Mystery Of The Maharajah's Tomb Chapter 7

Mystery of The Maharajah's Tomb

Chapter 7

Taran! I yelled as the truck peeled away from the loading dock. Then I heard a thud as the truck continued on and another scream.

Sahay had been hit full on, his body flung into the air and into some bushes. His mother raced to him while I knelt beside Taran. His eyes fluttered open. He had lacerations to his face and legs, blood streaming from his forehead. His eyes stared up at me. I c-can't believe he r-ran over me! He tried to get up but I pushed him back down. Are you OK? Anything broken?

No, he said shaking his head.

The security guard came running up to the scene. I have called the authorities, he said, then gasped when he took in the scene.

Check on him, I blurted, pointing to the bushes where Sahay lay motionless, his mother hunched over his still figure. The man ran off. I turned back to Taran who said he was OK, just sore. The bleeding had stopped, blood still smeared on his face.

He tried to stand up again and was successful this time. What happened? He asked pointing to where the security guard was trying to revive Sahay. He made our way to him, Taran limping, blood running down his leg.

Oh, he's dead, Kali wailed. The security guard stood up and turned to face us. I'm afraid she's right, he said sombrely.

I turned to Kali who was still crying. What is so important about this tomb? Your son is dead now because of your obsession with finding it.

Justin, Taran said, grabbing my arm. It doesn't matter. Come on. The police have arrived. Leave her alone.

I reluctantly agreed and moved away. The authorities took in the scene and took our statements. I had gotten a license number of the truck but learned it had been reported stolen earlier in the evening from a business in downtown Mumbai.

Fuad, Raj and Qasim arrived on the scene as I had texted them a few minutes earlier. An ambulance came and took away Sahay and Kali.

The tomb is gone! I said and Fuad hung his head as I related what had happened. We don't know who took it, nor have any idea where they went.

Taran came up to the group then, having had his head and leg bandaged by the paramedics. I'm sorry, he said. I should never have kept the tomb location a secret.

But you did tell someone about the tomb? I asked. Didn't you tell one of the university directors.

Yes, the chancellor of the university, Mr. Avninder knew. He told me to keep it quiet and that he would take care of it.

Is this Mahish Avninder you are talking about, one of the policeman piped up. He's the university chancellor?

Yes, Taran said, turning to him. Why? What's happened?

Mr. Avninder has disappeared. He disappeared earlier today—well yesterday. His wife reported him missing in the morning.

Taran and I exchanged glances. Someone had gotten the information from him—as to where the tomb was located. Now it had been stolen.

What was the tomb's secret?

I decided to confront Uncle Fuad, maybe tomorrow. He must know something. Kali wasn't going to tell me anything now. Now that her son was dead.

Come along, Justin, Fuad said. We must go home now. You must exhausted. I will take you to our home. You won't need to go back to the apartment. It is finished. The tomb is gone. There is nothing we can do now.

Taran came up to me at that point. I'm sorry, he said simply. It's all my fault the tomb is gone. I thought I was doing a good thing, taking the information to Chancellor Avninder. Now he is in danger. My friend Sahay is dead. He hung his head and looked like he was about to cry. I felt bad for my new friend.

It's OK, Taran, I said. I'll find the tomb and uncover it's secret. I promise you this all this wasn't in vain.

He looked up at me and nodded, then moved off. He was returning home with his brother who had come to pick him up. I went off with Fuad, Raj and Qasim to the limousine and home—well the Mistry's home.

It was now almost 2 am and I was exhausted. The limo ride back to the Mistry's was in silence.

Adya was waiting for us with some warm milk when we arrived home. She was shocked to learn about what had transpired on campus only hours earlier. Fuad and Raj took some of the milk but I declined as I didn't really like milk once it was warmed up.

Oh, but you must, Qasim said. It will help you sleep.

I took the cup and pretended to take a sip but didn't actually drink it. I bade goodnight a minute later and trudged up to my bedroom, taking the cup with me. As I passed Zayd's room I noticed that his light was on, I could see the light from under the door. What was he doing up?

I set the milk on the bedside table, dressed in a pair of gym shorts and tank top and climbed into bed. I lay there for about half an hour but even thought I was exhausted I couldn't sleep.

The events of earlier this morning and last night raced through my mind. The elation at finding the tomb so soon after starting my investigation to the tragic events surrounding the tomb's theft again. The tomb had been stolen almost 100 years earlier and recently discovered by Taran.

Why had it been stolen so many years before? And why was it stolen again tonight?

I dozed off but woke with a start. My clock read 3:32 am. Still the middle of the night. I heard voices coming from the hallway, talking in hushed tones. I crept out of bed and went to the door. I opened the door a crack. Zayd's door across the hall was open and he was inside talking to someone on his cell phone but was speaking in Hindi.

He hung up suddenly and turned around. He saw me peering out of my door and scowled. He came out into the hall. What are you doing? You should be asleep.

I shrugged. I heard voices and it woke me up, I said coming out into the hallway. You should talk quieter if you don't want people listening.

You shouldn't be eavesdropping, he muttered then turned to go back into his room.

I don't understand Hindi, so I have no idea what you were saying but I'll bet it has something to do with the theft of the maharajah's tomb that happened earlier this morning.

Why—you! He turned back and moved to strike me but I ducked out of the way and he stumbled and almost fell. He faced me again and tried to come at me but again I moved at the last second, spinning on my heels.

So you are involved? I said, voice rising. I hoped someone would hear us and come and investigate.

Someone did hear, but it wasn't a family member.

Qasim stood at the end of the hall, a gun in his hand and it was pointed right at my head.

Thank you for coming, Qasim, Zayd said moving back to join the chauffeur. Just in time to take care of this jerk.

Qasim handed Zayd some twine which he quickly tied up my hands with. Why was no one waking up. Raj was usually a light sleeper.

The milk. I was supposed to drink the warm milk. It was drugged? I asked eyes wide. No one is going to wake up.

I told you to make sure he drank it, Zayd hissed. Qasim just nodded. I thought he did drink it. I'm sorry.

Zayd tied my hands behind me and then we moved along the corridor towards the stairs. Where are you taking me? I asked. Can I get dressed first? I was only wearing my gym shorts and tank top and was barefooted.

No, Zayd muttered.

He led me to the bottom of the stairs, Qasim had the gun trained on me the whole time. We went to the back of the house and out the back door of the kitchen to the small carport where the limousine was parked.

Qasim handed the gun to Zayd. Get in, he hissed prodding me with the gun. I complied. Zayd sat across from me as Qasim got in the driver's seat and started the car. We pulled out of the driveway into the narrow street and headed off into the darkness.

Where are you taking me? I asked again, as the limo hummed along. We looked to be headed to the downtown section, lights streaming into the limousine windows. There were still people about on the streets.

You'll find out soon enough, Zayd said, not looking me in the eye.

So you were behind the theft of the tomb tonight. Were you in the truck that killed Sahay?

Zayd spun around to face me. What?

Sahay is dead. The truck hit him and he was thrown clear. You didn't know about that?

No, Zayd said looking sad. It was the first time he didn't have a scowl on his face.

So you are involved. I said as a statement not a question.

Of course, he answered looking back at me. I told you to not get involved. I knew my dad was looking for it and that Kali Misra contacted him to find it. She thought that he would ask me to find it, since I was a student at the university. I refused to help him, because I wanted to find it for myself. I was hoping Father would drop it once I refused but then he thought about Raj and his letters telling about your being a detective back in Canada.

So he asked us to come to India to help him find it and you panicked and didn't want us involved.

Zayd just nodded.

We drove in silence for a few moments, my mind racing. What were Zayd and Qasim going to do to me?

Why is the tomb so important, I asked. Why do you want it? Why did Kali and Sahay Misra want it so badly.

Many people want it badly, Zayd said, still looking out the window as the vehicle sped along the streets.

Is there a treasure buried with it? I asked. Help me out, Zayd. I'm involved already. I've seen the tomb—you were the one responsible for trapping Taran and me inside the chamber.

No, he said. It's—he turned to me. It's something very important.

What? I said again, more forcefully.

Why do you care? He sneered looking at me again. It's not your concern. My father never should have brought you to India to look for it.

The limo slowed down. Peering out the window we looked to be in the dock area of the city. The Mumbai harbour could be seen beyond, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, the waters dark and still in the night air.

Qasim stopped the limo near the water and together with Zayd pulled me from the car. Stumbling in my bare feet we moved to a large freighter that was docked nearby. I was pushed roughly up a small ladder to the deck, which was shrouded in darkness in the early morning gloom. No one seemed to be about.

Keep moving, Zayd said, pushing me along the deck to a small cabin near the stern of the large vessel.

I stumbled inside and nearly tripped over a prone figure. A man was lying in the middle of the small room. He was wearing a western style suit that was ripped and stained. He had short dark brown hair and a beard, and glasses. He looked familiar, like I had seen his photograph at the university.

Are you Mr. Avninder? I asked as Zayd pushed me into the room. The man nodded weakly.

I'm Justin Macdonald, a student from Canada. I'm a friend of Fuad Mistry.

I know him, Avninder said. This is his son, he motioned to Zayd. But of course you know this.

I nodded ruefully.

OK, enough speaking, Zayd said. We'll be underway shortly.

Where are we going, on a cruise? I said looking at Zayd squarely in the eye. He looked away and didn't say anything. He closed the door and I heard a lock engage.

The morning sun was just coming over the horizon and a few minutes later the room began to brighten. I saw that it was a small storage room, no furniture or anything else. Just me and Mr. Avninder.

The maharajah's tomb is aboard?, I asked and Avninder nodded. Yes, it was brought here a short time ago.

Do you know why everyone is after it?

Avninder was silent for a moment, then responded, no. Taran Chopra came to me about a month ago and told me about finding the tomb. I told no one about it, not even the police. Well I did tell my family but they said they would keep the secret. We didn't know what to do. I fear I may have sat on this information too long.

Someone got wind that you knew about it's location. When Taran wouldn't lead them to it, they got you to tell them. Zayd Mistry and his associates

Avninder nodded. I fear there is more, he added turning to me. This vessel is going to Gharapuri Island. It is an island in the Mumbai harbour. There is a shrine there—the original resting place of Maharajah Singh. Once we are they they will kill us.