Suppressing a natural urge to flick out her kerchief and rub an invisible spot on the nameplate, she turned to the door opposite her office and hesitated. For the first time in years, the Office next door was open and she could hear sounds of activity. Frowning, Sonia swung open the Stellar Investigations’ door and walked into her outer office.
A big polished brass Om, like a shining cheerful face, greeted her from the wall opposite. Sonia particularly liked that effect. A positive, almost spiritual touch. In the right corner, a small Television set - her assistant Jatin’s contribution to the decor - occupied prime position. A small glass enclosure in the left corner of the room held more cushioned chairs than the number of prospective clients. Again, Jatin’s optimism at work. The glass cubicle - or “cabin,” as Jatin preferred to call it - was his domain. He sat working on the Computer, playing the role of a perfect detective-cum-assistant.
He glanced up now as Sonia entered.
“Good morning, Boss.” Jatin raised an eyebrow in anticipation. “Well?” he asked.
“The nameplate’s perfect!”
His face glowed with pleasure. Any word of appreciation from his Boss made him feel as if he had won another round of chess. He alone knew how difficult Sonia was to please. For the simple reason that he alone fended with her degrees of intelligence, stubbornness, and frequent acts of unreasonability. His boss was, of course, undoubtedly gifted with the art of cracking criminal cases with the ace craft of Astrology, but that didn’t make her any less difficult. In fact, her gift was an added bonus to her already complex character. If it hadn’t been for him - patient, tolerant, sensitive Jatin Singh - detective Sonia Samarth would have found herself alone on the path of justice! Jatin gave himself a mental pat of self-appreciation.
Quite unaware of her assistant’s roaming speculations, Sonia strode into the inner Office. A volley of meows welcomed her.
“Hello, Nidhi!” Sonia’s voice dropped to an affectionate murmur as she picked up the golden cat and stroked its silky fur. “Everything all right? Have you looked after the Office well?”
“She’s been a little cranky all morning,” Jatin informed, following her in. “I think it’s the Office next door. The carpentry sounds of sawing and hammering are disturbing her.”
“Yes, I meant to ask you. What’s happening there?”
“We are going to have neighbours. And you are not going to like it,” he added ominously.
“Why not?” Sonia settled in the seat behind her table and cuddled Nidhi in her lap. Immediately the cat ensconced herself in the crook of Sonia’s elbow, hiding her face in it. Gentle snores instantly emanated from her body.
“A clothes store is opening next door. A boutique next to Stellar Investigations! The thought makes me shudder!”
Sonia laughed. “What’s so awful about that?”
“Imagine the rush and crowds - of females! The chattering and blabbering! All our peace and sanctity will be invaded. Think about our image!”
“Relax. It’s not going to affect our business.” Sonia brushed away his bloated doubts.
Nidhi stirred and meowed again, fixing bright sea-green eyes on her Mistress’s face. “I know, I know,” Sonia laughed. “You need a change of palate! Fish. And you’re going to get it.” “Fish! But the office will smell! And you don’t expect me to go fetch it, do you?”
The apprehensive glint in Jatin’s eyes made Sonia smile. “I’ve arranged for a vendor to drop by every morning and supply regular quantities of fish,” she told him.
“But you are vegetarian!”
“Yes, but Nidhi is not.”
“And I have to feed that fish to her every morning?”
“I’ve also ordered some masks. You don’t have to inhale all that smell.” Sonia smiled sweetly.
Jatin shook his head in frustration. “Why don’t you just order some cat food for her?”
“Perhaps later. This is more convenient.”
“Do we have to go this far for a cat?”
“A cat? She’s not just any cat! She’s Nidhi, my lucky charm. She’s the one who brought us our first case, when we were struggling to find our feet. And the most intriguing fact is that she belongs to a very precious adversary of mine. Don’t forget that I’m supposed to take good care of her!”
“That thief!”
“That very handsome thief, whose huge cheque did not bounce! Besides, weren’t you the one who said he had ‘film-star looks’?”
Jatin looked abashed. “That… That was just spontaneous. Varun Thakur’s still a thief! And he tricked you into finding his diamonds.”
Sonia nodded. The Owl. She recalled how Varun - also allegedly known as the famous international crook “The Owl” - had neatly catered to her ego and eased the location of the diamonds from her. Through his horoscope. She remembered the star combinations of his horoscope and how suspicious she had felt at that time. But that hadn’t stopped her from falling for his charms. She had been a fool and she had amends to make. One day, she would settle the score with Varun. She was just waiting for the right moment.
The doorbell rang. “That must be the delivery man,” Sonia said.
Jatin made a wry face and left the room. Sonia picked up the newspaper and ran her eye over the headlines. With every passing day, the urge to read the daily newspaper was taking a nosedive. Every day the papers told the same story, albeit with different characters and different locations. Violence all over the world. Train and plane wrecks or earthquakes. Riots and murders. Her eye stopped on the details of a bride-burning death. It was horrifying, the number of deaths occurring because of dowry in India. Would greed never leave the hearts of human beings? Would life ever matter? The way things stood, she may as well change her reading habits. Or, better still, quit reading the newspaper altogether.
Jatin popped his head through the door. One hand pinched his nose to avert the smell and the other dangled a plastic bag of fish. Immediately, Nidhi lifted her nose and
