Chapter 17

Sabari jumped from his bed in shock hearing Sidharth’s shocker.

“Sir…?? What did you just say?”

“Yes..Prathap is no more”

“What happened to him?”

“I got a call from Inspector Mahadev a while back. He gave me this tragic news. “

“How did it happen Sir?”

“He was killed”

“How? By whom?”

“Inspector Mahadev didn’t give me any detailed information. When he called me, he was on his way to Prathap’s residence. I’m starting now. So, I will meet you there shortly”

“I will start right away sir”

Sabari disconnected the call began to sweat in the air-conditioned bedroom. Ananya came near Sabari, placed her hand on the shoulder and asked, “Sabari!!! What happened? You look troubled..”

Sabari took a deep breath and replied, “Yah… Prathap was murdered by someone. MD Sidharth called me to inform this news”

Ananya was shocked hearing it and her face filled with horror.

“Oh My God… Who killed him?”

“Don’t know yet. Sidharth wants me to come to Prathap’s residence now.  I will leave now”

Ananya immediately put her hands on Sabari’s shoulder and the grip was tight due to the fear.

“Wait a minute”

“What now?”

“Do you want to leave in this late hour? Why not in the morning?”

Sabari was irritated and replied, “Are you kidding? Do you know the seriousness of the situation? The one who was killed is my boss. And it is my super boss, who wants me. I will have to leave now”

“I understand… But why don’t you listen to my suggestion..”

“What is that?”

“Don’t go alone”

“If not alone with whom”

“You can take Mr. Krishnan our neighbour and also a lawyer along with you.”

“Do you foresee any danger to my life if I go alone”

“Kind of… Yes”

“This is childish… I know how to take care of myself. My licensed pistol will protect me. Just that will do good”

Without waiting for Ananya’s nod or response, Sabari walked to the wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom. He opened it and amidst the heap of clothes, there was a locker.

Sabari unlocked the locker using a PIN and opened it. There was a new shiny pistol wrapped in a leather cover and he took it out.

In the next couple of minutes, Sabari quickly changed from the nightdress and came out to the portico. Before he got into the car, he walked towards the gate and woke up the security who was in half sleep.

“Thangaraj!!!”

The security woke up hearing Sabari.

“Sir??”

“I’m leaving now as I have an urgent work outside. Madam is alone. Take care”

“Ok sir”

Security Thangaraj opened the gates and Sabari’s car fled through the streets as there was no traffic.

Sabari’s mind was completely disturbed by the recent incidents. In the next few minutes his car reached Prathap’s residence in the Kotturpuram area. There were a few police Jeeps and SUV’s along with an ambulance parked outside the residence. Sabari’s car entered the gate where he was stopped by one of the constables.

Sabari pulled down the car’s window and said, “I’m Sabari, colleague of Mr. Prathap”

“Ok.. “

The car entered the gate and Sabari could see Sidharth’s Mercedes parked inside the compound. Sabari parked the car and walked to the entrance. Lights in every room were switched on and the building looked bright.

The constable walked over to him and said, “Everyone are in first floor. You can go there straight”

“Ok… Thanks”

Sabari entered the house and stepped into the large drawing room. There was a staircase and Sabari climbed the stairs to the first floor. There was a corridor and as he walked couple of steps, that led to a large bedroom. Sidharth, Inspector Mahadev and another middle-aged person in his early 40’s, were standing outside the bedroom.

Sabari reached Sidharth and his voice stumbled.

“Sir…. What… What happened?”

Sidharth, who was visibly upset replied, “Sabari!! This is what I heard. The servant who was sleeping in the ground floor heard a thud and noise from Prathap’s room. When the servant rushed to the bedroom, he saw that Prathap was on the floor. A noise of someone running in the backside of the house was also heard. He ran out to check but couldn’t find anyone. The servant tried to wake him up but he didn’t respond. He also realized that Prathap wasn’t breathing. That was when he called up the cops and they informed me”

“Where is the body?”

Sidharth pointed his finger towards Prathap’s body on the bed. Sabari walked towards the cot and the body was still. Everything looked normal as if he was in deep sleep. There was no signs of an attack or blood. While he was wondering, Inspector Mahadev walked towards him.

Mahadev asked, “I can understand what you are wondering.”

“I was told that he was attacked and killed. But I don’t see any signs here of an attack.”

“The killer definitely has used a weapon. A heavy one that is good to kill someone instantly.”

“What kind of weapon?”

Inspector Mahadev with a glove covered hand, pointed out the chest area on Prathap’s body and turned to Sabari.

“Can you see anything unusual here?”

Sabari with his sharp eyes concentrated on the area pointed out by Mahadev. He couldn’t find anything different.

“No sir.. I couldn’t see anything abnormal”

Inspector Mahadev took a pen and pointed at an area on the chest. There was a red dot on the chest that was a size of a mustard.