"TAMING THE SHREW"
Author/auteur: Dr Sumant Kumar Sharma (Saudi Arabia/Arabie Saoudite)

Count Samual Shimoda still believed he was capable of winning females for himself though already above 45 years of age. His overconfidence stemmed from an inherent sense of inferiority complex because of his short stature.The doctor had told him he had some chemicals deficient in his body but he insisted he fulfilled the deficiency by proclaiming his and his family’s past glories.
His first wife late Jane Hewitt had left a lot from her own inheritance for him to indulge in excesses. She had also left him two sons, now aged 10 years and 8 years  that bore resemblance to the doctor physically and intellectual more than the Count. The latter was not ignorant though and cared the least for their good.
Camilla, the one time nurse for the count when he suffered from reactivated herpes, or Shingles as the doctor called it was the Count’s personal favorite these days. Besides nursing the Count, she had now charmed the latter with her sporting abilities-mostly water- sports. She had a freckled face, a well stacked balcony and a heavy basement which the count lecherously described to the doctor once as the rear of the year. Beyond letting his mouth water, the Count had neither the guts nor the body chemistry to venture into even having a gentle feel of the inviting curves of destiny. He though did have a very soft corner for Camilla.
Camilla though past the prime of her age[which was  a very busy, pleasurable phase of her life, during which she changed her boyfriends more frequently than her underpants],was a thorough professional…in all ways. Nobody did the job better than her. She exactly knew how to please her patients, though the extent of pleasure given depended upon the fortune they were going to leave behind them when eventually and inevitably they die. The two children were the only stones of her eyes in the house. Rest everything-the Count, the frequently visiting doctor and last but not the least the butler of the house, and even the swimming pool seemed very inviting to her. On the whole she was feeling at home.
The one and only butler of the house was a young man dedicated to his master and his lovely guests. In fact Camilla loved the way he handled her desires. The only thing peculiar about her was that she always complained of irritation in her eyes that was because of, clearly, besides the two legal heirs of the count. She had recently started using an eye-drops’ solution for them on the doctor’s advice.
There was a fete in the town hall today and the Count was invited. Camilla was to accompany him and on her request the doctor was invited too. There were the jugglers, the fiddlers and of course the philanderers. The two sons of Count were left at home as ‘there wasn’t much for the kids there’.
‘The apple- pie is good’. The Count tried to start a conversation. ‘I wonder why this delicious and nutritious fruit was to be called the forbidden fruit anyway’.     
‘Just to increase the lure, dear’. Camilla licked the red pie before eating it. It was her usual style of showing what she’s capable of to the Count. She herself knew the count would never dare to ask her to do anything in reality. She derived an inner satisfaction in alluring an incapable man.
‘Want to dance?’ The Count, aroused and stimulated, offered his trembling right hand.
It turned out to be a fiasco. The 4 feet tall Count had a really hard time in holding a well over 5.5 feet Camilla. The whole crowd watched the comedy show. The doctor however looked tense. While mocking the Count Camilla occasionally glanced at the doctor and realized that his was a worrying mind presently. She kept throwing the Count around, enjoying the act, knowing that everything had been taken care of.
‘You are a real mover and shaker.’ The breathless Count managed to utter after the dance. ‘I guess we should go home now. I feel a bit out of sorts.’ The Count ,somehow hiding his embarrassment yelled his last cry of possible escape.
‘Why, we have just started to have a nice time. Why do you piss off always at the climax?’ Camilla was in guffaws, ‘You carry on home I’ll come back with the doctor.’
The moment count left the hall the anxious doctor pulled Camilla to a corner.
‘if your escapades are finished may i asked you about the two vermins?’The doctor tried to suppress his voice but still the old lady passing by noticed him and gave a glance of suspicion.
‘You worry too much sweetheart.’ Camilla, half drunk looked at him lusciously.
‘I ask you when?’
‘Tonight is the night’
The doctor literally pulled her out of the hall and brought her to their vehicle. On the way back, Camilla told her about how and what not to worry about.
‘When are you going to propose to him?’ The doctor had stopped the car midway in a blind alley and was slowly undressing her.
‘He will propose to me, darling, not I.’
‘Your eyes are salty’. The Count exclaimed as he’s finishing with her eyes.
‘I’m sick of that eye-lotion you gave me. The stupid old man insists I use them even at daytime. Anyway their job is over now. You start yours now.’
And the doctor did his job for the moment with extra satisfaction. They stayed there till the break of dawn, when Camilla woke the doctor re-wearing her underclothes.
‘Hurry up. We don’t know whether he has already called the police. We must reach home fast.’ She dismantled the doctor from in between her legs.
Investigator Festrade was already at the scene when the two reached count’s house. ‘Be patient’ both of them told each other.
The Count came running outside to greet them.
‘What a nuisance!’ The Count almost shouted. ‘We left both of them sleeping yesterday night. In the morning when butler went to wake them up, he saw them lying dead on their beds. Both of them. There was blood coming out of their ears.’
‘Who called the police?’
‘The butler. There was little need though. The officer has asked about you both and where you were. The butler told him about the fete.’
‘Oh ! My poor children!’ Camilla tried to sound serious, at least more than the count.
‘I’ve called the forensic scientist. You have anything to say?’ Festrade asked approaching the three.
‘Why would this happen?’ The doctor tried to give his wise opinion. ‘There was no trauma. But they did miss their mother a lot. Suicide, perhaps?’
‘We’ll see’. Festrade was robust with prying eyes.
The forensic expert Dr Arthur arrived and took charge of the situation. He was an energetic man who seemed to value his work.
‘Search all the dustbins, backyard and especially kitchen. ’Dr Arthur gave instructions to police assistants. ‘Bring anything peculiar to my lab .’
‘We’ll have to do a postmortem examination sir. I hope you will not interfere with the legal help you have been promised by officer Festrade. ’Dr Arthur was a persistent man.
The Count just shrugged in agreement ‘As if I give a damn! ’He whispered to Camilla. The latter however felt a bit uneasy now. Or was it the last night’s hangover?
That night, after dinner after her usual services to the doctor, she came to Count’s room. He was awake yet and was exhilarated to see her at this moment.
‘My baby’s not gone to bed?’ She spoke in a low harsh voice.
‘Not getting much sleep these days. and after morning’s noisy milieu, it’s even harder to get peace.’
‘Some red wine? It will help you get in the groove.’ Camilla took off her evening gown to expose her legs fully and reached for the cupboard for glasses.
‘You know I’ve always liked to be a part of you.’ She whispered further, pouring the wine in glasses.’ and I know you have always wanted to hold me in your arms, lovingly.’ She handed over his glass to the trembling Count. ‘ And I’ve always loved the way you stealthily watch my body parts. For a woman of true heart nothing is more pleasing than to realize that the man she wants loves her.’
‘Good lord, Is the sky going to burst tonight?’ The Count thought.
‘And you don’t have a heir too when your both sons are no more.’ Saying this she waited on his bed ,lying in front of him ,giving him an open invitation  to her body. ‘Come fill me with your love!’ She exclaimed at last.
The Count was at a loss to know how to handle the situation. Still he managed to say, ‘I know my love that you are a true woman and chaste like Madonna. But I’ll first marry you and then prove all your pleasures. I don’t want to incur the sin of deflowering a virgin before her righteous marriage. I love you from the bottom…’
His discourse was interrupted by heavy pounding on the door. In a flurry he got up and opened the door .The poor butler was sighing for breath.
‘Officer Festrade with the forensic expert needs to talk to you urgently.’ The butler exclaimed.
The Count had got his escape and left the room with an amused and happy Camilla behind.
‘I must inform you sir that there is imminent danger to your life here. I advice you leave the city tonight only and return only when the final verdict of the case is passed.’
‘What nonsense? I’m just fine.’
But if want to remain so get your necessary clothing and leave for your country house in half an hour. There’s a cab waiting outside. I hope you don’t intend to interfere in police’s work.’ The forensic pathologist was even more severe now.
‘What the hell!’ a fuming Count instructed the butler to prepare to leave.
‘And where is that lady we met in the morning?’ The investigator enquired.
‘Upstairs. In my bedroom.’
‘Hum! Just where you had guessed her to be doctor.’ Festrade gestured to Dr Arthur to lead the way.
Camilla was mad with joy. She didn’t expect to be the lull before the storm.
‘How are you dear nurse?’ Dr Arthur had entered the room almost noiselessly.
‘Beaming with life’. Camilla though startled at first welcomed his latest guest. ‘Want some partners for the drinks tonight. Don’t know where the count left me in the middle of it.’
‘Well I’m game for anything you offer miss. After all doctor and nurse must meet each other’s requirement.’
Camilla didn’t understand the pun in the statement and got up to pick up a glass for Dr Arthur. As she lounged from the bed top to hand over the glass to the doctor, her undershirt struggling with her body, she realized Dr Arthur was not moving forwards. He was just staring, straight in her eyes. She thought of an impending mischievous move from Dr Arthur and tilted her head in possible agreement.
‘Where are your eye drops Camilla? ’Dr Arthur’s voice was cold and confident.
‘what?’ Camilla cried in disbelief. ‘How  do you know about that.’ Her wine’s effect was certainly gone in a second.
‘Riazolin-your eye-drops given by your dear accomplice and friend the doctor in the house-ten bottles were emptied in the milk that the poor deceased children drank last night. Correct me if I’m wrong. ’Dr Arthur started unfolding the hienous doing of the two lovers who eyed the count’s fortune after the death of his two legal heirs and after the seductress ropes in the Count to marry her after which he would be gotten rid of too. Camilla listened crouched in the couch like a bird trapped.’ Your lover, the doctor in the house has confessed to officer Festrade already.’ Dr Arthur continued. ‘the name of drug in Riazolin is Naphazoline that causes local constriction of blood vessels and causes very high blood pressure transiently. But the world transiently I’m using while talking of one drop each in both eyes. ten bottles’ worth is enough to raise the blood pressure to levels beyond which even an elephant’s kid will rupture his brain’s blood vessels. The two kids died of brain hemorrhage and the identity of the drug has been confirmed in laboratory. The butler told us about the connection between you and your lover and also helped us find the empty medication bottles from the backyard.’ Dr Arthur concluded.
Outside, Camilla’s lover ,the doctor in the house had been already arrested. Both the doctor and half naked Camilla were escorted out of the house by police.
The final decision of the court took a few more weeks.
‘That was neat Dr Arthur,’ Festrade exclaimed to the former after the case was over.
‘Yeah , Neat Naphazoline!’ Dr Arthur chuckled.

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