly rushed upstairs and had informed the owner. On arriving at the murder scene Vikram, Reddy and the Commissioner had found that the person was none but the random killer Satya Prakash. Kinshuk Jain also arrived shortly after being invited by the Commissioner to meet the man who had been emailing him for so long.
Satya had been groaning but unconscious. He had been revived, but was still in a dazed condition. Rajagopal had been bludgeoned to death with a paperweight. Blood spatters were found on Satya and his fingerprints were found on the heavy paperweight used to kill Raja.
When questioned, he did not deny that his name was Satya Prakash. He said that Raja had brought him to this apartment. He however, denied the killing saying repeatedly that he would never kill as Raja was his cousin and was his only one and true friend. On contacting the owner, who lived on the upper floor of the house, the police found that the one room apartment had recently been leased out to Raja.
He also denied killing Padma or any of the other victims. He suddenly stopped talking as he experienced shakes and he perspired freely. He then moaned and said, ‘Sir I am feeling sick. I need drugs as otherwise, I am unable to continue.’
Reddy said soothingly, ‘Yes we will give you drugs as soon as you have told us why you killed these people.’
Satya said irritably, ‘I keep telling you I have not killed these people. I have no recollection of killing them.’ He started retching. The police led him away to the toilet.
Reddy turned to the police doctor Dr. Suman Namburi and said, ‘Do you think that he is telling the truth?’
Dr. Namburi said, ‘Yes – it is quite possible that he killed these people under influence and has no recollection of the same.’
‘But the letters to the press shows premeditation. If he is killing under the influence of drugs, it can’t be premeditated,’ Vikram said thoughtfully.
The police led Satya back to where the men had been interrogating him.
Vikram asked, ‘Why have you been sending emails challenging the police?’
‘I have not been sending any mails.’ Satya said dully.
Vikram pointed at Kinshuk and asked, ‘Do you know who he is?’
Satya shook his head. ‘I do not know. He must be some senior police officer…’ he panted out through his pain.
‘He is the editor of the Telangana Times…’
Vikram said the word very gently and watched for the effect.
Satya raised his head a little to look at him. ‘Oh, yes?’ he asked disinterestedly. He said it without the cockiness or the hostility that had been so evident in the emails sent to the editor.
Then as if the situation registered in his mind, he looked at Kinshuk with renewed interest and said, ‘Oh!’
Kinshuk Jain held Satya’s gaze and said, ‘Yes, I am the man you sent emails to.’
Satya scratched his hand and clutched his stomach in pain. Then he said irritably, ‘I never wrote to you. I do not even know you. How many times should I say this? I have never written any emails. I have not killed anyone.’
‘If did not write the emails then who did?’
‘I must have some enemy. Everybody is against me. I am being made a fall guy,’ he said weakly.
‘Why did you kill Padma?’
‘I did not kill Padma.’
‘Did you not go and sell plastic containers for storing food items to her on 1st April?’
‘Yes, Raja had asked me to sell the items in Charminar area. He particularly asked me to cover the apartment where Padma was staying. He also asked me to ensure that I sold Padma some items even if I had to give up to fifty percent discount.’
‘Didn’t you question why Padma was being given such high discounts?’
‘Raja said that as she was an ex-colleague, he wanted to give her special discounts.’
‘Didn’t you think that such kindness was out of character for a man like Raja?’
Satya simply groaned. It was clear that he had not given it much thought, but had simply followed Raja’s instructions.
‘Did you know Padma?’
‘I had met her when I was admitted to Asha Foundation.’
‘And you still remembered her after so many years?’
‘Yes, she had been very kind to me when I was admitted there...one of the few people who were kind to me.’
Reddy and Sanjay looked at each other.
‘What about the doctors?’ Sanjay asked.
‘Oh! They were brutal and insensitive. I never want to go back to that hospital again!’ He was shaking in fear at the very thought of going back to Asha Foundation for treatment.
Vikram asked, ‘Did you
know Dr. Amit?’
‘No. He never treated me.’
Reddy asked, ‘Where were you on 15th April?’
‘I was at home! Please believe me – I did not kill anybody.’
‘Do not lie.’ Reddy roared. ‘The tea seller, Thapa saw you on 15th April in Begumpet station near the time Dr. Renuka was murdered. Your shirt was splattered with blood and you were running to catch the train towards Lingampally.’
Satya was shivering from pain and fear. With folded hands he said, ‘Sir – please do not get angry. Yes, I did catch the train to Lingampally. But I was out with Raja the night before. We went to a bar in necklace road. I must have passed out from too much drink and drugs. When I woke up, I found myself on the over bridge of Begumpet railway station. I do not remember how I got the blood stain on my shirt.’
‘Do you know that the police have found the shirt in your home and the spatters match Dr. Renuka’s blood group?’
Satya looked confused. ‘I do not know how Dr. Renuka’s blood spatter came to my shirt. I am sure someone had put the blood in my shirt. It’s all a conspiracy against me. Please believe me – I did not kill anybody. I am not a killer,’ he started sobbing, indeed he looked pitiable, shaking from fear, in need of drugs and in terrible pain.
‘Did you go as a waiter to the marriage function hall where Dr. Amit was killed?’ Vikram asked.
Satya stammered, ‘Yes, I had gone there. I needed money badly. Raja got me the job. He gave me my payment and got the money back from the caterer. He was friendly with the caterer.’
Vikram turned to Reddy and said, ‘Can we contact the caterer and verify that?’ Reddy asked a constable to get in touch with the caterer immediately.
A Season for Dying: A Vikram Rana Mystery (Vikram Rana Series Book 2) Page 10