The Comic Murder

The motive and the solution.

James had worked on many criminal cases but this is one was special. He had taken up his case on insistence of his brother. But having met Lily, his zeal to win the case grew multi-fold. Jameswondered where to start his investigations from? Starbucks? Sunny's Bungalow?

He drove aimlessly on the road and on instinct picked up some flowers from a roadside stall. He then drove towards the cemetery. Mohan parked his car and walked towards Sunny's grave. He saw something and stood still. He contemplated for a moment and smiled to himself. He had guessed the "motive".

Lily was busy in her writing when Samishta opened her cell and called out to her. "Good news!"

"Wow!" remarked Lily, funnily pointing at Samishta's stomach. "Hope you and the baby do well."

"Shut up! The good news is for you."

"The bad news first, please."

"No bad news." said Samishta sternly,"Now move your butt, and get going."

Lily obeyed. She was taken to where her parents, rarry and James were waiting for her. Their faces were beaming with happiness.

"My dear girl! God has been kind." said her mother crying.

"What happened?" asked Lily.

James said: "The real culprit has been found."

"Who?"

"Molly."

Lily took a moment to register. "My friend Molly? How could she?"

"It was out of jealousy. To cut the long story short. Molly and Sunny were in a relationship. Their relationship was kept under wraps because of Sunny's budding acting career. Molly had a back door access key to Sunny's bedroom. She was obviously not too happy with Sunny turning his affections towards you. That day, molly had sneaked inside Sunny's place and saw him asking you out. She then waited for you to leave and then, killed Sunny, stabbing him with a kitchen knife. But she was not done. She, being your long time friend knew that you visit the Mall Starbucks daily. She bribed a waiter out there to place the knife wrapped in your own scarf at your table. She was the one who had anonymously called up police about Sunny's murder and also tipped them about your whereabouts."

James paused a little and then said. "I saw molly at Sunny's grave and got suspicious. The rest of the credit goes to Inspector Samishta who then interrogate molly and the staff at Starbucks."

"To think molly did all this out of jealously." said Lily.

"Yes." said James thoughtfully. "Jealously is the most destructive emotion. No benefit ever comes out of it."

Something snapped inside Lily. She could no longer contain her emotions. She started crying. She moved towards her brother and said "Harry, I confess I had been very jealous of your academic success. Once you got into Cambridge, everybody talked about you. I knew you loved me and supported me but I also knew that you were the one bringing laurels to Mom and dad. I drifted apart from you all due to my jealousy. But today I realize my folly. Forgive me."

Harry hugged her sister lovingly.

"All is well that ends well. You are worth millions to me dear girl." Said her father, patting her back.

"Really? Then please advance some of it to Me." said Lily playfully.

"Hmm...I will keep the cash in your text books. You never touch them and my money would be safe."

Lily laughed. Studies were never her forte but fun and laughter were. She had passed through bad patch but had emerged stronger then ever. The time she spent in jail had made her introspect. She had realized that fame, money and success were transient. She valued family and true friendships. Her self-belief was high. She would never let petty emotions like jealously ruin her life and relationships.

The next day, Lily dropped by James's office to thank him. James was more than happy to receive her. He was also visibly nervous.

"Lily! What a pleasant surprise. How is your book going on?"

"Going fine. Its called 'The death of jokes' .It's going on a philosophical route. Something like a boring sermon. I need to spice it up and make it more interesting."

"Why don't you add a hero to your plot?"

"I will think about it."

"Listen, I need to take a break in 10-15 minutes. Would you...Ah.... like to have Ah...coffee with me ?"

"I would Ah....love to...Ah... have coffee with you." said Lily deliberately mimicking James's nervous demeanour. "We could discuss the prospect of a having hero in my story."

- THE END -