Vengeance Has No Words…

The night was growing deeper. Sudhir was literally sprinting towards the station. “So late today… This second shift work is really difficult. A little out of time and transportation is closed. I had requested my boss that I will do the work tomorrow, but does bosses hear our appeal..!!” Speaking to himself Sudhir reached a joint. There was this parallel road and a small gully just opposite to where Sudhir was standing. Sudhir thought for himself, “If I go by this road turning left, then it will take 20-25 mins. to reach the station. But if I take this gully, then by the 10th minute I will be on the station. Hopefully I may get the last local…” Sudhir thought for a while and entered in the gully…

As Sudhir was going ahead, the darkness was getting thicker and thicker. Sudhir switched on the mobile torch and started walking. He heard a sound somewhere nearby. Sudhir just stopped walking. He tried to find out the source in the dim mobile light, but he could not see anything. Just as Sudhir was about to walk again, his phone rang, “Yes maa… Yes, I know it’s being too late now, but I will reach the station within 5 mins. I will call you back once I…”Sudhir was about to speak when he again heard the sound. This time the sound was a little closer. He turned back and saw two glowing eyes heading towards him. In no time, “Aaaaaaaaaa……”Sudhir’s scream was echoed everywhere…

Investigation was started. Ins. Anand and S.I. Uma were examining the body. S.I. Sachin was searching for some clues in the surroundings and Sr. Ins. Pradhan was asking questions to the gathered people, “Who had called us to inform this…” Coming ahead a man said, “Sir, I had called you. This area is very quiet in the night. No one normally uses this path. The sudden noise of this man’s scream woke me up. As I came to the balcony, I saw someone was lying here. I called for help and when people gathered, we all came here to see this man. With his eyes and mouth wide open, we all were convinced that he was dead…”

The man was speaking when Uma called Sr. Ins. Pradhan. When Pradhan reached Uma, she said, “Sir, his name is Sudhir. I just checked his bag where I found this identity card. Rest all the things in this bag are intact. Even some hard cash is lying in the bag but still untouched…” Anand also joined the conversation and said, “Sir, his chain, watch and wallet are also there. Nothing is moved. He has some bite and scratch marks on his body that seem to be done by dogs. Sudhir’s eyes and his nails have turned a little bluish. Can this be related to poison…” Anand was raising his doubt when Sachin came and said, “This is Sudhir’s broken mobile and besides this, there are paw prints in the mud near the body and also going in the opposite direction of the body. The paw prints also look like that of any dog…”

Listening to Sachin one of the residentials said, “There are certain stray dogs in this area. But they are everywhere you see…” Anand came closer and said, “You may be right sir, but dog paw prints in the area and dog bites and scratches on the victim’s body are not seen everywhere…” Facing the people Pradhan said, “There is an unnatural death happened here. Hence, we are sealing this area till the investigation is going on. Sachin, you take this mobile to our technician and Anand, you take this body to the lab for autopsy. Me and Uma shall visit Sudhir’s residence… Let’s move…”

Uma and Pradhan reached one house. A lady opened the door. Greeting her Uma said, “Madam, I am S.I. Uma and he is Sr. Ins. Pradhan. We are here…” Before Uma could complete her sentence the lady said, “Did you find Sudhir…??? Where is my son…???” Looking at Pradhan, Uma calmed her down and took her inside. Pradhan said, “Madam, there is bad news. We have found Sudhir’s body…” The lady fainted instantly hearing this. Uma sprinkled some water on her face, and she woke up. The lady drank some water and started crying. Pacifying her Uma said, “Please have patience madam. I know how you must be feeling, but Sudhir also must be seeing you. Will he feel good to see you cry..?” The lady wiped her eyes and Pradhan said, “Madam, can we check Sudhir’s room…”

The lady nodded and letting Uma sit next to her, Pradhan went inside for searching. It was a simple room with a bed, wardrobe, ac., a table with a desktop and a table lamp. The unlocked wardrobe contained clothes, watch, sunglasses, some bank papers and also some cash. There was nothing that can create a doubt. Pradhan turned to the table. There was a dairy kept in the second drawer. There was a list of some debtors. Taking the dairy Pradhan reached the lady and said, “Madam, this diary has notes of some money to be received. Do you know anything about it…” Looking at the diary the lady said, “No sir, I have no idea about it. Actually, it’s only two months that we have shifted after Sudhir got transferred here…”

Putting her hand on that lady’s shoulder Uma said, “Any of his friends you know… or any marriage proposal…” Looking at Uma, the lady paused a little and said, “Sudhir was a divorcee. His ex-wife Pranali is also from this part. His friends and our relatives are all from the previous part where we used to live. Here if there are any friends then I have no idea…” Uma looked at Pradhan. Pradhan nodded and they both left Sudhir’s house taking the diary and Pranali’s address. As the door closed, Uma said, “Sudhir is transferred here and found dead in just two months. He is a divorcee and his ex-wife also stay’s in this area. Sounds a little odd…”

Accepting Uma’s doubt Pradhan said, “Yes Uma, it is somewhat tricky. But currently we just have Sudhir’s diary and his x-wife’s, Pranali’s number…” Pradhan immediately called Sachin and said, “Sachin, I am sending you a list of names. If Sudhir’s mobile can be examined, then check if the names are present in it and contact them. These people are the ones who owe Sudhir some amount…” Disconnecting the phone Pradhan turned towards Uma and said, “Let’s go to Pranali and see if we can find some clues…” Jeep entered big society. Uma and Pradhan showed their identity cards to the security guard with a heavy beard. Pradhan looked back at the guard with doubtful eyes. After showing the identity cards, Pradhan and Uma went to Pranali’s flat…

A girl opened the door. Uma introduced herself and Pradhan to her. Seeing the police, the lady went a step back and said, “Myself Pranali. Please come inside…” As Pradhan and Uma came inside, Pranali again said, “Can I know the reason why is the police here… I mean…” Looking at Pranali, Pradhan said, “Pranali madam, We have found Sudhir’s dead body today morning…” Pranali was taken aback hearing this. She was rather speechless. Pacifying her Uma made her sit on the couch and said, “Pranali, Mr. Sudhir was found dead this morning and as a part of investigation we visited Sudhir’s mother. There we came to know about you so wanted to talk to you…”

Wiping her eye corners Pranali started speaking, “There is nothing to hide. Me and Sudhir got married two years back. With our careers at peak, we both were not able to match and keep our married life at par. Hence, we got separated with mutual consent. Soon after the divorce, I got a big opportunity here and I shifted. We both were still in touch even if we got separated. I was aware that Sudhir was getting transferred here. This Sunday we had also planned to meet, but now…” Uma again made Pranali calm down and left with Pradhan. Nearing the jeep Pradhan said, “What do you think Uma… Can this Pranali be involved in Sudhir’s death…”Thinking a bit Uma said, “I don’t think so sir. I mean with the facts that have come out till now, but…” At the same time Pradhan got a call…

“Yes Sachin… Ok. You come to the lab then. We will also be there soon…” cutting the call Pradhan said to Uma, “The phone was restored for use. There were not many numbers saved. Sachin called everyone on the phone list including the list of debtors in the diary. Many of debtors had already completed their debt. There is nothing useful we got from the rest of the contacts. Now we only have two things left. One is Sudhir’s office and the other is his body. Uma you drop me to the lab and go to Sudhir’s office for enquiry…” As the lab approached Pradhan hopped out and Uma went ahead towards Sudhir’s office. There Pradhan went inside the lab where Anand and Doc. Gokhale were waiting for him…

Seeing Sr. Ins. Pradhan entering the lab, Doc. Gokhale greeted him with smile, “Yes Mr. Pradhan, Anand and myself were talking about this Sudhir only. Mr. Pradhan, Sudhir was in his forties with a problem of B.P. That can be normal, looking at his lifestyle. I mean his shift duties and work pressures. Rest there are no diseases. As per the locals said, he was bitten by the dogs. But the bites were not fatal. The main cause of death is poison. You must have noticed his nails and eyes had turned bluish. That was because of poison. The surprising element is that there is no other entry point for the poison but the scratch marks. I mean poison has entered Sudhir’s body through these dog scratches…

Hearing this, Pradhan and Anand were astonished. Pradhan said, "Doc., you mean to say that the dog scratches were not fatal initially, but the poison made them dangerous..." As Doc. Gokhale nodded, Pradhan and Anand looked at each other. Pradhan said, "That means the dogs that attacked Sudhir, already had poison on their nails..." Coming near Doc. Gokhale said, "Not only that, but the poison was... Cyanide. The most dangerous one..." A look of amaze was seen on all the faces. Anand said, "What… Cyanide... The dogs were carrying Cyanide with them... But how can it be possible..." Anand was speaking and Pradhan's phone rang...

Pradhan answered the call  "Yes Uma... Ok. You come back to the station. We are moving from here..." Turning back to Doc. Gokhale Pradhan said, "Doc., Cyanide is a very deadly poison and is not available openly right..." Doc. Gokhale said, "That’s right Mr. Pradhan. It can be available in laboratories, but another way out is that it can be created using Apple seeds, Apricot kernel, etc..." Pradhan thought for a while and said, "That means we have to search for the labs and if not from the labs then we have to search for plantations... Thanks doc. Anand, let’s move to the station. We will discuss the further course of action over there..."

It was 10:30 in the night. All the team members had gathered in Sr. Ins. Pradhan's cabin. Uma said, "Sudhir's office record is clean. There is nothing that can be found suspicious..." Adding to Uma's words, Sachin said, "And sir, there is nothing we got from the phone numbers. Some are of his friends, some of his colleagues and rest are of his debtors..." Hearing to all this, Anand said, "Sir, but a death has occurred and that is also due to Cyanide. There has to be something that has not come out..." Pradhan nodded his head and said, "Rightly said Anand. There is something else to this case that is still hiding. But we will find it out. It is clear that the dogs attacked Sudhir on a command. But who can be the one..." All were discussing the case when Pradhan's phone rang...

"Sr. Ins. Pradhan speaking... What... We are coming. But close the boundaries immediately. Until we reach, no one will leave this place, nor anyone will come inside..." Cutting the call Pradhan said, "Team, Pranali is dead... Let’s move..." Jeep started moving. Uma said, "What’s going on... First Sudhir and now Pranali..." Anand said following Uma, "And that too within a span of two days..." Replying to Anand, Sachin said, "I was suspecting Pranali may be behind Sudhir's death but now..." All were passing comments when Pradhan said, "I think there is a connection. Sudhir and Pranali get divorced. Pranali comes here on job. After some time, Sudhir is also transferred here. They are supposed to meet on Sunday, and both die in two days. There is a damn link..."

The jeep reached Madhuban society. There was a crowd of people gathered at the backside. Making their ways all four reached the spot. Uma started examining the body  Anand and Sachin started to search the place and Pradhan went on for the enquiry. One person said, "Sir, I am Mr. Dixit, the secretary of this society. Our watchman informed me about this incident and I immediately called you..." Nodding his head, Pradhan asked the crowd, "Who was the one who saw the body first..." Two men came forward. One of them said, "Saaheb, He is Bhima I and Jaggu. Bhima looks after the front gate and I am posted at the rare gate...

It was around 10:20 p.m. I had just started my dinner sitting just next to the gate when I saw Pranali madam coming there. It’s her routine walk sir. Every night between 10:00 and 10:30, Pranali madam takes a walk down here and then goes up. Tonight also she came. Seeing me she smiled and waved. Then went ahead. I got busy with my dinner. Suddenly I heard a scream followed by Pranali madam's small cry. I rushed at this place to see Pranali madam was lying on the ground with eyes open. I placed my finger near her nose but... So, I called Dixit saaheb..." Pradhan immediately asked, "Who did scream before you heard Pranali's cry..." Jaggu looked at the body and turning to Pradhan he said, "Saaheb, the scream was of a cat..."

Hearing this Pradhan asked the crowd, "Are there cats in this society..." Mr. Dixit replied, "Sir, no pets are allowed in this society. Only caged birds and fish tanks are permitted. Pranali was very fond of cats. She used to feed stray cats outside the area. Might be one of them have come here..." At the same time Uma called Pradhan near the body. Uma said  "Sir, Pranali is wearing her night gown. This is her mobile and her flat keys found on the ground near her body. May be while falling down she must have dropped them. Pranali's nails have turned bluish and there is a blue shade seen in her eyes. There is nothing on her body but one scratch mark on her left leg just above her ankle. Looking at the blue colour, I feel it’s the same modus operandi that was used for Sudhir..."

Suddenly everyone heard Anand’s cry, “Sir, please come here. Leaving Uma near the body, Pradhan sprinted at the direction of Anand’s cry. Pradhan reached near society’s rare gate. Anand and Sachin were standing just a few yards away from the gate outside the building. Pradhan went there to find out a stray cat was lying dead in the bushes and Sachin was just near the cat. Sachin said, “Sir, we found this cate in this bush. Some type of foam is formed around its mouth and sir, it’s nails and tongue have turned bluish…” Anand said, “Might be that this cat was used in Pranali’s death. May be this is the same cat whose scream was heard by Jaggu…”

Thinking for a while Pradhan said, "Sachin, you take both the bodies to doc. for autopsy. Anand, you go to the station and check if there is any record related to Sudhir or Pranali. I and Uma will search Pranali's flat. Mr. Dixit, please accompany us as the owner is not present at the time of searching. Let’s move team..." Anand went on his bike. Sachin moved the body in the ambulance and went for the lab while Pradhan and Uma went upstairs with Mr. Dixit. They started searching the room while Mr. Dixit was observing them. There was nothing suspicious found. There was a laptop placed on the side table near the bed. Uma started Pranali's laptop. There were many folders. There was one folder named honeymoon. Uma opened the folder to find many pictures of Sudhir and Pranali. The pictures were dated two years back...

Pradhan said, "This must be the place where Sudhir and Pranali went after their marriage. There are some photos of the hotel also. See if we can get the name..." Uma zoomed on one picture to find the hotel name 'Golden Hills, Lonavala.' At the same time Pradhan got Anand's call, "Yes Anand... Ok. We will be there in few minutes..." Cutting the call, Pradhan turned to Uma and said, "Anand has found a two year older case that relates to both Sudhir and Pranali. Mr. Dixit, we are taking this laptop with us. Meanwhile, don’t let anyone go out of this society. We are posting a constable on the gate. Inform Bhima and Jaggu also. Let’s go Uma..."

In a short while Pradhan and Uma reached the police station. Anand was waiting for them. As they both entered, Anand said, “Sir, there was this case filed in Lonavala two years back. Sudhir and Pranali had filed a case against a person named Dinesh. The case states that Dinesh used to stalk Pranali and Sudhir and one day he tried to harass Pranali. Dinesh was beaten by Sudhir with a few locals and was handed over to the police. Dinesh was booked under section 35A and was punished with two year’s imprisonment. Sir, this Dinesh is a younger brother of Mr. Dinkar and Mr. Dinkar works as an assistant in Amba Labs, Mumbai…” Hearing this, Uma and Pradhan were shocked. Anand showed them Dinesh’s photo and Pradhan said, “I think I have seen him somewhere…”

Thinking for a while, Pradhan took a pencil and drew beard on the photo. Pradhan’s eyes went big seeing the modified photo. Pradhan said, “My God, this is Bhima. The security guard at Madhuban society. So, Dinesh changed his name to Bhima and held a job in Pranali’s society. Anand, Uma lets go there immediately. Dinesh may try to escape…” All the three instantly started for Madhuban society. When they were on their way, Sachin called on Pradhan’s number, “Yes Sachin, haa… ok. We are heading for Madhuban society. You also come there immediately. I think we have found our man…” Cutting the call Pradhan said, “Pranali’s death is also due to Cyanide. And surprising the same poison is found on that cat’s nails and tongue. It must have licked her paws and the Cyanide must have entered in it’s body…”

Replying to Pradhan, Uma said, “Sir, but cats are not such animals that would harm anybody unless being cornered. The place where we found Pranali’s body is an open area…” Anand added to Uma’s words, “You are right Uma, but we also saw that there was no light. If we happen to place our foot on the cats tail, then it can bite or scratch. This might be a possibility in Pranali’s case” As the conversation was going on, Pradhan asked Anand to check for the address of Mr. Dinkar. All got down immediately and found the constable lying unconscious near the front gate. Meanwhile, Sachin also reached there. Pradhan asked for Jaggu and told Sachin to take the constable to the hospital…

Pradhan got very angry and said, “Damn it, that Dinesh has escaped. But where he must have gone by now…” Uma added to Pradhan and said, “Sir, is it possible that Dinesh must have gone to Mr. Dinkar for help…” Anand nodded to Uma and said, “Yes Uma, you may be right. Sir, Mr. Dinkar’s residence is not far away from here…” Pradhan turned to Jaggu and said, “You lock the rare gate and stay here now. Be very careful…” Then looking at Uma and Anand, he said, “What are we waiting for. Let’s move…” All sat in the jeep and started their journey. Pradhan called Sachin and said, “Sachin, Dinesh is our man. I am sending you a location. Come there immediately as Mr. Dinkar may be in danger…”

The jeep reached near a bunglow. It was like a row house at the very far end of a narrow gully. All got down and checked their ammunition. Pradhan said, “Be careful. We are dealing with a person who handles Cyanide. The most dangerous poison. A few drops going inside, and we are gone…” Slowly they moved towards the house. The house was drenched in total darkness. Pradhan directed Uma and Anand to go to the other directions. Pradhan took the front door; Uma took the right window and Anand went for the left one. All the three reached their spot. They saw their watches and on the count of three all three entered the house from three different directions at one time…

The house was empty with darkness all over. Pradhan was in the living room; Uma had entered one of the bedrooms and Anand was in another room. All were searching the place but there was no one to be seen. All three were moving ahead. Uma happen to see a reflection in the mirror. She turned back but there was nobody. Uma again started moving and suddenly someone grabbed her from the back. Uma’s gun was dropped down with the sudden attack. The person pushed Uma forward till the living room. Seeing this Pradhan pointed his gun towards the unknown person. As the same time, Anand also came out of the other room pointing the gun towards the person. The person said, “Hold it officers, otherwise your lady officer will have it from me. The glass container in my hand is filled with acid. So, don’t move…” Saying this the person started moving towards the door holding Uma as his shield…

He instructed Uma to open the door. Uma opened the door and as the person moved out of the house, suddenly he was hit by a kick on the hand. The glass bottle flew upwards and Anand caught hold of the bottle just in time. As the person lost his grip on Uma’s shoulder, Uma kicked him in the stomach. Crying with pain, the person moved backwards when Sachin grabbed his collar and pointed a gun towards his head. The person was made to sit on a chair. Pradhan moved forward and said, “Bhima… no… Dinesh right…” Saying this Pradhan removed the person’s beard. Dinesh was looking very furious. He tried to attack again when Sachin and Anand hold his hands and made him sit again. Pradhan said, “Stop it Dinesh. You cannot escape now…”

Dinesh looking in Pradhan’s eyes said, “I am not Dinesh. I am Dinkar. Dinesh and I were twins. Dinesh was just two minutes younger to me. I was married, and Dinesh’s engagement was fixed. Two years back, me and Dinesh were in Lonavala on a trip with friends. While roaming around I saw Pranali taking some photographs. I liked her and approached her instantly to ask for a cup of coffee. She refused and started walking. I followed her but at the same time her husband Sudhir came there. He told me to go away but I did not listen and tried to attack Sudhir. The other visitors and some locals came there, and Sudhir started beating me with their help. In the meanwhile, Pranali called the police and I had to run…

I came back to the hotel and told everything to Dinesh. Dinesh helped me calm down and surrendered to the police instead of me. Dinesh was imprisoned for two years. I came back to Mumbai just to hear that my wife divorced me on grounds of the physical assault case. She said she knew Dinesh was not the one and she could not stay with me any longer. Dinesh’s fiancé also broke her engagement with Dinesh for the same reason. I did not tell anything to Dinesh about this. He was released and came back home. I told Dinesh about his fiancé. He was like ok with it. I felt, time will heal our wounds and we will live calmly. But this society. Society always like to go in the past. People started humiliating me and Dinesh over the Lonavala case. Dinesh could not take it and in depression he committed suicide…

I was totally devastated loosing everyone near to me. It was a just a cup of coffee that I demanded from Pranali. What was the big deal..? But that Pranali and Sudhir… They just ruined my life. Not only mine but they spoiled Dinesh’s life also. I was very furious on them. I planned to take revenge on Sudhir and Pranali. I resigned from my job. I got the information that Sudhir and Pranali were divorced and Pranali was residing near my area after the divorce. I stalked Pranali and found her residence. I changed my getup and named myself Bhima to be as a watchman in Madhuban society. I kept an eye on Pranali for many days and came to know that Pranali was fond of cats and also that she takes a walk every night. I planned to kill her with her own likes i.e. the cats. I had worked for years in Amba labs. I know how to make Cyanide. I used to apply Cyanide on dogs paws and used to train them to bite any animal. I saw the results were in my favour. Dogs are easy to be trained but cats are not…

I had a pet cat here. I used to take it to Madhuban society and leave it in the premises during the night. As I guessed, Pranali used to feed that cat and she used to play with it. I thought I will avenge Dinesh’s death with Pranali first and then I will go after Sudhir. As the day was approaching, I got the news that Sudhir was also coming to this place. It was Sudhir who had beaten me. It was Sudhir who got me arrested. I killed Sudhir first with my trained dogs. I thought I will wait for some days and then I will go for Pranali. But that idiot cat. It ran away from this house the day I applied Cyanide on its paws for testing, and it came here to scratch Pranali. As I saw you, I was afraid and I ran away. I could have escaped as I did after Sudhir’s murder. But that stupid cat…”

Pradhan firmly kept his hand on Dinkar’s shoulder and said, “Dinkar, you are a sick man. It was you who was the culprit. They were your crimes that paid off and you lost your brother and wife. But you do not have any guilt about it. Instead you planned to kill Sudhir and Pranali who had not done anything wrong. Apart from Sudhir and Pranali, you also tried to harm the innocent animals. I will see to it that you will get the capital punishment for your crimes…”

The end.

@ Aniket Parshuram Apte.