The Cosmic Clues (30 page)

“When the Lab confirmed that the powder was indeed cocaine and after
I'd
confirmed that Meena, Ravi's sister, was in no way involved with the couple, I confided in Vivek and we hatched our little plan. Ravi had been hinting to Vivek about the will, hoping that he would talk about it in the study, preferably in Rita's presence. Then it would appear as if Vivek really was after the inheritance. So we decided to help them along with their plan a bit. Vivek was to speak about the inheritance, but in Rita's absence. Then I decided we needed to accuse Vivek openly. Vivek would walk away, as if forever, and Ravi and Kamini would relax, feeling safe and protected. And then they'd show their true colors. Which they did immediately. Unfortunately for them, we were all here to witness the end of their nasty drama!”

“Excellent, Sonia! You've handled this case brilliantly!” Inspector Divekar looked fondly at her.

“Not me alone. It would've been impossible to capsize Ravi and Kamini's plotting without your assistance, Jeevan Uncle, and without Jatin and my never-failing horoscopes, of course.” Sonia smiled at them.

“I must thank you officially for helping me clear my name and my family's name from this mess.” Vivek spoke quite formally.

“You don't have to thank me. I did my job.” Sonia seemed a little embarrassed.

“You did more than that,” Rita spoke up. “You saved an innocent man from being accused of a crime he had never committed.”

“Not to mention the many lives you've saved by putting a stop to these drug-peddlers,” Jatin added.

“Are you guys trying to erase all the horrible things Kamini said about me?” Sonia asked with mock harshness. “You know—
insufferable
and
pompous
—that really hurt, you know!”

“It proved that she deserves the sentence she'll be facing now,” Jatin replied. “But, Boss, all those things you told Vivek, about her brother or cousin dying before her . . .”

“All a product of my highly fertile imagination. I told you: no one can predict death, and if they can, they shouldn't. Astrology's not a game—it's very serious business.”

“Got the point!” Vivek grinned sheepishly.

“Do you think we can have some
chai
?” Sonia asked on a more cheerful note.

“Of course!” Vivek stood up at once. “We all need it.”

“And Vivek,” Sonia continued, “it's Diwali. Could you please hang a lantern at the entrance?”

Vivek nodded. “At once!”

“Hey, the rain's stopped!” Rita was gazing out the window. A pink-and-yellow glow streaked the sky, as a weak sun peeked out of the thinning clouds.

“A real Diwali atmosphere.” Sonia sighed.

Understanding flickered in Jatin's eyes. “This is what Diwali, in its true spirit, means to you, isn't it, Boss? Good over evil, cleaning of minds . . .”

Sonia nodded at him, sharing a special moment with her assistant.

He looked at her, awe and respect stamped on his face. “I don't know if I've said this before, but, Boss, you're the greatest!”

“Thank you, Jatin.” Sonia smiled. “Oh, by the way, do you have Mohnish's number on you?”

“Sure! Do you want me to call him up?”

“Could you call him over to the office in half an hour?”

“Yes, I can, but Boss, don't you want to go home and change?” Jatin eyed the sari, which was beginning to look a sorry sight.

“Actually, Jatin, that's exactly why I wish to call him! I'd like to meet him
before
I go home and change!” she remarked naughtily, then laughed, as Jatin's eyes widened in shock and Rita eyed her with a suspicious twinkle.

The flickering disco lights illuminated the dancing crowd below in iridescent flashes. Music pulsed through the room and into the frenzied dancers—mostly couples, partying groups, and youngsters. Mohnish didn't particularly fancy going to discos, finding the whole scene too much below his adult taste. But Sonia had agreed to go out with him only if he took her to Frenzy—the happening disco club of the town. And he'd decided that he'd rather take her to a childish disco than forgo the chance of taking her out at all!

Now, as he sipped the orange juice, standing by the DJ counter, he observed Sonia on the dance floor. She was simply amazing! Clad in a turquoise-blue
salwar kameez,
she charged the place with her magnetic presence. Her body swayed and curved gracefully as the music seemed to touch and caress her. Oblivious to her surroundings, she danced as if her life depended on it, dedicating herself to the music, to the moment! The idlers on the sidelines stared at her with candid curiosity. Unaware of the interest she was attracting, she danced with complete abandon. Like wildflowers dancing with the wind, Mohnish decided.

With every passing minute, he could sense within him the rising tide of liking for Sonia. He had never before witnessed a more attractive blend of intelligence and empathy. She was clear-sighted in her goals and yet sensitive, and even her moments of eccentricity were fascinating. And last but not the least, her formidable ally, Astrology, had turned her into a trailblazer on the crime investigation scene! With her unswerving belief and tenacity, she was managing to break through the blinkered opinions and conventional notions of hard-core critics, impressing on them the importance of her pioneering investigative methods. The slings and arrows were gradually and grudgingly turning to bouquets.

The number ended and the spot lights picked her out, as Sonia made her way towards Mohnish. She looked flushed and exultant.

“That was simply great!” she gushed. “But you barely danced!”

“I told you that I have ten left feet when it comes to dancing.” Mohnish chuckled.

“If you're young at heart, you could dance with a hundred left feet,” she replied. “Do you know who—or to put it correctly—
what
drew me to dancing? Music—freeing me from thoughts, stress, and inhibitions and taking me on flights of fantasy, tranquillity, and meditation. Only dancing can elicit from within me the zest and zing for life!”

“So I can see,” Mohnish agreed with a smile.

“But I shall relieve you from this torture now. I'm ready to leave.”

“What? So early? I thought you liked to dance all night!”

“I do, but like some people can't hold drink, I can't hold music! I'm already intoxicated with it—if I dance any more, I'll get tipsy, and then I can't be responsible for any of my actions!”

“Hmm . . . that sounds incredibly intriguing,” Mohnish remarked, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“Come on, let's go before the music begins and I'm tempted to stay after all!”

They edged their way through the crowd to the entrance. Mohnish breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped out into the winter night. A reddish glow tinged the sky, where a crescent moon nestled. A cool breeze rustled along the tree-lined road. The jazzy name of the disco, Frenzy, flashed behind them as they strolled to Mohnish's Indica.

He glanced at Sonia, a little concerned. The cold did not seem to affect her an iota. She genuinely seemed intoxicated, without having touched a drop of alcohol!

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Never better!” she acknowledged. “Thank you for taking me. I've wanted to visit this place for so long. Have you ever taken any girl to a disco before?”

“Once long ago. I'm too old now.”

“An old flame? What was she like?” Sonia asked curiously. “I can imagine you with someone tall and beautiful and chic—” Her face was still flushed and her tone was carefree.

“I'm not going to gossip about any old flames right now!” Mohnish exclaimed. “And I don't want to be enlightened about any of your ex-boyfriends, either!”

“Good, because once I get started, I won't know where to stop, and I really have to go home!” she declared recklessly.

Mohnish looked so startled that she pealed into laughter.

“Just kidding! Come on—let's go home.” She flung her arm through his in a friendly manner.

“Fine—I have to run an errand anyway. But let me warn you, the next time we go out,
I
choose the place and time,” Mohnish remarked severely.

“Oh, is there going to be a next time?” she asked cheekily.

“You can bet on anything there is going to be one!”

Rani turned the ignition key of her car. The engine fired, spluttered, then died. She tried again, but to no avail. Banging her hand on the driving wheel, she uttered a curse. Of all nights! It was pitch dark and the streetlights were out. It was only a short distance to home. She'd leave the car by the road and walk home, she decided.

Locking up the car securely, she stepped onto the deserted street and glanced around cautiously. Not a soul was out on the icy winter night. A cold breeze rustled the dead leaves of the Eucalyptus trees lining the street. Rani swung her warm shawl tightly round her, gripped her handbag, and began walking. Her high heels clicked on the tar road, echoing into the night. If it only weren't so dark. But an electricity power cut in Pune was a regular activity and it didn't surprise her that the entire lane was plunged into darkness. The next time she had to stay out late, she must remember to carry a flashlight.

A figure on a bicycle emerged out of the shadows, heading towards her. For a moment, Rani's spirits lifted. The presence of another human being was most welcome. But as the man drew closer, she changed her mind. Small, mean eyes flicked curiously over her. A tuneless whistle blew out of his fat lips. The man on the cycle swung toward her, overtook her, then turned around, coming very close. Rani could even smell his repulsive odour! She clutched her handbag tightly, ready to swing it straight into his face if he tried any stunts. But he cycled on past her, content at whistling a popular Hindi number. Rani sighed in relief.

They were living too far out of town, she thought for the hundredth time. Time and time again she'd told Sanjay that they should move closer to town. But he'd flatly refused. He liked the peace and solitude of the outskirts of Pune. It was fine for him. He stayed out for days on end, on business and partying, she thought bitterly. It was she who had to find activities to keep herself busy and not dying from boredom. She had to settle this issue once and for all, she decided. It was really dangerous trudging home late at night.

A twig snapped behind her and Rani wheeled around. But the lonely road stretched long and dark into infinity. She began walking again, her ears on alert. The crackling of dried leaves disturbed the silence and her mouth went dry. She stopped and, slowly, turned around. She searched the shadows. A movement behind a tree caught her eye. Rani didn't wait to find out what it was. She pivoted and ran. Her right ankle twisted, and protested with an agonizing twinge, but she ignored the pain. Her pulse raced as she ran for her life. Her chest felt as if it were squeezed tight. She could see the gate of her house a few paces away. She'd be safe once inside the gate, she thought wildly. All she had to do was reach the house before he caught up. She was almost at the gate when a hand touched her shoulder, and she screamed, struggling to get away.

“Let go, let go!” she yelled, kicking.

“Rani, Rani, stop it! It's me!”

The familiar voice sliced through her fear.

“Mohnish.
Mohnish!
Oh, I'm so glad to see you!” And she burst into tears, falling into his arms.

Mohnish quietly supported her, allowing her to vent her tears. Finally, she raised a frightened, wet face.

“What is it? Why were you running?” he asked.

“Some . . . one . . . was following me,” she sobbed.

Mohnish threw a quick look around them. Without warning, the streetlights flickered on. The illuminated road, with its fancy street lamps, looked pretty and quaint, nothing like the cold dark night that had met his gaze moments before.

“I can see absolutely no one,” he told her. “Are you sure you didn't imagine it?”

Rani raised soulful, moist eyes to his face. “No. Because it's not the first time this has happened.”

“What! You mean you've been stalked? Do you know by whom?” Mohnish asked, instantly worried.

Rani shook her head. “I . . . don't know. But I think it's a man. . . . I'm not sure. . . .”

“Have you told Sanjay?”

“No . . .”

“Why not?”

Rani sighed. “Let's go in.”

“Right. We need to talk about this,” Mohnish agreed grimly.

As she made her way to the door, he shut the main gate behind them, but not before he'd thrown another searching scrutiny to the shadows.

Sonia was busy working on the computer as Jatin approached her, a little hesitantly.

“Boss, did you actually go to Frenzy last evening?” he asked.

“Yes.” Sonia continued to concentrate on her work.

“I can't believe it! I've been there a couple of times with my friends—it's just the right place for youngsters. But don't you think you were a little too old to go there on a date with Mohnish? I could've easily suggested more appropriate—”

Sonia turned from the computer. “To set the record straight, Jatin, firstly, it was not a date. And secondly, I'm just about four years older than you!”

Her assistant floundered. “That's all? Why did I get the impression that there's a big age gap—or rather, a generation gap—between us?”

“Because I'm indisputably far more mature than you and am an intelligent boss, that's why! And I'd thank you not to forget that,” Sonia remarked crossly.

Jatin looked a little flustered. “Sorry, Boss, I was just trying to save you some embarrassment.”

Sonia threw him such a scalding look that he scrambled away, muttering about fetching some
chai
for the cold morning. Minutes later, he returned with two steaming cups and placed one on the table. Mercifully, she seemed to have regained her composure.

“Chai!”
he announced.

Sonia absently took the cup and warmed her hands on it. Jatin looked over her shoulder at the site she was surfing.

“Boss, you can't imagine, I'm so glad to know we can afford the Internet facility
and
a mobile.”

“No point scrimping over necessities. They were must assets for Stellar Investigations. I was just waiting for some extra cash to invest in the facilities,” Sonia remarked.

“What are you surfing?”

“I'm looking up all the material available on the Owl.”

“The Owl? Oh, the international crook! Are we going to be working on finding him?”

“Wish we could. It would certainly be a feather in our cap. But it's not so easy. He's a mysterious figure, with an aura around him. Not a soul knows how he looks, where he lives. For all we know, he could be the neighbor you greet every morning! It's almost an impossibility for us to recognize him or for us to ever cross roads.” Sonia shrugged.

“Then what's the point looking him up on the Net?”

“Educating myself on the international scene,” she replied. “It pays to be prepared.”

“Absolutely,” Mohnish endorsed, entering the office with a warm smile. “Good morning, everybody!”

“You seem quite cheerful for a cold winter morning,” Sonia observed.

Donned in a sky-blue cowl-neck sweater and jeans, he appeared as handsome as ever.

Mohnish grinned. “It warms my heart to see the two busiest souls in the world! While Pune city is huddled around heaters to avoid the chill of the cold wave, it's a pleasant difference to see you two, indoors, using all the newest technology!”

“I'll take that as a compliment, backhanded though it is,” Sonia remarked.

“No, really; it feels good to see that rain, shine, or cold doesn't hamper your determination to crack crimes.”

“Hey now that's going too far.” Sonia laughed. “What's up? You don't sound normal!” she teased.

“Actually, I'm not. I'm terribly worried.” His pleasant smile vanished.