A PAINTED GATE
PRE-NOTE:
Kindly excuse correct the grammatical mistakes. Thanks
in advance. :-)
Indhu’s side of the story first as
there is no lies in it. After Vimal’s cross-examination with her, you’ll get a
complete picture of what happened. If someone is going to come up with an
amazing guess after Part 4, I am ready. ;-)
PART 3:
Vijay sat unmoving as Vimal placed his palms on the surface
of the table in front of him, pushed in a tired way, and rose. He looked like a
dead man. Before he left the table he turned and smiled down at his sister, who
seemed turned to stone. The smile was so grotesque, so courageous, and so mechanical,
that Vijay painfully averted his eyes.
Then Vimal walked to the witness box and said: “Mr. Armando,
there is no reservation in the minds of the defense regarding your authority as
an excellent bank manager. We appreciate your unselfish services in the
interests of truth. For that reason—”
“I object,” said Gowtham, “to Defense Counsel’s making a
speech.”
Judge Bhaskaran cleared his throat. “I suggest that you
proceed with your cross-examination, Counsel.”
Vimal gave a cold look to Gowtham and then turned. “I mean to
do so at once, Your Honor. Mr. Armando, you have testified that Jason has a
bank account with huge money in your bank. You have also testified that you
made a fund transfer to Ms. Sravya’s account and identified a cheque leaf as
your bank’s, have you not?”
“That is correct, sir,” William Armando replied courteously.
“The fund transfer – is Sravya aware of it?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Is it possible that she did not know about it?”
“I object,” Gowtham rose to his feet. “It’s laughable if the
defense says that his client is unaware of the transaction with all the
improvements in technology.”
Vimal smiled. “My question is relevant, I am sure.”
“Yes, it is possible,” said William Armando.
“The transaction was made on September 14, 2013 5 PM IST.
When was it credited to the beneficiary’s account?”
Gowtham looked angry; a little color seeped back into Vimal’s
cheeks. Armando consulted his bank records and looked up. “September 15, 2013
10 AM IST.”
“And Sravya was arrested by the Police on September 15, 2013
10.30 AM. Isn’t it possible that Sravya did not know about this transaction in
these 30 minutes?”
Gowtham cursed under his breath and punched the table in
front of him.
“Yes, Mr. Vimal,” nodded the bank manager.
“The prosecutor himself said that the Sravya wasn’t aware of
the bank cheque. So can we safely conclude that Sravya did not have any plans
with Jason?”
Gowtham coughed. “I object Counsel from asking opinions to
the witness.”
The judge said harshly, “Objection sustained. You don’t have
to answer that question, Mr. Armando.”
Vimal dropped his head once and then looked up slowly. “So,
Mr. Armando, I am not aware of your bank policies. But is it allowed to make a
cheque for 500 million dollars to an account in India?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Did Jason know about it?”
Armando frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
Vimal paced up and down. “Did you or did you not explain the
policies of your bank to your client when he opened the account?”
“I surely did.”
“Did you mention about the restrictions of the cheque usage
at that time?”
“I… I did so.”
“So this cheque would not have got credited anyway. In other
words, it’s invalid, right?”
“Yes.” William Armando agreed.
“That’s all, your honor.” When Vimal walked away, Gowtham
leaped to his feet. “Mr. Armando, the signature was Jason’s?”
“Yes.”
“Your Honor, the signature was compared with the note Jason
left for Sravya and it was Jason’s. Until and unless the defense counsel gives
a proof that Jason was out of his mind, it’s very clear that he meant it quite
well that the money was for her just like he promised. So…”
“Object!” stormed Vimal. “Object! That’s not the proper way
to…”
“That’s all,” said Gowtham with a quiet smile. “Thank you,
Mr. Armando. Your Honor,” he paused and drew a deep breath, “the prosecution rests.”
The Judge rose.
“Adjourned until tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.”
When Sravya had been taken away and the judge had filed out,
the pressbox exploded. With feverish haste the media people scrambled out of the
courtroom.
Vimal looked limply at Vijay; then his eyes flashed across
the room. Priya was staring at him with a cloudy, tight-lipped anguish. He
looked away. “Bombshell. Sravya didn’t say—”
Vrunda took his arm gently. “Come on, Vimal. There’s work to
do.”
**********
Vijay was seated before his laptop a half hour later, hands
clasped behind his head and a self-pitying smile on his face, when the doorbell
rang. He started guiltily when he saw who his caller was.
“Vimal, Vrunda!”
“Hullo,” said Vimal glumly. He scaled his coolers across the room
and dropped into Indhu’s sacred armchair. “Have you got coffee or tea? I’m
pooped.”
“Of course,” said VIjay keenly. As he busied himself being
host, he watched his guests out of the corner of his eye. Vimal was looking poorly
and Vrunda was looking miserable. “Guys, don’t worry. Vimal, you did well.”
“You’re too kind.”
“No really. Gowtham would need more evidence to prove his
point that Sravya and Jason were partners. He must’ve realized it as you kinda
shake his fortress.”
“Still it is his fortress.”
Vrunda said for the first time. “And… the betrayal. That’s
not going to change.”
Vijay narrowed his eyes. “What betrayal?”
“The fact that Jason betrayed Sravya – that’s the case that
he is building, right?”
Vimal leaned forward in an eager attitude. “She is right,
Vij. We can’t break it.”
“You can,” said Vijay, passing the coffee cup to Vimal. “If
Sravya was mad at Jason after he cheated her with 50 million dollars, why
didn’t she simply let out his name and address to the Police and get him
arrested? Doesn’t it prove that she was not in contact with him?”
“What if he says that the whole intention behind it was that
she was determined to kill him?”
Vijay smiled. “That would be a guess. Gowtham would never use
such weak arguments. You saw him today, right? If there is no evidence, he
won’t present such things in court. I am sure of it.”
“Vijay, you should be my deputy in court,” Vimal grinned
feebly.
“Oh, shut up.”
**********
Rajeev looked annoyed. “Why didn’t you stick to the original
plan? When you said it, it looked so good that I myself believed that Sravya
killed him.”
Gowtham raised his head from his notes. “That’s a good one.
But I don’t have any proof to say that the police tortured her.”
“But they did.”
“Oh yeah? Can you bring one of those policemen to confess in
the court?”
“Well…”
Gowtham whistled. “Checkmate.”
“Okay, you win.”
“I do, always. And don’t think that Vimal has anything up his
sleeve. It’s a win-win for us so far. You should’ve seen Judge Bhaskaran’s
face.”
“He admires you. That’s the plus point. Anyway keep up the
good work, Gowtham – very pompous, it was.”
Gowtham grinned. “I chose to take it as a compliment.”
**********
“Mrs. Indhu Vijay to the stand,” said Gowtham, perching on
his desk and fanning himself with the paper till she reached the witness box.
“The build-up,” Priya gritted her teeth. Karthick winked. “You’re
not falling for him, right? He is married.”
Indhu’s cheeks were yellow, as if something were rotting her
blood. She was quick to the stand, tight-mouthed. She looked once at Sravya,
not ten feet away from her. Then she looked at Gowtham with wilful eyes. Even before
he asked any questions, it became evident that this would be a war between
Indhu’s courage and Gowtham’s experience.
“When did you travel to Paris, Mrs. Indhu?”
Indhu hesitated for a moment, while everyone in the court
stared at her. Vimal cursed. He should have realized that Gowtham would try to
throw her off guard with his first question. Only Judge Bhaskaran didn't look
surprised.
“Last September,” Indhu eventually managed.
“I want the exact dates.”
“We started on September 10, I guess. No, it’s 11 actually.”
“Or was it 12?”
“No, no, it is September 11.”
“Can you give me the exact schedule of where all you went?”
Indhu hesitated. “I… I don’t remember. Are these questions
relevant?”
“I have the same doubt,” said Vimal loudly from his seat.
“It is relevant as you
happened to be in Bank of France on the same day when Jason transferred money
to Sravya. September 14, 2013.”
Almost at the same pace, Vrunda and Priya turned and stared
at Vijay who was sitting behind them. Karthick who was next to Priya didn’t
bother much as he was still watching the trial. Vijay said in a low voice, “I
am equally shocked as all of you are. I didn’t notice the coincidence.”
Vrunda looked angry, sullen. “What’s shocking to me is not
the coincidence. How did Gowtham know your honeymoon schedule?”
“It’s not honeymoon. And I am sorry but I don’t know how he
got it. He is just good at his business.”
“And you’re not good at yours,” Priya rolled her tongue
around her lips. “I am just saying.”
Karthick shrugged. “Give him a break, honey. You don’t want
him find you as the killer, do you?” Priya’s tongue stopped midway and she
watched him with parted lips. “Excuse me?”
“You look sexy when you do that. It was a joke. Liked it?”
Karthick grinned.
Vrunda snapped, “Guys, I understand that your life is your
own; it certainly isn’t mortgaged to us or Sravya. Either stay out of it or try
not making fun of it.”
Karthick looked clueless. “Did I do something wrong? Or are
you still mad at Vijay’s honeymoon? Actually I…” Priya kicked his ankles under
the bench and he shut up.
“We’re sorry, Vrunda. We understand your pain and we want to
be with you,” said Vijay calmly. “I shouldn’t have gone on a holiday when
Sravya needed me the most…”
“What?” Karthick started. “Why would you be sorry for a nice
birthday? You weren’t psychic to know that Jason was going to take the money…”
Vrunda reminded him. “Correction. Your father was going to…”
“I am sorry,” he said slowly. “Dude, I tried to get you out
of this ‘sorry’ business and now I am trapped in it. Any help, Vijay?”
Vijay leaned forward. “My wife is standing in a witness box,
Vrunda. I’d have never allowed it if not for Sravya.”
Vrunda smiled sadly and turned back. Karthick mouthed the
word ‘thanks’ noiselessly.
In the meantime, Indhu was furious. “For the umpteenth time,
Mr. Gowtham, we did not meet Jason in Paris.”
“We? You’re testifying for your husband as well? Were you
with him all the time?”
Indhu closed her eyes, trying to control her anger. “Yes,”
she said without looking at the lawyer in front of him.
“He could’ve sneaked out when you were sleeping.”
Indhu’s hands tightened on the box but she looked at him as
though she was going to drill a hole right through his heart. “He didn’t.”
“I said ‘could’ve’, not that he did.”
Indhu remained silent. “Anyway my advice would be to testify
only for you from here on.” Gowtham walked to his desk and rearranged his
papers. “Coming to the night of the murder, that is New Year eve, it happened
at your place?”
“Yes.”
“Whose idea was this New Year party?”
“Priya’s and Sravya’s.”
“Interesting. So it is neither your husband’s nor yours?”
“That’s right.”
“So who made the arrangements for the party?”
“Mostly I did. Priya helped me.”
“Who sent out the invites? In other words, who decided who
all should be present at the party?”
Indhu suck in a deep breath. “Sravya.”
“And who all are they?”
“Vimal, Vrunda, Priya, Karthick and Jason.”
“Why wasn’t your husband Vijay at that party?”
“The party plans were decided at the last minute. We had
already accepted an invite from one of Vijay’s friends Raghav. He didn’t want
to disappoint him. And so he went to join him and their friends.”
“Did Sravya know that Vijay won’t be there?”
“Yes.”
“Who else knew?”
“Nobody. Anyway we didn’t bother much because Vijay promised
us that he would be back after dinner.”
“Unfortunately Jason was killed during dinner conveniently
before Vijay’s arrival.” Gowtham stared at his file for some time before saying
his next words so that the impact of them wouldn’t be a miss. “Let’s
concentrate more on the happenings of that eve now. Can you tell me the order
of their arrivals?”
“Sravya came first to help me with the cooking around 6. Priya
and Karthick came at 8. And ten minutes later, Jason joined them. Vimal and
Vrunda came around 9. The dinner was served at 9:30.”
“According to your own words, no one entered the kitchen
apart from you and Sravya?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re positive?”
Vimal quietly objected: the question was answered. Sustained.
Judge Bhaskaran waved his hand patiently.
“You never left the kitchen till the dinner was served?”
“I did, to welcome the guests. Apart from that, I was pretty
much in the kitchen.”
“Did Sravya leave you alone anytime?”
“No. But she left after her brother’s arrival though and came
back when I arranged the dining table.”
“Who arranged it?”
“I started doing it. But like I said, Sravya came to the
rescue and shortly Priya joined as well. Karthick picked the champagne bottles
from the refrigerator and set them along with the glasses.”
“But he didn’t touch the food?”
“No.”
“So it is you, Priya and Sravya. Is it possible to remember
which dishes were brought by whom?”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
“Okay. At least can you remember who brought Jason’s food?”
“Sravya,” said Indhu, heaving a deep sigh. “She wanted to
impress him.”
Gowtham grinned. “And she prepared his food too, right?”
“Yes.”
“She prepared it, she served it and no one else could’ve
tampered with it.” He paused to allow the image to settle in the judge’s mind and
shifted his eyes from Indhu to the judge. “And later morphine was found in it.”
“Listen, she didn’t mix morphine in it…” Indhu insisted,
gripping the rail of the witness box firmly.
“How are you so sure of it? According to your own words, you
left Sravya alone in the kitchen on three occasions.”
Indhu smiled for the first time. “Because according to police
report, the morphine was taken from Vrunda’s medical kit. Vrunda was the last
guest along with Vimal. And like I said, Sravya left after their arrival. It
means that the tampering didn’t happen at the kitchen.”
Vimal looked alive again after this answer. Bright woman, he
thought, delighted that she had picked up the correct point and rammed it home.
Gowtham didn’t look shocked. “Excellent. So your point is
that she mixed it while serving it.”
“No. My point is that she didn’t mix it at all,” said Indhu,
her voice rising.
“Then who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Sorry Mrs. Indhu, but the last time I checked, prawns don’t
come with morphine.” People in the court laughed. “There is obviously some gap
in the story that you were telling us.”
"What are you getting at?" asked Indhu in an
impatient tone.
Vimal stared at Indhu, wondering if there was something she
hadn't told him.
"Perhaps the time has come to test your remarkable memory
once again," said Gowtham. The judge, the press, the people and Vimal were
now all staring at Gowtham, who didn't seem to be in any hurry to reveal his
trump card.
“Do you recall having a telephone call from your husband at
9:15 while you were arranging the table?”
Indhu swallowed. “Yes.”
“Do you recall leaving the dining table to attend this call?”
“Yes,” her voice was weaker.
“This call lasted for 10 minutes if I am not mistaken. You
didn’t watch anything during these 10 minutes, did you?”
“But… but Priya was with Sravya at that time. So she…”
“I already told you to testify only for yourself and not for
the rest of the world.”
“Yes, I did not watch anything in those 10 minutes. You…
you’re right,” said Indhu. “But listen, she didn’t mix the poison. You didn’t
ask anything about what we were talking and all. She was perfectly happy. She
didn’t…”
"You'll forgive the cliché, Mrs Vijay, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it?"
Sarcasm seeped through his words.
"I am, because it's the truth," said Indhu.
“Fine. Did Jason eat these super-special happily-prepared
prawns?” There were quite some chuckles across the court.
“Yes.”
“Who served the champagne?”
“No one. They poured their own.”
“And Jason?”
“The champagne bottle was a gift from Sravya. She gave it to
him just before dinner.”
“Did anyone touch it during the course of your dinner?”
“No. In fact Jason had a bet with Karthick that he would open
the cork of the bottle with a knife in one go. So after dinner, he dramatically
tossed off the cork and grinned at Karthick. Then he poured it into his glass
and drank it.”
“So no one could’ve tampered with it?”
“Yes.”
“Except Sravya who gave the bottle to him?”
“No, it’s impossible,” shouted Indhu.
“Oh it is impossible to pour a convenient amount of poison
into the champagne bottle and close it with a cork? I wasn’t aware of that –
after all, you’re a detective and you should know better.” A few members of the
press tried to suppress smiles. "Or perhaps the champagne bottles are
coming up morphine-flavored these days just like the prawns." The smiles
turned to laughter. Gowtham waited for them to die down before he added,
"Allow me, Mrs Indhu, to ask you one last serious question."
It was Gowtham’s turn to wait until every eye was
concentrated on him. “After the dinner, just before this champagne episode,
when you tried to serve the remains of the prawns to your pet dog Caesar, what
did Sravya do?”
Indhu’s face fell. She knew that it was the last nail in the
coffin. For a moment, she considered lying. She looked at Vimal first and then
at Vijay. Then she took a deep breath and said, “She snatched it away from my
hands and threw it in the dustbin.”
“No more questions, my lord,” said Gowtham, looking exultant.
To be continued.
For previous parts, kindly check
Thanks & Regards,
Lavanyaa
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