Chapter 8

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]

I tried every way possible to keep her out of dirt, but she dipped in, lived there and still came out clean... -ACP Arjun Rawte

credit -me

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Fromthe observation she made I realized just how much information we have missed.Or chose to ignore? This just sting. I don't know if it's just a whiff of jealousy I felt. But I won't call it as an insult either. May be that's the obsession for accuracy, to keep all the records in perfect alignment for further correlation or just not missing any single piece of information. Perks of being a research specialist I must say. And we have a clue. Even If the person who was treated here with so much secrecy, there must be some staffs of the clinic, who'd be aware of something unusual. We just need to ask them certain question a little differently. I asked the receptionist to bring all the staff and asked them about this report. None of them knew anything. Or just some of them pretend to be. I have a gut feeling; this is something more than just a doctor was killed because he was treating a terrorist. Now that NIA too is involved itis going too deeper. And there must have certain reason as to why Kashyap is here!!

I recapitulated everything from the beginning. A doctor was murdered. Time ofdeath was at sharp 1. 00 AM. A bullet targeted for his heart. A court room situation. Yes or No!! Must have been DO or DIE! There was signs of faint struggle but not too deeper. So the doctor kept his ground, but could not manage for toolong. Seems the Killer had no patience. It's possible that killer must be the same person the doctor treated. Then why he killed the doctor? What he wanted from the doctor?

"If the doctor allowed all this things to happen in secret, there must have been some disturbing reason!! I put my theory. But Rathod was thinking differently as he said, "there was that man threatening him to kill his family, what choice he was left with Rawte? "Then Rathod, why would he kill the doctor? "What's more to think Rawte? The doctor treated him, he threatened him not to disclose his identity, and doctor struggled! So he killed him! "What took him a week to kill the doctor? I was persistent with my theory. "That's on us to find out, Sir!! Finally she said. I looked at her. The lines on her face was telling that she too have a theory. I just don't know how different it is.

"Liza said there is only one match to the blood sample you found from the scene which was of the doctor. The other one must be the killer. I think you should call Amit to contact Shree, they need to link up certain things! She said to Kashyap.

"And if there isn't a match... Kashyap was midway telling something but she interrupted,"ETF won't anymore need us. Kashyap just sighed. He looked tired. She was filled with indignation, as if we unjustly held her captive, and too eager to get away from us. I just hoped the case should be far stretching. I just need alittle more time to study her. I have no idea what I will tell her. She is becoming an unperceivable obstacle that I find it so hard to accomplish. I don't even know why I am so much interested in her or her matters. When she left I didn't know how to feel. There were a hell lot of emotions flooding through me just looking at the resignation letter placed on the table. That was the first thing Rathod informed me on that morning. The next moment we received a mail from the central disease laboratory. Only if we'd have listened to her! Realization dawned upon us like we have committed the unforgivable. I still couldn't remember those loathsome words came out of my own mouth that previous day. I don't even want to know how she reciprocated. I myself never could face that. I urgently need to talk to her. But would she allow me to invade her again? I can pull her aside. We could have a word or two.

"Let's talk to this doctor's family, Said Kashyap. "Not before we get the match,Said Riya. She's choosing her words correctly. Nothing much to divulge! Why this match is very important? For a moment it looked like the killer is more important than just solving a murder case. As if he's been under the radar for too long. And if what I am thinking is correct, he's writing his name on her bullet. I didn't know I was smiling, until Rathod gave me weird looks, as if I found the killer. I ignored him. This woman was anything but savage. Her words thrilled me the moment they came out of her mouth.

"So the probability of getting the match is... what? Don't tell me you forgot your maths! I teased. She just silently stared at me. For a moment I found a glint of surprise in her eyes for that faded swiftly. Beside her, Kashyap was glaring. Uh oh! I was asked not to mess with her. AGAIN? Did she tell him everything about us?About me? I already do not like this man! "Let me guess, you missed the entertainment quite for some year!! Here again she was sarcastic. There is an urge of many things building up inside me, just to let her know that now I am different person. Not too different though. Not like she's changed. And suddenly letting her know about this felt like an old forgotten promise I never made to anyone.Particularly her.

On the way back we returned to the head quarters. Current situation is a little more chaotic. Shree couldn't get his eyes off his laptop and his fingers too. Sakshi surprisingly was sitting with a year old terrorist attack articles. Aisha was busy making calls. We called for a little discussion and looks like Shree has news to share. When we all settled in the conference room Shree entered.

"Sir,I talked to Amit from NIA, and he sent me some probable matches. I sent some ofthose DNA imprints to Liza; she should be here by now.

"Well specky I got your man! Liza entered in a cheerful mood and handed him a print.Shree went back to his chamber for more information.

"Where is chotu, Asked Rathod. He was nowhere to be seen. Assuming this is lunch time,he should be here by now. I don't know what routine it is but now days we arehaving lunch together whenever we are in HQ. Rathod thinks it's a nice step to increase more interaction in between the teammates. He had this thought six years ago. He just thought it's too important to know whoever we are working with. Whom to trust. And to never doubt your teammate.

"I sent him for some work! She said again putting a full stop. Rathod didn't ask much. May be he's getting used to her attitude now. Which is a good sign? Is he in turmoil too? Is this bothering him too? Looking at his glum face reminded me of old times. We were a family!! A late regretful realization!

This time shree came back with a pen drive. And we now see the projected image of a man in his thirties. I scanned the room and only two people reacted. So a 100% match then. Kashyap was sitting as if something froze him. Riya was irritated more than anything.

"Mastermind of Last year Hyderabad chain blast, said Sakshi. She never forgets the drill I see. "He was never caught though! I did hear someone wince. Kashyap was never relaxed after the revelations. His forms stiffened. He was turbulent. His eyes fixed on the image of the man on the screen. Riya was too busy observing his expressions. Her face was so much like you better tell me everything. He ignored her. This guy has so much to disclose I guess.

"Azim Hussein! And you are right Miss Sakshi! He said in a stiff voice. "He runs a sleeper cell. He had his men in all the blast location and triggered the blast.That was a perfect drill according to him. Bhadra provided him with the ammunition.We lost 20 lives and never found anyone from his cell. As if they never did exist. Nobody knows how he recruits them, trains them and regulate them. Evenif getting one of them is important they'd still be of no use since they only do what they are told to! He said seething with anger.

"You did garb a hold of someone...! She said in a rugged voice. More like a confirmation to her and then all of a sudden she asked "where were you last month? But Kashyap didn't answer to her question and said the most predictable thing. "Our informers said he was last spotted in Mumbai! That explains why Riya was inthat warehouse. "So the hoax about the shootout at Wadala wasn't false! Sakshi said deep in thought.

"You followed the lead. Don't tell me you injured him two weeks ago. She concluded for herself. He was just not answering her anything which was irritating hermore.

"Why is he in Mumbai ACP? Rathod asked him in a cold calculated voice predicting the consequences. Another attack? Chain blast. Hostages. Demands? Where? When? My mind was suddenly flooding with vulnerable predictions. Not to forget the weapons we found from the warehouse. The destruction is in its way.

"I do not know. I just don't know... Kashyap was loud and still seething withanger. "Only if his minions weren't that loyal to him...I shot him twice! But he escaped in a truck. One of his men drove him. May be he was the man took him to the clinic! He finished. His face was all full of regret. "Bhadra, she said silently. "He shot Tasha! But his final words broke her. Her forms stiffened, throat tight. For a moment she forgot to breath or as if it was too difficult to breathe for her. Kashyap held her hand that was on the conference table. She swallowed a lump. Her lips dry. "She's fine Rii, sleeping. That didn't comfort her. "Paralyzed, he said again with despair. His voice tightened too. "I will kill that bas***d, she cursed audible enough for everyone to hear in a cold controlled voice.

"Let's take a break for lunch! That would be the most appropriate thing Rathod said ever owing them a little alone time. They needed that moment. Even though we now know many things about Azim we don't know who Tasha is. I looked at her again as everyone left the room including Shree; even he too thought it wasn't his matter. Her fist tightened even more. She was denying all the comforts he was offering to her, she looked inconsolable. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes as I made my way towards her. "You'd be late for lunch ACP" was all she said. "The cafeteria is in the ground floor, I said knowing very much that lunch now is their least concern! I myself did not know how to comfort her. But it pained. Pained so much to leave her and have lunch. A fair part of me told me that she's with the right man. Another part was just enraged to even leave here there with that man for reasons unknown. Silently I made my way out of the conference room finally leaving them together.

I reached at cafeteria where all were waiting for me. Nobody was cheerful. "Do you know Tasha? Sakshi asked Liza as she scanned the menu. Liza tried toremember, with confusion on her face. "She's her sister I think, they were very close as far as I have seen them. And they are so much alike, most of the time they would talk like spitting poison. which was fun though. Both of them are just too sarcastic. Tasha is the research analyst. I don't know if she's promoted to join the field as well. Liza cleared many things but that just brought countless other questions in return. "She never had a sister! Shree said being aloof. His eyes focused on Liza. He was not here. He was somewhere else may be in a distant memory of her. "What? Sakshi asked being shocked. What'sit with her. Why she's prying so much into Riya's life. This is just too much now. How could we miss that she has a sister too? Even Shree was confused. "Talk to her shree, was all Rathod said. "As if she will tell everything!! His reply surprised me. He of all people, I thought could make her agree to do many things. Rathod passed him a glare. Later Shree nodded in understanding. A wave of relief washed over me the moment shree agreed. He's known her all his life. He's more reliable than that man comforting her inside the conference room. When sheleft, she made a hole in our life. That gap is too deep that we couldn't helpbut hesitate to even cross the line she has drawn in between us.

"Why she left ETF? Sakshi asked again. Even though she was silent the whole day, Idid not see her bitterness for Riya fading. "So now you want news on her personal life too Sakshi. Better stay out of her business! I had to be rude again. It's not her fault though. I don't think anyone here is ready to face the remnants of that day. Or the humiliation we have caused her. We could never be over with the guilt trip. I looked at shree and Rathod. They were looking at anywhere but the ladies. Sakshi was silent but I know she'll dig more. "Let's not waste time. We have a terrorist to catch without even knowing what's his purpose or his location. This case is going to be far stretching! Rathod said.Well. I got what I wanted but with an unfair deal. I have to keep a tab on the staff of the clinic. And for that I need chotu. "Liza, can you reexamine the clinic, I want nothing to be missed. Check each corner, each wall, everything again! Liza nodded in agreement. After that we quickly ordered our lunch. Chotubmissed it. "What is it with checking that clinic again Rawte? We've done that already."Yeah! And still missed that, the AB- blood was ordered without even having abrecipient for it in the clinic! How can he forget? He himself saw that record when Riya discovered it. He pestered an uneasy look on his face and nodded inagreement. "I also want the list of all the staff of the clinic, all the visiting doctors, MRs and everyone associated with that clinic. "Will be done Sir, shree replied and we returned back to our lunch. 

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- This part was from his point of view. I just hope I am doing good writing his prespective cause, i have never imagined i would come this far writing about the only mission in life is complete and how he would be after that. nobody really knows that. 

#FingersCrossed.

P.S - please leave me with replies about this one. i am already on my way writing down the next part.

Regards

Ankita

Hue.Splash2019-08-09 20:07:19