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‘Untried’ Crime
On reaching her ‘new home’ as she learned that Dhruva was away with Shakeel and was not expected till late in the night, Radha began scanning Mithya’s closets to delve deeper into her past. Not finding any sleazy stuff therein, as she was on the verge of giving up on spying, she located a false bottom in the dressing table that led her to many unusual items. Elated at the discovery as she rummaged the shelf, she found Mithya’s jottings, leafing through which she came across a handwritten Untried Crime that read:
‘That was when Mithya’s life was under siege; she faced the unwelcome prospect of divorce, lo, owing to her own infidelity. Barely turned twenty-eight, as she was not for losing the good things of life her marriage afforded, she began planning a perfect murder of her man and her paramour. Leaving no lose ends for the police to tie her up to the murders, wearing a burka she spied upon Dhruva, the Station House Officer, likely to come knocking at her door for the inevitable questioning. While his reputation as an Ace of crime detection only increased her sense of challenge, giving an erotic edge to her criminal cunning, she turned covetous struck by his élan and enamored of his mien.
That late night, after seeing the end of both her men and having alerted the police about their death, she expectantly waited for Dhruva at her 9, Castle Hills, and when he knocked at her door, she received him in lingerie.
“Sorry for my rather scanty cladding,” she said alluringly.
“I’m Inspector Dhruva,” he said unable to take his eyes off her hourglass frame.
“I’m Mithya,” she said coquettishly, extending her hand invitingly.
“Mrs. Ashok I suppose,” he said, grabbing it greedily.
“Yes, I’m Mithya Ashok,” she said withdrawing from him.
“Do you know where Mr. Ashok is now?”
“Aboard the Godavari Express,” she said, “on the way to Waltair.”
“Are you sure?”
“You know I’m his wife, don’t you?”
“Can’t there be secrets between spouses?”
“Have you come to know of any mistress of his?” she said mockingly.
“Maybe he would’ve been better off in her bed, if he had any but….”
“You mean, better off than in mine?” she said interrupting him
“I’ve to get into both to know about that,” he said naughtily, “but sadly he’s no more.”
“If it’s the case,” she said winking at him, “can’t you imagine the possibilities?”
“It’s no joke, he was possibly murdered,” he said searching into her eyes.