The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken Read Online Free PDF Page A

the barrier and into the stands. The rest sprinted across the field towards the clubhouse.
    At first the reaction amongst the crowd was a kind of bewildered amusement. But when the players started to run, too, everyone strained forward to try to get a glimpse of whatever it was that had invaded the field.
    A mangy pye-dog soon came into view - barking, snarling, frothy saliva dripping from its mouth. Like a wounded bull in an arena, it trotted around the field for a couple of minutes before stopping in the middle of the field, its long, grey tongue hanging out.
    Puri could see the animal in close-up on the giant screen now and could hear its painful whimpers courtesy of the miniature microphones hidden in the stumps.
    'Must have rabies, I suppose,' said the Brigadier with nonchalance.
    An announcement came over the public address stating that play would resume shortly while down down on the field, entertainment of a different nature began. Two groundskeepers set out from the East Hill gate with a length of netting stretched between them. They looked nervous, unsure of themselves. As they approached the dog, it took a few steps towards them, snapping and snarling. This was enough to cause the duo to turn on their heels and run, both getting their feet tangled in the net and falling over.
    Another few minutes passed in which the dog's condition appeared to worsen. It started swaying from side to side. Blood ran from its nose. Then, three tubby jawans ventured out on to the field, brandishing their archaic bolt action Lee Enfield rifles. The dog didn't notice their advance; by now its head was hung low and it was trembling, as if in the grip of a fever.
    The police wallahs advanced, two slower than the first, until they were approximately thirty feet from the animal. They stopped, raised their rifles. Took aim.
    A hush fell over the stadium.
    A volley of shots rang out.
    Smoke drifted across the field.
    It cleared to reveal the pye-dog still standing, oblivious to its near execution.
    'Try it with your eyes open next time!' shouted a wag in Hindi amidst hoots of derision.
    Visibly embarrassed, the jawans took aim again. But before they could get off a second round, the dog keeled over, lifeless.
    'I think we got it,' one of the jawans was heard to say over the microphones.
    The groundskeepers soon appeared again, this time with a wooden barrow, and the dog was unceremoniously tossed on to it.
    Five minutes later, the players and the cheerleaders returned to the field. Rohan faced the next ball and sent it crashing over the boundary.

    THREE
    PURI'S MOTHER HAD opted to watch the match at home and join the family for the dinner afterwards. She was waiting in the lobby of the Delhi Durbar Hotel.
    In her yellow and green Punjabi pantsuit, she looked out of place amidst all the mirrors, marble and glamorous 'page three' types in their sequined dresses. Still, Mummy-ji had found a sympathetic (or perhaps patient) ear in the form of the young assistant manager who was standing attentively before the gilded divan upon which she was perched.
    'Aaah, finally, he's come, na,' she said as Puri approached. 'This is my second son - the investigator one I was telling you about.'
    'Honour to meet you,' said the assistant manager.
    'Just Rajneesh here was telling that the Maharani of Alwar would be coming to stay soon,' continued Mummy-ji with a glint of excitement in her eye. 'She's the one with the famous Golkonda Diamond, na? It's going on exhibition in coming days.'
    'Wonderful news, Mummy-ji,' said Puri as he bent down to touch her feet, his girth stopping him short. 'Now come. Rumpi and the rest went ahead to the banquet hall.'
    The assistant manager wished them both a good evening and withdrew.
    Puri offered his hand to his mother, but she insisted on standing up unaided. 'That Rajneesh has got a sweetheart, na,' she said as they made their way through the busy lobby, past shops selling western designer brands. 'That pretty Bengali girl