SMOKING CAN KILL
Short Fiction – A Murder Thriller By Vikram Karve
From my Creative Writing Archives:
I wrote this story more than 27 years ago – in the early 1990’s
Those were my nascent days of creative writing when I was trying my hand at different genres of prose.
I wrote this rather amateurish “thriller” under a pseudonym for a competition – and – wonder of wonders – this story won a prize.
That’s why this story remains one of my favourites.
Do tell me if you like it.
And do remember to transport yourself 27 years back in time to the early 1990’s – an era when modern gadgets like mobile cellphones and laptops did not exist – and internet had not yet made its appearance on the scene – at least in India…
Before you read this story of the “Killer” Cigarette – remember – this story may be fiction – but – smoking is injurious to health – in fact – smoking can kill…
SMOKING CAN KILL – Fiction Short Story by VIKRAM KARVE
I was not nervous at all.
When I want to kill someone – I always make my plans alone – and with the greatest of care.
Murder is a serious business – and you cannot afford to be careless.
For Amrita – I had chosen “Ricin”.
Yes – for Amrita I had chosen Ricin – the deadliest of biotoxins.
“Ricin”.
Six Thousand times more lethal than cyanide.
Yes – Ricin was more than 6000 times more powerful than cyanide.
Ten Thousand times more deadly than cobra venom.
Yes – Ricin was 10000 times deadlier than a cobra bite.
And worse.
For Ricin – there is no antidote.
Ricin – impossible to detect – no trace – and no tell-tale symptoms.
“Safe” for the Murderer.
But – certain death for the victim.
Ideal for Amrita.
Stupid and unsuspecting Amrita.
How easy she had made it for me.
Today was Thursday.
Tomorrow – on Friday evening – Amrita would unsuspectingly smoke the specially prepared “Killer” cigarette I would offer her.
And then – she would take the night flight to Delhi to catch the early morning flight to Ladakh on Saturday – and begin shooting her ad film in the high Himalayas.
On Sunday – the Ricin would begin to act on her.
First – she would experience a slight shortness of breath – a bit of a cough which was nothing abnormal at those altitudes.
Most likely – the workaholic that she was – she’d pop in a pill for flu – feel okay – and continue working.
Then – suddenly late on Sunday night – she would be in distress – high fever, severe cough, vomiting, respiratory failure and circulatory collapse.
By Monday morning – Amrita would be dead.
Of course – there would be a post-mortem at some remote hospital in Ladakh.
The Diagnosis:
“High Altitude Pulmonary Edema”
Yes – High Altitude Pulmonary Edema – “HAPE” – as they call it over there.
Quite a familiar illness at those high altitudes where oxygen is scarce – especially for plainsmen who rush up into the hills and overexert themselves.
“Sad…” they would all say about Amrita’s death, “she should have acclimatized herself properly.”
It was as simple as that.
A precise threshold dose of Ricin – which was just enough to initiate the cytotoxic action.
An overdose would be disastrous – Amrita would probably drop dead on my doorstep.
And – an “under-dose” would be exercise in futility.
If I waited – it may be too late – before I could get such an opportunity again.
My husband Mohan would return from his business trip on Tuesday – and life would be normal once again.
I looked at the calculations in my notebook.
Theoretically accurate.
Haber’s Formula.
The exact concentration – the timing – the exposure route – delivery mechanism.
I cross-checked everything – there was no room for error.
The work of perfectionist – everything would happen like clockwork – like it had happened before – in my earlier murders.
Each of my previous murders were a work of art – and an exercise in subtlety.
Amrita’s cigarette was ready.
The “Killer” Cigarette.
Specially processed with a carefully calibrated dose of Ricin.
70 micrograms.
The weight of a single grain of salt.
The precise amount that would manifest itself after a 72 hour incubation period.
I put the “Killer” Cigarette in the cigarette pack.
And – I placed the cigarette pack next to the ashtray on the table.
Suddenly – a thought crossed my mind.
Suppose Amrita did not smoke the “Killer” Cigarette…?
No problem.
I had plenty of back-ups my sleeve.
“Aflatoxin” – for instance.
A drop of aflatoxin in her tea or drink.
Like Ajay.
Three days to certain death – due to severe jaundice followed by irreparable cirrhosis of the liver.
Or maybe – I would give Amrita a “face tissue”.
To freshen up – before she left.
A specially prepared “Killer” face tissue.
A lavender scented face tissue laced with “Zombie Powder”.
Yes – “Zombie Powder” – Tetrodotoxin.
Trans-dermal delivery through her rosy cheeks.
But – that would be a last resort.
Tetrodotoxin was too dangerous.
Dr. Bhatia had dropped dead even before the train reached Dadar.
The tabloids had said: “Massive Heart Attack” – as the cause of death.
Just imagine – that’s the state of forensics out here.
You can get away with anything.
Even murder.
Amrita – Ajay – and – Dr. Bhatia.
The three persons who knew the one secret that I had kept safely hidden from my husband.
Two gone to heaven.
Only Amrita remained.
She was the only surviving link to the dangerous skeleton that I had kept safely locked up in the cupboard of my heart.
I was just 19 then.
The last year of college.
Carefree.
Reckless.
Moments of indiscretion in the flush of youth.
A few lapses – and a peccadillo that cost me dear.
It had been easy to kill Dr. Bhatia and Ajay.
No pangs of conscience – both of them were just crude blackmailers.
One wanted my money – the other wanted my body.
But with Amrita – it was different.
Amrita had been my closest friend.
Amrita knew things about me that no one else did – not even my mother.
It was Amrita on whose shoulders I had wept – when Ajay had dumped me – and Amrita too had wept.
Amrita was the one who had arranged everything – and she held me – and she tried to calm me – when Dr. Bhatia performed the clandestine abortion.
After college was over – Amrita suddenly disappeared to America for higher studies – and we lost contact.
Till the other day – when Amrita suddenly surprised me in the lobby of the Taj Hotel – cigarette dangling from her lips.
Amrita looked vivacious – in tight jeans and a close-fitting T-shirt.
We hugged.
“It’s been a long time…” she said.
“Eighteen years…” I said. “Let’s go home.
Amrita looked around my luxurious flat on Marine Drive.
From the shelf – she picked up the framed photograph of my husband and me.
Looking at the photo – Amrita said to me:
“Your husband. He is very handsome…”
“Yes. His name is Mohan. He has gone abroad on a business trip.”
“Kids…?” asked Amrita.
Two. A boy and a girl. They are studying in Mussoorie.”
“You are really lucky, Anu. You have got everything – and I am still struggling…” Amrita paused for a moment – and then – she suddenly smiled and she said to me, “Okay. Let’s celebrate. Let’s get “stoned”…”
“You still do “hash”…?” I asked, incredulous.
“Once in while…” Amrita said.
Amrita took out a cigarette pack and small pouch from her purse – and she started meticulously preparing a “joint”.
I went inside to get the soft drinks.
When I returned – I instantly sensed the sweet smell of marijuana (hash)
Amrita had already lit up and was taking a deep drag from her “joint”.
I looked at her.
Amrita held out the cigarette pack and she said to me:
“Come Anu – I have made a “joint” for you too…”
“No…” I said
“Come on, Anu. At least have a drag from mine – for old time’s sake…!!!” Amrita said.
“No…” I said firmly.
I had vowed to never do it again.
I can never forget that dreadful period of my life.
Amrita – Ajay – and Me.
Lying “stoned” for days.
Doing all sorts of things – till one day – I suddenly came crashing down to reality – when I discovered that I was pregnant.
It was terrible.
The clandestine abortion.
The trauma I had to undergo.
I was determined not to mess up my life again.
Amrita kept taking deep drags on her cigarette – and as she got “stoned” – she talked about herself – her divorce – her success in the ad film-maker.
Then – she suddenly asked me:
“Does he know…?”
“Who…?” I said.
“Mohan. Your husband. Does he know…?” she said.
“What…?” I asked.
“About you and Ajay…?”
“No. He doesn’t know. Let’s have dinner…” I said, trying to change the topic.
“That quack did a good job – didn’t he…? Bhatia – Dr. Bhatia – that’s his name isn’t it…?” Amrita slurred – and then she said teasingly, “I am going to tell your husband. There is no place for secrets between husband and wife.”
I shuddered to think what would happen if she told Mohan everything about my past life that I had so carefully kept hidden.
My world would come crashing down.
The fairy-tale marriage – the “social triumph” (as my mother put it) – the opulent lifestyle – the flourishing career – the perfect husband – and lovely children studying in the best boarding school in the country.
Everything would fall apart like a pack of cards.
I could not allow Amrita to meet my husband Mohan at any cost.
Amrita was too much of a blabbermouth.
Especially when she was drunk or “stoned” – Amrita was sure to blurt out everything.
Before she left – Amrita said to me:
“Anu – I am dying to meet your cute husband.”
“Not this time…” I said, “Mohan is returning on Tuesday.”
“No sweat – I will meet him on my way back to the US. In fact – I will stay with you in your lovely house – and we will all have a good time together – okay…?” Amrita said.
“Okay…” I said.
Amrita gave me a hug – and she walked to the door.
“Hey – you have forgotten your “joint”…” I said, picking up the half open cigarette pack.
It contained just one cigarette – the “joint” she had prepared for me – which I did not smoke.
“Let it be…” Amrita said, “No point carrying it around. I will smoke it when I drop in tomorrow evening on my way to the airport. I love to be “high” when I fly…” she said with a wink.
Suddenly Amrita stopped at the door – she turned around – and she said to me:
“Have you met Ajay…?”
“No…” I replied, frozen.
I recovered my composure – and I said to her:
“I lost contact with both you and Ajay – ever since you left for America after college.”
“It’s funny…” Amrita said, “I unexpectedly ran into Ajay at Seattle airport sometime last year – and he told me he was relocating back to Mumbai. And – Ajay said that he would track you down.”
“Well – he didn’t track me down – so I have not met him since he left college…” I said firmly.
What Amrita did not know was that Ajay had indeed showed up in Mumbai – and that I had killed Ajay – murdered him.
Yes – Dear Reader – as I have told you earlier – I had killed Ajay – with a drop of Aflatoxin in his drink.
I said once again to Amrita:
“Well – I have absolutely no clue as to the whereabouts of Ajay – he certainly did not show up here.”
“Strange. Ajay has just vanished – he has just disappeared into thin air. Now we will have to track him down when I come back next week…” Amrita said, as she left.
It was at that moment that I decided to kill Amrita.
Bhatia was dead.
Ajay was dead.
Once Amrita was dead – the ghosts of my past would never haunt me.
On Friday evening afternoon I took half a day off – and hurried home from my boutique to get ready for the evening with Amrita.
I opened the door with the latch-key.
I was stunned to find my husband Mohan sitting on the sofa.
“Hi…” my husband said casually, “come home early…?”
“What are you doing here…?” I asked, “You were supposed to come back next Tuesday.”
“I cut short my trip…” he said.
“But you could have called me…” I said.
“I took a last minute decision – and everything was so uncertain. In fact I just reached an hour back – and I wanted to surprise you…” Mohan said.
Then – looking a bit irritated – my husband Mohan said to me:
“Anu – I thought you would be happily surprised to see me…”
“Of course I am happy to see you, Mohan. I am sorry – I was rude…” I said.
I sat on the sofa.
It was only then that I smelt a trace of that sweet aroma of marijuana (hash).
Instinctively – my eyes went to the ashtray – and I saw the smoked cigarette butt.
It was the “joint” that I had spiked with Ricin – The “Killer” Cigarette.
The open empty cigarette packet lay next to the ashtray.
An indescribable fear drilled into me.
“Who smoked that cigarette…?” I asked my husband Mohan.
“I did…” Mohan said.
“Oh, My God…” I barely managed to whisper.
“By the way – Anu – since when have you started smoking…? And such an expensive imported brand…?” he asked.
“Not me. My friend. It is her cigarette pack. She forgot it here last evening…” I stammered.
“Friend…?” he asked.
“You don’t know her…” I said.
“Amrita Khare…?” my husband Mohan asked me.
I was stunned.
I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.
I stared at Mohan – speechless.
“She rang up just before you came…” Mohan said.
“Amrita…?” I asked.
“Yes. Your friend Amrita said she won’t be coming today. Something important has come up. But she said that she would definitely come over to visit us on her way back to America next week…” Mohan said.
I felt a sense of relief.
Then – my mind became clear all of a sudden.
And – I was panic stricken.
Mohan had smoked “that cigarette” – The “Killer” Cigarette – the “hash” cigarette laced with “Ricin” that I had specially prepared for Amrita.
How come he hadn’t noticed…?
Also – he didn’t look even a bit “stoned”.
Maybe – the Ricin had neutralized the “hash”.
Oh, My God…!!!
He had smoked the “Ricin” Cigarette.
Ricin.
No antidote.
Irreversible.
There was nothing I could do – except watch my husband die in front of my eyes.
Yes – all I could do was to observe Mohan for the next 3 days – see him develop symptoms of signs of “High Altitude Pulmonary Edema” as the Ricin slowly took effect on him – and watch him sink into his slow death.
It was terrible, unimaginable mental agony.
The day – Friday – passed.
Then – it was Saturday.
Sunday.
Monday.
Mohan did not die.
In fact – he seemed healthier than ever.
The Ricin hadn’t worked.
I wondered what had gone wrong with my calculations.
As for Amrita – I will have to think of something different.
Maybe – a “nondiscernible microbioinoculator”.
A tiny scratch at the airport on her arrival.
Death in three hours – multiorgan failure in her hotel bed.
Amrita would be dead – before she could meet Mohan.
So with Ajay dead – Dr. Bhatia dead – once I killed Amrita – my secret would be buried forever.
On Tuesday morning – I opened the newspaper.
The news item was tucked away inside the newspaper.
It was a small news item:
“Award winning internationally famous Ad Film Maker Amrita Khare (38) dies in Ladakh. Ad-world shocked at sudden death. Post-mortem indicates Lung Failure due to “High Altitude Pulmonary Edema”…”
My mind went into a tizzy.
Mohan smokes the Ricin laced “Killer” cigarette.
But – Amrita dies.
Puzzling – isn’t it…?
Strange chilling thoughts started perambulating in my brain.
Amrita and Mohan…?
Had Amrita come home and met Mohan…?
Was it Amrita who had smoked the Ricin laced “Killer” cigarette…?
She died with the exact symptoms – didn’t she…?
If Amrita had come home and met my husband Mohan – why did Mohan lie to me that she had called up on phone to say that she wasn’t coming…?
Had Amrita told Mohan about my past…?
I would never know the answers to these questions.
Amrita was dead and gone.
And – I could never dare to ask Mohan.
I put a stop to my train of thoughts.
It is best not to delve too much.
Let bygones be bygones.
It is time for me to forget the past – and get on with my life.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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Disclaimer:
- This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
- All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/smoking-kills-fiction-short-story.html
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
I wrote this story more than 27 years ago in 1990 and I have posted the story online earlier on my creative writing blogs at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/smoking-kills-my-favourite-short-stories-part-64_86756_blog and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/10/my-favourite-short-stories-part-64.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/10/statutory-warning-smoking-kills.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/who-smoked-that-cigarette-fiction-short.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/03/15/smoking-can-kill/ etc
Vikram Karve 