Murder In The Garden

Chapter 4

Police Headquarters 

Dinesh entered the ACP's cabin and said, "Sir, Dr Tarika has informed the cause of death. The penetration of the knife was too deep it has teared the myocardial muscles. She has also informed about bleeding at the back of the head and reason might be, they have stricken her with heavy object. No fingerprints." Abhijeet nodded. He was looking at the photographs of the crime scene. "She was hit by a heavy object. She was stabbed. Yet there was so less blood. What do you think ?" said the ACP. 

Dinesh looked at the photographs and said, "She was not killed in the garden." Abhijeet nodded and said, "We need to search inside the house."

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Aalayam 

The family was sitting in shock. The death of a family member had already broken them and now the entire world was talking about it. Someone had informed the media and the news of Indali Verma's death was now the talk of the town. 

The door bell rang. Ramesh brought Abhijeet and Dinesh inside the living room and called for Yakshit. 

As he entered the room, Abhijeet said, "I know you all are in shock but we need to do our duty. We need to search the house and ask a few questions." Yakshit nodded. 

Dinesh ushered the constables inside and they started looking around the room. As the room was being searched, Abhijeet asked Ramesh, "We found a watch near the dead body. Mr Jatin recognized it to be yours. What was it doing there?" Dinesh showed him the watch. Ramesh looked at it and said, "I don't know. It must have fallen when I had seen the dead body." Abhijeet looked at him suspiciously but decided to say nothing. The officers moved to other rooms as the constables continued to search the house for clues.

(Groundfloor of Verma House👇)

Yakshit & Advika's Room

Abhijeet was in the room with the Verma couple, talking to them. "How was the relationship between the victim and other family members?" he asked. Yakshit spoke, "Everyone loved and respected her. She was the heart of the family." Abhijeet asked again, "What about the servants?" "They have been with us for years. You can't suspect them," stated Advika.

"It is my job to suspect everyone," said Abhijeet. He looked at Yakshit and said, "I wish to talk to your son and daughters in your absence. A lady constable will be present." Yakshit nodded. 

Leaving the room, Abhijeet looked at Dinesh, who shook his head in negative. The officers exchanged some looks and Abhijeet, along with a lady constable, went to the first floor of the house.

(First floor of Verma House👇)

Jheel's Room

Jheel was sitting on her bed and weeping silently. The lady constable went to her. As she became aware of their presence, Jheel wiped her tears and looked at Abhijeet, who had now entered the room. 

"Did you find who killed my granny?" she asked. Abhijeet sighed and said, "No. We are trying. How was your relationship with her?" Jheel looked at him and started crying again. Abhijeet said, "If you will not help me then how will I find the criminal." "I loved her a lot. Everybody loved her a lot." Abhijeet nodded and left the room.

Jwala's Room

Abhijeet knocked at the door. Jwala opened it and he said, "I wish to talk to you. For your comfort, I have a lady officer with me." Jwala nodded and let them in. Abhijeet asked her the same question, he had asked Jheel. 

"I was quite close to her," said Jwala. Abhijeet asked again, "What about others?" Jwala replied nervously, "Everyone loved her. Maybe we had a difference of opinions among us but we are a family." Abhijeet looked at her pointedly and asked, "Why are you so nervous, Miss Jwala?" "What if the murderer attacks someone else also," said Jwala. Abhijeet said, "Don't worry. Nothing of that sort will happen."

Jwala nodded and he left the room.

Jatin's Room

Abhijeet knocked the door. Nobody answered. He knocked again. No response. He pushed the door and entered in. 

There was no sign of Jatin. His phone and laptop were lying on the bed. There were no signs of struggle. Abhijeet called for his juniors and started looking around the room. 

Soon, the room was being searched thoroughly, while Abhijeet asked the family members, "Where is Jatin?" Yakshit replied, "We don't know officer." Jheel spoke suddenly, "What if something happened to bhai?" and she fainted.

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So, how is it?