Inspector Robert was not in uniform. He hardly came to the police station in uniform. He would crack a joke, in a party, if someone asked why he never wore uniform, "Sir, thieves and thugs do not wear uniform. And to catch them we should not be any different from them. To catch them proficiently and quickly we should be inside them, inside their gangs, inside their mind. Think like them." He was an expert in catching drug dealers. He had gathered around forty medals for that reason. He had hoped he would make a century. But some drug dealers transferred him with the help of some ministers. But he had never lost hope. And never lost his humour. He had long hair and long beard and no mustache.
Now for quarter of an hour he seemed totally serious as he was interrogating two teenagers. He was always serious around kids. Now he said, "Kids are genius. I do not have to hide my own personality from them. I am a serious man. Even through the wall of my mask of humour they can discern that I am serious deep down."
Veronica's expressions were clearly telling: I am not a kid.
The Inspector understood the expression and smiled and asked, "Miss, you did not enlighten us on one topic. Why are you here? Why did you go to the Malkhan hill, to be more precise?"
Veronica twitched her lower lip – a defensive stance. Then straightening on her chair she said, "I am here, because I too want to research on various tribal cultures of Anglesland."
"Wow! Two researchers. Two young scholarlings. Ok. At least that part is very – erm – what is the word – romantic. Or a thoughtful lie, I must say."
Everyone inside the room gasped. Daniel cleared his throat and said, "Not a lie sir. I have driven her from Kaerlud to here. She is here for some kind of research on tribal life. And she is not lying. I know her Papa. He had given me extra bucks to keep an eye on her from a distance for her security. And see we saved her from danger."
Veronica eyed at him turning back from her seat. She looked shocked.
Inspector Robert felt that he had forgotten to disperse the crowd.
He eyed at a port belly constable and said, "Hey Stephen, go and take the details of the mass of saviours and ask them to go back to their dens. This small police station can not accommodate such a big gaping crowd."
Stephen warded off the crowd outside the police station.
Inside the police station Veronica was glaring at the Inspector. Inspector Robert said, "Miss Smart, it is considered a misbehavior when you stare at an elder."
Hearing this she lowered her gaze.
"Sir," interjected Matthew. "Why do not you interrogate this old man? He was ready to kill us both. He will confirm our stories."
"Hmm stories. True. They are stories. I want to believe them too. Ok. As you wish," Inspector Robert said sounding suspicious and he ordered another constable to bring the old man who was terrified by now in front of him.
"Bring him a chair. He too deserves respect. He is not educated like us; he does not wear dress like us. It does not mean that he should be treated like a dog," Inspector Robert said.
A constable said, "But sir, he was trying to kill these two teens. How come he deserves equal respect as these two innocent teens deserve?"
Inspector Robert eyed at the constable and the constable lowered his head seeing his superior's angry eyes.
"A genuine question. – But this old man is not guilty until proven guilty. And these kids are not innocent until proven innocent."
The constable said, "You are right sir."
"Yeah, I am always right. Now bring the Malkhan man before me. – Do you know anyone who knows this man's respect worthy ancient language?"
Matthew said with a start, "I do sir. I am a good translator. I am well versed in several tribal languages. Like Malkhan language, Ho, Kukumail, Santali,etc."
Inspector Robert said, "That is so talented of you. But I need someone else. Someone elder than you."
"Sir, age does not determine expertise," interrupted Matthew.
"It is ok my dear boy," said Inspector Robert, leaping from his chair and coming to him and patting his shoulder. "I just need an adult's opinion. Just relax."
"Then sir, please allow me to go outside for a while."
"Why? You want to make a mobile phone call? Make it here."
"No sir, I want to – I want to – attend nature's call."
"Haha, nice presence of mind and a good sense of humour. A sign of maturity. But why do not you go into our toilet room?" the Inspector said.
Stephen had now come into the police station successfully dispersing the crowd. Letting them go away and not stray near the police station and informing that everything would be out on the newspaper; and each one's name would be mentioned in the news article.
"Stephen," ordered Inspector Robert. "Take this boy to the toilet room."
"No sir, I do not trust in the hygiene of an Angleslandian police station's toilet room. So allow me go outside."
"Haha, ok. You can go outside," said Inspector Robert. Now eyeing at Stephen he said, "Stephen, do you know Malkhan language?"
Stephen replied, "Yes sir."
"First of all give a glass of water to this Malkhan man," ordered Inspector Robert. His order was carried out instantaneously. The old Malkhan man poured the glass of water into his system. Now he looked a bit relaxed and energetic too – like a hog ready to pounce.
"Ok Stephen, sit beside the Malkhan man."
Stephen obediently sat beside the old man on a chair.
"First of all, ask him how he is feeling," said Inspector Robert. Stephen said something to the old Malkhan man in an alien language. Then he said, "He is feeling ok."
"Then ask him to narrate what has happened in detail."
Stephen had already asked the Malkhan man before Inspector Robert could finish his sentence.