Chapter 1 – The Call for Help

Anil, Parasu, Vikram and Srikanth had resumed duty after their vacation and were on their usual evening patrol. Anil said, “Guys, I loved the vacation we had, but it's great to be back doing what we love the most.” 

Just as they entered Mariappan Street, they heard a continuous cry for help.
Someone was calling for them, the police. “Police … police.. any police around.. Please help!”. 

They quickly reached the place, and saw that an elderly gentleman was calling for help from the balcony of a big bungalow. They waved to him, and Parasu said “We are coming over”. They were with him in no time. “Yes sir, how can we help you? What happened?” Vikram asked, trying to calm him.
“Sir”, the elderly man said. ”My name is Subbramaniam. There was a theft that just took place in my house here.” 

Srikanth quickly responded “What theft? What happened? Please relax and tell us
everything”.
Subbramaniam took a breath to gather all the details and said “Sir, I have a collection of 21 gold coins that were just stolen.””.
“21 gold coins??!” exclaimed Parasu “Tell us more sir. When did it happen? How did they look?”
Subbramaniam replied “Yes yes... I will tell you everything. These gold coins had faces of my ancestors embossed on them. It started off close to 300 years ago and has been passed down to 21 generations now. They were pure gold but they are more precious to us than the metal itself. They were our family’s assets and we worship them. In fact, this morning I had taken them out to perform usual rituals in our
puja room and had placed them back in the locker where they are usually kept safely. But now they are gone”.
The four policemen were surprised. Srikanth started with some questions. “We are sorry about this sir.
But tell us when did you see them last? Why did you shout over the balcony for the police instead of ringing up the police over the phone?” 

Subbu replied “Sir, I have been trying to call them all evening, but no one picked up. I saw them last after this morning's puja right before I left to do my shopping.”
Srikanth asked, “Who all live here with you?”
“Just me and my son Madhan. He looks after me and takes me out whenever I need.”
Anil enquired, “Anybody who works here? Maids, Servants, cooks or gardeners?”
“No one except for my gardener, Pachai. He has been with us for over 30 years and is like a friend to me. We had a cook, but she stopped coming 10 days ago.”
Vikram asked, “Sir, can you give us details of all the events that have happened today, since the morning. Who all have come into the house, who left, when and where?”
Subbu replied, “Sure. The morning was a usual routine. At 7.30 am our milkman came with his bottles and delivered them.”    

“His name?”, Anil enquired. 

“Babu. But I have known him for a long time. His wife
used to work for us several years back. Then I had my bath, and retrieved the gold coins at 8am to perform the puja. Around 9.30am my neighbour Kailasam came over. His grandson was playing here
at our house yesterday and had left his water bottle behind. Kailasam had come to collect it.”
“Neighbour? Friends for a long time?” asked Srikanth.
“No no .. He moved in just 5 days back. I barely know him. He was just chatting with me. He must be around my age. In fact, he was telling me, he was settling down and was looking for a cook. He wanted to know if my cook could come over for a couple of days to cook for him temporarily. I told him, that she had stopped coming here 10 days ago and I was managing with Pachai who can cook basic things. He went ahead and asked if Pachai could come over and cook for a couple of days. I asked Pachai right away and he agreed. After that no one came. In the afternoon, Madhan and I had to go
to do some shopping in our neighbouring market”
Parasu asked “Sir, I see that you have CCTV cameras installed around. Do you mind if we check them?”
Subbu replied “No use son. I have already checked them. I have recordings until 2.15pm this afternoon and nothing after that.” Parasu was disappointed.
Vikram asked, “Sir, do you have any suspects? Anyone whom you think might have some role or something to do with this theft?”
Subbu replied cautiously measuring his words, “Son, at this age, I should not be suspecting or pointing fingers without thought. But since you asked, I think Kailasam might know something. The
way he speaks to me, about my wealth, the house, and my other assets are sometimes uncomfortable.
But again, I am not saying anything. Just that you asked”.