Chapter 4: 4. RUNNING AFTER GOONS
Raghav turned a murderer instantly. He ran into a pub and picked up a debate which quickly turned ugly. He was running in the street and was held by someone and taken inside a room made on the side of the street. There was a party going and the room was full of smoke. He smelt drugs and wanted to take them. One man came and offered him a smoke. He pulled strongly, filling his lungs and started coughing. He fell down on the floor. Next morning he was lying on the pavement away from the city in a totally unknown place.
"What went wrong with you yesterday night? How did you come to sleep on the pavement? Did you get drunk at the party? You don't look like a criminal then how you fell into bad company. Where would you like to go? I can drop you," a lady voice called. He was feeling dizzy.
"What have I been doing here in this lonely place? You also are coming from a long distance. But you look young and pretty. How do you maintain your good health? Can you train my wife who has become very unattractive? But still that man was inclined to enjoy it with her and I shot both." He talked still in temper.
"I am a friend of Sally and I come from Kanpur. She telephoned me to come urgently. I have driven the whole night and feel very tired. Still I can take you to any place you like to go." Lady was alert now. She suspected a crime connection.
Raghav also became cautious after hearing the name of Sally. She might be related to Robert and after getting upset she called her up for own safety. She must know that her friend was indulging in wrong activities to earn money under Robert's control. They came back and Raghav got dropped near his house. He walked to his flat and rang the bell. The door was opened by the maid and showed relief after seeing.
"Where is Sunita?" he enquired.
"She is still sleeping after returning back from the kitty party. She was drunk and I had to work hard to get her to change dress and go to bed. She called your name two or three times." Maid informed.
Raghav was back to senses after knowing all this. He was confused about shootout parties and the use of guns by him. He quickly changed and went to sleep. It must have been two hours or so when the doorbell rang. He was nervous and with difficulty she uttered the arrival of two policemen. He came out and faced the constable and the officer.
"Raghav sir, our boss wants you to keep silent about the missing car. This is likely to bring a bad name to the department. He wants to give you a new car instead." Police officer said.
"Why does he want to be so considerate?" he enquired.
'The car was stolen by his daughter and she went to a party with her friends. His boyfriend got into a fight with a man who tried to get close to the girl. She took out a gun and fired on the man who was injured and taken to hospital. He has been asked not to complain and remain silent and was offered a heavy amount of money." One of them told me.
"If I refuse, what can happen?" He asked.
"Nothing only will implicate you in some cases and ensure that you are jailed and won't be out for years." One said.
"Your wife goes to the kitty where she is a member and she will also be framed in some cases. She will also spend her life in jail only. All this will be so precarious for you two." Second man said.
"I agree to your proposal and do what you said. I am no longer interested in that dirty car. You may keep using that," Raghav surrendered under pressure.
Two police men left when Sunita came out from the room. She heard the last words spoken by Raghav and started quarreling. He kept silent and was totally confused. He couldn't think and went to sleep. He slept for the whole day and didn't take lunch. At night he had dinner and again went to sleep and got up the next day early in the morning. He verified physically and was satisfied with the presence of wife in bed. Later he became suspicious about a wife who moved freely among a group of women who had a bad reputation in society, 'Lane 22 women.'
They were spreading "Free Society" and stressed on "Freedom in movement" of women in society. This new wave was supported through social media where many controversial statements, narrations, stories and photographs were circulated. This was not appreciated by old people who were conservatives and stressed on conservative living and behavior of all and in particular ladies. Younger generation felt free and many times misbehaved with seniors in gatherings and also in streets trying to show them down. He met three mysterious women in different places during previous days and was shocked.
There was a knock on the door and Robert was still in night pajamas and invited Raghav for lunch in day time. He didn't mention the name of his wife. He felt odd but accepted the invitation to check up and verify some of his doubts prevailing in mind. He reached the home of Robert and was welcomed on the door by Sally who was looking bright and extremely happy. He had never seen her so pleased in the last so many months of acquaintance. Her dress was quite provocative, another big change. He felt trapped in some plot.
Robert said, "It's quite late and time to serve lunch as Raghav must be hungry. His gloomy face is showing this. The previous night he passed through a high time and didn't like any drink. His wife has not come to full senses even now."
"Who slept with Sunita the previous night in your house? Where are two persons who were shot by me; one lady and another male?
"It must be your hallucination as nothing of this sort happened. Had it been so you should be sitting in the police station rather than this place?"
'What about my wife?"
"Your wife never came here. She must have gone to some other place where she perhaps had a large drink and is still sleeping. When she awakes you may ask her." Robert replied.
"Anyway, I won't eat lunch here. I must care for my wife who is sick and is still sleeping. I doubt foul play. I am cornered and don't know what to do." Raghav said and walked away.
"Sunita was quarreling with the maid and asking why she allowed him to go out. Raghav's life was in danger. The gang of thieves connived with the police and he was being framed." Raghav heard the last sentence she spoke.
"How are you speaking about such things? Who is after my life?"
"It was told by one lady at an evening party and who forced me to drink more. They perhaps put some drug in the drink which made me lose sense fast and I saw you coming with a gun. You shot twice but none was injured. It was a signal for us to keep away from them and also not to pursue the theft case. Offer made by the policeman was part of the deal." Sunita said, whose voice was still not clear.
Raghav called a doctor who checked and reported nothing abnormal. He gave medicine to sleep more and warned not to go out. She could lose balance in walking and may get injured. Doctor left and within half an hour the telephone was ringing.
"I am the same police personnel. Have you decided about our offer? My boss is asking time and again." The voice said.
'Why are you insisting on this? My wife is sick and I have to care for her. Give me some more time to decide," Raghav replied.
"Remember if you don't agree to the proposal you will be collecting the dead body of your wife from the hospital. Voice replied and the phone went dead.
Raghav noted the number and informed one friend who was a crime investigator. He met Satish by chance in a conference where he was delivering a lecture on "Crime Management" and his ideas were appreciated by him. Thereafter they met several times in hotels and restaurants on different occasions. Raghav got interested in investigating and associated with him in two three cases. He gained confidence.
"This number belongs to a senior police officer and I can't tell the name over the phone. You meet me after three days when I return to the city. I came to investigate a case involving three women who work in gangs and force crime by housewives; particularly smart and greedy women. They are not happy with married life and are dissatisfied to seek pleasure outside." Satish informed me.
Raghav got shocked and started imagining how his wife was dragged to silence him. He cursed wife silently and also blamed himself for increased lust for wealth and high society to show off. Now it was too late and he planned to get away and also seek justice. But firstly he was to save wife from getting more involved and remain safe. He now doubted Sally and Robert who promoted the freedom movement for women in all walks of life. Also they indulged in pushing women to flesh trade inviting unknown moneyed persons after drugging them. He once again doubted the indulgence of wife but couldn't expose her to tests for verification. There was no other go but to wait for the opportunity.
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