Tooth Fairy

‘Your mother is out of danger.’

Girl gave a grateful look to the Inspector.

‘Why did you kill your father?’

‘He used to get drunk and beat us daily. Chhoti…my younger sister, got one of her teeth broken and I told her about the tooth fairy myth. She kept the tooth under her pillow and prayed to the tooth fairy to come and ask her father to quit drinking and stop beating us but last night was limit. Father got mad at Chhoti. He brought a client to sell Chhoti to him. She cried and resisted. Father began his ordeal. Mummy intervened. He beat mummy half dead and dragged Chhoti. It was unbearable. I picked the axe and cracked his head.’ The girl began crying.

Inspector returned to his desk.

‘Saheb.’ Hawaldar said, ‘hopeless case. No money in this. They are penniless. Should I book the girls and mother under prostitution and murder?’

‘Hawaldar, that little girl prayed to tooth fairy to help them. Look at the innocent faith.’

Hawaldar looked puzzled.

‘Let the girl go.’

‘What?’

‘Yes Hawaldar. So much for corruption. We aren’t monsters. Let’s keep the little girl’s faith. Let’s play tooth fairy this time.’ Inspector smiled.