The death of the devil ...

Date: 08/09/09

The death of the devil …..

As I marveled at the ring the jeweler stated, “Shall I pack it Sir?”

 ”No Thanks. I was just having a look at it. Can I see it closely? , if you don’t mind.” I said.

“Sure Sir. Here”, said the shopkeeper. I took the ring in my hands and on close observation noticed few initials written on it. “C.A.M”. “Charles Augustus Milverton”, I whispered to myself.

“Hmm… How did you come across this ring? Was it sold to you by anyone? “, I enquired.

“Right Sir, It was sold to me last week by a lady. “, said the jeweler.

“Can you tell me her name and address?”, I asked.

“Sorry Sir, but we don’t disclose any personal information of our customers.” said he.

I silently took out my identity card and showed it to him. “I am extremely sorry Detective Carruther. I couldn’t recognize you. It seems that you are working on a case. Just a minute, I will give you her information………Emma Christine was her name and she lives in Hampstead, Street No.13, house no. 4A.” said the jeweler.

It was not the name that I was expecting. So I took out a photograph from my pocket and asked the shopkeeper, “Is this that lady”, showing the photograph to him. “Yes Sir, this is that very lady”, he replied. “Thanks”, I said and gave him a pleasant smile which was followed by my departure from the shop.

Charles Augustus Milverton was the most dangerous man in the city, who was reputed as a blackmailer. He used to gather peoples personal information and then blackmailed them for money. Last night, he was killed by someone. I hated Milverton since I knew him. Milverton was extremely greedy and no amount of money could satisfy his hunger for wealth. I honestly wanted him to be murdered someday and was happy at his death, but finding the criminal was my job.

                It was evident that one of his victims of greed had killed him to seek revenge. He was killed mercilessly with 6 bullet shots, and his money and belongings were stolen. Never in my 12 year old career had I seen a burglar waste 6 bullets and time just to steal some jewelry and cash. The murder was for pure revenge tried to be shadowed by the act of robbery. The manner of the death made it evident that he was killed to seek some revenge.

                I had gathered the photographs of all his victims and went to each jewelry shop to enquire his belongings. On visiting eleven shops it was confirmed that one of his victims Mrs. Dawn Hooper had sold all his belongings at different shops under different names.

                I knocked at Mrs. Hooper’s place. She opened the door. “May I come in?” I asked. She made me sit on a couch and asked for my identity. “Detective Carruther”, I said. Her face first turned pale then to blue-black. “What do you want from me?” she asked. “Just the pistol with which you killed Milverton.”, I said. She fell on her knees and started weeping. “He deserved it. He tortured my saintly husband to the extent that my husband committed suicide. Only his death could bring my soul at peace. So I killed him. Now I don’t mind spending the rest of my life behind bars. Take me to the police.” She said.

                “He truly deserved it. Relax. I am not taking you to any prison; instead I have come to thank you, as you did a favor to mankind. Still, you are a criminal to the police and they suspect you. By, tomorrow they will have you……..unless you hand me over that pistol with which you killed him. It is a proof against you. I will take it to its proper place. You will be free then.” I said. She slowly smiled and took out the pistol from beneath the couch I was sitting on. “Here” she said and handed me the pistol. I scanned the entire house for any other evidences against her and eliminated them.

                “Have a happy life” I said and left with the pistol under my overcoat. I threw it in a nearby river. As I walked towards my house with the mystery unraveled, I wondered how much happiness, helping the criminal brought to me, rather than to get him arrested.

                Sometimes, just abiding the regulations of the court does not bring Justice. You need to listen to your heart and keep room for exceptions.

                                                                                                                                                      -Abhishek Thakur