Celebrate Blogging Contest @ BlogAdda - Chapter 12

Team: Alphabet Soup

Read the previous part of the story here

Chapter 12

“A fake idol!”

Shekhar stood there with his eyes aghast.

“Where is the original idol? Where is our Amma Mahamaaya?”, someone piped in.

“What is the use to ask this dim witted viduan? He can’t even do a proper theft. Even now, look at his face.” It is Sudheeran Varma, his face flushed with these unprecedented events. Clearly this festival too has no plans to go unnoticed from the media eyes.

The wise mad man saved Shekhar from the trouble of replying, “Only the chosen child can take the idol out of the temple. Anyone else attempting that will become the victim of Devi’s wrath”.

“What! What if I have gotten Devi’s wrath? Why did you make me do it?”, Dutta screamed.

“It was my karma, and you are safe. The idol is fake”.

He turned to the police, “He will be fine. But be quick in finding the idol before doom falls on the entire Vajrakshipuram.” Saying so he walked away, brandishing that heavy stick of his against evil spirits.

Shekhar sighed heavily. This is going to be a very long day.

                                      *****

Inside the temple office Sudheeran Varma paces restlessly as the High Priest looks on. Years of experience have taught Memana Namboori of the fury of his patrons and he dared not step in.

“We can’t afford a media exposure now. It will only delay the investigation”, it’s the Inspector. They all know what such news can do with the already restless devotees – riots and blood bath. Bloody hell! He is not in a situation to meet an agitation now. His hands are full enough.

“And you need to address the crowd, Mr. Varma”
"And what do I tell them?", Sudheeran sounded confused.
"If I may suggest, there are no auspicious hours this month. You could tell them that the idol has been found and the procession will have to be postponed", it is Memana Namboori.

“Hmph”, Sudheeran too seems at a loss for words.

“But we can’t let the crew leave the place.”

“That won’t be necessary. We are not leaving anyway, that is without getting an answer”, says Tara bombarding the meeting with her calm, cool demeanor.

“Well! Well! What’ve we got here? A journalist spy in our midst! Mrs. Dutta, do you have any problem reading that ‘no entry’ sign in front of the door?”, clearly the Inspector doesn’t welcome the addition to the audience.

“Only when it concerns my daughter Roohi, and the reputation of my husband”.

“And we are partaking in this investigation”, she added as an afterthought.

                                      *****

          Her media training has equipped Tara well for situations like these. She just needs to play the correct cards and this will produce an exclusive for the channel. As expected the Inspector is suspicious of her intentions, but the temple authority is devoid of alternatives. Alienating the press won’t be a bright idea at this juncture; it required only a slight probing from her part for Mr. Sudheeran to put the seal of approval.

“Mamma”, Roohi’s voice took her back to the present.

“Oh, my darling. I am so glad to see you safe”

“See, see, look at the pictures I took with Jenny Aunty”

“You both seem to be in nice terms already”, she welcomed Jennifer with a warm smile.

“She is a dear. No one can resist loving her”

Tara updated Jennifer with the latest turn outs.

“Sounds interesting. Count me in”

                                                *****

Cyrus has come to a dead end; if he needs to further this case there should be a lead, an invisible link to connect the scattered dots. He has gone through the files again and again. Nothing. Except a mere gut feeling that something is definitely fishy.

He may get some answers from the procession. But it seems the plans are to be changed for one month. That silly writer has spoiled everything with his stupid theft. Yet, something is not exactly right. If the idol is found, then why the heavy guard inside the temple? Only one way to know.

Just before the ring goes to voice mail, Jennifer’s deep voice cuts in.

“Cyrus, can we talk later?”

“This is urgent. Can we meet?”

“I am busy right now. You know of my assignment with N9”

“You won’t regret it”, he sounded desperate even to himself.

“Let’s take a walk. Meet me near the street light. Five minutes.”

It seems the police or the assurance of Sudheeran has failed to pacify the devotees. Anxious faces lurk around; there won’t be any peace till the procession and festival happens. The Bhagawati has to be satiated to bring prosperity to the land.

In spite of her visible tiredness, Jennifer has retained the sharpness in her eyes.

“What’s it all about?”, as usual there is no time for pleasantries.

“Heard about the commotion inside. I was worried. About you.”

“Seriously Cyrus, is that all? Then I am fine, as you can very well see.”

“Sure”, Cyrus smiled wryly. This is not going as expected. “So it seems they are postponing the procession”

“Mm”

“I was curious. Why do they want to do that if the idol is found?”

“Let’s cut this crap.” Jennifer narrowed her eyes, “What about you telling me the real intention of your visit?”

He doesn’t know her. Not enough. But the odds are against him. It is either packing the bags for Delhi or having to trust someone.

Cyrus took a deep breath. His moustache glistened with sweat under the afternoon sun.

“This happened fourteen years back during the last procession. The child who carried the deity was found dead. The priest who accompanied her was unconscious and half paralyzed. They carried out one investigation, but the postmortem report sounded convincing enough for them to close the case. The child drowned to death. The priest just remembers slipping and falling, nothing after that. I came upon this case for my project work. This all sounded too unconvincing and I thought this year’s procession may show some light to it. That’s why I’m here. I know there is more to the theft that happened today. But only you can help me in that.”

He can see Jennifer is not convinced. He opened his back pack and showed her the case files, his hunches, notes and related reports.

“I was intending to publish this in my blog but thought better of it. It might cause many controversies and open up Pandora's box. Not that I have many followers!”

‘Alright.’ She tells him what happened inside.

‘Yes! I knew it. Last time when the child died, the priest also collapsed. I felt this was too mysterious. This might have some connection to it.’
‘Wow! Cool down man. Don’t make any conclusions now. And one important thing. You should investigate on your own. If the culprit is around, he’ll soon know that we are working on the case. He’ll keep an eye on us. But when you work aloof, he wouldn’t know. We won’t meet anymore. Our conversations should be discreet. Is that clear?”

Sounds weird to him. Can he trust her? Is she here for photography or is there something hiding behind that foxy, watchful eyes? 
He pushed those thoughts aside. All the same, he needs her.

He will have to trust her. At whatever cost that may be.

You can find the next part here

"Me and  my team, Alphabet Soup, are participating in Game of Blogs at BlogAdda.com. # Celebrate blogging with us."