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satisfy those tastes! But Sonia was also aware, having seen her often on Television, that Mrs. Patkar was a philanthropist who gave away a lot of money to charity. It raised her respect for the lady.
    “Hello, Miss Samarth. I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to see this whole messy business cleared up!” Mrs. Patkar spoke in a soft, refined voice.
    “I understand the feeling,” Sonia replied sympathetically. “And I'll do my best to solve matters. But what I really need, at the moment, is all the information I can get my hands on. Any bits and pieces of knowledge, however unimportant, could prove to be useful links in this case!”
    “Absolutely! Please, ask me whatever you need to ask,” Mrs. Patkar remarked in a pressing tone.
    “Can you tell me what time you came home on Wednesday night?”
    “I was very busy that evening,” the older woman said immediately. “You see, I socialize a lot—social commitments of all kinds. You can never say no to anyone—not when you are in my position!” She sighed. “Women Councils, board meetings, Chief Guest at functions—all that lot. I think it must've been twelve-thirty when I returned that night. I went straight to my room. I was so tired that I slept like a log! And the next morning I learnt this terrible news. I couldn't believe my ears! Poor Satish! He was such a good friend of Ajay's! Such a nice boy. We've known him for years! Why would anyone want to kill the poor soul! Sometimes Destiny—life—is so cruel, so inconceivably ruthless that I begin to feel quite uneasy!”
    “I can imagine,” Sonia agreed with a thoughtful expression. “Did you hear any kind of disturbance in the night? A sound perhaps? Or a door opening? A cry for help?”
    “Absolutely nothing. I told you, I slept like a log.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Patkar. I won't interrupt your rest any more.”
    “But you will get to the bottom of this matter?” the older woman asked anxiously.
    “Rest assured, I will.” Sonia smiled and left the room.
    She regained the corridor, deep in thought, and crossed over to the other wing. She tried the first door and it swung open. Here was a room in keeping with the rest of this rich house, announcing the strength of money. An ornate writing table stood in a corner. A photograph of a young, smiling face stared back at her as she rummaged through the articles on the table. A writing pad, envelopes, a laminated driving license bearing Naresh's name, ballpoint pens. So, this was Cousin Naresh's room. Sonia took the license and read the expiry date. Nine years from now. A new license. She replaced it on the table, observing mentally that it would be easy to pocket any one of these articles to incriminate Naresh. Sonia lifted the framed photo and studied the youthful smile. Naresh was as good-looking as his cousin was. Why would anyone wish to frame him for murder? Especially since he had never met Satish before? But what if that was just an act and Naresh did nurse a private grudge against Satish? Did Naresh have a secret agenda? Had he, in fact, killed Satish?
    Sonia was deep in thought as she stepped out of Naresh's room and opened the door to the adjoining room. It was a neat, simple room minus the Patkar pomp, almost as if its owner wished to be declared as different. A mattress on the double bed was neatly rolled up, while the other half was covered in a pristine white bedsheet. This room evidently belonged to Mahesh Uncle. It was obvious that he wished to use minimum facilities provided by his brother's family.
    Sonia stepped out of the room and nearly collided with Yamuna Maushi. The housekeeper handed her a bunch of booklets. “Ajaybaba asked me to give you these.”
    Sonia accepted the horoscopes, held together with a ribbon. “I'm glad we met again, Maushi. You've known the family for years. Can you describe them to me? Tell me about Naresh, please.”
    “Oh, he's a nice sort. Quiet and barely talks. Very interested in keeping fit. In fact, he's