He just couldn’t believe that he was sitting here today. Actually present at his own wedding.
The wedding had ended and the hustle and bustle was mostly over. The couple sat quietly by the window, watching the snaking river outside the window, as it carried wild ducks and dry vegetation downstream. A few dark clouds in the distance couldn’t prevent strong sunshine warming up the grounds and the room they were in. In the hallway and dining area, laughter mingling with voices indicated that the guests, mostly family, were setting the table and probably had started with drinks.
The bride’s face was lit by the brightness at the window and she looked calm. Her long-sleeved dress hid the scars of the cuts she’d suffered, on the inside of both her arms. It reminded her of the places she’d been to before arriving here: The nightmare eleven months overseas. The baby. The embassy. What it took to get through to the right people eventually. Returning to your own country is supposed to be easy and the natural thing to do, but that wasn’t her experience. She pulled the sleeves of her dress forward, grateful to be seated there that afternoon.
He took off his glasses and wiped them with his handkerchief. It was a specially monogrammed gift he’d received from his mother for the wedding. He squinted, allowing his face to feel the warm layers of sunlight in the silence. Behind him, outside, he could hear the voice of his uncle, as clear and eloquent as ever, making an impromptu speech. She was next to him, their thighs were touching, he could smell her perfume. A Moroccan scent from Body Shop. He’d forgotten the exact name, but it was exotic.
The funny thing, the thing he felt grateful for, was that his heart was beating normally. He didn’t feel any anxiety. Unlike what he’d experienced five years earlier, when an allergic reaction to his medication had triggered off panic attacks. Unable to leave home, wondering if he’d lose his job if he remained afraid to drive or visit clients. For many months, he’d gone to work in fear, afraid panic attacks would take place anytime. Which they did. Eventually, things improved. The internet had helped. He found advice, certain blogs. Faith helped. But there had been no shortcuts. He just couldn’t believe that he was sitting here today. To be actually present at his own wedding when he didn’t even have the courage to step out of his house for some time.
A hand pressed against his. He turned to look at her and realized they’d both been silent for a long time, lost in their own musings. She wore a look that said that she was with him even if she didn’t understand or know his whole story. He put his glasses back on and gave her a look that he sincerely hoped would convey the same intention. The sound of the door opening was followed by voluminous noise flooding in from the hall outside.
‘Bride and Groom, come on! We’re all waiting for you at the table.’
A subtle change came over Kamini’s face. She was still leaning against the sofa, looking frail but welcoming. However, a thin, invisible veil had descended as soon as Regalia finished.
Aarav’s mother had taken ill shortly after the wedding tragedy. She was resting in the sitting area of her bedroom the morning after, with a maid on standby, when Regalia walked in. Mr. Suraj led the way while wearing a suitably apologetic demeanor.
‘Madam, as requested, here is Inspector Regalia. As you are aware, he’s been on our premises almost the entire evening, with the rest of the police force.’
‘My apologies, Inspector. I’ve been in no condition to meet you earlier.’
‘That’s perfectly understandable, Madam. This is the most difficult of times for anyone in your position. Regretfully, I need to still speak with you about yesterday.’
As she sat on the plush sofa in a corner of her bedroom, overlooking open double-windows that gave a lovely view of the lush garden, lake and forest beyond, Aarav’s mother reminded Regalia of her late son. She was of medium height, like Aarav, yet there was the way she carried herself that hinted perhaps of an aristocratic background. But more than that, Regalia was thinking that he’d seen her features somewhere else.
‘I’ve just spoken with your daughter.’
‘I trust that she was helpful. She’s a good child. Whatever Anu told you, I would have no problems with it.’
Regalia didn’t think that there was any problem there. He proceeded to where he thought there might be, ‘How was your relationship with your daughter-in-law to be?’
The question indicated that small talk was over.
A subtle change came over Kamini’s face. She was still leaning against the sofa, looking frail but welcoming. However, a thin, invisible veil had descended as soon as Regalia finished his sentence. He’d noticed it but threw in another question, while casually taking in the paintings on the walls of the room.
‘Other than the typical mother & daughter-in-law friction, anything you may have to highlight?’
When he glanced at her again, Kamini was looking out the window.
‘As you may expect, Inspector, there was of course the usual differences in view between myself and Aarav’s bride. But I was glad that he had finally made up his mind to get married. That’s the thing a mother wants to see, especially when one is the only parent left and growing older every year. To be honest, his choice was better than any of his previous girlfriends.’
She rolled her eyes, no doubt thinking of some of the former candidates.
‘Did you hear of any threats? Was anyone unhappy with Aarav’s decision?’
She pouted, still looking out the window. It looked as if she was somewhere else. ‘None that I could think of personally. He did build up a decent list of ex-girlfriends, unfortunately. You know Inspector, these young people, we have no idea who’s been involved with whom and who may be carrying grudges.’
‘Enough to kill?’
‘Well, young people nowadays seem excessively emotional and sensitive. I suppose even trivial things could lead to dramatic responses.’
Regalia was watching Kamini. He understood why despite being still reasonably fit to tend to the household affairs, he’d heard that some of the staff had not wanted her to look after day to day operations. Despite being shaken by her son’s death, there was a steeliness to her. It wasn’t class. It was her coldness that had come through. Here she was talking about her son’s death and how ‘trivial things’ lead to dramatic responses.
Regalia realized that Mr. Suraj was standing by the door, within earshot. That was odd, since as major-domo, he should have been the first to step away while his mistress discussed the family’s affairs.
‘What would have happened if Aarav and Smyrna’ -Regalia noticed a slight flinch in the lady’s expression – ‘had married and lived? What impact would that have had on his father’s – your late husband’s – fortune?’
Kamini seemed surprised by the question. She noticed Suraj’s proximity and waved him off. He withdrew accordingly.
‘Nothing. There will be no impact. Why do you ask? The father died and left the bulk of the inheritance in my name. Upon my death, everything will be distributed according to my own will.’
‘I’m just wondering, trying to find possible motives.’
‘There is no motive there, Inspector. Look somewhere else.’
Regalia smiled in a measured manner. As always, he moved on to the next point after testing the waters.
‘A young man has died as well. I’m sure you’ve been informed.’
‘He was an old friend of Aarav’s. I think they went to school together in London. I’d only just met him this weekend. He’d come down for the wedding. Poor fellow. Samuel.’
‘Then we have Mrs. Pall.’
‘Who’s that?’
‘That’s the woman who apprehended Samuel Dickinson, thinking he was involved with the shooting.’
‘Why did she do that?’
‘No idea at present. She’s a nun. You’ve never heard of her?’
‘No. I haven’t seen her either. Unfortunately, the guest list consisted of not just people known to Aarav’s late father and me. It involved a rash of people known to only Aarav or his girl. Several were friends of my daughter. God knows who else managed to inveigle an invitation. Perhaps the family help had some relatives come as well. Some of these people have been with us for decades, you know?’
‘Of course. Perfectly to be expected. I think I am done here, Madam. Thank you for bearing with me.’
Regalia got up and took in the view of the gardens outside. Kamini seemed pleased that the interview was over.
‘I wish you the best of luck, Inspector. I heard that evidences had been gathered by your people. I hope there you have enough information to make arrests. Also, if possible, please release Aarav’s body as soon as possible. I would like to proceed with the funeral.’
‘Certainly. We will release the bodies once our Coroners give us the go ahead. We’ll be getting the results of various tests later today. I believe that by then, we’ll be homeward bound with this case.’
Walking away, he paused at the door.
‘One last thing. Other than yourself and your daughter – Miss Anu – are there any other living relatives?’
‘No. There are no living siblings on either my late husband’s or my side.’
‘I meant, Madam, is there anyone else who may rightfully have a say in the disposition of the family fortune now that Aarav is no longer here?’
Kamini was not a woman given to impulsive reactions. She did not marry and manage the family fortune by being impulsive. All her adult life, she had trained herself to receive information, analyze it and only then, respond. That approach had served her well. Thus, Regalia’s question arrived at normal speed. It then took her mind awhile to register what he was asking for. Slightly longer to realize why. When it finally clicked, she turned her face to the window and spoke in a tone that indicated that the interview was done,
‘With Aarav gone, only my daughter and – while still alive – I are the sole benefactors of my late husband’s estate. There is no other relative. Good day, Inspector Regalia.’
‘I suggest you question the family members. In nice cases out of ten, it’s the family that’s done it.’
Regalia was considering whether he should approach the spiky haired fellow first on the chair before proceeding to Mrs.Pall. But a young lady wearing a catchy smirk, came slinking up to Regalia and got in the way. She had no drink in hand but by the looks of it, had downed several full glasses already.
‘Excuse me Inspector’, she began, slurring slightly in an Indian accent.
‘Yes?’ Regalia said, realizing he needed a refill of his cocktail.
‘I suggest you question the family members.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. In nice cases out of ten, it’s the family that’s done it. No love lost here between Aarav (that’s the groom in case you didn’t know) and his parents and siblings. Money can bring out the worst in people, you should know.’
‘And how are you related to the family, Miss?’
‘Oh, I am not related to these people. Just an old friend of Aarav’s, from college. Nice chap, he was. But you know the saying. One can’t choose one’s family and all that.’
