The Red-Light Area

Floating like a feather

Pietro─

“Hello! Hello!” The hushed voice spoke on the phone, sounding chilly and scared.  “City, police speaking?” The voice shivered as it blabbered.

“Yes. T-”

“I am in grave danger. He-he will kill me. He has already killed, Hussein. Please help me.” The voice cried, sounding scared.

“Hello-Hello, Ma’am. Who are you? Where are you calling from? Who is dead?”

“Juana! I am Juana. My client, H-Hussein Mohammedi has been killed. His body is floating in the pool. He has killed him. He will kill me also. He is after me. Oh, Please! Help me”

“Where are you?”

“He is here! Oh, god! Help me!”

“Hello? Hello? Hello, Juana? Ma’am, are you listening to me? Tell me, where are you? Juana?” I had received the call on my way home. I immediately traced the number and informed the nearest police station having the jurisdiction as I changed the path and drove back to the police station.

On reaching there, I was informed that a murder has been reported and I and Raien were designated in charge.

~~~

HIS name is Hussein Mohammedi; he is the only son of defence chief of the nation, Ahura Mohammedi, who has just returned from Spain after completing his major in politics; he is twenty-eight years old, heir of his father’s estate, engaged to a lawyer, and was about to get married by the end of the year with his beloved girlfriend, before he was found dead in his mansion.  

I was the first one to discover the corpse floating in the pool, being a surveillance cop of the locality, I was informed by the house service. I immediately reported the case to my seniors who took cognizance and a team of cops came running to the bungalow. At the first glance, it appeared that the man might have fallen in the pool and could not afford to come out, owning to his state of intoxication, but a mere glance around the surroundings told me that it was not what it meant to appear and that it might be a murder tried to be coloured in the veil of the accident, but again who was I to draw opinions or investigate. A surveillance cop has nothing to do with it and so I remained silent and let the investigators do their duty. 

~

“Who are you, Ma’am?” I asked the lady who had been weeping ever since she had seen the body floating in the pool.

“I am Susan Matthew.” She choked out after much effort. “My sister was to get married with Hussein within weeks. We have come here to plan the wedding.” She said and shifted a bit closer in the arms of her husband who rubbed her arms in a failed attempt to console her.

“If I am not wrong; both you and your husband has attended the Derby High school?” I asked confirming the suspicion and the couple nodded their corroboration.

“How do you know this?”  

“I was your junior! If I am not mistaken; you are Kiara Aronson’s sister?”

“Yes, Kiara is Hussein’s bride-to-be.” Adrian, Susan’s husband said.

Do your duty, Pietro. I reminded myself and started taking statements.

“Where were you when this happened?” I asked.

“We have just arrived to find Hussein drowned. He might have fell in the pool, overly drunk. We were to finalize the banquet today.” Adrian clarified and I nodded.

“Did Hussein have rivalry? We received a mysterious phone call from some woman. The name is Juana. She said somebody is after her. He wants to kill her and has killed Hussein too. Do you know anything about her?”

The couple fell silent and stared at each other raising suspicion.

“Are you hiding anything Mr and Mrs. Mathew?”

“Umm, no…Juana was Hussein’s mistress. She is a prostitute who puts up at the red-light area.” 

I was told that Hussein was last seen in an altercation with another young fellow, his soon to be brother-in-law, before he met his unfortunate end by drowning in the same pool he had so fondly designed while constructing the bungalow three months back─ murder or accident? 

The question was yet to be determined, but the circumstances screamed answers that no one wanted to listen. 

“Had anyone visited him?” I asked Margaret, the chief housemaid watching her weeping silently as she glanced everywhere, somewhat afraid at the appearance of the army of police officials all around the house. She looked at Susan and Adrian before she spoke.

“He had told me to put two glasses and a bottle of champagne on the table. He said he had had a guest coming. I did as was told and retired to my chamber at the back of the house. I don’t know who visited him, but there was some man coming.” Margaret answered, hiccupping and I nodded as I penned down her statements. 

“How can you be so sure that it was a man? He could not have any female company? Did he tell you anything about the man? Who was he? Did you hear him talking to someone?” I questioned carefully, not wanting to leave out any important information. 

 “I guessed that sir. I don’t know. It is none of our business.” Margaret sobbed. “but I have heard sir talking to someone. He said he will clear misunderstandings.”

“What kind of misunderstandings?” I asked, sensing something odd in the way Margert had put it. Was she trying to imply something? The question popped in my head almost instantly. 

“Sir had had a fit with Atri Aronson, his soon to be brother-in-law, the night before.” Margaret continued, but I had to cut her off as the name stung directly to the soul with a couple of flashbacks. The name was familiar, so familiar that I had to check me twice if I was listening correctly. 

“What? Why? Atri Aronson? Brother of Kiara Aronson, the criminal lawyer? What was the reason of the fight? Tell me all you know.” I suddenly felt impatient. 

“Yes! Kiara ma’am, sir’s bride-to be. Hussein Sir had a mistress, Juana and Atri sir just got to know about it. He was very angry. He questioned sir about it for he was concerned about his sister’s future with sir. They fought when Hussein sir denied to cut connections with Juana. I was there when they went fist to fist together. Hussein sir had said that the prostitute was important for him. I know only this much.” Margaret finished, making me shocked at the turn of the events. 

Kiara was to marry a man who is having a love affair with a prostitute. How can Kiara be so fooled? Huh, she used to insult me over my choice of decisions as if she had decided to marry a prince? Got a womanizer after leaving me! How clever!

The ex-boyfriend in me wanted to mock Kiara, but the human in me was sympathizing.

Feeling it to be an important lead in the case, I promptly reported it to my seniors.

The brother-in-law, Atri Aronson immediately came under suspicious and became the prime suspect in the case. I was told to gather as much information about him as I can and make an arrest if necessary. He was a man between twenty-nine and thirty-three years old, with dark, Mongolian features and a politician. The two were last seen in a bar near the red-light area after which Hussein disappeared only to be found dead in his bungalow, naked and drowned. There were no marks of fight or struggle on the body excluding the hickeys on his neck which he might have got from the steamy s*x before he slipped in the pool in the state of intoxication which meant that murderer was someone who knew Hussein and was acquainted with him. 

It can be an accident─ was a prima facie theory that the investigators had formed, assuming it to be a culpable homicide yet they preferred to wait for an autopsy before they could close the case as an accidental death from drowning.

“I received a call from the lady, sir.” I informed my seniors who didn’t bother giving me attention. “Juana! She said her life is in danger. I have informed the police officer having jurisdiction. I think it can be a murder.”

“Hey, hey! Boselli. It’s not your work. Focus on patrolling. How can the criminal escape when you and Raien were patrolling? Did you fall asleep?” Vensmith aka Vanderson Anderson said rolling his eyes.

“Let the investigators do their work.” He chuckled; his voice came out muffled because his mouth had smoke coming out of it. “Go inform the parents!”

I nodded and went to inform the parents first who arrived after the police had taken their late son’s body to the forensic laboratory and left no stone untouched in creating a fuss over it. Fortunately, I was only entrusted to inform them about the demise and the interrogation was due to be conducted by my colleague who had to endure the trauma, not me. I rang another phone to inform the fiancée about death, summoning her presence for the first round of interrogation. 

She is not a stranger, very young, with no police record, a practicing lawyer recently graduated from the best law university―trained under the expertise of professionals. She possessed the ability to fight the battle and win it─ Digging for the truth was her passion and punishing the real culprit was a demand of her profession, but this time it was different. it was different from all the other times where there were no involvement of families and loved ones, nevertheless, she was ready─ ready to face the cruelty as long as her brother shall be free and acquitted and so she came sauntering in the police station, running straight to the interrogation cabin, crying her eyes out as her team of legal tycoons tailed after her.

Her aura was still overpowering as it used to be years back. She is beautiful, gorgeous and captivating that for a moment, I almost forgot my existence and the fact that she no longer belonged to me and that she was to get married with another man who is lying as a corpse in the adjacent building.

She is Kiara Aronson, twenty-seven years old, the winner of four crucial criminal trials, and engaged to the man who had been allegedly murdered by her brother in a fit of rage. She was my ex-girlfriend who had ditched me as if I did not matter; who neglected my presence as if I did not exist, with whom I am still crazy in love with. She was the person I had promised myself to forget the night before and before only to come face to face with her in unimaginable circumstances. 

She is my one true love of life with whom I have reunited under the glaring Red-Lights─ she is my Kia.

The fiancée─ Kiara Aronson was my ex-girlfriend and a classmate. The girl who left me for reasons I don’t know. She didn’t bother and I hadn’t had the heart to chase after her. I loved Kiara with everything I had within me. I loved her the way I would never be able to love again. I loved her to the extent of destroying myself and I loved her enough to let her go. I destroyed myself for that woman who left me. For what? Because I was not rich or was I not capable enough? 

There were questions with no answers. But then, it was personal and it could not abstain me from performing my duty. I picked up my phone and dialled her digits that I had memorized without trying. I recalled all the moments I had had with her as I waited for her to pick up the phone. The thought of listening to her melodious voice after all the years was making me anxious, making me tap my feet in anticipation. 

“How will you inform her about the murder, Pietro? Will she cry? I don't think so. Kiara doesn't cry. Nonetheless, she might be upset. You might have to console her. How? Hug her! Yeah, just hug her! and maybe...have s*x! Yes, a makeup s*x. It would help her get over him. The man was cheating on her. She might be hating him. Kiara hated to be double crossed. I wonder, how does she look now? It has been years. Has she become more beautiful? Does she love me as much as she used to do?” I talked to myself, expecting the call to be picked up any moment, something I have been expecting from last fifteen minutes when I heard a familiar voice calling after me.

“Paige, Hey Paige! Did you hear Vanderson Anderson's comment on the body?” huffed Raien as He came running to the patrolling car, rubbing his palms to create some warmth, after me. Raien and I were soul brothers, keeping a warming relationship of colleagues, we have been working as constables in the police department for a quarter of a decade, yet we had nothing to do with any investigation pending. Our sole work was that of surveillance and we have been doing it phenomenally ever since we have been appointed for the same.

“He thinks it's an accident when even a toddler can see that the man was pushed inside the pool and kept from coming up,” I said. We were in a corner between the valley formed by the patrolling car and the ambulance. I watched the rest of our colleagues gathering around Vanderson Anderson (the chief inspector) discussing the case. They would never miss a chance to suck up his ass. Who would when you get promotions by sucking asses?

“How can you be so sure about it? The man was heavily intoxicated. It can be an accident, Paige.” Raien defended making me shake my head at his innocence. He can never be a police-type, but his excellent knowledge of computer software has earned him a place nonetheless.

“I received a call from some lady asking for help. I informed the chief of police station having jurisdiction near her. It speaks all. And those beer mugs and packs of m*******a. I just hope the woman is fine.” I spoke, still glaring at the entrance as I waited for Kiara to pick up the call. It again went to the voicemail, leaving me with the heap of ugly emotions to deal on my own along with that stupid man who kept on eating my brain.

“Anyways, it’s none of our business. It’s not our duty.”

“What do you mean about it?” Raien questioned blinking innocently and I felt an urge to hug him and convince him to leave his job. He was nowhere near fit for the cruelty offered by the department and our profession.

"Raien!" I spoke tenderly as I heaved a long-defeated sigh. “Anderson didn’t listen to me. He couldn’t even observe the body. The scalp was clean from the back, evident of the struggle the man had done to slip off the grasp of his murderer. There were hairs all over the water. If he has slipped in the water, as Vanderson believes why would there be marks of struggle? But who cares?” I puffed out the smoke circles creating weird shapes as we stared in space in deep thoughts contemplating if we should head back home (a shady apartment we had jointly rented) or wait here till our substitutes join in for their hour of duty.

The case was a hit-shot and all over the town but we had little to do with it for a mere constable doesn't get the needed recognition unless he has been hit on the head by the bullet of some lunatic goon trying to escape out of the police custody or have been captured by him to face the agitating wrath and even in that case there is this minimal possibility of getting the credits that too at the mercy of superiors.

“Do you think the brother-in-law has indeed done it? If he does. I will be happy. I have always heard people saying that 'Karma is a bitch.' The night has shown me.” Smirked Raien and I again shook my head. My lord, bless this guy!

“No, it isn't him.” I grumbled tiredly. “It could not be him.” I mumbled, punching the digits one more time as I waited for Kiara to attend the call. "Pick up the phone, Kia." I spoke softly as I gave Raien a lopsided grin on which he chuckled.

"Huh! She isn't going to kiss you right away. You know, that right?" Raien commented. "Anyways, who do you think it could be? There are evidences to prove that he had had a fit with Hussein..." He spoke, leaning on the door of our patrolling car and gazed at the twinkling stars.

"Exactly! That's what I am saying, Raien that there are evidences to prove that he had had a fit with that bastard. It doesn't prove that he has murdered that guy. We often fight with each other. Does it mean that I want to kill you or you are planning to murder me?" I pointed out and smirked.

Raien shook his head ready for a debate. "I never messed around with your sister, Paige. Emotions can drive you anywhere including a grave. I would have done no less if anyone is to play with my sister's heart. It is humiliating. Connect the dots!" He said forming an 'O' with his fingers and I went quiet for a moment, contemplating over it.

"I think the brother isn't innocent." He concluded after a while. "And the sister too. She isn't picking up your call. Maybe she has flown away. Pietro, my boy you win. I rest my case." He finished, making me stare at him, dressed in the aqua blue uniform. I went outrageously numb at how hypocritical he was while being police. How can he come to conclusions without looking into the matter?

"I believe him to be innocent." I mumbled still looking at him shocked. "And Kiara cannot kill anyone. She is way too naïve for that. She is...she cannot." I choked. "I know her!"

"Why? Why would you believe so? Oh, let me guess! He is brother of that woman. I'm sorry, I forgot that! How can he be a culprit? The brother-sister are sculpture of innocence." Raien yelled, spitting sarcasm. "If you don't know than let me remind you, Pietro that the oh-so-naïve lady is a god damn criminal lawyer. Dealing with crime is her routine. She can commit a crime if she is capable of defending a criminal." There was heavy sarcasm in his voice that hit the core of my soul.

It isn't about Kiara. I wanted to yell but something stopped me. Perchance, it was the probability of Raien being right. The Kiara I knew was a past, someone who used to be innocent, unaware of the ugliness of the world. She knew nothing about crimes, murders when now she deals with every kind of offence regularly. I had to act professionally so long I was standing on the premises.

"Pietro, buddy she was your past. You need to..." Raien started but I had to cut him off.

"I wasn't defending her. you are getting it all wrong. I personally know Atri Aronson and as far as I remember. He is a lefty. He does most of his work from his left hand while the tilt of the head was towards left. It meant someone had put the pressure from right and did you observe the hickeys closely. They looked a night old and the glasses of wine...there were no marks of lipstick." I paused to suck in the breath.

"Your theories are mere assumptions, Pietro. It doesn't prove anything. You cannot ignore evidences both circumstantial and primary." Raien said as a matter of fact and I had no choice but to accept it, though bitterly.

"Every investigation starts with assumption and theories, Raien. Anyways, we have got nothing to do with it. Our shift is over." I snatched the cigarette box from Raien and lit one for myself, letting out a heavy puff. I watched the twinkling sky. It was cold and dark everywhere for it was a moonless night yet we tried to search the surroundings for some sort of clue but none appeared. I raked a hand through the dirty blonde locks washed a week ago and sighed. Trying to avoid those goosebumps all over my body at the thought of meeting her after all these years. I was excited and anticipating.

Does she remember me? Has she forgotten me? She couldn't. She was in love with me before she decided to abandon me. She might have had her reasons. How should I react if I see her?

The daze was pierced by the sound of my microphone transmitter. It was a common announcement by the chief. We were told that the men had been spotted at the red-light area before, although no one knew how often: and ironically; no one cared until another body of a prostitute was found near a lake on the outskirts of the city: naked, two hours later, in a car that was registered on the name of Hussein Mohammedi, a black 2020 Aston Martin Vantage.

I was present throughout the initial investigation, watching Vensmith yelling profanities at his subordinates whenever his phone would ring, he was to reprimanded by high-command, our senior officers for his inabilities.

Hussein had always said that the woman, the prostitute—who concealed her true identity behind the name Juana Rodriguez—was someone very important, although he had never explained whether she was important for his personal needs as a client or his emotional needs as a man. He had been in touch with her for more than a decade and was close to her, said the expensive gifts lying in Juana's apartment.

The police began a formal investigation about Juana and her clients that could have a link with the murder (s). Her client with whom she was last spotted was an Arab, perhaps a tourist and nothing much could be found in her apartment or from the statements of her colleagues apart from the package of imported perfumes which the Arab client might have brought for her.

And so various theories were put forward—love, blackmail, emotional attachments, break-up, a suicide after the murder, money and greed—none of which were beyond the bounds of possibility given that, in Juana's profession it was ordinary to fall in love with the client and not getting the same in return, her work brought her into frequent contact with people who had links with the mafia. They discovered that in the weeks before her murder (or suicide), she had been regularly meeting a man who offered her a huge sum of money for a couple of nights during Christmas. He even transferred a portion as an advance in her bank account: those in charge of the investigation felt that those could have been payments made for the services she used to offer yet it was questionable.

Maria, one of her colleagues told the police that Juana had declined the offer for she had prior bookings with Hussein on the eve of New Year, a week later his proposed wedding. She also revealed that Atri who had recently found Hussein's relationship with Juana had threatened her to eliminate all contacts with Hussein 'if she wants to live long' for the later was to tie the knot with his sister soon.

­

It was none's business until then, nothing was, but a miserable demise of a young politician, son of a prominent man of the nation―his visits to the red-light area and connections with prostitutes who were allowed to ride in his car freely in broad daylight certainly was and so, it was all over the media, became the talk of the town in hours and the pressure began― to get a face arrested to be abused in public, upon whom people could shake heads muttering profanities and what better way could the police find than emptying it all on the victim's relatives. It would add a bit more spice if they were to be declared the prime suspect.

The parents were first questioned who couldn't give out much apart from the fact that their son had no rivalry with anyone, had been living on his own for seven years, was in love with his fiancée (or so they still believed) and who was as innocent and amateur as an infant is and could do nothing to harm others. They denied having knowledge of their son's visits to the red-light area and his frequent payments in night clubs for they thought he had sufficient women in his life to seek pleasure from rather than paying for an 'unacceptable creature who would spread the legs just for few bucks'.

The almost unconscious mother had created another spotlight-capturing fuss cursing and yelling at the interrogating officer for even proposing it―Officer don't you know he had a fiancée and he was due to exchange the ring by the end of the year―yelled the cringing mother at the mention of Red-light Area while widening her eyes as if ready to vanish the very existence of the interrogating officer, Mr Vensmith Anderson. His connections with prostitutes were as shocking to them as for everyone else.

The interrogation with Atri Aronson, the 'brother-in-law' who was a prime suspect for he had last been spotted with Hussein, lasted for thirteen hours yet nothing was much revealed. He denied all the allegations, named the altercation as a stupid drunken fight yet it was hard to believe, especially when the media had started a debate and people had started sympathizing with Ahura's, giving him an edge in the upcoming election. He was ushered right into judicial custody and was immediately detained.

All the roads travelled to a single destination and that was Atri Aronson who had everything it could take to commit a couple of murders―a motive (for cheating on his sister), rivalry (for hurting his sister) and anger (for destroying the life of his sister) and such that an arrest was made, the charges of murders were recorded. The chief inspector happily focused on the press conference promising prompt closing of the case anticipating a promotion while I was awaiting the arrival of a woman...the most important part of my life.