Chapter Eight
She came back to the base empty-handed which frustrated her. ‘anything from Reddy? She asked Amit. He held his head down in a negative response. Her reaction to the current case was disturbing. And Amit somehow felt it, even though he would never voice it out.
‘Reddy said they lost the soft copies of the Sheela missing case during the system reset. Remember their system was being attacked.’
‘What?’ Riya was on the verge of cursing but restrained herself and tried to calm down. ‘since when their system was being hacked’? she asked.
‘today was the first time.’ Riya found that pretty odd. It appeared rather deliberately done to her.
‘what about the CCTV?’
‘it’s showing he went out from the hotel and he was perfectly fine.’
‘did he take any taxi or cab or something?’
‘maybe but nothing on footage.’
This problem bothered Amit. He was already working on an algorithm to ease things up in this front but the case and the second in command of his team have clogged him up with other responsibilities.
When she was done exhausting all plausible reasons for his abduction, the only thought she found herself with was to call the chief of ETF.
- - -
‘I want you to go and investigate. I want you to go and help Riya find him. Take Shree if you want him.’ The first-ever time Aisha noticed vulnerability from that authoritative voice which often make people cower with fear. This startled Aisha.
The phone rings and his attention was divided. It was from Riya. Aisha saw the uneasiness crept into the chief once again. She pressed his hand and he received the call.
‘Hello Riya,’ he said to the other end. He remembered the way her voice went all silent when he first told her about Arjun. Her reaction was the first shock which transformed to worry in an instant. And Sameer knew, Riya can hide behind the no-nonsense police officer, but her worry for him will somewhere show. He knew her better than this. And Sameer wasn’t disappointed when she responded the way he wanted. He doesn’t know at what stage their relation is but he was sure that Riya, the girl who once fell heads over heel for this ruthless person wouldn’t stay ignorant about the situation.
‘hello sir.’ Her voice was cold, just like he had gotten used to since a few weeks ago. Sameer was high with anticipation. But her silence was enough for him to understand that she has nothing to offer to him at the moment.
‘I just wanted to know something.’ She said from the other side. ‘Its regarding his investigation.’
‘can you share the prelims of the Sheela missing case. Shree talked about a file of details regarding Sheela, and he had it. But I didn’t find it in his hotel room.’
‘you talked to Shree?’ this came as a surprise to him. But of course, they were friends and he should have known.
‘yes. I talked to him regarding the last call.’
‘um…sir, I want to know something else?’ her tone told him it’s something serious.
‘go on.’
‘did you guys receive any threat call?’
‘nothing that sort Riya.’
‘past enemies? Any grudge? I’d need all his files. Do you think it could be anyone from the past or revenge?’ Sameer had thought in that aspect too and he already have Chotu tracing all the people who once were hungry for ACP Arjun Rawte’s blood. And till now Chotu haven’t gotten anything fruitful.
‘Who doesn’t have enemies in our field. But I don’t remember anyone who’d take such a step knowing him.’
‘I know, people wouldn’t dare.’
‘but someone did’
‘we will find whoever that person is sir.’
‘I know.’ His voice sounded more reassuring for himself than to her.
‘do you think it is related to the current case? Did anyone know he was Hyderabad?’
‘only our team and then you.’
‘I am asking to clarify this, are you sure he was here only for a file?’ Sameer sensed suspicion in her voice and she had to check every aspect of the case.
‘why it is so hard to believe? And no, he wasn’t undercover.’ Sameer could have told her that yes, he didn’t go there just to get a file. He went there for her. And she would never believe it.
‘I am just trying to handle this rationally sir, I have to check every aspect of the case.’ Somehow her reply stung him. He was once again pushed to the bitter past they share with her and how she must be feeling to deal with this. Somewhere he was expecting her to take it personally. But a rational mind is what will get Sameer his best friend back.
‘Aisha will join you tomorrow for the case and with all the details of the current case.’ Sameer said finally.
‘Okay sir. I would let you know of the progress.’ With that, she hung up. Ever since she was back in the ETF for the joint, Sameer felt pride in whatever the position she is in her life. But he also could see what it cost her.
- -
It was almost ten when she felt extremely exhausted. So much that she didn’t have any more strength to even walk to the SUV or drive herself home. She leaned back on her chair as she watched Amit, who was still with his laptop.
‘why are you wasting your sleep time now? We’d take it further tomorrow.’ She told him when he finally looked up at her. She isn’t someone who’d drag along people in her misery. And she realized she had overworked him in this case.
‘you could have just asked me to drop you.’ He said looking back at the laptop and she saw the light from it going dim. ‘I was about to.’ She said, her face lit up a bit with the understanding he showed to her. He knew the Riya Mukherjee who never asked for help. The Riya Mukherjee he knew five years ago didn't care, not because of arrogance but because of aloofness. and Amit also saw how that Riya Mukherjee changed to this, who could finally walk into a hall without feeling awkward, or ask for a partner for shopping. With time, she slowly mingled with them and enough that she started caring about them. But she still has her boundaries.
Amit packed his laptop and they left for the parking. While driving he informed me that he's going to visit Reddy tomorrow. And for the first time in the entire day, she smiled, sideways, hiding her face.
He dropped her at the PHC gates and joked if she could make it to her porch. She waved him off with a shrug. The security at the PHC wished her a good night as she walked in. the cool air of the night didn’t soothe her. Her body demanded rest. A deep slumber may be. But her mind was wide awake, in every direction. And he was there in her every thought. She didn’t understand why it is hurting her after so many years. And something in her head laughed at her, asking, when it didn’t hurt with him?
Till now she tried to take it rationally, keeping her emotional conflict at bay, for she couldn’t risk her emotional quotient in a case. She tried her utmost, to keep her mind away from the woeful thoughts. She didn’t want to ask herself, how is he? Where is he? And in what condition? She knew the reality of the answers will shatter her sanity. It will risk all her efforts and yet, she let these thoughts linger, because somewhere deep down she knew, a tiny part inside her, who loved him, couldn’t stop caring.
She didn't know when she was already in front of her gates. She remembered once again, the night when he walked her to her gates. She could have invited him inside. May be offered him tea or something, discussed more about the case. Giving him the normal he talked about. The normalcy he craved in his life. She could have tried as his friend. Her yearning to give him everything he wanted at the moment weighed upon her. What if he’s injured? And she froze right in front of her gate.
She remembered something that took her sense away. She immediately pulled out her phone and called the IT cell. After her call finished, she hurried inside, made one more call to Amit. She received some mails from Sameer. After changing into a plain salwar, she sat down to read all the mails Sameer has sent him. It had all names of the potential persons who had some sort of grudge over Arjun. She then logged into her NIA database and checked for their records, trying to find out if any of them is/are in Hyderabad. She didn’t know when her eyelids became heavy and when she fell asleep on her couch.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,
Hyderabad
Aisha landed earliest in the morning as she booked herself a taxi and called Riya. Riya who woke up with a jostle, guided Aisha with the address to the police housing colony. Aisha tried to make the driver understand, but he uttered nothing. In the end, Riya had to explain to the driver in Telegu and then he took her towards the PHC area.
Riya greeted Aisha at the gates. Riya suggested she stays at her place if shes comfortable to avoid any delay and confusion in a new city. Aisha who wasn’t indifferent towards Riya agreed thinking its in the best interest for both of them. Riya took Aisha inside her home and made some coffee for some refreshments she grabbed a coke. Even though Aisha is used to her no-nonsense face, she could feel the underlying tension in her.
‘Here’s everything we have on Sheela.’ Aisha handed over the files. Riya secured them in her bag. Later, she called Amit to pick both of them.
At the office, Rajat greeted them and informed Amit that they have the footage Riya requested last night. Amit played the footage on the big screen. It was retrieved from the traffic nearby the PHCarea, which was about a hundred meters away from PHC.
‘Play it between 10.00 to 11.00 pm.’ Riya asked Amit. In 2x speed, Amit played the footage and suddenly Riya asked him to stop. Under the yellow street light, they saw two figures coming into the picture. Arjun and Riya. Both were busy in some conversation. They also saw a bike is speeding towards them and then at a point, Riya suddenly pulled Arjun. Aisha’s eyes widened at the scene and Amit was equally shocked and both for different reasons. Aisha was well aware of Riya’s protective instincts, but she never expected Riya to see this way, protecting Arjun, owing to the past they have. Amit had different things running in his mind. He was working faster as he readied another footage.
‘You mean to say... .’ Amit didn’t even complete as Riya nodded her head.
‘We had dinner at Paradise. I need a face Amit, draw a map and retrieve everything.’ She said in a grave tone. Suddenly she was angry at herself. How she didn’t notice this earlier. How she didn’t give a thought about it. Nothing happens coincidentally in their filed. How the f u c k did I miss this? He was being followed.
‘he was being followed?’ Aisha asked, her face clouding an expression of shock. Riya who concluded this was silent for a moment before telling, "Amit, send this footage to Reddy. Give her everything she needs, veichle details, footages. I need whoever this person is."
"Why didn't you warn him before?" Amit asked.
"I thought it's some spoiled brat wasting petrol. I should have thought before." There was more fury for herself than worry.
"Okay. I will connect with Reddy." Amit was fast acting as he started making calls already.
“This has everything related to Sheela right?” Riya asked as she called Ved, another junior analyst and transferred all the file to him. “I want her history Ved. Everything she did here in Hyderabad. Reconcile with our information as well. Please make it quick.” She instructed Ved.
Aisha looked at both the guy who were obeying her so sincerely. She didn’t notice a hint of bitterness coming from her to these people, nor does her arrogance or anger. And she realized, ACP Riya Mukherjee wont give you back if she isn’t provoked. Aisha didn’t think its wise to ask her the history she shares with Arjun. That one she’s not aware of. But question remained in her mind, why would Riya help them in this case, despite the conflict.
“What will we do now?” Aisha asked.
“We will visit the last location where his phone got switched off. Also to the landlord.” Aisha nodded her head. At the same time Anshuman entered inside. His eyes looking for Riya. He spotted her with Aisha. He wasn’t at all surprised to see her here. And he was somewhat relived that Aisha would be there. He didn’t their second in command to take all the burdens of the case, even if the chief thinks otherwise.
Anshuman greeted both the ladies and took a seat near them. Riya asked him about Tasha. “she’s already recorded her statements. And she was asking for you. If you find yourself free you can confine with her Ri.’ And that made Riya smile, just twitch on her lips and she was back to the grave mode. Aisha remained mum with their personal conversation.
Two hours later, both Riya and Aisha were standing at a check post near the hitech city of madhapur area. The landlord was rather cranky when he was asked about Sheela or Arjun. Seeing his behavior Aisha and Riya decided, it was pointless to argue with the old man.
ETF, Mumbai
Shree who had no other information on Sheela thought about going for her social networking profiles. Her Facebook profile was dead since the day she was missing. However, he got her previous IP address. Rathore ordered him to look for her browsing history. Even though Shree searched, everything he found was only some study related sites. Nothing suspicious or harmful.
Uninterested he closed the files and leaned back on his chair. His mind was faraway. The missing case was troubling him too. Shree has his reasons of indifference for Arjun, but Shree has never disrespected Arjun professionally.
And in this case, he was more worried about the second in command of NIA. No matter how much of a facet she'd put, he knows whats in her heart. And what's in her heart will only compromise herself. He just hoped she'd be fine.
"What happened Shree? So bored with the investigation?" Sakshi asked him as soon as she entered and saw him shut the laptop. She couldn't keep her indifference away from him since the day Riya walked in to ETF. Sakshi felt as if once again she lost her friend Shree. And it enraged her even more.
"There's nothing on the case", he said tiredly not understanding the jibe in her voice.
"Of course nothing interesting right? And why would you be interested?" She asked once again.
"What are you saying?"
"You must be happy now that he's missing!" As soon as she said it, Shree understood why she would say such a thing. She was there in the previous outburst or how Shree accused Arjun almost disrespectfully.
"You are over thinking Sakshi." Shree said in a grave tone.
"Oh I am over thinking? He's been missing since four days Shree, five days. We have nothing on him. And the irony is, his case has been allotted to someone who despises him."
"You know nothing about her." Was Shree said as he shut his laptop and started for outside. His response was rather hard to accept for Sakshi, owing to the already worrisome situation. Shree has never walked out on her before. Somewhere she realized, things are slipping away from her hands. She burst out crying right in the conference room. And for the first time she felt the eerie emptiness of the room. Had it been some other time, Aisha or Chotu would already have grabbed a tissue for her. Arjun would have stood at a corner noticing everything but not giving a reaction. It was better that way. And now? The happy picture had long been broken for her. And she cried and cried and cried unaware of the fact that the chief was noticing everything. And yet he didn't come out to offer some consolation. He wasn't away from the dilemma itself.
Madhapur Police Station,
Hyderabad
"What happened to madam Mukherjee? she didn't even had the time to talk?" IIC Reddy asked Amit as soon as she took the front seat in the SUV.
"Case is high profile. We need to paradise."
"For what? High profile lunch?" A chuckle escaped his lips as soon as she commented.
"You are impossible." he told her and she just shrugged off.
Both of them reached the restaurant in no minutes and directed themselves to the control room. It was close to the lunch time and people were already filling in. Amit could have come alone, but a uniform does more wonders than an ID in such situations.
Reddy barged into the control room with Amit towing behind. They asked for the footage of that night four days ago where Riya and Arjun had dinner.
Reddy was shocked seeing her ACP Arjun and ACP Mukherjee having dinner and conversation in a peaceful manner.
"She's fast. I mean sorry, I didn't mean to. But she just met him that day." Reddy was questioning herself and Amit was just surprised with her reaction.
"They had long history. She knew him." And that piece of information surprised her too. The way she reacted in the police station didn't give her any hint that ACP Mukherjee knew him.
"I smell some cliche right there." she told Amit and Amit just like before just chuckled saying, "you never know".
"That's our guy", Amit said, pointing towards the screen and Reddy could see a man with red leather jacket sitting alone just beside the table. He was glancing constantly towards the ACPs table and left as soon as the duo left. He dint even touch the food he ordered.
"She was damn right, ACP Arjun was being followed." Amit cursed. Reddy asked the control room guy to give her a snap of the guy wearing red jacket.
"We have retrieved the bike number from the PHC traffic post. We really need this guy Meera." IIC Reddy understood the gravity in his tone. "I will find him Verna ji." A slow smile appears on his face and both headed outside. He dropped her at the PHC and left for the NIA headquarters.
Unidentified location
His throat felt dry as he was sweating profusely. He smelled the same smell of dirt for the uptempth times as his eyes fluttered open, only to be greeted by darkness.
He doesn't anymore remember for how many days he was being kept here. He just remembers going unconscious for so many times. He felt prickling sensation all over his arm and wrist as he tried to wriggle free. But realization sank in, he was tied to. And no matter how much he tries, he wouldn't get free.
He doesn't remember how he was here. All he saw was the woman and everything was hazy afterwards. The first time his conciousness came back he was drugged to something. And now he doesn't keep count of how many times he'd been drugged. He doesn't anymore remember how his body is functioning.
He heard the same hushed voice that always appear before he'd been pricked. He braced his hands tight as a sharp pain shot through his veins. His eyelids become heady and he once again succumbed to unconsciousness.
Madhapur Police Station
Hyderabad
As the light of the interrogation room dimmed, fear started gripping his mind. Riya along with Amit and Aisha entered and circled the biker. The nonchalance demeanour of the biker irked Riya the moment she landed her eyes on him.
“Who are you working for?” Aisha asked him first. The biker tried to keep a neutral face, giving away nothing in reply. Riya sat across him diagonally as Amit took his place right behind her. He had witnessed her ferocity at the hotel when she didn’t get a reply from the receptionist. Amit wasn’t sure he wont see anything similar to that in the interrogation room as well.
Aisha noticed the guy closely. His eyes bloodshot, patches of pigmentation on his skin, a few dark dots, which looked like it was made from needle. Aisha knew exactly what will work for him. But by then Riya was already pacing in front of that guy with her service gun loaded.
Riya sat upon the table with a look of giving final warning to the guy as she placed the gun over the table.
“Listen, I know you were at paradise. You sat behind the table beside me. You followed us till the PHC area. We have evidence and no one can save you now. And I exactly know how to press some more extra charges.” She looked like she was controlling herself, trying not to unload the entire slot right into his head. And yet, The guy had no reaction to her words.
Reddy was looking through the glass door of the interrogation room. She looked displeased. It’s her station and she wont tolerate anything out of protocol in her interrogation room. She signalled Amit to come out. Amit noticed her through the glass door and reluctantly comes out.
“What is she doing? Has she lost it?”
“It’s fine in such interrogations Meera.”
“Not in my station Verma ji.” Amit understood her point. “who’s pressing charges? My department or yours? You have to be very clear about it. Until then, try the civil way.” Reddy was trying to explain to Verma when they saw in their peripheral vision Riya advancing towards the guy.
“what’s wrong with this woman!!!” Reddy cursed as she and Amit both entered inside. But then, Aisha was already beside Riya, trying to calm her. Amit dragged her out of the room and both followed outside.
“Damn!!!” Riya slammed the gun over a nearby table.
“He’s too high on cocaine to answer your questions Riya. Its not the right time to interrogate him" Aisha said.
“Time? Time right? Five days. Five freaking days Aisha. And we still have nothing on him.”
“I will make this guy speak. Just give me some time.” Aisha suggests.
“Make him speak Aisha.” That’s all she said before exiting the room. The trio looked at her retreating. They’ve never seen her this furious. It was rather easy for Reddy to find this guy. She got his address from the RTO and tracked him to a bikers point. Initially he was reluctant to come with her, already high on drugs, but when her men literally went to pick him up he obliged. She already thought talking to him would be a waste of time owing to the state he was in. But Riya won't listen. She just barged into the interrogation room and the rest is all clear.
Precap:
She had tried all possible way but nothing helped. She didn't want to keep counting days anymore. With each passing day she felt like she's losing something imminent. Something she was never given to even keep.
But there was this pledge in her mind. She will bring him back. Even if she'd have to make a deal with the devil.
She took a deep breathe and kicked the door of the cottage as she was welcomed to the smoke of dry hash.
"Didnt know your dogs are still sniffing around." She commented as soon as she saw the man sitting on the single bed in a dimly lit room.
"But I know you still carry that gun with names on your bullets. What took you long Mukherjee?" The man said with a quirky smile, took a puff of smoke and released ever so calmly.
"Today isn't your day. I . . . I need your help." as much as she hated herself to utter those words, she knew she had to make a deal with this traitor.
•○•●•●•●•○•
Okay I know this was as well downright boring but I guess it's just a part of the story which you have to bear with
I thank everyone for replying on the previous update
Stay safe guys.
That's all I'd say.
-Anki
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