As I sit here and take another sip of whisky, I cannot help but shed a tear for my friend Arthur.
(2 weeks before)
It was an unusually hectic day at the office. As our final meeting came to a close we walked out of the office for some good late night dinner. Arthur decided to ditch his vehicle and driver, giving them an early day off and additional duty for me to drop him at the mansion. However, I didn’t mind it as I enjoyed his company. We engaged in very personal and cheerful talks that night. Arthur discussed a lot about Mark and eventually shared his personal life as a teenager. He also shared one of his teenage errands where he was to collect and deliver a package from and to a group of people for a few dollars. Little did he know that he was going to get in trouble until his parents stepped in to save the day. He couldn’t stop laughing as he shared this piece of experience.
When we entered the gate of the mansion to the entrance lobby of the hallway, it was already 10:30 in the night. Arthur insisted that I join him for a drink, I was exhausted and so I wanted to come home. But Arthur was always persistent and it was never easy to say no to Arthur once he had decided something. As we went in for a drink inside the mansion, Arthur said with an irritated voice, “Who the hell left the study door open? No one is allowed in the study unless accompanied by me or Maria.” He then relaxed and poured me a drink. After a drink I left for home and came home around 12 AM in the night.
After changing into something comfortable, I went to the kitchen to prepare myself a hot cup of tea. I decided to read a book I had been meaning to get through for quite some time, and the next thing I knew, I was completely engrossed in it. Time seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, it was already the early hours of the morning. Suddenly, my phone rang, and I was startled out of my reading. I never got calls this early in the morning. I was surprised. Maria was over the phone; I could sense the panic in her voice as soon as I picked up the phone. She was crying and struggling to get the words out, but one could tell from the urgency in her tone that something was terribly wrong. When she finally spoke, I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Arthur, my best friend, was no more. The shock of the news left me numb, and I struggled to make sense of what had just happened. I was just with him a few hours ago. But even as my mind raced with questions, I could not shake the feeling of overwhelming sadness that washed over me. It was as if a part of me had gone along with Arthur. My peaceful night had turned into a complete nightmare.
I arrived at Arthur’s mansion in a rush, there were quite some people who had already reached the mansion. A group of news reporters were already at the mansion, some taking pictures of the area while they spoke in whispers. As I got out of the car, I could see some people who worked for Arthur in his different offices gathered outside the mansion, looking pale and anxious. I walked towards the group, and they all turned towards me, their eyes expressing despair and shock.
My eyes then fell upon the housekeeper, who was trembling and crying in a corner and was being consoled by Mrs. Pettersen; Arthur’s neighbour, tall, standing at around 6 feet in height, always carried herself with some grace and style. So far, I had only seen her at Arthur’s parties. I went over to Maria and placed a hand on her shoulder, attempting to offer some comfort. She was inconsolable, and I knew that the death of Arthur had hit her hard. I then moved towards Mark who sat just on the next sofa quietly. I held his hand and said “Are you okay? Do not worry we are there for you.” He did not move as if he was lost and engrossed in some deep thoughts looking into nothing.
As I quietly made my way into the study, my heart began to race. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear cops and some media personnel talking about murder, “It’s a clear case of murder” as they were sealing the room. My mind raced as I wondered what could be happening. I pushed open the door, and the scene before me was gruesome. Arthur’s body lay on the floor, covered in blood. His eyes were open, staring up at the ceiling, and there was a look of terror on his face. I was shocked! I could not believe what I was seeing in front of me. It was clear that he had been murdered, but the cause of death was not immediately apparent. The room was in disarray, with furniture overturned and drawers pulled out. It was as if the killer had been searching for something. I felt a sense of sadness and horror at the sight before me, and my mind was filled with numerous questions.
I quietly moved closer to Arthur trying not to interrupt the ongoing investigation but I was stopped by a policeman, “Sir, can you please step away from the body?” I nodded my head in response and quietly left the room. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice speaking with the police and security guards. “I can’t believe this has happened. Who could have done such a thing to Arthur!” David exclaimed, running his fingers through his hair.
It was David, the former commissioner of police and one of Arthur’s closest friends. He was pacing back and forth, visibly angry. Despite his injury, David carried himself with an air of authority and confidence that commanded respect. He was of average height, with a thick head of salt-and-pepper hair and a well-groomed moustache. His face was weathered and creased with lines of experience, and his piercing eyes seemed to scrutinize everything around him. David’s walking stick was intricately carved, and I could not help but wonder what stories it held.
The police officers were taking notes as David continued to speak. “I’ve known Arthur for years, and I can assure you that he had many competitors but no enemies. He was loved by everyone who knew him.”
David was a person who was closer to Arthur than I ever was. They were batchmates in the university and had even worked together on a project in earlier days, which was very appealing to the interests of the public. As David continued to talk, I noticed that his hands were trembling slightly. It was clear that he was deeply affected by Arthur’s death. One could tell from his face that he was very upset and losing his composure.
But, while we were still recovering from the shock, David was already trying to use his contacts and help the investigation. I approached him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder uttering the words “Don’t worry David, we will find out who did this.” David turned to me and nodded, a look of determination on his face. ” We must find the murderer and make sure that justice is served for Arthur. He didn’t deserve to die like this.” “We will, I will do all I can to help find this bastard.”
“Move please, let me pass through!” A man yelled as he rushed into the mansion to study. I turned and David peeked, the man was Tom, he was stopped by a policeman from going near the body. David spoke to the policeman and requested him to allow Tom to take a closer look. Tom rushed ahead and stood near the body looking helplessly as a tear streamed down his face. David went ahead to console him and brought him back just outside the study where we stood.
“Can we all gather around here in this room please?” said the officer in-charge in a loud voice, “You too Mr.Wright and Mr.Orlando” he said looking at me. Everyone gathered. “I am Chief Superintendent George Frederick, investigating officer on this case. For the next a few days we will be needing your assistance to find and put this criminal behind the bars. A team of inspectors/superintendents will question you all, we expect your cooperation and true answers. Also, no one in this room will be able to leave town until the culprit is proven guilty.” There was murmuring chatter across the room. “Why are we being treated like we are suspects?” A man shouted from the other end of the corner and chatter in disagreement with the Superintendent started even more aggressively. “Everyone is a suspect until the culprit is found, and this is the bare minimum we can do for our friend, won’t we?” Responded David. There was absolute silence. “Good, you can carry on with the investigation, officer. We’ll make sure we all are cooperating with you at our best” continued David.
Everyone dispersed, and officers continued their investigation. “You are gone and people around you wouldn’t bear the slightest inconvenience in the next immediate moment, is brutal truth.” Uttered David, as he walked towards the investigating officers. I and Tom went to Mark, sat with him for a few minutes before we all left the mansion for our homes.
I came home and took a cold shower to ease my mind. There were way too many thoughts in my mind in the last few hours than it could bear. The only question that kept my mind very busy was “What could have been the reason for Arthur’s murder than who had done it.”
My mind kept thinking “if I could have accompanied Arthur for some more time, he probably would have been alive” and suddenly it hit me, I was the last person to meet Arthur as far as I was aware. I was feeling even worse now. However I tried to dust off the thought over my shoulder for some time. And again, the phone bell rang. It was not very usual for me to get many phone calls and this was already the second in the last 24 hours. “Mr. Wright, George Frederick this side” said the chief of superintendent and continued “You’ll have to be present in the police station tomorrow for a few questions, at 10 in the morning, hope that’s not a problem!” to which I responded “not at all, I will be there.” I never thought I would ever be a suspect in a murder case, again I never thought I would be ever in such situations. And I am the last person to see Arthur alive, that makes me a prime suspect in this case. So far, I was worried and sad for Arthur, and now I was even more worried for myself. I knew, I didn’t do it but didn’t know how I was supposed to convince anyone else.
I kept looking for solutions and thinking who could have done it. I went through the last few days in my head to see if there was anything unusual that I had seen but even after hours of struggling with my own thoughts I couldn’t. My desperation to find the culprit was real and after thinking for a while, I decided to write a letter to Detective Vardhan. A decade ago, when I was working in the field of journalism, I got a chance to work and cover early years of independence in India. One of the largest democracies of the future was being built here when I ran into Mr. Devaj Vardhan, a private detective. One would remember him for his intellect, analytical approach, and unusual methodologies. Mr. Vardhan is of average height and built but quick as a squirrel. He would walk fast and get from one place to another in no time. Always observing and listening to the conversations, noticing things other men would easily ignore. He is very perceptive and has a strong intuition, not afraid to challenge authority or follow unconventional leads and a genius in disguise. He is known to solve many interesting cases in no time before and after independence of India.
He was the only one I completely trusted to find the culprit at this moment. So, I went ahead and wrote a letter to Detective Vardhan.
To,
Mr. Devaj Vardhan,
Vardhan House,
Next to Esplanade Mansion,
Bombay 04.
Dear Vardhan,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to request your services in a very urgent matter.
My dear friend Arthur Noah was recently murdered, while the police investigation is still ongoing, we still don’t have any clue on the murderer. I have heard about your exceptional reputation and your ability to solve even the most complicated cases. I believe that you are the only one who can solve this case and bring justice to Arthur’s family and me.
The circumstances surrounding Arthur’s death are mysterious and complicated. He was a wealthy businessman with many secrets. I believe that your experience and skills will be crucial in uncovering the truth behind his murder.
I understand that you are a busy person and may have many other cases, but I implore you to take up this investigation. Arthur was a dear friend of mine, and his family is suffering greatly due to his sudden death. Please consider my request, and I will be willing to compensate you generously for your time and effort.
If you accept this assignment, please do share a response, and I will arrange for your travel and accommodations.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely, Oliver Wright.