Krishna’s mouth was dry by the time they finished the interview of the fifth suspect. He had been acting as Dharmesh’s translator for the past one hour. The Investigator had listened to each suspect with rapt attention. Occasionally, he asked a few questions to confirm if they were telling the truth. After the fifth suspect was interviewed, Krishna was certain that Dharmesh had made up his mind regarding who was guilty. After all, even he was pretty sure who the culprit was.
Dharmesh took a deep breath. His mind was clouded, as he hadn’t slept in the last twenty four hours. He pushed the cobwebs away and focused on the case. Four of the five suspects (Suspect 1,2,3 and 5) had been meditating together when the theft had occurred, which made the Suspect number 4 the chief suspect. Everybody else whom he had interviewed agreed with him. They all believed that Number 4 was responsible for the theft, but they didn’t have the guts to stand up against him. After all, Suspect 4 was a senior priest, and while searching his room they didn’t find what they were looking for. However, they found burnt cigarette butts scattered on the floor which multiplied their resentment for the man. Smoking was strictly prohibited in the Aashram.
To make matters even simpler for Dharmesh, Suspect 4 had no alibi for the theft. He claimed that he was “walking around the Aashram when the theft had occurred”. He also claimed that he didn’t smoke and had no idea where the cigarette butts came from.
Dharmesh was almost sure that number 4 was the thief they were looking for. He only needed some time to gather evidence against him. He left Krishna alone in his room and walked towards the Main Chamber. He approached the window number two and examined it closely. He was just about to give up, when he saw a small white cylinder on the corner of the window sill. A closer look revealed that it was used cigarette butt. Dharmesh studied it for a while and then concluded that it couldn’t be more than a few hours old. Apparently the thief had smoked it while waiting for a perfect chance to grab the gem from under the pillow. It was sheer stupidity to keep the used cigarette there, but the small thing had even escaped Dharmesh’s trained eyes, so the thief couldn’t be blamed. Dharmesh looked around to confirm that nobody had seen him. If anybody else was to see the evidence, a huge racket would be created, giving ample time for the thief’s accomplice to escape, after all Dharmesh hadn’t ruled out the possibility that the thief was working with someone else.
Dharmesh pocketed the cigarette and made his way back towards Krishna’s room. The case was almost over, but Dharmesh still had to find the gem. He wasn’t sure enough to torture the answer out of a south Indian priest. Maybe he had thrown the gem outside, since there was no way he could smuggle it outside the gate guarded by two watchmen. Or were the watchmen also involved? Only time would tell.
Dharmesh walked inside the room.
“Did you find anything?”
Dharmesh nodded half-heartedly. Krishna looked at the ground deciding what to say, finally he blurted out.
“I think it was Saranganathan (Suspect 4). First of all he dares to smoke in the Aashram and then he steals the gem from under our noses. He must have thrown the gem outside to some accomplice. We have more than enough evidence now. Absence of an alibi, the cigarette butt on the window sill, the tattoo of the Sun God, and most importantly knowledge regarding the gem; all point towards him.”
“When did the gem arrive here?”
“Day before yesterday.”
“Has Sarang gone outside, alone, since the arrival of the gem?”
Krishna was silent for a while. “I think he has.”
They were both silent for a while. Finally Krishna broke the silence.
“We both know who did it. Do you have any idea where to find the gem?”
Dharmesh knew what he was going to do even before the question was asked.
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Solve the mystery now and get a free e-book in return Halo: The Flood.
Post your solutions in the comments box.
Best of Luck.
Contest is now closed.
Go to Episode 9
