by Ruby Gupta
It soon became apparent to the young Amar that there were other women who took the place that rightfully belonged to his mother.
Once, he heard Pallavi’s muffled sobs in her bedroom and he was filled with rage – rage for that man. He knew now that there was only one cause for his lovely mother’s sorrow and that was this man.
Amar resolved then that he would grow up and take his mother away from it all; away from the influence of this man who caused her so much pain and anguish. He would save her, make her happy. Then they would live happily ever after.
As he grew older, Amar realized he never could make his mother happy. He was just her son, not the man in her life. What was galling to him was that Rajvir seemed to not care one bit for making his mother suffer like this. In fact, Rajvir did not even seem to notice, or care about Pallavi’s well-being or even her existence. Sure, they went together for various film industry functions and parties as a couple, but it was purely mechanical – for the sake of appearances. It was as if they were two strangers, thrown together by circumstances.
Enough was enough, the young Amar decided one morning, upon observing the deep dark circles under his mom’s swollen eyes over breakfast. He would definitely do something to make his mother happy once he became a man – somehow, somehow, get rid of the root cause of her unhappiness.
‘But what was she doing here on the film set in the middle of the night,’ Inspector Bhogle asked, as he looked at the body of Natalie sprawled awkwardly on the ground.
A heavy wrought iron light fixture lay shattered next to the body. Evidently, the fixture had fallen upon her and killed her.
Even though used to seeing dead bodies, yet the sight of the exotically beautiful young girl lying dead, brought a lump to his throat.
Her long, dark, glossy hair covered most of her face, as she lay sideways. She wore a skimpy negligee, which made her look sexy yet adorable, at the same time. A child-like innocence seemed to cling to her persona. It contrasted dramatically with the pool of congealed blood that spread out from underneath her.
Gingerly, Inspector Bhogle turned over the body with gloved hands.
In spite of himself, he recoiled at the sight of the ghastly injuries that marred one half of her face and head. The heavy wrought iron fixture had completely crushed a good part of her skull and face. All that was visible was a mish-mash of bone, skin and blood. It was too awful to look at.
There was no doubt about the cause of death.
‘Natalie was in the habit of coming and practising for her scenes the night before some of her shoots,’ the visibly shaken assistant director offered. ‘And since today we were to film a particularly difficult emotional scene, she was perhaps practising for it, late in the night,’ he explained further, trying hard to control the wobble in his voice.
‘I see,’ Bhogle was surprised to hear of Natalie’s dedication. He had assumed that all she had to do was to look pretty.
‘Actually, this scene was to be filmed yesterday. Somehow, in spite of many retakes, it just wasn’t what our director wanted. So, he had been rather upset and announced a pack up with strict instructions that it would be the first scene to be shot the next morning and that everybody had better get it exactly right,’ the assistant director elaborated, gaining a semblance of control.
‘So, what was the scene?’
‘It was an action-packed emotional scene. As you can see, this is the set of an old dilapidated building, where everything is apparently falling to pieces. It was supposed to be the ancestral home of the hero located in a village. The hero was involved in renovating the place and bringing it back to its past glory. Natalie was meant to come here to inform the hero that she was leaving him forever. The hero begs her not to leave. Natalie does not relent. Intense dialogues are exchanged and the characters become overwrought. Frenziedly, the hero grabs Natalie. She tears herself away. In desperation, the hero pulls the cord attached to the heavy light fixture intending to kill himself. The light fixture in question was in the process of being fixed to the ceiling via a pulley. It was rigged up to slide down rapidly. A shocked Natalie rushes back to the hero intending to save him. Dramatically the light fixture stops just a few inches above the hero’s head as Natalie pulls him away,’ the assistant director spoke in a rush.
‘Oh.’ It sounded just like another melodramatic, over-the-top scene of a Hindi film, Bhogle thought.
‘Poor Natalie,’ the assistant director’s eyes misted.
‘So, it was an accident,’ Bhogle stated.
‘Yes, a freak accident. It is strange the way the light fixture fell on her,’ the assistant director looked baffled.
‘Umm. But if the light fixture was to stop just before it reached the hero’s head, how and why did it drop on Natalie’s head?’
‘Maybe Natalie pulled the cord that the hero was supposed to pull just to get into the complete flow of the scene. Then accidentally the fixture slipped all the way down. Maybe it happened so rapidly that she had no time to move away,’ the assistant director spoke uncertainly.
‘But why would it slip down all the way? Wasn’t it supposed to stop?’
‘Yes, we had attached an iron hook at one point in the cord. The iron hook would automatically get entangled in the pulley and stop the iron fixture from slipping down all the way.’
Inspector Bhogle bent to examine the cord attached to the heavy wrought iron light fixture with gloved hands. There was no hook anywhere along its entire length.
The assistant director looked on mystified.
‘Was the hook to be attached this morning before filming? And Natalie did not know about it?’ Bhogle asked.
‘No – you see several takes of this scene were already filmed yesterday. But the director was not happy with Natalie’s intensity. He had decided to film it again today. So, everything was left just as it was, with the intention that no time would be wasted in fixing the props for the scene. The hook was very much there yesterday,’ the assistant director grew extremely troubled.
Inspector Bhogle ordered his sub-inspectors and constables to search the entire area for the elusive hook and any other possible clue. He asked them to pay special attention to the cord and the light fixture and examine it for fingerprints. His team got busy investigating the entire area. The photographer took several photographs from all possible angles.
‘I want to speak to the fellow who was in charge of the set and these props, etc.’ Bhogle said.
The assistant director soon brought forward a scared-looking, self-effacing, middle-aged man. He was in charge of the infrastructure on the sets.
The ensuing conversation led nowhere. The man was adamant that everything was precisely as per the director’s orders. He was categorical that the hook was certainly in place when they had left the sets the previous day.
As Inspector Bhogle jotted everything in his case diary, he thought that the case was getting really complicated. Given the circumstances, it seemed certain that this was no accident.
It was murder!
Why else would the iron hook disappear so mysteriously? Who could have done it? Taken such a chance?
How did the killer know that Natalie would be standing under the light and practicing?
How did he ensure that the contraption would fall upon her at the precise moment? And kill her?
It was an awfully slim chance.
But, apparently, the killer had taken the chance and succeeded too!
But wait a minute; in this case the killer would have known that Natalie would come here in the middle of the night to practice. How could he have known that? He would have known it only if he were very close to her. That meant someone close to her had to be the prime suspect.
He had better interrogate people close to her immediately before they had a chance to recover, or cover their tracks.
The first one that he needed to talk to, was the nasty Lucas. It was entirely likely that Lucas could have wanted to kill her. He was certainly capable of it.
But then did he also kill Rajvir?
Was there a connection between the two deaths?
Given the way it had happened, it was more likely than not.
Bhogle stroked his handlebar moustache in frustration.
He was no nearer solving the cipher of Rajvir’s murder, and now this?
He knew his superiors expected him to solve the case soon. But he had made virtually no headway.
He wondered whether Professor Shantanu could help him. The professor had good detecting ability and Bhogle could use his insight on the latest development.
He decided to go up to Xanadu and discuss it with the professor. Maybe he would get some lead, some clue, or some new angle into the case.
This was becoming more than he could handle.
After sending the body for post mortem, and examining the location for possible clues, Bhogle left.
Chapter 13
Inspector Bhogle immediately shared the news of Natalie’s death with Professor Shantanu. He was keen to get the professor’s take on it.
‘My God! How could this happen?’ Shantanu looked astounded. ‘I just spoke to her the other day! She was such a sharp, bright girl – she had her whole life in front of her. She could not die like this,’ he spoke in a rush.
‘And it is most probably murder,’ Bhogle said, as he explained about the missing iron hook on the cord attached to the heavy wrought iron light fixture.
‘Are you sure it was premeditated and not an accident?’ the professor asked.
‘Of course,’ Bhogle felt slightly affronted to have his expertise questioned. Was he right in sharing this with the professor?
‘No. I don’t mean it like that,’ Shantanu was instantly contrite. ‘It was -- a spontaneous response because it is so incomprehensible as to why someone would want Natalie dead.’
Appeased at this, Bhogle nodded.
‘Did you find any clues or anything?’
‘No, nothing apart from that the iron hook was missing. There were no fingerprints on the cord or the fixture. There seemed to be nothing on the sets that did not belong there. Everything at the crime scene was normal. Except – except for the body,’ Bhogle said.
‘Does it mean the killer is the same one and the two murders are linked?’ the professor asked.
‘It certainly seems likely,’ the inspector said
‘Why would one person want to kill both Rajvir and Natalie? What is the connect?’
‘Rajvir and Natalie have worked together and I am sure that the two shared more than a professional relationship,’ Bhogle pointed out.
‘Yes. That could be possible. In that case, Lucas is the prime suspect. Maybe, he killed them both out of jealousy and anger over the affair,’ Professor Shantanu said.
‘Yes, this is precisely what I thought myself. If we prove it, then it will be an open and shut case.’
‘But why kill Natalie now? Why not kill them both together? If it was anger over their affair?’ Shantanu said.
Bhogle remained quiet.
The professor continued, ‘Maybe it was because the opportunity did not present itself. Lucas was probably looking to commit the crimes in such a way that the suspicion would not fall upon him. Hence, the first murder during a party where any one of the two hundred odd people could have done it. And the second in such a way that it could easily be explained as an accident; but for your astuteness.’
‘Yes,’ Bhogle nodded.
‘So, the main thing now is not so much the evidence, but the motive. It is the common motive for the two murders which will bring you to the killer,’ Shantanu said.
‘I’ll let you know how it goes with Lucas,’ Bhogle left.
The news about Natalie’s death soon became the most important news on all the channels. Television journalist Vimal’s channel, which as usual, had a head start, aired as many spicy stories as it could, about Natalie’s rather sordid background, which they learnt about through their investigative journalism, or so they claimed. There were clips of her various modelling shoots, and sundry topless pictures, which were suitably blurred for the sake of preserving the supposedly puritanical sensibilities of the television audience.
‘This just seems to be getting better and better,’ Vimal chortled to his cameraman as they gave a running account of the day’s happening from outside the studio where Natalie’s body had been found.
The cameraman nodded half-heartedly. Did Vimal not feel an iota of sympathy for the poor dead girl or her family, which must be in shock? he wondered.
‘It’s almost like a live film. And I’m in the middle of it,’ Vimal smiled happily. ‘You know, on my advice, the boss is trying to get some sound bytes from her family back in Brasília through video conferencing.’
The cameraman nodded.
‘I haven’t had such fun in a long time. Not had two such juicy stories so close together,’ Vimal said. ‘You know it could be something more than an accident. Otherwise, why would Detective Inspector Bhogle be here? Of course, we cannot say that outright; but we can certainly hint upon it. The audience will love the suspense,’ he continued gleefully.
Girish Kapoor leaned back in his office chair and stared out at his favourite view of the Singapore skyline.
Since the time he had heard of Natalie’s death, he was disturbed.
This was bad…
He had made it a point to be in touch with Dr. Singhvi since leaving Mumbai after the reading of the will.
Somehow, he felt responsible for Rajvir’s family now. After all, he was the elder brother, no matter that they had not been in touch for past several years. Now after Rajvir having died, this was the least he could do for him.
It was bad enough that Rajvir was murdered, but now with Natalie’s death, which in all probability was murder, the matter was becoming increasingly complex. To top it, it was entirely possible that Rajvir had been involved with Natalie. How could Rajvir be involved in such a thing? Surely, he was too old for all this? Or was he?
Rajvir did have a weakness for women, Girish reflected. Was it a weakness, or was it because women could not resist him? Or did he set out to charm women in the first place? Or was it that he could not help being charming, and drawing women to himself as a consequence?
Girish smiled to himself. Since the time of his brother’s murder, he found himself increasingly analysing Rajvir’s psyche. All the lost childhood love that he had for his kid brother seemed to have suddenly resurfaced from the dungeon where it had been locked since decades.
Often, in the past weeks he found himself recalling several of the fun-moments they had shared as kids. Those memories filled him with the same delight as he had experienced while living those moments.
Should he go back to Mumbai and be with the family till things were sorted out? he debated.
Pallavi had assured him that she was fine and would be able to manage everything, and that he was not really required. He knew that there had not been much love between Pallavi and Rajvir for a long time now. So, it was easy to believe that she would be able to manage because she was perhaps not so moved by her husband’s death.
But now after Natalie’s death, did she think the same way?
Particularly since both the deaths were murders.
A sudden thought struck him.
Could Pallavi have herself murdered the two? Rajvir for cheating on her, and Natalie for abetting the cheating?
The thought shocked him.
And yet, yet it seemed entirely plausible. After all, Pallavi had the biggest motive; plus, she had inherited all of Rajvir’s assets also. So, there was a dual motive…
Girish became agitated. Should he discuss his suspicions with someone? With whom? Were they valid suspicions?
No – no, why would Pallavi do such a thing? After all she was not in love with Rajvir. So why bother if he was cheating on her?
And then it was not as if Rajvir was cheating on her for the first time. He had done it before in the past too.
; So, she should be quite used to her husband’s philandering by now.
Why would this affect Pallavi? There was Jyothika flaunting her son Chandra Prakash in Pallavi’s face since decades. So, the other women in her husband’s life were nothing to get worked up about.
Yet, and yet…
Girish could not shake off the strong feeling that suddenly took hold of him about Pallavi’s guilt.
It was entirely possible that she was guilty.
Maybe, maybe Natalie was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as the cliché went.
Pallavi could quite possibly be harbouring hatred for Rajvir since decades, and when she came to know about Natalie, who was younger than his daughter – a wild jealousy and fury could have taken hold of her and she must have committed the dastardly acts…
He would go back to Mumbai, Girish Kapoor decided. If not for anything else, to at least discuss this with the police officer, in charge of the investigation – what was his name, yes, that Inspector Bhogle. He did seem to be a sharp and thorough chap.
He owed it to his kid brother to take some action.
He could not sit in his office and focus on business and make money as usual, while his brother’s killer roamed free.
No – he could not allow it. Would not allow it. He would certainly do his bit to set things right.
Immediately, he buzzed his secretary to book him on the first flight to Mumbai.
It really was fitting that that whore, Natalie was dead, Amar reflected. This was the way it should be. All these wanton women with no shame…throwing themselves at Rajvir, to further their career.
He took a deep drag on his joint, relishing the instant kick it gave him. This was good stuff. The new drug dealer that he had found, always supplied him with the best quality of his favourite drug.
Life was really falling into place.
And it was about time too.
At last, he was rid of Rajvir, and now rid of Natalie as well – that bitch who was undermining his beloved mother’s status.