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He agreed to come over immediately, and I stood guard over the little girl while Tasha showed her cartoons on her phone. I knocked on her door and peeked in, but her father was still passed out.
I wondered whether there was any point in shaking him awake. Meanwhile, Inspector Sawant ran up the stairs on the heels of a woman who looked frantic at finding the police in their building.
“Where’s my Sia?” she screeched.
“I’m here, Aai,” called Sia from the staircase.
Her mother ran to her and grabbed her in a tight hug.
“What’s going on? Why are all these people here?” she asked the Inspector fearfully, holding on to her daughter.
“Ma’am, we’d like to talk to you and Sia about what your daughter heard on the night of the murder.”
Sia’s mother shook her head.
“Nothing. My daughter heard nothing,” she said firmly.
“But Aai…” began Sia, only to shut up at her mother’s fierce glare.
“We saw and heard nothing, Inspector Saheb. Please leave us alone.”
“Ma’am, this is a murder case now. You have to cooperate with us,” said Inspector Sawant sternly.
Sia’s mother looked frightened.
“Ma’am, please don’t worry. We will take full responsibility for your daughter’s safety,” I promised.
The Inspector turned around to glare at me.
“You stay out of this, Mr Singh. This is a police matter. We can keep our witness safe, thank you.”
He turned to Sia’s mother.
“Ma’am, you have nothing to fear from these people. I give you my word that I won’t let them near your daughter.”
Her eyes went wide with terror, and she pulled her daughter closer.
“But they are my friends. Look, they gave me money,” exclaimed Sia, pulling off her doll’s head to show the notes rolled up inside the neck.
I cursed under my breath as Inspector Sawant turned to me triumphantly.
“Bribing the witness, eh? Bhasme, get these people out of here and call the car. We’re taking this girl and her mother into custody right now.”
When Sia’s mother let out a loud wail, he smiled at her kindly.
“It’s for your own safety, ma’am. These people might be rich and connected, but I won’t let them harm your daughter.”
The constables with him hustled us out of the building. I shrugged their hands off and dragged Tasha to Samar’s car.
“Get in,” I ordered.
She opened her mouth to argue but shut it when she caught the look on my face. I got in next to her and Samar drove off.
We sat in complete silence until we were clear of the building, the cops and any reporters that might be lurking around. And then I let loose.
“What the fuck were you girls thinking? Who gives money to a random child? Do you know this makes us look?”
“Will you stop raging and just listen to me?” demanded Tasha.
