Chapter- Who is the killer ?

2 months ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

Chapter- Who is the killer ?

As Zoya and Officer Shreya entered the Ranawat Villa, they were struck by the opulent interiors. The magnificent floors gleamed in the soft light, and the vibrant-colored walls seemed to pulse with energy. However, their awe was short-lived, as they realized the villa was eerily empty.

They methodically searched every nook and cranny, but found only silence and the gentle hum of the air conditioning. The stillness was unsettling.

Their footsteps echoed through the halls as they approached a room that appeared to be a security hub. Shreya examined the area, but the computers were shut down, and there were no signs of recent activity.

Undeterred, they continued their search, hoping to find Nishant Ranawat. That's when they stumbled upon a gate that was slightly ajar. Curiosity piqued, they pushed it open and discovered a staircase leading downstairs.

The air grew thick with anticipation as they descended into the unknown.

Both of them held their gun in one hand and mobile flash in another hand , looking back and forth, everything in the surrounding was bathing under darkness.

Zoya stumbled against something heavy on the ground before she fell on the floor , she maintained her balance and stood , but her mobile fell on the ground breaking the stillness of the silence.

Suddenly Shreya's mobile flash light falls on the plug point of the room. She switched on the light by pressing the switch over her handkerchief so in the process didn't damage any evidence.

Before a blink the entire room bathed under the white lights . A chill of waves ran down over Zoya's body .

Shreya and Zoya exchanged a weighted glance .

Zoya and Shreya moved cautiously, their guns at the ready and mobile flashlights casting flickering shadows on the walls. The darkness seemed to swallow everything, and a putrid stench wafted through the air, making their stomachs churn.

As Zoya took a step forward, her foot collided with something heavy on the ground. She stumbled, but managed to regain her balance, her mobile slipping from her grasp. The sudden crash echoed through the silence.

Shreya's flashlight beam danced across the room, landing on the electrical outlet. She carefully pressed the switch, covering it with her handkerchief to avoid leaving fingerprints. The lights flickered to life, bathing the room in a harsh, unforgiving glow.

The sudden illumination sent a chill down Zoya's spine. She exchanged a weighted glance with Shreya, their eyes locking in a moment of shared unease.

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Zunaid stood still outside the hospital cabin, his eyes fixed intently on the entrance. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket, shrill in the quiet atmosphere. He pulled it out, answering the call.

Static crackled through the line, and Zunaid stepped toward the door, seeking a better location due to bad network. Zoya's urgent voice coming through, "Sir, Nishant is missing. We've found a man tied up, barely clinging to life. We're getting him to the hospital ASAP."

Zunaid's grip on the phone tightened as Zoya continued, "We discovered the same poison found in Gautam Desai's body. Additionally, the same drug is found in Daksh postmortem . There's a hidden pathway leading out, and it seems Nishant escaped through a locked gate."

A deep furrow etched Zunaid's forehead as he processed the information. "What???? Who is the man? So Nishant is the killer?" he muttered, his mind racing with questions and theories.

Zoya's voice came through the phone, laced with urgency. "We don't know whose body it belongs to, sir. But it's highly possible Nishant Ranawat is our serial killer." She nodded, her voice firm. "I'll call the forensic team to get here ASAP."

"Do it immediately," Zunaid instructed. "And Zoya, send me a photo of the victim."

As he hung up, Zunaid's mind swirled with questions. He stepped outside to the smoking zone, taking a long drag on his cigarette. "So, Nishant's behind this," he thought. "What's his motive? To hide the truth?"

Just then, his phone beeped with a notification. Zunaid's eyes widened as he saw the photo of the victim – the watchman from Nishant Ranawat's villa.

A new wave of questions flooded his mind. "Why did Nishant want to kill him? Did he know something?"

Zunaid quickly dialed Zoya's number. "Zoya, did anyone see him escaping?"

"No, sir," Zoya replied. "If he exits through the front door, we'll catch him, even if he's disguised. But there's another access point to the outside – the basement door."

"Okay, Zoya. I'm on my way," Zunaid said, his voice firm.

As he hurried out of the zone, he accidentally bumped into a nurse, her face partially hidden behind a mask. "I'm sorry," Zunaid apologized, maintaining his courtesy.

The nurse nodded curtly and continued on her way. Zunaid didn't give it a second thought, his mind focused on the case.

He rushed down the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. Just as he reached the ground floor, his phone buzzed. He answered, and Ravindra's voice came through.

"Sir, we've caught someone on CCTV entering Mr. Reyansh's cabin," Ravindra said, his tone urgent.

A shiver coursed through Zunaid's body as memories flooded back. He recalled the nurse's attire – a traditional white saree with an incongruous pair of men's boots. Her hair was styled in a bun, but that could be a wig. What struck him most was her height, around 5'8" to 5'9", towering over the average Indian woman.

And then there was her gait – unmistakably masculine. Zunaid's mind racing, he sprinted toward the sixth floor, where Reyansh lay under observation.

As he burst into the room, his heart sank. Reyansh's heart monitor had flatlined. "Help!" Zunaid shouted, his voice echoing through the hallway.

He quickly called the hospital's security department, demanding to know the nurse's identity and requesting her photo. "I need to know who that nurse was," Zunaid insisted, his urgency palpable.

Ravindra showed him the direction, Zunaid's eyes suddenly fell over the lift closing before his eyes, when he reached the 4th floor. On the third floor he couldn't find the nurse inside the elevator..the entire floor was bathing countless patients like insects.

He scanned here and there for a glimpse of the same nurses. It was then that he spotted the man who was walking ahead amongst the crowd.

Zunaid's eyes locked onto the closing elevator doors, his heart racing with anticipation. He reached the fourth floor, then the third, but the nurse was nowhere to be seen amidst the swarm of patients.

Suddenly, he spotted the nurse, dressed in a flowing white uniform, weaving through the crowd. Their eyes met, and the nurse's pupils dilated. With a burst of speed, the nurse darted forward.

The chase led them to a bustling street, with cars and pedestrians zooming by. Zunaid's gaze remained fixed on the nurse, who unexpectedly veered into a narrow alley between two buildings.

As Zunaid followed, the nurse hurled a bucket of vegetables onto the ground, momentarily blocking Zunaid's path. Vendors shouted in protest, but neither Zunaid nor the nurse looked back.

Zunaid pulled out his gun, but the crowded market made it impossible to take a clear shot. The nurse sprinted across the street, dodging pedestrians with ease, as if the chaos was an ally.

Tyres screeched. Horns blared. Cars and bikes came to a sudden halt.

Drivers shouted at the sari-clad woman crossing the road without paying heed or attention to either the oncoming vehicles or her own life.

Zunaid gritted his teeth, he increased his speed . He watched the man taking the slum area routes.

They sprinted through the narrow alley, dodging makeshift homes and debris. The disguised person knocked over water pots, spilling their contents onto the ground, making the surface treacherously slippery.

Zunaid struggled to maintain his footing, but his determination kept him going. He pulled out his gun, taking aim at the fleeing figure.

Just as he was about to fire, the person suddenly spun around and returned fire. Zunaid felt a searing pain in his stomach as the bullet ripped through his flesh. He stumbled, clutching his abdomen, but refused to give in.

With a surge of adrenaline, Zunaid managed to steady himself and take aim. The bullet struck the nurse in the left hand, causing to cry out in pain as their gun clattered to the ground. But the sound of wince was remained for brief moment. Making Zunaid curious. He thought he had heard the voice earlier but where.

In a desperate bid to escape, the person dashed against a nearby wall, but their hand scraped against a jagged aluminum sheet, gashing it open. Blood gushed from the wound, mingling with the grime of the alleyway.

The world spun around Zunaid, his vision blurring. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but his eyelids felt heavy. The pain was excruciating, and he knew he was losing blood fast.

Despite applying pressure to the wound, the bleeding wouldn't stop. Zunaid's mind reeled with frustration – the killer had escaped, and he had lost the game.

Just as he was about to give in, his phone vibrated in his pocket. With a Herculean effort, Zunaid slid his hand into his pocket, his blood-slickened fingers struggling to grasp the device.

As he fumbled for the phone, his head spun wildly, and his eyes drooped. Before he could call out for help, the phone slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground with a soft thud.

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Ravindra's voice cut through the air, a mixture of panic and urgency. "Sir... Sir..." He had followed Zunaid, his heart racing with every step.

When the gunshot rang out, Ravindra's anxiety spiked. He rushed to Zunaid's side, relief washing over him when he felt a faint pulse.

"Sir, Sir, please hold on," Ravindra pleaded, his voice shaking. Zunaid's eyes flickered open, his voice barely audible.

"R... Ravindra," Zunaid whispered, his words fragmented. "Don't let him go... don't..." His hand trembled as he pointed ahead, but Ravindra saw nothing.

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Zunaid's face contorted in discomfort as fragmented memories flashed before his eyes. His head spun, a lingering effect of the sedatives. He opened her mouth to speak, but no words tumbled out.

His head swirled; dizzy due to the after-effects of sedatives .

When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself in a hospital bed, Ravindra sitting beside him with a look of relief.

"Sir, you're finally awake!" Ravindra exclaimed. Zunaid's gaze locked onto his assistant, his mind foggy.

"What happened to me?" Zunaid asked, his voice groggy. As realization dawned, he asked, "Ravindra, how long have I been here?"

"Fourteen hours, sir," Ravindra replied. "Everyone was worried, including Dr. Naina Joshi. She came to see you, but... thank God you're okay. You got a second chance."

Zunaid's expression turned grave. "Ravindra, the killer?" he asked, his voice firm.

"Are you talking about Nishant Ranawat?" Ravindra asked. "We've checked, and no flight tickets have been booked in his name. If he's still in Mumbai, our team will catch him."

Ravindra's determination was evident. "I've sent his photos to every police station and informed our sources to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity."

Zunaid's expression turned thoughtful. "Nishant isn't the killer, Ravindra."

Ravindra's eyes widened in surprise. "But Officer Zoya and Officer Shreya found his watchman lying unconscious in his basement room , containing the same poison, and drugs ."

Zunaid's theory differed. "I believe Nishant did want to kill his watchman, but there's no evidence he committed the other murders."

Ravindra's curiosity piqued. "Then who was the suspicious disguised nurse?" His eyes narrowed, eager for answers.

"I'm certain Nishant wasn't the man in disguise," Zunaid said, his conviction clear. "The height doesn't match – Nishant's around six feet, while the nurse was between 5.8 to 5.9 feet."

Ravindra's curiosity was piqued. "Sir, how did you determine it was a man?"

Zunaid's eyes narrowed. "The CCTV footage reveals a lot – male boots and a gait that's distinctly masculine. The setup at Nishant's villa was designed to mislead us. The killer is clever, always one step ahead."

Ravindra's gaze intensified, his mind racing. "Sir, Mr. Prithvi Malhotra's height is also around six feet. Could he be the killer?"

Zunaid's expression turned thoughtful. "Dr. Naina Joshi suspects him too?" He said on his mind

Suddenly he reached for his mobile without . Zunaid's right hand stretched to graph the phone . As soon as a searing pain radiated through his stomach, making him wince . Nevertheless he didn't stop .

"Prithvi," Zunaid said softly, trying to keep his tone light. "How are you? I heard you visited me at the hospital."

"I'm doing well, Zunaid. Sorry to see you're in danger because of me," Prithvi replied, his voice tinged with concern.

Zunaid's tone remained polite, but with an undercurrent of seriousness. "I'm fine, thanks for asking. By the way, do you know anyone who truly loved Janvi Sharma?"

Prithvi's response was immediate. "No, Sanyo never mentioned anything like that to me. If there was someone, she would've told me." A hint of bitterness crept into his voice, as if implying that their current situation might have been avoided if Janvi had confided in him.

Zunaid disconnected the call, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Ravindra, we missed the killer. He was within my grasp, but I lost the game."

Ravindra's expression turned determined. "No, sir, you didn't. You're still trying." His eyes lit up with a sudden realization. "Sir, I remember now – before losing consciousness, you gestured with your hand. I didn't catch it initially, but I found something later."

Ravindra's voice grew more urgent. "There was blood in the nearby area, and a piece of torn cloth caught on the sharp metal of the van's engine. Dr. Joshi collected the samples."

Zunaid's eyes burned with possibilities as Ravindra called the forensic doctor for the results. When Dr. Naina Joshi answered, Zunaid took the phone.

"Thank God you're safe, Yusuf," Naina said, her voice laced with concern. "Unless..."

"Unless what, Dr. Joshi? " Zunaid asked, a playful smile dancing across his lips.

Naina rolled her eyes and changed the question. "How are you feeling now?"

"Just like I've been shot by a gun," Zunaid chuckled.

Naina's tone turned sharp. "Yusuf, stop kidding."

"Okay, alright, I know my Dr. Joshi doesn't call just to ask about my well-being," Zunaid said, his tone flirtatious.

Naina's heart skipped a beat at the familiar address, but she maintained her professional composure. "Yusuf, the preliminary reports are in. We have collected hair samples from his bedroom that don't match the one from Gautam's house in Lonavala."

"However, the blood sample collected from the area where you were shot matches," she continued, her voice steady.

A calculating smile spread across Zunaid's face as the pieces fell into place. After disconnecting the call, he turned to Ravindra.

"Bring me my laptop, and keep tracking Mr. Prithvi Malhotra and Satish," Zunaid instructed, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"But why Satish, sir?" Ravindra asked, his curiosity piqued. "Do you think he's involved?"

Zunaid's expression was thoughtful. "I don't know, Ravindra. We have multiple suspects, and Sanyogita is still our prime suspect."

Ravindra pressed on, "But the forensic report indicates the killer's male."

Zunaid's gaze intensified. "I'm telling you, someone's helping Mrs. Malhotra. And I need to find out who." His determination was palpable.

"We can't take risks," Zunaid emphasized. "We need to catch the killer tonight. Another death will happen if we fail."

"Sir, do you think Nishant Ranawat is still alive?" Ravindra asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Or has the killer already reached him?"

Zunaid's tone turned grave. "I'm certain Nishant's been kidnapped. The abrin powder and drugs in his basement room were deliberate clues, not mistakes."

Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "But I don't understand why the killer's need to do that . Why not kill him like the others on the first place ? Knowing well the killer has a very little amount of time in hand "

He pondered the victims' weaknesses. "Gautam had asthma, Daksh had necrophobia... What about Nishant? What was his Achilles' heel?"

Zunaid's gaze intensified. "The killer must have known or discovered Nishant's weakness. This isn't random; there's a pattern."

Ravindra's eyes narrowed , his gaze remained fixed on his senior officer as Zunaid scrutinized the CCTV footage, his eyes scanning every face for any sign of suspicious activity. After 2 hours of scrolling , his eyes were brimming with questions.

Ravindra's eyes locked onto the screen as he zoomed in on the figure. His gaze remained fixed, unblinking.

"It's the same reporter from that crime TV news channel," Ravindra said, his voice steady.

Zunaid's eyes narrowed. "Just look behind him. Who do you see?"

As Ravindra's gaze shifted, his expression turned pale. Zunaid's eyes gleamed with intensity.

Meanwhile, Zunaid had obtained crucial information from the club manager where Nishant Ranawat had thrown his birthday party. There were two exit rooms – one for regular use and another for emergencies that led directly outside, usually kept locked.

However, a worker had reported finding the emergency door unlocked that morning. Zunaid suspected bribery might be involved.

One question lingered: had Sanyogita deliberately disappeared, or had someone kidnapped her? And what about Janvi's secret lover? Did he truly exist?

Zunaid called the manager again, seeking clarification on the conflict. The manager confirmed, "Yes, sir. That night, two foreign girls complained about groups of boys misbehaving with them. A man intervened, saving the girls, and later left them at their spot."

Zunaid's eyes narrowed as he reviewed the CCTV footage of the road leading to the hotel, tracing Sanyogita's last known location.

As Zunaid stood up from his bed, Ravindra intervened, concern etched on his face. "Sir, where are you going? Don't do this."

But Zunaid was resolute, ignoring Ravindra's warning. Just then, ASP Zoya and Officer Shreya arrived, only to be astonished by Zunaid's decision to leave the hospital.

Zunaid slid into the police car, Ravindra joining him in the front seat. Officer Zoya and Officer Shreya sat in the backseat, their eyes fixed on Zunaid.

As the car halted, everyone's gaze followed Zunaid's, and they were met with a shocking sight – the location was eerily familiar, the same area where Reyansh resided.

Zunaid stepped out of the car, gun drawn, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Ravindra, Zoya, and Shreya followed closely.

They stopped in front of an apartment adjacent to Reyansh's apartment. The door was closed, but Zunaid commanded Ravindra to break it. Ravindra’s kick sent it flying open.

Inside, they were met with a chilling scene. A wall displayed photos of Nishant, Reyansh, Gautam, and Daksh, each marked with a menacing cross.

Beneath the board, a table held an array of surveillance equipment, used for tracking the location of investigation targets.

Police searched the entire room but couldn't find anyone.

“ Sir, whose room is it?? " Ravindra asked out of confusion

“ Christopher D’Souza, Bhabhi’s bodyguard"

Ravindra's eyes grew wider, Zoya and Shreya both stared at the Senior officer with a gap.

“ We have very little time, I believe Christopher has been left to finish his final killer . Mr.Nishant Ranawat “

They collected every suspicious thing with them from the room.

A diary lay over the table , its contents waiting to reveal crucial clues.

On the way , Officer Shreya opened the diary and started reading…..

“ I know officer Zunaid and your teammate are doing in their power to find Sanyogita . My part in this is over. I came into Sanyogita’s life for one purpose: to exact revenge against all the enemies who had stripped away my Janvi .

I still vividly remember the first time I laid eyes on her. It was during my high school years, in class eleven. We crossed paths so rarely, but I found myself drawn to her, going out of my way to pass by her house just to catch a glimpse of her radiant smile. Though we attended the same school—me a couple of years her senior—she remained blissfully unaware of my existence. Despite the three years that followed, I could never summon the courage to confess my feelings. I penned countless letters, each filled with the words I longed to share, yet none of them ever reached her.

During our college days, I resorted to small gestures in an attempt to express my affection. Every day, I would discreetly leave her a single flower, knowing how much she cherished them. I spent hours in the library, pretending to study while secretly watching her as she immersed herself in her books, captivated by the way her brow furrowed in concentration.

The day I finally gathered the courage to approach her was etched in my memory—it was Janvi's birthday. With trembling hands, I gifted her a beautiful bracelet, a token of my admiration. However, in my nervousness, I chose not to include my name, a decision I would soon regret. Just moments later, Nishant stepped in and boldly proposed to her, casually mentioning my gift as if it was his own.

I stood there, shattered, my heart breaking into a million pieces as I watched her smile at him. Shortly after, at the start of my second year, my life took a new turn when I was selected to join the army, forcing me to leave my hometown—and Janvi—behind.”

“ Sir , then Sanyogita Malhotra kidnapping also done by her bodyguard" Zoya asked

" Possible!”

"Maybe Sanyogita's involved in the crime?" Shreya suggested, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Zunaid's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. "It's possible."

His phone pierced the silence, shrill with an incoming call. "Hello?"

"Sir, Mrs. Sanyogita Malhotra's mobile has been activated. We've recorded a conversation with Mr. Prithviraj Malhotra. We're sending you the location," an officer informed.

Zunaid’s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. He turned to Ravindra. “Turn the car. We need to reach the old temple—our team finally tracked down Mrs. Malhotra’s location. She spoke to Prithvi. We don’t have much time.”

“Understood, Sir,” Ravindra responded, gripping the wheel.

The air in the car turned heavy with tension. Not a word was spoken. The only sound was the screeching of tyres slicing through the damp, deserted road.

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Back at the Malhotra mansion, Ariyan had just returned from the office. The dim, eerie lighting cast long shadows across the marble floor. His eyes caught a glint of something metallic. Curious, he stepped closer.

Before he could investigate, he saw his elder brother descending the staircase in a rush.

“Where’s big bro going at this hour… with his gun?” Ariyan wondered, his curiosity piqued.

Prithvi didn’t speak to anyone. He stepped outside, climbed into his car alone, and started the engine. The low rumble echoed through the driveway. His face was unreadable, but his heart raced with a strange fear. Restlessness gripped him as he drove into the night, toward a destination wrapped in secrets.