The Leopard's Prey: A Raj Biswas Investigation

At Anil's locality

As they made their way through the village, Raj and Naresh saw the attractive surroundings with a mixture of respect and trepidation. The lush greenery that surrounded them was very different to the fear and uncertainty that gripped the hearts of the villagers, casting a pall of unease over the pleasant landscape.

Upon contacting Anil over phone, Anil Das requests them to stay in his house till the time investigation will carry on. Upon reaching Anil's locality, they were greeted by the sight of a few villagers going about their daily routines with a cautious attitude, their eyes darting nervously at the slightest sound. Anil, a longtime friend of Dulal's, emerged from his home to welcome them, his face drawn with worry.

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Biswas and Mr. Dutta," Anil said, his voice tinged with relief. "I'm glad you're here. Please, come inside."

Once inside Anil's home, Raj and Naresh were met with the warmth of hospitality. Anil's wife bustled about, preparing tea and snacks as they settled into their surroundings. His wife Mrs. Komal Das, comes out of the kitchen holding a tray in her hand with two cups filled with tea and a small bowl of steel filled with eight biscuits. She came near the guests, and served the snacks on the table, and said: "I understand the situation around iss really unfortunate but you may relax a bit for now and enjoy the tea please, gentlemen".

Raj: "Thank you ma'am. And I appreciate you opening your home to us," Raj said, his gratitude evident in his voice. "We're here to help in any way we can."

Anil nodded solemnly, his gaze flickering towards the window where the dense forest loomed in the distance. "It's the least I can do," he replied. "This village... it's been through so much. Ever since the leopard started its rampage, we've been living in fear. It's been two month now. Deaths after death have been happening every now and then. As you see Mr. Biswas, it's very evident from the silence you sense all around the village, that people here are scared to step out of their respective houses. We don't know how long these panicky days will continue. So far, eleven people have already fallen prey to the leopard's relentless fury. I count eleven because I do not consider Dulal's demise included in this chain of the deaths caused by the beast's attack." Raj's brow furrowed as he listened to Anil's words, his mind racing with thoughts of the danger that lurked just beyond the safety of the village walls.

Raj: "Tell us, Mr. Das," he said, his tone gentle yet probing. "What have you heard about Dulal's encounter with the leopard?"

Anil's expression darkened as he recounted the events he had heard, of that fateful morning, his voice trembling with emotion.

Anil: "Dulal was riding his bicycle towards his salon when the leopard attacked him they say," he explained. "However, I refuse to believe Mr. Biswas. I know he would never go alone to his salon during such terrible times. I have been accompanying him to his salon riding on my motorcycle since the leopard's fear has spread here. However, because of my work load, that unfortunate morning, I had to reach Siliguri earlier than the hour at which I reach there in the normal days. So I had apologized to Dulal and requested him to just manage it alone carefully for that one day. But before I departed for Siliguri that morning, it came to me as a surprise, I saw Vickey Saha, a local goon, visiting his house and walking out of his residence after a while, along with him on his bicycle. Later on Mrs. Roy told me, that on that particular day, Vickey had decided to escort him to the salon. It's really doubtful Mr. Biswas as how did it so happen, that Vickey after everything was completely safe from the leopard's attack? None of them doubts it as because, the injuries visible on Dulal's dead body made it look a lot like a leopard's prey but I don't think so Mr. Biswas. It's exactly why I summoned you here. Everything happened so suddenly... none of us could have predicted anything like this."

Naresh nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "We pray for your success in uncovering the truth, Mr. Biswas," Anil said. "For until the mystery of Dulal's death is solved, none of us will find peace."

With a sense of determination burning in their hearts, Raj and Naresh prepared to embark on their quest for answers, their minds focused on the task that lay ahead. For in the heart of Jalapuranagar, amidst the shadows of fear and uncertainty, detective Raj Biswas knew that the path to justice would be fraught with danger, but he was determined to see it through to the end, no matter the cost.