“You are finished Mr. Vyasa …”

 “I know …it was you who killed Sumangala; your wife.    I’ve got proofs.”

I was looking into his eyes all the time …but those words …which hit me like a hail of arrows…brought shivers down my spine! My head gets dropped automatically. I could not muster any courage to see his face. I knew he was staring at me!

 It is clear! The entire 30min he spent with me…his soft words, his concerns, his explanation about the progress in his investigation was just a prelude to those words …

It was a chilly December evening, and even though I was shivering, due to the cold wind blowing through the room's broken window, it couldn't keep me out from sweating!

“It’s you who planned and murdered your wife Sumangala…”

Prakash said it again!

‘He is trying to put pressure on me!’

But that’s not the point…

The truth which I hid from everyone and trying to live with that is now known to inspector Prakash and from now on probably…everyone connected and unconnected to me! 

Suddenly, my entire body became wet with sweat. My mouth got dried. I was experiencing Fatigue, panic, fear…simultaneously; for the first time in my life!

Not even a Blink!

Prakash is still staring at me!

“No! I did not do anything …you are lying!” 

Words are coming out with great difficulty!

“Do you think we are fools? We are better informed and more intelligent than you Mr. Vyasa. I will not speak without evidence. Will you be ready to accept now or do you want to taste our methods to bring out the truth?”

“No! You are lying! I know, that guy Jayanth must have offered you a big money …why …why I should kill my wife? What is the proof you have to frame me?”

Prakash looked at me with a smile.

“Do you think Police are as dumb as shown in the movies?”

His smile turned into a gentle laugh.

“My eyes were on you from the beginning of the case…Your credit card statements …Your purchases through that card which you have never used …All those things are just to create a perfect alibi right ?’

‘A small ray of hope… He is not sure!  He could be using the usual police      technique!’ 

“That does not prove anything…”

I raised my voice …

“Oh! Software Engineer can argue like a lawyer”

His sarcasm pierced through to me.

“Your wife’s death appears to be an accident but not! So, circumstantial evidence plays a crucial role in the investigation … a slightest of doubt is enough to be suspicious. On the day of your wife’s murder, you have borrowed your friend’s car and filled petrol at different stations but you only drove it for 20 KM.” 

‘Prakash is talking without any solid proofs …I need to make my defence stronger!’

“At the time of Sumangala’s death, I was at my neighbour’s house. She has not left the keys…I even called her from there …it was ringing but there was no answer…I know you took their statement also…”

“There you made a mistake! It was very small but enough to prosecute! You kept Sumangala’s Mobile in your pocket and called from your neighbour’s house. To show them that she is not answering and to prove to the police that you were concerned you kept it ringing while keeping it in your pocket! You have planned it perfectly but a small mistake! In any such homicide case, we first check the mobile locations of both victim and suspect! In your case, it was the same …both at the time of  the murder and even after the murder!”

‘A perfectly planned Murder; It took almost 6 months for the police to even come to this stage…I could not believe … How can they prove just by a mobile location? I know I am a perfectionist…and this situation is a challenge for me.’ 

“Court can’t convict me guilty based on circumstantial evidence inspector, I am also familiar with the law. You should prove the motive …and I don’t have any motive …neither money nor any other thing. We had been a happy couple… After her death, I gave back all her belongings to her family including the car she used to drive and her gold. I am still single and staying in a rented place, not in the house she bought for us.”

I raised my voice. I wanted to put the pressure back on Prakash and I know this is the right moment.

Prakash laughed more sarcastically. He just stood up from his chair and started moving around me. I know this is a pressure tactic used by the police. The claustrophobic environment, dim lights, unknown places, uncertainty and, of course, guilt will break even the most professional seasoned criminals. The more I wanted to look like normal from the inside…fear inside me is pushing me out.

“I know …I know…motive is very important in homicide cases…and I have established that also.”

Smiling cunningly he opened a file and pulled out some sheets of paper and put them in front of me. 

“Remember, earlier you gave a statement that you had no knowledge of your wife’s affair with her boss Jayanth…”

To appear normal, I simply nod my head.

“But the mail, your wife Sumangala set to her boss Jayanth, 15 days before her death, she mentioned that you had raised doubts about their relationship again. This implies prior to that mail, you did have information about their relationship. So, you have lied in your statement…this is enough for me to legally arrest and detain you for further investigations… There we know how to get your confession. Then the case goes to court…case runs for many years…if convicted 14 years imprisonment …if the court discharges you… we will file it in upper court… this continues for the next 25 years …”

‘Nothing left!’

To be continued …