Trial by Fire

Chief inspector Mushtaq Hussain is posted to a police station in Patparganj a small hill station nestling in the Western Ghats. While idly leafing through the old case files at the station, he comes across one that had caused a sensation of sorts when he used to be a student-boarder at the Palace School, Patparganj. Though the file is marked Closed many questions remain unanswered Susan, whose memories stir feelings in Mushtaqs heart, had been found, late at night, lying unconscious beside Altaf, their classmate, in a clearing in the bush around the Palace school estate. What was the duo doing there at that time? Susan had been badly mauled and angry scratch marks had appeared all over the skin exposed due to torn clothing. Who had attacked Susan and why? Altaf had his head bludgeoned with blood flowing through a gaping wound near his neck. Who had struck Altaf? Gonu, the mentally challenged school mascot, had stood at the crime scene with a bloodied hockey stick in his hand. Why? How did he get there? Miss Stokes, Gonus mother and the first one to witness the tableau, had come across Gonu struggling with a person, who, when confronted by Miss Stokes, had fled away into the thicket before she could have a closer look at his face. Who was the fourth person? Mushtaq decides to investigate. He sets the stage for the dramatis personae of that night to come together once again hoping to reignite the passions that could throw up some answers.