The Siya Rajput Crime Thrillers Books 1-3 (Where Are They Now / Finding Her / The Bones Are Calling)

by UD Yasha

  ‘Please,’ Motilal said. ‘You said you wanted to ask some questions that could help your investigation.’

  We gave them some time to recover. We knew they were feeling a bit better when Kumodhini stopped tearing up.

  Rathod showed them the pictures of Jane Doe and John Doe. ‘Do you recognize these people?’ he said, handing them the pictures. ‘We found that the same gun that was used to kill Sheena was used at the crime scene where that woman was found dead.’

  Both looked at Jane Doe’s picture closely. They shook their heads in unison.

  ‘What about the man?’ Rathod said.

  They shook their heads again. ‘We don’t know who they are,’ Motilal said, giving Rathod the pictures.

  ‘Was Kabir supposed to meet anyone in the week he was killed?’

  ‘He kept meeting a lot of people. I don’t think he was going to meet anyone at the farmhouse.’

  ‘Do you know anyone named Jathar or Malhar Jathar?’ Rathod said.

  ‘I read their names for the first time in the case summary that you sent me,’ Motilal said.

  ‘Me too. We hadn’t come across their names before,’ Kumodhini said, her voice still shaking.

  My mind went back to how long some investigations took. The two of them were going through the agony of it all once again. No wonder they were all shaken up. Just when they had started to normalize their lives, the rug under it had pulled.

  I had a few questions to ask them myself. ‘I know you’ve been through this many times,’ I said. ‘But does anyone come to your mind after reading the updated case summary? It could be the most random connection. But it’ll be helpful for us.’

  Motilal’s eyes wandered as he thought about what I had asked. Kumodhini held his hand and seemed to think about it too.

  ‘We’re just as clueless now as we were all those years back,’ Motilal said.

  I looked at him and said, ‘I noticed that the police had not focused much on your rivals back then. You have had an illustrious career. You have taken down some dangerous men and women and busted scandals. You’ve made enemies too,’ I said.

  Motilal said, ‘You’re right. The police just asked me if I thought anyone was a threat. I told them no one specifically came to my mind but I was sure I had pissed off some people.’

  Motilal paused and smiled. He got up and beckoned us to follow him. ‘That’s why I took the matter in my own hands,’ he said.

  We went to the upper floor of the apartment and then down a corridor. We hung the last right. Motilal used his fingerprint to unlock the room.

  ‘Here,’ he said, waving his hand inside, stepping away to let us enter.

  I was shocked to see what was in front of my eyes. The entire room, bigger than even the living room, was a large murder board. It had lots of photos, names and places. They were connected by threads.

  ‘This is my own investigation into the murders of my son and daughter-in-law. We just call her our daughter because she was so dear to us,’ Motilal said. ‘They were our life. Someone took them away. The police got one person, that bastard who pressed the trigger to kill my son. But that was it. That’s not justice. I am after the person who paid the bastard.’

  The large murder board was reminiscent to the one I had for my mother before we got her back. I knew how he felt, not getting answers or justice.

  ‘How long have you been doing this?’ Rathod asked.

  I already knew the answer. Right from the day that Kabir and Sheena had been killed. This guy hunted down the country’s most feared criminals. It was in his blood to catch the bad guys.

  ‘Ever since Kabir and Sheena died,’ Motilal said, his voice bearing a steely resolve that accompanied the holding back of tears and pain.

  I knew that well, too. People ask you how you are doing. You say you are okay. But inside you, the fire is getting brighter every passing day that justice is denied. Then, there comes a day when the dragon has awakened and it will do anything to seek the truth.

  ‘I hate whoever took our children away so so much,’ Motilal said. ‘I shared the initial bits of my investigation with the police, thinking they would be interested. But when they accepted that they wouldn’t catch Kabir’s actual killer, I got very angry. How could they just give up? However, I soon realized that their hands were tied. Just like mine were at my job. I also take down criminals, though of a different kind. I have to follow logic and devote my time to the hottest cases—the ones that have the highest potential to be solved. Right now on my desk, I have at least three proposals of cold cases that could lead us to find some suspected terrorists. We may very well find them. But they are only suspected terrorists. Our time and resources are consumed by the ones who are actually planning to wreak havoc in this country. That’s why I understood why the police stopped the investigation. But that didn’t stop me from starting my own.’

  ‘Have you found anything useful?’ Rathod said.

  Motilal shook his head. ‘Not yet. But I know I will. There will come a time when I will speak to the person who ordered that hit on my kids. I will look them in the eye and tell them that they are the world’s biggest coward. I know I’m going to get there soon.’

  ‘Can you please share the information you have compiled with us?’ Rathod said. ‘We will corroborate it with our findings and see if we can find a link.’

  We could make out that Motilal was hesitant at first. But then he realized sharing it would do no harm. ‘Sure, more minds mean a better chance at one of us cracking the mystery.’

  We thanked him for showing us his research and work and then headed downstairs again.

  ‘I’m sorry I cannot help you much,’ Motilal said. ‘I have been battling with all this for a long time.’

  ‘Just to make sure, so far, in your own investigation, none of your enemies are on your suspects’ list?’ I said.

  ‘I have gone through them all and I have tracked down all. As far as I know, no one from them ordered the hit. But please look at it yourself with no prejudice. Like I told you, I have been at this for a long time and fresh eyes could help.’

  We waited for a spell as Motilal prepared a fresh copy of the data from his investigation for us. He put it all in a 1TB hard drive and handed it to us. We bid goodbye to Motilal and Kumodhini and started back for Pune at ten o’clock at night.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Rathod and I took turns to drive back as both of us were tired. We reached Pune by one thirty at night. He dropped me home before heading to his house. I had told Radha and Rahul about our meeting with the Ahujas.

  Radha opened the door when she heard me outside. She hugged me tightly and did not let go for at least a minute. Shadow realized it was a moment to show affection so he started jumping on me.

  ‘I was so scared,’ Radha said. ‘I’m glad you’re back.’

  I suddenly remembered the day when I was ten and afraid because dad had not come back after stopping a fight during our ‘unlimited ice-cream’ day. I felt similar to how Radha was feeling right now.

  I stroked her back. ‘I’m so happy to see you,’ I said, knowing how grateful I was to see her.

  Rahul heated dinner for me. My body felt like it was going to collapse any moment. Eating the hot sabji, roti and varan with ghee gave me some energy. I knew I was going to sleep soon.

  ‘Maa knows something is up. She asked me today,’ Radha said.

  ‘What did you tell her?’ I asked.

  ‘Not much. I was vague because she caught me off guard when she asked me. I just told her that you were working on a new case.’

  ‘Did she ask what case it was?’

  ‘Yes, and I told her it was a favour for an old friend of yours and that you were just helping out and not the lead in the investigation.’

  ‘I’m guessing she wasn’t quite satisfied with the answer.’

  Radha smiled. ‘She was not. But she let it pass.’

  ‘We can help you by checking the data on the hard drive that Motilal A
huja gave us,’ Rahul said.

  ‘Great. I would need some help with that,’ I said, laughing. ‘I’m going to crash for the night. It’s been an exhausting day.’

  As I went upstairs to my bedroom, I saw that the door of maa’s room was open. She called out my name as I walked up the stairs. I don’t know how she heard me as I was taking extra care to be quiet.

  ‘Can you come inside please?’ maa said.

  I went inside and a small lamp flicked on next to maa’s bed. She tapped the bed next to her, asking me to sit.

  ‘Did you have your food and medicines?’ I said.

  ‘Right on time.’

  She took my hand as we sat down and said, ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘I know Radha told you that I was helping out a friend with a new case.’

  ‘I didn’t believe her. I only took from what she said that you were trying to solve a new crime. I don’t think it is for a friend.’

  ‘You don’t have to be worried. I’m taking precautions. I’m safe.’

  ‘I know you can beat anyone’s ass,’ maa said. ‘I just have a feeling that this is more than just another case for you. I have seen the way you are behaving since yesterday. I can see through you.’

  I had nothing to say. How could I tell her that there was a chance that dad was still alive?

  Squeezing my hand, maa said, ‘I just wanted to tell you that I’m with you no matter what you decide to do and where you are.’

  ‘That does give me comfort,’ I said, putting my head on her hand.

  ‘Is the case about dad?’ maa said.

  My body stiffened and my heart started to beat faster. I’m sure maa could see right through me at that moment. I was just glad I was not facing her, otherwise my face would have given it away.

  ‘It’s not,’ I said, the words came out slowly.

  ‘I was wondering because you asked me about him yesterday.’

  ‘It was just because I was missing him.’

  ‘I miss him too,’ maa said.

  Before I realized, both of us fell asleep with dad on our minds.

  I woke up sometime in the middle of the night and realized I was sweating in the clothes I had worn all day. I went to my room to put on fresh clothes but the moment I sat on my bed, I couldn’t help but snuggle into my quilt.

  My eyes gave in and I fell asleep once again.

  I got up with a start with just one thought in my mind: Damn it, I overslept.

  I turned in my bed hastily to find my phone. I remembered coming back to my room last night and then passing out on the bed. My phone had to be somewhere close by.

  After tossing around for a good twenty seconds, I found it between my sheets. I saw the time. Five minutes to nine. It was late, but not as much as I’d thought. In my mind it was close to noon.

  My eyes lit up on seeing two messages. The first was from Rathod. He had sent it twenty minutes ago.

  Updates:

  Sonia is still critical and cannot breathe on her own. Still on the ventilator.

  Mukund Dhar’s autopsy revealed that he was given poison through the food he had for lunch.

  The second was from Kedar Sathe, the face reconstruction specialist.

  I have made large headways on reconstructing Jane Doe’s face. I will give you an image soon.

  I was suddenly excited, especially by Kedar’s message, and some of the fatigue melted away.

  I thought Rathod would have more details on Dhar’s murder than what he had shared on text. I called him up.

  ‘I just saw your messages,’ I said.

  ‘The Jail Warden is investigating who might have poisoned Dhar. But to be honest, it looks like a dead end. There are no cameras inside. No prisoner would rat out the other. And everyone had lunch in a large hall together. Anyone could have slipped him the poison. As per the autopsy, it was in liquid form. They had daal and some curry for lunch. Delivering the poison would have been easy,’ Rathod said. ‘There’s another problem.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘It’s ACP Shukla. He knows you are investigating this case with me.’

  ‘Shit.’

  ‘I know. Talk about hell breaking loose.’

  ‘What are you going to do? Have you spoken to him?’ I said.

  ‘Not yet. But he called me and told me he knows that I am snooping around with you. He also knows that you met Dhar yesterday.’

  ‘Then he would also know that he is now dead.’

  ‘That’s what got him on our trail. He then noticed that I had given you the access. He also found out that we met Motilal Ahuja together yesterday.’

  ‘Pin the blame on me,’ I said. ‘Tell him I coerced you.’

  ‘I was thinking of telling him the truth. I can explain the situation.’

  ‘You will be suspended.’’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll understand our problem. He’ll be pissed but he will get it.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘I’ll talk to you later. He just reached the office. I saw his car,’ Rathod said and hung up.

  I jumped out of bed right away. I wondered where Shadow was, because he usually licked my face as soon as I got up. After freshening up, I went downstairs to the wonderful smell of coffee. The perks of waking up after Radha and Rahul. They were sitting at the dining table with two open laptops and many sheets of paper spread out in front of them.

  ‘Where’s Shadow?’ I said.

  ‘Maa’s walking him in the garden,’ Radha said as she caught me looking at the dining table. ‘We’re going through Motilal’s notes,’ Radha said. ‘We started just twenty minutes ago.’

  She got up and poured me some coffee that I gladly accepted. My body ached from all that had happened yesterday. I had no idea how tired I had been until I slept and then got up today morning. I felt like having some sugar. I found a packet of Good Day’s cashew flavoured biscuits that I dipped in my coffee, enjoying the calm.

  ‘I’m going to make some omelettes in a bit,’ Rahul said.

  ‘I’ll always be hungry for those,’ I said, taking another biscuit while cursing myself for having these sugar-filled bakery delights that were not good for me.

  I took my cup to our veranda and sat by the stairs. The morning air was still cool. Just before maa turned around a corner, Shadow ran on, probably smelling me. I petted him generously and gave him a nice leg massage. After I was done, he ran back to maa and started walking alongside her.

  As I took the final sips of my coffee, I finally felt awake. The pain in my body went away. I decided to make a list of things I had to do that day.

  For starters, I wanted to follow up on what Mukund Dhar had said about Kabir expecting a visitor who was going to hand him the evidence. I wanted to know who this person was, and what evidence they were going to hand to Kabir. The proof was the key. It was keeping us safe, or even dad, if he was alive at all. It was something big, and had the power to bring down the Viper. I needed Rathod’s assistance to find out both.

  I pulled out my phone to call him. I stopped, remembering that Shukla had found out about my involvement. He would probably be with Shukla right now, explaining the situation.

  My phone began ringing. To my surprise it was Rathod.

  ‘What did Shukla say?’ I asked him.

  ‘We haven’t spoken yet,’ he said. ‘But I just found something interesting. It tells us how Sonia’s shooter exited the CID building and it could possibly reveal his identity too.’

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Rathod was in the control room of the CID building. It had all the power backups and footage from the CCTV cameras.

  With one hand on the controls to rewind and slow down the video, he told Siya across the line, ‘I was once again going through the CCTV videos from Sonia’s shooting. I had only looked at the footage from an hour on either side of the shooting. But right now, I decided to look at the video of the entire evening. A lot of cameras were blacked out. Especially at the time of the shooting. But they came back on l
ater. It has recorded my entry and the way the other CID officers went about managing the situation. The cameras at the main door also captured the entry and exit of the Rapid Response Team. Strangely, when they entered, they had twenty members. When I looked at the videos of their exit, they had twenty-one.’

  ‘He was dressed as one of them,’ Siya said.

  ‘Exactly. The RRT team covers their faces to protect themselves from any chemical attack. They also wear specific bulletproof clothes as a part of their uniform. It was the best way for his face to be hidden. The fact that he knew they would come meant he knew the protocol in case of a shooting in the CID premises.’

  ‘It again tells us that this person was knowledgeable about law enforcement. But how did no one from the RRT notice that this person was not their colleague?’

  ‘I was wondering that too. He never mingled with them. He was hiding in plain sight all along. So, when the CID officers checked the building, they thought he was just another RRT member. Just before they left, our shooter walked out and told the security to open the gates because the RRT bus had to go out. He conveniently walked out after that. So, he never actually spoke or interacted with any of the real team members. There are only two good things to have come out of this. First, it clears all the CID officers. There was no internal breach, not one that we know of at least. And second, I traced the shooter’s steps, and in one frame, I could see the right side of his face. He was adjusting his mask. It can get claustrophobic if you’re not used to it and he clearly was not.’

  ‘It’ll be great if we know who he is. We can reach his employer through him,’ Siya said.

  Rathod sensed Siya was holding something back. ‘What’s the matter?’ he said.

  ‘I’m just worried about what the ACP would say to you.’