Crime Control Squad (Case #1 Hit and Run) Last Chapter 28 Pg 19 - Page 7

Originally posted by: ...Shibu...

Awesome!👍🏼
the case is just becoming interesting update-by-update👏
too good👍🏼

Originally posted by: do0dleR

Awesome update once again...👍🏼

I am really loving how the case is being discussed and how the investigations are moving forward...👏

Vedant really handled this unwanted press conference smartly.. He is proving to be a squad leader who one can look up to...But the criminals are already alert...Hopefully they commit some mistake in their panic...😉

So, John Matthews is the new suspect... I hope he doesn't turn out like Yamini Sharma... Is the bike owner also in suspect list? Because it did not have Veerkaran's fingerprints...

Mukesh Ambani!! 🤣...Seriously!!...🤣 Rajesh Lala seems to have an overdose of self confidence...😆😆...

I loved the explanation for helmet...😊

Looking forward for next..😃

Originally posted by: Shwets1502

Yamini Sharma will be connected soon, I haven't forgotten that...😆

The murderers have wiped off every fingerprint in the bike (which will be mentioned during forthcoming forensics...😆) That's the reason the bike didn't have any fingerprints.

Mukesh Ambani is definitely 😆 At the same time, it's such a comfortable cover.

Thanks for the comment.

Originally posted by: Shwets1502

Chapter writing in progress. Got busy with work in between...Tomorrow or day after for sure.

Chapter 13

Leaning back on the seat and letting out a relaxed sigh, Ruby felt peaceful viewing the several green plants and extraordinarily tall trees racing one behind the other. The raindrops splattering on the window or the mumbling of the thunder made no significance difference to her. She loved the rains. She absolutely loved the chillness and the moisture in the air. She loved securing herself in thick jackets and becoming a part of the cold world, which people around her would rather give a miss. They didn't know what they are missing, she always told herself. An involuntary smile traced her face as she single-handedly enjoyed her journey to the City Prison. Single-handedly of course since her travelling companion seemed to be in a grumpy mood all throughout. Cursing the indomitable rain and the fury of the nature reflected on the roads, Vikram flew past Ruby's much appreciated view with a scorn. Due to the over slippery roads, he couldn't accelerate beyond 60kms/hr on the highway which he considered an insult to himself. An avid car lover and a stiff competitor to his boss in this arena, he valued every second of his driving time. But when things don't go according to his will and conditions, it was the worst time one could experience, not for Vikram but whoever was travelling along with him and this time unfortunately it was Ruby.

Ruby couldn't comprehend her senior's mood. She craned side glances, uncaught, to evaluate. She decided to remain silent. She was still sceptical about the way the argument had shaped between her and Vikram. She didn't intend to disagree with him downrightly but she was a person who would never accept something just because she didn't want to upset the other person. She completely understood what Vikram had tried to explain, but the problem was he didn't seem to understand what she was trying to say. He didn't even attempt to. She wasn't sure if he still had the argument circling his mind and was intentional being angry over all the other things around, showing his anger at everything else which in true sense should have been directed at her. Roads, rains, passing vehicles- everyone and everything developed quickly as his target. She was puzzled. She didn't know if she should talk about it. She didn't want to initiate another argument and spoil the pleasant journey of hers. At the same time, she realised she was still a newcomer and it was important for her to bend a little and get her point across in a way which didn't offend her team mates. May be her words were offensive? May be her tone? It couldn't be. She was careful. She was yet to understand each one's nature completely and she definitely shouldn't expect others to understand her. They were already a team and she had to take steps to become one of them. It all came down to understanding and rapport building. It would be ridiculous if she expected something like that to be built strongly in less than a week of her entry.

"Have they constructed roads or potholes?" barked Vikram as he landed his car slowly down a pit and pressed the accelerator harder to get the car safely out from it. The gear handle was at the receiving end of his anger as he charged at it to top the gear hitting the handle harder than needed. Ruby eyed him with interest which seethed him even more. He, of course, caught the side glances which Ruby wanted to keep unobtrusive. He was a detective and a very good one.

"Trying to assess my psych are you?" he asked gruffly before he could stop himself. He knew his anger and frustration was because of Ruby and her theories. Not exactly theories, but an additional path to be followed while investigating. If his boss hadn't stopped him, he would have definitely got into a much more heated argument to get across his point and force the other to accept and agree to it. He didn't believe in psychology and its methods. He was completely taken by surprise when his boss informed him that he had requested for a psychologist for the team. He couldn't see any reason why a psychologist was necessary while solving crimes. They weren't going to hypnotise and conjure a confession. The only person whom he was sure to fail against in his arguments was his boss, Vedant. He knew his boss would have a brilliant reason to bring in Ruby, one he couldn't really understand the depth off.

"No Sir!" replied Ruby appalled. "Are you angry with me for the argument?" she asked without any hesitation.

Vikram hated the composed self of Ruby's. He expected her to be as agitated as him. He hated how easily she was able to make her point, something which he had always struggled to without hurting the one in front of him. He realised Ruby was still waiting for a reply from him. He glared at Ruby with a disappointed look and turned his view back to the road. "Nothing like that," he replied after great hard work to keep the contempt out of his voice. Ruby didn't miss it. In fact, that was her job - to hunt for something which people attempted to hide.

"You are upset because you don't agree with me that Samar is innocent," she stated the obvious.

Vikram felt childish at the way he was sitting sulking. He realised Ruby was trying to make a meaningful conversation here. He had to respect that and be open towards her with his opinion. He wasn't completely arrogant. "Not upset. But yes...I can't agree with your point," he replied honestly with a slight smile.

Ruby nodded, content that her senior didn't avoid her topic. Ruby gave an investigative glance at her senior again, thinking what her next words had to be.

"Stop giving me those glances," said Vikram irked. "I am not your patient."

"Patient?" chuckled Ruby. "I am not gauging you in any way, Sir."

"Please...I know you are analysing my personality."

Ruby looked down her legs with an embarrassed smile. He wasn't completely wrong but she had got so used to analysing anyone she met that she couldn't control herself. Safely not answering the posed question, she moved in to the topic, a quality she greatly valued in herself.

"Samar...I am just saying...Looking at his possessions and what we have heard about him from his close ones..."

"Not closed ones...You can't consider prison officials to be closed ones, right?" Vikram was in all attitude to not let Ruby get away with the smallest of the assumptions. Simultaneously, he didn't feel as offended with the topic as he felt in the earlier argument at the office. Vikram felt relaxed driving. He realised getting the frustration out instead of piling up felt good. He cursed himself for thinking like a psychiatrist.

"Alright!" accepted Ruby gracefully. "But from whatever we have heard, there is no indication that Samar is violent in anyway. His earlier confession is very mysterious, don't you think?"

"May be. But let's focus on the murder case in hand. We have forensic evidence that puts Samar at the accident scene. What else do we want?"

"Motive? Why will Samar kill Veerkaran with whom he had been having peaceful meetings for the past 4 years?"

"That's another assumption. We don't know if it was peaceful. What if it wasn't? What if both kept straight faces but Veerkaran was pushing Samar, rubbing his crime?"

"That's an assumption too," laughed Ruby. "If that was the case, why did Samar agree to continue meeting Veerkaran?"

"May be Samar liked it? Seeing Veerkaran trying to manipulate him, trying to infuriate him and him not succumbing to it? May be it was a challenge of sort between both of them..." Vikram could feel the competition, a health competition brewing.

"And why will Veerkaran do that? Why would he take all pains to visit a convict regularly for 4 years, someone who raped and murdered a child?" asked Ruby amusement garnishing her tone.

"To see Samar's suffering? To acquire happiness from that?"

Ruby shook her head. "I don't think so. Veerkaran isn't a sadist. I don't know the reason why Veerkaran met Samar...but the motive is definitely not negative. I am pretty sure Veerkaran had some inclination towards Samar, some liking...some concern for him, which Mrs Singh didn't like."

"Come on...That's rubbish. You mean to say Veerkaran cared for Samar and that's why he visited him? And that would imply that Veerkaran believed Samar was innocent- which is pure nonsense."

"Veerkaran could have been mighty impressed with Samar since he accepted his crime and hence wanted to give him a second chance. He wanted to forgive Samar."

"And how will you explain the sheer timing of Veerkaran's death? Just at the time when Samar was out on parole...Doesn't that say he could be the one to execute it? If it was someone else, why wait for Samar to come out? They could have done it by themselves? Why wait for 4 years?"

"Exactly...That coincidence is what makes me think Samar is innocent. Someone could have been waiting for Samar to come out and pin this crime on him." Ruby objected equally strong.

"What? Pull hairs from his head and drop it at the accident scene..." Vikram couldn't stop laughing, mockery evident. "There is a limit for everything Ruby. His presence in the accident scene is confirmed. Now it's up to Samar to give us names of the rest of them."

Ruby heaved a sigh. She didn't have an answer. Logically, she didn't have a proper explanation. All the evidences, the time frame everything definitely proved Samar's involvement in the crime, in the death of Veerkaran. But the planning and the extent to which the murder was carried out definitely didn't fit with the profile of Samar's. It was someone else. A mastermind behind all this, someone they were yet to even lie their little finger on. Will she be able to explain that to her senior? Why not?

"I think Samar isn't capable of such meticulous planning to carry out such a well organised murder especially from the prison. He doesn't have the history. Veerkaran's murder has a lot of hatred behind it. Someone wanted to hurt and give him so much pain and that's the reason he was beaten to death. If Samar had so much hatred, he had million chances to get out of the prison on parole in the past 4 years to kill Veerkaran."

"It took him 4 years to plan this murder from inside and once everything was on place, he took the chance to get out on parole and kill him. The reason registered for his parole was his mother was ill. How many times did he meet her? You tell me anything Ruby to convince me, but this guy is definitely one of them responsible for the murder of Veerkaran. Whatever you are telling is a long shot and a completely meaningless theory which has no evidence or proof to corroborate it."

"Proof and evidence isn't everything. They are just characters. You need a story with them to sell it. Theories are equally important." Ruby knew her senior wouldn't be happy with this comment but she didn't care. She couldn't take a word against her work.

Anger was at the cliff. Vikram knew it was a matter of time he was going to completely lose his temper at the new comer. He clenched his jaw tight, not to let any word trespass the fence. He had to set a good example. He was already known for his short temper, not in a good way of course. He didn't want to prove that.

"I am sorry but..." Ruby tried to patch things up without compromising.

Vikram honked for no reason, a red signal for Ruby to stop. "Let's leave it here!" he replied laconically giving a mutinous glare.

Ruby turned her face away resolutely to look at the rushing scenery again. The trees and plants seemed a blur. Her eyes were burning with anger, anger at the insulted retort. Vikram's anger was a reputation which didn't miss her ears. His obstinate nature troubled her. Anger was one. Disrespect was something else. She felt disrespected. Her science was disrespected. She decided to let the eerie silence linger inside the car no matter how awkward it was. She wasn't going to initiate any unnecessary conversation. She wanted silence to make the point.

"What a dominant soul", thought Vikram. "How could she, on heaven's earth, possibly think I was going to accept her ludicrous theory? Theory surrounding proof is one. But a theory based wholly on wild assumptions is another. These psychologists. Does she think I don't know about them, their work and how they work? They make you believe earth is flat just using words without substantial evidence. I am not going to let psychics lead my investigation no matter who believes in them, no matter if boss believes in her."

The sound of the rhythmic angered breath of both the officers filled the air in the car. They knew they had to give themselves sometime to calm down if they had to work together when interviewing Samar. With contradicting opinion, the interview was definitely going to be disastrous. They wished they hadn't been partnered together by their boss. That was a quick conclusion, Ruby thought. She had had just one argument with Vikram and had already jumped to conclusion that she can't work with him which was unfair. Being a psychologist, someone whom her senior despises, she had to be the one to find a common ground for both of them to work together. Possibly, their partnership could effectively help the investigation and interrogation with ideas in different extremes.

The white police SUV splashed the rainwater pool to either sides as it entered the prison campus. Flashing their ID cards, Vikram parked the car in style. Dropping out of the car with their belongings, the officers made their way to the office of the Superintendent.

White striped shirt tucked in, black formal pant, Vikram was in his best formal dressing. Tall and fit, his was a perfect police officer stature. On the other hand, Ruby was casually dressed. A violent tunic to go with her black pant, she carried few files and her handbag along. Vikram stood in front of the main building looking around, ego dominating him from asking Ruby which way to go.

"This way," Ruby said despondently, clearly understanding the controlled hesitation.

Vittal welcomed them at the door to his office. Ruby immediately sensed the unwelcomeness. It wasn't the same pleasant atmosphere. The officer didn't act the same. Instead of ushering them to his office, Vittal took them directly to the interview room. Sathish was waiting for them.

"I will be in my office. Sathish will bring in Samar and will witness the interview," said Vittal.

"I don't think Mr. Sathish would be needed inside the room. He could wait outside and if we need anything, we will call him," said Vikram.

"That's not possible..." retorted Vittal powerfully.

"Why not? We aren't here to kill Samar but to interview him. He is not a small kid whom we will manipulate. We don't want case details to be flying out of this room..."

"You don't trust us?"

"No!" said Vikram bluntly. "Any reason why I should trust you?" he asked with eyebrows raised. "Bring in Samar. After the interview, I will hand over Samar back in one piece - spick and span. Alright?"

Vikram's tone sent out a clear imperious, non-negotiable signal. Surprisingly Ruby enjoyed it. Vittal stormed out of the room showing his disappointment. Sathish took leave to bring Samar.

"Shall I take lead?" asked Ruby with diffidence.

"No!" said Vikram flatly as he stood at one corner of the room. "Don't interrupt while I am asking questions. I will pause at places, and if you have anything to ask, you can do that then." Vikram stated out his rules.

Samar, in his white striped uniform, was brought into the room. In his late 20s, he was a short and stout man, nothing like a menacing murderer. Vikram had seen only the picture of Samar which was 5 years old. In these 5 years, it seemed like another Samar had stuck to the original one. Vikram couldn't hide the surprised shock on his face. Ruby masked her surprise with a good smile. Samar sat at the seat allocated to him with a sheepish smile.

"Want me to handcuff him?" Sathish asked dutifully. Before Vikram could say anything, Ruby refused the offer. Vikram didn't argue. He also wanted the same. Sathish left the room closing the door behind. None locked the room, as a sign to gain confidence from Samar and ease him into comfort.

"He already looks very comfortable," thought Vikram. Fear seeped him suddenly seeing his suspect's appearance. "Was Ruby right? Samar isn't the murder?" He looked at Ruby who sat in front of Samar on the other side of the table, waiting for Vikram to make the start as per the decided arrangement.

"Hi Samar! I am Vikram and this is Ruby. We are here to ask few questions if that's alright?" started Vikram calmly. Ruby was surprised at the gentleness in the voice. Of course Vikram wasn't going to be talking all high pitch from the beginning. She steadied her mind and focused back on Samar. It wasn't the time to evaluate her senior. She was there for Samar.

"What's the matter? Why was my parole cut short?" he asked curiously. It would be a miracle if the elegance in his voice matched with his personality in any way. The words reached with high clarity and confidence. There was no arrogance or fear. It was a genuine question.

Vikram envisaged. More than asking questions and getting answers from Samar, he first wanted to know how much Samar already knew. "You know Veerkaran Singh?"

A sudden dip in the colour on his face suggested Samar knew Veerkaran and also knew of his demise. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Can you answer it please?" insisted Vikram.

"Yes."

"How?"

"I think that's something everyone knew. I think you know the answer too." There was a pinch of snigger in his words.

Vikram didn't push. "Yes...yes...We know. We also know that Veerkaran was visiting you regularly. Can you tell me something about that?"

Samar remained silent, lump developing in his throat. His eyes were slowly welled in tears. He was remembering the days and the meeting.

"Samar!" called Ruby softly with concern. "You Okay?"

Samar wiped his tears before it could dive down. He sniffed back heavily. He looked like a child from whom a chocolate was snatched. "Sorry sorry...," he added.

"Was Veerkaran close to you?" asked Ruby before Vikram could open his mouth.

Samar peered at Ruby and Vikram and back at Ruby. "May I know why you are questioning me about Veerkaran?" he asked calmly.

"Because..." Vikram gave a thought to tell the truth before deciding otherwise. The interview would be a disaster if he informs Samar directly that he is the only prime suspect for the murder. He would immediately demand a lawyer and confine behind the safety of laws and rules. "We are investigating the murder of Veerkaran and wanted to know what was going on in his life. We got to know that he was in regular meetings with you and hence wanted to know..." Vikram tailed away his words.

"Samar...We are not here to investigate your previous case or probe into your personal life. We just want to know if Veerkaran was in any trouble. Do you know if he was troubled?"

Samar looked pale. "Veerkaran was a very good man..."

"He was the person responsible for your imprisonment. You don't seem to hate him instead you speak very highly of him." Ruby had the edge in the voice which seemed to put Samar easily in a position of conversation.

Samar swallowed an empty gulp before continuing his answer. "He made me feel positive," he ignored to answer the question posed by Ruby. Vikram noticed it but realised it was better to let Samar tell whatever he wants to first before they force him for some answers, before they arrest him under suspicion of murder. He had interrogated hundreds of people in his career. He knew which would be the best way for Samar. Directly imprisoning him wouldn't help them getting any answers. He focused back on Samar's words. "He said he believed in forgiveness. He said he forgave me when no one was ready to."

Ruby and Vikram exchanged glances. They were yet to get Samar to talk in line of their investigation.

"Why do you think he forgave you?" Vikram asked.

Samar ran an answer in his mind before replying something else. "He knew people make mistakes and it's important to forgive them."

"Did you apologise for your actions?" Vikram continued. He wanted to get some idea what the conversation was about.

"Yes."

"Did you like him?" Ruby asked.

Samar looked bemused at the question. "How can anyone not like him?"

"Can you answer the question please?" asked Vikram.

"Of course I liked him," replied Samar irritated.

"Can you tell me what you both talked about during your meetings?" asked Ruby.

"No," replied Samar immediately. "It was something between the both of us and we promised each other that we won't tell anyone what it was about."

"But there must have been some general talk right? Apart from the secret topic? What was that?" asked Vikram.

Samar remained silent. He didn't want to talk about it.

"Your mother is ill I heard," Ruby asked without pressing on the previous question. Samar nodded. "What happened?"

"Cancer."

"You went to meet her?"

"Yes."

"Where else did you go?" asked Vikram continuing in the same topic. "We do know you visited a lot of places. Your parole officer told us. So why don't you tell us where all you visited."

Samar could feel the nervousness radiating from him. His heartbeat was racing. He knew something was wrong. He knew the officers were there not for a friendly chat over coffee, but for a specific reason, a serious reason.

"Can you write down the places you visited?" asked Ruby.

"Will you tell me the true reason why you are here?" asked Samar directly. He couldn't act anymore that he was relaxed and comfortable. "I won't answer a single question of yours unless I know why I am here."

Ruby looked at Vikram. From Samar's body language, erectly sat with hands folded, a perfect closed posture, clearly showed he wasn't going utter another word. His looks and his initial appearance might not go with that of a brutal murderer but Samar wasn't a fool. He could sense the situation very well. He measured his words before voicing it. There was a strategist inside. There was innocence but mixed with a weird smartness. Ruby turned back to look at Samar intently. Could he have killed Veerkaran? Was he putting up a mask to shield his own original self? Was she falling for that mask? Samar stared back at Ruby without breaking contact. He wanted to prove a point that he was really serious about not talking unless the reason was shared. Ruby fiddled with her pen unconsciously. Would it be wise to tell the reason? They haven't got anything substantial from him and there was no guarantee that he would start speaking once he knew the truth.

Vikram waited to see if Ruby wanted to talk. Seeing her remain silent and observing Samar, he concluded it had to be him. Till then pacing around the room, he sat in front of Samar and imitated his closed posture, but with a wicked smirk on his face.

"Where were you on Friday at 1.am?" asked Vikram directly testing Samar's alibi.

"You are checking my alibi?" asked Samar not missing the underlying meaning.

"Yes," said Vikram, sitting crossed legged, waiting for an answer. He had changed his attitude from being normal and cool to being a "Man on a Mission".

"Home...alone."

Vikram smiled widely. "Convenient."

Samar looked confused and slightly irritated. "You want me to lie?"

Vikram took a deep breath and let out a sigh, still holding the smile, like a hunter having caught his prey and feeling pity. "If you are telling the truth, then how come your DNA was found at the accident scene?"

"What?" exclaimed Samar. "My DNA? That's impossible." Fear set in instinctively. "You are trying to frame me because it's convenient. I am already in prison and have connection with Veerkaran. You are trying to close the..."

"Shut up, will you?" asked Vikram, firmly but still with a smile. The tone had a menacing touch. Samar stopped his lamenting immediately, looking at Ruby and Vikram alternatively trying to understand the situation. "I don't know anything. I was at home, alone and that's the truth. I don't know how my DNA is at the scene. I swear, I don't know. I will never ever think of harming Veerkaran...why will I do that?" There was panic but Samar wasn't in tears. He was desperate but was still in control.

"Listen Samar. We aren't here to stitch you up. We are here to find the truth and for that you have to answer our questions truthfully. Every answer of yours will decide your fate. If you choose to lie, think about another 14 years in prison because we have solid evidence to put you at the murder scene," explained Ruby clearly and objectively. "We haven't yet believed you are guilty. But every time you ignore to answer our questions, your guilty level increases."

"Are you ready to answer our questions now, or should I first arrest you, take you to our place and switch from interview mode to interrogation mode?" threatened Vikram.

Samar sat panting. His mind was racing.

"Do you think it's just coincidence that Veerkaran was murdered at the time you were out on parole?" asked Vikram without wasting time.

"I seriously don't know anything about this. It was a shock when I read Veerkaran was dead in an accident and later it was announced that it was a murder."

"Did you meet Veerkaran when you were out on parole?" asked Vikram.

"No."

"Why not?" Ruby cut in. "You and Veerkaran have...had a great bonding which you for some reason want to hide. So why not go and meet him?"

Ruby and Vikram waited patiently as they noticed Samar's thought process. They could see Samar thinking hard, trying to make sense of everything that was happening around him. They weren't sure if Samar was guilty or innocent. They had evidence to charge him. He had the motive too, even if he hadn't displayed it profusely. But as a person, he seemed too vulnerable to have committed murders. Moreover it wasn't a one man work. There were more people involved.

"Samar..." called Ruby.

"Let's cut it out!" said Samar loud and clear with a new found confidence, arrogance. "Let's save everyone's time and hardwork, shall we."

Ruby and Vikram sat confused with this sudden change.

Samar smirked sadly. "I murdered Veerkaran."

Ruby and Vikram didn't miss the fidgeting of Samar's hands.

Originally posted by: ...Shibu...

Awesome👍🏼
Samar killed Veerkaran?😲
or is he lying?
OMG, this update was a super shocker one😲