Stellar Signs

But the question was - why had she created this character? And why had she kept the fact of her friendship with Anju hidden from her husband? What game was she playing and how serious was it? I had to find out. And there was only one way to do it. Force Sheetal to take action, so that we could discover her plan. So I told Pankaj the truth about Jeetu and suggested he tell Sheetal that her friend Jeetu had been invited to dinner. That galvanised Sheetal. She vanished with Tina. After that, it wasn’t difficult to trace Anju’s parents, who voiced their private fears of their daughter’s tragic death. They had told the Police of their suspicions, but they had no proof whatsoever. The Police ruled it an accident, clearing Pankaj of all suspicion. But her parents had hated the guy, holding him responsible in their hearts and minds. After losing the custody battle for Tina, they encouraged Sheetal in her plan for custody. Sheetal was very aware of their suspicions, but since nothing had been proved, she couldn’t know for sure if he had indeed killed her friend. Pankaj’s horoscope revealed very surprising criminal traits and the accusations against him were strong. The two could only be linked with proof, which no one had. The plan of action was crystal clear in my mind. Provided, of course, that Sheetal complied. She was more than horrified at the thought that Pankaj could actually be a killer. It was hard for her, because she was in love with that guy. Just as Anju had been. But at last she agreed. She wanted to find out, once and for all, if he was indeed a murderer. She was ready for the truth. And the rest we all know!”

“Pankaj reacted exactly the way you predicted,” Jatin agreed, admiration in his eyes.

“Right. He walked straight into our trap, admitting to the killing of his wife” Inspector Divekar grinned. “Though that was some dramatic scene from a film!”

“Sheetal’s fear and her horror were real,” Sonia replied, soberly. “I really admired her for her courage.”

“But, Boss, the pistol had no bullets in it! What did she have to fear?”

“I wasn’t talking about that kind of fear, Jatin. It was more the fear of discovering that your worst nightmare had come true. That the man you love is nothing but a deadly murderer! And that ugly fact indisputably closed all doors to any thought of a possible future together, even for the sake of their daughter!”

“Anyway, the pistol Inspector Divekar gave you came in good use, didn’t it?” Jatin flashed a smile at the Inspector.

“You bet!” Sonia laughed. “What do you think, Uncle?”

“Not bad. But I’ll be happier if you stop using it as a decorative item in your theatricals and keep it handy for serious situations!” But Uncle Jeevan was smiling fondly. “Anyway, I must be off. Good job, Sonia. But remember what I said: Start your lessons.”

“Soon,” the detective promised.

Sonia relaxed against her chair, a contemplative look on her face and one hand caressing the cat’s silky body.

“It’s all right, Boss. You don’t have to worry about Sheetal.” Jatin spoke gently.

Sonia glanced at her assistant in genuine surprise. His perceptiveness moved her. This was a noticeable change, induced no doubt by the presence of his lady love, Naina. The girl must be a good soul, after all!

“She’ll be fine,” Jatin continued. “She’s living with Anju’s parents at the moment, isn’t she?”

Sonia nodded. “You’re right. She’ll learn to accept and then they’ll all move on.”

“Besides, Boss, a case is a case. No point getting your sentiments tangled with those of each and every person you come across, right? Just like a Doctor. Never get involved with your patients. That’s what I’ve been trying to drill into you all along. But you never seem to grasp the basics of investigation. Cold professionalism. Detachment. A clean cut from all emotions. No bonding and no - ”

“Got it!” Sonia interrupted. And she’d thought that he was changing! The prospect was clearly as hopeless as checking weight every day on the weighing scale in the hope of discovering that your weight had reduced! She sighed. “Don’t you have a cricket match to watch on TV?”

Jatin jumped up from his seat. “Gosh! How could I forget? You’ll have to excuse me for the next hour, Boss!”

“Take the day off,” she told him grandly, and expelled a sigh of gratitude.

CHAPTER VI

Checkmate

The rain had defied all weather forecasts! It had fallen relentlessly through August and into September. The rivers were overflowing and the government even considered a flood situation. Not that it had affected the Ganesh festival season even an iota, Sonia realised as she slowed her van for a hasty view of the community Ganapati on its stage. The huge stage, jutting out onto the road, almost blocking traffic (which no one seemed to mind), boasted a scene from the epic Mahabharata with elaborately constructed and decorated, life-size statues, which moved in a circle around the stage. On the left, the idol of the god Ganesh sat with garlands around his neck. Loudspeakers blared a story explaining the set. Sonia knew that she would find more of these fascinating, lavish stages around the corner of each street in the days to come.

The ten-day Ganpati - Ganesh - festival had begun, despite the torrents, with a bang. As per the ritual, Hindu families bought clay or plaster idols of Ganesh and carried them to their houses with noisy fanfare and devotion. They worshipped him for ten days and then immersed the idol in the river on the eleventh day.

Sonia admired the scene one last time, then accelerated the car, only to be stopped by a traffic signal. It was five in the evening and she had better hurry, but she couldn’t help indulging in quick pauses to admire the numerous dekhave - the picturesque exhibition of statues. It was the first day of Ganapati, but already the festive air was