by UD Yasha
‘Superb. Here’s the thing. Plant sex is not a sexy topic. Not right away. At least not on the surface of it. The funny part is a plant’s sex organs are under its surface. You can look at them under a microscope. And that’s when things start getting interesting. Pollen grains are the fingerprints of an environment. Let’s take the pollen grain of a pine tree. A pine pollen found in Mumbai or New York is different from a pine pollen found in Pune or Chicago. It is different even in different localities of the same city. That is because each pollen interacts with its environment and becomes a little different than one from another area. Because of exactly this, a pollen grain can draw a map of the places where its carrier has been.’
Rahul read the report once again. ‘I’ll need some time. There’s no centralized record of pollen grains like there is for fingerprints. I’ll have to ask around for samples of different areas. I’ll get back to you soon. I would’ve given you a date but I’m afraid it is a slow manual process.’
‘I appreciate it. Also, Radha will kill me if she knows I called you. I wasn’t supposed to know about you.’
‘Don’t worry. We’ll laugh about it later,’ he said.
I remained enthusiastic during the next month. I spoke to the detectives who had investigated Holly's murder. Exploring the serial killer angle, I looked up more cases where blood was found in abundance in the victim's bathroom. I could not get any hits. But I came across a staggering fact. One thousand two hundred and sixteen women had disappeared from their homes without a trace since 2000 in India. More than ninety per cent of them were still missing.
Then, thirty-two days after we had first met, Rahul called me at five in the morning. The ringing phone woke me up.
He said, ‘I’m sorry to have called right now –’
‘What did you find?’ I said, jolting up from the bed.
‘You would want to see this.’
‘Come to my office.’
‘Now?’
‘Yeah,’ I said and clicked off.
I heard the gate open ten minutes later. I moved aside the curtains and saw Rahul. I went downstairs and into the garage. I put up a kettle of coffee for both of us. ‘Have you been up all night?’ I said, looking at his tired face.
‘Yeah, I kept finding one link after the other. I have most of the picture now.’
I leaned forward. The smell of coffee swirled in the air. Rahul turned his backpack and pulled out a stack of papers. He passed the first two sheets to me.
‘Palynology is the study of particulates like dust, vapour, gases, pollen and spores. I'm far from an expert. I only know about the vast applications of pollen analysis. As I had told you earlier, studying pollen is useful while trying to trace where all the object carrying the pollen has been. This is because different countries, cities, regions or even two parts of the same garden at times have a unique pollen assemblage. Not just the location, but a time-stamped location. At times, the pollen can tell when it was picked up by an object owing to seasonal changes that the pollen undergoes. Tracing pollens has busted drug cartels and counterfeit item trade. For example, heroin found on the streets of Mumbai could have pollen in it that is found in Peshawar. Or an old idol of God found in a cave should have pollens on it that are almost as old as the idol. If not, then it is fake. I found something interesting in the report you gave me,' he said.
I grinned and I cracked my knuckles in excitement.
Rahul continued. ‘India has only two palynologists due to lack of funds and infrastructure in the field. One stays in New Delhi and works for the government, probably on top secret projects; making him out of our reach. Luckily, the second expert stays in Pune. He's a sixty-five-year-old man named Raghav Barve. I showed him the report. As you know, four of the five pollens were identified in it. Probably because they were local pollens found in New Jersey. The only remaining pollen could not be matched. Until now. Raghav identified it. The last pollen was a mixture of several pollens, probably that it had attracted while it stuck to its carrier object. We found traces of a plant called Lundi–a plant found in India and as luck would have it, especially in large numbers in Pune.’
I gasped. The expression on my face must have changed drastically.
‘Are you okay?’ Rahul asked.
‘Go on, please.’
Rahul gave me a second look of concern. He swallowed. ‘We know this pollen was stuck to the carrier object first. After that, it interacted with other pollens along the way. Since it was originally attached in Pune, we can deduce with fair certainty that the person carrying the pollen was first in Pune, then went to Dubai and then New York and New Jersey.'
‘In that order?’
‘Most likely. We know the starting point of the pollen was Pune for sure. It collected additional particulates along the way.’
Two heartbeats of silence.
Rahul said, ‘You have gone white. Can I get you something?’
‘I may have just found the first clue in ten years in our mom’s disappearance.’
Silence.
‘Rahul? Siya? You two know each other?’
Our heads turned to the source of the voice.
It was Radha. We had not realized how long we had been in the garage but the sun had risen and Radha was standing at the wide garage entrance. I had never seen her more surprised in her life. I ran to her and hugged her tightly. ‘I’ve got a clue in maa’s case,’ I whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek.
That increased the questions in her mind. Rahul got up and handed her a cup of coffee. I sat her down and showed her the progress we had made since the last month. I said, ‘As we stand today, your boyfriend has given us the biggest breakthrough we’ve ever had in finding what happened to maa.’
Radha’s eyes welled with tears. She kept shaking her head. ‘I don’t believe any of this is happening.’ Grinning, she turned to me and said, ‘You’re one crazy woman.’
Rahul chuckled.
Radha turned to Rahul. ‘Stop laughing. You're no less crazy.' She glared at him for a moment but could not even pretend to be angry.
Rahul and I exchanged looks and burst out laughing. I somehow managed to speak. ‘You should have seen your face when you saw us here.’
The investigation into Zakkal also marked a shift in Rahul’s life. While he kept his day job, he began exploring ways in which he could use his expertise in biology to assist law enforcement authorities in various crimes. Over time, he became a trusted partner with whom I could discuss my cases.
I could not help but laugh as I thought back to that conversation.
All the doubts I had about myself vanished in a jiffy. This is for maa. This is to find her. With this new resolve, I returned home. I found Shadow outside my bedroom, waiting for me. I patted him above his tail and he followed me into Radha’s bedroom. He found a spot on the carpet next to the mattress that Rahul had spread on the floor. He was fast asleep. So was Radha. I took my quilt and snuggled into it next to her. I stared at the ceiling for a while, knowing that maa was out there somewhere, still breathing, fighting on like she always had.
Chapter Twelve
I got up the next morning at seven thirty and felt fresher than I had in years despite getting only five hours of sleep. I had received a text message from Rathod.
We will be at your house at nine thirty. Going to Yerwada Jail first to meet Zakkal.
I had two hours. I wondered what Zakkal would tell Rathod. He had not said a thing when he had first been arrested. He had only named the women he had taken. They were a total of seven women, including maa. He also did not reveal where he had kept them or how and why he abducted them. He told the police and court that he did not know whether they were dead or alive. That’s the only information he had shared with anyone.
But now he had the upper hand. He knew the police were interested in the information he had about all the women he had taken. Maybe, that could get him to talk. The way the new crime scene had been staged went on to show the new killer loved atten
tion and making statements. He loved telling people that he was smart. That he was still a threat. I was aware that a different killer was behind the new crime scene. But I couldn't help but think he was following Zakkal’s guidelines.
I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth. I could hear Radha play the Casio tone downstairs. She always played it when she wanted to feel better and, in the process, improved our moods as well. That pretty much summed up Radha’s personality. Rahul’s mattress was folded next to the bed so I guessed he was up as well. I smelt freshly brewed coffee when I stood at the beginning of the stairs. The piano had stopped.
‘Radha!' I called out casually, giving Radha and Rahul enough of a warning if they were getting cosy. I had walked in on them a few times too often. That had prompted me to always announce my arrival.
‘The runway is safe and clear. You can land,’ Radha said in a mocking tone.
I went downstairs. Radha was at the dining table with a cup of coffee in her hand. Shadow greeted me by jumping around me.
‘Just in time,’ Rahul said, pouring a cup for me as well.
I muttered thanks. Rahul was a superb chef. Right from everyday breakfast items and snacks to sophisticated kebabs, tandooris and pasta – he could do it all. He usually made omelettes and pohe for breakfast every time he stayed over. I used to find it awkward at first to make him cook but I realized later that he really enjoyed it.
‘I slept better thinking that maa is alive despite knowing she’s being held captive,’ Radha said.
It was a hard feeling to explain and probably no one else would have gotten it, but I knew exactly how Radha was feeling. ‘So did I,’ I said.
I checked the time. Quarter to eight. I was not sure if I would be able to talk freely with the CID if Radha and Rahul were around. I did not have a problem, but the CID officers would have one. Maybe I could go to the garage but I did not want the CID to see my maniac investigation room.
‘I noticed you went to the garage yesterday,’ Radha said.
I had forgotten to tell her. She must have seen the keys. ‘I thought it was about time,’ I said, not knowing myself how deep in the water I had ventured. In my mind, this was just for maa’s case. The moment we find her, our world would be several hundred times merrier anyway.
‘I’m glad,’ Radha said.
‘I'm going to carry out my investigation like last time around. I had reached a dead end but now we have a new lead,' I said, referring to the new dead body. ‘I'll share whatever I find with Rathod.'
‘We will find her, Siya,’ Radha said.
I nodded. We were venturing into a dangerous place again. One that floated on hope. This was going to end in either ecstasy or shambles.
Rahul brought a sizzling omelette from the stove. He always made a big one with six eggs for the three of us and then cut it later in separate parts. ‘That way we can all eat together,' he had told me the first time he had cooked for us almost five years ago. I had loved the idea. Simple but effective. He pulled out six boiled eggs from a vessel and gave four to Shadow who waited eagerly, knowing his turn was going to come soon. He would eat the remaining two after we finished. I always looked forward to Rahul's omelettes. I’d had few better breakfasts. The melted cheese and mushroom on top looked mouth-watering and tasted even better.
Just as we were finishing, Shadow ran to the door just before the bell rang. I was done eating so I got up to answer it. From the grill on the metal door, I saw who it was. I was surprised. Across the door, Kapil Rathod stood with his hands on his waist. Why is here so early? It’s not even eight thirty. Either Zakkal was not in the mood to talk or something else had happened. I opened the door.
Rathod showed me his ID and introduced himself as was the process. He threw a hand at his partner and said, ‘This is Senior Investigating Officer Mahesh Bhalerao. He’s my partner.’
I held Shadow’s collar and moved aside to let them enter. Shadow wanted to greet them but I pulled him away. Mahesh Bhalerao had a receding hairline. Compared to Rathod, he was on the heavier side. He was in a blue shirt and grey trousers.
‘We don’t mind him,’ Rathod said, petting Shadow.
I let go of Shadow's leash. He scampered across the living room and jumped on Rathod and Bhalerao for a full minute before heading back to the dining area to eat the next batch of boiled eggs that Rahul put in his bowl.
‘I understand you already know about your mother,’ Bhalerao said.
I was confused. I glanced at Rathod. ‘It’s okay,’ he said. ‘He knows.’
‘What are you doing here? I thought someone else was going to come. And aren’t you supposed to be with Zakkal?’ I said, the pitch of my voice rising throughout.
‘That’s right. The ACP was going to come with Bhalerao. We’re coming from the jail itself. We spoke to Zakkal –’
‘What happened? How did you get done so fast?’
Rathod and Bhalerao exchanged looks. ‘Zakkal said he wouldn’t speak to us. He’ll only speak to you,’ Rathod said.
His words hung in the air. Goosebumps crawled up my back. This is certainly personal. Radha joined us in the living room.
‘Is it safe for her to speak to him?’ Radha said.
I opened my mouth to answer but Bhalerao was quicker in his response. ‘He’ll be chained and in his prison cell. He cannot harm Siya even if he wants to.’
‘Does ACP Shukla know of Zakkal’s demand?’ I asked.
‘Yes. I even spoke to him yesterday about your involvement in the new case,’ Rathod said.
‘You what?’ I said, surprised.
When I had first investigated the disappearance of maa and six other women, I had no interest in taking credit. All I wanted was justice. I had handed over all the evidence to the CID so that they could conduct an independent probe. Everything had gone as per plan. The CID filed a charge sheet and the investigation had no mention of me. ACP Siddhanshu Shukla garnered praise across the country. There were whispers of him being promoted to the CBI office in New Delhi.
After Zakkal's trial began, a journalist named Devaki Sharma wrote a big story about my role in Zakkal’s capture, complete with my quotes. But I had never met any journalist, let alone give an interview to her. To date, I didn’t know how Devaki Sharma found out about me. But since then, ACP Shukla believed I leaked that information for glory. The news story showed ACP Shukla in a bad light and forever burned the bridge of trust between us. His big promotion to the CBI was also put under review after the news story came out. Five years on, he was still waiting to move to New Delhi. That I later practised as a defence lawyer did not help.
‘I told him you have caught Zakkal once. You knew his case better than anyone. If he’s somehow involved again despite being in jail, then your expertise in the matter will be useful. He said he needed time to decide last night. I took that as a no,’ Rathod said. ‘But then I called him after we met Zakkal today. He said he’s okay with you speaking to him if it’s needed for the case. He was unhappy about it but he knew he had no choice. He agreed but he wants to speak to you first. I told him we’ll come to your house and tell you about it since we were already out. He agreed hesitantly but he’s coming here as well.’
I could handle seeing ACP Shukla then. He was not a concern for me. I was already thinking about meeting Zakkal. I had only spoken to him at length once, while I was carrying out my own investigation into maa’s disappearance. He was on good behaviour then. Some women might have even called him charming. I did not fault them. He was chivalrous and had a calming presence. No one would have been able to believe he was a killer if he walked past you on the street.
He knew I was responsible for his arrest. We had communicated a few times during his trial. Mostly through eye contact. A mischievous flame flickered in his eyes every time he saw me in court.
Rahul always made extra coffee so I went to the kitchen and got some for Rathod, Bhalerao and myself. Just then, the bell rang again. I turned to the door. It was ACP Shukla. Radha h
eld Shadow as I opened the door.
I had almost forgotten that ACP Shukla had a huge frame. He was well over six feet and was robust. His face was expressionless when he saw me. He sat on the couch, taking up space for two.
‘We briefed her about the events from yesterday,’ Bhalerao said.
Silence.
I beckoned Radha to go upstairs. She dragged Rahul with her and they disappeared along with a reluctant Shadow.
Shukla turned to me. His face was still expressionless. ‘I don’t like this one bit. This doesn’t imply that you’re a part of this investigation by any means. Getting you on board is way off procedure,’ he said. ‘Zakkal is a psychopath but we need to break him if he’s somehow involved in all this. We will not suck up to him or agree to any of his other demands.’
I nodded my head. I agreed with Shukla. Bartering with someone like Zakkal was not a good idea in any situation. Though it got me thinking what other demands Zakkal could make. It would be a slippery slope.
‘You’ll be wired up. We’ll hear your conversation. We’ll also constantly be in your ear,’ Shukla said and paused. ‘I’ll be honest, Ms. Rajput. I’m not a big fan of your ways. I can’t trust you. If there was another way to crack this case, we would have used that.’
The one thing I appreciated about Shukla was his candour. He told it like it was in his mind. He said, ‘Can you think of any reason why Zakkal or the Bedroom Strangler would be interested in you?’
‘Maybe because I caught him in the first place,’ I said and only realized a flash later that it would pinch Shukla where it hurt the most. But in my defence, it was the most obvious answer.
His jaws clenched. He shook his head and said, ‘Apart from that.’
‘He probably feels that there is some kind of a connection between us because he took my mother and I went after him.’
I could tell that Shukla did not like where this conversation was going. I had inserted myself into his investigation.