A Night to make a Candle bright

Chapter 2

"What!!!" exclaimed Anand. His jaw literally dropped and his surprise seemed too genuine to be feigned.

"Oh my God! That is definitely the last nail on my coffin. But why should she do that? She knew me hardly for a few months and I am not even a distant relative. I am sure there must be some mistake."

"I have personally checked the will. It is just as I say." answered Mr. Ketkar blandly.

"I guess that seals my fate" said Anand in a dejected voice.

"According to Mrs. Sen's statement Mrs. Seth had shown you the new will which she had drawn up on her birthday last Friday." Mr. Ketkar scanned his client's face for any reaction but he said in a neutral voice.

"Either she is mistaken or lying. I had no idea whatsoever about the new will."

"Alright tell me what happened on that fatal night."

"That evening as usual I visited Mrs. Seth's house at about 7.00 p.m. I needed to explain some business transactions to her. Just then Mrs. Sen got me some tea and some snacks. She then asked Mrs. Seth's permission to visit her sister and stay the night, as her sister was unwell which Mrs. Seth readily gave."

"You mean to say that you were aware that Mrs. Seth would be alone that night?" asked Mr. Ketkar with dismay.

"Yes" answered Anand wryly. "One more point to the opposition, I guess. Well I concluded my work at 9.00 p.m. and left Mrs. Seth in the best of her health."

"Just a moment." said Mr. Ketkar, sitting a bit straighter in his chair. "Are you sure you left at 9.00 p.m. and not at 10.00 p.m.?"

"Yes, of course. Mrs. Seth was fond of watching a daily soap at 9.00 p.m. hence I am sure I left 9.00 p.m."
"How did you go home? Did you meet anybody on the way back? Anybody who knows you, who recognized you? Is there anybody who could collaborate your story?"
"No, it was raining heavily that night and hence the streets were deserted. Again it is hardly a fifteen minutes walk from my home. But why is it so important to ascertain the time I left?"

"According to Mrs. Sen she had forgotten the dose of medicine; that she took every night, hence she returned to the house at 10.00 p.m. But as she did not want to disturb her mistress, she entered with her latchkey, went to her room, collected her medicine and left. But whilst there she clearly heard her mistress talking to someone and she assumed it was you."

"Oh thank God!!! At last, a ray of hope. If Mrs. Seth was alive and talking at 10.00p.m., then I am let off the hook for I was at my home having dinner with my wife at that time."

Mr. Ketkar knew that an evidence of a loving wife would not hold much water in the court, but he had no heart to further dishearten his client so he said, "Well, I would like to speak to your wife and get her statement."

"Oh! Sure. Go by all means. I am sure Ananya will give you a precise statement. She is very orderly and a neat person. She will be able to give you the exact timing and everything." Anand answered enthusiastically.

"Alright, I will go and meet her. Meanwhile you keep your fingers crossed and let's hope that we get a break." The lawyer then left to meet Mrs. Anand, Ananya at their residence.

He stepped into the small flat and was pleasantly surprised to see it artistically furnished with small knick knacks, simple picture frames and vases with colorful flowers. The room though small made a cozy picture. Mr. Ketkar waited for Ananya to appear, she did so shortly. Ananya was not a great beauty but her eyes shone with clear intelligence. She had a persona not common in a middle class woman. While Anand seemed to be a simpleton, she appeared to be quite shrewd and did not to look like a person who would be fooled. The lawyer was quite impressed with her. She immediately dispensed off with the formalities and came straight to the point.

"Mr Ketkar, what are Anand's chances? Do not lie to me." Her frank stance made it easier for the lawyer to be just as frank.

"Well as the situation lies now, his chances are not very good. His alibi is not satisfactory as it is only supported by you. If only we could find somebody else to establish his alibi. I could get him away." answered the lawyer reflectively.

"So he expects me to support him. Does he? Well, you can jolly well tell him that I will not be a party to his crimes. He cannot coerce me anymore into doing as he says." She raved.

Mr. Ketkar was astounded at the sudden change in the woman. He could hardly believe his ears. He wondered if too much strain had unhinged the lady. He just stared wordlessly at her while she continued rambling.

"Ha! I can see that you are surprised. He must have drawn wool over your eyes too; just as he had drawn it over the old lady and over mine too for that matter. But I soon realized his true colors. He is a vile man, believe me. He killed that poor old lady and then came home with his clothes splattered with her blood. Luckily for him it was raining heavily that night and he could wear a rain coat to cover them. When he came home he cut them in small pieces and burnt and flushed them. I was scared witless but he threatened me not to speak about it to anybody. But at last his sins have caught up with him and he will get his desserts and I will be a free woman."

Mr. Ketkar just listened to this spew of words, open-mouthed, but at last her raving and ranting stopped enough for him to speak. "You mean your husband is really the murderer?"