Crimes At Corners - Season 2

  • 20 Oct - 26 Oct, 2018
  • Salaar Laghari
  • Fiction

Later that night, Rehan was unable to sleep, as he kept thinking about Maimoona Alam’s murder mystery and was anxious to watch the upcoming episode of Crimes at Corners. He tried to avoid these thoughts and go to sleep by closing his eyes, as his eyes opened every time, he thought about Maimoona Alam.

Some words from the TV show in Zafar Mohsin’s voice constantly echoed around his head. Getting irritated, he tried changing his sleeping position but then Jabar Kansiro’s assumptions were what kept him awake. He felt like trusting Kansiro’s words about Maimoona and the assumption that she had committed suicide. He began to consider the possibility but then constantly kept denying it as well.

Why can’t I just let go of it? He thought.

Then he began thinking about his wife’s words from the previous day where she said that Maimoona was certainly murdered and one cannot watch such a case causally.

He instantly sat up and thought about those words by Maria.

Maria was right. I can’t just sit at home and enjoy these episodes. If I need to watch them, then I’ll have to be more involved. He wondered.

He left his bed and stood up, then picked up his phone and said, “Alright, I know what to do. I know the guy I should call. But not right now. He’s probably sleeping at the moment.”

He put down the phone and decided to call later.

**********

Next morning, Rehan went to meet Kevin Rollins, the hypnotist, instead of going to work. After ringing the bell and waiting for a minute, the door of the house opened by Kevin himself.

“Yes?” he asked, as he saw Rehan.

“You remember me, don’t you?” Rehan asked hopefully.

“Yes I do. How may I help you?”

“Actually, it’s a long conversation. Just let me know when you are available.”

Kevin turned to look inside his house and then thought for a while. He then looked at Rehan and said, “Just give me a minute. I’ll be right with you.”

“Sure.”

Kevin closed the door and Rehan was left alone outside. Rehan looked around his garden until the door opened and he heard his voice again. “Alright, please come inside.”

Rehan turned and walked towards the house. Kevin shut the door after the guest entered inside. A minute later, the two of them were seated in the guest room. Rehan said, “Okay Mr Rollins, I know you are a busy person but I need your help.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“You do know about Maimoona Alam’s recent murder, right?”

“Yes. What about it?”

“I am actually a bit concerned,” Rehan sounded desperate. “I just can’t help thinking about it.”

“About what? The gruesome attack?”

“No, the killer. I want to know who the killer is.”

“I see, so you’re puzzled in a mystery.”

“Yes, and I think you’re the only one who can help me out of this.”

“I don’t know if I can, but I can try if you convince me; because I’m not interested in this case so much.”

“Oh, come on. It will be fun. I mean fun is a plus point at one side but more importantly we must bring justice to her soul.”

Kevin smiled and said, “You seem quite eager to find out about the murderer. I wonder why.”

“Well, I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m helpless here.” Rehan got another idea as he said, “Or how about this? You wipe off these memories from my mind with your hypnotic powers.”

“Sorry! What do you mean?”

“I mean, you are a hypnotist and you can manipulate brains, then why don’t you just erase this murder’s obsession off my mind? Considering you’re not interested in investigating the case.”

“Look, my friend Rehan, I don’t manipulate brains or minds. It’s not an exact science. I understand your concern but I’ll pass. I think investigating the murder is an option I can consider.”

“So, are you finally doing it?”

“Slow down please, not now. Give me some time to think. I’ll let you know soon. Just give me 24 hours to think.”

“Alright, but should I expect a yes from you?”

“Yes,” Kevin smiled and said, “you can.”

“Alright, thanks a lot!”

Rehan stood up and shook hands.

“Don’t go.” Kevin spoke. “Have some breakfast with me.”

“I’d love to but I got to go to my office.”

“Well, anyway, I’ll give you a phone call.”

“Sure, thank you.”

They shook hands once more.

**********

The same evening, Maria was waiting for the show’s new episode to begin. Rehan hadn’t returned home yet. So Maria was anxious; not just about her husband but also about what next would happen on the show. She picked up her phone and called up Rehan.

“Yes, Maria,” Rehan answered the call instantly.

“Where have you been? It’s so late.”

“I know… I know… I’m sorry.”

“Just tell me where you are and when are you coming back?”

“I’m on my way, I’ll be home before 30 minutes.”

“But what took you so long?”

“I had to work extra hours today.”

“Really?” she got surprised. “That has never happened before.”

“Sorry? I didn’t hear you.”

“Never mind… just come home safely.”

“Sure, bye.”

She disconnected the call and coincidently in that very moment, the episode began. The show’s host Zafar Mohsin was walking in the hotel room’s lounge and said: “Good evening, viewers! I am your host Zafar Mohsin and you are watching Crimes at Corners – Season Two. Today we are going to talk to people at the reception and other members of the hotel staff who are going to share important details regarding Maimoona Alam.”

The next scene instantly began. Zafar stood by the reception and interrogated the receptionist. “So, Mr Arsalan could you please tell us about Ms Maimoona’s conduct in this place?”

“Well, as much as I saw her, she used to spend only nine hours sleeping at the hotel. Other than that, she spent her entire day outside.”

“I see, and what about food. Did she ever have lunch or dinner in the same restaurant or anywhere else?”

“She only had breakfast and never ordered lunch or dinner in the hotel.”

“So, at what time of the day would she return?”

“Mostly after 10 o’clock.”

Zafar moved on to the next question. “Mr Arsalan, did you ever feel something unusual or different about her behaviour, especially the day she was brutally murdered.”

“I…I… I don’t think so,” the receptionist replied while trying to recall Maimoona’s time at the hotel.

“Alright, thank you for cooperating Mr Arsalan.”

Zafar turned towards the camera and said: “Alright, now we shall go and have a little talk with the security guards.”

The scene changed instantly, Zafar was standing opposite to two security guards outside the hotel and asked them: “I just want you two to tell us how the criminal managed to enter inside, despite the security system of this hotel? I mean, there’s an alarm system I’ve been told about and a metal detector as well, then how did the criminal manage to enter, kill the woman and get out easily. Fine, getting out is understood, because he

left the weapon, but why couldn’t he get caught while entering inside?”

“Look sir,” one of the guards said, “You are being judgmental. So I’d request you to ask just one straight question then listen to my answer.”

“Oh look,” Zafar chuckled with sarcasm, “our witnesses are witty enough to answer back – and quite smartly.”

“I’m not answering back. I just need a straight forward question, for me to answer properly.”

“Alright, then tell me…” Zafar spoke with seriousness in his tone. “How did the metallic murder weapon go through this hotel’s entrance?”

“I don’t know how,” said one guard.

“It was not our shift,” the other guard replied.

“Oh, in that case,” Zafar spoke mockingly, “do you want me to prove that you are a liar? There are pictures of you two standing at that time. Do you want me to show you those photographs?”

The picture appeared on the screen where those two guards were actually standing during the night and were conversing with one another.

Back in the show, Zafar was shown speaking: “I’m beginning to think that these innocent looking guards are somewhat involved behind this.”

“No sir, it’s nothing like that,” one of the guards said in a pleading manner. “We were just not doing our job properly. I’m sorry. I mean, we are sorry.”

“Not doing our job properly? Could you explain that please?”

“Well, it’s…” the guard appeared confused and seemed under pressure.

In the meantime, the doorbell rang. Maria got distracted and stood up. She went to answer the gate and found Rehan standing, as she opened the door. As soon as he stepped inside, she said, “Hurry! This episode is very interesting.”

“Oh really?!” Rehan replied in a concerned tone.

Rehan went straight to his room without even looking at the TV. Maria found his behaviour a bit weird but she expected him to return after having changed his clothes. But more than fifteen minutes passed away and Rehan didn’t return to watch the episode with her. She was a bit surprised, so she stood up and went to check. She knocked the room and then entered inside. She saw that Rehan hadn’t changed as he was in his same office clothes. He was sitting on the bed and staring at his phone, when Maria came up to him and said, “Rehan, what’s wrong? Why haven’t you changed yet?”

“I am changing, just give me a moment.”

“What is it Rehan?” she said as she walked towards him. “Is something wrong? You’re acting unusual today.”

He looked up at her and was about to say something but then he looked back at his phone.

“What’s wrong with you Rehan?” This time Maria asked in an angry voice.

“Nothing. I’m sorry,” Rehan answered closing his eyes and with hands on his forehead. “It’s just that… never mind... forget it!”

“Come on, tell me,” she demanded raising her voice.

“Well, it’s a little hard to explain. I’m waiting for a call.”

“I can see that, but whose call are you waiting for?”

“Kevin Rollins.”

“Kevin Rollins?” she tried to recall, “that strange guy who solved your cousin’s murder mystery?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

“Look Maria, I’m not in the mood to answer every question right now, so just let me be.”

“That’s so harsh of you, Rehan.”

“I’m sorry, I just can’t get my mind off a few things. You know how I always get obsessed and cause troubles.”

“Tell me about it, please. Why are you waiting for Kevin Rollins’ call? If you won’t tell me then I will also keep a lot of secrets from you once you’re done with this.”

“Okay, fine.” Rehan said, “Here’s the deal. Maimoona Alam’s murder is on my mind like Yasir Javed’s murder was. And it won’t stop unless I know who the killer is. So all I’m doing is trying to catch the killer in a more realistic way as compared to what the Crimes at Corners’ team is doing.”

“Oh, and what is your realistic approach? Seeking out Kevin Rollins’ help? What does he have to do with it?”

“I don’t know, he is a good mind reader and he can extract information from minds.”

“Dear God!” she replied getting stunned, “I had no idea you were so deeply involved in this. You were the one who told me not to take this stuff so seriously and now you are more involved than I am.”

“Yeah, and I’m also surprised about it.”

“But you know something Rehan? Right now you are at an earlier stage of this obsession. At the moment, it is easy for you to walk out of this. But later on it won’t be. After you’ll reach the last stage the way you did with Yasir’s murder, you won’t be able to come out of it and you’ll regret it.”

“You are right,” he agreed and instantly realised something. “You are absolutely right.”

“May I suggest what you should do? I mean, what we should do.”

“We should just withdraw now. Let’s not watch these episodes or news channels for few days and within a day or two, not just yours but even my obsession shall fade.”

“You are right. Yes, that’s the best thing to do.”

Rehan stood up with a firm decision to let go of his urge to investigate the murderer. But it wasn’t long before his phone began to ring. Kevin Rollins was the caller, so Rehan received the call and said, “Hello?”

to be continued...

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