The Spider’s Web (Part VI)

When the brother-sister team reached the Singh’s flat, Rita and her parents were packing to leave for Delhi. She was supposed to stay back until the entire investigation of the case was over.

“Rita, this is bad,” Radha said ruefully. “My dance performance is coming up tomorrow and you are leaving. You never got the chance to watch me perform. You have to stay, I insist.”

Apparently, Rita was not fully prepared to go, so she complied. By the time, the Mahadevans came out of their neighbour’s flat, Kartik had stealthily picked up a tall empty glass of lemon juice that Rita had served. He had been careful that his fingerprints did not smudge hers.

On analysis the next day, the experts did not find any fingerprints on it.

“Rita seems to have caught on to our plans,” Kartik appeared disappointed for the moment. Then, he suddenly brightened. “Radha, tonight, you are performing. Ask her to come over to the green room and…”

To be continued…