Aswin Sambamurthy - Infinite Lives: Crime Novella (The Infinite Lives Series: Book 1)

Infinite Lives

A Short Novella

2015, All Rights Reserved

By

Aswin Sambamurthy

August 2012.

Madras High Court, Chennai.

The unseasonal drizzle made it a gloomy day, as if in tune with the divorce proceedings. The yellow lights of the courtrooms and the droning voice of the judge added to that effect.

This is the most civil divorce case Ive seen. The lawyers on either side of the judge laughed half-heartedly. I appreciate the behaviour of both parties in this case. Tell them I said so.

I hate that voice!

Anoop Manojkumar screamed within his head, as the judge and the lawyers closed the door behind them. He liked talking to himself. It helped him calm all the other voices in his head. He hated them, and he vowed then and there not to add the repulsive judge to his...collection.

The well-groomed guy - the only man along the corridor in a suit and tie - was there to observe the policeman who was getting divorced. He was as interesting as it got - and would be his most dangerous acquisition yet. Sivagiri Senthilnathan, near legendary policeman, was someone who had caught or killed at least a dozen interesting criminals. Criminals who would have been lovely additions to his collection if he had gotten to them first. Ah, the stories he would get to know from the man!

You know, you were right, said the bespectacled guy next to Anoop. Vivek Vasudevan was a writer from Kerala who had been living in Chennai for three years then, working on his second book. He was hoping that this book would put him on the map and make sure he didnt have to work a day job. He had told Anoop how much he hated his job a few hundred times in the few weeks that he had known him.

Both this policeman and his wife would make for interesting characters in one of my stories, Vivek said. Even the kid - hes what? Twelve? I can see that he loves his mother a lot and is very confused about his father right now. Itd be better if theyd let us inside the door. It helps that shes damn cute.

Anoop seemed surprised. Cute? Shruthi?

Yes. Isnt she? Vivek was blushing, while running his fingers through his unkempt hair to keep Anoop from noticing it. Hell, She could act in movies if you ask me.

You The man allowed a weak smile. You like her

I think most people here do. Vivek looked offended that Anoop wasnt attracted to her, but wasnt too surprised. The man was positively crazy.

Interesting. Anoop had not observed the woman much, with most of his focus on the man, the proceedings and Viveks reaction to the case. So far, the most interesting aspect about the case to him had been the inspectors alcoholism. Someone who looked so measured and in control of things professionally had such a neat, textbook flaw. Anoop had to take a few seconds to control all the laughter in his head.

And all through the day, Vivek the writer had been completely focused on the woman! Yes ... he visualised her looks. He could understand where Vivek was coming from. She was indeed pretty, a bit too much compared to the ordinary looking policeman.

Ha , he decided, Vivek should indeed get to know her better some time. That would be a nice distraction. Anoops eye was fixed on the door, waiting for Sivagiri. He was noticing the policemans mannerisms, his choice of words, his facial expressions, his slang

Yes. Sivagiri would be just perfect for his collection.

-

March 5, 2015.

Footpath around Halasuru Lake, Bangalore.

Despite meeting in person for the first time in three long years, Sivagiri didnt have much to say to his son.

The weather has been quite good, Aki. A great first week in your city eh?

Akshay nodded. Sivagiri continued, The view here is quite brilliant when it rains. A huge lake in the middle of the city.

Yea, he said. The fifteen year olds school was very close to the Ulsoor lake. He knew every inch of the four busy roads around it. Itd be better if the entire city didnt have to drive through these four roads, you know? Cant even breathe here during the peak traffic hours.

Ha. We cant have everything, can we?

Akshay understood more than that....and sorry about how Amma reacted yesterday. She isnt too thrilled that youre here in Bangalore. It was kind of a shock to her. She often goes ballistic these days.

Its okay, Akshay. I can understand her. Its almost like we were married and had a kid and everything.

It made the kid smile. So hows the new Assistant Commissioner role different from your work at Chennai?

Even though I was picked by the central government, I will be here with the Karnataka cadre for a while. The guys here want me to do the same thing I was doing in Chennai - look into unsolved cases.

Cool. Youre going to set a record here as well? Youll probably be the only person to solve as many cases in both Tamilnadu and Karnataka!

Sivagiri laughed. I hope so too. But that was back when I drank like a tank. After the, you know - incident, things have slowed down. Ive been sober for three years now. Not as addicted to work or the bottle anymore.

Akshay remembered the incident all that well. He still had nightmares about the day Sivagiri lost his mind to alcohol and beat his wife up. The reason for their separation was never made public, but they couldnt keep it from Akshay. The kid was right there.

Anyway, now that Im going to work directly under the commissioner, it should get interesting.

Akshay nodded.

So, Sivagiri approached the issue carefully. Vivek. He sounds like a cool guy.

He is! He treats me like a friend, gets me out of any sticky situations at home and at school, and is in general a very nice guy. He reads a lot and I mean - a LOT. He knows everything! Helps with my school projects. Even his quirks and stuff are fun.

Quirks?

My friends tell me all writers have something like that. Vivek uncle is very forgetful. Like - he keeps forgetting to buy one thing or the other from the grocery shop. Its hilarious to see Amma getting angry at that. He also forgets other everyday things. Tried getting him an app to remind things but he forgets to charge his phone too. Its almost always off. Hopeless.

Ha ha. Writers, I tell you. Sivagiri broached the topic carefully. Theyre getting married soon, I hear. The son nodded silently.

You okay with that, Aki?

Yea I guess He looked at the lake for a few silent seconds. Its her life, after all. She has to decide for herself - and hes a pretty good guy.

Sivagiri couldnt believe how mature the kid was. Especially since both his parents werent half as level headed.

Im proud of you, you know that?

Aki didnt react. Its okay, dad. Im fine with it.

Hey - is that Viveks car?

Aki turned to check. Huh. Right on time. Shed have sent him earlier for sure , but I guess he hung around till now.

Vivek saw them laughing and signalling him to pull over.

Hello there, father and son, he said, pulling over to the corner. Taking a gentle stroll along the lake in the middle of all this bloody traffic?

Aki and Vivek high-fived before the kid got into the car. How was the play, uncle? Was it Oscar Wildes?

Yea it was good, Aki. Hop in, Assistant Commissioner sir. Youve walked quite a bit from your hotel. Ill drop you before going.

Its okay, Vivek. Its just a mile or so. Hows your third book coming along?

Quite well, but I dont know if certain things about the police and courts could happen like that in real life. Is it okay if I drop by at the station and pick your brains some day? Would help greatly.

Sure Vivek. Any time.

Say, tomorrow? And maybe you could tell me about some of the cases you worked on while you were in Chennai? This books about crime.

-

March 8, 2015

Office of the Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City

The moment Sivagiri entered the room, the chatter dropped down to nothing. The room was old enough to tell you that the citys commissioners had been working out of there for the last few decades. Clearly a refurbished room, it was one of those eighties places that relied more on open windows and the flow of wind for ventilation. The early morning breeze that hit Sivagiri the instant he entered was proof for its effectiveness. Though the furniture, lights and fans were modern and the room had a coat of paint recently, the electrical connections and wiring told Sivagiri exactly how old the place was.