The coalmine murder-2

The mine was really huge. I was surprised by how Smita had expanded her empire so much! We slowly proceeded to see the site where the dead body was. Smita’s dead body was lying down in an awkward position. Her right hand was stretched out and it had a ticket of the Modern Cinema in it. Her face was pale and white. Surrounding her was bundles of 100 rupee notes, which had probable fallen from her hand during her death. There was a mark of a syringe on her shoulder.

Byomkesh examined the body carefully. He looked at the five bundles of crisp hundred-rupee notes. He saw the movie ticket and told me to note down the time of the show, the Cinema name and the movie name. Smita had bought a ticket for the film Shakuntala. The show was at 7:00 p.m.

Byomkesh said,”Well it looks like it wasn’t a thief who killed her. The murderer had a specific motive. He did not want to steal the money or perhaps he committed the crime in a hurry and ran away as someone had come looking for Smita. Inspector, could you tell me who discovered the body?”

Biren babu replied,” Smita was missing from the house for the whole day. Her servant, Gopilal, had seen her go out of the house but didn’t know where she had gone. Smita lived with her brother and sister-in-law after Bijoy went to jail. Her manager, Deepanath Bose visited her house on Sunday evening. He needed her to sign some important documents. He waited all day, but he didn’t see her. Smita didn’t have many friends, so Deepanath Babu visited the mine. He discovered the body then. “

As we started walking towards the police van, Byomkesh tarted asking questions.

“Is there any specific reason for which Suryakumar lived with Smita?”

Biren Babu answered,”Suryakumar is a doctor by profession. But some years ago, hegot into wrong deeds. Since then, he was turned into a drunkard. He spends his time gambling and drinking. He had no income. His sister felt sympathetic and let him live with her.”

Byomkesh asked,”Could you tell me about this wrong deed that Suryakumar committed?”

Biren Babu replied with a worried expression,” He started selling illegal drugs.”

We sat in the car and started moving away from the mine. Byomkesh was sitting silently all this while, perhaps thinking about the murder. After a while, a question came out of his mouth.

”What kind of a woman is Suryakumar’wife?”

Biren Babu replied,”Lakshmi is an efficient wife. She is intelligent. Infact, she is more educated than her husband. She has done a MBA. She is just like Smita, business-minded and clever. Unfortunately, her drunkard husband did not allow her to work with Smita. All she has to do is take care of Suryakumar.”

Byomkesh said in a tone of regret,”That’s really sad to hear. Women should be given opportunities if they deserve them more than the men. Now, tell me where Bijoy is now? Has he been released from jail?”

Biren Babu said sadly,”Bijoy has been released from jail 2 months back. But he hasn’t been in Calcutta. I think he got into some ashram in Bihar. He turned to God to forgive his sins in jail. He really regretted his actions and the way he treated his wife. He had said that he would meet Smita only when he becomes worthy enough to be her husband. I have met Bijoy only once, but the Bijoy I saw was completely different from what I heard he was 10 years back. But the fact that Bijoy was just acting and wanted to take revenge later cannot be ruled out. He is the prime suspect.”

Byomkesh stayed silent for some time, gave a thoughtful expression and replied,” It can be assumed that Smita brought the money to the mine to give it to Bijoy. Bijoy might have blackmailed her and might have asked her for money. This would have given him a good opportunity to kill her. But unless I meet all residents of the house, I cannot jump to any conclusions. Biren Babu, please find out where Bijoy is now and bring him to Calcutta. But don’t arrest him until we are sure. Also, please find out where Bijoy’s brother, Anukul. I want all of them present at the Banerjee bhavan day after tomorrow. I will conduct an interrogation.”

(To be continued)

Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit from the show 'Byomkesh Bakshi' which aired on DD in 1990s.
This is their second adventure-Raastey ka kanta