‘Unfortunately for them, Sebastian intervened and killed the thief.’
Several gasps sounded and shock sprang to all the gathered around, faces except Bhaskar’s and Father Tobias’.
‘Sebastian!’ Manu exclaimed. ‘How did that happen?’
‘Alas, we’ll never know,’ Athreya lied. ‘Both of them are dead now. But let me continue with what I was saying.
‘As a result, Father Tobias had to go back to Phillip’s house to return the cardboard tubes he was carrying. With Phillip dead, he had no idea what had happened to the paintings. Even at the risk of being found out, he had to return to the chapel last night to check the altar, but the vigilant Sebastian intervened again.’
Suddenly, the man who had been unmasked as Jacob Lopez leapt up. From inside his cassock, he drew another pistol. Athreya and Muthu were taken completely by surprise. They had not expected him to have a second gun. Having confiscated the weapon under the false bottom of his bag, they had become complacent.
Jacob lined up the pistol to fire at Athreya. Jilsy screamed, her high-pitched shriek piercing the air. For a moment, Jacob’s aim wavered between Athreya and Bhaskar. Before he could decide, a gun boomed twice. Jacob was thrown off his feet. His pistol clattered to the floor.
Athreya turned in astonishment towards where the gunshot had come from. There sat Bhaskar in his wheelchair, his face set in humourless lines. A thin strand of grey smoke curled up from the barrel of his gun.
‘I told you,’ he said grimly. ‘I am a pretty good shot.’
EPILOGUE
The next morning, Jilsy and Ganesh came to Athreya and said that they had decided to move out of the valley and, most likely, back to Pune. They didn’t want to stay opposite a drug-tainted resort, and next to Phillip’s house. Further, they were concerned about the ramifications after the mongrel was released from jail. After all, they were the ones who had tipped off Athreya about his involvement. All things considered, they had decided to move to Pune.
Immediately afterward, Athreya took Richie aside and warned him. If Richie were to do anything to tarnish Jilsy’s reputation, he said, Bhaskar would come to know of how he had defiled the altar at the chapel. Considering that Bhaskar had already warned Richie about spoiling the family name, that would be enough for him to cut Richie out of his inheritance.
Michelle began drawing up the relevant papers with Varadan’s help, and before the week was out, she would file for divorce.
With Manu’s support, Dora convinced Bhaskar to give her money instead of becoming a co-founder in her fledgling fashion business. But first, Bhaskar extracted a promise from Dora and Richie in front of Manu that the money would not, under any circumstances, go to Richie.
Abbas and Murthy, who had been taken away by Inspector Muthu after Athreya’s little show, were remanded in custody along with Ismail and some others.
A search of the church revealed a set of old British Army uniforms. These were what Jacob Lopez had used to masquerade as Parker’s ghost. Much of the drug movement from the Misty Valley Resort happened under the cover of darkness, and it was desirable to empty the vale of casual walkers. The story of Parker’s ghost wandering about was enough to discourage people from strolling around the vale after dark.
Jacob Lopez never regained consciousness and died two days later. Bhaskar had indeed been an excellent shot, and Jacob pulling a gun on him and Athreya had given him the freedom to take revenge for the death of the man he had considered a son.
About the Author
RV Raman is the author of the Inspector Ranade and Inspector Dhruvi thrillers, published in India, which are loosely based on his corporate career spanning four continents.
Visit him online at www.rvraman.com
