Chapter Four
“How is he?” Sarthak asked.
Rajan had returned to Mr. Mehra’s room after making sure that the boy had his dinner.
“Rajan?” Sarthak clamped the shoulder. “You look as if you had seen a ghost. What happened?”
For fifteen years Rajan wanted to know who was behind that blasted mask. And when the moment of the revelation struck, truth hit him so hard that it shook the very foundation of his confidence. He felt as if was breaking inside.
“Rajan!”
Rajan looked at his mentor, his eyes betraying the truth. “Take me to home. Please.”
Looking at the pale face of Rajan, Sarthak neared him. “What happened?”
Rajan shook his head. “Nothing. I just need some fresh air and some rest. I am tired.”
“Sure.”
Hundred questions began to pop at the same moment inside him. Why would the killer return, and why would he easily place clues for him to follow? The more Rajan pondered, the more he felt scared from it. If the killer was up to some game, Rajan knew he was now in the heart of the trap.
“Keys?”
Rajan stared momentarily at Sarthak’s extended hand. Realizing that he was asking for car’s keys, Rajan dug his hand inside the pocket and gave him it.
They had barely left the mansion when something made the car to stop.
“What happened?”
Sarthak smiled. “Come out.”
As Rajan alighted the car he realized where they were. Covered in thin mist and carpeted with round, smooth pebbles, he walked over the bank of the lake.
“You know why I chose this place?” Sarthak said.
Rajan didn’t answer. He had anticipated this would eventually come.
Sarthak turned to face him. “For what are you waiting? The man you seek is in front of you. Shoot me and end this case! Let your father’s and Mr.Mehra’s souls be at peace.”
Rajan took out his gun and trained at him. “Why?” His hand trembled. “Why to play such schemes? How could you kill my father? He was your friend!”
“So was Mr. Mehra.” Sarthak stepped ahead. “And they both were monsters.”
“This doesn’t make sense!”
Sarthak sneered. “If provided an opportunity you would have happily strangled your own father. Am I not right?”
Rajan dropped his gun. “I can’t shoot you, nor I’ll arrest you. I don’t know what to do?”
“Do what your duty says,” Sarthak spoke with authority. “Do what I taught you. Shoot me!”
“I cannot!” Rajan shouted. And then he broke. “How can I?”
Both looked at each other. An old man, defeated by time and his deeds. A young pupil defeated by his circumstances. Each desperately wanted something from the other. Each denying to complete one another’s wish.
Rajan turned and started pacing toward his car.
“Don’t turn your back!” Sarthak said. “Kill me. I can’t live with this guilt! I am a bloody cop!”
Rajan paused. “Just like fifteen years before, the golden masked man will again vanish without leaving any clues. I’ll make sure of it.”
“You better not!” Sarthak roared, enraged. “Face your fear! Face me.”
Rajan continued his walk.
“I won’t leave you so easily, Rajan! Don’t compel me to do things which I don’t intend. I have lived with this guilt for so long. I can’t sustain it more. End my sufferings or else...” His words trailed off.
Rajan glanced back to see what Sarthak was up to. His body paralyzed with fear.
Sarthak was training his revolver at him. “I can’t allow you. I am sorry.”
And then the gun spoke death.
The Gift Page 4
