22 Investigating wife and son

"A very good theory" shastri said.

Praveen was dumbfounded." Does that mean you believe it?" he asked.

"Understand the word. I said a very good theory. Did I say I believe him?" he asked.

"It makes no impact on me whether you believe me or not. That's why I have announced the reward for whoever brings a clue about Nikhita's . Once I get an information about her….. I will personally go and bring her to home. She will be forbidden from ever leaving the house…. I will stay with her and talk to her. I will try to convince her not to leave home. I will even accept all her conditions. She can stay with her lover as long as she wants to...I will even make their wedding grand…" saying that Mr.Vardhan became emotional. Even Praveen looked sad.

But shastri was not swayed by his words. He said "Give this statement in a recording so that she can hear it herself when we find her. Has there been someone who has come forward to give information after hearing your reward?"

"Yeah, many have come forward. But the thing is that they are all fake. I don't know what peverse feeling they will get by making fake calls and awakening hope in us" Mr.Vardhan said. Even Praveen felt angry about this.

Shastri was not surprised at all. In many cases if they enlisted for public help fake calls would be common. It was the duty of the investigating officer to sort through this call and find the truth.

"Did you get only calls or did someone visit in person? " Shastri asked Mr.Vardhan.

"Well, I did not get any visits from any person but I did get a lot of phone calls."

"Have you made a list of numbers from which you got the call?" shastri asked, suddenly interested

"Yes, I have made a list. I have also took a note of the locations of the call. For this purpose I had given a separate number to the public." Mr.Vardhan said, looking proud.

But he was disappointed to see that there was no change in shastri's face.

Shastri said" I need number list with the location".

"Ok. I will give the list today itself. Is there any other thing you need me to do?" Mr. Vardhan asked.

"Is your wife and son at home? I have talk to them too."

"Why? What is the reason?" Mr.vardhan asked, suddenly anxious.

"There is nothing to worry about. I just want to talk to them so as to check whether your statements tally's with theirs."

"So you don't believe me?" Mr.Vardhan asked, his voice low.

" It is not the question of who believes who" shastri answered" There may be some points which you may have forgot to mention, but your wife may remember it perfectly. This may also be the case with your son. So we will be doing the investigation of all family members. You have no objection right?"

"Ok, then. I will call my wife and son. But please remember they are also as devastated as I am. So don't make it more unpleasant for us by asking unnecessary questions." Mr.Vardhan said in a low voice.

"I will assure you that I will ask only those questions which may help us solve the case as soon as possible. Other than that I cannot say anything." Shastri said seriously.

Hearing that Mr.Vardhan was somewhat satisfied. Then he called both his wife and son.

As shastri and Praveen they saw a woman and a youth entering the room. The woman was obviously Mr.Vardhan's wife while the latter was their son.

"Well this is my wife, Usha and this is my son Niriksh. He is studying M.B.A in pune. He came as soon as he heard that his sister was missing."

"No sir, I came two days after she went missing. At first, I did not get any message and second, I was searching for a home for my girlfriend. You see, I have decided to stay there rather than my family."

" Niriksh!!!" Mr.Vardhan yelled.e

"Even if you yell it will not change anything, Dad!! I love Amudha and I have decided to stay with her! I am now old enough to take my own decisions so need to poke your nose in everything I do" Niriksh thundered.

"Well, if I had a popcorn, I would have enjoyed the show more comfortably" shastri interrupted. Then he turned to usha, "Do you have any?"

Hearing that both father and son were tongue tied. Even Praveen and Usha were staring at him shocked.

But shastri could not care less. He slowly stood up from his sofa and said," I think I have collected the required information. Mr.Vardhan please don't forget to send me the call details. Now, we will take our leave. You can continue to squabble among yourselves" saying that he gestured Praveen to leave.

Praveen followed him silently. He did not know how he came outside the gate.

Seeing that Praveen was looking lost shastri asked," Are you Ok? Do you want me to drive the bike?"

"No. I think I am in better condition now." Praveen said. Anyone would come to their senses if others suggested to drive their vehicle.

Shastri nodded and waited for Praveen to start the bike. Suddenly praveen's phone began to ring. Mr.Vardhan was calling him.

As he put the phone on the loud speaker mode, there came yelling voice of Mr.Vardhan from the other end," What the heck were you doing? Is this called investigating? Or where you here to make trouble?"

Shastri said calmly," Well I assure you I have investigated and I have found some points worth noting"

Praveen was cursing viraj under his breath. Because of this guy he was about to lose favor of Mr.Vardhan.

"What?" Mr.Vardhan asked suddenly curiously. Even Praveen forgot the curse he was muttering.

"Well, I assure you that I will find your daughter as soon as possible. And I think your theory is good."

"Which theory are you talking about, Sir?" Mr.Vardhan asked respectfully.

"Well you said your daughter has eloped, right? I think it is plausible" shastri said, gesturing Praveen to start the bike as soon as possible.

"You can continue investigating the case. I think I can find my daughter soon if I leave the case in your good hands"

"Well, thank you for your co-operation in the investigation" shastri thanked him before disconnecting the call.

"Thank you" Mr.Vardhan answered. Then he looked at his wife and son and said proudly"See, even the police inspector believes my theory."

Both his wife and son, began to look at each other blankly.