The Night After

By Ujaan Ghosh

'The Night After' is the first story of the novella anthology series that follows veteran detective Hari Shankar Satyanarayanan and his sidekick Ganesh Bose. The narrative deals with the murder of Paromita just after the night of her wedding. Paromita is married to Sujit, the son of Mr. Sen, a retired army general who is suppose to contest the parliamentary elections as a candidate of the ruling party. Hari faces tremendous difficulties and corruptions within his own department as the ruling party tries to control the outcome of the investigation. Hari is denied of forensic reports and any other possible help from the department to solve the case at hand but he decides to go forward with it regardless of the impediments. Ganesh Bose a young officer who worked for the narcotics division is transferred to the homicide department and is assigned under the wing of the veteran detective. Without proper forensic report, Hari tries to work the case from scratch. He is convinced that even when the forensic report arrives the results would be distorted that would mislead the investigation. Ganesh tries to learn the way of the homicide department but often disagrees to Hari’s methods of investigation. Hari eats almost everything he possibly can and makes life difficult for the figure conscious gym going Ganesh. The investigation takes a rough road in the middle when Ganesh ends up sleeping with the strongest suspect of the case. Things take several twists and turns as blasphemous information keeps coming in the forefront. Everybody seems like a possible murder suspect as the story unfolds and to add to that the commissioner threatens to remove Hari from the case as he gets close to the truth. The story is set in present Calcutta and focuses on the corruption of the Calcutta homicide division. The novella is divided in small chapters and in its treatment is an old school whodunit that tells the story a grumpy old sleuth and his young sidekick.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ujaan Ghosh
• Release date: Aug 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311398468

Ujaan Ghosh

*Yawn*

Book preview

The Night After

UJAAN GHOSH

The Night After

Ujaan Ghosh

Cover Picture Amrita Chowdhury

Published By Ujaan Ghosh at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Ujaan Ghosh

All characters appearing in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to actual events, locales and persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Chapter 1

We have a new recruit. Ganesh! Local guy recently got promoted; he will be your new side kick. The commissioner sat in his office as he passed on the information. The room was centrally air- conditioned, making it a respite from the sultry weather of India. Hari sat on the opposite chair and cleaned his glasses with the tail end of his shirt. He scratched his well-maintained French cut and said warily, You know Javed, I hardly have ten years or so of my service left. My beard and hair are all growing white. I have a hard time working with these kids.

Javed picked up a file from the table, which was kept amidst a messy heap of papers, This is the file of the guy, read it. The kid has a good record; this is his first term in homicide. Just make him do the leg work, the errands and your coffee and stuff like that.

Hari wore his glasses back; a sleek metallic half- rimmed one with a blue sheen that his wife got him recently from one of those upstart malls of the city which Hari believed to be housing sophisticated goons who tricked people into paying more by using fancy technological jargon. He picked up the blue file that had the career record of his new subordinate. Don’t tell me I have to meet him today.

Javed looked at his watch on his right wrist, a big dial beautifully attached to wide leather strap. He had some time left before he could pack his things up and call it a day and he rather chose staying in the confines of this air conditioned room than out on the road.You can if you want, but first I want to talk about this case we received in the morning. It’s a bit sensitive so I wanted to clear things out first.

Hari got his phone out from his pocket and kept it on the table. The small phone with its keypad and small screen was a prehistoric past compared to the several smart phones that flooded the market. You know I am still Old school. If by sensitive you mean I have to overlook criminality considering the social status of the accused then… He was stopped midway as Javed shook his head sideways and said, Listen to me first! Hari reluctantly added, Go on.

The case concerns the retired Army General Koushik Sen. As you know, he is one of the most respected people around. Yesterday was his son’s wedding and... Javed took a pause. Hari grew curious and leaned closer as the tone of suspense in Javed’s voice became thicker, resting his elbows at the very edge of the glass table, And ? What?

And the bride was murdered. Javed replied.

In front of everybody? Hari exclaimed.

I don’t know. Her drink was poisoned or so it seems. They tried to take her to the hospital but she died on the way. Javed lowered his voice as he said, to add a histrionic touch to his narrative.

Hari got up from his chair and roamed around in the room, the unusual yellowish paint on the wall never suited his eyes. He stared at the big portrait of Gandhi that is mandatory in most cabins of the police head quarters. You want me to do what? he said without turning towards Javed.

I want you to go easy on them. Their reputation is at stake. It is being followed up by the media and there is a pressure on the department. You understand what I am saying. Javed added cautiously. Knowing Hari for all these years he knew hardly any of it would have an effect.

I don't get it. What exactly do you want me to do? Hari said with a tone of astonishment.

I won’t beat around the bush Hari. I want you to be careful. If you take even one wrong step… they are very powerful people and then there is the Media… Javed continued, I want you to realize what is at stake here.

Hari got back to his chair and looked Javed straight into his eyes, I will carry on this investigation. If the truth is unpleasant then so be it.

You don’t get it. Javed got up from his red revolving chair, animated in his gestures, he said, I was summoned from the Home ministry and General Sen was there. He will contest in the Parliamentary elections next month and has already filed his nomination. The minster and the general made it clear that while they want the investigation to be routine, the department should make sure that their family is safe.

So what? If I come to know that his son is involved in the murder I should let him go? Hari was disgusted with the running of the department and that resonated profoundly in his voice.

I have said what I needed to. You are intelligent enough to understand. Javed went to the small glass cabinet where he kept the most valuable files and got a green one out. These are the preliminary findings. The local station cleared things out. You can take over now.He handed the file to Hari.

Forensics? Hari kept it short as he took the file.

Don’t ask me about forensics. Javed came back to his seat.

Fine. I will visit the scene and start working. Hari got up from his chair