Nobody Returns From Badolgaon VI

The diabolic ingenuity of killer hit them with the force of a thunderbolt. Clearly the assassin had studied habit of Bhai Girish holding the cup in right hand and occasionally supporting it with the palm of left hand and then using the palm to wipe residual moisture off his lips. There was a thin layer of white crystalline power on the newspaper over which Bhai Girish had his tea cup. Freshly washed cup only helped in sticking the powder at it bottom rim. When he used his left palm to support the cup, the powder passed on to his palm and when he wiped his mouth for residual tea, the powder killed him instantaneously. Even the otherwise calm E Babu with his penetrating wisdom was in state of shock. It occurred to them that their defense against the killer was utterly inadequate. Their only hope was to identify this monster and for that they had to wait until morning to talk to Madan Bhai. The only person not so much affected was Acharya Shubhakar. Sir Prabhakar had taken out his pocket ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ an ancient version he always kept in his pocket, was vigorously reciting from it. Chacha Reba with clenched lips was in total shock, Manyawar Diwakar busy invoking Siddh Baba’s protection, E Babu not inclined to have faith in external intervention was deep in thought. Acharya Shubhakar’s confidence came from reading of stars. He was an ace astrologer; his repeated conquests of successfully forecasting future with razor sharp accuracy imbued him with a sense of invincibility. He knew his cycle of ‘markesh’ (a period when death can occur) was not due until a couple of years on. That was his stubborn belief. Unfortunately the killer did not believed in the cycle of ‘markesh’ when clock struck 4’o clock early morning a rigged arrow shot through the taut bow cleverly concealed behind the calendar on the wall pierced his heart. In an instant Acharya lay dead slumped on his chair despite favorable stars. Nobody moved just watched helplessly.

At last E Babu said, ‘The killer is using our predictable behavior to serve his purpose. We will not survive the night if we act in the manner we are used to. He is manipulating concealed devices but it cannot be a matter of coincidence that he finds his target at precise location. The rogue is adept at reading mind as well as influencing our moves in so subtle manner. You see, Bhai Girish and Acharya Shubhakar became victims due to position of their sitting else somebody other would have died in their stead. We must do something which is absolutely unpredictable to beat his plan. We can make a move now to Bhai Madan’s house, but this would be a predictable course and the killer may have planned for it……’

Sir Prabhakar collapsed. He had not been listening to E Babu’s harangue but vigorously reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, occasionally flipping pages from the tiny book. 

to be contd.