"What's his name?"
"Ramakant Raghav"
"You sure he's our guy. Doesn't look the part at all," the inspector asked as he opened the case file.
There had been a triple murder in oshiwara housing society. Five dead bodies if you count the pets. The inspector didn't. He was more concerned with the death of the retired police officer, his wife and their troubled son. Someone had massacred the family last night. That someone, according to the SI, was the man sitting in the cell infront of him. A paying guest living with the family.
"He was sitting next to the dead boy when we got there today morning, sir. Covered in blood," the SI replied.
Those were incriminating circumstances indeed. The inspector knew that. But every time he looked at the guy, his instincts said differently. A frail build, thick nerdy glasses, a clean shaven face and those deep, swollen red eyes.
"What was he doing when you found him?"
"He was sitting on the floor, next to the dead boy, staring at his face" The SI said.
"Anything else?"
"No sir. But if you ask me, he is a head case. One of our officers is going through his room right now. I am sure we will find something there," the SI implored.
"Why? Because his name reminds you of a killer? Mine is Kasab Khan, you know that, right? the inspector got up without replying and went into the cell. Ramakant looked up at him. Inspector had interrogated enough killers to know what to look for. Their eyes either showed guilt or fear. In the worst cases, they showed nothing. Blank and lifeless. No different than the eyes of their victims.
"Did you kill them?" The inspector asked, kneeling to his level. His eyes weren't blank. They were sad.
"I loved them." Ramakant said with a catch in his throat.
"Then why did you sit there than call the police or the ambulance,"
"I couldn't stop crying." Ramakant said simply.
"That's your excuse?"
"I don't care enough to make excuses anymore. I have lost the only family I ever cared for."
The inspector knew he was telling the truth.
"Listen to me Ramakant, it is a police officer's family we are talking about. Retired or not, the department won't rest till someone pays. So tell me exactly what happened last night?"
"Those monsters…. I tried to stop them. But it was too late…my Jai and Veeru were already gone," Ramakant replied through gritted teeth.
"Jai and Veeru? Who are they?"
"The only family I ever had," Ramakant looking over the inspector's shoulder.
"Sir!" the SI called.
"Not now!"
"Listen to me Sir"
"I said not now!" the inspector shouted in frustration, still looking at Ramakant.
"Jai and Veeru… aren't those the two dead dogs? Listen to me Ramakant, I don't care about the dead dogs. Tell me who were these monsters?" Inspector enquired, getting impatient now.
"Don't worry about the monsters, I took care of them. But you should care about dogs." Ramakant said looking down at his hands.
"What are you…"
"Sir, it's important. This guy's name.." SI interrupted again.
"What about it!" the inspector turned towards the SI in frustration.
"It's Ramakant Raman Raghav" Ramakant whispered in Inspector's ear before thrusting his pen in his jugular.
