“Why haven’t we filed a charge sheet yet“, asked the DSP on other side of the phone. “Sir, we are going to close this soon, don’t worry“, replied the Inspector. “I need this to be done and dusted as soon as it can“, said the DSP. “Yes Sir, it will be“, replied the Inspector and the call got disconnected. The Inspector was a little disturbed after the call. The Constable approached him and said,”Sir, sometimes kids playing around in street have more information than anyone. You were saying that there was a kid asking lots of questions. May be he knows something“.
The Inspector and the Constable drove to Mr. Mukund’ s place and looked around for Anand. “Hey Anand ! Come here“, called the Inspector and continued, “Do you want to solve a murder mystery?”. “No, my Mom said not to get into all of this“, said Anand. “Oh your mom said so….hmmmmmm…. otherwise you would have solved this case?“, asked the Inspector sarcastically. “Ya, it’s so simple. Whosoever killed Mishra aunty, did it in rage or nervousness. If Mishra uncle is such a bad person that he can commit fraud, have an affair then why would kill his wife without plan and get caught“, said Anand.
“Did you see someone coming in or out of house that day“, asked the Inspector. “No, I didn’t“, replied Anand thoughtfully. “Okay, take this card. Call me, in case you remember anything“, told the Inspector and handed over a card to Anand.
Anand was not able to sleep that night. He kept thinking that this is his chance to get noticed. He should investigate this case and become popular. The next day, Anand was restless in the class too. He wasn’t able to focus in the class. He came back from school in the afternoon and went straight to Mishra aunty’ s house with his stray dog friends. He was talking to them as he walked, “What is it….. everyone is missing“. Suddenly Tiger started barking. He was barking while looking at Rahul. Anand saw Rahul coming. Anand asked Tiger, “You think that Rahul did it? Why do you think so?“. He took Tiger away and went to the ground where other kids were playing. Raman yelled at him, “Why are you here? You didn’t want to play with us“. “I’m here to spend sometime alone. Not in a mood to talk to you“, replied Anand.
Raman tried to calm down and asked Anand, “What is bothering you?“. “Mishra aunty wasn’t killed by Mishra uncle“, said Anand. “How can you say that. Police has arrested him. They are police, they know better“, replied Raman. “I know all of it. But, something is not adding up“, said Anand and further added anxiously, “You know what…. Tiger barked at Rahul today“. “Hahahahahaha, a dog barked at someone and you think he is the killer“, said Raman. “If you don’t believe it, then just leave it“, said Anand and started walking. “Wait, at least play a game“, shouted Raman. “No, I don’t want to play“, said Anand. “Wait, I remember something….. I did see Rahul at home, the day Mishra aunty was killed“, said Raman. “Now, comm’on…. you are trying to make fun of me, my friend“, said Anand. “No, I am telling the truth. When you said that Tiger barked on Rahul, I remember that I saw him at home on that day“, replied Raman. “What’s so strange about him being at home“, asked Anand. “Working man at home on weekday, is that normal??“, said Raman with a smile.