The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken Read Online Free PDF

over there. The hospitality desk one. Just they were making eyes back and forth. But his parents are marrying him off to another one.'
    The detective could not have been less interested in the marriage prospects of the hotel's assistant manager. He had, however, long ago mastered the art of appearing to be listening to his mother's trivial observations when his mind was engaged with more important matters. Besides, after the Delhi Cowboys' win and Rohan's impressive innings, he was in good humour.
    'You watched the match, is it?' he asked.
    'Load shedding was there,' she sighed. 'We caught ten minutes, only. Soon after that dog episode, the TV was going off. But what a thing to happen, na! How that pooch came to get there? That is the question!'
    'Never mind the dog, Mummy-ji,' sighed the detective. 'What about Rohan's innings?'
    'That I caught on my portable.'
    'Your phone?' asked Puri.
    'Why so surprised? FM is available these days, na.'
    It was not unusual for Mummy to be more up to date with technical matters than her son and this irked him. 'A wonderful performance by Rohan, no?' he said, trying to cover up his ignorance.
    'So impressive it was, Chubby. Nineteen was his total, na?'
    'A most respectable nineteen, one can say.'
    'Agreed.'
    They found the banquet hall where the after-match reception and dinner were being held packed with guests, paparazzi and waiters bearing trays of wine, hard liquor and hors d'oeuvres. Puri recognised tycoons, cabinet ministers, top bureaucrats, lobbyists, socialites and celebrities from the worlds of cricket, film and fashion.
    Over by the bar stood India's playboy Booze Baron in earnest conversation with the Cabinet Secretary said to be the most powerful man in the country. Neetika Sahini, who handled 'public relations' for India's biggest corporate houses, was huddled with A. Daaku, the telecoms minister, and Dwarka Butt, reporter and part owner of Action News! Next to the grand piano stood the Bharati Brothers and Sandeep Talwar, member of parliament for Indore. Popularly known as 'Sahib', he was currently Minister of Public Affairs, Food and Distribution and was said to have interests in sugar cane, pharmaceuticals, real estate and schools. He was also the president of the powerful Indian Cricket Board (ICB).
    If ever there was proof of how power in India still lay in the hands of a relatively small, incestuous elite, it was here, the detective reflected. The old cabal of dynastic politics and family-run business houses retained their grip on most aspects of Indian life - and that included the world of cricket. But such a sobering observation was hardly in keeping with the spirit of the day - and certainly not the festive mood of the Mattus, who had gathered at the far end of the banquet hall.
    By now, Rohan had arrived and was looking faintly embarrassed by his family's very public display of admiration. This didn't stop Puri giving the young man a big, congratulatory hug.
    'Oi, Cheeky!' he bawled, Cheeky being his nephew's nickname. 'So proud of you, beta! That sixer! What a shot! I tell you the whole stadium went wild!'
    'Even I went wild!' chimed in Rumpi's mother.
    Rohan's smile was gracious. 'Actually, I would not be here in this place if it was not for you and Auntie - all that support and encouragement you have given me over the years,' he said.
    'Not at all, beta,' said Puri. 'You've worked so hard, actually, you deserve.'
    'I mean it, Uncle. I'll always be in your debt.'
    'Nonsense, yaar! How there can be debt where family is concerned? Now let us have a toast, no?'
    Everyone helped themselves to drinks provided by a passing waiter.
    'To many more of those sixers, yaar!' announced Puri.
    The clink of their glasses coincided with a burst of camera flashes.
    'Oh my God look, it's him. It's Sanjay!' squealed Rohan's teenage sister, Mini, pointing to the main door.
    She meant Sanjay Sala, Bollywood action hero turned cheesy romcom star, and the Delhi Cowboys' 'brand ambassador'.