Story Contest 9 Rating: 'No Murder Story' (Rating Closed)

As the Cid team knew that a group of Robbers would attempt to steal at City Bank so Acp ordered Abhijeet and Daya to go in their casual dress to the City Bank😉

Gang of Robber's

An Aud:

At 10 PM, a pin drop Silence inside the Main hall giving the shade of Empty Space but suddenly the Big Round of Applause filled the Emptiness when a Spot Light moved with an appearance of a character at stage who loudly started as;

Character: O you too Brutus, I am the man of.

The Dialogue completely squeezed when the Character started to dance, which not only shocked the Dramatic Society all members but the Audience as well when hearing in such swash tone with;

Character: chane kay khait mein, phansi Gori

The hall which was in Shock few moments now tuned into a Noisy Ring with Laughs, Whistles, Screams, Remarks, Comments and all; Management trying to put off the Lights of Stage and Pull the Curtain down but in this Situation, the Main Fuse Off and the Hall turned into a Dark Zone; People moving here and there, trying to Running to Exit point and in Sudden minute, Light comes and now a New Situation irritating the Organizers as the Ladies in Audience telling about their Missing Ornaments of Diamonds.

Obviously the Police coming of Specific Area after Management Call, Closed All Doors, Search the Place and People too but except having Slangs, Anger from Bearers of that Robbery, they leave them with Empty hands except Patting their Heads and Tolerating All as it's the Sixth attempt in Three months.

CID Bureau Forensic Lab:

Here Next Morning, at Forensic lab, Both Friends pinching each one having Tea and Newspaper as the Bureau and Lab both had Empty due to some Renovating work; SALUNKY after reading the News about that BLACK MASKERS as Media gives that Specific name to this Specific group of Robbers, gives His views as,

"phir sy BLACK MASKERS ka Naya hangama";

SALUNKY: ACP, dekhna Buht jald ye case Hum tak aa jaye ga.

ACP (Sipping Tea with): Mera nahi khayal SALUNKY, Civiil Police sanbhal ly gi, bus thoray Phurtilay (fast) hain aur tou koi Khas baat nahi.

SALUNKY: khair, dekhty hain, wesy bhi 3 maheenun mein ye Chati (sixth) waardaat hy, abhi tak tou Police sanbhal nahi saki, aur is baar kafi Bary Bary log is Chori ki Lapait mein aayee hain.

ACP: haan, pr phir bhi SALUNKY, ab Humari Police aisi bhi nahi hy.

SALUNKY smiles, while ACP got a Call and after entertaining it in little Tension, again called to ABHIJHIT and asked Him about the Bureau Renovating Work Progress who updated that after few minutes, the Workers Left the Place as they are giving Final Touches now.

At Roadside:

A man standing in a rushy area having Branch of City Bank, Superstore, Floral shop around as He was at Roadside placing His back with a Car and talking on Phone, Suddenly some people dashed Him, He manages himself as watching behind that Running Man who Dashed Him a Big Mob with Some Police party showing that they trying to Catch a Local Thief.

He jerks His head and back to His conversation in Smile where as He was there more than 15 minutes with Relax mood looking waiting for someone and when Saw Someone, rushed towards Him, gives a Big Hug of warm welcome by Both sides, before the Man showed His Excitement.

Both hit by a Strom of few young champs wearing Black outfits, the Man already experience the dashing earlier now comes in anger as the Arrival also hit badly and in anger, He clutched One guy Neck and the Huge Mob again trying to grabs but the Man clutched His Neck Strongly, in that Rush, He tried to grab that Man but the Masked Guy hit a Bag over His tummy and the whole Mob creating really Trouble so everything rushed away.

He wants to move behind them with Injury but the Man who came to Pick Him move towards Him either hearing People Screaming.

People: Chor, pakro.

Both looking each one in Tension but the Blood coming from that Injury, the Mob behind those Masks gangs with Some Police Party, left everything behind and they moved to Hospital.

At Hospital:

ABHIJHIT and SACCHIN entered inside the room and after seeing the Scene, Smile crept over ABHIJHIT lips and He started;

ABHIJHIT: kya VIVIK, aaty sath hee Hangama karwa diya na.

VIVIK started laughing whereas FREDY really looking His Laugh with Smile, His Happiness felt by all as His Buddy was with Him.

VIVIK: wo Sir, bus kya kahun;

SACCHIN: kuch mut kaho, Kaam pr aany ka socho, Sketch banwana pary ga.

VIVIK: Jee Sir, ye log Mujhy Raat tak Discharge kr dein gy.

FREDY: koi nahi, kal subah sy pehly Tu yahan sy hily ga bhi Nahi VIVIK (to ABHIJHIT) Sir, VIVIK ka Blood buht beh gaya hy.

ABHIJIT: haan haan, koi Baat nahi, Sketcher yahan aa jayey ga, wesay Phir say batao hua kya tha, kafi lamba Hath maara hy Un logun nay is baar.

VIVIK: Sir, pehly jub Main FREDY Sir ka Intaizar kr raha tha tou ek aadmi Mujh say takraya, Us kay peechy kuch log aur police Constable thy, Sir wo wohi tha, Book wala Lutera; Police ko peechy dekh kr Main nay itna Dihan Nahi diya aur phir FREDY Sir Mujhy wahan lenay aa gayey aur phir say ek Group Black Kaprun aur mask mein Mujh sy takraya aur FREDY Sir ko Dhakka bhi maara.

ABHIJHIT: aur Tum nay Un ki Pitai shroo kr di.

VIVIK (shy): Sir, Us ki Garden Meray Hath aa gayi, magar Us nay Mujhy apna Bag Maar diya tou Internal Injury ho gayii aur main gir gaya; peechy logun ka Mob, Ceekhein, Police, bus FREDY Sir Mujhy yahan ly ayey, Us kay peechy jany nahi diya.

ABHIJHIT: acha kiya, khair, Usii Group ka Kaam hay; pr is baar Bank loota hy, halankay pehlay sirf Zevraat lootty thy, khair dekho; chalo aaram karo.

Both wished VIVIK Get Well and when about to Exit, ABHIJHIT turned to Call FREDY about something but Stopped after feeling the Care of FREDY towards VIVIK who gives Him Support to lay down Him; He smiles and Exit from the Room.

CID Bureau:

Here at Bureau, ABHIJHIT entered with SACCHIN and heard DAAYA who was talking on Phone to Someone and after cutting, look at ABHIJHIT and tell;

DAAYA: ACP Sir ka Phone aaya tha, DCP Sir nay ye Lutery ya kaho Robbery ka case Humein day diya hay (ABHIHJIT mumbling some Harsh words) (DAYA smiles and added) Main Un saary logun say mila jo ek Raat pehlay Us Stage Play kay dauran Auditorium mein Lut gaye thy, (ABHIJHIT nodded in yes) (DAAYA adds)siwayey ANANDI SHARMA kay sub nay kaha kay jo kuch bhi Loota gaya tha, wo Un ko Dusray Din By Courier wapis mil gaya.

ABHIJHIT: tou ANANDI ko Zever Nahi mila.

DAAYA: mila, magar Artifiacial.

ABHIJHIT (complete shock): ain.

DAAYA: haan, Us ka kehna hy kay wo Original pehan kr gayii thi.

ABHIJHIT: kya Usy yaqeen hy kay Us nay Original pehna tha, ho sakta hay Ghar mein kisi nay hath ki Safai dikha di ho.?

DAAYA: Us ka kehna hay kay do din pehlay hee Us nay Wo Bank kay Locker sy niklwa kr Apnay Family Johri say Pehanny say pehlay Parkhwaya bhi tha.

ABHIJHIT: aur kisi nay koi aisi Complain ki.?

DAAYA nodded in NO, here ACP Sir coming with RAJAT, a broad Smiles comes over DUO lips to See Him, He met with All and DAAYA asked.

DAAYA: arry RAJAT, wapis aa gayey kya.?

RAJAT: Sir, Shifting mein kuch saman reh gaya tha tou wohi leny aaya tha , socha aap logun sy bhi milta chalun.

ABHIJHIT: Good, (to ACP) Sir ANANDI SHARMA ko tou ye Lutera Choona laga gaya.

ACP Question so DAAYA Updated Him about His Piece of Information, whereas ACP giving them a Novel and said.

ACP: aajeeb baat nahi hay ye, pichlay 3 maheenun say Ek aadmi Kaaly kaprun aur Mask mein her Book Stall ya Book Store say is Novel ki First Copy ko Chura kr ya kaho utha kr Bhagta hay, phir achanak he jub log aur aas pass kay Police waly jo wahan Duty pr hun, wo Us kay peechy Us ko Pakarny ko daurtay hain tou Us Area kay kisi bhi Hall, Ghar, Auditorium, Exhibition etc mein achanak kuch na kuch aisa ho jata hay jo kabhi hua Nahi.

ABHIJHIT: jesay kabhi wahan Kabootarun ka poora jhund aa jata hay, kabhi achanak Light chali jati hay, Keeray aa jatay hain, Menduc, Rats aur Logun mein Bhagdar mach jati hy aur.

DAAYA: isi beech kuch aur log usi tarah kay Kaaly kaprun mein Ghusty hain aur logun kay Zevrat Ura lay jatay hain, aur Us say zyada mazy ki baat hay kay Do din kay ander Un tamam Lutay huay logun ko Apni Cheezein Courier kay through wapis Mil jati hay.

RAJAT (who listening all said): Sir, is ka matlab tou ye hua kay wo aadmi jo Book utha kr bhagta hay, wo bhi in hee logun ka saathi hay aur Us ka Kaam Public ko harass karna, Panic create karna aur Logun aur Police ko Dihaan wahan say hatana hy, jahan Us kay Gang kay Baaqi logun nay Robbery karni hy.

SACCHIN: matlab Us ka Kaam Logun ki nazrun sy Khud bhi bachna aur Apny saathiyun ko bacha kr wahan pohanchana jahan Un ko Chori karni hy.

ABHIJHIT: is ka matlab ye bhi hy kay wo Gang Un tamam logun ki Jaankari rakhta hy, jo Us Hall, Exhibition ya Audiotorium mein hotay hain, kyunkay Zevrat pr Ghar ka address ya Malik ka Naam pata tou hota nahi, magar Luta hua Maal phir bhi wapis Un Luty huay logun kay Saheh Adress pr pohanch jata hy.

DAAYA (again): aur isi liyey wo Log zyada tar aisay Occassions, Celebrations ya Din ko Chuntay (select) krty hain, jub Audience Kum ho, ya Buht Kum aur Selected Log Us Event mein Invited hun.

ACP (nodded in Yes with): aur is say bhi aajeeb baat ye hay kay wo Lutera ya Luterun ka Saathi jo Kitab Book Stall ya Store say Utha kr Bhagta hay, wo Aik hee Kitaab utha kr Bhagta hay aur sirf Us ka Title Page Phar kr aadhy raasty mein Kitab Phaink kr Ghayeb.

All Officers mouth was Wide opened like their Eyes as it's a Latest Updating in this Whole Robbery Case News, ABHIJHIT asked;

ABHIJHIT: Sir ye kesay malum hua.?

ACP: Police ki Further Investigation say, (after a minute) Police 3 maheenun say Na sirf is Kitaab uthany waly Luteray balkay Us Luterun kay, jo kay ab aik he Gang ka Hissa malum hotay hain; un sub ko pakarny mein Nakam hy aur Zyada Interest bhi nahi ly rahi kyunky logun ko Apna Maal tou wapis mil ja raha hy.

DAAYA: Sir ab tou ye ek Status Symbol ban gaya hy, Aurtein jaan kr Qeemti Zevraat pehan kr nikalti hain, Mard bhi Qeemti Angothi, Chain pehanttay hain; Log ek Dusray say poochtay hain kay Tum ko loota Us Group nay aur Jo abhi tak nahi Luta wo tou Sharaminda reh jata hy.

RAJAT: matlab kisi na kisi tarah wo Gang Hero ban raha hy.

ABHIJHIT: acha chalo, ban gaya Hero wo Gang, magar wo Challenge kis ko kr raha hy; Sarkar ko, magar agar aisa hota tou wo log aam Public kay bajayey Ministers ya Businessmen ya Upper Class kay Logun ko loottay aur Lower Class ko Un kay Zevraat baant detay.

DAAYA: like Robinhood Pandy.

Officers having Smiles on their Lips, DAYA confuse so changed His sentence with some Addition as;

DAAYA: matlab Robinhood ya Zoro jesa.

ABHIJHIT: haan, (confuse) ya phr Police ko.

ACP: magar wo tou Purana ho gaya ABHIJHIT aur agar aisa hota tou wo log jail ya Police Custody ya Adalat say Related Logun pr Hamla kartay, Un ko Loottay ya agar chalo Police ko wo neecha dikhana bhi chahtay kay bhae Tum Logun ki maugudgi mein Hum nay ye kr liya tou 3 maheeny Challenge kay liyey Buht thy; dekh tou liya unhun nay kay Police Un sy Haar gayii.

ABHIJHIT: aur ab is Bank Robbery say wo kis ko Challenge kr rahy hain, kya CID ko.?

Everyone Quiets for a While, RAJAT initiated after feeling the Doubtful tone of ABHIJHIT as.

RAJAT: tou kya Sir, Case CID ko mil gaya hay Us ki Khaber Un ko hogi.? Jab kay abhi tak ye Khaber saaray Officers ko bhi Nahi, Mujhy bhi abhi ander aaty huay ACP Sir nay bataya.

DAAYA: keh Nahi sakty, magar haan VIVIK ya FREDY ka wahan maujud hona aur isi beech ye sub karna, kyunkay hum pehlay hee Discuss kr chuky hain kay wo log jahan bhi wardaat krtay hain, Logun, Area aur aas pass ki Khaber rakhty hain.

ABHIJHIT: magar DAAYA, chalo kisi Hall ky ander ya Event mein ya Audiotorium mein Guests kay ya Organisers ya Management kay baary mein Jaankari lena Asaan ho sakta hy, magar parking ya bahar footpath pr ya Road pr kharay Logun kay baary mein, jub kay wo Civilian kaprun mein hun Bini kisi aisi Identification kay jis say Un ki Pehchan ho, (asking) Tumhein Nhai lagta Mushkil hoga.

ACP: haan, VIVIK tou khair, magar FREDY bhi wahan Local cab mein hee gaya tha.

ABHIJHIT: ya ye kaha jayey kay, Unhun nay aisa socha Nahi tha aur VIVIK aur FREDY bekaar mein beech mein aa gaye.

All Agreed as till now, it's looking like inclusion of CID cops were only a Mishap, SACCHIN started;

SACCHIN: magar Sir, Unhun nay Bank kyun loota; kyunkay is say pehlay Bank tou unhun nay kabhi Loota bhi nahi.?

ACP: haan ye bhi dekhna hy, (to ABHIJHIT) VIVIK kesa hy.?

ABHIJHIT: Sir, Internal Bleeding kay karan kuch Masla hy, magar wo Kal Subah discharge ho jayey ga, Main abhi SACCHIN kay sath Sketcher ko Us kay pass bhej raha hun kay wo Us Gang member ka Chehra banwany mein Madad karay, jo us kay hath aaya tha.

ACP: hmm.

ACP moved inside His cabin; ABHIJHIT ordered SACCHIN who leave with Sketcher, here ABHIJHIT look at the Title of that Book placed at His Desk by ACP Sir which was stolen by that Thief who was Part of that Robbers Gang before any Robbery from Book Stall; the book belonged to a Crime Thriller Genre named DIRTY MIND with a Background Title of a Man lying in Blood Pool while a Women Face appeared little Heisal; He looked at DAAYA and asked after Seeing Him the Book Title.

ABHIJHIT: Tumhara kya khayal hay.?

DAAYA (grabbing Book and say): aankhein thori bari hoti tou Zyada Achi lagti.

ABHIJHIT comes in Anger while DAYA started Laughing loudly and RAJAT really tried to Control on it.

SACCHIN comes with a Sketch does not giving much as VIVIK can't see the Member properly as He already wearing a Crystal Covering over His face and then this Black Mask too; RAJAT already there as He had Some Interest in Case and His Flight was Delayed due to Bad Weather and any technical fault in Aircraft;

SACCHIN tried to find out the Man in their Database but Disappointed so moved to ABHIJHIT and said.

SACCHIN: Nahi Sir, ye aadmi Humaray database mein nahi hy.

Here ABHIJHIT, look at RAJAT and SACCHIN and Ordered Both of them to Meet ANANDI SHARMA and checked Her Artificial Necklace which was Returning to Her through Courier.

At Hospital Again:

Meanwhile VIVIK after much Insisting, prepared FREDY to Release Him, FREDY takes him Out and now Both went to FREDY House in Cab; FREDY said;

FREDY: VIVIK, Tujhy Apna Buht Dihan rakhna hy, samjha, MANESHA Mekay gayii hui hay, Main Us ko Bula leta, pr Us ki maa beemaar hy na tou accha Nhai lagta.

VIVIK: kya FREDY Sir, aap ho na Meray sath aur main ab Theek hun.

FREDY: haan haan, pr Mujhy baar baar Tujhy kehna Nahi paray kay Uchal Kood Mut kr, Dawa aur khana Time pr lay, Bhag daur Mut, samjha, tujhy malum hona chahyey, main tera Senior hun aur ek Karak Caretaker.

VIVIK Placed His Arm around FREDY, placed his Head over His Shoulder and enjoying Concern of such caring friend after so many days.

SHARMA Residence:

Here RAJAT and SACCHIN at ANANDI SHARMA house, who first Disappointed as She expected DUO or One from DUO as Her Uncle is DCP Friend and that's why She called directly to DCP, who gave that Case to CID and DAAYA on ACP Sir order managed the initial Interrogation.

She invited them at Drawing with an Angry tone as She felt that CID did not take Her Call so Serious; She said,

ANANDI: Mujhy tou laga tha CID apny kisi Senior Inspector ko bhejy gi.

RAJAT: jee main Senior Inspector RAJAT hun aur ye (signaled to SACCHIN with) Inspector SACCHIN.

ANANDI (tease): acha jin ki Tasweerein Akhbaarun mein Chapti hain, Un ko Fursat nahi mili.

RAJAT (come to point in Anger): kya Aap ko yaqeen hy kay aap nay jo Haar pehna hua tha wo Asli tha.?

ANANDI (rash): Jee, Main nay aap kay Officer.

SACCHIN (cutting): Aap nay Un ko ye bataya tha kay Do Din pehlay Jub aap ny wo Haar Bank say Niklwaya tha tou apny family Johri ko dikhaya tha aur.

ANANDI (rash cutting again): Jee aur us nay kaha tha kay ye Asli hy.

RAJAT: magar aap nay wo Johri say parahwaya hee kyun tha (ANANDI Stunned) (RAJAT again) is kaam ko karny ki wajah koi Khauf ya Shak, kya pehlay bhi ye Haar Chori ho chukka hy ya aap ko koi Dhamki, Is haar kay hawaly say mili ho.

ANANDI: darasal, Ye haar Buht qeemti hay, Kuch 10 Meheenay pehlay Humaray Ghar Chor aa gayey thy, magar Meri aankh Waqt pr Khul gayii, Meray Ceekhny say Guards aa gayey phir Un ki aur Humaray watcher Dogs kay karan, wo Kuch Chori nahi kr payey.

SACCHIN: Us samy Wo Haar kya aap kay Room mein tha.?

ANANDI: Jee haan, Cupboard kay Safe mein; phir Papa nay isy Bank mein Rakhwa diya. Us roz Humaray Johri Ghar aayey huay thay, Papa ki Kuch payment thi, main nay Haar pehanny kay liyey Nikala hua tha tou unhun nay aisay hee Hath mein lay kr dekha aur Buht tareef ki.

SACCHIN: kya Haar yahan tha yani Drawing mein, ya Johri aap kay room mein.?

ANANDI: nahi haar yahein tha, kyunkay Driver nay Usi waqt Wo car say Nikal kr la kr Yahein rakh diya tha.

RAJAT (Doubtful): aur jub Wo haar aap ko wapis Mila tou aap nay Usy phir kyun Parakhwaya kyunkay is Group kay Cheezein wapis karny kay baad aisi koi Khaber saamny Nhai aayii thi.?

ANANDI: darasal Haar jub main pehan kr gayii thi tou Us ka Lock bilkul Smooth tha, magar jub Dusra Haar mila Courier say aur main nay Usy aisay hee pehna tou Us ka Lock kuch Saheh nahi laga, main nay Johri ko Usy badlnay ko kaha tha kay shayed Chor nay galy say Utartay huay isy Zor say pakr liya ho, jab hii Lock dab gaya, magar Johri nay kaha kay ye tou Naqli hay.

RAJAT: acha wo haar aap Humein dein dein...

ANANDI nodded in Yes and gives them that Necklace, which they brought to Bureau after Thanking ANANDI, Updated All to DUO, who saved that Necklace and All went to their Houses after Updating all to ACP Sir in Call.

On wayback to Home:

On way, DUO discussing about this case and suddenly DAAYA suggested ABHIJHIT;

DAAYA: Boss, VIVIK ko dekh lein, kitny arsy say Mulaqat he nahi hui.

ABHIJHIT: haan, magar aisa karo pehlay FREDY ko call kr kay pooch lo kyunky VIVIK bata raha tha kay Sham tak Usy Discharge kr dein gy.

DAAYA nodded, Call FREDY and after knowing about Recent, He told ABHIJHIT to change Quillas direction to FREDY House; ABHIJHIT moved Vehicle there, Both reached and Meeting VIVIK as;

DAAYA: kya VIVIK, kitny dino baad chakker lagaya, FREDY tou kub sy Tum ko yaad kr raha tha.

VIVIK: Sir, kya karun, Kaam Buht hota hy, is baar bhi Buri Mushkilun say Do din ki Chutti mili thi, bus FREDY Sir say milnay chala aaya; (sad) Mumbai ko Buht Miss krta hun, magar.

ABHIJHIT (harsh tone): haan haan, malum hy, Bangalore CID tou chal he Tum pr rahi hy na.

VIVIK Smiles after feeling the Love of His Senior, FREDY entertained Both and when DUO about to Leave, ABHIJHIT ordered;

ABHIJHIT: FREDY kal na Afternoon mein City Bank ki Us branch ka Chakker laga lena, Un logun nay abhi tak na Police say aur Na Hum sy Contact kiya hay, kyunkay wo shayed yehi samjh rahy hain kay Do Din kay ander Un ka Saman Courier ky through wapis aa jayey ga.

FREDY: Theek hay Sir.

DAAYA: NIKHAL Tum ko wahan Join kr ly ga aur haan Zara Achi tarah malum karna kay kya kya Chori hua hay, matlab Zevraat, Documents ya Paisy.

VIVIK (from behind): Sir, main bhi FREDY Sir kay sath chala jaon ga.

FREDY (turn to VIVIK with): koi nahi, Tu bus aaram kr.

VIVIK look at DAAYA with Pleading Eyes and with these Sign and silent language, DAAYA helped Him with;

DAAYA: haan Tum bhi FREDY kay sath chaly jana (ABHIJHIT glared but DAYA added in Naughty tone) pata tou chaly, kahein kaam waam karna Bhool tou nahi gaye.

VIVIK embarrass, All smiles and DUO exit, in all way ABHIJHIT just release His Anger over DAAYA who just enjoying and when reached at his House, stepped out, saying Bye and Quillas rushed towards ABHIJHIT House.

CID Bureau:

Next Morning, when DAAYA entered, feeling He was the late one as all busy in their tasks at their Desks; He moved towards ABHIJHIT and tell in Excitement;

DAAYA: Boss, kal raat Main nay Ye Book (showing the same Book named DIRTY MIND which ACP Sir left at ABHIJHIT desk with) parh maari.

ABHIJHIT (inquired): ye Parh maari kya hota hay, ain.?

DAAYA (corrected it): matlab parh li (ABHIJHIT look at Him) (DAAYA adds) Main Kal raat ye Book ly gaya tha; nahi kuch aisa Nhai hay jo Humaray case say Match krta ho, Ye Story ek Crime pr hy, Koi Robbery Nhai hay, koi Scene, Clue, Motive kuch bhi is Book ki Story aur is Robbery cases sy Match Nahi kr raha.

ABHIJHIT: hmmm, matlab ye Book sirf logun ka Focus hatany aur Apnay Gang kay Dusray logun ko Us jagah jahan waardaat karni hay, wahan Ander ghusany ka Zarya hy.

DAAYA: abhi tak.

ABHIJHIT: khair, chalo zara Forensic Lab chalna hy, (Both moved, while DAAYA smiles which ignored by ABHIJHIT who added again) Sir nay Wo saarai yani 6 Books, jo Us Luteray nay Books Stalls ya Stores say Uthaii theen aur jin kay Title wo Phar kar lay gaya tha, wo saari phati hui Books yahan Finger Print kay Test kay liyey TARIKA JII.

DAAYA (interrupts): Tumhara matlab, SALUNKY sahib na.

ABHIJHIT: haan bhae, wohi Apna SALUNKY, un ko bheji thi, Un Books Stall ya Stores kay Malikun sy wapis lay kr, kyunkay Us Luteray nay Kitabein aas pass hee Phainki hain.

Inside Forensic Lab:

DAAYA nodded in Yes, and Both entered inside found No one inside so ABHIJHIT calling in Louder tone as;

ABHIJHIT: Hello, koi hy; Doctor.

VOICE (interrupts): kisy Dhond rahy ho ABHIJHIT, SALUNKY ko ya (smirk) TARIKA ko.

DUO really amazed after seeing the Source of that Sound, ABHIJHIT with Opened mouth, DAAYA manages himself on Early bases so move Forward and Shaking hand with;

DAAYA: Hello, Dr. NIYYATI, aap yahan.

NIYYATI: bus, (smirk) ABHIJHIT ka Pyar khench laaya.

DAAYA really control over His Laugh while ABHIJEET really in Embarrassment shade and meantime ACP joins them with;

ACP: haan SALUNKY, kya.

NIYYATI (cutting): kya baat hy, jo dekho SALUNKY ki Maala jap raha hy ACP Sir.

ACP (shock): Dr. NIYYATI PARDHAN, Aap yahan.

NIYYATI: bus Sir, (smirk) Dushmanun ki Khaber leeny chali aayii.

She handed a Printout, ACP read it and after jerking Head, return back the Printout and ask;

ACP: tou kuch mila kya.?

NIYYATI: Sir, Main ny ye saari Books check kiyey, magar kisi mein bhi koi Fingerprint nahi.

DAAYA: matlab, jo Kitab uthata hy wo bhi Gloves pehna hua hota hy.

NIYYATI: haan, lagta tou hy, pr (to ACP) Sir, Do Books say Blood kay ek do Drops mily hain, matlab shayed Bhagty huay ya Stall kay kisi cheez say lag kr Us aadmi ko Chout lagi hogi (NIYYATI again) Sir, Blood group Aik he hy.

ABHIJHIT: matlab wo Usi Luteray ka hy; kisi Dukaandaar (shop keeper) ka tou ho Nahi sakta.

NIYYATI (praise): ABHIJHIT, Tum ny aisi baat kahi hy kay dil karta hy kay Tumhara.

ABHIJEET turn in a Bit towards ACP Sir after seeing Glance of Naughty Smile over DAAYA lips as;

ABHIJHIT: Sir, is say hum Us Luteray ko pakr sakty hain, agr Un Dono Blood group ka DNA same hua, kyunky Blood Group tou Do logun kay same bhi ho sakty hain.

ACP: haan Dr. NIYYATI, check kiya isy Database mein.?

NIYYATI: Jee Sir, DNA same hay, matlab aadmi bhi Aik hay magar Humary Database mein nahi.

Meanwhile DAAYA got a Call, He talked in Phone with Weird and Confusion and after cutting call tell All;

DAAYA: Sir, ANANDI SHARMA ko Asli haar Courier say wapis Mil gaya hy.

ABHIJHIT: kiya.?

DAAYA: haan Boss, Main nay RAJAT say kaha hay kay Usy bolay kay phir say Apnay Johri say Parakhwa lay kay ye Asli hay bhi ya nahi.

NIYYATI (mumbling): ANANDI SHARMA.

ACP (with Question Look): kyun.?

NIYYATI: Sir, DEWAN RITESH SHARMA ki Poti na, (ACP nodded in Yes) (She included) hmm, Sir, ye bhi koi Kum Cheez Nhai hay; ho sakta hy haar ky is Original aur Artificial ka drama is ka Apna ho.

ABHIJHIT (in shock): Aap jaanti hain kya.?

NIYYATI: haan, ye Senior Cambrige mein Mujh sy Do Batch Junior mein thi, magar Teachers kay sath is tarah Prank karna is ki aadat hy. Ye sub is kay liyey Buht Adventurous hy.

TRIO look at Her and then moving Out with a New Twist in Case; on way to Bureau, ABHIJHIT initiated;

ABHIJHIT (to ACP): Sir, Dr. NIYYATI nay tou ek nai Kari Thama di.

ACP: haan, chalo dekhty hain.

Again Bureau:

They reached at Bureau; here SACCHIN and RAJAT with FREDY, NIKHAL and VIVIK be there, FREDY and VIVIK updating as;

FREDY: Sir, Bank waly abhi bhi Intaizar mein hain kay Kal tak Un ka Saman wapis aa jayey ga, wo tou Report likhwany pr bhi Intrested nahi, Hum ko koi Information Nahi day rahy thy wo tou VIVIK nay thori Sakhti ki tou Munh khula Un logun ny.

VIVIK: Sir, Bank kay Locker Section ko loota gaya hay, 11 Lockers mein say 7 Lockers mein Zevraat thy, bus Wohi Ghayeb hain, na kisi Employee kay sath badtameezi, na koi Shor Sharaba aur Na koi Documents or Paisay Unhun nay Uthayey.

RAJAT: arry VIVIK (move ahead, shake hand and say) Main Sr. Inspector RAJAT, Delhi sy, Tum sy mil kr Khushi hui, FREDY ki zaban pr bus Tumhara he Zikr rehta hy (VIVIK look His Buddy in Proud) (RAJAT added again) khair, haan Main ye keh raha tha kay Bank kay logun nay khud koi Resistance nahi ki hogi, wo tou Enjoy kr rahy hon gay kay ab Un kay Bank ka Naam bhi Media aur Akhbaarun mein aa jayey ga.

VIVIK (again): shayed Sir, Un logun nay CCTV Camera bhi Band kr diya tha tou koi Footage bhi Nahi bani.

NIKHAL: Sir, Aap sub log isy Chori hee kyun samjh rahy hain.? Koi na koi Shak kyun Dhoond rahy hain.?

Rest of Officers looking Him in Complete Shock including ACP Sir, NIKHAL felt their Gaze so Brief His Question as;

NIKHAL: matlab Sir, Unhun nay kisi ko Nuqsan nahi pohanchaya, koi Misbehave nahi; jo Loottay hain, Do Din kay ander Un kay Malikun tak pohanch jata hay wapis, Saheh salamat; kuch log hotay hain aisay Adventure kay Shaouqeen.

ABHIJHIT: haan, Saheh, magar Mujhy bus Aik hee baat khatakti hay in saari Waardatun mein (all look at Him, ABHIJHIT added) kay aakhir wo Log sirf Zevraat hee kyun Churatay hain.?

DAAYA: jub kay kisi bhi Event mein Mard bhi hotay hain, magar na wo un logun ki Ghari pr hath dalty hain, na hee Valet aur na Mobile set pr.

ABHIJHIT: yehi tou, Main us waqt maanun is Gang kay logun ko kay wo Adventurous hain, aur ye sub Stunts wo bus Apnay Shouq ya Adventure kay liyey kartay hain; jub wo koi Sarkari Raaz kisi bhi Fioreign Office say itni Security mein Ura lein jayein; Police Custody say kisi Baray Mujrim ko Safai say Nikal lein jayein, magar Zevraat.

VIVIK: Sir, kahein wo Zevraat ki aarh mein koi aur Maqsad tou nahi rakhtay.

ACP: hmmm, ab tou Kuch aisa hee lug raha hy; (to VIVIK and FREDY) Tum Dono pata karo, is saal aany waly maheenun mein ya in Waardaatun kay shroo hony say 6 maheeny pehlay koi Bari Chori ya koi Bari bank daketi, koi Diamond Exhibition; kisi baray Business Foeigner ka aana, Govt level pr koi Diamond, Gold, Silver ya Platinium Mines pr koi Naya Tender, koi Kaam, Business Collaboration etc.

(to RAJAT and SACCHAN) Tum Dono Un saaray Dukaandaarun (Shop Keepers) sy milo, jin kay Dukaan say us Luterun kay Group kay saathi nay Book Uthai thi, Un sub kay Blood sample aur Finger Print bhi Uthao, dekho agar koi Us Luteray ki koi tasweer banwa saky, Books Store ki koi CCTV footages, City Govt nay Poles pr jo camera lagayey hotay hain, agr wo Un jaghun pr hain tou Un ki CCTV Footages bhi, sub kuch Khangalo.

(to NIKHAL) aur tum bank kay Logun say pata karo, koi Sketch banwany mein Humari Help kr sakay, Un say Investigate karo kay Us gang kay logun ka koi Khas andaz, baat karnay ya kuch bhi aur haan Un saaray logun ki Jaankaari jin kay Locker say saman nikla hy.

(to DUO) Tum Dono Meray cabin mein aao.

All Officers moved to their task while DUO followed ACP Sir headed to His cabin, in time RAJAT calling DAYA before Entering inside cabin and He was Leaving Bureau as;

RAJAT: DAYA Sir, ANANDI SHARMA ka Phone aaya tha, Haar Asli hee hay.

DAAYA nodded in Yes and completely entered inside; ACP Sir before sat on His Chair, look at His Table having the Fake Necklace, RAJAT and SACCHIN brought Yesterday from ANANDI and ABHIJHIT today Morning placed it over ACP Sir cabin table to check Him that Evidence.

ACP Sir looking Completely Shock after seeing the Artificial Necklace, taken out it from Evidence Bag, He was looking to Remembering Something as ABHIJHIT after seeing Him in that Exchanged Glance with DAAYA and Postponed to Tell anything.

After few Minutes, ACP Placed it again on Evidence Bag and rushed Out from His Cabin by Ordering DUO as;

ACP (in hurry): Tum log ANANDI kay Aashiqun kay baaray mein malum karo aur ye bhi kay wo Khud kis taraf Zyada Jhuk rahi hay.

DUO completely Shocked after hearing this Order as they expected that ACP Sir telling them to Investigate about ANANDI SHARMA background but here He Ordered them to Investigate Her Future Love Life; DAAYA after His Exit tell to ABHIJHIT;

DAAYA: lagta hy ACP Sir, is Haar ki history jaantay hain.

ABHIJHIT (with sigh): aur ab is Gang nay Kis ko Challenge kiya hay, samjh aa raha hy.

Both exchange a Meaningful silent Look and moved Out to fulfill their Task given by ACP Sir.

ACP House:

ACP Sir moved to His House in a Rush, He was in Big Dilelama, tried to take out the Information as early as Possible because this Necklace takes Him to His Past; He reached His House, moved to His Study room and taken out Folders, Files, Letters and so many Pictures looking He was Searching Something; He was so busying in that work as totally forget everything like Hell; How many Time He was Busying in that, Only Clock Strucks knew about it.

DUO discussing that How they will take out ANANDI Love Life without any Prior Information, ABHIJHIT initiated;

ABHIJHIT: ye ACP Sir bhi na, ab ja kr ANANDI say poochein kay haan bhae, batao kitny Larkun ko Pagal banaya hua hay.?

DAAYA (laughing): Boss, magar haan kya ANANDI say Direct poochna saheh hoga.?

ABHIJHIT: kya DAAYA, kitna Bura lagy ga, magar haan Hum ye zarur pooch sakty hain kay is (look at Him) Haar ki Histroy kya hy.?

DAAYA: hmm, ye tou hy.

SHARMA Residence Again:

DAAYA drove Quillas on ANANDI SHARMA House direction, they reached there and after entering inside the House, ANANDI entertained them in such a way that She waited for Both or only for Sr. Inspector ABHIJHIT, She said;

ANANDI: I m so Happy, Main bata nahi sakti kay aap (to ABHIJHIT) ko dekh kr Mujhy kitni Khushi ho rahi hy.

DAAYA (murmur): Jee dikh raha hy.

ABHIJHIT glared, whereas She invited ABHIJHIT to sit without looking at DAAYA who teased after ABHIJHIT and ANANDI sitting;

DAAYA (tease): Main bhi Beth jaon.?

ANANDI (involve to See ABHIJHIT who was in Complete Embarrassment, say): ohh Sorry, Bethyey, main zara;

DAAYA (interrupts in Mumbling with sitting): Sammohit ho gayii thi.

ABHIJHIT really Angry but the situation made by ANANDI SHARMA really gives DAAYA moments to Pull His Leg; here ABHIJHIT started in Tough tone;

ABHIJHIT: aap ki Shadi ho gayii.?

ANANDI SHARMA First Shocked and then trying to Shying, whereas DAAYA really Smiles Sweetly as ABHIJHIT in toughness comes in Trouble; He instantly changed the Question as;

ABHIJHIT: matlab ye Haar kya aap ka Khandani Haar hy.?

ANANDI: Jee, ye Humari Khandaani Nishani hay.

ABHIJHIT: matlab ye Aap ki Maa ka hy.?

ANANDI: Nahi, ye Meri Dadi, Apni Shadi kay waqt layii theen, yani ye Un ko Un kay Meky ki taraf say mila tha.

DAAYA: Aap yahan Akeli rehti hain.?

ANANDI: Nahi, Mery Papa USA gayey huay hain.

ABHIJHIT (doubtful): kya Aap nay un ko bataya kay aap kay sath ye hadsa hua hay.?

ANANDI: nahi, Haar tou wapis Mil gaya, phir kya batana.

ABHIJHIT feeling a Buzzing, He picked the Call and after hearing, comes in Trouble, Cuts the Call and signaling DAAYA after Beading Goodbye to ANANDI as;

ABHIJHIT: acha ANANDI JII, Hum aap say baad mein miltay hain, Aap Chinta mut karyey ga.

He left with DAAYA after taking Quillas Keys from Him, seated in Quillas and Quillas moved like a Bullet with giving DAAYA Reply as;

ABHIJHIT (take a turn with): ACP Sir nay foran Apny Ghar bulaya hy.

On way to ACP House:

DAAYA feels a Tension with His Tone, Both reached at ACP Sir House and after entering found a Person having a Bag, Gloves and White Coat looking as Doctor, DUO at Peak of Tension, Servent takes them inside in Rush and after seeing ACP Sir in His Rocking Chair at His Study room taking Tea feeling a Complete Relax, Both exchange a Relax Look and Revealed a Sigh, while ACP Sir after feeling their Presence invited them inside with;

ACP: aao aao, (to SERVENT) Do Cup aur Chai lay aao.

Servent moved outside whereas DUO coming inside, ABHIJHIT really Started in Panic during sitting;

ABHIJHIT: Sir, aap nay tou dara diya tha, wesay ye aadmi.

ACP (calm): Tum logun ko Sun pr Khushi hogi kay aaj us Luterun kay Gang nay Mujhy bhi Loot liya.

DUO completely Freeze, they look at ACP Sir in Unbelievable State who was enjoying Sips of Tea with Smile. He said after feeling His Officers Stares as;

ACP: haan, Wo Haar lay gaya.

ABHIJHIT: O my Gaud.

ACP: Main Haar ly kr Ghar aaya, Usy yahan Study Table pr rakh kr (Servent comes, Served Tea to DUO and back) (ACP continued) main Kuch Important Dhondnay mein lug gaya aur isi beech Watchers Dogs (ACP Sir on Some Threat Calls and Killing Attempts using Watchers Dogs for Protection of His House from few Years, He added again) yahan aa gayey, wo sirf Ro rahy thy, Kuch samjh mein Nhai aaya, Nauker bhi ander aa gayey, Hum nay Buht koshih ki kay Un ko kisi tarah Study say bahar niikal dein, magar wo Rotay hee rahy, khair Bari Mushkilun say naukarun kay sath mil kr Mian nay Un ko Nikal kr bandhwaya aur jub Wapis yahan aaya tou Table say Haar ghayeb.

DAAYA: Sir, Watchmen aur Bahar kharay Constables.?

ACP: Kuttun nay saari garbar kr di DAAYA; wo itna Hangama kr rahy thy, Bhonk Bhonk aur Ro Ro kr unhun nay Ghar Sar pr Utha liya, Watchmen aur Constables sub nay Apni jagah chor di aur na sirf Luteray ko Ghar say Haar churany balkay CCTV Camera ko Band karny ka bhi Mauqa mil gaya.

ABHIJHIT: magar Sir, aap kay Ghar Scanner hay aur Alarams bhi.

ACP (cool tone): Kuttay itna Ander Bahr kr rahy thy ABHIJHIT kay main nay Khud Usy apnay Servent say keh kr band karwa diya kyunkay Kuttun kay ander jaany say baar baar Alarams baj rahay thy aur Us ki Awaz say Kutty aur Bhonk rahy thy.

ABHIJHIT (total confuse): magar Us nay Kuttun ko kesay Apnay Isharun pr nachaya.?

DAAYA: haan Boss, Kutty tou Usy dekh kr ya Mehsus kr kay hee Bhonknay lagy hon gay.

ACP (teasing smile): Nahi, us say pehlay hee Us nay Kuttun ko Pagal bana diya (DUO look Him, He added) Sharab pila kr.

DUO Stunned, its really a Big Shock for them, DAAYA instantly Puts the Question as;

DAAYA: magar Sir, Kuttun ko aur wo bhi Blood Hounds ko pakar kr Sharab pilana Mushkil kya namumkin hee hay.

ACP: Us nay Kuttun kay Ghosht mein Sharab mila di thi, magar ek Baat Confirm ho gayii hay is say.

ABHIJHIT: kiya Sir.?

ACP: kay in saarii Choriyun ka sira kahein na kahein is Haar say milta hy.

ABHIJHIT: magar Sir, ANANDI SHARMA ko Asli Haar tou Wapis Mil gaya aur Us kay anusar, ye Haar Us ki Dadi Apni Shadi kay samy Apny Mekay sy layii thi.

ACP: aur (tease) ye bhi Us kay Family Johri nay Confirm kiya hoga kay haar Asli hay.

DUO look at each one; ACP every Sentence, Stressed on each workd, Emotion telling them that the Case was almost Solved and Culprit was only Waiting for Confession; ACP again;

ACP (smiles): ABHIJHIT, is Haar ki Histroy mein Do Log aur Important hain, acha ye batao Mr. SHARMA kahan hy.?

The way ACP Sir takes the Sirname of ANANDI showed that He Personally knew the Man, DUO exchange Glance and DAAYA replied;

DAAYA: USA mein, Sir kya aap Mr. SHARMA ko jaanty hain.?

ACP: DAAYA, jaldi mut karo, khair ANANDI kay aashiqun ki tadad malum ki aur pata chala kay wo kis ki taraf zyada Jhuk rahi hy.?

DAAYA look at ABHIJHIT with naughty glance as He was Excited to give the Reply of that Question ignoring ABHIJHIT all Angry glances with;

DAAYA (with mischevious smiles): Sir Us kay Aashiqun ki tadad tou malum nahi hui magar Wo jis ki taraf jhuk.

ABHIJHIT (standing in a bit with): acha Sir, Hum log Bureau chaltay hain, dekhtay hain Baaqi Log kya khaber laatay hain, shayed koi Naya Sira.

ACP (interruption with standing): ABHIJHIT Sira tou Purana he hay, bus Jorna reh gaya hay.

DUO little Confuse with ACP Sir Double Meaning Conversation as they felt that ACP Sir knew the Main Culprit with the Backgound of this Necklace or Robbery case but He will Not Confirmed it without having all Solid Evidences and till the Confirmation He just enjoying His Officers Hardworking; Both Left after saying Take Care wish which accepted by a Small Smile from ACP Sir.

In Quillas:

In Quillas, ABHIJHIT really Quiets which sensed by DAAYA, He smiles and started the Conversation with;

DAAYA: lagta hy Sir ko malum hay kay wo Lutera aur Luterun ka Gang kaun hy.?

ABHIJHIT (tease): bilkul, jub Sir kay Laadly Cheeranjeev ko ye malum hay kay (chewing tone) ANANDI SHARMA kis aashiq ki taraf Jhuk rahi hay tou Sir ko tou Asal Chor ka malum hona koi Bari baat thori hay.

DAAYA (with a laughter blast say): kya Boss, dekha tha Tum ko Dekh kr kesay sammohit ho gayii thi.

ABHIJHIT (anger): Bakwas Nahi.

DAAYA (smiles): Yes Boss.

Bureau:

Both reached at Bureau where Officers Waiting for them after Completing their Tasks and now Starting Updating One by One as;

FREDY: ABHIJHIT Sir, Hum nay un tamam Areas jahan jahan ye Choriya Un Gangs kay karan hui thi, wahan say Un ki saari jaankari li, buht sii Choriyun ki tou Police ko Khaber bhi nahi kyunkay Logun nay report hee nahi kiya hay, magar haan, in Waardatun kay shroo honay say Pehlay aur is Beech na Koi bari Diamond, Gold, Silver ya Platinium Exhibition hui hay, na kisi Mines ka pata chala hay, na koi bara Tender aur na he koi Collaboration.

VIVIK: Sir, is beech koi Bara Diamond Merchant ya Business Foreigner bhi nahi aaya hay aur na hee koi Bari Chori ya Bank daketi hui hay, haan magar in sub say sirf Aik kaam ki cheez mili hay.

ABHIJHIT: kya.?

VIVIK: Sir, jitni baar bhi In logun nay Choriyaan ki hain, sirf Diamond pr he Hath Saaf kiya hay.

ABHIJHIT nodded in Yes and turned towards RAJAT and SACCHIN, they started as;

SACCHIN: Sir, Hum Un saaray book Stalls walun sy mily, pr koi Kaam ki Baat pata nahi chali, wo log tou boltay hain kay wo Challawa hy, itna Taiz daurta hy kay bus, hath aana Mushkil hy.

RAJAT: Sir, Main nay Un Dukaandaarun say ye bhi poocha kay 2/4 Waardatun kay baad bhi aakhir wo In kitabun kay Stack ko hee Front pr kyun rakhtay hain tou Kuch nay tou ye keh diya kay is tarah Un kay Dukan ki Free mein Publicity ho gayii, Un Luterun nay wahan waardatein ki hain, jahan Poles Camera thy hee nahi aur baaqi Un Dukandaarun kay Blood Samples aur Fingerprints Hum Forensic Lab ko day aayein hain aur Sir;

DAAYA (interrupts): Un logun nay Luteray ka Chehra Nhai dekha ya Dekh Nhai payey tou Sketch banwana tou Bekaar.

RAJAT: Jii, magar Sir, hr Stall ya Book Store 4 month say zyada Purana Nahi.

DAAYA (confuse): matlab.?

SACCHIN: matlab Sir, wo 4 month kay ander hee Khula hy.

ABHIJHIT (to NIKHAL): Tum kaho.

NIKHAL: Sir, Bank walun ny bhi kuch aisa hee Biyaan diya hay kay Sketch banana tou Bekaar he hay, magar haan jo Emplyee hain un mein say kuch Logun ka kehna hay kay Wo Luteray Buht Phurtelay thy, aksar ka kehna hay kay shayed wo log Trained thy ya Circus say related, kyunkay Unhun nay Chalnay ya Daurnay say zyada Uchalnay Koodnay ka Prayas kiya aur haan Sir, ye Un logun ki List hay (gives List to DAAYA) (Added again) jin kay Lockers say Zevraat churayey gayey hain (stressed) sirf Diamonds.

DAAYA (reading List): Menon, Fernandus, Arun, Ronney, Kavita aur Sharma, (look at ABHIJEET and repeats again) SHARMA.

Before ABHIJHIT Answered, He got a Call and after cutting call, signaled DAAYA with Saying;

ABHIJHIT: chalo Forensic Lab.

Again CID Forensic Lab:

Both moved there where Dr. NIYYATI waiting for them with her Latest Reports, She told after their entering;

NIYYATI: Afsos ABHIJHIT, wo saaray Dukandaar Beqsoor hain; kisi ka koi bhi Finger Print ya Blood Sample Us Blood sample say nahi milta jo Us Luteray ka hay, Mera Khayal.

ACP (coming with Cutting): Dr. NIYYATI, ab kisii Finger Print ya Blood Sample kay Match hony say koi Farq Nhai parta kyunkay wo Chor (make Fist) Meri Mutthi mein hy.

DUO (shock): Sir, Kaun hy Wo.?

ACP: ANANDI SHARMA ko Bureau mein bulao, Us kay Baap Mr. SHARMA kay sath, baaqi dekhtay jana.

Obviously DUO called ANANDI SHARMA who was in Cloud Nine because it's a Good chance to Meet Senior Inspector ABHIJHIT again.

Bureau:

Here ACP Sir coming with a middle aged Person and introduced Him with Team as;

ACP: in say milo, ye hain Berister SYED ALI aur ye hay Meri Team.

Berister SYED ALI shakes hands with All except NIKHAL as He was Not Present there and meantime Mr. SHARMA and ANANDI SHARMA entered with a Big Big Shock. ACP invited them for Seating and now started.

ACP: Main Us Aaadmi ki Asliyet jaan chukka hun jo In sub kay peechy hay (No Reaction on any face) (ACP added) Chori ki ye Waardatein aaj say 3 Maheeny pehlay sy Shroo hoti hain, Luterun ka ek Gang baray hee Ajeeb aur Achotay (Unique) tareeqay say Mumbai kay kisi bhi Area kay kisi bhi Hall, Audiotorium, Event pr achanak say Hamla krta hay aur wahan maujud Logun kay Zevraat lay kr Bhaag jata hy; abhi Police Case Report kr kay Tehqeeqat Shroo hee karti hy tou achanak hee wo tamam Zevraat Un kay malikun tak Courier kay through Wapis pohanch jaty hain.

ACP signal ABHIJHIT to Continuing, all Officers feeling the Tension comes over Some faces, He added;

ABHIJHIT: Phir Choriyun ka silsila chal parta hy aur Us ki Tehqeeqat kay beech ek Nai kari saamny aatii hy, Ek aisa Aadmi jo Wesa hee Luterun kay jesay Kapray pehanta hay aur mask lagata hy, wo Book Stalls ya Book Stores say Ek Novel ki Copy utha kr Bhagta hy aur Novel ka Title Phar kr baaqi Kitab beech raasty mein Phaink jata hy; sub say Mazy ki baat ye hay kay wo saaray Book Stalls ya Stores Us area kay aas pass hee hotay hain jahan Chori ki Waardaat honay wali hoti hy.

He looks at DAAYA, who now comes inside the Ring and started the Next Piece of Investigation as;

DAAYA: Police ki Tehqeeqat Thap honay lagti hay kyunaky Jo Luttay Un ko apna Luta hua saman Do Din kay ander Wapis mil jata, Public kay liyey ye Ek Status Symbol, Un Jaghun ya Book Stalls kay liyey Publicity Stunt, Police kay liyey Adventerous Gang aur khud Us Gang kay Logun kay liyey ye sub ek Khail ban gaya.

ACP (added): Musibat tou tab aayii jub Do Din pehlay is Gang nay City Bank ki ek Branch ko Loota aur Bhagtay huay CID kay Do Officers ko Zakhmi kr kay farar ho gayey; ab yahan hua ye kay DCP Sahab nay ye Case Us say ek Raat pehlay hee CID ko Handover kr diya, jis kay baaray mein Us Gang ko Malum Nahi hua.

ABHIJHIT: yahan jub, Humaray Officers bhi Zakhmi huay, Gang nay pehli baar Logun kay bajayey kisi Organization ko Apna Shikkar banaya tou Hum thora Khatak gayey.

DAAYA: aur isi ki Tehqeeqat kay liyey Hum poohanchy RIM Audiotorium, jisy mein Do Raat pehlay Ek Stage Play kay beech, isi Gang nay Hamla kiya aur Aurtun kay Zevraat lay bhaga, Hum nay is Chori pr Apnii Tehqeeqat ki Bunyaad rakkhi kyunkay ye Last reported Case tha.

RAJAT: wahan sy ek Nai Baat saamny aayii, ANANDI SHARMA ko Asli kay bajayey Naqli Haar ki wapsi.

FREDY: aur Humari Tehqeeqat nay ek Naya Mor liya.

ACP: haan FREDRICS, bilkul Saheh, Usi Haar nay aaj Humein yahan la khara kiya jahan Mujrim Khud Hum tak Chal kr aany pr majboor ho gaya.

ANANDI SHARMA: Sir, Aap log Bol kya rahy hain, Bulaya kyun hy Humein yahan (to Mr. SHARMA) papa Bolyey na.

ACP (to All): Mujrim nay pehlay tou Koshish ki kay Asani say ye Kaam ho jayey, Us nay Kuch Chotay Chorun ko SHARMA Residence mein Chori karnay pr raazi kiya; ye Kaam aaram sy ho jata magar karna ye hua kay Un Chorun mein say Aik Watcher Dog ki Dum pr carh gaya, Us kay Bhonknay say ANANDI ki Neend Khul gayii aur Wo Chor Jo Us kay Room kay ander Wardrobe Khool chukay thy, ANANDI nay Unhein dekh kr Cheekh Maar dii; Mujrim nay Chorun ko Yaqeen dilaya tha kay Ander Un ko koi Roknay wala Nhai hoga tou Wo Bina kisi Hathyaar kay ander gayey thy aur bus Guard aur Watcher Dogs ki wajah say Bhag gayey.

(after a minute) Haar kay Bach jany kay karan SHAMA Family nay Police ko koi Complain nahi ki aur ANANDI ki Zabardasti pr Haar ko Bank kay Locker mein rakhwa diya; Mujrim ko phir say ek Naya Plan banana para aur is baar Us nay Buht Reaserach kay baad Plan pr Kaam shroo kiya; Us nay Is Naye Plan kay poory Jaal ko Buht Achi tarah Phailaya, sub say pehlay Local Circus say kuch Young bacchun ko Jama kiya gaya, Un ko bahar kay Deshun mein Kaam dilany ka Lalach diya gaya, Un ko Pehlay Pehl yehi bataya gaya kay ye Un ki Training ka Hissa hy, yehi Book Utha kr Bhagna aur Phir is tarah Choriyaan karna, Un ko ye Nahi bataya gaya kay ye saaray Zevrat Asli hotay hain, balkay ye kaha gaya kay ye sub Naqli hain aur kyunkay Un saaray Logun kay Naam aur patay Asli Mujrim ko malum hotay tou Wo Circus kay bacchy Shak bhi nahi kr sakay aur Un kay Zehn yehi sochtay reh gayey kay ye sub Training Program hay.

Isi tarah jin Areas mein in ko Chori karni hoti, wahan honay waly Events mein ye Log Free mein Apna Item peesh kartay, Management ko kya chahyey hota, isi liyey in ko Guest List pr Hath Saaf karna aasan hota; jo Mujrim chahta tha.

Phir Mujrim nay Bari Chalaki say Gang ko Famous karny kay liyey Chotay Chotay Stunts Shroo kiyey, kyunkay Logun ko Apna saman wapis mil jata, Un Dukaandaarun ko Apni Kitaab ki qeemat bhi Mil jati tou Police kyun bekaar mein waqt waste karti.

Sub nay yehi socha kay ye Kuch Adventure kay Shouqeen logun ka Kaam hy, kyunkay Mujrim nay sub ko ye sochnay pr Majboor kr diya.

Mushkil Us waqt aayi jub ANANDI SHARMA nay Apny tour pr DCP say Shikayet kr dii kyunaky Us nay Apna Haar achanak Johri ko Dikha diya; (after a smile) haan jub ANANDI SHARMA, Haar pehan kr gayii thi tou Haar Asli hee tha, jub Wapis mila tou bhi Haar Asli hee tha.

ANANDI: ye kesy ho sakta hy; wo Naqli tha Sir, Johri nay khud Parkha tha.?

ACP (to her): kya Tumharay samny.?

ANANDI Nodded in No; ACP Smiles and again Connected the conversation with ease;

ACP: haan, wo Haar Johri kay bajayey Us kay ek Chotay Karigar nay Parkha aur kuch Paisun ki Lalach mein Asli ko Naqli bana daala. Khair tou kahan thy; haan yaad aaya, Bank daketi Mujrim kay Plan ka Hissa he thi kyunkay Haar SHARMA residence mein Hui Us Nakam Chori kay baad Bank kay Locker mein rakhwaya gaya tha magar Usy ye Nahi malum ho paaya kay wahan Us kay Log CID kay Officers say takrayein gay aur case Openly CID tak aa jayey ga.

ACP (suddenly): ABHIJHIT, Tumhein Us Haar ki History jaany mein Buht Interest tha na.?

ABHIJHIT: Sir, abhi bhi hay.

ACP: haan tou Berister ALI Zarur ye Kahani Hum sub ko Sunayein gy.

Berister ALI: ye Kahani Taqreebun 40 Saal pehlay shroo hoti hy, DEWAAN RITESH SHARMA kisi Business Trip kay sath MANALI gayey aur wahan kay Raj Gharany ki Larki yani SHEWTA BENERGI ko Apna Dil day aayey, zahir hay Dono Khandaan mein Baat hui aur DEWAN RITESH ki Shadi SHWETA say ho gayii aur SHEWTA Apnay sath ye Heerun ka Haar (ACP placed the Fake Nacklace at Middle of table occupied by Three Guests) (Berister ALI included) jis ki Maliyet is waqt 37 Million Dollars hay, lay kr aayein magar ek Shart kay sath; (All Officers Focusing the Story while ACP focusing someone) (Berister ALI again) wo Shart ye thi kay agar aany wali Peerhi (generation) mein koi Shadi Dono Khandanun kay beech Nahi ho payii tou Ye haar Raj Gharany ko wapis kr diya jayey ga warna ye DEWAN Gharany ki Milkiyet rahy ga.

Dusri Peerhi mein SHRMA YAADAV aur KAVITA SETH jo kay phir RAJ gharany say Taluq rakhty thy, Un kay beech Rishta bandha tou Haar phir say DEWAAN gharany ki Milkiyet reh gaya.

ACP (interrupts): magar Teesri Peerhi yani ANANDI SHARMA nay Is Shart ko manny say Inkaar kr diya kay wo DEWAN Gharany ki Bahu bany, (to DUO) yaad hy Main nay Tum Dono ko kaha tha kay ANANDI kay Aashiqun ki tadad malum karo aur ye bhi kay Wo kis taraf Jhuk rahi hy, kyunkay is Haar ko dekhtay sath he Mujhy ye Shart foran yaad aa gayii aur ye bhi kay yaqeenun Haar ko Ghayeb kr kay ye bataya jayey ga kay wo Lutera Haar lay gaya, is tarah ANANDI ki Shadi bhi Apni Marzi sy ho jayey gi aur Haar bhi DEWAN Family mein reh jayey ga.

ABHIJHIT: Sir, Aap ko is Will ka malum tha.?

ACP: Badqismati sy (teasing glance over someone)Wo Dusri Peerhi ka Shaks yani SHARMA YADAV (all look at ANANDA father although Team already got but now it's a Big Jerk for ANANDI) (ACP adds) Humaray sath College mein tha, Shadi kay baad jub Us nay Hum 4/5 Close Friends kay sath is Will ko Share kiya aur Humein Us Haar kay darshan bhi karwayey tou Hum Khoob hansy kyunkay Us samy YADAV kay liyey bhi Ye baat ek aam sii cheez thi, ye tou Waqt guzarnay aur khas kr ANANDI kay RAJ Gharany mein Shadi say Inkaar kay baad Us kay Dimagh nay ye Shaitani Chaal sochi.

DAAYA: magar Sir, Mr. SHARMA ye Kaam Khamoshi say bhi kr sakty thy, ya ANANDI ko Apny sath Mila letay kyunkay Apny Ghar say haar ghayeb karna tou Mushkil Nahi hota Un kay liyey.?

Berister ALI: Nahi agar aisa hota tou Pehla aur poora Shak SHARMA YADAV pr hee jata aur Us kay taluqaat na sirf RAJ gharany say Kharab hotay balkay Business Community mein bhi Us ki Saakh Gir jati.

ACP: haan, SHARMA Residence mein hui Us nakam chori kay baad Mujrim ko Buht sawdhani say Dusra Plan banana para aur isi karan Usy itna Bara Plot banana para, 6 Months say Us nay is ki Tayyari shroo ki aur phir 3 Month ki Fool Proof Planning kay baad isy Stage kiya ta kay is Shak ko mukammal tour pr Mita diya jayey kay Haar kay Ghayeb honay mein kisi Ander waly ka Dimagh hy.

Bus yahan say Mujrim (avoiding to take Name) nay Jaal ko Kasna Shroo kr diya aur yehi Kasna Usy Humaray jaal tak ly aaya (to Mr. SHARMA) kyun YAADAV!

YADAV trying to Move but SACCHIN hand over His Shoulder did not gives Him chance to Leave, He sat with Covering His Face, while ANANDI said in Regret;

ANANDI: Papa aap.?

ACP (again): haan, Tumharay Baap nay jub ye dekha kay Tum Apni Marzi say he Shadi karo gi touUsy laga ye Haar Us kay hath sy Nikl jayey ga, Us nay ek Poora Khail racha, jahan Un Circus kay Bacchun say lay kr, wo Dukaandaar jin kay Stalls ya Store say Book Churai jati, ya wo Courier Company jis kay through Logun ko Un ka Loota hua Saman Wapis milta, sub Shamil thy.

Jis roz Wo USA jany kay liyey Nikla, Us roz Foreign Office band tha, Us nay TV pr ye News dekhi kay Case CID ko Refer ho gaya hay tou Ghar kay bajayey Apnay farm House ja kr Chup gaya kyunkay Passport pr Visa tou laga hee Nahi tha, Jub Raat mein Us nay Apnay Ghar sy Chori Chupay wo Naqli Haar nikalny ki Koshisk ki tou Us waqt tak ANANDI wo Haar RAJAT aur SACCHIN ko day chuki thi.

Bureau say Haar nikalwana tou Namumkin tha, is say pehlay kay ye kuch aur Sochta, Main haar ko Apnay Ghar lay gaya aur isy Ek baar phir Mauqa mil gaya aur Ye Meray Ghar say Haar Chura kr Bhag gaya magar Us waqt tak Mujhy Haar ki History malum ho chuki thi kyunkay Berister ALI aur RAJEEV BENERGI say main baat kr chukka tha, kyunkay ye Ek Legal matter tha tou is ki poori Qanuni Hesiyet thi, Documents Dono Gharanun kay pass thy.

SHARMA (with Low tone): PRADYUMAN, Mujhy Chor.

ACP (cutting in Rash and Regret too): nahi YADAV, ek aisa faqeer jo Bhook say majboor ho kr kisi ki Jiab katay aur raat hawalaat mein Guzaray aur tum is liyey chor diyey jao kay Tum ACP PRADYUMAN kay Dost ho.

SHARMA: magar main ny kisi ko Nuqsan nahi pohanchaya.?

ACP: haan Adalat saza detay huay is Baat ka Khayal rakkhy gi (to PUNKAJ) lay jao Isy.

ANANDI (in Cry to ACP): Sir, Please.

ACP (placing hand over Her Head with): Sorry Beta, main Majboor hun. Bus Aik Mashwara dy sakta hun, kisi Achy Waqeel ka Intaizaam karo.

She moved with Tears, Berister ALI also saying Goodbye after receives ACP Sir Thanks for this Help in sad shade.

VIVIK: pr Sir Haar chori hua kahan.? Matlab Asli Haar tou ANANDI kay pass hee tha na; matlab kuch;

ACP: VIVIK, dekho ANANDI Asli Haar pehan kr Play dekhnay gayii (VIVIK nods, ACP adds) Haar Chori hua, Wapis mila, Johri nay kaha ye Naqli hay jub kay wo Asli tha; Correct (VIVIK Nods again) (ACP again) ab hua ye.

RAJAT (interrupts): ky Asli Haar tou Humaray pass aa gaya, Right (TRIO Smiles, He added again) kyunkay ANANDI Usy Naqli samjh kr Humein day chuki thi, yahan Mujrim ko jub is Baat ka Pata chala tou.

FREDY: Us ny ANANDI ko Naqli Haar bheja jo phir Us Chotay Johri nay Paisun ki Lalach mein Asli bataya.

SACCHIN: aur Us Mujrim nay ACP Sir kay Ghar sy Asli Haar phir chura liya.

DAAYA: magar Sir, Ek Haar kay liyey itna Hangama, Mera khayal hy DEWAN Group Kafi daulatmand log hain.

ACP (sad tone): DAAYA, yahan 1000 rupy ki khatir Log aik dusray ko Qatakl kr detay hain; 37 Million Dollar wo bhi Open Market mein koi Choti raqam Nahi aur agar Black Market ki Baat karo tou is say bhi Zyada Daam ho sakty thy; jub Insan kay ander Shaitan aa jata hay na tou kya Khandaan, kya Sanskaar; sub Khatam ho jatay hain.

ABHIJHIT: Sir, aap nay SHARMA YADAV ko Pakra kesay.?

ACP: Yaad hy Kal Tum logun nay bataya tha kay SHARMA YADAV USA mein hay, Main nay Foreign Office say pata kiya tou malum hua kay Us ka Visa Form aa chuka hay aur Wo shayed USA ja bhi chukka hay, main Mayus ho gaya, Unexpectidley News dekhnay kay dauran malum hua kay USA kay kafi States mein Shadeed Tofaan aur Barfbari (snow falling) kay karan Saari Flights Band ho gayey hain; bus ek Chance liya; Airport say pata chala kay kuch Pessangers jin ki Flight Delay hui hain, wo Airport say qareeb Hotel mein Thehray huay hain; bus Airport Security ki madad say YADAV ko pakra.

ABHIJHIT (again): magar Sir, Us nay Shak Nahi kiya, matlab aaram say yahan aa gaya.?

ACP (smiles): nahi, Usy Airport say IB walun nay ye keh kr Arrest kiya kay Us kay Saman say Drugs mili hay aur yahan bhi Usy IB hee chor kr gayii thi, Us kay baad (low tone) Wo kya karta ABHIJHIT; bus samjho Luck thi kay Flight Delay honay kay karan Wo Pakra gaya warna Wo Nikl hee jata kyunky 2 din say Wo Airport kay Hotel mein hee tha; phir NIKHAL ki Nigrani aur Police ki Help say Wo Circus, Courier Company aur Book Stores kay Log, Us Johri ka Wo Karigar bhi Pakray gayey, magar Un logun ka kya qasoor, shayed Un bacchun ko saza ho, magar Baaqi tou.

DAAYA: Sir kya ANANDI ko malum Nahi hua kay Flight Delay ho gayii hay.?

ACP: nahi, kyunkay Jo Flight jany wali thi wo On Board ho chuki thi, magar baad mein Pessangers ko Offload kr diya gaya kyunkay mausam Buht Kharab tha aur USA kay Airport kay Control Tower nay bhi Red Signal day diya tha; aur ANANDI ko Us nay Skype kay through Contact kr liya, Us Bechari ko Khaber tak Nahi hui kay.

ABHIJHIT (added): kay Baap wahan USA say Nahi Mumbai say Topi ghuma raha hay.

ACP gives Faint Smiles; Officers looking each One and on DAAYA glance, ABHIJHIT moved ahead to ACP Sir who was Standing beside Desk looking downword in Hurt with;

ABHIJHIT: Sir, Aap nay jo kiya, Sachai kay liyey kiya.

ACP: haan ABHIJHIT, magar (sad tone) Dukh tou hota hy na.

ABHIJHIT: Jee Sir, magar (look at ACP and ask in Hesitation) Sir kya Dr. NIYYATI ab hamesha kay liyey aa gayein hain.?

ACP (pat on His head with): aye Bhagwaan, nahi SALUNKY aur TARIKA kisi Conference kay liyey LONAVLA gayey hain, NIYYATI yahan aayii hui thi tou SALUNKY nay Usy Contact kr liya, Wo Letter Yaad hy jo NIYAATI nay dikhaya tha Mujhy (DUO remind that Letter) (ACP added) Tum bhi na ABHIJHIT (moving to His cabin with) aa jayey gay tumharay SALUNKY sahib aur TARIKA JII, kal subah.

DAAYA look at Him and gives a naughty Glance while All Officers Smiles whereas ABHIJHIT feeling really relax to Chill out His Head with Some Silly Stupidity.

Next Morning the Current Team joins their Position back and beading Goodbye to VIVIK, RAJAT and Dr. NIYYATI with many Good Wishes.

The Scandal

Disclaimer: All events, places, and names are purely fictional and bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. Did I get it? Did I say it right? Did...whatever. Who cares? Oh and FW you're welcome to use this story provided you keep it as is. I'll await my royalty payment. It better be that ticket to India and to the sets of CID. After all this is my story so I want to be there for it's shooting. *winks*

City Bank, Andheri branch, 9AM

The bank had just opened and Freddy and Vivek were among the first ones there. Vivek had accompanied Freddy because Freddy's qualis was in the garage undergoing repairs, so Vivek had picked up Freddy in his qualis.

Vivek said, "Sir aap aapna kam kar liye main idhar hoon."

Freddy said, "Thik hai. Main paanch minute main aata hoon."

Vivek sat down in the waiting area by the door while Freddy went to deposit the money he had brought with him. Vivek picked up a magazine lying in front of him and had just opened it when 4 masked people came rushing in. There were 2 others in the bank already.

While the 6 took control of the people standing there, a seventh man walked in and said, "Hume sirf paise aur zevhar chahiye. Sab chup chap inhe do counters ke beech main aa jaye," he pointed at counters 1 and 4, "aur tum," pointing at a man, "manager tum hume saare zevhar aur paise laa kar doge. Samjhe!"

Vivek and Freddy exchanged glances. Vivek pointed at himself and then at the boss. What he meant was that he would attack the boss first. Freddy gave a nod and then jerked his head towards the 2 men closest to him. He was saying that he would attack them first. Vivek nodded back.

Vivek crept towards the boss, while Freddy silently moved closer to the 2 men. Then Vivek jumped on the boss and wrestled the gun out of his hand. Two of the closest men turned their guns on Vivek, but Freddy attacked them and kicked the gun out of one's hand while wrenching the gun out of the other's hands.

Vivek hurled himself at 2 others who were about to shoot Freddy knocking the guns out of their hands. Meanwhile, Freddy threw the two guns he had just gotten at the remaining 2 knocking them down. As they fell the guns slid out of their hands.

Then a fist fight started. The boss turned Freddy around and delivered a punch to his face, but Freddy quickly attacked back and gave him a punch in the stomach. On the other side Vivek grabbed 2 men by the neck and knocked them into each other. Freddy grabbed a man by the head and pushed him into a wall temporarily dizzying him.

While this was going on, one of the robbers creeped towards his gun. On getting to it he first fired at Freddy and then at Vivek. While Freddy dived out of the way, Vivek didn't get out of the way fast enough and he got hit in the arm. Freddy ran to Vivek and the robbers took this moment to make their getaway.

*****

City Bank, Andheri branch, 11AM

While a nurse bandaged Vivek's wound, ACP Pradyuman, Daya, and Abhijeet were talking to Freddy trying to understand what had happened. Vivek had refused to go to hospital and rightly so. The bullet had just grazed his arm and was at the moment buried in the wall.

Freddy finished telling the trio what had happened and then the 4 went over to check on Vivek. Vivek said, "Sir main bilkul thik hoon. Inhe looteron ko dhoondte hain."

"Vivek tumne kya dekha?" Abhijeet asked.

Vivek told him what he had seen. Then he pointed towards the wall behind him. "Sirf do goliyan chali thi. Jo mujhe lag ke guzaari thi woh peeche hai."

Dr. Salunkhe called out, "Zara yeh dekho."

The 5 went over to the door where Dr. Salunkhe had been examining the door for fingerprints. Even though the robbers had been wearing gloves after the fight. 2 had lost their gloves and Vivek had managed to note that both had touched the door handle. And given that the door and the entire bank was cleared each night and that no one had left the bank that morning, it meant the inside door handle would have only 2 sets of fingerprints.

Dr. Salunkhe said, "Yahan pe sirf ungli ke nishaan nahi hain. Yeh dekho," he pointed above the handle near where someone's face would be, "Yahan pe mujhe thuk ke kuch nishaan bhi mile hain. Unhe saathon main se jab koi bolta tha toh woh thukta hai. Kya tum logon ko yaad hai ke bahar nikeltve kaun bola tha?"

Freddy and Vivek tried to recall what had happened. Freddy replied, "Haan do log chilaye the bhaago. Lekin unhe main se koi darwaze ke paas nahi tha uss waqt."

One of the tellers stepped forward. She said, "Sir maine woh aakhri wale aadmi ko darwaze ke paas kuch bolte huye dekha."

"Woh toh shayad inhe sab ka boss tha. Kyun ki woh saare hukum de raha tha," Vivek said.

The manager came over with Tasha. Tasha said, "Sir CCTV footage tyar hai."

"Haan chalo woh dekhte hain," ACP Pradyuman said. "Abhijeet aur Daya, tum inhe sab ka baayan le lo aur phir inhe jaane do inke naam aur paate le kar. Freddy aur Vivek, tum aao."

ACP Pradyuman had done this for a reason. Since Freddy and Vivek had been in the midst of everything, this was a double investigation. Not only were they searching for the robbers, they were also investigating to see if Freddy and Vivek had followed procedure. Had they attempted to save people? Or had they endangered lives while fighting with the robbers? That's why ACP Pradyuman had made a point to take names. He had wanted to communicate this message with the team and they had understood because they were doing as told. Freddy and Vivek followed ACP Pradyuman and Tasha, while Abhijeet and Daya talked to the witnesses.

*****

CID bureau, 2PM

The team was now discussing the case in the bureau. Abhijeet said, "Sab ke baayan toh lag bhag ek jaise the. Sab thik waise hi huya tha jaise Freddy aur Vivek ne kaha tha."

Daya said, "Sir mujhe ek baat samjh nahi aa raha hai. Inhe mujhrim ne subah kyun chuni. Raat ko chori karte toh koi milta nahi aur zada asaani se saare paise aur zevhar lekar faraar hote."

Freddy added, "Aur subah subah aane se unhe zada log milte kyun ki subah hi log sabse zada aate hain."

"Toh phir unhone subah hi kyun chuni sir?" Tasha asked.

"Aur sir unhe kaise pata tha ke manager kaun hai aur wahan hoga?" Vivek pointed out.

"Haan yeh bhi hai. Wahan pe toh chaar paanch log the jo manager ki taran lagte the. Toh phir unhone poocha kyun nahi ke manager kaun hai? Kuch toh gadbad hai," ACP Pradyuman finally said. "Yeh sab planning ke saath kiya gaya hai. Bas yunhi nahi chuna hai. Inhe logon ne bahut planning ki hai aur shayad inhe main se koi baar baar yahan gaya tha. Aisa karo jitni footage hai unke paas saari mangwa lo. Aur dekho ke kaun kaun aisa hai jo wahan har kuch dino main aata tha aur sab kuch achi taran se dekhta tha. Dekho usme."

"Sir lekin aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ke unhe dakaton main se kisi ek ka account ho bank main. Taki aisa laage jaise uska kam hai bank main," Freddy suggested.

"Haan lekin zada pehle nahi khola hoga. Kyun ki koi bhi chor aapne hi bank main chori nahi karwayega," Abhijeet said. "Aur waise aisa bhi ho sakta hai ke har baar alag insaan aata tha."

"Toh aisa karte hain ke sab recent accounts bhi ek baar dekhte hain," Vivek suggested.

"Haan ek mahine pehle se shuru karte hain. Ho sakta hai koi mil jayega," Daya added.

"Sir yeh bhi ho sakta hai ke aisi aur choriyan bhi ki gayi ho. Woh bhi dekhna chahiye," Freddy suggested.

"Haan aur aas paas bhi agar koi CCTVs ho toh woh bhi dekhni chahiye. Ho sakta hai ke gadi dikh jaaye yah inhe main se kisi ka chehra dikh jaaye," Abhijeet put in.

"Aisa karo ke koi ek bank manager ko sambhalon, do lag jao footage dekhne main, aur do lag jao accounts check karne main. Main aur Salunkhe dekhte hain ke aisa bhi koi choriyan pehle bhi huyi hain," ACP Pradyuman directed.

The 5 divided the tasks and got to work.

*****

CID bureau, 8PM

Abhijeet rubbed his eyes and went back to staring at the screen. He was examining the CCTV footage along with Daya and it didn't matter how fast or interesting they made it on TV, in reality it was a slow and mundane process. And it was especially slow when they had no idea what they were looking for. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack without knowing which haystack to look through or what the needle looked like. He wasn't complaining, but his eyes were. He had been staring at the screen for almost 4 hours now. Daya leaned back and stretched. He had been staring at the screen just as long.

Vivek and Tasha were on computers as well going through government and criminal records of the people who had opened an account in the past month. That wasn't a fast job either. Because it wasn't just about checking the records, but determining whether they should suspect that person or not. While that may involve some judgment, it was actually based completely on the records. Because what the two were looking at was criminal record to see if the person had been charged for any crime before and if they had been then what the crime was. They were also looking at government records to see what the person did, where their pay came from, where they lived, if there were any previous governmental infractions and such. Then they were looking at bank records to see if the person was actually using their bank account or not. A combination of these 3 things led the 2 to the conclusion as to whether they should suspect a person or not.

Freddy was on the phone examining the bank manager's details with all the previous employers and people who knew him. He was looking to see if anyone had anything to say which may lead them to suspecting the manager of being involved in everything.

ACP Pradyuman and Dr. Salunkhe were in ACP Pradyuman's office going over the police records of the past 5 years to see if there had been any similar robberies. They were starting in Mumbai and then expanding out to Maharashtra and then finally all of India. If they found anything similar, they would then examine that case further to see what the investigation had led to, if there had been any arrests, or any suspects.

*****

CID bureau, 10PM

Just as they felt that they were not going to find anything, Daya hit jackpot on the CCTV. He said, "Abhijeet."

"Haan Daya."

Abhijeet walked over to Daya's computer and leaned over. Daya pointed to a guy standing in the corner of the CCTV footage. He was barely visible, but Daya said, "Yeh aadmi pichle che dino ke CCTV main dikh raha hai aur hamasa yehi kapdon main aata hai. Mujhe lagta hai ke yeh iss sab main involved hai."

As if they were hitting the jackpot, Freddy also found some information. He came over saying, "Sir ek cheez pata lagi hai. Yeh Armaan Trivedi ke upar 50 lakh ka karz hai jo achanak se usne ek hi din main pay kar diya teen din pehle."

The manager's name was Armaan Trivedi. As the 3 processed that information, ACP Pradyuman and Dr. Salunkhe came out with a file. ACP Pradyuman said, "Ek case mila hai jo iss dakati se milta julta hai. Yeh teen saal pehle Delhi main huya tha. Lekin iss case main jo dakat the woh pakde gaye the aur woh abhi bhi wahan ke jail main hain."

Daya recapped what he had found and Freddy repeated what he had found. Abhijeet asked, "Sir yeh kaunsa bank tha jahan pe yeh pehli chori huyi thi?"

"India Bank," ACP Pradyuman replied.

Freddy checked the information he had on Armaan and said, "Armaan bhi India Bank main kam karta tha teen saal pehle. Delhi main Chandni Chowk branch main!"

"Yeh chori bhi Chandni Chowk branch main huyi thi!" Dr. Salunkhe exclaimed.

"Matlab jahan jahan yeh Armaan kam karta hai wahan wahan chori hoti hai?" Daya questioned.

"Ho sakta hai sir. Kyun ki Armaan pehle manager tha India Bank ke Chandni Chowk branch main aur phir teen saal pehle woh idhar aa gaya tha City Bank ke Andheri branch main," Freddy replied.

"Aur usse pehle?" Abhijeet asked.

"Usse pehle woh ek assistant manager tha India Bank ke Gurgaon wale branch main. Woh che saal pehle tha. Wahan do saal raha, phir ek saal Chandni Chowk, aur ab teen saal Andheri," Freddy replied.

"Abhijeet dekho kya Gurgaon ke branch main chori huyi thi kya kabhi," ACP Pradyuman said.

Abhijeet went back to his computer and pulled up the police records. He did a search for robberies and Gurgaon for 4 to 6 years back. While many robberies popped up, there were none for India Bank. ACP Pradyuman mused, "Toh ho sakta hai ke Armaan bekasur ho aur yeh bas itefaq ho."

"Lekin sir aisa ittefaq? Do jagah jahan iss Armaan ne kam kiya hai wahan robbery huyi hai," Daya replied.

Vivek and Tasha joined the conversation at this point as well. Vivek said, "Sir bank accounts se yeh do naam saamne aaye hain. Ek hai Nilesh Trivedi aur doosra hai Supriya Chatterjee."

"Nilesh Trivedi aur Armaan Trivedi...aapas main koi rishta?" Abhjeet asked.

"Sir abhi humne woh dekha nahi. Abhi dekh kar batate hain," Tasha replied.

She went back to her computer and sat down. While she searched, Freddy said, "Sir iska matlab hai ke shayad inhe dono main se koi inhe dakaton ke saath mila huya ho sakta hai."

"Haan bilkul ho sakta hai Freddy. Bilkul ho sakta hai. Ek kam karo. Inhe dono ke peeche tum log lag jao. Lag jao inhe dono ke peeche. Aur dekho, dekho kahan jaate hain yeh dono aur kis kis se milte hain," ACP Pradyuman said.

Tasha came back and said, "Sir yeh dono cousins hain. Armaan ka baap aur Nilesh ka baap bhai hain."

ACP Pradyuman cocked an eyebrow, "Bhai hain. Acha. Toh phir dono ko ek saath bulayo bureau kal. Dekhte hain dono ka kya kehna hai."

*****

CID bureau, 9AM

Refreshed after a night's sleep the team was ready to work on the case again. So far they had 3 suspects, Armaan Trivedi, Nilesh Trivedi, and Supriya Chatterjee. From today, Tasha would be following Supriya, Freddy would follow Nilesh, and Vivek would follow Armaan, but first they were bringing Nilesh and Armaan face-to-face to question them.

Vivek and Freddy would stay out of the way during the questioning so that when it came time to do the following, Nilesh and Armaan wouldn't be able to connect the two things. Nilesh walked into the bureau. Abhijeet said, "Bheto zara. Tumse kuch sawal poochne hain."

"Ji. Lekin kaise sawal? Aur mujhe yahan kyun bulaya hai?" Nilesh asked.

"Main bhi yehi poochna chahta hoon. Aakhir mere bank main hi chori hote hote bachi hai aur aap mujhe hi pooch tach ke liye bula rahe hain?" Armaan asked.

Then Armaan saw Nilesh and Nilesh saw Armaan and both tensed up. Armaan said, "Tu?!!"

"Tu yahan pe?!!" Nilesh said back.

"Sir aapne hum dono ko ek hi waqt kyun bulaya hai yahan pe! Iss saale ki jab bhi shakal dekhta hoon mera pura din kharab ho jata hai!" Armaan exclaimed.

"Jaise mera din bahut bhadiya jata hai teri shakal dekh kar," Nilesh replied, sarcastically.

"Chup! Dono bhet jao aur hamare sawalon ke jawab de do. Aur kuch nahi chahiye hum," Daya said, aggressively.

Reluctantly, both sat down. Abhijeet asked, "Tum dono main aisi dushmani kyun hai ke dono ek doosre ki shakal hi nahi dekhna chahte ho?"

"Sir iske baap ki wajah se mere baap ki maut huyi thi. Aise insaan ki shakal dekh kar karna hi kya hai?" Armaan replied. "Bees saal pehle jab hum bache the tab hum saath saath rehte the aur dost bhi the bilkul hamare fathers ki taran. Lekin phir ek din iska baap mere baap ko shikar pe le gaya aur mera baap zinda wapas nahi aaya. Tab se main isse nafrat karta hoon."

"Mere baap ne tere baap ko marwaya yah tere baap ne mere baap ko? Sir yeh jhoot bol raha hai. Uss shikar pe iska baap mere baap ko lekar gaya tha aur phir mera baap wahan se wapas nahi aaya zinda!" Nilesh exclaimed.

"Matlab tum dono ke baap maare the uss din aur isli tum dono ke beech main yeh dushmani paida ho gayi," ACP Pradyuman stated. "Toh phir Nilesh tumhara account ussi branch main kaise hai jisme Armaan manager hai?"

"Kaunsa account?" Nilesh asked.

"Tumhare kitne accounts hain?" Abhijeet countered.

"Teen sir. Ek India Bank main, ek City Bank main, aur ek ICICI Bank main," Nilesh replied.

"India Bank wala," Daya stated.

"Sir woh toh isli tha kyun ki mujhe wahan pe ek locker chahiye tha. Aur locker tabhi milta hai jab wahan pe account kholo. Toh isli maine wahan ek account khol diya tha aur ek locker le liya tha," Nilesh replied.

"Toh kya baki dono banks main tumhe locker nahi mila tha?" Abhijeet asked.

"Nahi sir. Wahan pe lockers kum the aur accounts zada. Isli main do saal se waiting list pe hoon dono jagah. Jab maine suna ke Andheri branch main ek naya locker room khula hai jahan pe 500 naye lockers hain toh maine turant wahan pe ek account khulwa liya. Lekin mujhe nahi pata tha ke wahan ka manager Armaan hai warna main kabhi wahan nahi jata," Nilesh replied.

"Tum aapna account istamal nahi karte ho?" Daya asked.

"Nahi sir. Bas usme har do teen mahino main thode se paise dal deta hoon taki koi fine vigara naa laage."

"Tumhe teen saal pehle ek chori main arrest kiya gaya tha. Huya kya tha uss waqt?" Abhijeet asked.

"Sir woh sab bilkul galat tha. Main aapne paise nikalne gaya tha bank main aur unhe logon ko laga ke main bank ko lutne aaya hoon kyun ki maine kisi aur ka bag utha liya tha. Mere se galti ho gayi thi kyun ki uska bag bhi bilkul mere bag jaisa tha. Lekin badkismati se isse pehle ke main kuch kehta unhe logon ne mujhe giraftaar karwa liya tha. Haan lekin baad main police station main sab kuch clear ho gaya tha aur mujhe chor bhi diya tha," Nilesh replied.

"Thik hai tum jaa sakte ho. Agar aur koi sawal honge toh hum pooch lenge baad main," ACP Pradyuman interrupted.

Abhijeet and Daya looked at ACP Pradyuman, who gave a slight nod at Armaan. The two looked at Armaan's face and saw his face contorted almost as if he was trying to think up something. ACP Pradyuman raised an eyebrow and, after Nilesh left the bureau, asked, "Kya hua Armaan? Kya soch rahe ho? Tumhe humne yahan kyun bulaya hai kahin yeh toh nahi soch rahe ho?"

"Nahi nahi sir. Main toh yeh soch raha tha ke main aapke sawalon ke jawab kaise doonga."

"Humne toh abhi tak koi sawal pooche hi nahi hain," Abhijeet said.

"Lekin ab toh poochoge naa sir."

"Haan woh toh poochenge. Lekin pehle tum yeh batao ke Delhi main kya huya tha teen saal pehle," Daya said casually.

As expected, Armaan's face tensed up. "Matlab aap ko uss ke baare main pata chal gaya."

"Armaan hamara kam hi yeh hai. Tumhare bank main chori hote hote bachi hai toh hum aapni tehkekat toh zaroor karenge. Ab batao ke Delhi main huya kya tha?" Abhijeet repeated.

"Sir usme meri koi galti nahi thi. Main toh iss din bank main tha hi nahi. Baad main pata chala tha ke char lootere bank main aa gaye the. Unhone subah subah bank pe hamla kiya aur saare paise aur zevhar le kar bhag gaye. Police ko toh lootere mile bhi nahi the lekin meri naukri chali gayi thi uss sab ki wajah se."

"Acha. Aur teen saal baad wohi hota hai phir se. Aur woh lootere shayad kamyab bhi ho jaate agar unhe hamare officers nahi milte toh," Daya mused.

"Sir aapke officers ki wajah se meri naukri bach gayi. Bank loota nahi aur isli meri naukri bach gayi. Warna phir kahin aur jana parta naukri dhoodne."

"Unhe looteron ko pata kaise chala ke tum manager ho?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Mujhe nahi pata sir. Maine toh kuch kaha bhi nahi."

"Yeh tumhare phone records hain. Isme iss number pe tumne kafi baar phone kiya hai pichle ek mahine main. Lekin achanak se yeh phone calls band ho gaye hain. Aisa kyun? Aur yeh number hai kis ka?" Abhijeet asked, putting the phone records down in front of Armaan.

Armaan looked at the number and said, "Sir yeh toh meri behen ka number hai. Woh ek naya flat le rahi thi isli mere saath aksar uski baat hoti thi loan aur rates ko le kar. Parson hi usne ghar khared liya isli ab baat nahi hoti hai."

ACP Pradyuman examined Armaan with a raised eyebrow at that. He let it go though he had his doubts and said, "Thik hai tum abhi ke liye jaa sakte ho. Lekin sher chor kar nahi jaoge jab tak hume lootere nahi mil jaate hain."

Armaan nodded and left. After he had left and Vivek had followed him out, ACP Pradyuman said, "Kya lagta hai tum dono ko?"

"Sir mere hisaab se toh yeh dono mile huye bhi ho sakte hain," Abhijeet said.

"Haan hume dekhane ke liye yeh jhoot moot ka natak kar rahe the lekin sach main mile huye honge," Daya agreed.

"Lekin wajah kya ho gayi?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Sir paise hi honge. Uss bank ke head office se yeh report aaya hai. Pichle hafte jab check kiya gaya tha toh iss branch main 50 lakh rupees aur 4 crore ke zevhar the. Aur upar se pata nahi kya kya hoga logon ke lockers main. Yeh toh sirf bank ki property thi," Daya replied

"Itne paise dekh kar toh kisi ke nazar bhi dama dol ho sakti hai. Aur upar se Armaan ke pichle bank main bhi chori ho chuki hai. Aur woh bhi jab woh wahan ka manager tha," Abhijeet said.

"Lekin boss yeh Nilesh kyun shamal huya hoga iss sab main?" Daya asked.

"Partnership hogi dono ki. Aadhe aadhe paise bant lete honge unhe baki che yah saat looteron ko paise dene ke baad. Aur waise bhi kya pata, shayad Nilesh hi tha unhe saaton main se ek," Abhijeet said.

"Aapne khabriyon ko kam pe laga do. Pata lagane ko kaho ke kya iss loot ke baare main koi jaankari hai unhe ke paas. Aur inhe dono ke parivaar walon se milo. Dekho kitni sachayi hai inhe dono ki baton main. Tasha, Supriya ko sham ko le kar aayegi agar aaj kuch naa mila toh. Phir usse bhi baat karenge," ACP Pradyuman said.

*****

Forensic lab, 11AM

Abhijeet and Daya had just been on their way out when Dr. Salunkhe had called the bureau and asked them to come to the forensic lab immediately. Now the 3 were in the forensic lab waiting for Dr. Salunkhe to come out of his office. He came out excited, "Yaar mujhe kafi baatein pata lag gayi hain."

"Kya mila hai Salunkhe?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Sab se pehle yeh ungli ke nishaan," Dr. Salunkhe said, pointing to the fingerprints that he had taken from the bank door. "Yeh hamare database main hain." Dr. Salunkhe turned his computer screen around and changed the screen to the criminal database. "Yeh ek Zangu ke hain. Aur yeh doosre wale kisi Azaad ke hain. Dono chote mote chor hain jo bahut baar jail jaa chuke hain. Yeh dono tumhare do lootere hain." Then Dr. Salunkhe pointed to his microscope. "Woh thuk yaad hai? Woh bhi hamare database main mila hai. Koi Lallan hai. Yeh ek professional chor hai. Abhi tak sirf do choriyan ke liye pakda gaya hai lekin iske file main saaf saaf likha hai ke isne do se zada choriyan ki hain. Yeh shayad tumhara woh boss hai. Woh saatwa aadmi jiske baare main Vivek aur Freddy ne kaha tha."

Daya looked carefully at the profile photos of Lallan and said, "Arre yeh toh wohi hai jisse main footage pe dekha tha. Woh jo che dino se dikhayi de raha tha."

"Inhe le kar aayo. Inhe se pata karo ke inhone yeh chori kis ke kehne pe ki aur kyun ki," ACP Pradyuman said.

"Abhi ek aur baat bhi batani hai Pradyuman. Zara ruk toh jao," Dr. Salunkhe interrupted.

"Kya baat hai Salunkhe?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Yeh Zangu aur Azaad, Lallan ke gang ke aadmi hain. Aur Lallan ke gang main che log hain," Dr. Salunkhe said.

"Yeh baat aapko kaise pata hai sir?" Daya asked.

"Daya, tumhara thoda sa kam maine kar diya. Lallan ka jo parole officer tha woh mera dost hai. Usse baat ki toh usne bataya ke Lallan ka ek gang hai jisme Zangu, Azaad, Shilpa, Munna, Total, aur Ekwari naam ke bande hain. Bas wahani se yeh information main tum logon ko de raha hoon," Dr. Salunkhe replied, with a smile.

"Sir toh phir yehi lootere honge. Lekin phir bhi pata nahi kyun mujhe aisa lagta hai jaise isme koi undar wala bhi shamal hai," Abhijeet said.

"Undar wala toh nahi, par mujhe aisa lag raha hai jaise iss sab ka mastermind koi aur hai Abhijeet," Daya replied.

"Pehle aisa karo ke inhe saaton ko pakde ke layo. Chahiye hamare paas abhi sirf teen ke khilaaf saboot hai lekin phir bhi hum sab se pooch tach toh kar sakte hain. Inhe sab se pooch tach karo aur phir dekhte hain ke kya pata chalta hai. Aur inhe sab se alag alag pooch tach karna aur sab ko alag rakhna. Dekhte hain ke yeh sab alag reh kar kya kehte hain," ACP Pradyuman said.

Daya's phone rang at this point. He picked up. "Hello...kya? Lekin...haan...acha toh yeh baat hai...haan hum dekhte hain...thik hai."

Daya hung up and said to the other 3, "Sir Sub-Inspector Shilpa ka phone tha. Jaise humne kaha tha usne bank ke kuch officials ko kaha ke bank ko ek baar achi taran se check karen. Officials ko pata chala hai ke bank ke jitne zevhar the sab gayab hain. Pichle hafte wahani the jab unhone dekha tha aur ab gayab hain."

"4 crore ke zevhar kaise gayab ho sakte hain? Aur agar woh gayab ho chuke hain toh phir yeh lootere churate kya?" Abhijeet wondered.

Then it dawned on all 4 at the same time. Dr. Salunkhe was the fastest and said, "Kahin yeh sab ek natak toh nahi tha? Zevharon ke gayab hone ko chupane ke liye ek nakli loot?"

"Ho sakta hai sir. Tabhi hume woh teen bags mile the neeche jinhe main sirf newspapers bhare huye the. Taki aisa lage jaise looteron ne zevhar chura liye hain," Daya said.

"Phir toh iska yehi matlab hai ke bank ke karamchariyon main se koi mila huya hai iss sab main. Usne pehle zevhar uda liye aur phir aapne aap ko bachne ke liye ek nakli chori plan ki," Abhijeet said.

"Aisa karo unhe parivaar walon ko choro aur iss gang ko pakdo. Le kar aayo inhe yahan pe pooch tach ke liye. Inhe main se kisi na kisi ko zaroor pata hoga ke yeh sab kisne karwaya hai," ACP Pradyuman said.

"Sir hum inhe dhoondne main lag jaate hain," Daya said.

Daya and Abhijeet left the bureau. Dr. Salunkhe said, "Kahin Freddy aur Vivek asli choron ke peeche toh nahi laage huye hain?"

"Ho sakta hai Salunkhe. Ho sakta hai. Lekin yeh bhi ho sakta hai ke Tasha asli chor ke peeche lagi huyi hai. Ho sakta hai ke Supriya ka koi saathi ho yah phir Supriya kisi ka saath de rahi hai."

*****

Outside Three Star Lodge, 2PM

Abhijeet nodded at a man who walked over casually. He stood beside Abhijeet, Daya, and ACP Pradyuman and said, "Sir woh log undar hi hain. Room 320."

"Saaton hain?" Abhijeet asked.

"Bilkul. Lekin jaldi unhe pakde lena. Pata chala hai ke saaton abhi thodi deer main yahan se bhagne wale hain."

The man was Abhijeet's informer, Pakya. Abhijeet asked, "Kya matlab hai Pakya?"

"Sir woh log sher chorne ke tyari main hain. Abhi hamla karoge toh bina gola bari ke pakde jayenge."

"Thik hai. Yeh lo," Abhijeet gave Pakya a few notes, "ab jao."

"Salaam sir."

Pakya walked away slowly, whistling. The 3 walked into the lodge and after showing their badges, took the elevators to the third floor. They covered the door of Room 320 and then Abhijeet knocked on the door. From inside, a man called out, "Kaun hai?"

Daya called out in a disguised voice, "Room service sir."

"Lekin humne kuch nahi mangwaya hai."

"Sir lekin call toh issi room se aaya tha."

"Humne kaha naa ke humne kuch nahi mangwaya tha!"

"Sir le liyeje. Meri naukri ka sawal hai. Agar bina diye main neeche gaya toh meri naukri chali jayegi."

"Thik hai baba. Aata hoon."

There were footsteps towards the door and then a man opened the door. Before he could yell out, Daya clapped a hand over his mouth and knocked him out with the butt of his gun. Then the 3 entered the room and before the 6 other men could react, pointed their guns at the 6 men. Abhijeet said, "Aapne guns idhar phenk do warna goli chal jayegi."

5 of the men did as told, but Lallan refused and pointed his gun back at Abhijeet. "Main naa phenko mhari gun. Kar le jo karna hai thare ko."

Daya said, "Hum teen hain aur tum ek. Soch lo. Tum udhar se goli chaloge aur idhar se tumhe teen teen goliyan lagengi."

"Main naa phenko," Lallan repeated.

ACP Pradyuman said, "Lallan neeche phenk do aapni bandook warna agar tumhe hum ab goli maar denge!"

"Nahi phenko!" Lallan repeated.

He fired a shot at Abhijeet, who ducked. Daya returned fire, aiming and shooting so that the bullet went right past Lallan's ear. Lallan screamed out in fear and dropped his gun as he covered his head. Daya took this moment and jammed his gun into Lallan's forehead. Daya threatened, "Ab bandook utha aur goli chala."

Lallan cowered in fear and Daya cuffed him. Then Abhijeet and ACP Pradyuman cuffed the other 5 and with the unconscious man, took the 6 out to their police van where they were cuffed and taken to the bureau followed by the trio in a CID qualis.

*****

CID interrogation room, 3:30PM

Daya demanded, "Ab bolo! Kyun kiya yeh sab kuch?"

"Kya kiya? Maine kuch nahi kiya hai," Lallan said, stubbornly.

Daya punched him in the stomach. He grunted and said, "Maar lo jitna marne ka hai. Mhare ko kuch nahi pata hai. Maine kuch nahi kiya hai."

Abhijeet put a hand on Daya's shoulder as he stepped forward to punch Lallan again. "Daya, Daya. Aise thodi naa maarte hain."

Daya stepped back with an understanding smile. Abhijeet took off his coat and put it on the table neatly. Then he said, "Dekho main tum par haath nahi uthaonga. Lekin tum phir bhi sab kuch bol doge. Kyun ki tum bhi jaante ho ke hum kis baare main baat kar rahe hain."

"Mujhe nahi pata hai," Lallan repeated.

Abhijeet smiled wryly. "Arre yeh toh samasya ho gayi hai. Lagta hai tum aapni yadash kho bhete ho. Koi nahi."

Abhijeet bent down and pulled out a wooden stick from underneath the table. He checked it, while saying, "Isse toh agar kisi ko amnesia bhi ho tab bhi usse sab yaad aa jata hai. Toh tumhe bhi yaad aa hi jayega. Ek phataka parega tumhare saar pe aur saari baatein bhar aayengi."

Abhijeet went around behind Lallan. Lallan tried to see what Abhijeet would do, but his hands were tied and he couldn't turn too far. Abhijeet gave him a wack over the head. Lallan cried out, but repeated, "Mujhe kuch nahi pata."

Daya said, "Arre Abhijeet isse bhi isko kuch yaad nahi aaya hai. Ek minute," Daya bent down and pulled out a steel rod from under the table this time, "Yeh lo. Isse isko sab yaad aa jayega."

"Haan do," Abhijeet and Daya exchanged sticks. Abhijeet got ready to hit Lallan over the head. Daya bent down and said, "Dekh main toh tere ko sirf haath se maar raha tha. Lekin Abhijeet tere ko dandon se maarega aur electric shocks dega. Isse acha hai ke jo tere ko pata hai woh sab tu abhi bol de. Warna tera kya hal hoga uska hume bhi nahi pata hai."

Lallan, who had been getting scared by the minute, finally burst out, "Thik hai! Main sab bata deta hoon."

Abhijeet and Daya smiled knowingly at each other. Their plan had worked. Now Lallan would talk. Daya opened the door of the interrogation room and ACP Pradyuman came in. ACP Pradyuman said, "Haan toh batao. Yeh chori kyun karne ki koshish ki aur kis ke kehne par."

"Hume paise diye gaye the. Ek phone aaya tha. Awaaz se thik se pata nahi chal raha tha ke aadmi tha yah aurat thi kyun ki awaaz robotic si thi. Woh hote hain naa devices jinhe se awaaz badle sakte ho, aisa lag raha tha woh istamal kar raha tha yeh aadmi yah aurat. Usne mujhe phone kiya tha kareeb do hafte pehle aur mujhe kaha tha ke woh mujhe 25 lakh dega agar main uske liye ek bank main chori karne ka natak karonga aapne aadmiyon ke saath. Usne 10 lakh kam se pehle diye aur 15 lakh kam ke baad dene ka wada kiya. Phir teen din pehle usne phone kiya aur bataya ke mujhe chori kab karni hai. Bas maine wohi kiya jo usne kaha."

"Aapna phone de," Abhijeet said.

"Mere iss wale jeb main hai," Lallan said, pointing with his head to his right coat pocket. Abhijeet reached in and took the phone out. He went through the calls and found the number. "Yeh number hai?" Abhijeet asked, showing the number to Lallan.

"Haan yehi hai."

"Usse tere baare main kaise pata chala?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Maine poocha tha lekin usne sirf itna kaha ke uske paas aapne informers hain."

"Tumhe baki paise milne wale hain yah nahi?" Daya asked.

"Maine usse kal phone kiya tha toh usne kaha tha ke woh sochega."

"Sochega?" Daya repeated, picking up on the tense.

"Haan usne yehi kaha tha. Main sochonga.'"

"Usse phir se phone karo aur iss baar kaho ke tum usse milna chahte ho aaj hi bank ke saamne. Woh bhi sham ke 7 baje," ACP Pradyuman instructed.

Daya opened Lallan's hands so he could make the call. Lallan called the number and then put it on speaker. After 5 rings, the person finally picked up. "Kya hai?"

"Mere ko milna hai."

"Lekin mere ko nahi milna hai."

"Dekho yah toh tum mere se aaj sham milne aayo yah phir main police ke paas chala jaonga. Meri galti thi kya ke wahan pe woh CID officers aaye huye the? Mujhe tum se aaj hi milna aur yeh paison ki baat ka full and final karna hai!"

"Dekho tum police ke paas nahi jaoge! Thik hai. Main tumse milne aayonga. Lekin yeh aakhri baar hai. Iske baad main kahin nahi aayongi. Samjha! Kahan aana aur kitne baje?"

The 3 exchanged glances at the difference in tenses. First the person had said aayonga' and now aayongi'. He/she was purposefully doing this to keep Lallan confused. Lallan said, "7 baje ussi bank ke saamne."

"Pagal ho kya? Bank ke saamne milenge toh turant pakde jayenge!"

"Tum chun lo. Yah toh bank yah phir police station ke saamne."

"Thik hai. Aa jaonga. Ab rakho. Main meeting main hoon. Sham ko aa jaongi."

The person hung up. Daya took the phone from Lallan and tied his hands again. ACP Pradyuman said, "Ab tum sham ko usse milne jaoge. Aur hum usse pakde lenge."

*****

CID bureau, 4PM

"Yeh jo bhi hai usne yeh plan 2 hafte pehle se banaya huya tha," Daya said.

"Haan aur usse yeh bhi pata tha ke woh yeh kam Lallan se karwayega. Lekin usse Lallan ke baare main pata kaise chala hoga," Abhijeet wondered.

"Ho sakta hai ke uske paas sach main koi informer ho. Yah phir ho sakta hai ke kabhi kisi ke moun se Lallan ka naam sun liya hoga. Aur yeh Lallan ke pakde jaane ki khabar kabhi newspaper main bhi chapi hogi. Wahan se bhi mil gaya ho sakta hai," Daya thought.

"Aur number?" Abhijeet asked.

"Haan woh toh hai. Number kahan se mila hoga?" Daya agreed.

"Waise ab yeh aadmi yah aurat pakda hi jayega. Tab woh hi bata dega," Abhijeet said.

Abhijeet's phone rang. It was Freddy. Freddy said, breathlessly, "Sir Nilesh gayab ho gaya hai!"

"Kya? Kaise?" Abhijeet asked.

"Sir woh ek hotel main ghusa tha. Main uske peeche hi tha. Lekin phir ek aadmi se takda gaya aur do second ke liye meri nazar hath gayi Nilesh se. Usse bahut dhoonda lekin woh kahin nahi mila!"

"Tum ruko. Main uska phone trace karwata hoon. Phir wahan paunch jana."

Abhijeet hung up and repeated what Freddy had said to Daya and ACP Pradyuman. ACP Pradyuman said, "Daya Tasha aur Vivek se poocho ke sab thik hai."

Daya nodded. He called Vivek as Abhijeet got Nilesh's phone traced. It turned out Nilesh was sitting in the coffee shop just beside the hotel. He conveyed this information to Freddy who said, sheepishly, "Haan sir. Mujhe bhi woh dikh gaya hai. Galti ho gayi."

"Koi nahi Freddy. Ho jata hai."

Abhijeet hung up. He saw Daya's concerned expression. Daya said, "Sir Vivek ka toh sab thik hai, lekin Tasha phone nahi utha rahi hai."

"Uska number track karo aur wahan jaa kar dekho," ACP Pradyuman said.

Abhijeet was already on the phone, before ACP Pradyuman finished. He found Tasha's location and the two ran out to see what had happened.

*****

Outside Supriya's house, 5PM

Daya and Abhijeet reached Supriya's house and ran towards the house. But just as they reached the door, Daya stopped Abhijeet and pointed to a foot he saw in the hedges. The two ran over to the hedges and found Tasha lying there unconscious. While Abhijeet bent down to try and awaken Tasha, Daya went in search of water. He came back a few moments later with a watering can and sprayed Tasha.

Tasha's eyes fluttered open and she tried to sit up weakly with a hand to her head. Abhijeet helped her up and Daya asked, "Kya huya yahan pe?"

"Sir main yahan chupi huyi thi aur koi peeche se aaya aur mere saar pe maar ke chala gaya," Tasha replied.

"Tumne dekha kaun tha?" Abhijeet asked.

"Nahi sir. Woh peeche se maar ke bhag gaya. Haan lekin jaate jaate maine uske paar pakda liya tha aur uska yeh joota mere haath main reh gaya tha," Tasha said.

She picked up the shoe that was lying in the hedges as well. It was a lady's sandal. Abhijeet guessed, "Supriya."

"Lekin Abhijeet woh iss sab main akele toh nahi hogi. Kyun ki agar kisi ne bank ke undar se zevhar churaye hain toh phir woh bank ka hi koi hoga," Daya said.

"Waise sir main jab Supriya ke peeche lagi huyi thi tab maine Supriya ko kisi se milte huye dekha tha aur mujhe yaad hai ke woh bank main bhi tha. Mujhe lagta hai ke woh koi bank main kam karne wala tha," Tasha said.

"Chalo bureau wapas chalo. Wahan pe sab ke chehre dekhna aur batana ke woh kaun hai," Abhijeet said, immediately.

Abhijeet helped Tasha up who was still a bit weak from the hit over the head. With support from the two she made it to the qualis and then after a few sips of water was able to stand up without too much problem.

*****

CID bureau, 5:40PM

Tasha flipped through the sheets of witnesses and finally stopped at one. "Sir yeh tha woh."

Daya, ACP Pradyuman, and Abhijeet leaned over. ACP Pradyuamn read, "Himansh Chatterjee. Assistant Manager hai yeh. Dekho iska aur Supriya ka rishta kya hai."

Abhijeet nodded and went to the computer and pulled up the government records of both. He looked through them both, examining the birth certificate and other government documents. He looked up and exclaimed, "Sir yeh dono toh bhai behen hain!"

"Kya? Matlab bhai behen ne mil kar yeh sab kiya. Bhai ne bank main se zevhar churaye aur phir behen ke saath mil kar ek nakli chori karne ki koshish ki," ACP Pradyuman deduced.

"Lekin sir ek aadmi akele itne zevhar kaise chura sakta hai? Aur yeh zevhar toh marked honge. Yeh toh black market main bhi nahi bikenge. Toh koi kyun churayega?" Tasha asked.

"Woh log iss desh main nahi bech sakte hain, lekin kahin aur toh bech hi sakte honge," Daya said.

"Aur waise bhi jab iss chori ki baat thandi ho jaati toh woh log araam se bank main jaa kar unhe zevharon ko bech kar paise le sakte the. Yah phir bank main girvi rakh kar gayab ho jaate paison ke saath," Abhijeet added.

"Ab jo bhi inhe dono ka plan tha woh unhe ke moun se hum khud sunege," ACP Pradyuman said.

"Waise sir ab toh hum Freddy sir aur Vivek ko wapas bula sakte hain naa? Aakhir hume pata hai ke chori toh iss Supriya aur Himansh ne ki hai," Tasha said.

"Nahi Tasha. Abhi tak sahi main nahi pata hai. Ho sakta hai ke Supriya sach main kisi aur ke saath mili huyi ho aur woh Himansh se yunhi milne gayi ho jaise koi behen aapne bhai se milne jaati hai," ACP Pradyuman said.

Tasha nodded. The 4 got ready to leave.

*****

Outside City Bank's Andheri branch, 6: 50PM

Tasha bent down behind the car. Abhijeet asked into the earpiece, "Sab thik hai udhar?"

"Haan sir. Abhi tak toh koi nahi dikha hai," Tasha replied.

Abhijeet scanned the people getting off the bus. He was standing at the bus station with a suitcase at his feet and a newspaper in his hand as if he was waiting for a bus. He looked over to Daya who was sitting in casual clothing on the steps of the bank with a plate of bhelpuri from the chatwala on that road. If anyone looked at him, it would look like he was just another regular who was taking a break. ACP Pradyuman was leaning against their nondescript qualis checking his watch every few minutes. To any passerby he would look like someone who was waiting for another person, impatiently.

Lallan was sitting nervously on the bench just outside the gates of the bank. ACP Pradyuman asked, "Abhijeet kuch dikha?"

"Abhi tak toh nahi. Naa koi aadmi idhar ki taraf aa raha hai aur naa koi gari," Abhijeet replied.

"Sir abhi bhi 5 minute hain. Ho sakta hai woh jo bhi hai woh thik 7 baje aayega," Daya said.

"Bas tyar rehna. Tasha tumhara saar kaisa hai?" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Thik hai sir," Tasha replied.

"Vivek aur Freddy ki koi khabar?" Daya asked.

"Vivek toh Nilesh ke ghar ke bahar hai. Nilesh toh ghar pe hi hai pichle do ghanton se," Abhijeet replied.

After the attack on Tasha, they had been careful to check up on Vivek and Freddy after every 30 minutes. Tasha said, "Freddy sir ne bataya tha ke Armaan theatre main hai."

Then Abhijeet saw a car drive by Lallan slowly. He said, "Dhyaan se. Ho sakta hai yehi ho hamara aadmi."

The car went down the street and the 4 relaxed. But a few moments later the car came back in the opposite direction and stopped in front of Lallan. The windows were tinted and it was hard to see what was happening. The driver lowered the window a few inches and said something to Lallan who repeated, "Main tumhare gari main kyun aayoon?"

ACP Pradyuman said, "Lallan tum uske saath jao. Hum tumhare peeche hain."

As ACP Pradyuman said this, he got into the qualis and Tasha crept over and got into the qualis as well. Daya got up and stretched and sauntered over casually. He got into the driver seat. Abhijeet stayed where he was. Lallan got up and sat in the car and after the car had left, Daya zoomed over to Abhijeet who quickly jumped into the car. Then a chase began.

Daya was careful to keep his distance as they listened to the conversation play out in the car.

Lallan: Tum ho kaun?

Woman: Hum asli chor hain.

Man: Aur humne hi tumhe hire kiya tha.

Woman: Lekin tumhari itni majal ke tum mujhe phone karte ho aur dhamki dete ho ke tum police ke paas chale jaoge?

Lallan: Woh sab maine isli kaha taki mujhe paise mil jaayen!

Man: Bahut jaldi hai naa tumhe paison ki? Supriya...

Lallan: Tum...tum...tum aisa nahi kar sakte ho. Mujhe tum goli nahi maar sakte ho.

As soon as Lallan said that, Daya sped up. They wanted a confession and they had it. Now they could get the rest in the bureau. Daya overtook the car as the woman said, "Hum tumhe goli maar sakte hain."

Daya pulled the qualis in front of the car and braked. Before the car occupants could react, Abhijeet, Tasha, and ACP Pradyuman were covering the car with their guns. Abhijeet said, "Chup chap aapne haath upar karke bahar aa jao!"

The car doors opened slowly. From the front passenger seat, Lallan came out. From the back seat, Supriya stepped out. And from the driver seat, an older man stepped out. ACP Pradyuman demanded, "Tum kaun ho?"

"Mumbai branches ka senior manager, Akhilesh Chatterjee."

Akhilesh Chatterjee was one of the officials who had told the CID team about the 4 crore in jewellery and then had been on the team who had found that the jewellery was missing. He was also Supriya's father. Abhijeet stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar, demanding, "Aur asli chori tumne ki naa?"

"Haan! Ki maine chori. Lekin maine kuch galat nahi kiya!"

"Kuch galat nahi kiya? Chori karte ho aur phir kehte ho ke kuch galat nahi kiya?!!" Daya scoffed.

Supriya tried to run at this moment, but Tasha was too fast for her. She caught Supriya by the hand and said, "Ek baar tu mere haath se nikal gayi thi. Ab nahi nikalegi."

Tasha pushed Supriya against the car and put the gun against her temple. Akhilesh said, "Isse kuch maat karo. Isne toh sirf wohi kiya jo maine kaha."

"Yeh sab kyun kiya aur kaise kiya?!!" ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Maine yeh sab bank ko sabak sikhane ke liye kiya tha. Bees saal City Bank ke saath kam karne ke baad woh mujhe kehte hain ke tum ab jaa sakte ho. Bas yunhi! Naa mere kam ko dekhte hain, naa yeh dekhte hain ke inhe bees saalon main maine inke bank ke itne branches khade kiye Mumbai main! Toh maine bhi soch liya ke main inhe ek karara jawab doonga! Sab se pehle maine ek aisa bank dhoonda jisme chori araam se ho sakti hai aur chori pakde jaane pe bank ka koi karamchari phase. Andheri branch mere liye bilkul sahi tha. Ek toh woh bank main mera bahut aana jana tha aur doosra Armaan ka pichle record ke baare main mujhe pata tha. Maine jaan booj ke bank ke jitne zevhar the Mumbai main uss waqt Andheri branch main shift karwa diye. Phir ek bahana karke ek raat ghus gaya bank main uske band hone se kuch deer pehle hi. Sab ko aise dikhaya ke main wahan se jaa chuka hoon aapni gari ko Supriya ke haathon wahan se bhej kar aur bank ke band hone ke baad zevhar wahan se chura liye."

"Lallan tak kaise paunche? Aur uska istamal kyun kiya?" Abhijeet asked.

"Lallan ke baare main ek baar paper main padha tha. Bas police station phone kiya ek social worker ban kar aur Lallan ka number hasil kiya. Phir isse phone kiya. Main yeh dekhna chahta tha ke zevhar ek daketi main gayab ho gaye the. Taki agar Armaan na phase toh yeh Lallan phas jaaye. Phir isse maine ek din yunhi chun kar bank main bhej diya aur jo bags main wahan chore the chori ke din usse woh churane ko kaha. Lekin badkismeti se ussi din aapke woh do officers wahan aaye huye the aur yeh log chori kar nahi paaye."

"Aur tumhara yeh pura plan pakda gaya," Daya concluded for him.

"Akhilesh jo tumhare saath huya woh galat ho sakta hai lekin jo tumne kiya woh aur bhi galat tha. Agar har koi tumhare taran sochne lage toh phir koi kisi ko kam se kabhi nikal hi nahi payega. Aur Supriya tum bhi utni hi guneghar ho jitne Akhilesh," ACP Pradyuman said. "Ab tum dono kafi waqt jail man kaatoge chori aur ek attempted murder ke charge main."

*****

CID bureau, 9PM

Abhijeet said, "Chalo pehli baar itne samay baad aisa case mila jisme koi laash nahi thi."

Daya said, jokingly, "Aur jahan ek laash ke bajaye teen chaar laashein mil jaate hain, wahan hume bas do yah teen alag alag log mil gaye jinhe ke paas chori karne ki wajah thi."

Freddy's phone rang at that moment. It was a murder case.

Abhijeet sighed, "Chalo. Hume laashon se chutkara nahi milega lagta hai."

Daya replied, "Laashon ke bina toh CID band ho jayega."

Vivek exclaimed, "Arre nahi sir! CID band naa ho toh acha hai."

"Haan taki tum Tasha ke paas raho," Abhijeet said, teasingly.

Vivek turned red in the face, and everyone laughed.

Bank Robbery Ka Raaz

Abhijeet and Daya are en route to the bureau when Daya suddenly stops the car outside City Bank.

Abhijeet: Arre.. Ghaadi kyun rokha tumne?

Daya: Woh Abhijeet, kuch paise withdraw karna hai isliye.

Abhijeet: Abhi abhi waqt mila kya? Already hum late ho rahe hai, upar se yeh kaam.. Dekho already 10 o clock ho gaya hai.

Daya: Bass.. Do minute mein aa jaunga boss. Tum wait karo.. (and he rushes into the bank)

Abhijeet: (shouting to him) Jaldi aa jao, warna ACP sir ki lecture sunni paregi..

Daya: Jaanta hu jaanta hu...

And Daya goes inside the bank to complete his work. Meanwhile ABhijeet sits inside the cars and listens to the song played there. He suddenly sits alert. He had heard something. He cocks his head behind and sees few masked men talking in hushed voices right behind their car but only too audible for Abhijeet.

Person 1: Tum dono pehla andar jaakar sab ko daraa kar rakho aur main andar vault se paise nikaal deta hu. Aur haan yaad rakhna, koi bhi alarm nahi bhajna chahiye.

Person 2: Haan teek hai.. Aaj to hiss bank ko lootkar he rahenge.. Kitne din banaaya plan

Person 1: Haan.. Iss baar koi galti ho toh main tum dono ko chhodunga nahi.

Person3 : Koi galti nahi hogi iss baar..!

Abhijeet who had heard it all, in one breath, immediately takes his phone and texts Daya as

"Yaha bank mein chori honewala hai. Teen log humare ghaadi ke peeche he khade hai aur das minute mein andar aanewale hai. Tum sabko alert kar do aur who log andar aate he main baahar se bock kar deta hu"

Inside the bank, Daya is waiting at the counter..

Daya: Jaldi kijiye na..

Employee: Zara intezaar kijiyega..

Daya is about to rebel when he receives the text from Abhijeet. He is confused at he sudden U turn and quickly wracks his brain. He hits upon an idea..

Daya: Dekhiye, sab log, chhup karke apne apne tables ke ander chhup jaayiye aur sab costumers waha uss taraf jaake khade ho jayiye. Iss bank mein ek bohot badi chori hone wali hai aur main CID se hu.

People bustle about hitting each other and finally the thieves enter.

Person 2: Sab log apne apne jagah pe freeze ho jao..

Person 3: Arre.. Yaha toh koi nahi hai

Daya emerges out and says as

Daya: Senior Inspector Daya hai na.. woh sab kuch sambhalega

Person 2: CID Officer Daya!! Tume kaise pata chala ki hum aanewale hai!!??

Daya: Bhagwaan ne mujhe speed post main letter bheja..!

Person 3: Ain??? Speed Post?? Bhagwaan?? And he he gets into a fit of laughter.

Daya who had gained a reachable distance from them grabs hold of the 1^st man there (P 2) Just when he is about to remove his mask, the 1^st man enters (P1 and fires a gun behind him). Taken by surprise, Daya lets go of the man and Abhijeet enters.

Abhijeet: Daya tum teek ho?

Daya: (taking his gun out) Haan Abhijeet.. Main teek hu.. Aaj toh inn chhuho ko pakarna he parega.. Ayee!! Rukh ja..

And a massive shoot out takes place in the bank itself. Bullets fly hither tither when finally a bullet hits Abhijeet's shoulders.

Abhijeet: Ahh...

The gun falls down and Abhijeet fights without a weapon. Daya too fights as hard as he could. But Abhijeet with his injured hand could manage little..

Daya catches hold of one of them but the other free guy points his gun a Abhijeet's head and the third man holds his arms tightly behind.

Person 3: Daya, agar tumne unko nahi chhoda toh main tera dost ko hamesha ke liye ticket de dunga.

Abhijeet: Daya, chhodna maat use..

Person 3: Warna... and the 1^st guy presses Abhijeet's shoulder.

Abhijeet bites his teeth in pain and makes an eye contact with Daya, instantly deciding what to do. Within no time, Abhijeet kicks his captivators. During the time in which they fall, Abhijeet lurches forward and picks his gun up.

They again fight and shoot each other and a bullet from Daya's gun hits the 1^st man. Exactly at that time, an anonymous accomplice blinds them with a gas

Duo together: Ayee.. Rokh jao..

Abhijeet manages to catch hold of the injured thief with his injured hand, but do to greater resistance, and weakness in Abhijeet's right hand, the thieves escape.

ACP sir is fuming in the bureay because both Abhijeet and Daya were late unlike any other day.

ACP: Yeh Abhijeet aur Daya gaye kaha? Abhi taka aye kyu nahi?

Sachin: Sir, shaayad traffic mein phas gaye honge. Aajkal Mumbai mein toh traffic bohot zyada hee bhad raha hai.

Purvi: Haan sir, mujhe bhi aisa he lag raha hai, warna Abhijeet sir aur Daya sir aise late nahi karte.

ACP: Chalo, unhe phone lagakar dekho, Vivek.

Vivek: Maine kuch he der pehle Daya sir ko try kiya sir par unhone phone nahi uthaya.

Tasha: Aur maine Abhijeet sir ko bhi contact karne ki koshish ki, par unka phone not reachable aa raha tha.

ACP: Dono ka phone nahi lag raha hai..! Kya baat ho sakti hai..

Daya: Hum bataate hai sir..

Abhijeet: Good Morning Sir.

ACP: Yeh tum dono itne late kyu ho? Aur Abhijeet kya hua tumhare haato ko..

Abhijeet: Woh ek lambhi kahaani hai sir..

And both of them narrate the incident taking turns and the rest of the team is shocked to hear this

ACP: Tum dono ko humhe phone karna chahiye tha... Dekha kya hua..

Abhijeet: Arre sir.. Isme kya hai.. Daya aur main kar sakte the na.. Bas mujhe goli nahi lagi hoti toh main un logo ko zarur pakartha..

ACP: Chhodo... Koi cheez mili un logo se?

Abhijeet: Haan sir.. yeh dekhiye..(he shows a blood stained piece of garment).. maine uss waqt kiye jab maine uss injured aadmi ko pakada mijhese bhaagte waqt..

Daya: Aur sir, dussra aadmi ke right eye ke paas ek badi scar thi..

ACP: Aur woh teesra??

Daya: Unko humne teek se nahi dekha sir

Sachin: Sir yaad kijiye na.. Kuch toh dekha higa aap dono ne..

Abhijeet: Arre haan.. jab mujhe goli lagi aur maine neeche gira, tab maine dekha ki woh teesra aadmi zara limp kar raha tha..

ACP: Purvi, Tasha, Vivek.. apne apne database main check karo ki aise log hai kya..

So the three go about checking the computers while trio and Sachin are discussing the case.

ACP: Bank Manager se baat karna parega..

Sachin: Sir, bank hai toh CCTV camera zarur hoga na..

Daya: Haan Sachin, woh CCTV footage bhi dekhna hai.. sabot ke liye..

Vivek calls out.

Vivek: Sir, mil gaya

The 4 and also Purvi and Tasha go to Vivek's place.

Vivek: Daya sir, aapke muthabiq right eye ke paas scar humare database mein teen logo ko hai.. Ek ka naam Jagga, dusre ka naam Binny aur teesra hai Jungar. Inme se, Jagga aur Jungar ko teen saal pehle khoon karne ki sazaa mein phansi ho gayi thi. Bacha hua Binny. Yeh ek chhota mota chor hai sir aur kai baar jail jaa chukka hai. Abhi sirf teen mahine pehle he jail se chhut gaya tha.

Purvi: Sir, lagta hai jail se chhuthe hee phir se chhori karna shuru kar diya..

Tasha: Magar sir, hum unko dhoondenge kaise.

ACP: Vivek, iss Binny ka address nikalo..

Vivek: Yes sir.

ACP: Daya, tum Sachina aur Tasha ke saat City Bank mein phir se jaakar dhoondo.. aur tum( turning to Abhijeet) ghar jaakar aaram karoge.

Abhijeet: Yeh kya keh rahe hai sir aap. Itni chhoti si baat ke liye aaram karunga toh kaam kaun karega sir

Just as Abhijeet tells this, his phone rings.

Abhijeet: Haan doctor saab.. Achha.. Main aau..?? Nahi nahi.. Daya nahi hai..OK.. Main aata hu..

Abhijeet, ACP sir, Vivek and Purvi enter the forensic lab.

ACP: Jaldi bata Salunkhe..kya pata chala?

Dr. Salunkhe: Pradyuman, tum hamesha aag par pair rakhkar aate ho kya.. Saans lene do bhai mujhe...Abhijeet maine sirf tumhe bulaya na.. Isko kyu lekar aaye ho..

Abhijeet( not knowing what to tell and after looking at both of them) : Aaa.. Achha Doctor saab, bataayiye.. Kya mila

Dr Salunkhe: Abhijeet, jo khoon laga hua tukda tumne laaye.. uska blood group A+ve hai aur unhone abhi abhi blood donate kiya..

Purvi: Woh kaise pata chala sir?

Salunkhe: Purvi, jab bhi koi khoon donate karta hai toh uske baad unke shareer mein naye RBCs paida ho jaate hai, unse pata laga sakte hai..

ACP: Salunkhe, aur kuchh bataa sakte ho uss aadmi ke baare mein.

Salunkhe: Haan boss.. Uss tukde par se uss jagah ka naam mila jaha se uss aadmi ne woh dress khareeda..

ACP: Dikha zara

Salunkhe: Yeh dekho.. Isne kisi Royal Disguise se khareeda hai..

Vivek: Royal Disguise?? Sir, yeh toh bohot famous hai drama ke cheez khareedne ke liye.. Andheri mein hee hai..

ACP: Toh tum, Freddy aur Purvi jaake paata karo uss aadmi ke baare mein.

Meanwhile in the City Bank...

Daya: Dekhiye Manager saab, zara yaad karke batayiye...Kya aapko kisi par shaw hai? Kaun kar sakta hai aisa?

Manager: Sir, mera ek puraana dushman tha aur uske naam Rishi hai..

Sachin: Puraana dushman tha matlab?

Manager: College ke din mein.. Par college se jaate waqt humare beech sulah ho gayi thi... Par mujhe shaq hai ki wohi kar sakta hai..

Tasha: Who kaise keh sakte hai aap? Aap bata rahe hai ki aap dono ke beech sulh ho gayi thi aur dost bhi ban gaye the.. toh phir un par shaq kaise kar sakte hai/

Manager: Kyunki sulah hone ke baad aaj tak jab bhi main phone karta hut oh aise baat karta hai ki woh mujhse nafrat karta hai. Aur har baar chhote mote jhagde hote the..

Sachin: Dosto ke beech jhagda toh hota rehata hai na..

Manager: Sir woh college mein jab hum dono ek dusre se nafrat karte the tab ek din usne mujhse kaha "Main ek na ek din tujhe maarkar hee rahunga.. Agar maar nahi sakta toh kam se kam nuksaan pohonchaunga"

Daya: Achha theek hai.. uss Rishi ka number aur address dijiye.. And ya.. humhe yaha ka CCTV footage dekhna hai..

Manager: Dikhata hu sir.,.

The manager plays the footage. The team watches it closely observing every single movement. Suddenly,

Tasha: Ek minute ek minute.. Sir aapne dekha?

Daya: Kya hua Tasha?

Tasha: (to manager) zaraa rewind kijiye..pause.. yaha pe zoom kijiye.. Sir yeh dekhiye, yeh aadmi(pointing to an employee) jab aap log jhagad rahe the, uss waqt iss aadmi ne kisi ko chhup chhup kar message kar raha hai.. Chehra bhi kaafi tension bhari hai.. Kahi iss aadmi ka iss chhori ke saat sambhand toh nahi aapas mein?

Sachin: Ab iska raaz sirf, yeh aadmi khul sakta hai..

At Royal Disguise...

Purvi, Freddy and Vivek enter the Royal Disguise shop. A lady is talking to a customer. After that,

Lady: Aayiye sir.. Aapko kaise madad kar sakti hu?

Freddy: Dekhiye hum log CID se hai.. ek aadmi ne aapke yaha seek dress khareeda jise who City Bank mein chhori karte waqt pehna tha..

Lady: Yeh aap kya keh rahe hai..

Vivek: Jo sachh hai wohi keh rahe hai.. Yeh dekhiye, yeh aapke shop ka tag hai na?

Lady: Jee haan..

Purvi: Toh phir, yaad karke batayiye.. Do ya teen din pehle kisine aapse teenn aise dress lekar gaye the.?

Lady: Haan.. woh aadmi yeh kehkar aaya tha ki unhe urgently teen dresses chahiye.. Maine socha ki who kisi drama ke liye pooch rahe tha.. toh maine de diya..

Freddy: Aise he de diya aapne??!!

Lady: Sir, mujhe kya pata ki woh chori ke liye istemaal karega..

Purvi: Achha yeh batayiye, woh aadmi akela tha ya uske saat koi aur bhi tha?

Lady: Ek aur aadmi tha uske saat.. aur jahan tak mujhe yaad hai, woh zara limp kar raha tha..

Vivek: Aur kuch yaad hai uske baare mein?

Lady: Jee nahi

Freddy: Yaad karke batayiye..

Lady: Haan sir, woh kisi se phone pe baat karte karte aaya tha.. Shayad Rishi naam ka aadmi se baat kar raha tha. Keh raha tha ki woh dress khareedne ke liye aa gaya aur iss baar koi ghalti nahi hogi..

Purvi: Achha theek hai.. Aap humare saat bureau chaliye aur sketch banana mein madad kijiye..

Meanwhile in the bank..

Daya: Iss chhori mein yaha ka he ek aadmi ka kaam hai.. Batayiye, aap logo mein se kaun nahi hai iss waqt?

An employee: Sir, Mr. Sandeep ke alawa sab log hai..

Sachin: Yeh Sandeep kaun hai?

Employee: Sir woh humare senior staff hai..

Tasha: Kaha hai woh iss waqt?

Employee: Shayad ghar par he honge sir.. Kyunki who kal sham se beemar the aur isliye chhutti leker chal gaye the..

Daya: Unka phone number aur address dijiye.. Pata chal jayega ki kya hai iss chhori ki wajah..

The team arrive at Binny's house..

Binny: Arre.. Aaa raha hu..

Jee kahiye..

Abhijeet: Kyun Binny, pehchana nahi??

ACP: Arre.. who kaise Abhijeet? Who toh tumhe jaanta hai na..

Binny: CID?!! And tries to get away

Abhijeet: Arre baba.. Kaha jaa rahe ho beta.. Tere dost aaye hai, andar nahi bulaoge??(and ABhijeet slaps Binny)

ACP: Batao.. Kyu chhori karne gaye the uss bank mein?? Kya phaida hone wala tha tumhe..

Binny: Sir, mera kaam sirf chhhori karne ka tha.. Kisine mujhse kaha ki chhori karo aur tujhe 10 laak rupay dunga..

Purvi: Aur tumne maan liya? Abhi abhi nikala na jail se? Sharm nahi aayi tume?

Binny: Paiso ki lalachh mein aakar kar diya..

ACP: Tere dosto.. kya naam hai unn dono ka?

Binny: Ek ka naam Bobby aur dusre ka naam...

Abhijeet: Batao..

Binny: Sundar hai sir.. Sundar..

Purvi: Kaha hai yeh dono iss waqt?

Binny: Who log kuchh der mein aane wale hai.

ACP: Achha.. jis aadmi ne tujhe phone kiye tha.. uska number hai tumhare paas?

Binny: J.. jee sir..

ACP: Abhijeet, Vivek se iss number ko trace karne ko bolo..

They hear the door knock..

Abhijeet: (pulling his collar) Dekh, agar zara bhi hoshiyaar banne ki koshish kin a toh tera kya haal hoga main nahi jaanta..

Abhijeet's cell buzzes. Looking at it he sees that Vivek had Whatsapped him the sketches of the other two aids in the robbery. So with additional evidence, Abhijeet pushes Binny and goes to stay silent with ACP sir while Purvi hides just behind the door lest the 3 should try to escape.

Binny opens the door.

Bobby: Arre Binny.. tera chehra chehra aisa daraa hua kyu hai?

Binny: Woh.. woh.. kuch nahi

ACP: Kuch kaise nahi mere dosto.. Aayie hum aapse kuch baat karna chahte hai..

Sundar and Bobby try to move out.. but Purvi blocks them with her gun.

Purvi: Ek kadam aage badhaoge toh kaam tamaam..

Abhijeet and Purvi force the culprits and they both confess to have aided Binny.

Abhijeet: Paiso ki lalachh mein naajaane kya kya karte ho?

Bobby(crying) Sorry sir.. aayinda aisa nahi hoga..

Sandeep's house.

Sachin: Yeh Sandeep ka ghar hai?

Sandeep: Jee kahiye.. Main he hu Sandeep..

Daya: Sachin.. Lagta hai yeh CID ko nahi pehchanta hai..

Sandeep: CID?? (and he begins to sweat profusely)

Tasha: Sir.. isko toh paseena aa raha hai.. lagta hai AC nahi hai iske ghar mein,,

Sandeep tries to get out but..

Daya: Aree.. itnni jaldi kaha jaa rahe ho.. coffee nahi pilaoge??

Sandeep(Trembling): Maine kuchh nahi kiya..

Binny's house..

ACP sir gets a call from Vivek.

ACP: Haan Vivek... Sandeep.. City Bank se.. OK.. Aur koi details..achha ok..Good job Vivek..

Abhijeet: Kya bataya sir Vivek ne?

ACP: Who phone kisi Sandeep ne kiya hai..

Purvi: Par sir, who Sandeep uss City Bank ka he aadmi hai..

Abhijeet: Tumhe kaise pata Purvi?

Purvi: Sir, jab maine Tasha ko phone kiya, unka investigation ka progress pata karne ke liye tabhi usne bataya.. Usne yeh bhi kaha ki who log ab Sandeep ke ghar jaa rahe hai poochtachh karne keliye..

Daya slaps Sandeep..

Daya: Dekh.. Mujhe pata hai kit u ne apne aap nahi kiya.. Sachh sachh bata do.. Kisne kaha tha..

Sandeep: Mujhe maaf kijiye sir.. Maine yeh kaam sirf paiso ke liye kiya.

Sachin: Sawaal ka jawaab doge?

Sandeep? Sir, mujhe unka naam nahi malum.. par usne mujhe paiso ka lalach diya aur maine iss kaam ko teen aur logo ko de diya yeh kehkar ki mera aadha hiss unko milega..

Tasha: Woh teen log pakde gaye hai..

Sachin: Paise kab milne wala hai..

Sandeep: Sir, usne mujhko Mumbai-Pune highway mein aane ko kaha tha..

Daya: Toh chalo, hum bhi chalthe hai paise lene ke liye..

In Binny's house, ACP sir orders their arrests sends them to jail

Purvi: Hmm.. Theek hai Tasha.. main bata deti hu..

Abhijeet: Kya bataya Tasha ne?

Purvi: Sir, who keh rahi thi ki iska asli mastermind ne Sandeep ko Mumbai-Pune highway mein aane ko kaha tha, paise dene ke liye..

ACP: Toh chalo.. Humare bhi hissa le lete hai..

So the two different groups meet at a place and Vivek joins them from the bureau and Sachin goes back to the bureau.

They reach the highway and wait along with Sandeep, well-hidden, behind a tree.

ACP: Dekho, unhe zara bhi saq nahi aana chahiye.. agar koi bhi hoshiyari ki, toh gaye tum..

Tasha: Sir, lagta hai who aa gaya

ACP: Chalo sab log...

A man gets down from the car .

Sandeep: Kaha hai mera paisa?

Abhijeet: Toh yeh hai..

Man: Kaam khatm nahi kar paaye aur paiose lene aa gaye..

ACP: Par hum paise chahte hai Rishi ji!!

They identified him on the basis of the information which mager Srikant had given them earlier.

Rishi: CID??!! Tumne mijhe dhokha de diya Sandeep..

But by now the entire team had surrounded him with the trio facing him and with Purvi, Tasha and Vivek on either side of him with their guns.

Rishi instantly pulls Tasha's gun and catches hold of her pointing the gun right at her head.

Rishi: Agar ek bhi khadm aage rakhenge na, toh aapki yeh officer mar jaayegi..

Purvi: Dekho.. kuck mat karna usko..

Rishi: Sab log guns neeche.. warna..main...

ACP: Theek hai..

While putting the gun down ACP signals Purvi who inturn signals Vievk and Tasha..

Instantly acting, Tasha kicks Rishi's leg sending him off balance, throwing the gun. Purvi lurches forward to catch hold of the falling gun and throws it to Tasha while Vivek nabs him.

Daya sir slaps Rishi hard.

ACP: Batao.. kyu chhori karna chahte the..City Bank mein..

Rishi: Kyunki main uss Bank Manager Srikant se nafrat karta that.. usse badla lena chahtha tha..

Abhijeet: Kya wajah thi uske peeche..

Rishi: College ke din mein woh bohot ameer aadmi tha aur aksar mujhe insult karta tha sab ke saamne..

Daya: Lekin sulah toh ho gayi thi na tum dono ke beech..

Rishi: Ho gayi thi.. par sirf uske liye.. Badle ki aag jal rahi thi mere andar.. Main unko hamesha ke liye door bhejna chahta tha uss chhori ke saat.

ACP: Oh ho! Dekha Abhijeet? Saab ka asli isea khoon karne ka tha, par woh khoon nahi kar paaya kyunki tum aur Daya waha pe aa gaye the..

Purvi: Aur iss Sandeep ko kyu chhuna tumne?

Rishi: Kyunki who mere drama se phas gaya tha... Maine paiso ki lalachh di thi aur bhass.

Abhijeet: Badle ki aag hamesh insaan ko nichhe ghir deti hai, Waise he tum bhi ghir gaye ho.

ACP: Ab jail main baithkar aag ko badthe rahna. Shaayad zindagi bhar ki sazaa milegi tumhe!

********

Chapter 1 -

The gun clicked with a lethal finality as the loaded magazine was thrust up into it. Its dark-skinned, bald-headed owner owner cocked the weapon up in front of him, tilting it ever so slightly, passing a casual finger almost obscenely along the metal rim. It was a nondescript desi katta, hardly an impressive item in one's arsenal, but it was more than enough to get the work done. Even the world's cheapest 9mm pistol is probably sufficient to blow open your enemy's cranium when fired at point-blank range. With an evil smile, the man raised and placed it on the forehead of the young man standing right in front of him.

"Koi aakhri khwaish?"

The room erupted with jeering laughter. They were sadistic brutes, merciless and vicious to whom killing and bloodshed was mere sport, a pitiful by-product of their godless missions. The young man did not flinch, neither did he show anything except remorse in his eyes. Remorse not of what he did, but what he had not managed to do.

"Tune socha ki White Dahlia ko join karna koi mazaak hai? Bacchon ka khel hai?" snarled the bald man, and the laughter died down. There was no mistaking the rage and contempt in his voice. "Kahin tu police ka aadmi toh nahi? Bol!"

The young man, taken aback, looked up and shook his head, almost too quickly. The aggressor smiled. "Accha? Vaise bhi, ab kya farq padta hai... siwaye iske ki teri laash ko sirf cheel-kauwe shraddhanjali denge. Alwida.."

"STOP!!"

The door had banged open and the murky room was filled with what felt like a divine ray of sunlight. Framed in the doorway was the figure of a woman, slender and lithe, her lush hair flowing over her shoulders.

Everyone turned; the bald man squinted at her. "Kaun hai tu?"

"Ek behen", she said unhesitantly, pointing a somewhat shaking hand at the young would-be-victim standing at gunpoint. Her face largely in shadow, her expression was impossible to determine.

The room erupted with laughter and jeers. The young man looked at her in bewilderment as several of the thugs wolf-whistled at her.

"Kitchen se bahar kab nikli, darling?" sang one of them.

"Kya hua, bhai tere tampons ka pack bhool gaya kya?"

Despite the extreme danger being faced, the young man felt a fiery stab of rage at the filthy misogynistic comments. He'd have loved to do nothing but strangle those ba$tards right then and there. However, the woman's eyes met his and their message was clear. Stay put and play along. I know what I'm doing.

The bald man now looked from her to the young man, queerly and suspiciously. "Badi behen, eh? Lagti toh nahi hai." He looked at the young man. "Sacchi teri aapi hai? Naam bata iska."

The man's eyes were fixed on her. If it weren't for his years of experience, he wouldn't have observed her tender lips forming the word silently. Nobody else noticed. He spoke the name.

The leader scratched a chin as he looked at the woman. "Aapko jaanke afsos hoga ki aapke bhai ne ek bahut zaruri mission ki band baja di. Aur ab usse uski saza..."

"Aapke liye mission zaruri hai na?" said the woman sharply, stepping forward. "Main poora karungi mission. Waada karti hoon aapko shiqayat ka mauka nahi milega. Bas, please, mere bhai ko maaf kar dijiye."

The leader cackled vilely. "Tu, humare gang ka mission karegi? Theek... par dekh, skirt kharab ho gayi toh hum nayi nahi de sakte."

The gang burst out laughing again. This time, before her "brother" could react, the woman stepped forward and hit the nearest one hard across the face. The blow was so tough that he was knocked off his feet and sprawled across the floor.

"Zaroorat nahi", she snarled. Her eyes flashed like a lioness'.

There were cries of outrage. The bald leader held up a hand, and helped the fallen man up. "Theek hai... agar tu Mahmud ko one-on-one mein hara sakti hai, toh tu join kar sakti hai humara gang. Chal, shuru kar.."

The man called Mahmud stepped back, his eyes watering in indignation and pain. The lady was unfazed as she prepared herself. Her heart was strong and her mind focused. She knew her motive was far nobler and vital than any of these worms in the room. The leader gave the signal, and the fight began. It was over in a little over ten seconds. The overconfident and blindly angry Mahmud could hardly see his opponent as she flitted all around him, dodging his blows and disrupting his balance with hers. A crackling kick to the groin had him squealing and writhing on the floor in seconds. Tossing back her lush hair, she smiled at her "brother" and eyed the leader calmly.

"So, kya main andar aa sakti hoon?"

The room was silent as a graveyard except for the whimpers of the defeated Mahmud.

Chapter 2

"Thank you, sir. Sach mein, bacha liya mujhe aaj!"

"Arre yaar Freddy, ismein kya badi baat hai?"

"Arre aap nahi jaante, sir. Aaj gadbad ho jaata toh wife ghar mein ghusne nahi deti! Kismat acchi hai!"

Abhijeet chuckled and Fredericks smiled back as both of them ascended up the stairs into the magnificent building of the City Bank. Owing to the enormous pressure of official work, they had been barely finding any time for informal interaction since months. Now, when Fredericks needed help regarding a defective ATM card, Abhijeet volunteered at once to help. He needed a break after the tiring case anyway, and took the chance at once. Daya was out on some personal work and the ACP and Purvi were rounding up the last one in the bureau as the two of them left for the bank. The short relief from stress felt wonderful.

"Yaar tumhe ATM sahi se operate karna aata bhi hai? Kahin kisi candy machine mein toh nahi ghused diye card?" quizzed Abhijeet.

"Arre nahi sir", quipped Fredericks indignantly. "Abhi ek hi mahina hua hai leke. Zaroor card mein hi defect hai."

"Woh toh pata chal jaayega. Chalo."

As they cleared the customary security check and entered the building, neither of them paid attention to the dark van pulling into the parking lot ten yards away.

*****

Adjacent to the bank, in a vacant room of the dilapidated apartment, a figure rose at the window clutching a metallic crossbow-shaped instrument. He was clad from head to foot in black leather and unhesitant in his approach as he gingerly raised the weapon to shoulder level and aimed it straight out of the window.

"Yaad hai na plan?" he whispered to his companion, without bothering to turn to him.

Complete silence conveyed the affirmative message to him. Despite the task up ahead, a slight smile curled the edges of his gaunt lips. None could stop men with a mission, really. And now was the time to prove that true, more than ever.

"Chalo. Aur yaad rakhna instructions. Koi gadbad nahi iss baar!"

Without waiting for a reply, he cocked his weapon and fired. A gleaming streak of metal flew out, attached to a rapidly uncoiling loop of fibre. With a distant thud, it latched itself onto the disused antenna on the bank's roof... just as planned. Almost impassively, the shooter pressed a second button on his weapon. With a menacing hiss, the end of the cord detached and he tied it securely to the hook beneath his window.

"Follow", he thundered.

One hand on the cord, he leapt off the window and slid smoothly down to the roof of the bank over the empty street below. No witnesses, no obstacles. Smooth. He leapt cat-like onto the concrete and had barely straightened up when his companion landed right beside him. The shooter smiled and severed the cord, pulling both ends back together. Both of them detached their backpacks and pulled out two cartoon masks, along with a cartridge of ammunition. Then the shooter looked over the edge of the building, and saw the signal.

*****

"Kya matlab theek nahi ho sakta?" cried Fredericks. "Aapne toh mujhse kaha tha ki..."

"Sir, this kind outburst not going to help at all", replied the ATM guy through in his maddeningly cool Southern accent. "I ask you to remain very calm and make specific request..."

"Request? Phir wohi! Arre bhai, mera card kaam nahi kar raha!"

"It okay sir. Have you heard of our Super Deluxe Mega Gold Platinum offer? Along with new card you get -"

"Freddy, Freddy, shaant ho jaao yaar", interjected Abhijeet with a calm hand on the other's shoulder, suppressing his smile. "Ruko, main bolta hoon."

Before they could proceed any further, several people screamed near the far end of the hallway. Gunshots echoed through the air. Abhijeet and Fredericks instinctively wheeled around to see bank employees and customers alike screaming and panicking, several papers flying in the air as they tried to run.

"Neeche, neeche! Koi chaalaki nahi!" snarled an uncouth voice.

People around them threw themselves onto the ground, cowering. Several hid behind desks while others fell flat with hands over their heads.

"I said, DOWN! Ek kadam aage nahi, koi aawaz nahi. DOWN!!"

Abhijeet and Fredericks glanced quickly at each other and swiftly ducked behind one of the desks, looking over at the other end of the hostage-filled hallway, at the source of the sound. Soon enough they came into view, two men clad in leather jackets and jeans, their hands brandishing pistols decked in gloves. Plastic Donald and Goofy masks were pulled over their faces, the characters' hilarious smiles in stark contrast to the gravity of the situation. The two men barged their way through the building and cornered the cashiers.

"Money, cash... sab daalo ismein chhup chaap!" barked one of them, thrusting a large cloth bag onto the counter.

Even before the man raised his gun, the shivering clerk hastily began to do as told.

Abhijeet and Fredericks quietly, slowly slipped behind a pillar, keeping an eye on the other robber, with the Donald mask, who was scouting the length of the bank, keeping the hostages at bay. Abhijeet glanced at Fredericks and gestured with his eyes; the message was passed. His trusted junior's expression changed to one of grim determination, and he nodded. Both of them dived back behind the stone as the robber came their way, snarling, "DOWN!"

Abhijeet squinted at Fredericks and was surprised to see a wave of surprise and shock momentarily pass across his countenance.

What? his own sharp expression asked. Fredericks looked at him and quickly shook his head.

"Jaldi, jaldi... HEY!! Silent alarm press karne ko try kar raha hai?" bellowed the other robber, pressing his gun's barrel hard onto the shivering clerk's forehead.

From behind the row of desks, Abhijeet crawled silent as a shadow towards the aggressors, quietly motioning the hostages staring at him to be silent. The voices grew louder as he edged closer and crouched like a panther ready to spring.

"Please, aap iss tarah..."

"Uda doon tera bheja? Chhup chaap - GRAAH!!!"

The attack itself was more or less silent; the sound was that of several shrill screams from the civilians. One of Abhijeet's hands was clamped hard onto the man's face while his knee crashed up his elbow, knocking the gun out of his grip. The other robber spun towards them, but a bellowing Fredericks was already attacking from the side, pinning his gun to the side.

The unexpected onslaught took the robber by surprise, but his reaction was ferocious. With incredible speed he whirled around and seized Abhijeet by the neck, the other hand tight on his shoulder. Without warning, he threw himself up feet-first; Abhijeet felt him break free of the grip and land right behind him. He ducked before the man could attack and counter-attacked with a heavy backhand to the jaw. He closed in the gaps and pressed on a swift attack.

*****

Feet away, Fredericks was holding onto the other robber hard, yelling for him to surrender, though his voice was distorted in the din all around. The man was young and agile; he heaved up powerfully and knocked him backwards; a slender leg in black swung backwards and stopped barely short of his abdomen. Fredericks dodged and edged his boot, nearly knocking his opponent off balance. He lunged for the man's mask; he dodged again. They were abruptly face-to-face; Fredericks momentarily saw the wide eyes behind the Donald mask and felt a sudden chill. Then the robber abruptly somersaulted backwards and dashed away.

*****

Abhijeet was locked in combat with the Goofy-masked robber when a shrill alarm pierced the air. Red lights flashed through the room; it was the fire alarm. The place was rent with screams; commotion was paramount and the area was swarming with the panicked crowd. Abhijeet and Fredericks fought their way through them to apprehend the robbers, but it was futile. By the time they'd gotten the situation under control, there was no sign of their quarry anywhere.

"Sir, alarm jhootha tha", said one of the employees, emerging from a back corridor. "Aag toh lagi hi nahi thi... kisi ne alarm box phod diya tha."

"Bada accha plan banaya. Lagta hai unka ek aur saathi bhi tha wahan andar!" snarled Abhijeet in frustration. "Nikal gaye humaare haath se."

"Saara paisa toh peeche hi chhod gaye, sir", said the bank manager delightedly, pointing at the dropped bag of cash beneath the counter; the clerk was now being attended to by medical staff for nervous shock. "Thank you, sir! Aapne hum sab ko bacha liya."

"Don't mention it; agli baar please apne bank ke security measures aur tight kijiyega", said Abhijeet, the cogs under his lush hair working fast and furious. He went aside to converse with Fredericks.

"Ajeeb baat hai na, Freddy? Itna bada bank lootne ke liye sirf 2 lootere din-dahaade aate hain? Apne doosre saathi ko peeche alarm bajane ko instruct kart hain? Aur bina paisa liye nikal jaate hain?"

Fredericks nodded absently. Abhijeet was quick to notice.

"Kya baat hai, Freddy? Kya soch rahe ho?"

Fredericks looked up quickly. "Uhh... kuch nahi, sir! Soch raha tha, sab ko bata dein kya hua? Investigation ke liye..."

"Of course", replied Abhijeet, raising an eyebrow. He whipped out his phone and dialed. "Hello, Daya?"

Chapter 3

"Shuru se dekhte hain, kya hua."

Abhijeet and Daya nodded in the ACP's wake as they examined footage of the incident thoroughly in the control room. The robbers had not entered from any of the direct entrances, windows or openings. They could not be seen arriving or driving into the premises either. As they rewatched the footage, they noticed that the first time the robbers appeared was from behind the Eastern corridor down the staircase.

"Woh raasta kahan se khulta hai?" asked Daya.

"Upar terrace pe, sir", answered one of the employees.

The trio looked at each other. "Purvi aur Fredericks se kaho check karein udhar. Tab tak idhar aage dekhte hain."

*****

Several miles away, in a dark room, the slender woman held up a gleaming silver briefcase. She was not particularly tall or powerfully built, but her dark eyes emanated a mysterious radiance like burning oil, both enchanting and forbidding, billowing with what felt like the mysteries of the universe. She was the only female in the room surrounded by at least a dozen men, each of them about a foot taller than her. Yet, her expression didn't betray the slightest sign of fear.

"Pakka yakeen hai na?" asked the bald dark man in a deep voice.

"Bilkul", answered the woman, unfazed. "Jaisa kaha tha, waisa hi hua. Code bhi wahi tha, aur..."

"Theek theek, mausi ji", said another impatiently. "Abhi pata chal jaayega. Chal, khol usse."

The lady glanced momentarily at the young man standing further back behind. Her "brother". The robber in the Donald mask. Longer attempts at communication could be unwise. Suppressing a scornful glower at the others, she flipped open the latches and opened the case.

The entire room stood in awe of what lay inside.

And then, the bald man slowly stepped forward with an evil, triumphant smile. "Kya baat hai, Fatima. Aaj raat hum badal denge sab kuch!"

*****

Leaving the confused and uneasily whispering crows behind, Purvi and Fredericks ascended up the eastern staircase as instructed. As they walked, Purvi observed her senior's expression. His brow was furrowed and eyes narrowed. He was unusually silent and pensive, hardly uttering a word, unlike himself.

"Freddy sir?" she asked hesitantly.

He didn't answer, and she didn't press on. When they reached their first destination - the first floor - Fredericks continued to climb up the stairs towards the second without stopping.

"Sir!" called Purvi, more loudly. "Hum pohoch gaye!"

"Huh??" exclaimed Fredericks, abruptly jolted back to his senses. "Oh... right, Purvi. Bhool gaya tha. Chalo, shuru ho jaao."

They examined the length of the floor, but found nothing. The same happened with the second and third floors. Finally, they arrived on the terrace and once again Purvi had to call out to Fredericks to prevent him tripping over a pipe near the edge. He excused himself and began to investigate at the other end. Purvi observed for a while and then approached hesitantly.

"Sir... aapse ek baat poochun?"

"Haan, poocho."

"Sir..." she hesitated. "Sir, aap thode pareshaan lag rahe hain. Koi baat hai, sir?"

Fredericks turned to look at her. Purvi's heart jolted, fearing she might have done something wrong. However, he continued. "Baat toh hai, Purvi. Soch raha hoon uss lootere ke baare mein, jisse main lada tha. Mask ke peeche uski woh aankhein... maine kahin dekhi hain."

Purvi looked at him. "Kahan pe, sir? Kaun ho sakta hai woh?"

"Pata nahi..." said Fredericks quietly, but his brain was whirring fast. Could it really be? Or was he hallucinating, just because he missed him so much? The young lad who he loved like his smaller brother, whose agility and energy he adored, whose pranks and jokes he missed, who had left CID a year and a half ago to pursue some unforeseen dreams and left a gaping void in the CID team. But him, a bank robber? But his heart knew. He confessed to Purvi.

Purvi's eyes grew wide. "Vivek? Woh Vivek tha, sir?"

"Mujhe bhi yakeen nahi ho raha, Purvi", said Fredericks heavily. "Par zara socho..." He explained how the robber was taken by utter surprise on seeing his face and bolted immediately, giving up a formidable fight. And though the din of the crowd had distorted it, he was sure that the screaming voice was Vivek's too.

"Aapne ACP sir, Abhijeet sir ya Daya sir se nahi bataya?" asked Purvi in surprise.

"Batana chahta tha, par pata nahi sach hai ki nahi", replied Freddy desperately. "Bina saboot Vivek ke baare mein aisa kaise soch sakta hoon?"

Purvi could fully understand what he was going through. She knew how special Vivek was to her Freddy sir, and she prayed that the worst they feared for didn't come true. "Sir, sab theek hoga. Chaliye, pehle yahan talaashi le lein", she said earnestly.

Fredericks nodded. "Thanks", he said with a small smile. Purvi smiled nervously back, and they continued the search. This time, they were successful. Directly adjacent to an old apartment building, the edge of the ramparts bore the clear marks of a grappling hook. Searching a little further, they found a semi-muddy footprint beneath it, with evidence of the mud having been wiped off near the wall. They collected both the print mark and mud samples, which the ACP instructed to be sent to the forensic lab.

*****

"Dhyaan se dekho ye footage", pointed the ACP at the screen. On the screen, they saw a man in engineer attire enter from a hidden side door towards the inner corridor and concealed himself in an alcove adjacent to glowing laser gates. His face was in shadow and beyond recognition. The other cameras showed footage of the robbery as it began. The Goofy-masked robber fired three gunshots. The corridor guards rushed out to the main lobby. At once, the engineer rushed in and entered a complicated password, following which the laser gates vanished. He went in for about three minutes. He emerged just as the battle between the cops and robbers began. He smashed the fire alarm and slipped out of the side door again. As he ran, his cap momentarily slipped aside and they saw his hair. And stared in shock.

"Ye toh koi ladki hai", exclaimed Abhijeet.

"Kaun ho sakti hai, aisa kaam kar rahi hai?" said Daya in surprise.

"Pata lagana padega", said the ACP grimly. "Par dekho... iss ladki ne bank ke top security vaults mein ghuskar kuch kiya. Aur manager ne humein bataya bhi nahi. Zara poocho usse, kyun."

Chapter 4

The woman called Fatima stared in awe as the bald man held up the object in the briefcase at arm's length. It was barely five inches long, stuffed beneath padding in the case. To the general citizen it was worthless, but for this group it could well mean a billion rupees every square centimetre owing to the information it housed regarding the information it housed.

"And now... the White Dahlia moves into action", smiled the man. He turned to Fatima, and his leer widened. "Saabit kar diya aapne apna imaan. Welcome to our noble brotherhood. Hila ke rakh denge dushmano ko, saath milkar!"

Fatima nodded mechanically. The man turned to the young would-be robber. "Salim bhai, lucky hai ki ye bandi aa gayi tera kaam poora karne. Agli baar galti karega toh soch lena..."

He motioned a slice across the throat. Fatima's and Salim's eyes met ever so briefly.

"Toh ye raha plan", continued the leader, addressing the ten other men assembled there at large. "Jab dushman ka dil hi ukhaad denge toh kaise chalayenge ye apne aap ko? Urja, energy, vidyut... call it whatever. We'll cripple their very foundations... the foundations their modern society rests on. Aur ye rahi woh karne ki chabi. FOR OUR SLAIN BROTHERS!!"

A terrible roar of uprising echoed across the dimly lit room. Despite his experience and nerves of steel, the man called Salim felt a flash of terror across his heart. Though they were only eleven in number, these men were forces to be reckoned with. They were hardened terrorists bred in the harshest of environment, mindless killing machines in battle and efficient warriors with only a singular aim - accomplish your task or die trying. Whatever plans he had made before this mission felt childishly inadequate. He glanced again at Fatima and knew they had to do something, and do it fast. His mind again flashed back to the fight at the bank, and he felt a chill as he remembered Inspector Fredericks.

*****

"Toh aapne pehle kyun nahi bataya!!" exclaimed the ACP.

"Sorry, sir", cowered the manager. "Hum bahut darr gaye the. Itni badi galti ho gaya humse... hum apna farz nahi nibha sake..."

"Toh phir humein sach bata ke nibhana chahiye than apna farz! Ab bahut der ho gayi toh??" snapped Daya.

On being questioned, the manager admitted that the government had entrusted them with a special task, one of extremely crucial importance. One that needed to be in trusted hands. A deadly terrorist organization known as the White Dahlia was in action and responsible for blowing up three gas pipelines over the past three years. Their attempt to vandalize the Bombay High was thwarted by a lucky tip-off, which resulted in two of their members being slain in an encounter with the STF.

Now, after the breaking discovery of a second gargantuan oil field off the coast of Mumbai, whispers abounded that it was the nefarious gang's target - to destroy it even before it was built. No more than these rumours took off than the ONGC took serious measures to cover up their new find. Until the threat was eliminated, the location had to remain a secret. In co-ordination with the Intelligence Bureau, they mapped the co-ordinates to the location and stored it in a chip. Without that, seeing the endless expanse of the offshore line, the site was impossible to find.

"Toh woh chip tumhe di gayi?" asked Abhijeet.

"Haan sir." The manager added that the director of the project was a trusted friend of his. They felt that hiding the chip in a mundane run-of-the-mill bank would be greatly safer than a specialized location that their enemies would be expecting. They created a specialized compartment in the bowels of the bank building and housed the chip there.

"Par sir, aur kisi ko uss chip ke baare mein pata hi nahi tha, mere, Rahman aur IB ke commissioner ke siwah!" cried the manager.

"Kisi ko toh pata tha", said the ACP heavily. "Unhone bank robbery ka natak kiya taaki unki saathi chip chura sake. Aur ab pata nahi kahan hain woh."

"Sir, agar White Dahlia ne location ka pata laga liya toh unhe rokna bahut mushkil ho jaayega", said Daya gravely. "Aur -"

"Aisa kuch nahi hoga", interrupted a steely voice.

All of them turned to see a tall, robust man with graying hair striding into the room. His lined face and deep blue eyes told tales of years of experience upon a glance. The manager blanched at once.

"S... SP Rahman, sir! Sir, main..."

Mr. Rahman held up a beefy hand to silence him. "Mujhe sab khabar ho gayi. I'll deal with you later, Manoj. Mr. Pradyuman, a private word, if you please."

The ACP shared a confused glance with the duo before following Rahman to the corner. When Abhijeet and Daya stood by him as well, Rahman turned to him with a grave expression.

"I wanted a private word, sir."

"Aapko jo kehna hai aap be-jhijak Abhijeet aur Daya ke saamne keh sakte hain, Mr. Rahman", answered the ACP calmly. "I trust them more than myself."

Rahman shrugged. "Fine. Pradyuman ji, please don't mind, but you already know too much. Ye sab top-secret information tha. Par haalat dekhte huey I'm making an exception. Needless to say, humein woh chip dhoondni hogi. Waqt bahut kam hai aur galat haathon mein bahut khatarnak information hai."

The ACP nodded. "Hum sab aapki madad karne ko tayaar hain, sir."

*****

Just beyond the wall, a dark figure leaned against the door, listening in to every word they said. The open connection in his mobile phone was amplifying and transmitting the sound data hundreds of miles away, into a laptop being operated by a dark, bald man.

Chapter 5

As Rahman finished explaining the situation to the trio, they looked at each other in surprise.

"Two different chips?" repeated Daya.

"Jee haan", said Rahman with a wry smile. "We wanted to take no chances. Balki plan toh 4 chips ka tha, par time kam tha. Jab tak unn logon ko dono parts nahi mil jaate, woh location tak nahi pahuch sakte."

"Par doosra part kahan hai? Woh bhi khatre mein hai!" exclaimed Abhijeet.

Rahman held up his hand. "That is irrelevant. Woh jahan bhi hai, safe hai. Humein pehle part ko dhoondna hoga, at every cost."

At this point, the ACP received a call and went aside to attend to it. "Haan Salunkhe, kuch pata chaha? ...accha? Great! Thank you." He disconnected and turned back to the others. "Salunkhe ko pata chala hai ki unn mud samples mein silt aur sodium thiosulphate ke particles mile hain. Ek chemical jo photographic processing mein use hota hai. Aur reth (silt) bhi."

Everybody in the room straightened up.

"Woh log zarur aise area se aaye honge jahan ye dono cheezein paayi jati ho - samundar ya beach ke paas koi photographic processing unit", said Daya.

"Haan, par sirf ye kaafi nahi hai. Woh log har baar apna hideout change karte rehte hain", said Rahman impassively. "Still, we need every possible lead we can gather. Let's find out."

As they proceeded to move out, the ACP's eyes fell upon Fredericks. The latter was looking grave and pensive, unlike himself.

"Kya hua, Freddy? Kya baat hai?" he asked, a little more sharply than he had intended.

Fredericks hesitated, but he'd made his decision. The situation was so grave that the slightest oversight could be deadly. If he suspected it, then it was his duty to express it. He glanced at Purvi; she gave him a small encouraging nod. Sighing, he looked at the ACP and told him.

The ACP's eyes widened, and he looked both concerned and aghast. "Tumhe poora yakeen hai, Freddy?"

Fredericks knew the senior could understand the storm of emotions raging inside him. "Maine toh sirf uski aankhein dekhi, sir. Par main kahin bhi unn aankhon ko na pehchanu, aisa nahi ho sakta."

The ACP nodded silently. "Agar woh sach mein Vivek hai, toh aisa karne koi koi badi wajah zarur hogi uske paas. Vaise Vivek toh Commando banne ko plan kar raha tha na?"

"Haan sir", said Fredericks, his voice heavy with emotion. "Pata nahi kyun, kuch hafton se usse contact hi nahi ho paa raha tha." He had always made it a point to message Vivek at least once a day. Distance could not separate the bond of heart they shared. This period of non-contact was a first after two years. He had assumed Vivek was busy in his work, but the new developments changed everything.

The ACP frowned. "Tum aur Purvi pata karo Vivek in dino kahan tha. Har suraag zaruri hai humaare liye."

Everyone left at once to man positions and do what was needed.

*****

"You know what to do", said the brutal-faced man as they drove through the dark street. "Aur koi galti nahi honi chahiye. Bas jaise City Bank mein kiya, wohi funda hai."

Next to him, Salim sat silently. The past few hours felt like a blur to him. That he had nearly bungled his mission and been killed seemed like an old dream. What hurt him was that he had been close to one of his most beloved people on the planet, and yet not been able to interact. He had seen his expression before breaking away. Had he recognized? What did he think of him? Oh, why oh why could he not just ditch the damned secrecy and go give him a tight hug right now? A silent tear trickled down his eye, and he felt glad that the darkness concealed it from the other man.

In the back seat, Fatima was looking absently out at the buildings as they passed their car. She was back here. Here, of all the places in India. Mumbai was burdened with false portrayals across the world, courtesy of one-sided writings and stereotypical films, as a city of slums, crime, filth, overpopulation and corruption. She snorted involuntarily. Bulls**t. She loved the city, loved it to death. She knew of the wonders, knew of all the positives that outweighed the negatives. She was proud to call herself a Mumbaikar... even if a former one.

But now she was back, and her heart ached that she had not yet met them. Not just not met, but was almost working against them, for the moment. She sensed the same emotions in her "brother's" eyes when she looked at him. But they were on a mission, and they could not abandon it at any cost. She closed her eyes and bowed her head in silent prayer.We are on the path of truth, and this is that night that will change everything. Help us.

*****

The investigation was not as hard as expected. Narrowing down their choices, the cops discovered that only three photographic processing units were located near the beaches, one of whom was closed. The ACP called Sachin and instructed him to investigate there with Nikhil and Pankaj. The case still looked hopeless - the White Dahlia was notoriously adept at staying in the shadows. They needed strong leads to get to them before it was too late.

As Rahman briefed details of the terrorist gang to Abhijeet and Daya, Fredericks and Purvi approached the ACP. "Sir, Vivek ke baare mein pata kiya. Pichle 3 hatfton se woh ghar nahi gaya hai. Uske roommate ne bataya ki woh training mein tha par achanak 13 tareeq ko nikal gaya ye kehke ki koi zaruri kaam hai. Tab se koi ata pata nahi hai", said Fredericks, his face taut with worry.

The ACP's expression darkened. "Aisa kya kaam ho sakta hai? Aur uska phone?"

"Tabhi se switched off hai, sir", said Purvi heavily. "Par ek baat pata chali hai. Vivek ka mobile aakhri baar Intelligence Bureau ke office mein active tha." She paused. "Mr. Rahman ke office mein, in fact."

All three of them looked at each other. Darkly, the ACP approached Rahman and questioned him about it. Abhijeet and Daya looked at him in surprise. A hint of shock passed across his face before he jerked his head irritably. "What're you talking about? Main kisi Vivek ko nahi jaanta."

"Humein pata chal chuka hai ki Vivek ka mobile aapke office mein tha, Mr. Rahman", said the ACP firmly.

"Sir, ye mission hum saath mein kar rahe hain", said Abhijeet earnestly.

"Aapse request hai ki please co-operate kijiye. Please, we can't afford secrets anymore', supported Daya.

Rahman looked at them for a long time. "Secrets are more important to the IB than you can imagine. However, aapko woh bataunga jiski zarurat hai. Haan, Vivek ko maine hi mission par bheja White Dahlia ke against. Training academy ko visit karte waqt I was impressed by his performance. Jab uske CID background ke baare mein pata chala, mujhe pata tha ki mere mission ke liye woh ekdum fit hai. I instructed him to infiltrate their gang and find out about their plans. Jab unke saare sources ke baare mein pata chal jaata, we'd go into action."

The cops all stared at each other in surprise and fear.

"Vaise aapko kaise pata chala Vivek ke baare mein? What's he got to do with this?" questioned Rahman sharply.

The ACP looked up quickly. "Woh, kuch nahi sir. Bas socha ki..."

He paused, unsure of what to say. All were looking at him with varied emotions. Rahman frowned at him. "I've been honest with you, Pradyuman. Ab aapki baari hai. Let me remind you what a dangerous situation we're in, our country is in. I hope you understand.

The ACP looked heavily at him. I do understand. I understand so much that I sacrificed my son for it! He hated himself for it. He loved Vivek as a son and could never dream of suspecting him. But no sentimentality was permitted in the line of duty. He couldn't bear to meet Freddy's tearful eyes as he explained it to Rahman.

The SP glowered. "Impossible! Vivek aisa kabhi nahi kar sakta. He's one of the most dedicated and honest cops in this country!"

Before anyone could answer, the ACP's phone rang. It was an MMS from Sachin; they'd found a discarded notepad in the bare unit by the beach, upon shading the top page of whom they deciphered the impression of what had been scribbled in the previous page. The ACP quickly used an Android app to heighten the contrast and make the image clearer. The cops stared hard at it.

"Upar toh City Bank' likha hai na, Daya", said Abhijeet, frowning.

"Haan Abhijeet. Aur ye neeche..."

"My GOD!" exclaimed Rahman. All looked at him. "They know. They know!"

The ACP stared at him. "Kya hua? What do they know?"

"The location of the second part of the map, what else?" cried Rahman. "We've been compromised. Koi gaddar hai humaare beech! That Vivek!!"

"Hum pata karenge sacchayi kya hai", said the ACP grimly. "Par pehle uss second part tak pohochna hoga, unse pehle!"

There was hardly a sound as all of them dashed out of the building to their next destination.

Chapter 6

The Plus Delicieux restaurant was hardly a successful one. Opened up with promises of delightful French cuisine, poor service and reputation meant there were barely enough customers to make ends meet. However, it was a perfect cover for the IB. Not many would suspect this little shop to harbour that five-inch long piece of digitized silicon that the country's energy industry probably rested upon.

"Nahi samjhega bewakoof??" snarled the brutal-faced man, adjusting the scarf that concealed his face. "Tomato soup bola, ye naale ka paani nahi. Ghar pe yehi sikhaya gaya?"

"Family ko beech mein mat laiye, sir!" snapped the waiter.

"Laaunga toh kya karega, dhakkan?"

The argument intensified and most of the staff arrived in the restaurant lobby to intervene while the customers eagerly watched the drama unfold. Nobody noticed two masked people silently slipping through the courtyard and into the basement. There was a guard on the other side. Salim tossed a coin, that the greedy man eagerly shuffled to collect. Swift as the wind, brother and sister entered the room behind and down another flight of stairs. At the end of the passage was a steel door with digipad. Fatima's eyes narrowed as she got to work.

*****

"Faster, faster!" cried Rahman. "We're running out of time!"

Gaadi 100 pe hai, angrez sahab, thought Fredericks irritably, his heart pounding with fear and anxiety.

"Sab log ready raho, kuch bhi ho sakta hai", said the ACP darkly, readying his gun. As they approached the restaurant, they knew something was wrong. Screams and yells were already heading their way from the main lobby.

*****

The lock clicked open with a humble finality. Salim and Fatima rushed in. The safe stood silently in the table at the corner of the little room. Fatima entered the combination she'd been told about. Nothing happened. She tried again, to no avail.Goddamnit! Had they changed the combination after the first robbery, just for precaution? She turned to Salim. "Get me the torch, quick!"

*****

"Kya ho raha hai ye??" thundered Daya as they stormed into the lobby. Silence fell at once. Everyone in the crowd looked at them. The scarved man in the centre of the crowd looked at them, and his surprised and icy gaze passed over each of them. And then, he drew a revolver out of his pocket. Pandemonium reigned as bullets went off from both sides. Rahman shouted for the innocents to get out of the way; the cops took cover and engaged the crook in a ferocious battle.

"Abhijeet, Freddy, Purvi - jaldi jaao, chip ko dekho!" cried the ACP, aiming at the metal panel behind which the attacker was hiding.

Rahman told them of the location of the chip. The three of them snuck along a side corridor and darted towards the basement. The guard was cowering in the corner, away from the battle.

"Uth, nalayak", snapped Abhijeet, seizing his collar. "Chip kidhar hai? Le chal humein!"

The man was so frightened that he didn't even bother to question them. They descended the stairs and into the innermost room... only to find the safe neatly torched open. The aghast guard confessed that he was distracted by the fight upstairs and never noticed when the thieves entered and exited the room. The cops rushed back out into the corridor, which forked ahead of them. There was no other possible escape route.

"Purvi, uss taraf. Freddy, mere saath. Let's go!" cried Abhijeet.

*****

As Salim ascended to the rooftop, he saw two shadows emerge up ahead of him. He stopped in his tracks. They were silhouetted against the moonlight, but he had no doubt who they were. He could recognize them anywhere. He loved them.

"Vivek, hum jaante hain ki tum ho. Please, ruk jaao", said Abhijeet sharply but earnestly.

"Haan Vivek! Please! Maan ja humari baat!" said Fredericks, his voice cracking. Even from a distance, he could see the eyes behind the black mask and had no doubt to whom they belonged.

It was no use pretending. He could no longer control himself. A lithe hand reached up to the mask and pulled it off. The handsome and familiar face behind it was glazed with tears.

"Abhijeet sir... Freddy sir..." whispered Vivek heavily.

Before they knew it, they were in an embrace, the tightest embrace either of them could remember. Try as he could, Fredericks couldn't prevent hot tears spilling from his eyes as he felt his beloved younger brother bury his head in his chest, his entire body heaving, their hearts meeting and expressing unspoken tales of love and anguish of having been separated for two dreadful months.

*****

"Ruk ja wahin!"

At the second terrace, Fatima paused in her tracks and wheeled around to see the young woman emerging from the door at the far side. Her eyes passed coolly over the girl's lithe figure and blazing eyes. Those eyes. Even through the situation, she couldn't help but notice how cute they were, despite the flame of determination and anger.

"Peeche hat jaao, bacchi", she said calmly. "Main tumhe chhot nahi pahuchana chahti."

"Desh ko toh chhot pahuchana chahti ho na?" snapped Purvi, raising her gun. "Well, mere zinda rehte huey nahi!"

Fatima stared at her. The girl did not look like a particularly hardened cop, but her dedication and valiance was striking. She knew the country was lucky to have her in its ranks.

"Tum nahi samjhogi", she said quietly. "Please. It's complicated."

"Haan, woh toh pata hi hai", said Purvi heatedly, closing in. "Jaldi se chip de dey, warna..."

Fatima made her decision in an instant; there was no time to lost. Swift as a hawk, she launched herself forward and seized Purvi's weapon arm, pushing it back as she pressed forward and dived her into the ground. She sprang up and prepared to flee, but Purvi's leg shot out and tripped her; she landed hard on the concrete again. As Purvi lunged at her, she dodged and torqued her back over the floor, holding her throat in a vicious half-nelson.

"You're fast, dear", she said softly. "But I'm faster. I repeat - main tumhe chhot nahi pahuchana chahti. Mujhe jaane do, warna..."

Purvi didn't reply, but with great effort swung her legs up front and swung them up hard, breaking out of Fatima's grip. She dived and seized her fallen gun, jumping up only to see the other pointing her own revolver straight at her heart. The two women began to circle each other in what felt like a stalemate, but before they could proceed, voices rang out.

"Purvi, Asha! Ruk jaao!" came Abhijeet's voice.

Both of them wheeled around to see Abhijeet, Fredericks and Vivek walking towards them. Both their faces lit up with wonder.

"Abhijeet! Fredericks!" exclaimed Asha, alias Fatima.

Purvi beamed happily at Vivek, and then turned to the lady standing quietly behind her. "Asha ma'am??" She had never met this legend of CID, but seen her old photos with what was generally called the "Golden old CID team" and heard incredible praise from her seniors about her. Asha was a true idol for her, one she looked up to and wanted to become like.

Asha pulled off her mask and smiled warmly at her, and then shook hands with all of them. Just as they began to exchange greetings, a ferocious gunshot from below brought them harshly back to the reality of what was happening.

"Vivek, Asha... ye sab kya hai?" exclaimed Abhijeet. "Ye robbery, woh chip..."

"Sir, hum explain nahi kar sakte abhi", said Asha earnestly, already pulling her mask back up. "Aapko humpar vishwaas karna hoga, abhi ke liye."

"Haan sir. Waada karte hain sab kuch batayenge waqt aane par", said Vivek.

All of them looked at each other. All Abhijeet did was take a singular look at each of their eyes. He nodded. Asha held out her hand with a small object held in it.

"Accha hua aap log aa gaye, sir. Ye rakhiye. Ab jald se jald iss gang ko rokna hoga. Suniye humara plan."

*****

The ACP's bullet whizzed through the air and hit the brutal-faced terrorist in the abdomen. The man squealed and toppled hard over the panel, hitting his head and knocking himself unconscious. The ACP, Daya and Rahman bolted forward and examined him up and down, but there was nothing to be found.

"Ab kya karein, sir?" asked Daya. "Kaise pahuchenge untak?"

At that moment, Abhijeet, Fredericks and Purvi entered the lobby and took aside their colleagues to update them about what had happened. The ACP smiled grimly. The case had finally crescendoed to a peak and it was time for the catastrophe.

Chapter 7

"You're sure, right?" asked Asha tentatively as they drove through the plains. They were well over the limits of the city now, straight over the sand banks and in towards the sea-line.

"Of course. Aapne hi toh diye humein co-oridinates!" said the bald leader with a crooked smile. "Hum aapke shuqrguzar hain. Aapne acche se nibhaya apna waada."

Asha and Vivek looked at each other in shock. It was not supposed to happen this way! The whole idea was to take the real chips and provide the White Dahlia members with two pre-prepared fakes in order to lead the entire gang to a location that was actually a trap to capture them. But this was wrong. All wrong. They're headed to the actual oil reserve!

"Get in, get in!" barked the leader.

Thirteen of them got into three motorboats that awaited them at the sandline, and whizzed off into the dark, moonlit sea.

*****

"Sir, Asha ka tracking device toh samundar ke doosri taraf nikal gaya hai!" said Daya, pointing on his GPRS app. "In fact, co-ordinates dekhiye."

Rahman watched with horror as their car arrived on the banks. "Ye toh asli oil reserve ki location hai! We're doomed!!"

"Kuch nahi hoga", said the ACP gravely. "Abhijeet, Daya, Fredericks, Purvi - get ready."

They leaped off the car and flung themselves into the two tourist boats hovering across the nearest point. The drowsy boatmen were not pleased, but a quick flash of the CID badge did what was needed. Seconds later, the two boats were hot on the tail of the four specks zooming into the horizon.

*****

Fifteen minutes passed and they reached the rudimentary tower constructed over the oil reserve. Vivek and Asha stared on helplessly as at least five more boats emerged from the depths of the darkness surrounding them, like infernal water dragons closing in on their prey. Vivek recognized two of the men in them immediately - one an employee in the City Bank and another a senior officer in the IB. Traitors!

"Gaddar? Main toh kehta hoon wafaadar", smiled the leader, pointing his gun at both the cops. Vivek and Asha stared in shock as everyone in the boats withdrew wooden cartons marked with a skull and crossbones.

"Tumhe kya laga, hum nahi samajh paayenge?" hissed the leader, his eyes burning like oil. "Pata chal gaya tumhari gaddari ke baare mein, thanks to these two. Police officers, haan? Tumhare fake chips dene ke baad inhone humein asli dila di tumhaare jaane bina. Ab tum toh maroge hi, aur saath hi ye oil reserve bhi khallas!!"

With a cackle, he raised his gun. All around them, at least thirty guns rose along with his. Vivek and Asha barely pulled out theirs when ferocious gunshots rang out from the far side of the horizon; several of the criminals ducked with yells of fear. It was the ACP and the rest of the CID team! Their boat roared into the battlefield, guns blazing. Taking advantage of the distraction, Asha and Vivek made their move; the latter knocked the leader's gun into the water while Asha knocked him out with a blow to the head. They joined the raging battle as well. Though outnumbered, the cops were far more experienced. The CID motorboat circled the enemy boats like a ravenous eagle as bullets flew from it.

Within minutes, several thugs were down screaming in pain as their guns were shot away. The few still left surrendered as a ship slowly loomed into view, SP Rahman on the hull with several policemen from the nearest dock, all pointing shotguns at them.

"Le jaao sabko upar", said the ACP furiously. "Aur woh RDX ke boxes bhi, sambhaal ke!"

*****

The scene in the SP's office was bittersweet. Rahman thanked the CID team profusely for their help, and explained how they had to keep the entire mission a secret for the safety of the data. Vivek explained that after being assigned the mission, he went in unhesitantly, eager to serve the country with his first undercover assignment on this crucial issue. He quickly won the leader's trust with his skill and charm, and slowly got to know of the White Dahlia's plan to destroy the ONGC's newly discovered oil reserve, a massive setback to the country planned. The gang had learned about the reserve and both chips from their moles in the IB and planned to steal both of them.

Vivek planned to sabotage their mission to get the first part, which went horribly wrong due to a freak mistake by his companion that he was nevertheless blamed for. Through their hidden microphone, Rahman learned of the trouble Vivek was in. Since he didn't trust his own men anymore after discovering about the then unknown traitor, he enlisted the help of the Delhi branch of the IB, who sent over Asha at once for help. Asha joined the gang to help Vivek out of trouble, and together they planned to get the White Dahlia finished once and for all. They were delighted to know about each other's relationship with the CID and wished to work with them, but the highly delicate undercover position didn't permit that.

"Par jab aap dil se kuch chaho, toh woh ho ke rehta hai sir", said Asha, smiling broadly at them all. "Aur dekhiye! Ho bhi gaya."

"Aur kuch zyada hi dhamaake se, hai na, sir?" said Vivek to Fredericks.

"Mat pooch bhaiyya tum. Aage se tumse ye karate-warate karne ke pehle dus baar sochna padega!" chuckled the other.

All of them laughed, before the director of the ONGC personally walked in to thank the team for their help and contribution for the country.

Chapter 8

"Itna zyada?" asked Vivek in surprise, though he smiled.

"Tumse bata ke kya faayda? Kabhi nahi samajh paayega kitna miss kiya tujhe", said Fredericks a little more loudly than he'd meant. For the first time in weeks, he felt truly happy.

"Maine bhi, Vivek. You're one of us forever", said Purvi.

"Yaar kabhi kabhi humein bhi yaad kar liya kar na!" chuckled Abhijeet.

"Koi bhi din nahi hai jab tumhe na yaad karte ho", said Daya.

"Tumhaare bina CID mein toh woh baat hi nahi rahi", said the ACP.

Vivek smiled. He felt a twinge of sadness and guilt in the recesses of his heart. Though he'd left, his heart always resided in the CID. He was already having second thoughts of leaving his ambitions and just getting back with them at once. So what if the world outside offered better things? Was any flash and bang really more important that one's family? They were his family. They were his love. They were his world.

*****

"Abhi bhi yakeen nahi aa raha ki itne saal ho gaye, maano kal ki hi baat ho", said the ACP, smiling at one of the finest officers he'd ever had the honour to work with.

"Main bhi, sir", smiled Asha. "Majboori hai, sir. Family, government orders... mera bas chale toh aaj hi Mumbai waapas aake aap sab ke saath kaam karoon."

"Woh bhi ho jaaayega, ek din", smiled Daya.

"Aap hi toh philosophy padha rahi thi thodi der pehle", smirked Abhijeet. "Woh kya tha? Koi dil ki baat agar dil se... whatever."

All of them laughed. Purvi walked forward and made to touch her feet. Asha grabbed her by the shoulders and held her back up.

"Arre, ye kya kar rahi ho?"

Purvi bit her lip. "Ma'am... aapko humesha apna idol maana hai maine. Aapko sab itni izzat kyun dete hain, aapko CID ki best lady officer kyun kehte hain, ekdum clear hai. Aur well-deserved. I am honoured to work with you."

"The pleasure is mine, beta. You're incredible too", smiled Asha.

Purvi looked down. "No, ma'am. Aapke saamne toh main kuch nahi hoon, mera experience kuch nahi hai. Pata nahi main kabhi aapke jaise ban paaungi ki nahi..."

"Mat bano mere jaise", said Asha sharply. "Be yourself. Tumhe Asha version 2 banne ki zarurat nahi. Be the first Purvi and be the best Purvi ever. Aage badho aur khud pe vishwaas rakho!"

Purvi smiled broadly as Asha stroked her chin lovingly.

"Jab aur koi bol nahi raha, toh main hi bol deta hoon", said Fredericks at last. "Itna accha reunion, itne saalon baad. Bhai ab party nahi karenge toh kab karenge!"

Laughing delightfully, they walked into the sunset to relish one day of loving togetherness before duty called once again.

THE END