Inheritance - 3

Shikha was standing by the window, watching the rain when her aunt walked in. She rarely smiled and never minced her words but today she had a new form. She was quite distressed from within.

“How are you, dear?”, She asked Shikha, placing a hand of concern on her shoulder.

“Don't worry Tara Pishi, I am not completely shattered.” Shikha replied softly, not daring to look into her eyes.

“Can I ask you something? Do you really believe Rohan is innocent?”. Tara Pishi asked as gently as she could.

Surprised at the question, Shikha turned around and looked into her Aunt's eyes.

“I don't think he is capable of doing it. “

“But he could have been in a blind rage.”

“They were stabbed in their sleep, Tara Pishi. That is not blind rage.” ,Shikha reasoned.

“Do you suspect anyone ?”

“No, Tara Pishi.”, Shikha shook her head.

“I don't think they were exactly without any enemies. I am sure many would have imagined doing it.”

Shikha was about to smile when he bit her lip. Tara Pishi was correct, though. Rohan's parents were indeed irritating at times.

Her Aunt went on.” Shikha, I do not want you to throw your life over Rohan. You are committed to him. But right now, you have to think about yourself more than any other person. I cannot talk about this to my brother. You have to understand, getting married isn't exactly all roses. There are more thorns, especially with him. Please do not be in a rush. You don't need a husband to be happy in life.”

Shikha looked intently at her and shook her head.”I know, Tara Pishi, I know”

****** ****** ****

Meanwhile, elsewhere, officer Alan Samuel had a new challenge. Mr.Sengupta had pulled few strings and got a forensic specialist to get involved in the investigation. The new arrival shared his surname and had a rather flamboyant persona. Dr. Ruth Samuel was known for her vivid hair colouring and stylised clothes. She was arrogant, as happens with most hugely successful people.

She had started off on the examination of the bodies and had some startlingly different results.

When Alan got the reports, he wanted to speak to the Doctor himself. Even though he had been warned by friends in the department that Dr.Samuel was not very amiable with the police. There were many instances, in which she had exposed lapses and pitfalls in the police investigations.

Alan had arrived at the lab and felt some how apprehensive about the meeting. He had never considered himself as shy or incompetent and the nervousness baffled him.

She appeared suddenly, talking to two other doctors who looked much younger. She was beautiful, Alan realized. Her hair had streaks of purple. She looked like a rock star. The hair itself was styled that way. She wore a very bright yellow kurti with a low neck and indigo jeans. The white coat over all that did not reduce her glamour one bit. Alan felt his nervousness disintegrating. He felt warm inside and rose up slowly, almost in awe.

Dr. Samuel halted in her tracks when she spotted Alan standing there. She had a strange expression on her face. The doctor on her left introduced Alan. They shook hands. Alan felt reluctant to let go of her hand while she was in a hurry to.

She was very business like and explained to him that while Mr. Ghosh had bled to death, his wife was already dead before the stabbing. Alan noticed that she was very cordial.

She stated that she would like to examine the crime scene. Usually, Alan would have a problem with that but he delightedly agreed to take her there.

“That won't be necessary. You can just make the arrangements. I am sure you have other important things to do.”,Dr.Samuel was not too pleased.

Alan insisted and escorted her to his Jeep. He felt good to be with her. He tried to make pleasant conversation but she was a reluctant participant. He waited for her infamous rudeness to peek out but it never did.