The Cosmic Clues (32 page)

Sonia leaned against her chair, deep lines etched into her forehead. Could Mohnish do the needful for her? After all, Rani trusted him. Hadn't Rani said so herself? She must handle this with utmost care, Sonia decided. There were many, many delicate factors to consider.

It was a cold night and a mist hung over the mercury-lamp-lit street. The traffic had eased. The neon signs of the advertising hoardings flashed luminously against tall buildings as Mohnish pulled the shutter of his flower shop. He shivered slightly in his warm woollen cardigan. The boy in-charge had left long ago, so Mohnish drew down the shutter, and padlocked it. It was past nine and he was hungry. He didn't fancy going home alone and preparing some snack. Invariably, his thoughts turned to Sonia. A vision of her carefree dancing rose in his mind and he smiled. What would she be doing now? Chatting with her parents over a hot meal? She was beginning to feature regularly in his thoughts, he realized, and shook his head reproachfully.

His mobile rang and Mohnish glanced at the number in surprise. Sanjay's number? Could he be home already?

“Mohnish! Thank God I caught you!”

“Rani! Are you all right?”

“Oh, Mohnish, I'm so scared! Can you come over, please? I know it's late, but my maid hasn't turned up yet and I got this awful note. . . . And it's not signed. . . .”

The break in her voice was enough for Mohnish. “Hang on, I'll be there. And don't open the door to anyone. To
anyone,
understand?”

Mohnish ran to his car, his brow puckered in worry. Poor Rani! What a frightening experience for a lone woman! If only Sanjay were here to take care of her. But he wasn't even aware of the trauma his wife was experiencing. Mohnish would have to talk to him. Instill some sense into his head. Ask him to patch up with Rani, settle their problems, and relive the old magic of their marriage. Mohnish couldn't keep running to Rani at odd hours. Apart from the fact that it was not his place, it could also set tongues wagging. Which would do no good to a marriage which was already on the fire.

He navigated his way through the night traffic and headed towards the Mulshi road, wondering if he ought to call Sonia and inform her of the latest development. He decided against it. He would wait until he met with Rani and read the note himself.

The drive was long and set his teeth on edge. Cold air brushed past his face and he shivered. He wouldn't have come out this far if it hadn't been for Rani. He simply could not refuse to meet her. Not when she was so spooked. Not when she needed him.

The house finally came in sight and he pulled in along the road. Throwing the gate open, he took the steps two at a time. But before he could ring the bell, the door opened. Rani stood there, her beautiful face white and strained.

Mohnish stared at her. Blood had clotted around a deep gash on her forehead.

“Rani, what happened!” he exclaimed in alarm.

“I . . .” She could barely utter the words. “He . . . he . . . hit me!”

“Who hit you?”

But before she could answer, Rani swayed. Mohnish caught her, as she fell into a swoon.

Shaken to the core, he swiftly lifted her and carried her to a sofa. A groan escaped her lips. Quickly, he fetched a glass of water from a jug nearby.

“Drink this, please, Rani; you're going to be fine. I'm right beside you,” he entreated.

Her eyes opened at last and recognition flickered in them. Immediately, she raised herself. “What happened . . . ouch . . . my head . . . !”

“Someone hit you on the head. Just point out the first-aid kit and I'll fix that wound.”

Within minutes, he had done a neat job of bandaging her head.

“I'm so sorry, Mohnish.” Rani spoke softly. “You've been so wonderful, but I'm such a pain in the neck, aren't I?”

“Nonsense! I think you've been very brave. Any other woman would have been a mass of nerves!” Mohnish replied warmly. “But tell me exactly what happened. How did this intruder manage to get in?”

“After I phoned you, I realized that the front door was open, so I went to shut it, and
wham!
Something hit me so hard, I went sprawling!” Rani's voice trembled as she relived the shock of the experience.

“You're lucky he didn't come in! Or did he?”

“I've no idea. I was too stunned and in pain to notice.”

“I can understand. On the phone you mentioned an anonymous note,” he reminded her.

She nodded, extending her hand to the phone and recovering a slip of paper.

Mohnish took it and read the single line of the computer printout.

I SHALL GET YOU.

“When did you get this and how did it reach you?” he asked grimly.

“It was pushed under the front door.” Rani spoke in a dead voice.

Mohnish began pacing the floor, anger and worry pulling him apart. What a terrible thing to happen to Rani. And where was Sanjay? He was her husband. He was supposed to be
here,
lending support and love to his wife. Business couldn't be so all-consuming!

“I think it's time to drag Sanjay back home at once,” he remarked savagely.

“I did try his mobile. But it says that he's out of reach.”

“Damn! We've got to do something. I can't leave you alone in such circumstances. You need to be with people, not be in the middle of nowhere, alone, fighting off madmen!” he exclaimed hotly.

“Mohnish, it's really nice of you to be so concerned. But I'm fine now. And even feeling hungry.” She smiled weakly.

“Haven't you had dinner?”

“No, I was about to when I saw that note. What about you? Have you had anything to eat?” she asked solicitously.

Mohnish grinned, suddenly aware that hunger rumbled inside his stomach. “I'm starving,” he admitted.

“In that case, we're going to eat. No, I'm not listening to any protests. It's the least I can offer you, for calling you all the way here. Please, Mohnish, let me serve you some dinner.” And with that, she rose and walked to the kitchen.

The doorbell rang, and he froze. He hastened to the door and spied through the peephole.

“Who is it?”

“I'm the
bai
!”

Relief washed over him. He pulled open the door and Rani's maid walked in, flashing him an apologetic smile.

An hour later, well past midnight, Mohnish returned to the city. He halted at the traffic signal near Fountain Hotel, drumming his fingers impatiently on the driving wheel. A figure crossed the road and entered the hotel. It took Mohnish a full minute to recognize the man clad in a thick jacket, with his face almost obscured by the high collar. It was Sanjay!

“Can you describe this person who attacked you?” Sonia asked.

She, Mohnish, and Jatin were once again seated in Rani's house. Her face was pale and drawn, and Sonia sensed a growing concern for this friendless woman. A little blood had seeped out of the white bandage, revealing the viciousness of the attack.

Rani shook her head. “I'm afraid I can't. I hardly saw him. I was taken so much by surprise that all I saw was a blur of a blue sweater—a huge blue sweater.”

“Hmm . . .”

“Not very helpful, am I?” Rani grimaced.

“It would help if you could give some precise descriptions, of course, but don't worry too much about it. Inspector Divekar and his Constables are checking your garden for any telltale signs that may give a clue to the identity of the attacker. But try to think, Rani: Is there anyone—anyone at all—who may wish to hurt you?”

A look of concentration replaced the worried expression on Rani's face, as she dug into her memory for the slightest clue. But she shook her head woebegonely. “I truly can't think of anyone who'd wish me harm. You can't imagine how perplexed I am!”

“I don't mean just recent contacts.” Sonia tried again. “It could be any person connected to your past. Often something that happened long ago can reflect on you today. Think, Rani, think back. Perhaps there's someone associated with your childhood who may still want to get back at you? Who would want to get even for some old grudge?”

“I don't know! And my head feels as if it'll burst!” Rani exclaimed in frustration. Her eyes had an almost wild look.

Mohnish looked worried and Sonia watched her anxiously. The poor woman appeared worn out.

Inspector Divekar clattered up the steps, his face grim. He held a blue cardigan in his hands.

“We found this in the garden. It was flung over a Guava tree.”

Rani's beautiful eyes widened in recognition. “But that's Sanjay's sweater!”

“Are you sure?” Sonia asked, as she took the garment from the Inspector. It was wool of the softest kind.

“I'm positive! We bought it on our trip to Kashmir. It's his favorite sweater.”

“I think it's time to find Sanjay,” Sonia said grimly. “Have you any idea where your husband might be? Perhaps at the factory?”

“I've been trying his mobile, but he hasn't been answering.”

“Don't worry, we'll track him down,” Inspector Divekar remarked dryly.

It was when they were on their way back to the office that a question formed in Sonia's mind. She turned to Mohnish, who was beginning to carry a perpetual look of worry on his face.

“How good a friend are you of Rani's?” she asked.

Surprise flickered in his eyes. “As good a friend as any other.”

“Then why does she insist on calling you when in need?”

“She obviously feels safe around me. Perhaps she feels that she can depend on me.”

“Have you encouraged her to believe so?”

“Of course not! But why these questions? So what if she turned to me for help? It's natural, isn't it?”

“Perhaps it is,” Sonia murmured, but her tone was non-committal.

Sanjay drove towards the factory, his face dreamy and soft. Love was a wonderful thing! He loved being in love. But it was also time to set things rolling. He had deceived her for too long. It was only fair that he came out in the open and put all his cards on the table. He owed her that much. After all, they'd shared some great times together. And he wanted to cherish those memories and add new ones to them, not mess things up so much that all that remained were the charred remnants of a relationship. A brown envelope sat on the seat beside him and he patted it appreciatively. Jagdish had done an excellent job in no time. Which was good, because he really must get this over with, fast and quick.

He pulled into the drive of his factory, relishing the strong fertilizer smells seeping through the air. He double-parked beside a familiar car.
Mohnish?

“Hello!” Sanjay greeted five minutes later, as he entered his office. “Long time no see!”

“Sure! Meet Sonia Samarth. An Investigator,” Mohnish introduced.

“An Investigator? How interesting!” Sanjay nodded his acknowledgement and then turned to Mohnish with a curious look. “What's brought you here? Surely—”

“First be so kind as to answer my question,” Mohnish cut in abruptly. “Where have you been and why haven't you been going home?”

Sanjay relaxed into his swivel chair, dropping his mobile casually on the table. He was hefty and his ample hair curled around his head. “I've been out of town. I just got back last night.”

“But you didn't go home last night, did you?” his old friend insisted.

Sanjay dropped his eyes. “How did you know?”

Sonia leaned forward. “Mr. Sanjay Gosavi, I think you ought to know that you're very close to being arrested for attacking your wife.”

Sanjay shot backwards, as if he'd been punched in the stomach with a water balloon. His nonchalant attitude vanished. “What the hell are you talking about? I haven't seen or been near my wife for the whole of last week!”

“Can you prove that?” Sonia asked.

“Yes, I can! I was with—” Sanjay halted in mid-sentence.

“Who can provide you with an alibi, Sanjay? It's vital that you have one,” Mohnish pressed.

“I don't understand this. Please explain. Why am I being accused of attacking Rani?” Frustration marred his handsome face.

Mohnish glanced at Sonia. She nodded.

“I'm assuming that you know nothing of this,” Mohnish told Sanjay. “You would have, though, had you been considerate enough to keep in touch with your wife!” He couldn't keep the anger from his voice. He went on to explain everything that had happened to Rani in the last few days.

Consternation registered on Sanjay's face. “A stalker! My God, I had absolutely no idea. But why didn't she try and contact me on the mobile?”

“She did, but you were out of reach. However, that's not the point, Sanjay. You should've been with her, should've been her anchor and support at a time like this.” Mohnish spoke harshly.

“Unless you're the man behind it!” Sonia said it coldly.

Sanjay took a deep breath. “Believe me, Miss Samarth, I have nothing to do with all this. I'm truly sorry that I wasn't with Rani when so much was happening, but I had absolutely no inkling.”

“Unfortunately, we have only your word for that. And given the circumstances, I'm not sure of its validity. We found your blue sweater in the garden and Rani claims that her attacker was wearing a blue sweater. We have no reason to disbelieve her.”