The Case Of The Footpath Murderer V: The Final Chapter

Chapter V

Part 1 – The Murderer’s Confession

Aryan and the murderer sat in the interrogation room, as the latter finally began the story of Jay Shah’s murder.

“I couldn't sleep since many nights, and it was often that I’d pace across the hall. It was almost a routine now – walking about silently in the darkness as the rest of my family was fast asleep. You might call me restless, but no, that wasn't it. I was worried, very worried. “Worried about what?” You may ask, “You have everything a person needs to be happy” But that wasn't true. I was worried about my greatest fear coming true. I was afraid – afraid of the truth. And thus I spent most of my nights hoping against hope that what I had heard was not the truth. After all, I had done nothing wrong. I had done nothing to deserve to be punished like this. But doubts still crept up through my incessant thoughts – memories of my past, memories of being called a sissy, memories of how I was laughed at just because my voice was too shrill to sound like a man. However, I brushed them away, telling myself that I was nothing less of a man.

Suddenly the pin drop silence of the night was interrupted by the clank of keys opening the front door. And as the light from the corridor streamed into the hall, and onto my white kurta, a silhouette entered, and suddenly stopped in its tracks.

“Dad? You’re awake... It’s quite late”, it said.

“Jay... yes I couldn't sleep.” I heard myself say.

“What happened? Is something wrong?” Jay was genuinely concerned.

“No, not really” I lied. “Why don’t you sit down with me for a bit? Let’s have a father-son talk?”

“Sure” Jay said and sat down next to me.

I couldn't bear it any more. They say that ignorance is bliss, but I couldn't put on a mask of being ignorant when I had been told the truth. I had to find out. I had to know for sure – the truth must be spoken from the horse’s mouth. After a brief moment of silence, I said, “You know, father son talks are incomplete without a good drink.”

“Dad you know that I don’t drink. Why don’t you go ahead?”

This didn't seem to be working out. My son would never admit to the truth if he was in his senses. As I walked to the kitchen, I said, “Well at least have some Pepsi?”

I smiled as Jay nodded. He looked so ignorant and naive as he sat on my sofa. I poured out some rum for myself, and a glass of Pepsi for him, but I added some Absinthe to it. Yes, I spiked my son’s drink. You may point a finger at me and say that I am a pathetic father, but that night, the father had ceased to exist. I was just a desperate middle aged man in the pursuit of truth, and I was hoping against hope that I hadn't given birth to a faggot.

As I walked back into the hall with a tray full with our drinks, a few fruits and a chopping knife, I felt for a second that Jay was upset about something, that something was bothering him. But I pushed it all aside and handed his glass over to him. Jay’s face squirmed as he had his first sip, and my heart beat increased. Oh no... Would he realize? That can’t happen! He mustn't know that I added something to his drink! A few moments passed and I looked at him speculatively, as he finished the glass in one go. “I guess I was thirsty...” he said, “... but maybe I should ask mom to get Thums Up next time. I’m beginning to hate Pepsi” I smiled, and waited for the effects to kick in. They say that Absinthe acts as a truth serum for someone who doesn't drink, and that’s what happened, or at least that’s what I think happened. The look on Jay’s face altered. His demeanour changed from being happy and carefree, to someone thoughtful and maybe even sad. But that night I was dedicated to finding out the truth.

“So you were at Harshil’s place today? Did you have fun?” I hissed.

“Ya dad... It was a lot of fun. We played a lot. You know I always have fun with him... He’s very special...”

I couldn't believe my ears. They played? Played what? Harshil is very special?  What did he mean? How special was he? My heart beat increased again. My memories rushed back to me. The very first time I’d picked up my sister’s doll... I’d always been fascinated with dolls... How I’d dressed it up. It looked so beautiful, until my father saw me, and slapped me hard across my face. It stung hard, and it still stings until today. I could hear my brothers laughing at me, pointing at me and calling me a pansy. I could remember my mother telling me to be a man, like how all my brothers were. But it wasn't my fault if I liked dolls! Jay had continued talking to me, but now his speech was slurred “... we have been friends since we were kids, you know. But since college started we got very close...” I took a short sharp breath. Is this when everything had begun? Is this how long I haven’t known? Since college started? But my thoughts continued to haunt me. I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying as I got lost in my college days. The very first time I’d spoken to a senior, I’d asked him for directions to my class. And everybody had laughed – laughed long and hard. Why? Because my voice was girl-like. My voice was shrill though I was 18, and soon I was famous for it. One night, I remember too well – I remember being cornered in my very own hostel room as a bunch of them pulled my pants down to check if I was “a man”. And then they laughed at me, once again, because I screamed in protest. I screamed like a girl. They laughed at me because I was too small, because I wasn't adequate enough. They had laughed at me and called me a faggot as I stood there naked, surrounded by peals of the mocking, jeering laughter which got imprinted in my memory. I had been humiliated at every step of my life, because everyone around me thought that I was not a man.

And 25 years ago when I got married, I thought that I had proved everybody wrong. Three years later I had proved to them that I was a man, an adequate man, when Jay was born. I had proved myself. I had shown it to everybody that I am a straight man. No one had laughed at me since then. I commanded respect from everyone around me and no one had dared to laugh. “But they will laugh at you again”, said a small voice in my head, “they will laugh when they get to know the truth. They will laugh when they hear what Kevin told you. They’ll laugh and say that only gay men can give birth to gay children.” No! I can’t let this happen! I cannot be laughed at! I cannot take it anymore! Jay’s slurry words interrupted my thoughts, “Dad I've alwaaaays trusteeed him... He’s been my pillar... I caaan’t fight with him... I have to make it up to him... He is everything I have now...”

No! This cannot be true! Kevin was right! My son... my son is gay. “They will laugh at you...” said the voice in my head. And from then on, all I heard was that mocking, torturing laugh from that night when I was ripped off my shame. I begged it to stop, but it went on and on. Memories played and replayed in my head. And every memory ended with that laugh – oh that offensive ridicule I had gone through over and over again! I had been tortured all through my life! That laughter had greeted me at every step! I struggled with myself then and I was struggling now. Struggling to make it stop! Oh but I knew that it wouldn’t stop! “But you know how you can make it stop” said the voice in my head, “Kill the reason of your shame!” No!! How could I! But the laughter wouldn't stop ringing in my head! It was driving me crazy! It had to stop! At any cost! I had to make it stop! I wasn't thinking at all now. My mind was occupied with one single torture. How would I live, if this continued! The voice inside me was right. I must stop the laughter! No, I cannot think of anything else, I must do everything to stop it. I looked around. The kitchen knife was within my reach, and the next second, I stabbed him – once, twice, thrice, four times, five times... until his eyes closed, until the laughter stopped.

My mind was finally at peace, as I dragged my son out of my house, and laid him down a few buildings away. I tore his clothes and punched him. I made it look like he had been attacked for money. I thought that no one would know what really happened.”

Mr. Manish finally looked up at Aryan with tears in his eyes, as Aryan said, “The only reason why Jay was upset about Harshil and talking about him is because Harshil had tried to seduce him, and your son had walked out of his house in anger. I wish that you would’ve listened to your son, instead of the ghosts from your past.”

“And one more thing,” Aryan said as he walked out, “Real men don’t kill their children. They stand by their choices.”

Part 2 – Epilogue

“Sir, when did you know”, Shlok said to Aryan when they were back in his office, “That Manish was the murderer?”

“You remember that text message I got when I was interrogating Divya? It was our tech guy. His team had taken Jay’s phone and walked from Harshil’s place to Jay’s house. They found out that the first time Jay’s phone got connected to an open WiFi network, was when they reached Jay’s house. That meant that Jay should've reached home at 1:22 am, because that’s when his message saying ‘I miss you’ got sent to Divya. And it also meant that the killer was someone from his immediate family. That’s when Harshil came along, and said that Jay wasn't gay, but both Divya and I had been told by Kevin that he was. It was obvious that Kevin was lying, and when he said that he had lied to his father, among others, I knew that it would bring out a lot of rage within Manish. But the nail in the coffin was Manish’s reaction when he found out that Jay was straight.”

Shlok was wide eyed as he said, “That’s brilliant sir!”

Aryan’s expression altered as he said “But Kevin was in a bad state. He will never forgive himself, and for god knows how long will he hold himself responsible for his elder brother’s death.”

“One small lie and it cost so many people their lives.”

“It wasn't the lie Shlok. It never was the lie. It was just Manish’s pride and his inability to accept his past. It brought forth a monster that killed all hopes of a future.” And with a deep breath, Aryan picked up his coat, and said, “Finally, it’s time to go home.”

“Not quite.” Shlok said as he looked up from his cell phone, “We have another murder.”

The Case Of The Footpath Murderer IV: The Truth Unfolds

Chapter IV

Part 1

“Divya, where were you between 2:30 to 3:30 am?” Aryan’s glowering eyes could almost act like a truth serum. Today, he was a lion on the prowl and his prey sat whimpering under the bright tungsten bulb. The rest of the room was eerily dark and the bright light fell into Divya’s brown eyes – making her look all the more fragile, all the more vulnerable.

“I told you sir, I was feeling too claustrophobic inside. I’d stepped out for some fresh air.” Divya’s voice was dripping with exaggerated sweetness.

“Oh really? Or had you gone off on your own to meet Jay?”

“You know that we had broken up. Why do you keep reminding me of it all?” Her eyes were brimming with tears and she was close to a nervous breakdown.

“And why did you’ll break up?”

“Because I wasn’t the one for him! In fact no girl could ever be the one for him....”

“You realized that he’s gay... You must be hurt.”

“Yes, I was hurt, frustrated, angry, may be even jealous! I didn’t know how to react. I couldn’t even tell anyone! What would I say? The guy I was with since 2 years is gay? I’d become a laughingstock!”

“You’re quite right. You were angry and frustrated with your ex boyfriend. You couldn’t digest the sudden change in his preference and you couldn’t handle your anger. That, my girl, is motive for murder.”

“Sir, please... I loved him a lot. I’d never dream of hurting him...”

Before Divya could continue, Aryan got a text message. He frowned and strode out of the room, signalling Shlok to put her into 24 hour custody.

Shlok was quietly chuckling to himself as he realised that Harshil is one of the few people who could make Aryan uncomfortable. In baby pink shirt and crème trousers, Harshil sat opposite Aryan in his office, one leg crossed over another. He was fidgeting with his phone and he couldn’t help but look at Aryan from head to toe when the latter strode into the office.

This is the first time that Aryan felt that he was being looked at (or checked out) by anyone so blatantly and openly in his own office! For some reason he couldn’t make eye contact with Harshil and evaluating him was out of the question. But Aryan somehow brought himself to begin the conversation.

“You weren’t at any music concert. You’d gone to Delhi to attend an L.G.B.T. rally. Why’d you lie?”

“I...didn’t lie. My parents lied. I have no reason to hide my choices. But I flew down as soon as mom told me about Jay.” He was almost about to cry. “Sir, what happened? I... I can’t believe all of this.” His crying had now turned into a sob.

“You need to tell us everything about that night. I think we have our killer in custody. I can’t tell you the name but your account will only help us make our case stronger.” Aryan wanted Harshil to trust him completely.

“Sir, that night, we’d met up to play a few games and... just chill, you know. But Jay had been very quiet. He’d just broken up, on his birthday, and Divya had been acting like a bitch ever since. She didn’t even tell him why... And, well... I tried consoling him up, but he suddenly decided to go back home. And just like that, he left.”

“Harshil... We know that you and Jay were, eh... partners. You don’t need to hide anything from us. And if in case you have to speak up in court, you just have to say that you’re celibate. No one will...”

Harshil suddenly got very flustered and confused. “One second. Jay and I. No! Jay was straight! Sir, we were just best friends. Just cos I am close to a guy it doesn’t mean that he’s my boyfriend!”

Now it was Aryan’s turn to be bewildered. “What? No! Jay was gay! Everyone knows that and you don’t need to hide it. It’s alri....”

“Look. I KNOW that he was not gay.” After a moment’s hesitation, Harshil continued, “That night, I made a move on him. I shouldn’t have, but for some reason I thought that I’d been receiving some... umm... signals from his end.” Harshil went on to blabber rather quickly, “And he got pissed off and disgusted with me. I broke his trust. I mean, we’d been friends since we were kids and there was this phase when I liked him. But, I’d never touched him. And that night... How could I have done that to him!” He broke down as tears streamed down his face and he sobbed on uncontrollably.

As Shlok handed him a glass of water, Aryan just had one thing on his mind – If Jay wasn’t gay, why did Divya leave him? And why would she lie about it in spite of knowing that she would be caught the day Harshil returned?

Aryan closed the door with a loud bang as he entered the interrogation room. Divya had been crying and now she seemed to be scared out of her wits. Her eyes had become puffy and her mascara smeared onto her face as she looked wide eyed at Aryan.

“You lied. You fucking lied to me. Harshil is back. Your game is over. Now tell me why the fuck did you break up with Jay Shah or else I swear you’re going down so bad that the best lawyer in town won’t be able to save your sorry little ass.”

“I... I DIDNT LIE! I’m tired of this. I didn’t lie. I didn’t lie to you. I told you everything and you’re still here shouting at me and I don’t know what to do! I didn’t lie!” She was almost hysterical.

“Really? Then tell me what made you think that Jay is gay?” Aryan sneered.

“I didn’t think. I knew that he was gay. Jay's brother Kevin told me. And after all the attention that he always gave Harshil, I... knew that it had to be true.”

Aryan’s face altered as realization hit him. Of course! How could he have been so blind! The very first time when Kevin had looked into his eyes, he should’ve known that the only time when a person with such low self confidence attempts to make eye contact, is when he’s trying to convince a lie. It was now crystal clear. The killer, the motive, the anger with which Jay was stabbed. Yes it was all clear now. He just needed to press the right buttons and he knew that he’d have a confession in his hand by the end of the day.

Part 2

The tension in the room was evident. Kevin sat in front of Aryan like a kid who had just received detention. The parents stood a few feet behind him. They looked grave, broken, and tired. It was a family that had lost the most beloved member, and it was about to lose another.

Aryan was very much at ease. He had finally laid down all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. “So, Kevin, why did you hate your brother?”

The shock on Kevin’s face was evident. However, he didn't utter a word.

“Tell me you piece of shit. Was it because mommy and daddy didn't like their dyslexic younger son? Or was it cos they liked the elder one a little bit too much?”

Kevin didn’t move a muscle. He continued to stare at the floor.

“TELL ME!” Aryan roared

At that very instant tears rolled down Kevin’s cheek.

“Oh fantastic. You’re a little cry baby! You know what Kevin. You’re pathetic! Your parents are right. You’re of no use to anybody! They should’ve left you at a fucked up orphanage the day you were born. A mistake baby! That’s who you are!” Aryan was now laughing. His uncontrollable guffaw rang through the room – torturing Kevin, instigating him to speak up.

“No! No no no.... I didn’t...” Kevin was at his wits end.

“Yes you did! Look at me! You killed your brother! You, Kevin, YOU let your family down. They’re going to hate you for this. They’re never going to forgive you! Everyone is going to tell your mommy and daddy that this retarded good for nothing son killed his brother!”

Before Mr. Manish could intervene, Kevin screamed out “Yes I hated Jay! I hated him because he was perfect and I was the pathetic loser. I hated him so much that I made up stories about him. Yes I lied! I went around telling everyone that he’s gay when he wasn’t! I told everyone... Harshil, Divya, a few of his friends, you, and even dad! But that’s all. I didn’t kill him! Please sir, please... I didn’t kill my brother.”

Kevin’s words came as a shock to almost everyone in the room. Aryan’s gaze shifted to Manish. The father had slumped down to the ground, his head in his hands, eyes brimming with tears, his face full of shock, astonishment, remorse, and... guilt. 

(The Final Chapter will be online in 48 hours)