The Turning - Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

She crumpled the umpteenth sheet of paper and flung it vaguely in the direction of the waste-paper basket beside Zerxes' chair. They were in his study in his flat. It was Sunday. The ball of paper fell onto his lap instead, for the umpteenth time. He rose and advanced towards her purposefully.

Abandoning any pretense of working, Scherezade surrendered. The couch was comfortable enough. And big enough. And they were acrobatic enough.

There was a discreet knock on the door just as they lay in each other arms, exhausted and replete. Zerxes frowned. Normally, Krishna knew better than to disturb him on a Sunday when he was working in his study. Especially if Scherezade too was there. Working with him.

"What is it?" he called out.

"Sorry to disturb you Sir, but Tagore Sahib is here and insists on meeting you and Madam," was the apologetic response.

Zerxes reluctantly let go of Scherezade, got off the couch and pulled on his clothes. Tagore here on a Sunday afternoon meant something urgent. Then he remembered. Sushil had been away for a week. He must have just about returned that morning. Zerxes wondered if he had managed to get any information. Seeing that Scherezade too had buttoned up her coat-dress, he opened the door and called out to Sushil to join them in the study.

"I think you're quite right," were Tagore's first words as soon as he walked into the study. "As you know, I've been away for a week. Just returned this morning. I've had a talk with Irani and Patil. The boys have information that he's just signed an agreement for some rather posh premises for a clinic on Pedder Road. Worth at least a couple of crores. Now he himself certainly doesn't have that kind of money!"

Zerxes said, "Then, Sushil, I don't see what further proof you need. I think you should detain him straightaway and question him."

"So one of you clever Johnnies at the Bar can get him off on some technicality later on? For lack of sufficient evidence? Dear boy, this is a murder rap we're talking about! And he's not from the run of the mill criminal classes." Tagore shook his head. "No, Zerxes. Your instinct seems to have been right. No doubt he is our man. But how the devil do we prove anything? And what about the girl's death?"

"I'11 need to think that one out. But he's killed them! He's killed both of them! But you're right. No way we can prove it, absolutely. No concrete evidence."

"Perhaps there is a way, darling. . ."

Both men turned to Scherezade.

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