23 Observation and Deduction

As they were going back to the police station, Shastri told to stop so that they could have a tea in the nearby canteen.

Praveen did not say anything. He was in a shocked state ever since he heard Shastri saying that he had believed in Mr. Vardhan's theory.

Shastri did not even try to explain himself. As he waited for the tea he closed his eyes for relaxation.

Praveen glared at him and said, "I think I know what you are trying to do. Are you trying to kiss Mr.Vardhan's ass so that he would be favourable to you. So that you can make him the first client of you're so called consulting services?

Shastri looked at him lazily.

Seeing him giving such a condescending look Praveen was truly enraged.

"Do you think you are a hotshot because you have solved some cases? You know what? I have never believed in you. I think you were lucky enough to solve some cases and gained some credit from them. Because of that you are proud and you can't even see when you are doing mistakes."

Shastri did not even seem to be listening to him. He was looking at the canteen kitchen eagerly, waiting for the tea to arrive.

Seeing him like this made Praveen truly mad. So he said," You know what, I don't even believe you are a detective. You know why? Because you don't even have a basic skill of detective- Observation and deduction. At the day when you had come here, you asked me whether you have eaten or not, right? But a real detective, will never ask unnecessary questions. He would observe and deduce unimportant details and ask only the important questions. At that moment, I was sure that you were a fake. A fake who has come this far because of luck'"

Shastri sighed. Seeing that Praveen thought he would be offended by his words.

But Praveen would not care for that. Since Shastri's entry into the case, they had made only one investigation and that was also to be jeopardized. And above all, if Mr.Vardhan was unsatisfied with the handling of the case he could complain to the higher authority. Now he was taking out the pent up frustration on Shastri.

Shastri just stared at him nonchalantly. Then he slowly began to smile.

Praveen was about to yell again when shastri interrupted him," I think you have read many detective books right? I think you were inspired by Sherlock holmes and wanted to become inspector so that you can use your so called detective skills. But reality hit you hard, right?"

"You see, I am also an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes. But I am not in for showmanship. Heck, I am not even a magician. I am a normal person who will find the facts and solve the case on basis of them. I am not a magician who will show a deduction like a magic show so that you should be impressed. My priority is solving the case, not creating fans everywhere."

Shastri than began to sip the tea which was placed in front of him by the waiter. Praveen was staring at him dumfounded.

After taking a sip of tea Shastri began to talk again, "I have told you already. Don't treat me as an idol. If you keep high expectations from someone you are bound to be disappointed. Why should I deduce what did you it when I can just ask about it? But no, you think it is a universal law for the police officer to be a deduction expert. What will you do once a deduction fails? You blame him for not being competent detective."

"Always remember, the court will evaluate our case on the basis of evidences we have collected, not on the basis of our deductions. So stop daydreaming. We have a lot of things to do to solve the case. So we will wait for Mr.Vardhan to share the contact details."

"You mean you can solve the case?" Praveen said in disbelief.

"Of course I can solve the case. I don't make empty promises. But first I have to contact my old friend and talk to him. I think this case will be over by tomorrow or day after tomorrow."

"I seriously don't think that you can solve the case. I mean, I was there with you and observed your investigation process. But other than feeling cheated, I did not discover anything new." Praveen said sarcastically.

"If you can't discover anything, that must be your mistake not mine. There are many points through which we have gone through. You said something about observation and deduction. Can't you use it now?"

Praveen face became red with anger.