PART-21
A FORTNIGHT LATER
It was around 1100 hours. A car stopped with a screech. Lieutenant Colonel Prassana stepped down from the car. He was looking disturbed. He proceeded towards the crowd that flocked the place. As he tried to steer his way through the crowd he found himself surrounded by the media persons asking him all sorts of questions.
"Sir, what is happening here? This is third death of an Army officer within one month... Or should we call all of these cold blooded murders?"
"Sir what is the reason behind these murders. Who according to you is doing it and why?"
"Why everything is being kept away from media? Why is everything being kept under the wraps?"
"Are the three murders related?
Journalists attacked him with the volley of questions. But he had no answer to any of their why and what. He maintained a no comment stand and tried hard to make his way but he could not manage that. He saw an army officer coming out. He came and took him inside pushing aside the media.
Some of the officials of local police were also there and they had blocked the entry of people other than a selected few. Media was specially prohibited.
Inside the room there was complete silence. There were around 5 police official picking up anything and everything they could find as evidence. Apart from that there were only three army officials standing quietly. Despair hung over their faces. They stood quietly to avoid discussing the army matters in front of police who were now investigating the case with Army. It was an order issued by the Head Quarters under the pressure created by the media on the entire issue within a few hours of the incident.
In between all this a body lied on the floor of the room. There was so much of blood lying on the floor that came from the terrible wounds. The prima facie cause of death was supposedly multiple stabbings. It was a brutal murder and someone has heartlessly stabbed the person repeatedly to death. It was a dreadful sight.
In an hour, the police officials were through with their job. They wanted to interrogate the entire staff but Lieutenant Colonel Prassana insisted on allowing him to talk to the staff at the base before they carry on their investigation as the matter essentially pertained to the army. Police officials reluctantly left once they were assured full co-operation from all the army officers. They took the body with them for post-mortem.
"I want to see both of you in the conference room right now." He ordered the other two officers in a stern voice.
"After you sir." One of them answered. He left for the conference room and the two of them followed.
"Can anyone explain me what the hell is happening here?" He shouted.
Both of them remained quiet.
"I don't want that silence... I want an answer. Why out of all the army bases across the country every horrid news has to come from here.... Captain Singh... Answer me.... Major Rastogi, Captain Huda and now Captain Shekhawat.... Captain Singh I am really sorry to say but until you give me a proper explanation to all the unfortunate incidents, you, as the senior most officer at this base at this moment stand suspended."
"But sir..."
"Captain Singh.... Don't even try to open your mouth if you don't have anything substantial to explain each and everything."
He turned to Lieutenant Sharma.
"You will be taking over the investigations here instead of Captain Singh and properly co-ordinate everything with the police. And make sure only qualified information reaches out to the media and not the whole story... The disgraceful story of our failure."
"I assure you sir. I'll do all I can."
"I don't need your assurance Lieutenant Sharma. I want results. And Captain Singh.... Officially you are not working on this case but unofficially do all that you can.... to save your skin. You have 24 hours with you. Thereafter you will be taken into custody. For all that has happened now and before this. I am re-opening Major Rastogi's and Captain Huda's death cases. You will have to convince me again that they were guilty of all that had happened."
"But sir, the two cases are not connected."
"How can you be so sure Captain Singh? Anyways.... Good that you are convinced for that but as far as I am concerned, you will have to prove me the two cases are not connected. But remember you don't have much time.... Just 24 hours. Lieutenant Sharma, keep me posted."
Saying this he left the conference room slamming the door behind. Naina sat on the chair with a thud. She was shivering and sweating badly. She could not understand how can she be blamed for everything and why was she suspended.
"Ma'am, are you okay?"
She looked up with moist eyes.
"Do something Alekh." She said in a weak voice. For once she wasn't ordering him. It was more of a humble request.
"Sure ma'am. I'll do all I can. But I want to tell you something... Something you once told Captain Huda."
"What?"
"Captain Naina Singh... You are doomed now!"