6hrs later...
ETF office :
The conference hall was in pin drop silence, even though five friends were sitting altogether with none of their chiefs around.
Normally they would have chit-chat, tease each other taking advantage of the absence of their chiefs but not Today.
Today no one had words to strike a conversation, no one had that playfulness to cheer up the gloomy atmosphere.
Ayesha, Sakshi were worried now for the four men of their team.
None of them had spoken much from the last 6 hours. Rathore and Arjun still hadn't come out of Rathore's cabin, whereas Shree and Chhotu were sitting like living zombies.
Liza, who had came to the office after hearing everything from Ayesha on call was worried too and lend her silent support to her friends.
There in Rathore's cabin Rathore was still staring at that particular name in the notebook, while Arjun seated on a chair across Rathore's table was yet to gather himself from the shock and to come back to the reality.
Being ETF chiefs they did not have the privilege to show their emotions openly in front of the team members and that was the sole reason for Rathore excusing himself to his cabin right after returning from the hospital ;what surprised him was Arjun following him to his cabin, but his mind was too much occupied to hover over it, hence the duo ended up with being silent from hours in his cabin.
"pehli baar aesa hua hai ki mujhe samajh ni aaraha hai kispe believe karun aur kispe na karun."
Rathore spoke closing the notebook.
"aesa kaise ho sakta hai? Uss din hum khud Wahan the aur aaj ye.?"
He added questioning himself, then sighed.
"kya tum uspe believe karna chahte ho Rathore.?"
Arjun asked, staring at particularly nothing.
"ek police officer hone ke naate.. Nahi. Mujhe uspe believe ni ho raha hai. Ye Koi trick ho sakta hai, ya koi jaan bujh ke kar raha ho.
Per ek normal insan, ek mentor hone ke naate.. Haan. Mujhe lagta hai ki ye Koi miracle hai, aur mai chahta hun ki yahi sach ho. "
Rathore replied honestly.
" Tum hi nahi Rathore, ab toh sab chahte hain ki ye sach ho. "
Arjun murmured, clearly remembering shree, chhotu and other's faces earlier.
They all have developed a hope now and he?
He was still hovering over it, as according to him Fate and God never had been in good terms with him.
" Mai aaj raat yahin rukunga case ek aur baar study karne ke liye, aur tum.?"
Rathore turned his head to him, knowing what would be his answer.
"Mai bhi yahin ruk raha hun."
Arjun replied, thus Rathore nodded getting up from his chair.
"baaki sab ko bol deta hun jaane ke liye, waise bhi bahut late hogaya hai."
As Rathore came out of his cabin, Arjun stood near the door leaning his shoulder against the frame.
"Liza, tum Kab aayi.?"
Rathore's voice made all look up, bringing a pause to their respective thoughts.
"Hello sir, mai bas thodi dair pehle aayi. Vo Ayesha keh rahi thi ki kuch medicine se related documents hai, mai bas wohi check Kar rahi thi." Liza answered slowly.
"guys abhi ke liye utna hi kaam Karo, baaki ka Kal Subah kar lena. Bahut late hogaya hai, tum log ghar chale jao."
"aur sir aap.?"
Ayesha looked at him in concern.
"Mai aur Rawte yahin ruk rahe hain. Hum dono case ko ek aur baar study karne wale hain, aur Jo bhi developments hogi vo hum sab subah discuss karenge. OK.?"
Rathore looked at each of them expectantly, but all he got was silence in return.
"Umm.. Sir mai bhi yahin rukta hun. Vo computer se Sara data load horaha hai, toh mai soch raha tha Subah tak kyun wait karna.?"
Shree mumbled.
"Aur sir mai bhi. Vo kya hai na evening me maine 2 cup coffee pee thi, toh neend bhi ni aarahi hai. Ghar jaane se achha yahin kaam kar leta hun."
Chhotu let out his own excuse, hence Rathore now moved his eyes to Ayesha.
"err sir mai bhi abhi tak tired nahi hui hun toh kyun na sare papers check kar lun.?"
"Mera bhi ye medical papers check karna adha hua hai, so mai bhi apna kaam khatam kar leti hun."
Liza piped in.
"ab sab yahin ruk rahe hain toh mai ghar jaake kya karungi. Waise bhi yahan sabse achhi coffee mai hi banati hun, aur mai chali gayi toh tum sab meri coffee miss karoge na.?"
Sakshi chuckled, along with her friends that lightened up the atmosphere a little.
" Per guys.. "
" Sab yahin hain toh Chalo, adha case ko pura karte hain. "
Arjun approached them cutting Rathore's words off in middle en shared a look with him.
The look that clearly conveyed the message 'No one was going to leave tonight.'
Rathore sighed.
" Okay. Hum case ko 98% solve kar chuke hain, baaki Jo 2% hai usse hame jald se jald solve karna padega.
Hospital ke 5 doctors ek medicine racket me samil hain, jinme se hame 4 doctors ke naam pata hai, lekin utna kaafi ni hai. Kyunki 5th doctor ka naam pata na chalne tak hum koi action ni le sakte. Ab tak hamare pass jitne bhi information hai unke hisab se iss 5th doctor ko hi pata hai ki iss racket ka mastermind kaun hai, per unfortunately hamare pass uss tak pahunchne ka koi bhi lead ni hai. "
Rathore finished in a go.
" Nahi Rathore, asli mujrim hamare aankhon ke samne hi kahin hai, bas humne abhi tak uspe dhyan ni diya hai. "
Arjun spoke occupying his seat.
" kya matlab hai tumhara Rawte.? "
Rathore raised his brow.
" Matlab case ko shuru se shuru karte hain. Jitne bhi leads, statements mile hain usse wapas analyze karte hain,toh paheli ke Jo missing parts hain vo khud samne aa jayenge, aur hamara asli mujrim bhi.
Kyunki 80% cases me mujrim hamare samne hota hai, per hum dusre clues dhundne ke process me usse najar andaz kar dete hain. I'm sure iss case me bhi Waisa hi Kuch hua hai. "
By the time Arjun finished, the other 3 men were eyeing him strangely.
" Arey Wah Arjun! Tum toh statistics ki language bolne lag gaye. "
Sakshi said amused, and Arjun suddenly realized what he just said.
His forehead screeched being confused with himself, then turned his head to Shree.
"Shree start Karo."
"yes sir."
Shree nodded confidently, quickly doing something in his lappy then eyed the LED screen of the conference room, where the hospital's image appeared.
"Sanjeevani Hospital - ek purana, jana mana hospital Jahan kuch din pehle 2 mautein hui thi, aur dono ki family ne ye dava kiya ki ye Koi natural death ni hai."
He clicked a button of the keyboard and another image appeared on the screen.
"Sudeep jain - Sanjeevani Hospital ka ek junior doctor, jiska ye manna hai ki hospital me jarur kuch gadbad chal raha hai, jiski wajah se logon ki maut horahi hai.
Sudeep ek middle class family se belong karta hai, issliye darr ke ye baat kisi se ni bol paya, aur chupke se ETF ko report kardiya. "
Chhotu explained, while the 3rd image appeared on the screen.
" Hospital me undercover jaane ke baad, hame pehla suspect mila, Raghu - hospital ka Ward boy aur iss racket ka pehla lead.
Raghu ek saal pehle ek orphanage me helper ka kaam karta tha, Wahan ke owner ke maut ke baad orphanage achanak se band hogaya aur Raghu ne hospital me ward boy ka kaam shuru kardiya.
Uske statement ke hisab se usse patients pe najar rakhne aur kuch patients Jo jinda the unhe murda ghar tak pahunchane ke liye paise milte the. Lekin hamare pakadne se pehle hi usse Kisine slow poison dediya, aur usne hamari custody me dum tod di. "
Ayesha finished with a sigh.
" Raghu se hame hamara dusra suspect mila - Dr Shukla, jispe Arjun sir ko pehle se Shaq tha.
Raghu ke mutabik Dr Shukla hi usse patients pe najar rakhne ke liye kehte the, aur usse iss baat ke liye paise bhi dete the.
Toh ho sakta hai Dr Shukla ne hi Raghu ko vo poison dhoke se diya ho?
Aur Jab hum unhe arrest karne gaye, tab unhone hamare aankhon ke samne apne ghar me suicide karli. "
Chhotu shook his head.
" Stop. "
Arjun showed his palm eyeing Dr shukla's pic intently on the screen,then swirled on his chair to face Sakshi.
" Sakshi maine tumhe kaha tha Dr Shukla ki puri background check karne ke liye. Kya pata Chala.? "
" Unka background bahut simple hai. Pichle 10 saal se Dr shukla ek dusre hospital me job karte the, Sanjeevani hospital unhone kuch 1.5 saal pehle join kiya tha.
Mai unke pehle hospital gayi thi, aur Wahan sab Dr shukla ko achhe se jaante hain aur maante bhi hain.
Unke kuch Purane doston ne Kaha ki Dr shukla bahut mehnati the aur kind hearted bhi.
Unhone Kai baar khud ki salary se logon ki treatment ki hai, issliye Wahan unka bahut naam tha. "
Sakshi replied casually.
" Aur unki family.? "
Rathore asked curiously.
" family me unki biwi aur 2 bache hain, Jo wahin rehte the Jahan Dr Shukla ne suicide ki thi.
Unke Purane doston ne Kaha ki Dr Shukla aur unki wife dono hi orphan the, issliye unka koi relative toh ni tha, bas kabhi kabhi hospital se dost chale jaate the ghar.
Per Sanjeevani Hospital join karne ke baad vo zyada kiske contact me ni the, issliye unhe iss baare me zyada ni pata.
Shocking news ye hai ki neighbours ke hisab se Dr Shukla apni family ke sath bahut khushi se rehte the, per kuch 1saal pehle ek din hospital se lautne ke baad Dr Shukla apni family ko paglon ki tarah yahan Wahan dhund rahe the.
Lekin uske thik 1 din baad vo wapas normal behave karne lage, jabki unki family tab bhi ghar pe nahi thi.
Unhone apne neighbors ko bataya tha ki unki biwi, bachon ke sath unke naye ghar me shift hogaye hain, aur vo log unhe surprise dena chahte the, issliye unhe inform ni kiya tha. "
" Toh kisiko Pata hai unki family kahan shift hui thi.? "
Ayesha narrowed her gaze.
" Nahi. Kyun ki uss din ke baad Dr Shukla kisi se bhi apni family ke baare me zyada baat ni karte the, hamesha taal dete the aur uss ghar me vo 1saal se akele rehte the." Sakshi shrugged.
"Ab family kahan hai, Vo toh sirf Dr Shukla hi hame bata sakte the. Per unhone toh pakde jaane ke darr se hi suicide karli."
Chhotu huffed.
"Pakde jaane ke darr se nahi chhotu, unhone apni family ke liye suicide karli."
Arjun spoke breaking his silence, when all gaped at him in shock.
"kya.?" chhotu asked, puzzled.
"Jara socho.. Ek doctor Jo apni salary se dusron ki treatment karta ho, jisse log itna maante ho vo patients ki maut ka sauda kyun karega? Paison ke liye? Nahi.. Vo toh uske pass already bahut hai, toh phir?
1 saal pehle Raghu ne hospital join kiya aur Dr Shukla ne usse apne kaam pe laga liya, aur thik 1saal pehle Dr Shukla ki family kahin shift hogayi jiska zikr unhone kabhi kisi se nahi ki.
Kyun ki unki family kahin shift ni hui thi, unhe kidnap kiya gaya tha. Ye unn logon ne kiya jinhone ek imandar, mehnati doctor ko corrupt hone pe majbur kardiya.
Yaad hai jab hum Dr Shukla ko arrest karne pahunche, toh vo ghar ke andar gun ki trigger dabane se pehle khidki ki taraf dekh rahe the? Vo hamari taraf nahi, khidki ke pass rakhi hui table ke upar apni family photo ko dekh rahe the, aakhri baar ke liye. "
Arjun finished confidently, spinning the pen in between his fingers.
" Toh kya Dr Shukla ki family ko bhi uss medicine ki testing ke liye le gaye the.? "Sakshi sounded sad.
" Nahi. Agar Dr Shukla apni family ke liye itna bada risk utha rahe the, toh jarur unhe assurance mili hogi ki unki family safe rahegi. Issliye toh vo iss racket me itne achhe se kaam kar rahe the. Per ab jab Dr Shukla ne suicide karliya hai, toh unki family ke sath kuch bhi ho sakta hai. "
Rathore replied.
All fell silent afterwards for a while, and Arjun interrupted it few seconds later.
" jahan ruke the, wahin se chalu Karo. "
" Dr Shukla ke maut ke baad hame unki personal diary mili, Jo unhone chhupa ke rakhi thi. aur usme se hame 3 aur doctors ke naam mile Jo iss racket me samil hai, jabki unhone diary me ye mention kiya hai ki hospital se unhe milake total 5 doctors ye racket Chala rahe the aur unka ek head bhi hai. "
Ayesha spoke continuing the discussion.
" Dr Shukla ko 5 ba doctor ya unke head ke baare me kuch ni pata, issliye diary me unke naam ni hai.
Aur humne unn 3 doctors pe barabar najar rakha, per vo log bahut safai se apna kaam karte hain, bina koi sabut chhode."
Chhotu pointed out.
"unn 3 doctors se ek hai Dr sahani, Jo Kal phone pe Kisise ward no-11 me milne ki baat Kar rahe the. Sayad ye vo 5ba doctor tha. Lekin jab hum Wahan pahunche, Wahan koi nahi tha."
Sakshi shook her head.
"Aur aaj Dr Sahani chhuti pe the issliye humne Chup ke se unka cabin search kiya .Wahan se hame ek secret cabin ka raasta mila jiska ek exit hospital ka murda ghar hai."
"Haan aur Dr Sahani ko abhi tak pata ni hai ki hame unki racket se Judi sari illegal papers, documents mil gaye hain."
Shree added quickly.
"aur sir aapko jo medicine ke documents mile hai, Vo pura toh nahi hai per Jo chemicals ki list hai, usse lagta ni hai ki ye akele ek doctor ka kaam hai?
I mean ye chemicals bahut harmful hote hain, aur inhe puri tarike se study karke bahut Cautions ke sath scientists use karte hain. "
Liza pointed out.
" toh ho sakta hai inka mastermind ek scientist ho.? "Ayesha raised her brow.
" vo toh tab Pata chalega jab hame uss 5be doctor ka naam pata chalega. "
Chhotu said.
" Aur Kal Dr Sahani ke hospital aane se pehle hame usse arrest karna padega, nahi toh usse sab pata chal jaayega police ke baare me, aur vo bakiyon ko bhi alert kardega. "
Ayesha inhaled a sharp breathe.
" DAMN IT.! hum Jahan the abhi tak wahin hai, aur time bhi nahi hai hamare pass. "
Rathore banged his fist on the table.
"Shree tumhare pass sare doctors ki schedule hai na.?"
Arjun asked calmly, still not moving his eyes from the screen.
"Haan sir. Ek min.."
Shree took a paper out from a file and forwarded it to Arjun.
Arjun briefly examined the paper, then stood up.
"mujhrim hamare samne tha Rathore, wohi ward no-11 me, aur hamse chut gaya."
"kya.?"
Rathore's forehead screeched.
"lekin sir, hum jab Wahan pahunche Wahan toh Koi ni tha."
Chhotu objected.
"tha chhotu. Thik se yaad karo jab hum ward no-11 me pahunche tab Wahan kaun kaun tha.?"
Arjun questioned turning his head to him.
"Hum Jab Wahan gaye tab Wahan ek nurse, ek patient aur Sudeep tha aur toh Koi ni tha."
Chhotu murmured thoughtfully.
"Exactly! Dr Sudeep. Schedule ke hisab se Kal Sudeep ki duty first floor pe tha, toh vo uss waqt second floor pe kya kar raha tha jab hum Wahan pahunche.?"
Arjun folded his arms across his chest.
"iska matlab Sudeep hi vo 5ba doctor hai.?"
Sakshi's eyes widened.
"lekin aese kaise ho sakta hai? Sudeep toh case ki starting se hamari help kar raha hai."
Ayesha looked puzzled.
"aur agar vo racket ka part bhi hai, toh vo samne se ETF ke pass kyun aayega.?
Usse toh pata hoga ki aaj ni toh kal vo sab pakde jaayenge."
Liza added curiously.
"Haan Rawte, ye possibility ke chances Kam hai."
Rathore stated.
"Maine Kab kaha ki Sudeep hi vo 5ba doctor hai?
Lekin Sudeep achhe se jaanta hai ki vo mujrim kaun hai.
Usse sayad recently iss bare me pata Chala hai, aur Kal jab hum ward no-11 me jaane ki baat Kar rahe the, usne sun liya.
Issliye hamare pahunchne se pehle Vo Wahan gaya, aur asli mujrim ko kahin aur bhej ke Wahan khud khada hogaya. Kyunki usse achhe se pata hai, hum uspe Shaq ni karenge. "
Arjun explained.
" lekin vo Kisko bahane ki itni koshish kar raha hai.? Aur kyun.? "
Sakshi looked up to him.
" usse jiski duty Kal uss ward me thi. Naam khud dekh lo. "
Arjun put the schedule paper on the center of the table, en all piped their heads in outta curiosity.
" Dr Abhishek Kumar.? "
Chhotu stared at the name in shock.
" ye toh Sudeep ka best friend aur hospital me junior doctor hai. "
Shree exclaimed.
" Dosti... Bahut kuch karwati hai logon se."
Arjun murmured,hence Shree's mind suddenly travelled to somewhere else.
" ab jab hame hamara mujrim mil gaya hai, toh Subah ye khel khatam karte hain. Be ready team. "
Rathore announced in a loud voice.
All nodded, while Shree lowered his head.
" Sir.?"
"haan Shree.?" Rathore turned his head to him, waiting for him to speak up.
"Sir kya.. Kya unn logon ke pass jitne bhi patients hai, sab sahi salamat honge.?
I know sir mai iss waqt ek selfish insan ki tarah baat Kar raha hun, per Jabse vo naam, Vo photo dekha hai na sir tabse dimag me bas wohi khayal aaraha hai."
Shree gulped, en other's faces paled knowing whom he was talking about.
" pichle kuch dino se uski bahut yaad aarahi thi, aur aaj ye sab dekhke aesa lag raha ki jaise Subah ke sath sab gayab hojayega.
Mujhe yaad hai vo uss din hospital me keh rahi thi ki vo jeena chahti hai per..."
Shree couldn't complete his words wiping his wet cheeks, when Chhotu wounded his arm around him silently consoling him.
"Shree aaj Jo bhi hua vo tumne nahi hum sabne dekha, toh ye Koi sapna toh ni hai . Ek baar socho tumhare sath ab tak tumhare friends hai, family hai per Riya? Uske sath pichle 6 mahino se koi ni hai, per phir bhi vo akele ladh rahi hai. Agar vo abhi tak haar ni maani toh tum kyun maan rahe ho.? Ayesha spoke slowly.
"Haan naam me galti ho sakti hai, per photo me? Aap sab ne toh photo dekhi hai na.? Ye Koi beham toh ni hai." Liza shook her head.
"aur pata hai kya? Mujhe Subah se feeling aarahi hai ki hum bahut jaldi Riya ko wapas dekhenge. Iss baar photo me nahi, live dekhenge."
Sakshi grinned.
"ab toh mujhe bhi aesi feeling aarahi hai ki hum Riya se wapas milenge. Tum dekhna Shree."
Chhotu smiled a little.
"Shree, mujhe ni pata Kal kya hoga per Jo bhi hoga hum sab as a team face karenge. Okay.?"
Rathore looked at him expectantly and Shree nodded slightly composing himself.
Rathore looked up to the man who was still standing silently observing them, with an unreadable expression on his face.
Sameer Rathore knew that look on Arjun Suryakant Rawte's face, that appears whenever he's trying to say so many things but holding himself back or he's confused with himself.
Surprisingly he was watching this expression on the tough cop Rawte's face after so many years of his wife's death.
Rathore knew after Roshni's death, this man - in front of him was a living robot with no emotion, no affection and no confusion.
But today for a change he could see Arjun was trying to say something, but backing out instantly.
That means it was no where related to work he wanted to say, it was something else for particular someone that he didn't want to admit of caring.
Arjun released a sharp breathe stealing a last glance at the team, and walked away to keep himself reserved in his own world, afraid of any slightest emotional attachment anymore.
------
Liked Arjun's statistics? What do you think of everyone's reaction after seeing Riya? Sabka ni toh Arjun ka hi soch lo ;-)
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