The adventures of David Roy

Case #2: The final reveal

Next day, John Sanders was called to the station. When David & Smriti came to the interrogation room to talk to him, he asked," What am I doing here?"

David "We just had some more questions regarding Preeti's murder investigation. We're just asking about the backgrounds of the colleagues of Preeti. So what's your background?"

Sanders " Oh, I am just a junior researcher, went to a public school, then a government college, university. Now working at the university."

David " What about your parents? Any siblings?" Sanders " They both died a while ago. No, I am a single child."

David " When did you go to the USA? When did you return?" Sanders " I went to the USA five years ago, returned to India a year ago. Joined the university six months ago."

David " How was Preeti as a colleague?"

Sanders " She was nice, very focused on the research. We don't talk much." David " Do you know, that a few days before Preeti's murder, some of the venoms were stolen?"

Sanders took aback" How is it possible? There's a CCTV there." David " Well, apparently the thief know about the camera, so he never faces it. Only the tattoo on the hand can be seen."

Sanders " Oh, & did you catch the thief?" David " yes, would you like to know about the thief?" Sanders " yes please." Smriti produced the photo in front of him and asked him to have a closer look. Sanders wiping sweat from his forehead " Is this a joke?"

Smriti " no, we don't have the time to play jokes. We have a murderer to catch. And even if this is a joke, why are you sweating so profusely? Do you need a glass of water?"

Sanders " Bullshot, I am leaving."

Smriti " Wait, we have evidence against you. The tattoo artist recognizes you from both times when you went to have done a Griffin tattoo & when you went to remove it. She remembers you because it was your first time doing the tattoo & you were very nervous. You give them an old address, but at the address, nobody lives now, & no Sanders had ever lived there. However, a Khanna family lived there for some time. Nikhil & Akhil Khanna with their parents. After Nikhil's suicide, they moved from there. We can get a warrant for a DNA test if you like. We know that you blamed Preeti for your brother's death. So you wanted to kill her for a long time. You changed your name when you're in the USA, changed your appearance.

You joined as a junior researcher where Preeti worked. After some months, your chance came. You stole some venom, stuffed into your lab coat. Some of the venoms spilled into the pocket, unbeknownst to you. The forensics find it has the same molecular structure as the venom inside Preeti's system. And a neighbor saw you entering her house & leaving the house during the time window of her death. So what happened? You went to her home, probably on account of discussing something with her about the research. She offered you something to have. You refused to have anything. She was having a glass of water. She may have left it on the table in front of you. It is then you mixed the venom into her water.

Then she drank the water, the venom started working, she fell down on the floor, you left. You're a real cold-hearted killer Mr. Sanders or can we call you Mr. Khanna now?"

Sanders broke down" Yes, I killed her. I killed her. I. Killed. Her. She's responsible for my brother's death."

Smriti " No, she's not responsible for anything, let alone his death. Your brother was feeling the pressure of the competition, true. He was depressed. All of his friends agreed to that. You killed someone because of your mistaken hatred. Now you will regret this, for the rest of your life in jail." Sanders is taken away from the interrogation room.