Chapter 11: The Unholy Past

Premkumar was confused by everything unfolding around him. He had been observing how the investigation progressed, yet couldn’t wrap his head around it all. Thameem, still shocked by what he had seen in the boot of Richard, couldn’t ignore the insole, typically used by physically challenged individuals. On the second slide of the student register, the blood group recorded was O positive—the same blood group confirmed earlier from the leaf and the chain found at the murder site.

“See, Thameem,” Pranav began, “though we have very little evidence, we can piece together the puzzle and solve the mystery.”

Thameem was still curious. “Sir, what’s the link between the first murder and the second? If, as you suspect, Richard is involved, what’s the connection?”

Premkumar interrupted immediately. “Yes, sir, there is a connection. The second victim, Julia, is a Christian. I’ve confirmed with her family that they attended the same church as Anjali, the first victim. That should connect the dots.”

“But why those two and not the others?” Pranav pondered aloud.

“Something must’ve happened,” Thameem agreed.

“Right,” Pranav continued. “The father said he was from Kanyakumari and had a troubled past. Even though it seems plausible, something about it feels off. Why would he completely relocate to Chennai just because his wife died? It seems suspicious.”

“Sir, my batch mate Govind is an inspector in Kanyakumari,” Thameem chimed in. “He might know something about Father Russow. Should I give him a call?”

“Great idea! Do it right away,” Pranav replied as Thameem called his friend and explained the situation.

While Thameem was on the phone, Pranav turned to Prem. “What do you think, Prem?”

“Sir, I haven’t been involved with this case from the start, but as far as my experience goes, sometimes the smallest overlooked detail holds the biggest clue. I think your intuition is right.”

Thameem interrupted their conversation, bringing a new revelation. “Sir, Govind said there are no records for a ‘Father Russow,’ but there is a complaint against Richard for physical abuse at a church in Kanyakumari. It was filed by a local resident but later withdrawn. Govind gave me their number from the FIR records.”

“Excellent work, Thameem!” Pranav exclaimed. “Let me talk to them.”

Pranav dialed the number, and on the last ring, a man named Prince answered.

“Hi, sir. This is Inspector Pranav from Chennai. We’re investigating a case and came across the complaint you filed against Richard. Could you shed some light on it?”

“Yes, I did file the complaint but later withdrew it,” Prince replied cautiously. “What’s this about?”

“Sir, we’re investigating a similar incident here, and we need more details.”

Prince sighed, his voice heavy with the weight of memory. “I didn’t file the complaint for Richard, but for someone else. It’s a long story. I withdrew the complaint because Sophie, the wife of the man involved, begged me to.”

“Sophie?” Pranav asked, intrigued. “Could you please tell me more about her and Father Russow?”

Sure Inspector, but before sharing more why can't you share your identity card, how can i trust that you are an inspector? Pranav immediately snaps his identity card and sends a WhatsApp message. "Sir please check your WhatsApp, i have shared you my identity card. Please continue, this is a crucial piece in our investigation"

Prince opens the WhatsApp to check the message.

After verifying, “Sure, Inspector,” Prince began. “Sophie and I went to school together. The man you know as Father Russow wasn’t even a Christian. His real name was Mugilan, from a nearby village. Sophie met him while we were working with an NGO providing medical aid and spreading Christianity. They fell in love, and she married him, despite my warnings. She gave him everything—a new life, faith, and even built a church for him. He changed his name to Russow, but one thing remained. He was always a man with bad intentions, and that never changed.”

“What do you mean?” Pranav asked, narrowing in on the critical detail.

“Sophie couldn’t have children. And Russow… well, he was impotent. They eventually adopted Richard, who seemed fine at first. But six months later, things took a dark turn. Richard started showing signs of mental and physical issues. Years passed as both mugilan and Sophie raised their son. It was a difficult journey for them. Years passed and landed on a day, the day i would never forget, the day Richard misbehaved with my daughter at the church. I filed a complaint, but the next day, Sophie came to my house and begged me to withdraw it. She told me something that I’ve never forgotten.”

Pranav’s heart raced. “What did she say?”

“Sophie told me it wasn’t Richard who misbehaved with my daughter—it was Russow. But she begged me to keep quiet, fearing it would ruin Richard’s life. I agreed, for her sake, and withdrew the complaint. But three weeks later, Sophie was dead, and seven weeks later, Russow and Richard vanished from Kanyakumari.”

Pranav was stunned. “Thank you, sir. This information is crucial for our investigation.”

Pranav hung up, still reeling from the revelations. Thameem and Prem both looked at him expectantly.

“What happened, sir?” they asked in unison.

“I’ll explain, but first, do me a favor. Go to both victims’ houses and check if there were any complaints about the church, Richard, or Father Russow.”

“On it,” they replied, racing off to gather more information.

As Pranav waited anxiously in his office, his phone buzzed. It was Premkumar. “Yes, Prem? Any update?”

“Yes, sir. Julia’s parents said someone had been misbehaving with her at the church, but she was too scared to say who. That’s why she stopped attending mass.”

Pranav switched to the other line, where Thameem was waiting. “Thameem, any update?”

“Yes, sir. Anjali’s parents said the same thing. She told them someone at the church was bothering her, but she didn’t know who. She hadn’t been to mass for two Sundays before she was killed.”

“Are we going after Richard, sir?” Thameem asked.

Pranav connected the dots. “No, Thameem. It’s not Richard. It might be Father Russow. Thameem, meet me at the church. Let’s meet Father Russow together.”

With that, Pranav ended the call, determined to confront the man behind the mask.