The Case of Known-Unknown

The Pact

Nine

The cabin was filled. All officers were present, including Mr. Khatri, Dexter, Shinde, and a few local policemen. Syna started jotting down points on the whiteboard, with a blue ink marker. She had re-read the letter three times and so had Dexter, they were both exasperated, and it was time they reached a conclusion.

   'The mass-murder was estimated to be carried out between 12:30 to 1.00 A.M, on 14th March, at David Fernandes's villa.' Syna said circling the point.

   '25 members were invited to the party, out of which 24 died. David's wife, Amy Fernandes as well as his daughter, Rosy Fernandes were killed. This sums up to 26 victims. The organizer, David, was left alive. There was another member who was never seen at the party, i.e. Jeel. This leaves us with two major suspects, David and Jeel. Now, according to our investigation and reports, the culprit has to be someone who lived within the colony or knew all the colony members, which would explain the idea of him/her holding a grudge against the members and using the party as a good excuse.'

   'According to the theories and footprints, the culprit entered the villa by the window of the room closest to the kitchen, giving him a good opportunity to mix barbital in those glasses.'

   'That also makes it easy for the culprit to escape, since he just has to walk out of David's villa after the crime and conveniently hide in his own house, that's if he stays in the same colony.' Said Mr. Khatri, all the officers nodded in unison.

   'Good point. This brings to our attention Himanshu Savla, the alcoholic bearded man. He is our prime suspect, as he knew all of the colony members well, and he also resides in the same area. Our intel says that he was invited to David's parties frequently, but he wasn't to the last one, despite the party being a 'special feast.'

   'But then why would he pretend to drink the wine and lie unconscious at the crime scene, knowing that it could jeopardize his alibi. Also, the rail tickets and his presence at the drama company were confirmed.' Dexter argued, all eyes peeling at him.

   'Getting rail tickets is easy, his alibi could be fake. He is a drama actor by profession, it's easy for him to fool us. But considering your point, we come back fair and square to David as a suspect, what motive could he have?' Syna zoomed at them.

   'He is the richest amongst them. Maybe the colony members were jealous of him and spoke ill of him behind his back. This murder could've been a response to that?' Constable Shinde suggested.

   'A man who would murder his wife and daughter?' Dexter asked. 'That doesn't make any sense. Furthermore, instead of mixing barbital in the drinks, the culprit could have used poison and got done with the act easily. But he chose to make them unconscious and then kill them all cruelly with different sharp objects. This explains that the culprit held a grudge against all of them.'

   'Why would he invite his secretary? Out of all the staff members, why only her?' asked Mr. Khatri.

   'The culprit is a man, the forensics report clears that doubt, she could have outsourced the killings if that's what you are suggesting.' Dexter replied.

   'My spies tell me that David and Jeel were often seen meeting at his villa. But it feels as if something is missing. We are forgetting a third party and a probable estimation.' Mr. Khatri taunted. Syna and Dexter got the message instantly.

   'Now I know that some of you believe this is the work of The Stalker, the weapons used, the venue, and the count. But I believe it is all a hoax, someone is trying to copy his methods.'