Episode 12 - Deals, Negotiations And Bargains

Read Episode 11 Here 

RHEA

"That Inspector Akash must have done a number on Kiran. He is literally going out of his way to make us feel welcome." Maya whispers to me.

Indeed it feels so.

See, we both came to meet Kiran, Malhotra's son, 'casually' and ask him about Patel. The moment we stepped inside the gallery, not only did he welcome us exuberantly but has actually brought some coffee for both of us. It is totally another thing that the coffees were ordered from Maya's cafe.

"So, I am still trying to clear my name from the suspicious list and hence this follow-up with you. Can you think of anybody who might want to harm your father?" I clear my throat nervously. "May be someone who feels wronged, or whose debt remained to be paid?" 

Maya asks blatantly and utterly unhelpfully. "Like someone from whom your father borrowed some money to start his business but didn't repay the loan?" I mentally face-palm myself at the eager and excited expression on her face which I feel like smacking now.

Kiran ponders for a while. "Hmm, it is interesting that you should ask this. You see, my dad borrowed some money from a loan-shark named Harsh Patel. I don't think the amount was returned ever. Just yesterday someone from Patel's office called and asked for my dad. When I informed them about his death, there was a pause and the line got disconnected. That was weird, right?"

"Super-weird!" Maya exclaims happily and gestures me to write it in my notepad. Sometimes I wonder why I am friends with this female. Probably because of the coffee her cafe serves. 

"Do you have any address of this Patel?" I ask him.

He blanches. "Why? Are you thinking of confronting him? Please don't. He is well-known and well-feared in our business community. It is said that the guy has no conscience. I don't know what my father was doing, borrowing from him and not repaying. I would advise you to not to get involved with Patel in any way."

I laugh nervously. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of confronting him! I would just exchange this information with the inspector looking after this case, you know. If you can get the address of this Patel, it would be really nice."

Kiran hesitates for few seconds and then searches in the drawer of a table. After a while he picks up a card and gives it to me. 

"Here. I was going to call and ask about the repayment. The phone call last night unnerved me. I want to repay the amount as soon as possible." 

I take the card and see the address. I don't want to go alone. Kiran doesn't want to confront Patel. I look at Maya and can imagine her asking Patel at first sight - Why did you kill Malhotra?. Nope. She is out of question.

That leaves me with only one option. I sigh and take out my cell. As I press in the numbers, I thank Kiran and leave the store with Maya. As I reach my bookstore, Grumpy attends my call.

"Are you okay?" He asks, sounding worried. I roll my eyes.

"Yes I am fine. I have actually called to give you some information about a new lead in the Malhotra case."

"Oh! What do you know?"

I bite my lip, feeling nervous about what I was going to say. "Ummm... before I tell you, I need something from you. If you refuse, you won't get the information." There, I did it. I bargained with a police inspector.

"Excuse me, did you just try to bargain with me?" He asks, disbelief evident in his tone.

I clear my throat. "Desperate times require for desperate measures."

"What is wrong? Are you in trouble?" He asks, the concern back in his voice.

"No, I just want to clear my name in this case. So promise me that you will agree to what I say."

I hear Akash sighing audibly. I feel for the poor soul.

"All right. What information have you gathered? Tell me and I will agree to what you say."

I smile at the small victory and eagerly tell him about Malhotra's tryst with Patel. 

"So I have Patel's address and contact number. And I am willing to share the same with you only if you agree to take me also with you to Patel's office. See, I could have gone alone! But out of the goodness of my heart, I decided to share the info with you." I say innocently and wait for Grumpy's response. There is a long pause and I fear that I might have crossed a line.

I finally hear from him. "All right. I will come around 12 to pick you up." He says, sounding defeated.

I do a little dance of victory. 

Read Episode 13 Here!