“Once I listened to the CD, everything fell in place. While I was listening to the raag, a voice sang a taan. The music was electric, piercing my brain and mind like a shock of lightning. Goose bumps prickled all over my body. Within seconds, the other voices had resumed their regular singing, but the effect of that taan still held me captive. And finally, in a flash, I knew why Mrs Dharkar had had her suspicions. She was aware that such a taan could have its ill effects. And she was right.
“The CD with the Kadak Bijlee ki Taan had indeed killed Raujibua. But how could I prove that? Then I remembered the volume button on the CD player. If I could get Sumeet to rearrange the volume level, it would be enough proof for my theory. So I enlisted Kirit’s aid. I requested him to sit tightlipped as I flung my accusations. He was shocked, but he cooperated brilliantly. Bishan’s confession of his guilt, followed by my accusation of Kirit, convinced Sumeet that all was over and that he could safely eliminate the only thing that might give him away. Since the room had been continuously locked since Raujibua’s death, he hadn’t had a chance to do so. Or maybe he never thought anyone would connect the CD with the heart attack, so he hadn’t seen the urgency to return the level to normal. Anyway, as justice would have it, we were there to witness him do so!”
“Fantastic!” Mohnish exclaimed. “But had Mrs Dharkar suspected this?”
“I think she suspected that it had something to do with the jealousies running amongst the students. And her husband’s dying wish being realised must have troubled her as being too much of a coincidence. It was also a little strange that it was while listening to the students’ CD that her husband had passed away. She had, of course, read the Hassu Khan story and wanted me to read the book. But she couldn’t find it. I found it later in Kirit’s room. But she couldn’t make open accusations, specially since she loved all her students and Sumeet had devoted his life to her husband. How could she even mention that any one of them had indulged in foul play? At the same time, she couldn’t ignore her doubts. She had to get her conscience cleared. And I’m glad she did. Killing, whether it is mercy or otherwise, is an unforgivable act!”
“What a peculiar use of music,” Jatin remarked.
Sonia nodded. “Music is beautiful, powerful, and magical. And, most important, it heals. This may be the first time that someone actually used it to kill.”
“But, Boss, what about Vandana and Kirit? What’s going to happen to those two now?”
“I think that’s for Mrs Dharkar to decide. I would be willing to bet she won’t mind having a son-in-law she loves like a son.”
“And Bishan?”
“He and Kirit will together carry on Raujibua’s name in the world. I believe that they are resolving all their differences.”
“And what about Sumeet? What’s going to happen to him?”
“That’s for Inspector Divekar to decide. It’s a fact that he hasn’t actually been caught in the act of murdering Raujibua and the proof against him is flimsy. But he confessed to us and now it’s up to the Police to make a case against him. One thing is for sure, Sumeet will never represent Gwalior Gharana ever again! That in itself is, I believe, his life sentence! The stigma, the humiliation, and a life without his beloved music! I can’t imagine a worse punishment for him!”
“So nothing has happened as Raujibua envisioned. Sumeet, his favourite student, will never represent him again,” Mohnish said.
“Good! What a cold-hearted decision that was, deliberately ending his Guru’s life and justifying it with a good cause,” Jatin remarked. “I can’t imagine doing something like that to my Guru, Boss, however much I love you or care for you!”
“Thank you, I’m most relieved to hear that.” Sonia raised her eyes heavenwards.
“You can enjoy a peaceful night now” Mohnish grinned.
Sonia laughed. “Thanks to my loyal assistant!”
CHAPTER VIII
The Letters
The rays of a weak December sun slanted in through the window. Wrapped in a warm Kashmiri red shawl, Sonia held her hands over the room heater in the outer office. Nidhi lay tucked on a chair, occasionally licking a paw. Jatin was busy at the Computer.
“What a cozy scene! Mind if I join you?” Without awaiting an invitation, Mohnish strode in and settled down beside the heater.
He wore a soft, guava-green sweater over black trousers. An unusual colour for a man, Sonia noticed, but it looked good on his tall, handsome frame.
“What brings you here so early in the morning?” she asked.
“The guarantee
