The formatting is all off and its so long I don't even know if it will be postedđ
I have this sitting in my PC for years now, almost 1lakh+ words long and unfinished. It's complete AU, started as an idea what if Arjun show has a gender bender (switch male female character traits) and become something of its own. Very close to my heart, not even sure why I am even posting. Most of you probably won't even like as its lonnngg and not usually like other stories in forum. I guess I wanted to share, its late and I am sleepy. In the celebration of my new Lappy and Anki, here is the beast novella đľ
Somoy periye jaye, nodir sroter pray (Time flows like a river)
- Confucius
Neither the Bengali proverb nor the great philosopher explained about the stagnant water in the river and its relation with time. So if the water is stuck, time is stuck as well? The minutes seconds and hours will be frozen at the same place? Nothing will happen or the events just occurred will continue to play like an old recorder stuck in gramophone? Or as there is no flow, there is no time?
People say God made Universe and Man. everything that happened and will happen is all God's will. Itâs hard to believe the person, who created us, our Father, can be so sadist to throw all BS at our face every day. Holy books say without pain, we wonât value happiness. We have to face it all and still be good, so that we can die peacefully and go to heaven. As if Earth life is not enough, another version to play in heaven and hell.
Atheist like me negates the existence of God. Man born out of genetic mutation. We created civilization, relationships, wars, and everything. We created the sense of time, and these proverbs that doesnât make sense when you are going lunatic, but pretending to come across as a tough one. We created these false invisible masks on our face so that someone else doesnât exploit us; we created the sense of security, or the lack of. We created it all.
We also created tragedy, bloodshed, death, enemy and revenge.
What we could not create is a way to shut it all. The Universe. The people. Everything we created. there is no way we can shut our door on universe and just curl up in our room, waiting for our hair to go grey and heartbeat to stop. It doesnât work like that. We have to go out every day. Face it all. Still be good.
Life is a war. Goodness is overrated. God is non-existent.
And unfortunately, time is stuck for me.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Across the city of dreams, Mumbai, Police Commissioner Raghu Ram sat quietly in his study room, staring at nothing, his fingers barely holding the frame of his Glasses. He looks deep in thought, but if the small drops of sweat are anything to go by, the man is in tension. The phone call that came just a few minutes ago shook the old man profusely. His daughter has been kidnapped, the man had said, and had also demanded 50 lacs of money. Money is not the issue, he has plenty, but right now he is torn between the duty of a father and his ideology as a Police commissioner. The threat on his daughter's life making him to do second guesses, he canât endanger her, but he canât just throw money at those scumbags to save her life, what kind of example that action will set?
Suddenly he shook out of his zoned state, deciding something. He put on his glasses, searched in his drawers for something while typing a number in his cell. It rang twice before a female voice on the other side picked it up.
"I need your help." he said, and exhaled a breath.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Where were the security guards when this happened?" ACP Arjun Rawte, the second in command of ETF, asked Raghu sir, who sat on the big fluffy white sofa, looking older than any of the members of ETF ever seen him.
"Sheen has this habit to sneak out under their watch." Sir answered, pinching his nose, "I am going to have serious talks once she is home. Then with the guards."
Aisha Kapoor, the director of ETF, eyed the old man sympathetically, "Donât worry sir, we will bring her home." to which he nodded, shaking off the emotion and trying to focus on it logically.
"So she went for jogging at 7 am, without the guards." Shreekant Sen aka Shree, the IT head of ETF, said while looking at his seniors, "and it was not pre planned. Which means. . .? "
"Someone or some people were keeping an eye on her." Sameer Rathore, another officer from ETF finished for him, "they must have followed her from days, waiting for the right time."
"Sir, the local police station inquired many people from the park if they have seen anything." Chandrakant Patil, aka Chotu, the commando of team informed them all, "so far, nothing."
"Check her friends, college, and any place she visited in last 4-5 days. Even interrogate the security guards, ask if they had seen something suspicious." Aisha ordered, eyeing Chotu and Sameer and they both headed out. Shree went with several other officers to tap the telephone lines and Raghu sir's cell. Three pair of eyes followed him, and Rawte was the first to break the silence.
"Sir, if you have any suspect, which can do this."
"I am working for the department for 20 years, Rawte." Raghu sir smiled a little, "there are plenty suspect."
"Still, sir," Aisha pressed, "anyone important? Who had directly threatened you or something?"
Raghu sir shook his head, "there are many, but they knew better than to attack my family."
Aisha sighed, and after a while, silently ordered Rawte to leave her alone with the senior officer. He nodded ever so lightly, heading out to join Sameer as he interrogates the security guards. He walked toward the backyard, his eyes roaming everywhere, a habit he had developed over the years when he saw something.
Or rather, someone.
A girl, whose back was faced toward him, is talking with the maid of house who was gesturing wildly while pointing at the house. No doubt, spreading the news about kidnapped commissionerâs daughter. something clicked in his head witnessing the scene, itâs been 1 hour Raghu sir received the call for ransom and nobody but local PS and ETF knew about it, not even media, so who's the girl? He had come to Raghu sir's house enough time over the years for dinners and gatherings to know the neighbors, and she doesnât look like any of them, even though he can only see her back.
Sheen was followed before her kidnapping, is this girl keeping an eye on the investigation? An enemy?
He noticed the maid now leaving, but even after several minutes the girl was still standing there, not moving an inch. Something was wrong; Rawte figured and proceeded to talk to her. He touched the gun tucked behind, just in case.
"Excuse me." he called out, and the girl turned to face him. She was beautiful, barely his age, but the tightness around her jaw and steely eyes made her look much more authoritative. She looked someone with a mission, someone with a motive.
A stalker with a pretty face, so that none can doubt, he thought in mind, eyeing her.
"What?" the girl replied, narrowing her eyes. She was looking at him too, and he can see her mind going overdrive mode. He prepared himself.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, purposely straightening his back to intimidate the girl. The girl's lips curled up in a mock smile, but the steeliness in eyes didnât go.
"Just standing on road."
"You are standing here for couple of minutes." he took a step toward her to intimidate more, "looking at the house. Who are you?"
"None of your business." the girl dismissed and proceeded to leave, but he was not letting her go that easily. He raised his hand to hold her by elbow, but that was the biggest mistake of this day.
In a flash of second, he found his cheek pressed on the bonnet of their ETF car with a loud BANG and his right arm twisted behind his back. His left hand hung uselessly and tried to grab something of her, but the pressure of his neck increased. His male ego admitted at last, the pressure was painful and she was good in combat skill.
"Never." he felt her lips over his ear and struggled more, but she didnât lose her hold. After some seconds later he heard an angry "What the hell!" and then he was again standing on his feet, rubbing his neck and wrist which was throbbing painfully.
"What's going on in here?" Rawte was burning with embarrassment; out of all people raghu sir had to witness the scene. He glared at the girl, who looked unapologetic, but at least now she canât go anywhere. Even Aisha and Sameer were here.
"Mukherjee, why you were manhandling my officer?" Aisha asked angrily, glaring at the girl. Rawte was shocked, how does she know her? Even Sameer looked puzzled, his eyes meeting his.
"Your Officer" the girl made the word sound nasty, "attacked me, Director." she gave him a look, before turning to face Raghu sir. He sensed the tension in air and cleared his throat.
"Letâs go inside."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I canât believe someone fought you back, Arjun. Not just someone, a girl with barely 60 KG weight." Sakshi Anand, the crime journalist and another member of ETF teased Rawte as she walked through the gate, after hearing all about it from Sameer, "surely you are losing your touch."
"Want to make that headline tomorrow, Sakshi?" he asked sarcastically, to which the journalist laughed.
"No, Police commissionerâs daughter's kidnapping is a better headlines." her face became serious, "btw, whatâs the progress?"
"Sorry to discourage you, Sakshi," Aisha heard the headlines comment as she walked toward her officer and spoke up, her face perfectly composed but her eyes giving away the annoyance, "but it wonât make headlines. We donât want media attention."
"But itâs a big news!" the journo protested.
"Itâs someone's life." Aisha argued back, giving her an icy stare. Sakshi knew better than to argue, so she just mumbled, "my boss wonât be happy if someone else publishes this."
"None is going to publish any. I will make sure of that. Surely thatâs okay for you?" Aisha could not help the mocking tone. Sakshi was an unnecessary addition to team, a nuisance at crime scene and dangerous situation. Despite being told off countless times, she donât stop coming with team during shoot out, and someone has to stay with her to babysit. As a crime journo, she lacks the seriousness, which is refreshing at sometimes but annoying at most. She treats the sensitive cases objectively, not taking it by heart, which might be good for her work but even after years of work Aisha canât reciprocate her attitude.
Sakshi nodded, clearly displeased. Rawte rolled his eyes at her antics and turned to the director, interested in the girl and her relation to this case, "so, officer Mukherjee is going to work with us?"
"ACP Mukherjee." Aisha corrected and Rawte's eyebrows rose in surprise, "yes, she will."
"But why? Raghu sir doesnât trust ETF can handle this alone?" he didnât understand whatâs the need of another officer, correction, ACP. He noticed the small frown in Aisha's forehead and sharp exhale.
"He needs her. So we will work together." she dismissed the conversation, "Letâs go inside. The kidnapper gonna call anytime."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You already involved police and ETF, but donât bring them while you delivering money. 50 lacs, cash, and alone. we will inform the location later. donât try anything cunning or else you will get back your daughter in pieces."
the line went dead. Shree shook his head as his whole team turned to his eagerly. he could not track it, the call bounced from 4 different tower. the caller was smart, didnât give much time to track it.
"What now?" Raghu sir asked after some moments, looking at Aisha.
"Prepare the money, Sir. we already blocked the city and spread Sheen's picture everywhere. they cant escape city with her. even our informers are looking for her. anytime we will get something on her. donât worry Sir." she assured. she looked at her team and everyone spread out, Shree tried to minimize the search location for Sheen, Sameer, Arjun and Chotu calling every PS for update. Sakshi looked back and forth to the team, and to ACP Mukherjee, who was kneeled down and listening to the recorded ransom call. Aisha's eyes followed her, and after some 4 minutes she looked frustrated.
"care to explain why are you listening to the call repeatedly?" her voice barely contained annoyance. Mukherjee looked up, now removing the headphones and stood up, walking to Shree.
"Did you minimize the location?" she asked sharply. the techy was startled at her sharp tone, not expecting. he blinked for a couple of time, steadying himself.
"I did. 4 km radius."
"Any Mosque in that area?"
everyone frowned at the question. Shree frowned but sensed it will be better to search than ask questions. Raghu sir stood up and walked to her.
"Mosque?"
Mukherjee removed the headphones and played the ransom call. she turned on the volume, and after some tough listening everyone could hear the Azaan in the BG of the caller.
"there are 2 mosques in the area." Shree informed.
"Based on the barely audible sound, I can say the kidnappers are staying 2 km away from Mosque." Sameer spoke up, somewhere along the line finishing his call. the team looked at him proudly, maybe even Mukherjee, if her curious glance to his side is anything to go by.
"I am getting the map." Shree informed as the team gathered near him. Raghu sir gave a thankful nod to Mukherjee, to which she nodded back. Rawte, who just finished his call, looked back and forth to his team and Mukherjee who looked deep in thought.
after some 10 minutes shree handed over the maps. Aisha divided the team into two part, she Sameer and Chotu will go to the first mosque while Mukherjee, Rawte, Shree and Sakshi will go to other one. the team headed outside, and Rawte heard Aisha saying quietly to the other woman, "stick with team."
"Anything, Director." she even made Director sound nasty, Rawte thought to himself.
in the SUV Mukherjee didnât say a word, still deep in thought. Rawte noticed her shaking her left foot absent mindedly as Sakshi from the back seat threw percentage of kidnapper who turn out petty criminals and idiots in air. they reached the mosque after 45 minutes, and Sakshi stopped right infront of the other woman to introduce herself as she adjusted her gun to her side.
"We were not introduced. I am Sakshi Anand, Crime journalist from Mumbai Local."
Shree gave a look to Rawte, both not sure how this will go. Mukherjee frowned ever so lightly, looking straight in her eyes.
"Why you are in team?"
Rawte looked away to hide his smirk. the very same question he ask himself everyday but never asked Sakshi. she didnât seem to mind.
"Shadowing the team. reporting their cases. giving them media coverage."
Mukherjee sure as hell didnât look convinced with the answer, but shrugged, "ACP Mukherjee."
"I knew your name. you look familiar, ACP." Sakshi smiled cheekily, and she stiffed slightly. before Rawte can make head or tail of that, Shree spoke and all of them started their hunt. the local police with them covered other side, and the four of headed toward the south of Mosque, each of them connected with other teams through radio and bluetooth. they showed pictures of Sheen to many, but none can recognize her. after some 1 hour, a boy recognized the picture and said several people brought her in today in a chawl away from basti. the team headed toward the direction, not before Sakshi pressed 100 rs into his palm.
"You sure want to come with us?" Mukherjee directed her question to Sakshi as they were some 300 metres away from the chawl. Rawte rolled his eyes, keeping silent and Shree spoke up before Sakshi did.
"She is used to it, Ma'am. You wont be bothered."
Mukherjee didnât say anything, looking back to the chawl. the team stealthily headed for the chawl while informing others to reach here. they kicked open the front door, pointing gun ahead of them, and with disappointment they found out the chawl was empty. there were signs of people staying here, so surely kidnappers with Sheen were here but they left. how they knew ETF and Police were coming here, its a mystery.
after some 30 minutes Aisha along with rest of ETF reached there. the forensic expert, liza d'cruz with her team took all evidence from crime scene, though barely possible but in a hope to find something out of it. the director clearly didnât look impressed, having come so close to find Sheen and start all over again.
"How did they know we are coming?" Sameer wondered aloud. Rawte frowned, and his eyes found Mukherjee, who was staring at ground. suddenly, she looked up and met his eyes. he barely had time to bash himself for being caught staring when she spoke up, her eyes going over the team.
"Something is wrong."
Aisha looked at her annoyed, "what is it?"
"Its not for money." Mukherjee explained, "50 lacs is not a big amount. they got Comissioner's daughter, they were obviously planning from a long time to kidnap her. just because of money, I donât buy it."
"in 87% cases kidnappers ask for money, Riya." Sakshi chimed in, her eyes twinkling as Mukherjee's eyes hardened, "right?"
as rest of team mate looked at each other, trying to remember if either Raghu sir or Aisha called ACP Mukherjee by her first name, because sure as hell she didnât introduce herself, Mukherjee's eyes hardened, "you are forgetting rest of 13%, Miss Anand."
the crime jounro got the message loud and clear, ACP Mukherjee doesnât like her first name. she fixed her stare at her for some seconds, before meeting rest of team, "its not about money. I think they wanted us to figure out their hide out somewhere near Mosque. they are cunning, very cunning." she muttered, "they are planning something else, Money is nothing."
at the same time Chotu got a call. the team waited for him to finish the call and he spoke up, "the kidnappers called again. asked Raghu sir to come near port in 1 hour with full cash."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The team held their breath as Raghu sir walked away from them toward port no. 14 with the black briefcase. Shree had fixed a small GPS tracker into the money so that they can pin point the kidnapper's location. the 1 km area of port no. 14 were filled with hidden police officers, ETF officers and snipers, if anything goes wrong, they will kill the kidnappers. Shree remained in the SUV outside port with Sakshi (who was rather unwilling) to listen to transmitter fit into Raghu sir's shirt and track the money, while rest of team headed toward port with gun ready at hand.
Aisha instructed Chotu and Sameer to head, and turned to Rawte, "stay here with her." pointing toward Mukherjee. she looked outraged.
"I am not staying here." she argued, challenging. Aisha matched her glare with her own.
"You are, with him. and its an order." she raised her voice before either Rawte or Mukherjee can speak up. her eyes fixed on the other woman, and she added in somewhat softer tone, "cant let an arrow to fly around freely."
after she left, Rawte cant help the frustrated muttering, "babysit duty." he cared less that the other officer heard him.
"You are not tied with me, so go rather than sulking." she snapped. he turned to face her, trying to contain his frustration.
"Director's order."
"Disobey it. she donât bite." she answered sarcastically. he looked away, understanding that trying a normal conversation with her is impossible. for the first time, he felt bearing Sakshi is much better than spending five minutes with her. as he continued to sulk, Mukherjee continued to pace here and there, giving him additional headache. she looked desperate to run away, and if she does, he have to break a sweat to catch up with her, her earlier strength show off still very fresh on his neck.
suddenly, she stopped pacing, making his head throb again. she then walked toward him, stopping only when there are only some inches left between them. she clearly donât understand what is private space.
"Give me your phone." she demanded. he gave her an incredelous look.
"I cant go anywhere but can use phone, right Arjun?" apparently others cant use her first name but she can, sue her! he exhaled another frustrated breath and rather slammed the phone on her palm. she took it and headed away, searching for a number.
"Shree." he was surprised she called Shree, and walked toward her to hear more, "how far is the nearest camera from the exchange location?"
Shree answered something he could not hear, but whatever it is it was not right. she snapped the phone shut and clutched it tightly, pacing once again. he wanted to know, but not wanted to start another conversation with this woman. she was rude, arrogant, and clearly lacked social skills. she cant even pretend to be nice, looks like softness and being nice is not in her dictionary.
"what is it?" he could not bear the suspense. she stopped pacing, once again invading his private space.
"there is no camera near exchange site. they carefully picked the place. shree cant inform team if anything goes wrong."
"snipers are there, and even police hidden." he pointed out.
"donât you get, Arjun? these guys are clearly professional, very cunning. they will figure out the snipers and police." she went backwards while eyeing him and started pacing again, clenching and unclencing her fists, "it will be too late for the snipers or police to get to Raghu sir if something wrong happens. I donât think they brought Sheen here."
"So whatâs their plan? why so much elaborate plan for only 50 lacs?" he wondered, totally getting her logic but not getting why someone will go to such lengths. then suddenly an idea crossed him.
"what if they are after Raghu sir?" she stopped pacing as his words hit her, staring at him.
"then why not kidnap him? why go after Sheen?"
"he is always surrounded with guards. only during the exchange he will be away from any guards." Rawte explained, "its hard to kidnap him during it, but easier if you have to kill 50 police officers and make a scene in his house or office any other time."
she eyed him for a moment, thinking about his words. she then handed him over the phone.
"Call Director."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The team circled around the dead body of one of the kidnapper, Ramesh, as per Shree's info. Rawte's call came at the right time, Raghu sir had barely reached port no. 14 when out of nowhere a black bolero came and tried to drag him inside. the snipers were quick, and soon the bolero was running away from the scene. Ramesh tried to drag Raghu sir and he was left dead by his other gang mates. The old man was clearly shaken, but he was handling himself quite well. he gulped down the water Sakshi handed him over and eyed at the ETF team.
"now what?" Chotu asked, "they were targetting Raghu sir, and failed."
"they wont free Sheen." Sameer spoke up, his tone apologetic, "she is too much of a risk. by now, she might have seen their faces. they cant leave her."
"in 67% cases kidnappers kill their victims, regardless of the ransom." Sakshi chimed in, and 4 pair of eyes glared at her, the bad statistics not helping.
"I had read somewhere 34% journalists lack brain to mouth filter, and 90% of them suffer from TMT syndrome." Mukherjee added with a mixture of barely contained anger and sarcasm.
"What's TMT?" Shree asked, the ever curious.
"Too much talk." the other woman explained, and Rawte for the second time in day had to look away to hide his smirk. how can one person can be so infuriating and can make one laugh? he didnât even know someone like her ever existed.
Sakshi was clearly offended, and opened her mouth to reply, when Aisha gave her a icy stare, effectively shutting her up. Sameer cleared his throat, he was also busy to hide his amusement, if the softness in his eyes is anything to go by.
"We have blocked every exits of city, bus stops, airport, roads. they cant leave city." Aisha informed sympathetically to Raghu sir, who nodded.
"what about sea?" Rawte wondered. he was not the only person to think about sea, even Mukherjee looked up, first to him, then to Aisha. the latter looked curious, then took out her phone and ordered for surveillance on sea sides as well.
9 hours later, the ETF team along with Coast guards and police were chasing the kidnappers on several speed boats. the kidnappers were smart, because of the waves none could take a direct shot at them, and they were using Sheen as a shield so that the driver of speedboat was safe to drive. everyone was shooting at them, and now remained only 2 of them, one driving while the other shooting back rather agressively.
others watched in horror as ACP Mukherjee suddenly stood up, rather gracefully and balanced herself quite well as she shot repeatedly toward the 2nd person, barely flinching from his bullets, and made him fell from speedboat as her bullets hit his leg and right wrist. soon others overtook the speedboat and arrested the lone offended. the team smiled contently as Raghu sir ran toward Sheen and gathered her in arms, the 17 year old sobbing loudly in her father's chest.
while all were busy watching the Father daughter reunion, Chotu and Rawte helped other officers to take the kidnappers to hospital. as he finished, Chotu walked away to receive a call, and Rawte heard Director Aisha Kapoor's angry whispers someplace behind him.
"That was reckless."
"There was no choice." came the detached reply of ACP Mukherjee.
"You cant put everyone at risk!"
"Only I would have died if the bullets hit me, so relax."
"This was supposed to be team work."
"Glad to be with your team. Goodbye." again the sarcastic tone, and then Rawte watched as ACP Mukherjee walked away from the scene without any backward glance. as she left, he could not help but feel the sense of disappointment in him. sure, he despised her from the very start and throughout the day, the way she humiliated him by showing her strength, her sarcasm or lack or tenderness, but there was a great deal of mystery into her as well. he didnât know why raghu sir chose her to be with ETF, or she agreed, clearly not interested to work in a team. How or why Sakshi know her first name, why does it feel Director Aisha Kapoor know her? The ever present fire in her eyes, the recklessness, its all part of her but somewhere it doesnât fit with her. he also noticed, not sure if its something or just nothing, that Mukherjee clearly could have taken head shot but chose to shoot on limbs only. why she did that? he was not sure he will know them ever, then he snorted, thinking he barely controlled himself to explode on her, if they spent any more time, surely hell will break loose.
what was her name, again?
oh yes, Riya. someone who can sing well.
he wondered idly if she sings as he walked back to his team, watching her vanishing in front of his eyes.
Indifference is only a mask to tell the world "F*ck off" and "Screw you". Not many people can cut through that, though.
- -
The flat owner of 220 twisted on his bed for the 50th time tonight. He gave up on sleeping, glaring around for the lack of sleep and cursing his fate as why he chose this flat 3 years ago. He nearly threw away the blanket and headed for the bedroom door, murmuring something about teaching manners to the next flat owner.
Outside his flat, he turned and headed for his next flat, 221. He knocked it, rather uncivilly for 3 AM in the morning. But all his anger faded and he stood flustered, stammering as the flat owner opened door and stood in front of him.
The flat owner was a She, of course.
And she was standing with a gun in hand, her face devoid of any emotion.
"Um. . . " The man opened and closed his mouth for some minutes, unsure of what to do.
The woman just cocked her head, waiting for explanation. The man gulped, his eyes going back and forth to the gun and her face, "There was some. . . noise. . . coming. . ."
She cut him, "It wonât happen again." and shut the door on his face rather loudly. He stood there, stunned, for a good 3 minutes before heading back.
As he settled in his bed once again, he heard the gun went off, and then everything was silent.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
She could not sleep. She does not sleep. Sleep was a privilege she doesnât have any more.
So instead, the night for her is just some idle hours to pass, no work to distract her. She tried trolling outside for some nights, trying to feel at ease in the dark and loneliness, but failed miserably. Her every sense was alert, as if expecting something, And nothing happened.
So she stayed in her flat, circling in her room with a gun in hand, and waiting for the sun to rise.
But today was different. after many months a real work to do, not just walking through red light areas and trying to gather information for a Man which was so important for her, but rest of the world give a damn about. A real work, a real case. Trying to catch criminals and brainstorming with real people.
It felt. . . normal. After years she felt something close to normal. But of course, after years she did the one thing in which she was so good at. Why she resigned come again?
Oh yeah, inefficiency to work with team. She snorted, itâs more like inability to trust the people from the department which didnât support her when they should have.
She might miss that, but she doesnât want to go back to that. Alone is what protects her.
But today was different, so tonight she could not just go back to her old habit, circling in her flat with gun in hand. Instead she took out the cricket ball from drawer and sat on the floor, catching it every time as she threw it across the opposite wall.
Then there was a knock around 3 AM.
Sometime she forgets, even if she wants so badly, she is not alone. Her actions affect others too.
She slams the door shut on her neighbor, sit quietly on the previous place on floor, throw the ball in air and then put a bullet through it. it hit the ball at the exact center, and she stared at the ball for the rest of the night, the hole and smoke coming out of it.
She snaps out of it when the cell phone vibrates in her jeans pocket. She picks on the second ring, as usual.
"And here I thought you will sleep soundly as your daughter is home safely."
"And here I thought for once, you will actually sleep." the deep voice of the old man sounded casual and yet resigned.
"I broke up with her." she responded without missing a beat, "What else I can do for you, Sir?"
"Meet me. Around 8. KFC"
She quirked an eyebrow at the venue.
"A public place, Riya. No need to fret."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Raghu sir was right at time, but she was already at the far end table at KFC. He took a deep breath, feeling his heartbeat rising a little bit, and then headed toward her. She dropped half spoon sugar into and stirred as he sat across her on the cozy sofa.
"That's the secret of your strength." he said in lieu of saying 'Hi' or "Good Morning', "No wonder Rawte didnât stand a chance against you."
"Donât both to hide your relief that its Coffee and not Drugs." she replied easily and took a sip, giving him a look which asked to spit it without beating around the bush.
"I think you fractured his neck."
"Why am I here?" she placed the coffee mug on table, "Surely not to celebrate your daughter's return."
He sighed, giving up for casual. "I have a deal."
She quirked her eyebrow, her eyes lighting with amusement. He didnât know if thatâs a good thing or bad, itâs always so difficult to read her and he gave up on it years ago.
"Come back."
She was silent for a while, then she leaned on the table, her eyes labeling with his, "Why?"
"Because alone, you are up to no good."
"Not good enough." she leaned back again, waiting for him to explain more. He readied himself.
"Join department and I will reopen the case."
That seemed to get her attention. The lightness gone and her whole posture was stiff, "So all these years, the reopening was depending on my return?"
"Itâs not that." he tried to keep his voice even, "we have something. Enough to reopen it."
"Is this the deal? You will reopen only if I am back?" she asked in her mock voice, "I knew it was bad idea to make you Commissioner. Too much time spent with political people, sir?"
"Before jumping onto confidence, hear me out." his patience was wearing thin. She has this habit to get on your nerves, "and thanks for the vote of confidence on my promotion, Riya."
She looked away, clearly not interested to hear whatever he wants to say. But at least she is sitting, which should be a good thing. Raghu sir stopped thinking, and taking a deep breath, he started again.
"I want you to join back. Even let you work on the case. I know earlier you were not allowed to work as it was too personal, but I am willing to overlook it, until you remain professional. You will be updated on every step. Nothing will be hidden anymore."
He waited for her to ponder over his words, but her reply was surprisingly fast, "whatever you found, to reopen case, it will be the last thing you ever found out."
He raised an eyebrow, "that much confidence on your ex-department?"
"What do you think I did in these 3 years?" her words came out fast, barely a whisper, coated with frustration and anger, her eyes flashing dangerously, "You donât think I tried? I made contacts in the darkest places, gathered lowlifes who owed favors to me, so that I can use that later. Tried to know anything, something, by making a noise or simply keeping quiet. None worked. I have hit a wall." she leaned back on the sofa with a sudden movement, her eyes roaming everywhere in the restaurant, "The most important case in my life, and I have hit a wall."
"You were alone. You didnât have much resources." his voice was kind.
"Donât tell me I was not enough, that I didnât try enough." she looked positively frightening at the moment. If it was someone else, he would have run for hills by now, but Raghu sir had the patience of a Saint, and also, he knew her since she was 9. She canât scare him.
"You didnât have resources. Whatever you did, it was incomplete because alone, you could not have done everything." he kept both of elbows on table and leaned, trying with his best persuasive voice, "If there were people with you, whom you could trust, you would have much more information. Now donât make me give a lecture on team work and its importance."
Her expression somewhat soften, but the steeliness in her eyes was still there, "I canât trust anyone."
"You will, with time."
"Always the optimist." she allowed herself a small smirk, and he smirked back.
They were silent for 5 minutes when she asked, "Which department?"
Raghu sir had the urge to confirm if what he was hearing right, but suppressed it, "How does ETF sound?"
"Director hates me." she replied nonchalantly.
"You both worked well yesterday."
"Something about an old man and his kidnapped daughter." she replied with the barest hint of humor.
"Ri." he had won the first round, and was not up for another argument. She eyed him for seconds, obviously taking note of the nickname. Then she sighed, giving up, her lips pursued with annoyance but eyes giving away.
"It must be a crappy day, listening to every order of the Commissioner."
Sometime, even if you donât want, some people will always slip through your skin and make you feel. Those are friends.
- -
"Madam is waiting for you, ACP Mukherjee", she could hear the receptionist's voice outside.
BANG! 5 seconds later.
she was not as startled as was Sameer, who was standing too close to her, which didnt look professional from any angel. before he could understand what is going on or compose himself, she entered, gave them a look and crossed her arms, as if waiting for them to pause whatever they doing.
Infuriating, Aisha thought as Sameer hurriedly left the cabin, shutting the door behind if.
"Social etiquette, Riya." she sighed, a disapproving frown on her face.
"Will take the night classes, Madam." came the instant reply, "didnt interrupt anything, I hope."
"None of your business." her voice was more defensive than necessary.
"Not interested." the other woman snorted in a way which matched her words in a weird way. Aisha shook her head, now getting up from her seat and taking step toward her.
"You are joining from today." she started, her fingers itching to rub her temple and soothe a headache which is threatening to become migraine. her sub conscious self was expecting a mocking reply maybe, thats why she stopped to give a look at the other woman, who raised her brow slightly, as if asking 'What you expect me to say?'
"My team, they are efficient." she continued, "as you have seen in the last case. work as a group. they are like a closely adjoined family, and you dont work in team. I am not sure how Raghu sir thought it will be a good idea for you to join here."
she again expected Riya to say something, but nothing came up. she continued to stare at her, and she didnt understand whats this about, like so many other time.
"But I am not going to question him. You will now work with them, so i expect you to adjust and start working with team. No going solo, sharing information and work in a group. Is that understood?" she used her Director voice with a challenging look.
of course, it had the opposite effect.
"Is that an order?"
"Will you obey if I say yes?" her voice was little bit strained.
"I will try to behave." there was a smirk, with a promise it wont be what it looks like.
Aisha sighed, shaking her head, "Lets go and introduce you to everyone officially."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rawte frowned, exhaled an irritating sigh and put the phone back in his pocket, suddenly feeling out of breath. he barely turned to go inside the discussion room when he collided with Sameer.
"Watch where you going!" his voice was louder than needed. Sameer opened his mouth to explain, but closed at it, taking in his friend's frown-y face.
"Whats wrong?"
"Your best friend." he answered w/o missing a beat, exhaling once again.
"Let me guess, dinner with parents?"
the other man nodded, "i am canceling it since 6 days. she gave an ultimatum."
Sameer scoffed, "its obvious what she is implying. she is expecting a ring."
Rawte gave a look, "as if i dont know."
"Then why you are not doing it?"
"I dont know."
"I thought you said she was it." Sameer frowned.
"I thought that too." he sighed, "its like i dont know what i want anymore."
out of nowhere, Shree came to their peripheral vision and caught the end of conversation. pushing back his glasses, he gave both the men a serious face.
"You want what everyone wants."
"and what is that?" Rawte asked, eyes narrowed, while Sameer looked amused.
"You want a Love which consumes you. adventure, passion, and even a little bit danger." he said, quoting The Vampire Diaries. Behind him, Chotu along with Sakshi entered, and she slapped the back of his head.
"Ow!"
"Quoting TV serials, are we?" she chimed in, "didnt know you are into bloodsuckers, Shree."
"he is not, its all Liza." Chotu replied, and Shree gave a look which can be interpreted 'Thanks for saving my back' or 'You too, Brutus!'
"How I ended up with a bunch of clowns." Rawte muttered, shaking his head and entered the discussion room. behind him the trio continued to banter, while Sameer's eyes found Director Kapoor who along with the officer who he just met awkwardly in her cabin, was coming to their direction. she reached to their side and signaled them to get inside, at the same time the trio stop their bickering.
"Team." Aisha cleared her throat and looked at everyone, "You already met ACP Riya Mukherjee during Raghu sir's daughter kidnapping case. I just wanted you all to formally meet. she is joining ETF, effective from now."
Everything happened at the same time. Rawte's phone rang and a new case was there. Sameer gave a questioning look to Aisha, which Riya noticed, narrowing her eyes a little bit. Sakshi gave a dirty look to her and then to Chotu, clearly not happy with this addition. he helplessly looked at the IT head, Shree, who just shrugged. while talking on phone Rawte caught Riya's eyes and spoke more to her than rest of team as he ended the call.
"New case. Lets go team."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The case looked simple suicide of a 20 years old college student who jumped from 8th floor of her friend's building where she was attending a party. she looked perfect, if one can overlook the almost dry blood around her, her LBD and make up intact. from outside, its safe to say she didnt jump because some assholes assaulted her or some assholes pushed her because they could not assault. Open and shut case.
still, ETF had to investigate.
so they were doing that. Sameer, Liza, Sakshi were near the body while Rawte and Shree along with ACP Mukherjee and Chotu were at 8th floor, investigating the 2nd crime scene, the balcony from where she jumped. while the forensic expert with her team was busy, Sameer with her asking ocassional questions and rest of ETF officers away to ask the eye witnesses about the incident, Sakshi made her unpleasantness about the new addition of the team very vocal.
"Now i realised why she was at that case. Raghu sir might have thought its a good idea to test how the future recruitee will work with the team. granted, his daughter was kidnapped so he was emotional, but he is a Police officer first, his mind always doing plannings and plottings. and 3 days later, she is here! Why he thought adding her was a good idea? she clearly cant work with team. and she is so rude!" she finished her rant, now narrowing eyes at Sameer, "didnt Aisha tell you anything?"
he looked taken aback, "why would she tell me anything?"
"Dont play coy with me, Rathore. I know what goes on behind that door."
"Well she is here now, Sakshi, so suck it up." Liza's pissed voice cut through the air. both of them looked down, eyes narrowing.
"Thats harsh." the journo commented. the forensic expert sighed.
"Sorry. my mood is bad."
"Shree." Sameer said, more like explaining. the Doctor sighed once again.
"if he just look away from his gadgets for a minutes. . . sometime i want to throw those things deep into sea. i cant believe last night he was more excited about the latest windows 10 than the italian dinner i made for him." the doctor ranted. Sameer looked away to stiffle his laughter because frankly, it was funny, while Sakshi elbowed him to keep quiet.
"He will come around." Sakshi replied sympathetically, "Besides, all men are stupid." she mock glared at Sameer who didnt look too please with the comment.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"The eye witnesses heard the body dropping and rushed outside. according to them there was none on this floor, so most probably none pushed her." Chotu informed Rawte, Shree on his wheels, listening to him and glancing at ACP Mukherjee who was near the balcony, simultaneously. Rawte noticed his glance and put on an irritated expression, which the IT expert noticed, pushing his glasses over nose.
"They were not exactly eye witness then, as they didnt see anything." he replied, "her phone is damaged because of the fall. didnt know nowadays people commit suicides with their phones."
"dedicated to gadgets, just like you Shree." Chotu could not help but tease, earning a glare from Rawte.
"Thats because she didnt jump, Shree." ACP Mukherjee was suddenly near them, her eyes still focussed on the balcony, "someone, or maybe more than one, pushed her."
"How you are so sure?" Rawte could hardly stand her one-woman army style of work. he was always a champion for team work and this was insulting for him. his question came out harsher than usual.
Like last time, the glare and harsh tone didnt have the desired affected. instead, she turned to look at him, eyes lighting with amusement as she asked, "ever tried a LBD, Rawte??"
behind them that was unmistakable sound of laughter-tried-to-suppress-and-now-like-coughing by Shree. Chotu looked at him, confused.
"LB what?" He was half curious half irritated.
"LBD, little black dress." she explained, keeping her straight face, "you know black dresses too short and tight and only reaches till here?" She pointed toward her thigh, waiting for his answer. as usual, he only glared at her, mixed with shocked expression for this comment as she again shifted her glance toward the balcony, with each word the glare from the former's face removing.
"She cant climb over the balcony with that dress. someone pushed her, maybe she was already dead or unconscious by then. they put the phone in between her palm so that police dont search for it. a small mistake. . . "
"not a perfect crime then." Shree chimed in. she turned to look at him, the smirk is back.
"not even close."
when she left, Rawte purposefully stayed on the 8th floor with Shree, who was half scared to get scolding for his earlier laugh which he quite could not convert to coughing. Chotu followed her, partially because the second on command signaled him to, partially to update the rest of team at the first crime scene. inside the elevatore, his mind continued to play the LBD comment and his lip moved upward, desperate to burst into laughter, but behaving just because the ACP was there with him.
"Spit it." she ordered in a tired tone. he burst out laughing then.
"that LBD comment." he composed himself, "none ever talked to him like that. he is second in command and quite. . . strict."
"you think i am in trouble then?" she pretended to look worried, but the amusement in her eyes gave her away.
"No." he admitted truthfully. the elevatore was open and they both got out, heading for the crime scene.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
the worst part of a case is dealing with grieving family members of the deceased. they are already in their worst shape, losing someone, and on top of that one have to hopelessly crush the sympathetic self and be cut throat and ask all the questions, any suspicion on anyone, if anyone ever threatened, if the deceased was involved in something less than legal. does these questions matter? he or she is gone, the shock is enough, and these questions are like salt on burning wound.
the victim's parents were in the ETF building in the afternoon. they answered all the questions with as patience as a parent who lost their child could. they wanted to see their daughter, who was now merely a lifeless bunch of flesh and blood called 'Body'. unfortunately, they cant, not until the autopsy.
after everyone left and the parents were showing themselves out, they noticed ACP Mukherjee, who was standing quietly in a corner and watching them from past 1 hours. the mother looked tearfully at her, and the father's helpless eyes were going back and forth on his wife and the ACP.
"when we can see her?" he asked. the ACP stared at him for a split second, then straightened her back, ready to move.
"come with me."
the people on forensic lab floor gave them curious glances. liza and her associates were not particularly happy as Mukherjee banged the door open, her lack to social etiquette extending outside Director's cabin to forensic lab, the grieving parents behind. she gave the associates a look, and they all left the room quietly in a hurry. Liza shoot her somewhat pissed look, clearly not over of her earlier bad mood, waiting for the other woman to explain whats going on.
"they want to see Seema." she didnt use the word Body. it felt wrong, too soon. Liza's eyes became softer, realising they are the parents of victim.
"they can, after i finish autopsy."
"did you start yet?"
"No. i just took her hair and skin sample."
"then you can surely wait 5 minutes outside." Mukherjee's voice was low, though there was a undercurrent of a threat. Liza narrowed her eyes, not appreciating the attitude.
"its not allowed."
"5 minutes." she crossed her arms in a clear warning. if Liza was not impressed by now, she was intimidated as she took in her stiff posture and steely eyes. she knew better to say no once again. after some seconds, she started moving, walking toward the table where the body was kept and removed the white sheet from its face.
as both the women left, the air of lab was filled with sobs of the parents. they waited outside, leaning against the wall.
"they could see her after autopsy." Liza stated, but the question was clear.
"it would not have been same." ACP Mukherjee replied, her voice quiet and emotionless, "she would not have felt like their daughter."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
turned out, it was not a difficult case at all. after Shree extracted all info from the victim's phone, it was piece of cake. it was the host of party pushed her himself after spiking her drink, something about leaked question papers of last semester. people kill for less nowadays. a lousy spot to push her to death, one's own party.
the interesting phase was the interrogation. the guilty, a spolied brat of a shady businessman all but screamed at ETF officers, like how they framing him, or his father will see them all. they had all evidence they needed, but needed to hear him confessing the crime. Rawte and Sameer sat opposite the guilty quietly, letting him rant like a desperate and taking sadistic pleasure from it. far away from them Mukherjee was leaned against a wall, her eyes on the boy and behind the guilty, Director Kapoor watched the scene unfold along with others through the one way glass.
"interesting news for you i think, Sakshi?" Chotu quipped.
"a lousy case instead. idiot of a criminal." she replied, facial expression bored. the boy was wasting more time to rant nonsense than admit for any of their patience.
the boy stopped for a while, taking a breath, his eyes now falling on Mukherjee.
"I understand what you are trying to do. trapping me. listen i am not an idiot! i didnt push her!" he paused, his eyes running on all three of them, "you all will pay! my father will make you pay!" he was now pointing finger at all of them.
suddenly Mukherjee was in front of him, twisting the finger as the guilty's expression changed from panicky to pained.
"show off your father's influence to somewhere else, is that understood?" her face was barely a whisper. he didnt reply, trying to pull his finger back.
"is that understood?" she gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing dangerously. he nodded hurriedly.
"yes. yes!"
"Now, who pushed her from balcony?" she asked again, and when he didnt reply instantly, she twisted the finger more, earning a cry from him.
Sameer and Rawte was standing by now, "leave him." the latter ordered.
"You want a confession or not?" that was a rhetorical question. before any of them can say anything, the boy opened his mouth.
"I did. i pushed her. she knew i leaked question paper of last semester and was going to do for next one as well. she confronted me. I pushed her."
the three stared at him, taking in his confession. Mukherjee's eyes went to the one way mirror, behind which Director Kapoor was waiting for her next move. she freed the finger then.
"how you hurt your finger?" she asked innocently to the boy, who looked confused first, then understanding dawn on him.
"it got pressed. . . between elevator door. . . " he paused, "accidentally." he added.
almost everyone was half horrified, half amused at the words.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
at the end of day (or case to be precise) Mukherjee was summoned to the Princy's class, aka Director's cabin. Sakshi looked smug while delivering the news, clearly hoping she will get a scolding, to which the former looked mildly amused, smirking all the while.
inside, Liza was already submitting the forensic report and Aisha was inquiring her why the report was submitted late than usual.
"I didnt finish autopsy on time." the doctor explained, eyeing Mukherjee as she opened the door w/o knocking, yet again, surprised by the action.
"i dont remember you were ever late to finish autopsy." the director replied, raising eyebrow. Liza spared a quick glance to Mukherjee whose face remained still.
"not every day is equal." she shrugged.
Aisha watched as the doctor was out of door, and turned to Mukherjee, "I dont appreciate your action back in the interrogation room."
"then don't." the latter replied, looking bored.
"Riya." the director said in a warning, "its against rule."
"you ordered to work with team, not follow rule." Mukherjee pointed out, "besides, he was just wasting everyone's time."
Aisha threw her hands in air.
"You are so childish sometimes!" she said, exasperated, "fine, note it down as well. work with team and follow rules."
"i will see what i can do." Mukherjee rolled her eyes, "now, can i leave?"
Aisha opened her mouth, but closed it again. when she spoke again, her voice was much softer, "have dinner with me."
that surprised Mukherjee, but she brushed it aside, "dont want to piss your boyfriend."
"my who?" the director was appalled, to which the former narrowed her eyes, not giving anymore reply. she turned and started walking toward door, her fingers barely touched the handle when she spoke again.
"I am trying to fix this."
"i know." she replied w/o turning back.
"I didnt push you away." Aisha's voice was rising by now.
"Did I ever say you did?"
"Your attitude surely screaming as if its all my fault."
that made her turn, "You are my Boss. you are here to keep an eye on your team and assess their work, not to read their attitudes."
"you are not just my co-worker."
"i am now." she answered, "and i will appreciate if you dont try to fix anything."
"why not?" the director's voice was strained, desperate to understand.
"Because you canât. and I donât want you to." with that she pulled the door and headed outside, barely colliding with Rawte and Sameer who were about to enter. she caught herself at the last moment, at the same time when Rawte's hands rose in reflex as if to catch her. she went aside as Rawte continued to stare and Sameer glanced at Aisha, who composed herself quickly but from her face it was evident something happened. she rarely looked troubled.
"come in, both of you." Aisha said and both the men entered, not before giving a glance to the mysterious ACP Mukherjee as she left.
Knowledge is power, observation is an interesting perception. its also another way to rub others face on it
--
The phone rang for 3rd time, effectively earning an irritated growl at 2 AM at morning and wiping off all trace of sleep from Rawte's mind. he saw the caller and composed a sigh, "Director."
"important case, Nehru Museum, M.G. Road" came her reply. he exhaled another breath, already getting out of bed.
"i will inform others." he replied, then paused, his mind going over the latest addition to their team, "but i dont have any contact no. of . . "
"ACP Mukherjee?" she supplied, "i will take care of that." and she hung up, not before rising questions in his mind that how she will know the other woman's phone no. but then, she is the head, she knows everything.
Aisha groaned after realising she dont have any no. of the ACP either. she glanced at the watch in her wrist, and pressed the call button in her contact list, holding breath.
"Is this that much serious?" came the reply of Raghu sir, rough from sleep.
"I have important case, and my whole team is not here." she didnt mention the other woman but he realised it. he chuckled at it.
"you dont have any contact no. of her, dont you?"
she was silent for a beat, "i . . . it skipped my mind." she confessed, somewhat surprised at the slip. he sighed.
"she does this to people." she could hear shuffling in the BG, he was getting out of bed, "wait a sec."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
she cut the call both times, an irritation creeping in her mind. she was already in this shady, too loud disco in a revealing dress, waiting for a lead her informer told her about. the lead didnt arrive yet, and the music was making her head hurt. she doesnt hate music, but something about barely making sense and cheap lyrics, horrible female voice and bar dancers moving in little to imagine dresses made her blood boil. she needed this lead, its been too long and she needs something to go on.
the phone rang for the 3rd time and she picked it up, her voice low and barely controlled, "there better has to be good reason to disturb me right now."
"and there has to be better reason for you not to arrive at a crime scene right now." came loud voice of Aisha, "where are you?"
"address." the former answered after a beat, and she sighed, giving the address.
"ETA 20 minutes." she replied.
"i need you in 12." the director ordered. ACP Mukherjee flashed an irritated glance to the door once again, hating to leave behind this lead, then smirked without any humour.
"Dont blame me then." the call ended.
some 11 minutes and 47 seconds later she was infront of Nehru Museum. the police and ETF was already there, yellow ribbons of DO NOT ENTER were everywhere along with officers, curious onlookers and press vehicles. she walked straight to the yellow ribbon and was about to cross it when one officer stopped her, eyeing her from top to bottom.
"ID, Ma'am." the policeman obviously thought low of her. she straightened her back in an attempt to intimitade him, taking out the small revolver from her purse w/o looking into it and flashed it on his face.
"will it help?"
"Let her in." came a male voice behind the officer, who already looked startled by her showing off gun, then somewhat taken aback as the 6 feet ETF commandar Patil came to his peripherial vision. the man backed off, letting her inside, as Chotu looked dazzled by her appearence.
"Dont hawk, Patil." came the same old bored cum amused voice, "ID dont go with this dress and heels." she pointed at the dress, deep brown and sparkling that reached upto mid thigh, low back and two short straps that were barely holding the dress from shoulder, and the 4 inch black stilletoes. the former looked away, chastising himself to stare but still could not look away as she was busy to put the gun back in purse.
"do you carry gun all the time?" he asked, just to take his mind off. she gave an unreadable expression.
"would not you like to know?"
they both reached the crime scene, the section of "International Antique pieces- Greece." there was countless sculpture, idols of various gods and goddesses and thousands of other things in either glass boxes or in open, away from the path for public so that none can touch anything. only one thing was missing from the carefully set section of greek goddesses, and there was glasses everywhere in there. they could see Director Kapoor and Sameer talking to two men, one aged approx 60 years, nervous who keep shifting his glasses up his nose, the curator of museum, and the other man was in his late 30s, dressed his shirt and tie which was rolled upto his elbow, his face grave. Sakshi was taking note of whatever they saying, Liza was analyzing the mess while Shree was taking pictures, Rawte kneeled on the floor, talking to them both.
as soon as their footsteps echoed in the air, everyone turned to look at them, and immediately froze. Chotu was somewhat looking forward to how everyone will react and how ACP Mukherjee will handle it, he never in his entire career in ETF saw someone arriving during work in less than. . formal attire, he thought to himself. Shree looked dumbstruck, then he snapped out of it, cringing as he looked toward Director, clearly thinking she wont approve. Liza looked appreciative, not judging or anything, which was surprising for Chotu. as expected, Rawte looked disapproving, Director Kapoor looked annoyed, but then shook it off, as if there is nothing she can do about it. Chotu nearly did a double take at the action. beside her, Sameer glanced back and forth to both ladies, curious but not saying anything. the curator and the other man obviously was not expecting someone to appear like this, they looked somewhat confused, and appreciative, if their eyes running over her is anything to do by. Chotu's eyes finally landed on Sakshi, who had stopped writng at some point and now staring unabashedly at Mukherjee, taking in her beauty, but then looked annoyed, something Director kapoor should have looked.
"She is, ACP Mukherjee." the director introduced her to the other men, her fingers barely reaching to her temple to rub it. both men looked shocked at the comment and looked at the latter again as she took gloves from forensic team and wore it.
"I dont always arrive in crime scene like that, if thats what you are thinking." she threw it back to them, who looked ashamed at the comment. as Chotu walked toward Sameer, he was Rawte's lips twitching slightly.
the piece was stolen around 11 PM, the time when security shift changes. nobody heard anything, the curator was doing his last round inside the museum with new security to see if everything is okay as tomorrow there was a important auction of International antique pieces, when he saw it. Mr Taneja, who owns this private museum, rushed at the scene around 12 and informed police. the DIG informed ETF after a while, seeing the importance of this case.
"what was stolen?" asked Mukherjee, kneeling beside Rawte, who can smell the perfume on her neck. liza looked at her, surprised and impressed at how she was kneeled down, w/o looking. . . immodest. the former shot her a look, silently asking what the hell is she doing, to which she turned her attention back to her work.
The curator pushed his glasses up his nose for the 5oth time, "a tabula. . . of ''the mistress", Desponia. The Rape of Proserpina." he paused, "Tabula as in. . . "
"Tablet." Rawte replied, giving a nod.
"Rape of. . . ?" Sakshi was not sure if she heard it right. the curator sighed, maybe thinking none of the officer here understand anything about the piece they are to rescue or its value. it was almost insulting to him. he opened his mouth to say, but Mukherjee beat him to it.
"Not what you thinking, Sakshi." she said, helding a piece of glass off the floor, "Rape of Proserpina, the abduction of Kore, or Peresphone, Goddess of Underworld, by Underworld -God- Kind Hades." she shot the curator a look, "was it going to be auctioned tomorrow?"
the man looked stunned by her knowledge and beamed at her, then it faded, "yes. we were hoping it will be one of the highest pieces." she lowered her gaze at it, then returned her focus to the glass pieces.
"I am ready to announce prize money for anyone who find the piece." Mr Taneja turned to Director, "we had to fight tooth and nail to get it from other international museums. not only our credibility is destroyed now, but none will forgive us if we lose this very important link to Greece history."
"Then why auctioning it?" Sameer asked the million doller question, to which Taneja cringed.
"we were hoping to get highest bid for it." then he hurried to explain at the raised eyebrows, "we need the money, for museum. none will buy the tablet if they didnt have any knowledge of ancient Greek myth and appreciation for it."
"Ma'am." Liza's voice turned everyone's attention, "from my test, i think the glass was cut with laser rays. figures why none heard anything. i will try to get if there is any finger prints, though chances are less."
The director nodded, this time rubbing her temple. she had a feeling this is going to be a very long and headache filled day.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"If i knew you were going to turn up in that dress, i would have ask you to meet us straight here." Aisha scolded as Mukherjee emerged out of ladies room and headed for her locker, her usual white shirt-black jeans on with the dress on her arm. she opened the locker and threw the dress inside.
"Good morning to you too, Director." came the mocking reply as she slammed the locker door, and pulled all of her hair into a ponytail, "sorry to ruin your crime scene."
"what was that dress anyway? did you forget the rest of dress in home?"
"w/o my coffee, i am not sure i can appreciate your concern right now." her voice was irritated. already she lost something important last night, she was not ready to deal with her now. her phone buzzed in her pocket and she was taking it out as Aisha rushed with her not so subtle warning cum order.
"I hope its the last time you arrive on crime scene in less than professional attire."
"I left something very important last night for this case, so I dont think its a that good time to piss me off." she hissed at her, eyes flashing as she put the phone on ear and walked away, leaving Aisha stunned, and then annoyed.
"You were wrong." she said, the voice barely containing irritation, "he didnt arrive."
the other person said something, to which she pulled her hair, her hand clenched in fist.
"next time, i better hope its 110% confirmed, or i will hand your fingers on silver platter." she concluded, nearly throwing the phone but controlling herself, scaring the people who were near her in the passageway.
"Unprofessional!" Sakshi dismissed, chewing ear off of the two ETF officers, Shree and Chotu, about how the newest addition in team had arrived in the crime scene this morning in less than civil dress, "who does that? and Aisha didnt even say anything!"
"I am sure she is doing more than just 'saying' to her now, Sakshi." Shree could not help the cringe, "so I hope you are content now."
"btw, she was looking nice, was not she?" Chotu supplied, to which Shree grinned. Sakshi gaped at them both, then slapped them on arms.
"hey!"
"what was that for?"
"whats going on here?" Sameer's voice came from the front, eyeing them suspiciously. its like Sakshi got new energy to complain.
"teach your boys some manners, Rathore." she sounded annoyed, "supporting wrongs."
"if someone was looking nice, hard not to appreciate, Sakshi." Chotu replied, pressing on Not. Sameer looked at them back and forth, suppressing a smile.
"What do you think?" Shree asked hopefully, and Sakshi looked at Sameer, first confident, then sceptic, then downright disgusted.
"dont even answer that." she crossed her arms, totally pissed. she barely noticed Rawte entering, but then all of them jumped as the door banged and Mukherjee entered inside like a hurricane and captured the far off seat, looked ready for homicide. the former looked happy, thinking Aisha must have said something, while the rest of men looked at each other, not sure what is up. Aisha entered after a second and they all started the meeting, not before the chaiwala entered and supplied everyone bevereges. the two cutting chais went to Rawte and Sakshi, and coffees went to everyone. they all took a sip, and Shree noticed Mukherjee didnt look sure to touch the mug. he frowned, and then Director's voice came.
"2nd drawer, your left."
Mukherjee was up almost immediately, and the whole team looked on as she took out some tissues from the box, and wiped the round edge of mug before taking a sip. Rawte rolled his eyes, and Director shook her head, feeling same as him, Sameer frowned looking at Director, and Sakshi's eyebrows were into her hair. Mukherjee noticed it and silently raised her own, matching hers. the former looked away, and she took another sip, then noticed the unhygenic glass of Rawte's and looked away, her expression unfathomable.
Liza entered, breaking the silence, and assumed she walked on something important. Shree assured her through eyes all is okay, and the team meeting started.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
two days has passed and there was no lead to the case. there was no finger prints, and although Taneja has announced a prize money for anyone who can find the tablet, no word had come yet.
proved to be a rather difficult case.
"Dont you have any statistics this time?" Teased Shree one morning as he pulled out all data regarding the criminals who most likely to steal high profile stuff like this to Sakshi, "what is our percentage of success in this case?"
"less than likely." she replied, "most cases police dont have any leads, and the cases are shut after 3 months."
"we are not police." he answered proudly, to which she rolled her eyes.
"smart ass comments will most likely lessen our percentages, what you got?" Rawte entered like a whirlwind, ignoring the slightly dreamy look on the woman's face.
"There are many suspects, Chotu and Sameer went to cross check these top 5." he pushed the monitor for him to see, "these people stole things earlier as well."
after 3 hours, turned out the top 5 option was out of checklist. 2 of them are in jail, and swore they didnt pull this off. one is paralyses from waist down, one is out of country, and one is now reformed criminal. they have to find a needle from this heap of needle, that one criminal or gang from the piles of gangs who most likely can pull this off.
"The piece is not in the city." Mukherjee walked in after 35 minutes when the whole team, along with Director, was hovering over Shree's desk and looking through suspects.
"Already out of city?" Sameer was surprised.
"How do you know it?" Rawte asked.
"I have ears all over the place." she replied, dismissing, and took a sip from the Mcdonalds Caffine.
"So what, we just believe you?" Sakshi scoffed, to which the former raised her eyebrow.
"Enjoy your search then." she answered, sarcasm dripping from voice. Director straightened her back now, staring at her, to which she looked serious again.
"Is the information correct?"
"200%." she replied w/o missing a beat, "or there wont be 206 bones in their body." she muttered that to herself, but of course the Director heard it. she narrowed her eyes, to which the ACP rolled her eyes, shrugging.
after some seconds, she said, "we need new suspect list then."
"What, you just going to believe her?" Sakshi was shocked. beside her everyone was bracing themselves for a showdown.
"What are you going to do if i say yes?" came the calm reply.
"How do you know she is not lying?" she could not fathom the idea that they just have to abandon everything because out of nowhere Mukherjee came and said them the piece is not in city.
"I assure you, I am not in bed with a bunch of thieves for profit sharing." came the mocking reply of Mukherjee. Sakshi continued to stare at the both ladies, eyes narrowed.
"I dont understand why. . . " she let the sentence incomplete, but it has fullest effect. as if both the ladies had unknowningly put their hands in live wire. Mukherjee inhaled sharply, the Mcdonald nearly crushed between her fingers, while Aisha tried to look calm but anger was evident in her face, to Sakshi or something else, she was not sure.
"We need a new suspect list." the director repeated again, and the team shook off their stunned state and hurried to every direction. Sakshi gave the ladies one last look and headed somewhere, most probably away from ETF for some hours. there were only the Director and ACP Mukherjee.
"if the information is incorrect, i will skin you alive." her tone was low and calm, and in someone else it will evoke fear, but Mukherjee rolled her eyes.
"Hey, feel free to go through these data if you want." she threw the caffine in the nearby trashcan. feeling the look on her neck, she sighed.
"stealing something valuable like this, you can hear whisper in air. there was none."
The Director continued to give her look, then sighed after a while, "I was bored looking through the datas anyway."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Why Sakshi throwing murderous looks to ACP Mukherjee?" Liza asked the boys, Shree-Chotu, as she walked into his desk next day. both the boys gave each other the barest of smiles.
"Maybe something to do with yesterday's showdown." and they hurriedly explained all the actions of tomorrow.
"Damn, time like this, i seriously curse my career choice to get stuck inside a lab." she looked stunned, then frowned, "but hey, how she knew the antique was not in city?"
"she said she has ears in all places."
"and Director agreed with it?"
"we didnt have much to go through anyway." Chotu shrugged, then noticed Sakshi giving another murderous look toward ACP who was reading something in a green file, frowning in concentration. he sighed.
"she seriously needs to get over with it."
"she was never good with listening to orders." Shree supplied, "btw, is this me or Director seems flexible to ACP mukherjee?"
"she is always flexible if it helps case." Liza rolled her eyes, "dont you remember that time Arjun sir jumped from two storied on a suspect? we all were expecting a lecture on recklessness, but got Babaji ka thullu instead."
"Not that I am complaning." Chotu muttered, glancing at the ACP who was oblivious to the glare or discussion about her.
"Neither me." Shree agreed.
"Me neither." Liza also agreed, taking the boys by surprise. she looked away, not sure how to explain it.
"she is a rebel. almost always brushing aside rules and protocols." she said slowly, "but she is sweet too."
both the boys did a double take. its been 7 days since the officer arrived and she had been anything but Sweet. Liza explained them the time she berged inside forensic lab with victims parents and demanded to let them see the body before autopsy.
"I think Director handles her well." Shree quiped in, remembering the first time they worked together in raghu sir's daughter's case, how she was working like one woman army, but atleast now she includes team. someone scoffed from behind, and they saw Sameer standing their.
"If you are talking about the latest addition in our team, let me tell you something." he lowered his voice dramatically, "it may seem she listens to someone, that someone controls her. But you know what I think? she is a whirlwind, sure of her own journey. if she wants to listen to anyone, she will. if she doesnt want to, then none can make her do anything. she is in control of herself." he paused, taking a glance at the topic of conversation, "but that also makes her more. . . "
"dangerous?" supplied Chotu, to which he nodded.
"yes. its good she is in her control, because i am not sure it will be relatively okay if she ever spiral out of control."
the trio looked up the senior officer, stunned. "Sameer Rathore, you are an observant man." Shree gulped, and commented after a while. the man shrugged.
"I knew i should have been Psychology professor in some college." he straightened his back, "also, she is subtle, but not impenetratable."
"I need the phone record of taneja." the four of them jumped at voice of Mukherjee, who sometime during their talk ended up near the desk. she frowned at the four of them, and looked as Liza hurriedly excused herself.
"Ma'am?" Shree adjusted his specks.
"Phone records. Taneja's." She emphasised.
"I dont think we have phone records of him, Riya." this was the first time anyone addressed her in her first name. Sameer continued to give her stare, as if expecting a word about the first name, "But i think Shree can get it in 1 hour, wont you?" he turned to the IT head, who nodded.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I think Taneja might be the guilty." Rawte announced that evening in team meeting, throwing a file on table, "its insurance policy of every piece in that museum. seems like a good motive to get money, since he admitted himself he needs it."
"120 Crore." Sakshi said in astonishment, "Thats a lot of money."
"But he will get it if the piece was sold in auction, right?" Aisha asked, taking the paper from the other woman, frowning.
"But if he make deal with some 3rd party he will get much more cash." Sameer said, giving a look to Rawte.
"The piece is not in the city, right?" Sakshi's voice was mocking, "so, how he got this 3rd party? who are the thieves?"
there was a slight knock and the curator from museum was standing awkwardly with the receptionist, "Ma'am, he is here."
Director opened her mouth, but then looked at everyone. nobody looked like they invited him, except ACP Mukherjee who got up from her seat.
"I think we should listen to him." she announced to the team.
"Next time, a little heads up will be appreciated." Rawte glared at ACP Mukherjee as they all headed for the private lounge where they mostly talk with victim's family and VIP people. she exhaled a breath.
"Save your irritation for later." she answered as she pushed the door of room, and everyone else entered inside.
"I am not sure why I am here." the curator asked nervously, eyeing them all. none was sure why he was here, so the Director gave a look to Mukherjee to start.
"I want to know about the Peresphone tabula series." she asked, leaning on the opposite wall and giving the man an encouraging stare.
"Is this connected to case?" the man frowned. it made her smile.
"we would all like a little bit knowledge in Greek mythology."
"Peresphone, or Kore, daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Zeus, the father of all Gods and Demeter, the goddess harvest. Its said she is harvest goddess, like her mother, and also goddess of Underworld.
according to old Greek myths, Gods like hermes and Apollo tried to woo her, but Demeter was fiercely protective of her daughter. she hid her away from all olympian deities. . . olympia was the mountain these Gods used to live.
its said that Zeus gave permission to hades to abduct Peresphone, because most likely Demeter wont approve of him. She was gathering flowers, when he burst through the earth, and disappread with her inside Earth, the underworld."
"Inside Earth?" Sakshi chimed in, unsure. almost everyone rolled their eyes.
"They are myth for a reason, Sakshi." came the irritated reply of Rawte, to which she looked sheepish.
"Demeter searched for her all over the Earth, neglected the earth and causes nothing to grow. Helios, the Sun god, informed her of everything. Zeus and other deities forced Hades to return Peresphone after hearing the anguish cries of hungy people."
"What is this Tabula series?" Sameer asked, totally into the story. the curator gave a glance to the other ACP, and answered.
"There are 3 tabula in the series. in first tabula, Peresphone's abduction, in 2nd one, her return to Demeter, and in the last piece joint picture of Hades and peresphone. These were most important tabulas related to this myth."
"Was?" Chotu asked, frowned. at the same time, Mukherjee straightened her back, approaching the curator.
"Thank you for your time." her voice was sincere. the man nodded.
"Its my job everyday." he beamed at the woman, "but not everyday i find someone who has some knowledge and appreciate it."
Like most of ETF, despite the less than professional impression at the first meeting, she somehow managed to charm her way to the man. it was almost infuriating, but then, maybe its part of her personality, Rawte frowned at his thoughts, infuriating, but smart. reckless, but responsible. interesting traits.
the curator left the private room and the team headed back to the discussion room. once all were settled, Mukherjee connected her phone to the projector in room and dimmed the light. there were 3 tablets on screen.
"Peresphone series. the first one was stolen from Taneja's museum." she pointed at the screen.
"Where is second and third one?" asked Shree. she put on the light once again and tossed some papers on table.
"the question is, who owns the last 2 tablets." she picked one paper off table, "Timothy Palmer, a millionare with many types of business empires. From Iran."
"Sounds shady." Sameer chimed in.
"Also, Interpol's no.1 suspect. lack of evidence is the only reason why he is not rotting behind jail right now." she informed, eyes roaming over them all, "I think Taneja is dealing with him."
"what will palmer do with the series? sell to another person?" asked Chotu, "where does these antiques ends up anyway?"
"Palmer is an art enthusiast, especially Greek mythological antiques." Director Kapoor read aloud from one of the paper, "it mostly ends up to people who are serious, obsessed with arts, but cant have them in legal way."
"why Palmer wont just buy it from auction? why take risks?" Sakshi was still not convinced with the theory.
"Why do you think Taneja is connected to Palmer?" asked Rawte to Mukherjee, who in reply threw another file on table.
"He made multiple calls to Iran in 2 months. he may say its about museum but if we get some time, we can get the recordings of call." she eyed the Director, who gave a short nod, almost missed by eyes.
"it fits the theory." Sameer said, "if someone out of country did it, none in underworld will know who did this. also, how the thieves know when the security shift changes? and the laser? thieves here didnt go that much hi-tech yet." he paused, looking at Sakshi, "about taking risks, he might have saved several thousand dollers by this deal, also, no competition. even if taneja got 120 crore from auction, he had to spend it all for museum, not a penny for his personal expenses."
"I think its time to bring Taneja." The Director informed to everyone, her eyes roaming on everywhere.
it didnt take another round of finger-twisting to make taneja confess. as soon as ETF showed him call records of Iran, he crumpled, confessing he made a deal with palmer about the tablet. he got 90 crore from him, transferred in his swiss bank account. he might have thought ETF has recordings of the calls, they didnt correct him. everyone had the triumphant smile on their faces as police took him away, maybe now the series will return to their original home and that scumbag palmer will be behind bars as well.
everyone went their way, when Shree asked Mukherjee, "how you entered Interpol's database?"
she gave him a amused look, that smirk on lips, "you are not the only IT genius around."
he was grinning by the time she walked away. He should have sulked because there was someone else working in his area, but he didnt. he blamed it to her as she called him Genius.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So," Sameer drawled, as Aisha threw her a look, "you were friends?"
"Who?" she asked, resting her head on palm, elbow resting on the window side of the SUV.
"You and Riya." he explained, and saw her brows hiking, "what, is that a off limit topic of conversation?"
"If I say yes, will you stop asking me?" she tried to sound exasperated but really, she was just testing him. he shrugged.
"well, curiosity killed the cat so. . ."
she snorted, looking outside. the evening traffic in the city is a bitch, its like paused video, everything still.
"on a different note, Her information worked, about the tablet not being in the city. we looked at another angel, and solved the case." he was talking mostly to himself, "though that didnt seem like good idea that time."
"None objected though." she countered.
"None can risk receiving your wrath." he pointed out the obvious, "I think for a minute Sakshi was going to cry."
"Over exaggeration." she rolled her eyes, then become serious, "we were close."
he caught the small information, turning to look at her, "were?"
"dont feel like i know her anymore." she sighed.
"tell me about the feeling." he mumbled, suddenly irritated. she frowned, not asking verbally but still asking. he huffed.
"Arjun." he explained, "we were friends since pre-school. we are more like brothers. i like to think i know him better than himself. but now, i dont understand him at all."
"what has he done?" she asked lightly, not pressing for information. not that he will mind.
"I think you know he is in a relationship."
that took her by surprise, "really?" she was astonished. someone. . . tough like Rawte, it didnt look or feel like he has someone special in life. he is so focussed in work, its almost like his personal life is non-existant. almost like. . . Riya.
"So you didnt know. but you know now." Sameer went on, "she is my best friend as well. they are in a relationship from 7 years. thats a long time. obviously she is expecting the next step, proposal and marriage. she is hinting it, subtly and verbally. he know it, but keeping her at bay. i thought he is serious about her, about it, but clearly i didnt know him better." he was frustrated, both at himself and Rawte.
"Did you ask him why he is doing this?" she asked.
"I did. he said he dont know what he wants anymore." the traffic was suddenly green and cars were moving. she heard him chuckling and frowned, not knowing why he is suddenly smiling.
"you know we were talking about it, and suddenly Shree was there. he didnt hear anything, but dropped a ridiculous quote from some tv show. . . something like everyone wants a Love that consumes you, passion, adventure and little bit danger."
"Sounds like Shree." she smiled.
"i always think how he can be his cousin?" he shook his head, "maybe thats what he wants. Roshni. . . . his GF, she is domestic. one of those girls who grew up dreaming about husband and 3 kids and a dog and a beach side house. they are so poles apart that its shocking, but then opposites attracts i heard. but maybe this opposite thing is not working anymore."
"are you angry on him?" Aisha asked, tilting her head.
"My anger is not the point. i want best for him, for both of them. if they are happier apart, its okay. if there comes a choice between Roshni and Arjun, i will pick him. he is my brother." he turned to look at her, who was looking at him with a soft look on face.
"I am blabbering about my best friends's love life. not sure anything amusing about that." he tilted his head, smiling back.
"Did anyone tell you talk a lot?" she countered.
"I was assured that i have an melodious voice." he said proudly.
"self praise." she rolled her eyes, shaking head. they were both quiet, until she started taking again.
"You are the only one in team who addressed her with first name."
"Well, she is part of team. I dont call anyone by their surname, its ridiculous." he replied non-chalantly.
"Is it so, Rathore?"
"Yes, Ma'am Director." he tried to pull off that mocking sound Riya does, but failed and groaned, "how she does that? trying to be serious but mocking at the same time?"
"Part of her charm I guess." she replied, smiling, "one of the infuriating quality as well."
"Well I am happy to announce that four members of your team approve of her." he informed proudly, "they are quite smitten by her. dont know how, because she tries to give impression of this reckless person who is borderline rude."
"Also rule breaker." she groaned, "that night her dress. . . and when i went to give her some piece of mind she glared at me and said not to piss her off more because she didnt have her morning coffee!"
"Atta girl." Sameer laughed from her side, "someone to challenge our Director."
"Your best friend does that all the time." she pointed out.
"Na, he dont push limits."
"This piece of information better not leave this SUV, Officer Rathore. And surely you wont use it in your way in future." she tried to keep on a straight face but failed. he gave a mock salute.
as he pulled outside her home, she asked, "How about some Coffee?"
"How about Pizza?" he countered, which made her smile.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We are the master of our own destiny, but we canât control our heart. So, maybe, there is someone up there who fix a tiny part of our destiny. . .
- -
"Tell me about my love life!" was the excited squeal of Sakshi.
"Seriously?" was the response of Sameer, with the eye roll of Rawte and widen eyes of Mukherjee, followed by a small mocking smirk and looking away with disbelieve.
ETF got a new case today, murder in a Fair. The fortune telling Old lady was the witness of crime, the shooting of a 40 year old Female attorney. she already talked to local police, ETF was here to know more.
The fortune telling lady motioned the crime journo to sit, which she did, and immediatly offering her palm. behind her the trio looked visibly irritated, until Rawte said, "we are not exactly here to know our fortune, sakshi."
"Hush, Arjun, let her concentrate." she replied with a stern gaze, before looking back to the lady. he gave up on telling, Sameer crossed his arm, ready to laugh in mind for any statement come out from the old lady's mouth. behind them Mukherjee started to stroll through the small tent, looking and touching anything and everything.
"You like someone." the fortune telling lady said.
"As if thats not evident." Sameer mumbled, looking at Rawte who looked back, raising eyebrows.
"Will he take interest in me?" Asked Sakshi, not too subtly stealing glance at Rawte who was oblivious at the conversation.
"he will always protect you." was the lady's answer.
"I see kids in future, 2, Girls. And loving husband. you will achieve heights of success. you will live happily."
Sakshi squealed in happiness, and then made a face as Rawte had enough, "can we go back to our case yet?"
The lady said almost the same things what she said to police, a man, almost 6 feet tall, with a cowboy hat was near the attorney, then everyone heard the gun shot and running in fear, the man ran faster than anyone, the gun showing in his hand. the lady only saw partial face of the man, there was a scar on his cheek which reached till his eyes. he had pale skin and brown hair.
the ETF finished the interrogation and was about to leave when the lady asked, "wont not you gentleman like to know anything?"
Sameer gave a look to Rawte, a mocking smile coming up, "Na, we will pass."
The lady turned to Mukherjee who was now touching the crystal glasses, "what about you, yoing lady, wont you like to know anything?"
Sameer was now openly grinning, something in him telling it wont end well for anyone, "Yeah, Riya, wont you like to know anything?" not noticing the way Rawte looked and frowned at the use of first name. she gave a blank look to him, then glanced at the lady, not moving.
the lady has moved, and now reached for her hand, tracing lines on her right palm, "Sceptic. Did not have it too easy in life, did you, dear?"
Behind them the trio were looking curious, and Rawte noticed the way Mukherjee's eyes narrowed, listening but not believing.
"Tough times ahead." the lady continued, still tracing the lines on palm, "Hold on. Let them in. Let him in. He will help, no matter what."
"He who?" Really, Mukherjee should have ask it, but Sakshi did, not one for the mystery talks. the lady smiled at the former, mistaking the way she went stiff was her curiosity.
"He will be always there for you. Your support. No matter what. He will fight for you."
"Who?" By now even Sameer was curious.
"Her soulmate." came the lady's reply. Rawte scoffed, looking away, and the lady frowned, turning toward him.
"Think of me as a cheater, do you young man?"
"I think we should move." Mukherjee said the first sentence since entering, snatching her palm from the lady. she walked faster than the rest, reaching out like it was needed to breathe.
"Do you believe her?" Sakshi asked as the four of them headed toward SUV.
"You didnt sound this confused when she was giving your future a happy ending." replied Rawte sarcastically, taking out his phone. he frowned and walked away, talking into it. Sameer shrugged, leaning againt the SUV.
"her tent looked too dramatic for my taste. I guess those crystal balls were the last straws."
"She is a liar." Mukherjee replied, non-chalant, "The easiest way to convince customer to paint their future life all bright and shiny and talk about love life."
"then how she guessed about my crush?" Sakshi asked hotly, narrowing her eyes. Mukherjee narrowed her eyes right back.
"Everyone got eyes, Miss Journalist."
Sameer barked a laugh, shaking his head. Sakshi flushed, but opened her mouth again, not ready to give up, "What about the guesses she made about you?
"Sceptic? the way she was making faces at those things, was not too subtle." Rawte was now back, voice irritated than earlier, "Now can we leave?"
"And didnt have easy in life? what about that?"
"Did you have it easy, Sakshi?" Mukherjee's voice was rising now, exasperated, "didnt anyone in your family died? any tragedy? everyone got scars, none have it easy. tough times ahead? everyone has their shares of troubles in future. the soulmate part was bullshit, totally in her character." she took a deep breath, calming herself down. beside her the trio went still, not expecting the outburst.
"I can tell more about you than her." finally she got back her old mood, less frightening. Sakshi narrowed her eyes back, crossing arms.
"try me."
"Favorite color, Green. those earings were gift from female cousins. you use fountain pen. undergoing new diet chart. changing wardrobe. dont like to tie hair for too long. in tension prick on the nails." she went on, not missing a beat, completely missing the way the men's eyes went wide like saucers. she then rose her eyebrow, glancing at them at once, "Lets move, shall we?"
"That was. . . wow!" Sameer said to himself as they all went inside SUV.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"That was so cool! Will she tell me something too?" Shree was so excited to know about the 'freaky' power of ACP Mukherjee. beside him and Sakshi Chotu leaned, listening intently.
"That was not cool, its freaky! how she did that anyway?" she lowered her voice and narrowed eyes, as everyone entered inside discussion room. Mukherjee as usual took her usual seat, farthest from door, wiping her coffee mug with tissue before taking a sip. all took their seats and started the case discussion, letting it all out.
The attorney had got an - call to get some information about the new high profile case she was handeling, the murder of a MP some 2 months ago. she was alone that time in her cabin, her call was not taped, so probably the killer lured her out to kill.
"But that doesnt make sense why the killer chose Fair." Chotu said, "public place is not the likely place to kill."
"I dont think the killer was professional." Rawte said, "he was not using silencer, for once, and was not too good with disguises."
"helped with our case though." Sakshi chimed in, smiling cheekily, to which Chotu- Shree rolled their eyes.
"What about some spy? maybe someone heard the call?" Sameer asked.
"The room was sound proof. there was no bug or anything which indicates the phone was taped." Shree assured.
"Maybe there was some witness, who wanted to give informtation." Rawte said, "maybe someone from his side heard it?"
"Would not there be another body then?" Mukherjee spoke for the first time, leaning back on her chair's back rest too much, a pen dancing on her fingertips. she shot a look, "where was the call came from?"
"JP Nagar, PCO booth." Shree answered, without missing a beat, "the booth manager cant remember the face, though."
she frowned slightly, "maybe the informer was in the fair. he bolted after the shot and amidst the chaos."
"How anyone can know about the phonecall?" Sameer inquired, frowning, "If the phone was not taped. . . "
"What about cameras?" Came Rawte's answer.
"CCTV." Mukherjee said at the same time, both of their eyes meeting.
"CCTV was working. I will look upto the employers on duty." Shree got up, looking at everyone.
"I am going to see the case she was working on. Sakshi?" Sameer asked her, already getting up. she nodded, glancing at Rawte once again, before exiting the room with him. Chotu went to check on the autopsy. Rawte looked at Mukherjee, he could see the wheels in her mind working, the pen moving faster between her fingers. suddenly she stopped, placing with pen with loud thud and turning fully to him, eyes boring holes into him. he cursed silently to get caught staring.
"We should pay the booth manager a visit." she said with confidence.
"Local police went, and they got nothing." he replied, was not really annoyed but just to keep up appearence.
"Well, maybe ETF will help him to remember." she got up, already walking. he glared behind her, hating how one moment she is going all 'team' and 'we' and next moment marching ahead like she is in this alone. sensing she is not going to stop and wait around, he got up as well, banging the door close with more force than necessary.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I told you, Local PS went and they got nothing." rawte huffed, removing his eyes, "this was a mistake."
He and Mukherjee arrived here some 10 minutes ago. he went ahead, asked the manager, and got nothing, even after using his famous glares and ID card of ETF. to add fuel in fire, she was the one to suggest coming here, but she so much didnt even go with him to the Booth, took out phone and typing something. she was still doing so, and he was about to tell her something very rude, when she snapped the phone shut, looking at him.
"Did you ask him?" she was ridiculous.
"What do you think I did all these time?" he answered hotly, full on Rawte glare mode.
"Obviously it was not enough." she looked away toward the booth, her voice low. he suppressed his urge to growl, but decided to use her sarcasm instead.
"Why dont you try then? surely I was not enough."
she shot him a look, looked at the booth again, and then decided something. he was about to ask what she was going to do, when she took his right hand, thrashed her phone into it, then her sunglasses which was till now hanging in the front by shirt, then she opened her hair from the clip and thrashed it as well. shaking her head once or twice, she ran through her fingers to it. its like not only her features softened with the open hair, suddenly she transformed to something else right in front of him. for some moments he had forgotten his irritation, and only found it when she looked at him once again.
"Going to fashion show, are we?" Maybe he was genetically modified for mocking tone. to be honest he was effected by her transformation. it was worse when she gave a smile, (his mind called it flirty smile, some other part called it Kill smile for stupid reasons), turned on her heels and walked toward the booth, hips swaying.
it took her all of 3 minutes and several seconds to come back. a part of him knew she had come back with something, the faith in her (or her change?) was strong there, but sceptic part was not sure how can she come back in such a short time. as she banged the SUV door shut and turned to him, he raised eyebrow, already expecting.
"Male. 50. with a cane. Nervous. Clean clothes and boots." she clipped back hair and took the sunglass and phone from the dashboard of SUV. he was surprised, but then, he was not. but something caught his attention.
"Clean clothes and boots?" that was something unusual. she looked ahead.
"Military, Arjun. Wounded in war front probably."
before he can ask how she guesses that, his phone rang. he put the phone on speaker, it was Sameer.
"We got someone, maybe he was the one who called the attorney. Manish Nene. Ex- military. supposed to meet the MP on the day he was murdered."
"Is he cripple?" he asked, just to make sure, but he knew Sameer will say yes even before he did, with a added surprise, "how do you know?"
he looked more awed than irritated when the woman beside him sing sang in a low voice, "I told you so."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"MP Mishra was killed in a car crash 2 months ago. two of his bodyguards were seriously injured but they survived. after crash police inspected the car and found there was some malfunction to it. the company who was in charge of caretaking of MPs car in that party was immediately changed."
"The case was dismissed as nomal accident. but someone - filed a case to reopen the case and thus Attorney Arushi came to this case. everyone tried to hard to find the man who filed case, and there were some points which strongly suggested it was not simple car-malfunction- accident. but the case was on standstill, and she needed something solid to let it continue."
"Ex Military Nene was on the appointment list the day MP died. his apponitment had to reschedule because the MP had to urgently go somewhere. he was in the building when MP left for his destination. . . oh well, Death." Sakshi stopped, looking over to everyone.
"While you guys were out," Sameer got up as she shifted from the projector screen, looking over Rawte and Mukherjee, "we did some digging. it turned out Nene and Arushi were meeting frequently from these 2 months. most probably he was the one who filed the appeal for reopening the case."
"He is not in his house now. nobody know where is he." Shree spoke up.
"So he is on run." Rawte frowned, "this clears thing up to some extent."
"This will clear up better." Sameer switched open the lights and threw a file on table, "bank statements of MP's cousin, Vijay. recently he withdrew 10 lacs from one of his offshore account. we are hoping its for contract killing."
"What about the killer? any news?" Mukherjee asked, mostly looking toward Chotu, who shook his head.
"Nothing till now. I ordered my boys to keep an eye if anything they hear. so far, nothing."
she nodded, a frown on her temple. Everyone looked at Rawte as he started talking.
"This case turned out more complicated than we assumed. Now the party and family of MP is involved." he took the bank statement file from table, "I have the inform Director about it before further investigation." with the he took off, walking urgently toward the door.
after he left, Shree asked to none particular, "what do you think, are we going to continue work on this case?"
"I dont think so. High profile case, evidence is pointing toward the cousin, who will win the next poll due to sympathy votes." Sakshi shrugged, "Aisha may have to let this case pass."
Sameer stole a glance toward Mukherjee who was looking sideways, hiding a smirk as she picked up a paper and read into it. he opened his mouth, "i think we will be on this case."
"You sure?" Sakshi raised an eyebrow. he nodded.
"I am pretty confident."
"Lets bet then." Chotu said, a mischievous smirk on the corner of mouth, "I am with Rathore sir. Shree?"
he shrugged, "not looks like you are going to win this bet. I am with Sakshi on it." to which the latter smiled proudly.
"Losers will buy lunch."
"Oh sure." Sakshi was adamant. Sameer leaned on his seat, smirking. he was pretty sure he wont have to spend any penny for next day's lunch.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rawte waited, as patiently as he could, beside Director Kapoor's chair as she went through all the files, taking her time, brows knotted in concentration. after what seemed like an eternity, she straightened her back, exhaling a breath.
"Let me call Commissioner." she was too professional and protocol-ish on job, Rawte thought in mind as she picked up her phone, going through her assistant. totally opposite of the new addition of their team, his mind chimed in, remembering the way ACP Mukherjee scowled at Sakshi when she addressed her by first name, but later she addressed him by his first name. Nowadays Sameer addresssing her by her first name, didnt look like she mind it much. she is a complicated puzzle, what she does and why, nobody knows but her.
Does Director Kapoor knows her outside work? he glanced at the lady who was busy to talk with Raghu sir over phone. surely they give the vibe, everyone is half sure half uncertain about the nature of their relation. ex friends? ex colleague? they must have been pretty thick back in time, surely Mukherjee tries to look nonchalant about everything, he had noticed the way Director trust her, without any hesitation or question. something was there, part of what is still in here.
"So what now? We have to let it pass because of a murderer soon-to-be MLA is bigger than our police force?" He snapped out of it as Director Kappor's frustrated voice rang through the room. Raghu sir said something, and her expression became determined. she slammed the phone down after pleasantries and got up from her seat, taking all files with her and walking toward the door, him hot on her heels.
everyone, but Mukherjee, stood up at once, startled, as she entered unexpectedly and slammed the files on table. this action, once again, reminded Rawte that of Mukherjee's. surely some similarities there, he wonât tick off estranged sisters/ cousins from that list.
"So what? We are off the case because some scumbag is pressing us under his thumb?" Mukherjee gave an icy stare to the Director. He was struck by the similarities yet again, Director had said exactly something like this to Raghu sir.
"Sorry to burst your bubble." she Director matched hers with her own, to which the former rolled eyes. she gave a look to everyone, "bring out everything about this suspect. i dont want any gaps in this case, is that understood?"
"We cant find the - case filer till now." Shree informed.
"Then find him. do whatever it takes. is that understood?" she was determined, and this is the first time she let down the protocol and rules. her eyes matched Mukherjee's and Rawte watched in fascination how the latter looked almost pleased with the news. The Director's eyes were playful for a moment, then she left.
after some silent seconds, Chotu spoke, "Lunch. tomorrow."
"Dont have to rub the salt, we remember." Shree answered, sulking. Sameer let out a laugh as he left, already on work.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The team was inside the gym for their weekly training session, letting off steam. Chotu was doing some exercise for his biceps, Rawte was with his punching bag. Shree was just lingering in the side, never the one for Gym. Mukherjee, who was into this session for the first time, running on mill. Sameer was teaching some self defense lessons to Sakshi, who nodded but didnt look like she got anything.
The team last night worked its ass off, gathering all evidences against that cousin, enough to put him behind bars for next 19 years. they also found the - case filer, ex- Military Nene, who filed his testimony and confessed he was the one to call attorney, but then the shot went through and he had to flee, knowing somebody was keeping tabs on attorney. ETF also found the killer trying to cross the border of Maharastra and going to Karnataka. The Director took all the evidences, forbidding the team to participate in the arrest, promising them a fine retreat. the team would have very much liked to sleep through the morning after last night, but the promise of retreat lured them out.
"And even if you forget everything in the state of panic, remember to SING." Sameer finished his self defense lecture. Sakshi frowned.
"Sing? as in sing? sing what, item songs?"
Everyone laughed at the comment, shaking head. He composed himself.
"Not that sing, silly. SING, as in an abbreviation."
"From that film where FBI female cop went undercover as beauty pageant contestant?" Shree asked enthusiastically, "never knew you watch those type of films. though i dont remember this Sing thing."
"Action and thriller genre is his favorite." Rawte spoke, finally finishing his boxing as he removed his gloves, "any film, old new, doesnt matter. no wonder he know about this SING."
"but what is Sing?" Sakshi asked, impatient.
"That I have to show you." Sameer looked around, suddenly a mischievous thought crossed his mind as his eyes fall on Mukherjee who was still running, "Riya, do you have a sec?"
she turned her neck, still running. he signaled her to come, which she did, narrowing her eyes, like everybody sure that this was trouble.
"Well its a tip of self defense for Girls." he emphasized on girls, "Show us the move. oh, let me tell you the full meaning." he whispered something to her ears, too low for anyone to hear anything. Sakshi obviously didnt look too happy to include the other woman into it, but she was intrigued as well. Chotu asked silently to Shree whats going on, to which the latter shrugged, having a funny feeling that something will happen next that none of them gonna forget.
"Arjun, ready to volunteer?" Sameer backed off, and everyone followed him. the latter surely remembered the first meeting of her and him, and the ache on neck. he glared at his best friend who grinned back, having hard time to control laughing.
"Sameer Rathore, you are a cruel man." Mukherjee commented as she took a step toward Rawte, who was still glaring at the other man. he then snapped out of it as she raised her eyebrow.
"What?"
"try to attack me from behind." she ordered, the amused expression on her face. as he took the position from behind, she said to sameer, "what if i show something different? you know the last part of tip is little. . . " she paused, not sure what to say. Sameer shook with laughter.
"whatever you say."
Rawte raised his both hands, not sure how to proceed. in the end, he tried to hold both of her shoulders.
"is this what you call attack?" Chotu was now with the team, not want to leave this soon-to-be memorial incident for his bicep training. the former glared.
"As if you attacked many gir. . . " he never finished. her movement was too fast for him, but he was too painfully aware of the jibe she did to his ribs, then the twist of wrist and how she spun him around, pressing the wrist behind, then the kick behind knee after which he was kneeled on floor. his face would have met with floor if she was not still holding in his wrist, but then he felt her kneeled down beside him as well, and as the pressure increased on his wrist his face was inching closer to the floor. when it was some millimeters left between him and the floor, she pressed her other palm on his neck, thus letting gravity do its work and smacking his face on floor with loud thud.
"Super cool." Though the words felt too old for Sameer Rathore, the senior officer, it was the acute description. Sakshi looked half horrified half shocked. Shree's jaw was on floor, and Chotu clapped softly. the trio had heard from Sameer the first meeting of these two officers and the lady's awesome martial art skill. now, they all witnessed it, and they all agreed one thing, it cant be martial art only. its just super ninja skill.
"leave the poor guy alone." the four of them jumped as Director Kapoor's voice boomed from the door. the pressure on Rawte's neck and wrist instantly loosened and he felt her getting up.
"He attacked me." she replied, nonchalant, to which the former rolled her eyes. she walked toward the giant LCD screen and switched it on. the news was showing local police dragging away a reluctant and sulky faced cousin of late MP. the team grinned at it, as Rawte got up from floor with his wounded pride. he looked on as the four of them started talking excitedly, Chotu about the lunch, Shree sulking but happy, Sakshi about her news officer and how happy her boss will be, and Sameer just pointing out the face of cousin. as the four of them laughed aloud, Mukherjee walked away, wiping her neck with a white towel.
"if that makes you feel any better." he heard Director near his ears as he tore his gaze from the ACP who just made him completely powerless and devoid of any skill to protect himself for the second time, "even Chotu cant stand a chance infront of her."
"Black belt?" he asked in curiosity. the Director glanced at the ACP who just vanished behind washroom, scoffed and shook her head, not answering anything.
he vowed not to let her do this to him again for the third. and defeat her next time.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Secrets are like puzzles. One can't sit still until it is solved. Even when one is distracted, the puzzle finds its way to crawl back on surface.
- -
She won't ever learn to knock, Director Kapoor thought to herself as ACP Mukherjee banged the door open w/o any warning and stood across the table in the middle of room. She eyed the door as it closed itself, and then looked at her.
"Its for you." she handed over a brown sealed envelope, which the ACP took, narrowing eyes. she tore it open, and her eyes ran over quickly on the documents inside. She then raised her eyes to meet the other woman.
"It came directly from Raghu sir this morning, his PA personally delivered it." she leaned on the table, resting her frame on elbows, "and he said to see if there is anything you need, and make sure you have it on hand."
"I need the day off." ACP said without missing a beat, to which the other frowned.
"What's this?"
"He didnt tell you." she frowned, posing the statement as question, then gave a smirk to which the other woman rolled eyes.
"I am asking you. what's this about?"
she didnt answer, adding more to the annoyance and curiosity.
"Riya." she warned, but at the same time there was a knock on door. she narrowed her eyes yet again as the ACP swiftly but with quick efficiency put all documents inside, not letting the Director to see anything by mistake. The latter gave permission, and Rawte entered inside.
"We have a case." this was directed more to ACP than Director.
"She is not available." the latter stated, "She is running some errand for me."
The man looked suspiciously to the ACP, who was looking straight to the Director.
"Is there anything else, officer?" The Director more like dismissed him by the rhetorical question. he shook his head and left, closing the door quietly behind him. immediately after him ACP Mukherjee headed for the door.
"Are you going to tell me whats this about?" The Director tried one more time, though knowing very well whats going to be the answer.
"No." the other woman answered, opened the door and headed outside, banging it close behind. The Director sighed, not feeling very well about the whole arrangement, then glanced at the phone, making up her mind to call and ask Raghu sir about this little arrangement.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"VT station." Aslam got inside the taxi in a urgency, looking behind through the glass. the taxi driver started the vehicle w/o any word, heading toward the city cutting through the darkness and slums.
Aslam was so engrossed in his thoughts that he completely missed the way the taxi was going, instead heading for city it went more deeper into slums. as he started protest about the way, demanding it to stop, the taxi headed for a field in middle of nowhere, finally stopping.
"Who are you? where am I?" he immediately started shouting as he opened his side of door. he was barely on his feet, when the taxi driver came out, punched him on jaw and then kicked in the shins. he was kneeled down the next moment, fearful for a moment the news of his running away from city has reached his head of gang and he sent his best to kill him here. but he frowned as he looked up, the taxi driver was not a boy or man, but a girl, barely of mid 20s, holding a gun whose cool metallic barrel was now touching his temple, with fire in eyes.
"I just need to know one thing, and I will ask it once. Where is Johny?" The girl asked, talking slowly but with weight, each word carrying threat. Aslam tried to tackle her, but he barely squirmed as she pressed the gun more against his skin in a warning.
"I dont know." that earned him another punch, taking out a tooth. he spit away the blood, hissing in pain.
"Wrong answer. Lets try once again, where is Johny?" her voice was quieter now, but somehow it made the question sound more dangerous. he gulped, making up his mind not to ask or say anything. after several moments, the girl pulled his hair and banged his head against taxi door.
"Silence will only make it worse, trust me."
"He is not in town." He managed to say as he tried to take breath.
"Good, now we are making progress." she left the hair, slightly backing away, "Where is he?"
"We dont know. I swear none know." his eyes pleaded for her to believe him. she did so, he guessed.
"When he will be back?" she asked.
"This month. we dont know when." He gulped, eyeing the gun, "Who are you? Why you are asking for Johny?"
"None of your business." the fire was gone from her eyes, instead there was a coldness which made him shiver. he was sure she was going to kill him, as she leaned down so that they were face to face now.
"Now, I am going to leave you outside the slum. If anyone ask you how you got these injuries, what will you say?" her voice became unnaturally. . . conversational. he blinked, not believing his ears heard her right. she will let him go? she raised her one eyebrow, silently urging him to talk.
"I. . . fell. on stones." he mumbled.
"Good. Do you know me?" she asked once again. he shook his head.
"Glad we settled it then." she was now on her feet, brushing near the knees even if there was no dirt, "get inside the taxi."
he did so, panting and grunting in pain, and watched as she started driving again. true to her words, she left him outside the slum and drove away, letting him believe he will live for some time after this interaction.
of course he didnt notice the shadowy figure behind him. his belief cost him his life, and next day local PS found him dead inside the gutter.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ETF team was watching the news next day in the discussion room. the day was slow and mostly paper work based. Sakshi looked on as Shree Chotu and Sameer stimultenously watched news and completed paper work. she exhaled, making up her mind to visit her news paper office. Suddenly she jumped, as ACP Mukherjee banged the door open and entered inside, behind her Rawte was glaring at her as he walked inside, eyes still on her as she sat on her chair as if nothing happened. the three men didnt even so much as blinked, Sakshi noticed and frowned. as Rawte busied himself to further paper works and she busied herself with her cell, nobody noticed the way ACP Mukherjee's jaw clenched or eyes narrowed watching the news, the shooting of a member of local criminal gang, Aslam. some police officer was giving statement to media, dismissing the case as the crossfire between some local gangs.
The receptionist knocked on door and asked Rawte to visit Director in her cabin immediately. he did so, and after 10 minutes he came back, informing the team they are going to investigate that petty criminal's shooting case.
"Local police already doing this, why us?" Sameer asked as the team headed for SUVs, him Rawte and Mukherjee in one SUV and Shree Chotu Sakshi in another, with the forensic team in another van and Director's car already shooting forward.
"its an order." Rawte shook his head, remembering the way Director didnt give any explanation about it, not that she needed to. its just Director Kapoor hardly make it obvious she is the head or order around, she is the sensible and practical one, explaining whys and hows before urging the team to go on. he started the car and followed the convoy, heading for the outskirt of city.
the local PS had already moved the body from gutter by the time ETF arrived. Liza and her team started checking it, as rest of team scattered to take informations from police and examine the crime scene further.
".22, shot in head. maybe the local PS was right, it was a gang related shooting. mostly this type of bullets are used by local criminals, cheap and easily available." Liza hold the shell of bullet in between of her palm, kneeled on ground as the team stood tall around her, hearing each details.
"TOD 11.30 PM. The killer was not using silencer, that man," Shree pointed to a side where a 50 year old man, dressed in pajama and white t-shirt was giving statement to local Police, "heard the gun going off and he was the one informed police. he didnt see anyone after he came out, as usual." he finished, and looked on as Rawte walked away from the group, noticing some tire print on the wet ground.
"Maybe the killer escaped in some vehicle, bike?" Chotu suggested, noticing the tire print as well.
"He didnt hear any vehicle." Shree said, eyeing them both.
"its not bike's tire prints. four wheeler, most probably car or van. SUV's tire prints would have been different." Rawte went on, ushering the forensic team to take a sample of this.
"Wow Arjun, you can say so much from a tire print?" Sakshi was impressed, smiling cheekily, what the man ignored. the Director turned her head and found ACP Mukherjee still glancing at the bullet shell.
"No theory to share?" she asked, to which the latter snapped out of it, looking blank for a second, then shook head. the Director frowned at this odd behavior, but didnt ask more about it.
"from the tire print," Sameer kneeled down beside Rawte and met his eyes, "looked like the four wheeler was heading out of slum."
''how can you say that?" Liza was interested as she got up, putting the bullet shell inside a plastic bag and handing it over to her team.
"the arrows," Rawte answered, pointing on the small arrow prints all over the mud, to which the other man grinned proudly, "its all heading toward that side." he pointed out of slum, "if the arrows were inside, the van would have been coming in."
"Genius." she murmured in awe, and Rawte gave a tiny smirk.
"What we know about victim except for his name?" the Director asked after a while, letting the light moment linger for some seconds.
"Name Aslam. no family. as his all friends are criminal for now we have none to ask more about him." Chotu answered, sighing.
"Get some of his friends." The Director ordered, to which he nodded.
"He was going to Kochi." Sakshi noticed the forensic team pulling a ticket out of the victim's pocket. she took it, showing to others, "there was someone else with him too. female, 29?"
"he has none." Shree frowned, asking for Chotu to confirm to which he nodded back.
"Maybe girlfriend? planning to escape this gangster life to start a new life?" she supplied, hopeful for an interesting story. almost everyone rolled their eyes, but Mukherjee took the ticket and stared at it longer than usual, but then gave it back at once, her eyes stony.
after more information exchange with local PS, they informed there was no bag or luggage with the body. nobody in the slum had not taken the luggage either. some constables went to check VT station, hoping to find it in the waiting room there. Liza and her team along with Shree took the body and headed for ETF, Director headed for some place as well, telling the team to inform her about all leads. the rest of team divided work themselves, Chotu along with Sameer went to ask some of the former's informer to get their hands on some friends of Aslam, Sakshi stayed back with the local police, to get more infos for the case and for her story as well. Rawte and Mukherjee headed inside slum to know more about the van.
"maybe the van was not linked with Aslam." Mukherjee said after some minutes as they continued to walk, "maybe someone else took a ride in it."
"These people in these slums, have you seen them?" the other retorted, raising eyebrows, "they cant afford four wheeler or taxi for journey. someone was here. Aslam was heading for VT, maybe it was his taxi or van. the killer must have took it after killing."
"None heard anything after shooting." the former informed quietly.
"something is missing. Aslam should have been in VT, but 30 minutes before his train was supposed to leave he was in this slums." he moved his hand around, "why was he here? who and where is the female who was supposed to travel with him? did she leave for Kochi or he was here to take her? and why kill him?"
The slums had seen many killings and police over the years, but never any force as much important or authoritative as ETF. they were more than eager to give any information to them, and one 9 year old with over enthusiasm informed there was a taxi heading out around 11. Mukherjee suddenly remembered Raghu sir's daughter, Sheen's kidnapping, how Sakshi tipped the boy in the lane with 100 rs after he gave some valuable clue. she was half expecting Rawte to do something like this, but pleased to see he just gave the boy a smile and ruffled his hair.
they found the taxi tire once again in the wet mud and following the trail, reached a field more deeper into the slum and in middle of nowhere. Rawte's suspicion turned right when they found a broken tooth and traces of blood on the ground.
"It cant be co-incidence, can it?" he asked rhetorically as he called the forensic team to come to the scene to collect these evidences. he finished his call, turned to her side and frowned as she continued to glance at the sight of blood with a unreadable expression. they stood in silence, she brooding looking over the blood and he staring at her, just noticing her body language. she was till now crossing her arms over chest, but finally she shook it off, looking to him as if she sensed his gaze on her.
he then noticed the bandage on her left hand. his eyes widen at it, and hers narrowed.
"what happened?" he was not sure if he should ask that, because of their non-existent relation of any kind, but the question came out w/o any control over his lips.
"spilled milkshake on it." she answered.
"you dont drink milkshake." he said faster before his mind can catch up. she raised one eyebrow on that.
"i dont look like the milkshake type?" she asked sarcastically.
you donât look like any type, his mind said to itself, but then he remembered she almost always drink McDonaldâs caffeine or coffee with half spoon sugar. . . where did that come from?
"you expect me to believe that?"
"I dont expect anything from you." her expression was as if expect word personally insulted her. his temper rose at this.
"do you have to be rude and offensive at every step you can manage?"
she smirked arrogantly, "part of my trait i am afraid, Arjun."
he frowned, tilting his head as he took one small step toward her, "why is this you can call anyone with their first name, but you get angry when Sakshi addressed you by your first name?"
she looked at him with some unreadable expression which she wore often today, before answering, "that have to do something with the stupid comments she keeps making, not because of my name, I assure you."
he opened his mouth to say something more, when she beat him to that, "she is here, btw. your GF."
as if on cue, he heard Sakshi, "Well done Arjun, you found another crime scene." he exhaled, then frowned yet again, saying in mind she is not my GF, and then thought why she thought that?
and then he shook his head, because what she thinks and why, is out of anyone's reach.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ACP Mukherjee got the call from Raghu sir when team was having its first discussion, along with Director. she and Rawte frowned when she took the call, and when she got up he took a step foward her, as if it can intimidate her.
"Its my astrologer, telling if today I will can use some ninja move and make someone land on their feet, third time."
she could hear the team mates snickering behind her as she left the room. she didnt go far, watching the team through glass and making pattern on it with her fingers.
"Your excuses, Riya." she can actually see Raghu sir shaking his head at it.
"You called for chit chat?"
"You dont even try to give one." he sighed, then came straight to point, "you can talk?"
"I am talking." she rolled eyes.
"How close the team is to find the taxi?" he asked, with an edge of steel in voice.
"Are you going to keep it from them? because your second in command is totally sure taxi driver killed him, and he is a stubborn man."
"Why I am stuck with the same species?" he muttered to himself, then rose his voice, "I am not sure Aisha will appreciate going behind her back and do some digging on your own."
"what you told her?" she was amused.
"You are running some errand for me." he sighed. she stopped making pattern on glass, lips curling into a smile.
"she didnt buy it, but she didnt press either." he explained, "I take it you dont want them to know about this?"
"I dont." she straightened her back.
"Then I have to do some digging so that they look somewhere else." with that he cut the call, leaving her to clutch the phone tightly.
The ETF later got a hold of the friends of Aslam, who let them know their Boss was not too pleased with him recently, but they didnt think the dislike was extended to this extent. they refused to give a name, thus police didnt have any offical suspect for the case. They also found the four wheeler, a taxi just like Rawte predicted, thanks to traffic camera and people who didnt see too much taxi in those poverty stricked areas. they didnt get a face from those footage though, and found the taxi dumped some 20 KM away from crime scene beside a quiet bypass road. The forensic got some prints from the taxi and took it for testing, as the team discussed possible theories.
"I am telling you, this time I am right. it have to be some whirlwind romance in middle of gun fight." Sakshi chimed in middle of serious discussion one evening in discussion room. before anyone can mock her or chastise her for it, the door of room was banged open (nowadays the door was being banged too often) and entered, for some reason furious, Director Kapoor. everyone looked at themselves, silently asking whats this all about, but before anyone can say the door was open once again and entered, to everyone's shock, Raghu sir, along with his PA.
after the formalities the Commissioner motioned to his PA who took out a file and spread some pictures on table, handing them over to everyone.
"Iqbal, the boss of the gang which Aslam was part of." he started, looking over everyone, "this surveillance picture was taken 4 nights ago outside the same slum where you found the crime scene, some 7 KM away. he was seen forcing a woman to come with him, and left with her. they are currently arranging to flee the state, we have information."
"So this is the female passenger Aslam was supposed to travel with?" Rawte asked as he dropped the picture on table. the PA nodded, glancing at Raghu sir once before continuing, picking another picture from the file.
"this picture was taken some 30 minutes after Iqbal left. as you can see, Aslam was there."
"He must have seen she was not there, thats why heading out." Sameer concluded, "But how Iqbal knew where he was? did she give him up?"
Raghu sir, who was silent till now, took a step so that he was in middle of room, "Your primary suspect is Iqbal, so an interrogation is must now, is not it?"
"Why he was under surveillance?" Director asked, and everyone could hear the ice in her voice. he gave her a soft look, but the PA answered instead.
"We are expecting a cross firing between some gangs, his one of them. its procedure."
"These photos really helped." Shree picked a photo, "I took out the phone records of him, and noticed he called same number several times. The number is still on, it must be of this female. I can pinpoint her location."
"You think she still has her phone?" Sakshi frowned.
"Well if Iqbal killed Aslam, then there is no need for him to think we can link his phone to him. worth a try." he shrugged.
The team went off after the meeting was over, leaving behind Mukherjee, Raghu sir and Director Kapoor. she eyed to both of them, the PA behind them looking guilty. he left the room after his boss eyed him, feeling relieved.
"Since when you help us with information and personally deliver them?" the Director asked, crossing her arms.
"we are all part of team. we help each other." Raghu sir leveled her gaze with his own, "maybe you dont appreciate the help, Director."
she flushed in embarrassment, but then composed herself, "I do, thank you." she paused, "But I feel something else is going on. I feel you and she going behind my back, and you are saving her back."
her bluntness never surprised Raghu sir or Mukherjee, while the former tried to look surprise, she was keeping a straight face.
"Why do you think so?"
in reply she took out a paper and put it on table. Raghu sir picked it up and sighed, giving a look to Mukherjee to which she frowned.
"it cant be co-incidence, she running errands for you and this? then you personally delivering surveillance photos." the Director went on, narrowing eyes on the ACP who looked confused.
"What is this?" she asked, still standing away from them in the same space where she sits.
"Forensic found you fingerprint in the taxi." The Director replied, ''imagine my surprise when Liza personally delivered me this, blabbering that how she is 90% sure she messed it up."
Raghu sir kept his gaze on Mukherjee, as if silently asking her to carry on whatever she is doing till now. she rolled her eyes, as if every day she leave her print on crime scene and forensic find it.
"I must have accidentally left it." she said keeping it casual.
"Accidentally?" The Director tested the word, still not convinced.
"What, now I am a suspect or something?" she countered back, to which the frown vanished from her face. both the ladies stared at each other, and the Director looked away only when Raghu sir started speaking.
"I guess that settled it then. just a mistake, be careful next time, Riya." his word somehow felt graver than this small accident.
"I will be." she nodded head, eyes still on Director. the latter suddenly felt as if she was witnessing something entirely different than one misplaced- fingerprints- on- evidence convo between the two of them. the ACP headed out after a last nod, leaving the two of them alone.
"I dont know why you thought she and I are into some kind of deal," Director opened her mouth but Raghu sir cut her off, "but I will appreciate next time you think before you jump into conclusion."
she closed her mouth after being chastised, her voice softer than usual, which only Raghu sir draws from anyone, "I apologize. It wont happen again." but she was not finished yet, and even the older man sensed it.
"I am not an idiot. i can feel something is going on."
"why is that?" the old man asked casually, not angry or disappointed, mildly curious.
"Why she is back? what was inside that envelope? and I dont buy this accident either." she pointed at the forensic report on table.
"whatever she was doing, it was none of your business." the commissioner dismissed, and she nodded.
"Fine. I wont ask again." she took a breath, "I hope you know that you can trust me. And I will help, by any means possible. I owe her that." her eyes met the ACP, who along with others were near Shree's desk, might be examining the call record of that female. Raghu sir stared at her for a second, then exhaled.
"I think I cant change your mind about this." he waved his hand in air, shaking head, "Fine, I guess thats all for now then. Keep me updated."
"of course sir." she replied as he left the room.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The ETF got the location of Iqbal the next day, thanks to Shree's hacking and the extra help from Raghu sir's office. tonight, along with local police and other law enforcement agencies, they were in a safe warehouse in the middle of city to take Iqbal and his bunch of goons down.
"Why she is here?" Mukherjee asked, pissed, as they were getting ready and Sakshi was just dangling around, screwing all protocols and endangering lives of everyone. the latter frowned at her tone.
"You cant talk to me like that." she replied, voice stern. the former glared, to which she looked intimidated. they all heard the gun fire as snipers took down the guards in the first floor and she cursed.
"Screw this." she removed her bullet proof jacket and thrashed it on Sakshi's palm, "do us all a favour and wear this." then along with others, she headed inside just like this plan.
it was going as good as expected. they had covered the house from all sides and were trying to get into 1st floor, snipers making it easy as the goons stood baffled, not sure if they should locate the invisible shooters or kill police under them. the confusion made things much easier, but then one of them shot toward Sameer, the bullet would have hit him in the head if Mukherjee had not pushed him away, barely going over his side. they both were on floor, adrenaline feeling the body, the crime fighters attention was divided and goons suddenly had the upper hand. Before Sameer could react, she shot the goon on his limbs, then kicked him in the shin, angrier than anyone had ever seen him.
after 109 minutes of shooting, the ETF and other agencies caught 9 goons and Iqbal, along with the female, Ruby. He confessed killing Aslam, using one of his gang members who was dead in the encounter tonight. amidst the flashes of media and police protection, they were escorted away from the warehouse.
"I cant believe Sakshi's words came true." Shree said to Chotu as they both headed for the SUVs, calling it for the night. the latter chuckled, disbelieve in his laugh as well.
Sameer walked to Mukherjee who was away from all the chaos, just like she does every time they close some case, to thank her for saving his life, but she cut him off, some of the usual sassiness coming back which is part of her charm, as everyone agreed, "Dont. I save lives every Friday."
He laughed, eyes warm and serious, "Thank god its Friday then."
when he walked away, she groaned as Rawte stood in front of her, looking all glare-y and pissed.
"Did you take a vow to make my job tougher?" he said through gritted teeth, and she narrowed her eyes.
"How can you just walk into a room where shots are flying w/o any protection? are you out of your goddamn mind?" some people become quieter while pissed, some shout. he was surely the second category.
"I just did that, walking into room and all that." she answered in her usual self but patience was wearing thin. he obviously didnt approve of her tone, taking a step toward her, violating her personal space.
"I am your Boss, and when I say this, you should take it very seriously, next time, you dont listen to my order and I will suspend you, hear that?"
"Don't threaten me." she said after a while, voice much more in contrast to him, "and i just lent my jacket to your GF so that it can save her life."
"She is not my GF." he spit out, for some reason her replies bringing out the worst in him, "and what about your life? what do you think of yourself, some superwoman made of metal whom bullets cant affect? people die, all the time!"
"I am very much aware of that." he was taken aback by the ice in her eyes, its like he just stepped on some invisible border. he composed himself, voice somewhat softer.
"Then stop thinking that you are invincible." he paused, suddenly aware of how close he was to her. he never does this, using space to intimidate, because usually his glare and growl-y voice is enough to make anyone scared. apparently, not for her. but he didnt take step instantly, "and i was not threatening. Just try me."
with that he walked away, leaving her with her icy stare and quiet angry voice and stiff posture, who was just looking back at him with some unreadable expression on her face which was so easy to associate with him. as if she dont understand him.
maybe she dont. not that she wants anyway. she has much to think now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It was nearly midnight when Aisha found ACP Mukherjee in the Gym, running on trade mill. she was so engrossed in whatever she was thinking that she only noticed the former when she started talking.
"Why you are so late in here?"
"What, Gym is only for one day per week basis?" The ACP stopped the machine and stepped down. the Director sighed in frustration, shaking head.
"Sometime I think its better to ask you any question."
"Then why do you?"
"Because we want to know what goes on in that mysterious head of yours."
The ACP rolled eyes, gulping down water and wiping sweat from neck with the white towel beside the mill. the Director crossed her arm, and opened her mouth after a moment back.
"I heard what you did for Officer Rathore." she paused, voice softer, "You did good."
"Is not this the part of whole team thing? saving each other?" The former answered in an uninterested voice.
"Yeah, it is." the Director agreed, "I am glad you are becoming part of team then."
the latter smirked, "Can't refuse the Director now, can we?"
The Director gave a look, then asked sincerely, "When you are going to tell me what exactly is going on?"
the ACP stiffed, but offered no explanation. the Director sighed, running fingers through her hair.
"Look I know you are back for a reason. I can guess what is it," she paused, gauzing the latter's reaction, "but I dont know what you are doing. I know even Raghu sir is onto this, he has your back. How much you or he deny it, I know it."
"i didnt deny anything." the ACP answered quietly.
"I just want to let you know I am here, ready to do any kind of help. you can trust me. I maybe a Director now, maybe thats why you are so weary of me, but I am the same girl whom you met, whom you helped so much to reach this level. a post doesn't change anything." the Director went on, the desperateness in her voice evident. she just dont understand why the ACP is not trusting her enough to let her in, when they had shared so much things in past.
"I am not weary because of your post." The ACP answered after some beat, voice much more serious than anyone has ever heard, "You are our boss. You lead this team, you are here for that team. so i insist you focus that only, dont bother about me."
"why you dont trust me?" she lost her patience.
"its not about trust." the ACP clenched her fist, as if physically restricting her to say the next things but her lips moved anyway, "i dont want you into my mess."
the hurt in the Director's eyes were too raw. the former sighed, closing her eyes.
"Have you ever thought," she paused, struggling to find exact words to say, "that maybe I am too deep into this mess? That I can't come back at all?"
The Director stood stunned as the words hit her. before she had time to process it all, the ACP went on.
"I am not sure where I am heading, or what I am doing. It will be incredibly selfish of me to let anyone bear my burden, so dont tell me to trust you with anything, because I dont trust myself right now." she paused, "However, I can give you my words."
The Director's eyes said she was listening.
"On my first day you said this team is important. they work well, in a group. I can give you my word not to mess that up, and try my best to work with them. this is the closest thing i can give near a promise."
both the ladies continued to look each other, the ACP's eyes serious, calm, but a storm was growing within. The Director understood the sincerity in her voice, nodding to it.
"I am going to hold onto that." she said after a while, clearing her throat, "go home, get some rest."
she bid goodnight and left the ACP behind, and the latter went back to her trademill, running faster than ever. both of them failed to notice the lingering figure of Second in command Arjun Rawte in the darkness of hallway. He was not planning on eavesdropping, but then the ladies started talking and he was unable to walk away from it. So he was right, there was something between them. the ACP, though give an impression to give a damn about everything, take the Director seriously. she said about the efficiency of team and since the first day she was working to make her place in team, working with them as best as she can with her attitude and temperament. she didnt only manage to work, but charmed the members, maybe he is the only one on the receiving end of her dark nature with her sarcasm and glares. she even gave her words to not mess this up, the closest to promise. that was something, he concluded, also, their dynamic was too strong to overlook anyway, but something else completely took over his mind as he watched the ACP running on mill.
she is here for something.
whatever it is, he didnt know, but before he can let his mind linger on it he heard her voice and froze.
"Should I call it creepy or harassment?" she had stopped running by now, some of her playful nature coming back. he straightened his back and watched as she stepped down from mill, tilting her head on side as she gave him a look.
"Why you are not home?" he asked.
"These Gym equipments were begging me not to leave them alone." she answered sarcastically, to which he rolled his eyes.
"cant you answer straight?"
"Part of my traits."
"your traits only consists of negative things i assume." he retorted, now getting inside the Gym. she narrowed her eyes.
"you assume too much." her eyes suddenly turned steely, "eavesdropping is a bad thing."
he tried to keep his face straight. even if he succeeded in that, he should have ask what eavesdropping. that was the slip, and she was surer, that he heard it all, if she was not earlier. her nostrils flared and she looked away, then turned her eyes on him yet again, her expression wicked.
"Want a rematch of that day's self defense?"
he was half dreading- half competitive at the prospect, also sensed this was her way to pay him back for the eavesdropping, "Are you always this much . . . . physical?"
she grinned, moving her head, ''trust me when I say this, only for you Arjun."
and he was right about the payback when she pinned him on the floor after some 4 minutes, her weight and strength keeping him down. he struggled for a while, then stopped, letting her think he gave up. his too loud sigh was only to convince her, and when loosened her grip on his wrists, he used the opportunity and used both legs and hands to push her off him. she landed straight on her back, surprised, and he was more than pleased to keep her pinned down by holding both of her wrists and keeping his weight on her, much like she did. he could see wheels in her mind running even if she gave a surprise look, but it only lasted some seconds. she didnt struggle or squirm, and he knew she was trying his way to push her off.
then he noticed the bandage on her left palm, felt guilty and loosened his grip.
that was the second mistake.
that loosening grip was all she needed. again he was on floor, this time on his back. her hands were on his wrist yet again and with agonizing wait he saw her slowly putting both of her legs on his side, effectively keeping him trapped. all he could hear was his ragged breath and all he could see her deep brown eyes who were both bored with this too easy game and pleased that he was defeated. once again he thought how she does that, showing different emotions at once. giving impression of something but doing something else.
"Eavesdropping." she said out of blue, and he sighed, closing eyes.
"It wont happen again." this was as close as apology she was getting. she smirked.
"Glad we settled it then."
he waited for her to get up and free him, but looked like she was enjoying this all too much of herself as the time passed.
"Why you are still on top of me?" Geez, why does that sound something entirely different? he thought to himself and rephrased it, "why you are still holding me?", grunting. she mistook it for his frustration being pinned down by a female.
"Because I can, Boss." she answered. smug about her ability, he scoffed, if thats even possible in that situation.
"It sound like you are mocking me."
he stilled as in response she leaned on to him, her face barely some inches away from him. he was, after all this time, suddenly aware of how close they were, not only because she was on top of him, but there was something too intimate about this whole situation. now that they both were breathing into same air, it was not helping anything. he could see too clearly the color and shape of her eyes, and how they turn almost black when her mood shift from playful to something unfathomable. light to dark, just like her mood. he also noticed the lines on face, something that should not have been on a face of a female who was almost his age, but somehow it fitted. the smug attitude, the sarcasm, the recklessness, the eye rolls, the occasional playfulness, the change in the color of her orbs, the lines on her face, this devil-may-care body language, this surprising strength, this domination without being threatening. this all fitted perfectly, and suddenly he cant even imagine her w/o it. he doesnât want to. it all made her look more. . . attractive.
"Now we are communicating." she was doing it again, echoing both emotions at once, not letting it know which one is coming from her heart. her voice feigned surprise, but her eyes were mocking. she talks a lot, with the taunts and careful observations, but her eyes talk a hell lot more.
Where are these observations coming from?
he was surprised at himself, then at her when she finally let him free, getting up and walking toward the table. as he watched her gulping water, he chastised himself to think something. . . so different about her. he was surprised he noticed small things about her, and somehow his mind stored it all far from its conscious self. he frowned, not liking how he cant control his mind, something he always been proud of.
"I guess you made it your bed then." he didnt notice he was still staring and time had passed. she was now buttoning her white shirt over her tank top as she gave him a look. she only left it half open and took her gun, ID card, Wallet and phone from a side table, putting them all inside her pocket, "Have a nice sleep on floor."
He realised after 5 minutes she left, while getting up, that this was the 3rd time she pinned him down. her astrologer was right, but little late.
somehow, even if he cursed, he could not bring himself to be angry at this action. he was determined to fight back with more efficiency next time though.
Human mind is a funny thing. One moment it negates all type of humane things as weakness, but whenever it gets hint of something it tries to hold onto that.
--
"My Bosses are not going to be too pleased with these appointments." ACP Mukherjee walked into the Central jail as if she owned it and said to Raghu sir, who along with his PA and several other officers were talking in hushed voices in the hallway. their heads whipped toward her in surprise, but not Raghu sir who merely gave a look.
"Save your breath Riya, there is something important." He walked to her, the others following him in a hurry. They all walked in a direction, and after some turns and twists reached infront of a door. as the PA pushed it open, he asked, "what excuse you gave this time?"
she looked away and he shook his head.
"I am telling you, you going to ruin the relation between ETF Director and police commissioner."
"oh please. . . " she stopped as they all entered inside. the opposite wall was half covered by a one way glass, on the other side Iqbal was sitting on a chair, hands tied with handcuff, looking bruised and dishelved, not the swift personality from those surveillance pictures.
"Excuse us." He said to other officers, who nodded and exited the room one by one, even the PA. Raghu sir pulled a string behind and the glass was covered by shade instantly, and then he turned on the light, facing her, whose eyes were fixed on the glass as if she can see through it.
"You told me Johny was coming back this month, but not sure when. Now his gang head is in jail, the chances are minimal he will come back to city."
she looked at him sharply, eyebrows narrowed. he took a breath and continued.
"But he have resources in this city, so there is a chance for him to come back. He needs a reason to be back, not resources."
"What you suggest then?" she is always the one who comes up with plan, but this time she wanted to hear him. he took out a phone.
"Officer Sahani. . . that middle aged police officer with bald head? you noticed?"
she tilted her head and gave a look to which the old man sighed.
"of course, you dont care. . . he suggested something. what if Iqbal call Johny with an offer he cant refuse? then he will have reason and resource to come back."
"What he has to offer now?" she waved her around, "he ended up here."
"What if he offer Johny to take over the gang?" Raghu sir dropped the plan, watching her reaction cautiously as she thought about it. she gave another look toward the covered glass, fingers tapping lightly on her forearm.
"And why would he do that?"
"because we will force him." Raghu sir answered in a stern voice, to which she smirked, "I want you inside, but be careful, no physical violence."
"Spoilsport." she muttered and started heading out, behind him he exhaled a breath, then followed her as well.
Iqbal raised his head, startled, as the door of the interrogation room banged open and entered two police officers, one male and in uniform, and the other a lady, in civil dress who was present on the night of encounter which landed him in here. he glared at her, to which she looked unaffected.
the male officer then started to read the charges on him, asking if he accept any of these, and he kept quiet. he knew he will be in jail for maximum 3 months, he will hire the best lawyer and he will be out on bail soon. he had the plan ready in mind, these boring procedures dont have any importance to him.
almost 20 minutes passed, the lady looked irritated but the male officer was calm, he everyday deals dickheads like him so he was used to it. another 10 minutes passed and the lady was now tapping her foot impatiently, so not used to things like this.
he flashed a smile to her as he leaned back on his chair, "Not used to these long hours, are you Ma'am?"
she stopped tapping instantly, a lazy smile on her lips which, for some reason, looked predatory. Iqbal was used to cunning females like her, so it didnt effect him.
"So why you are here?" he asked with a small frown. she shrugged.
"Just giving him," she gestured toward the male officer who turned in his seat to look at her, "time. A chance for you."
"Chance?" he laughed, "These rights are not chances Ma'am, its the warrant which will send me behind bars for the next 25 years if I agree on these."
"Well, 25 years is better than Death, is not it?" she then turned to look at the male officer, who kept his face straight, "better, right?"
"definately." the officer agreed, glancing at Iqbal. the latter shook his head.
"Its not like I dont get death threats everyday, Ma'am. save it." he gave a dirty look to her which did nothing to wipe off the lazy smile.
"Oh, I am sure you get." she was till now leaned on back behind the wall, her back and feet on it while the other on ground. now she stood straight, arms crossed over chest, "But I was thinking of an offer. Hoping to change your mind."
Iqbal knew these all too well, "You need information of the activities of my gang, right?"
"Na." she dismissed it, like she dont care about his gang at all, "I just need to find Johny."
he frowned, that was totally unexpected, "Johny?"
she nodded, "where is he now?"
"Out of town." he answered cautiously, not wanting to open all of his card when he is not sure with what he is playing here, "why you want him?"
"Just have to set some records straight." her eyes hardened, "Where is Johny?"
"He is not in town." he answered yet again.
"Then tell him to come back." she answered, as if its too simple. he laughed.
"From jail? not exactly a phone available here Ma'am."
the next moment she tossed a phone on table, "now you have it."
he eyed the lady carefully for the first time, taking in her stiff posture, that lazy smile which dont quite reach the eyes and that look in eyes, as if she is ready for any challenge. he suddenly wondered if she looked like this that night of his arrest, or if she always looks like this.
"So thats why I am here?" his eyes went back and forth to the officers, "because you want Johny?"
"No." she stressed it, "you are here because you are a criminal terroring the city. I am here because i want him."
"And why should I listen to you? what's there for me?" he crossed his arms, mimicking her pose.
"Nothing." she frowned, "its all for our benefits."
"Then I reject the offer." he gave a cold smile, dismissing the conversation from his side. to his surprise, she chuckled, and then looked toward the glass wall on his side, "and you say no violence?"
before he can make head or tail of that, his chair was knocked out off floor. he winced at the pain of his head and knee, struggling with the handcuff. it didnt open, of course, and he cursed. he then looked up, the lady officer was standing near the table by now, and the male officer was looking back and forth, shocked.
"Seriously, I can do all day long till you crack." she said after some moments as he stared at her, voice perfectly normal. if he didnt see her barely coming at him, he might have believed she didnt not just knocked him off, "But I am an impatient person."
"Didnt notice it." he muttered sarcastically. she pointed her chin in agreement.
"So," she gestured to the phone, "do the honors.â
He then went over the pros and cons of his situation. sure as hell it didnt look good before, police will surely bother him for information till he is inside. but one look at her, and something told him if he didnt give her what she want she will snatch it, and he was not sure after she walked away from him, if he will survive for the bail three months later. also, its just a trap for Johny, she dont want anything else, just a member of his gang. he can surely. . . consider it.
he sighed, and she gave that smirk, as if she knew even before he opened his mouth he agreed, "Okay. what I have to say?"
As he touched the phone some minutes later, she asked the male officer rhetorically, âThat was not hard, right?â to which he nodded mutely, not trusting his voice.
Iqbal was not pleased, of course, that in less than 96 hours his life changed. it was like Aslam gave him some solid curses before he was killed, there was no other reason why he was in jail, with bruises and possible broken bones just because he kidnapped a girl who was unwilling to be his, and not because his drugs were caught in harbour. as he uttered the words the lady officer told him to Johny, he tried to think what Johny might have possibly do to piss this lady so much. he made up his mind to ask Johny when he will end up in the next cell to his, but then he noticed the way her face hardened when Johny agreed to take over his gang during his absence and promised to be back in town in 5 days.
he might not make it, Iqbal thought to himself.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"And the movie was supercool! i am so excited for part 3, I dont know why it didnt make that much money!" Shree said heatedly to his team mates in the crime scene, surrounded by yellow DO NOT ENTER ribbons and a dead body on front.
"I just hated it they killed Gwen Stacy. I mean she and Andrew, it was perfect!" Liza commented as she examined the wallet of the male, around 30, victim, and then gave it to Chotu to see.
"Thats because in next part Mary Jane will enter, and she is the love of life of Peter Parker! Gwen was just a . . fling." Shree argued back.
"Gwen the blonde right?" Chotu chimed in, "Na, she and the guy looked good."
"Its in the comics!" Shree answered outraged.
"Who cares? they can make movie differently." Liza answered, shrugging, "pete already had that uncle death thing to keep him going, another tragedy was so unnecessary."
"These two death is essential for him to become the Hero." Shree replied stubbornly.
"Ok kids, time's up." Sameer leaned down the ribbon and entered the scene, "our second in command is not looking too pleased with the talk. . . btw what you guys are talking?"
"Spiderman." the trio almost shouted excitedly.
"Ah, I only have one problem with it, why killed Gwen Stacy?" he shook his head sadly, and Liza gave a look to Shree, and he sulked.
"you guys just dont get it." he mumbled.
"Maybe because your high IQ is making simple things complicated." Sameer teased, "see, in the first movie trilogy, they totally cut off the Gwen thing right? MJ first and true love and all that. . . in this trilogy why introduced Gwen then if they want to kill her? why they could not just go on with the Uncle story only? unnecessary tragedy, if you ask me."
"See? he might not have high IQ but he gets this simple thing." Liza pointed out, to which almost everyone chuckled. Shree mumbled something about ganging up against him and stood back as Sameer kneeled next to Liza, his gaze fixed on the bullet which went straight to his heart.
"You are late." They all heard Rawte's voice and saw he and MUkherjee making their way to the crime scene. they all pressed their lips in amusement as she rolled her eyes, brushing off his stern gaze like everytime.
"Didnt notice it." she answered dryly as she kneeled to the other side of Liza, wearing her gloves. as Liza explained how the man was killed with a single GSW in heart, and judging by the burnt near skin she can say the killer was standing atleast 5 feet away from him, her eyes went on to the victim's shoes.
"Anyone have pen?" she asked to none particular. Rawte handed her over a pen after some seconds, and almost everyone had to stiffle a laugh as they noticed the too pink pen he handed her over. Mukherjee heard the hushed chuckles and frowned, then saw the pen in her hand and gave a look to him, to which he rolled his eyes.
"Its Sakshi's." he explained. everyone cleared their voice and focussed back on work.
"Btw where is she?" Chotu asked, and as if on cue Sakshi ran toward them, panting.
"Sorry guys I am late. . . man why the killers cant dump body beside high roads? Taxi was not ready to take me here you know?"
"I think the Director can manage an advertisement for the killers to listen to you, Sakshi." Sameer teased. she narrowed her eyes, but the next moment smiled cheekily.
"Sure, Sameer, the Director can manage anything if you ask her."
the cough from Chotu and Shree came jointly, and he glared at them.
"Guys. Focus." Rawte gave them all a stern gaze, and frowned as Mukherjee used the tip on pen as some kind of tool and scrapped some dirt from the victim's shoes, and smelled it.
"wait, is that. . . my pen." Sakshi didnt look too please with the type of use her pen was enduring, but didnt say anything further as Mukherjee suddenly got up, her eyes on Shree.
"Is there any petrol pump near this place?"
"Umm. . . " he looked into his tab, green flashy and Shree written on its back, "yeah, 6 KM away."
"he was there." she commented, and explained as everybody frowned, "the dirt on his boot smell like petrolium product."
"Might be a garage too." Rawte argued, frowning, but she shook her head.
"if he was in garage, the sole will be dark and there would have been stronger smell. its pump. I am sure CCTV of pump will record him, if there is any."
Chotu nodded and left to check on pump, and she stood oblivious of the proud look coming beside him by the second in command. Liza and her team started to wrap it up and take the body to ETF, and Shree went with them to get a ride back to office. Sakshi started taking notes of the body for her report, and Mukherjee went with the local police to get an ID of the man. as Rawte and Sameer stood on the spot, looking over, the latter walked to him.
"Smart, is not she?"
The former gave a look, "As if I didnt notice."
"Oh so you notice her." he teased.
"I am not going to dignify that with a response." the second in command huffed. Sameer smiled, then remembered something.
"Sakshi's taxi reminded me of something. . . remember that case of Aslam? we were supposed to go behind that taxi but then Raghu sir dropped those surveillance pictures. what happened to the taxi, did someone check on it?"
Rawte shook his head, "No. Forensic gave report on the taxi to Director as far as I know. none digged more about it."
"There is an interesting portion in Iqbal's confession," Sameer said casually, "where he didnt mention anything about any taxi. he just said his man was shadowing Aslam for a while, but he lost him for some hours, then he found him in that crime scene and . . . rest we all know."
"Since when you read confession of guilty's?" Rawte asked, even if he was curious about this small. . . thing which didnt add up. the latter shrugged.
"I dont know why, but that case felt different, like not usual cross fire of gang. someone else got him before Iqbal's hitman, and hurt him. and then out of nowhere we changed direction. i know we solved it, but this thing is not going off my mind." he paused, looking at him, "Did the Director mention anything about the taxi?"
the second in command shook his head.
"that's odd, huh? she dont like loose ends more than us." he commented lightly, and then walked away.
"You have no idea." Rawte commented to himself after a while, for some unknown reason staring at Mukherjee who just finished talking to local police.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Why so serious, Genius?" ACP Mukherjee rhymed lightly one afternoon as she came near Shree's desk to have the phone record of the victim, but then noticed him sulking. he gave a kicked puppy expression to her.
"I lost an argument." he settled for that. She raised her eyebrow in response, and he hurried to let go of his pent up frustration.
"I love comics, and i dont like to lose in anything. i lost an argument, that too in comics!" he could not believe it, and a part of him felt so childish for sulking, but he just could not let go. usually Chotu always support him, but one look at the pretty blond actress and he has the hots for her now.
"Till now sulking?" Sameer entered the scene, giving a surprised look as he clapped his back, "IT head of ETF, w/o whom we all will be lost, sulking because of a stupid debate?" then he gave a look to Mukherjee, explaining, "Kids. Spiderman."
she looked at the hurt expression of Shree, "dont tell me you debated on the love life of Parker." Sameer chuckled and Shree huffed angrily.
"All I meant that tragedy shapes a man, for better for worse. Heroes are born out of tragedy, and Peter had to endure deaths of the two closest person of his life. the former gave him the motto of life, with great power comes great responsibility. the latter was his biggest what if, but whats the point of dueling on it when she is no more? he had Mary Jane, who stick to him after knowing all secrets. surely thats true love. as Gwen Stacy never lived longer, there is no point in saying she belong with him. she is dead, and he lived his life with MJ." Shree ranted on, beside him Sameer looked surprised with the outburst, and ACP Mukherjee stood with a unreadable expression on her face. seconds passed and soon the IT genius regretted his outburst, he was about to apologize when the lady beat him to that.
"I agree." she said quietly, "about the tragedy thing. it shapes a man, for better or for worse."
that earned a small smile from Shree, and beside him Sameer huffed in relief. she was not done yet.
"if this makes you feel any better, i like Kirsten." she gave her usual smirk, and both the men grinned at it. Shree adjusted his speck, feeling foolish about the whole sulking.
"I am . . . " he was about to apologize but she cut him off.
"I just need the call record, then you can go back to another round of debate if you want." she eyed the both men. Sameer shook his head.
"Oh no, I am not going into another debate with him about it. who knows he might start crying."
"I didnt cry!" Shree protested, outraged, and both them started bickering as Mukherjee walked away, chuckling, the phone record list in between her fingers.
The victim's name was Manoj, he used to work in a club which looks shady and gives off feeling even in the middle of day. his boss looked he dont care a damn about him being dead, as Manoj was not a good stuff, but seems like other stuffs dont agree with him. they all gushed over him, even shed few tear drops on the sad news. While Sameer was charming the pants off the waitresses, Chotu was silently stalking the boss as he went outside to make a call, and heard him telling something was going to happen tonight.
"A drug dealing." he informed his team that afternoon, looking ready for action, "My informers said that place is gearing up for something important, and that the boss was spotted with many local drug dealers."
"Such a filthy way to use his club." Sakshi wrinkled her nose, commenting.
"I say we take them down, tonight." Sameer eyed Chotu who nodded back.
"There is not enough time to prepare." Rawte said, not liking how a moment like this just appeared, not only that it will get them closer to the murder case, there is also a possibility to stop a drug dealing.
"We cant let them go." Shree replied in surprise. he opened his mouth to say something rude, when ACP Mukherjee cut in.
"Of course we cant." she answered dryly, "Lets give them a visit tonight. see for ourselves."
"What if there is really something going on?" Shree asked again. she leaned back on her seat, playing with pen as she spoke.
"We take him down."
"Thats reckless." Rawte disapproved.
"Any better idea, Boss? Unless you want Narcotics on it and drop the murder case on their laps as well?" She had a point. Not that Narcotics were not efficient, but there is a greater chance of this case being stuck due to their intervention- paperwork. ETF enjoy a kind of freedom which other agencies doesnt, a reason they close case quickly. Besides, the second in command of ETF quite cant stand those arrogant pricks.
but this undercover thing w/o much planning puts there team in danger, something he was not uncomfortable with.
"I will give you guys a bug." Shree was already had half the plan ready as he hurried to explain, "put it anywhere in club and i can get access to all CCTV. we all will be connected through bluetooths, we all have extra pairs of eye on them."
"She will stay in SUV with you." Mukherjee pointed out to Sakshi, which let out two argumentative, appalled voices.
"I am not staying behind!" Sakshi nearly shouted, eyes wide.
"I was trained for these type of things." Shree was much calmer, but strongly defended himself. The seniors looked at each other, and Rawte was about to break up this kids fight when Mukherjee beat him to that.
"Do me a favour, Genius, and keep an eye on her." her low, almost bored yet serious tone did the trick. Rawte noticed the genius, and how she did it again, showing two sets of emotions at once. Shree looked softer, and after a while nodded, to which everyone was surprised. its not like he is always protesting, but he listened to her w/o any second guessing, thats saying something.
"You cant do that to me." Sakshi said hotly, and the four men flinched as Mukherjee suddenly stood on her feet and slammed her palm on table.
"last time, I remembered you dangling in front of us till the last moment w/o any protection. I handed over my bullet proof jacket to you and had to endure comments because of that." Rawte didnât know this part, and felt equally guilty and awed for her, while anger toward the crime journo's immature behavior as usual.
the crime journo opened her mouth, "i didnt. . "
"yeah, you didnt want my jacket, but i give anyway. do you, even for a moment, think that you are not really being daring in that situation but entirely stupid? do you realise you can be the reason someone get hurt? can your conscience handle that?" the words were coming out fast and harsh, and somehow, it felt a hell lot more personal that just a lecture on recklessness.
silence was a funny thing, for all its name its pretty loud. ACP Mukherjee glared down at the crime journo, and the next moment withdrew herself, giving the expression she dont care anything anyone does, "when you have the plan ready, let me know." and she just walked out of room, banging door and all that.
That was the time when second in command of ETF, Arjun Rawte, realised, he has completely failed to make this woman obey him, look upto him as someone who is superior to her. This woman walk out on him, challenge him and defeat him, talk to him with her usual sassiness and glare at him when he does the same to her. then he remembered that night, the conversation between her and Director. she didnt give her word to listen to any authority, so maybe he cant expect that from her.
His ego should be hurt, right? Then why he just feel intrigued by her? when the anger was replaced by other emotions anyway?
whatever it is, he was part excited, part dreading to go down that.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The place is a congested, shitty one which smell like alcohol, sweat and something else, maybe possibly drugs. Rawte really could not blame on his other team mate, Chotu and Sameer, as they separated and made disgusted face, desperate to get out of here.
"trust me when I say this." they all could hear Chotu's voice, irritated and breathy, "you are lucky not to be here. I bet even public toilet smell better than this shithole."
In their ears Shree laughed and Sakshi did a muffled noise which meant she was disgusted with the comparison. the 2nd in command looked on as Sameer, who along with Chotu was under disguise, sat in a dark scheduled place and observed quietly everything. Chotu just stood in corner with a drink, smiling to waitresses but really not noticing them or drinking it.
Rawte looked at his watch and clenched his jaw, suddenly all of his mixed reactions for the frustrating ACP Mukherjee flying out of window. things would be so much easier if she just obeyed him, for example she would be here on time! he rubbed his temple, the shitty music doing nothing to ease him, but then something caught his ears.
he was not sure how his sense caught her voice through this high pitched music and people, but he saw her, Deep blue one shouldered dress which was almost black, reaching upto her mid thigh which a slit on side, and which should be illegal considering the cuts in all the wrong places, leaving little to imagination. . .hair in a side sweep, a flashy clip on it, with too high heels. . . how she is even standing? and with whom she is standing?
He nearly stood up as he noticed her leaning too much over that Man. . or creep, considering the way he was leering at her. . . and then whispered something to his ear. the man nodded and walked away, and for the first time he noticed the Officer Mukherjee in her as she eyed her surrounding and squared her shoulder, ready for anything. she spotted him and walked straight to him, stopping only when she is beside him near the bar. she didnt make any move like she know him, ordered a glass of juice and tapped her shiny, painted with the color same as her dress against the wooden counter.
For all this undercover-y dress up and trying to play part in it, her dress and appearence is not looking cheap or trashy. maybe she is the only person in world who rocks dresses with cuts on the wrong places, he suddenly remembered that dress in museum. she may have a thing for deep colored dresses.
"Juice, Riya? Such a killjoy." they both heard Sameer's amused voice. while it added more to his irritation, dont know why, she merely looked around, maybe to check the people or spot Rathore, its always so hard to tell with her.
"Watch it, Rathore. its not Friday." she muttered, flashed a fake smile as the bartender handed her over her juice. Sameer chuckled in response, and it added more to the irritation, suddenly Rawte wanted to know about this Friday thing which was obviously some private joke between them.
"You are late, and who's the guest?" his voice was irritated, but he leaned seductively toward her, giving a cold smirk. to outside world, it will look like he is trying to pick her up. she tilted her head on side.
"Someone not important." her lips hardly moved, and then she flashed another smile. just like the fake one she gave to the man. He wont say, but somehow her words made him feel better. . . where did that come drom?
"Manager, on your 3 o clock." Shree said, and Rawte quickly noticed the man, feels like criminal and shady screaming from him. the manager obviously looked like he was expecting someone, talked with guards and glanced at his watch several times, gave quick yet fake smile to women who were trying to throw themselves on him. he then moved on the side of counter, getting a drink.
"he is obviously waiting for someone." Chotu pointed out the obvious, noticing the manager like all of them, "should we take him away?"
"No." Rawte sipped his drink to hide his lips moving, "let the guest he is expecting arrive. we will see everything, then attack."
"Umm everyone?" Shree hesitated, "I can see there is another door at the end of hallway where the Bathrooms are. its dark, and nobody is there. i guess the place is off limits, but there is no camera so i cant really say if something happens there."
"sounds like the perfect place to hang out with guest, eh?" Sameer's voice echoed in their ears, "now, even the guest arrive, what will we do? if we just break in there, it will start chaos."
"let me think something." Rawte muttered, frowning. he suddenly noticed Mukherjee staring at somewhere else, her eyes playful but cautious. he turned his neck and saw the manager giving her a wink. he didnt know what happened, but suddenly he grabbed her elbow and tugged her toward him, catching her by surprise.
"What do you think you are doing?" she was not pleased, judging by her tone, and he had to fight off the intoxicated feeling he was suddenly dealing with due to her perfume and well. . . her, before he reply anything.
"The guests are here." Sakshi's excited voice made them both freeze. their eyes locked and stealthily they shared a glance at the manager, who walked toward a group of 4 men with 2 briefcases. they shifted their glance as the group eyed their surrounding, making sure none watching them, and met each other's eyes instead. its like that night in Gym all over again, eyes meeting and reading each other, breathing in the same air. for a moment the music was zoned out from his ears and all he could see her eyes, deep brown, but not black.
"they moved. the same hallway i mentioned." Shree chimed in, his voice urgent. their eyes shifted to look over and met once again, the plan and decision was made up instant.
This was a bad idea, Rawte thought to himself as he took in the semi darkness around him and the zoned out music. he was not sure which part was bad, pressing himself up the lady officer against the wall who most of times get on his nerves and with whom he share. . . no relation at all? the scene they both are creating right now, pretending to hook up like hormonal pairs? the image this position painting him right now, because he is a happily committed man who loves his girl very much? okay, all of it is bad, he agreed to his mind, and goddamnit, why her perfume making him intoxicated? maybe he is allergic to it and he just came to know about it?
He groaned as some girls came out of bathroom, giggling, and hid his face in ACP Mukherjee's hair. from outside world, his groan will sound like entirely different thing, and he felt her go stiff when his lips accidentally touched her earlobe.
"What you guys are doing there?" Sameer asked, concerned.
"Hooking up in dark." she answered in her usual tone, and he glared at her, before looking around to see if anyone noticing them or not. they both heard the men chuckling and a sharp intake of breath. a man passed them and he hid his face in her hair again, bracing himself for the intoxicating scent of hers. he nearly did a double take when he felt her fingers clutching his shirt, and then to near his waist. he cursed silently, giving her the best dirty look in mind to take advantage of him like, because sure as hell he didnt think she can be this wicked, when he heard a voice behind them.
"What you guys are doing here?" that was the security guard from the door, eyeing them suspiciously. he slowly pulled himself away from her, about to give a excuse, when she pulled his gun that was tucked in his waistband, nearly sprinted to him and hit him on head. the man was on floor instantly.
he might have stared for more than usual, because she turned to him and gave a mocking smile, "Super Ninja skill." she said sarcastically, grabbing his palm and thrashing the gun right on it.
"Whatâs going on?" Shree could not see anything and it was unsettling for him.
"Just a distraction, we are going to try to see if anything going on inside." Rawte answered.
"Stay in touch." Chotu replied, and by the time the former looked forward, she was already heading for the door. he walked fast but silently, and both of them tried to hear. it was unsuccessful, considering the music and hushed tone, then they noticed the hole in door and took a look inside.
yeah, those briefcases? definitely drugs.
"Ok we are on." Rawte said to his team, ready for impact. some 20 seconds later the fire alarm was on and they all could hear the chaos back in club. he and Mukherjee shielded themselves away from the door as it burst open, and they started tackling them. he killed the guards and 2 of the guests, while she mostly used hand to hand combat to drop them on ground. she took one of the guard's gun and shot the 3rd guest on his hand. back in club they heard more gunshots, rest of ETF handling the security obviously. some 30 minutes later, it was all over. the manager and 4rth guest was on ground, and after a quick checking by Chotu the team was sure it was all drugs, imported from Africa probably, as he never saw anything local like this.
ETF looked on as police took the 4th guest, some injured security guards and the manager away. he confessed killing Manoj because he knew about this drug thing and was planning to involve police into it. he was too pure to be in this club business, he said, and got a slap on his back of head by Sameer before the police took him away.
"Where is your gun?" Shree asked Mukherjee after it was all over, frowning, to which the lady smirked, shaking head. he looked confused, but somehow understood it was the only response he was getting from her. he walked away, meeting with rest of team as they discussed the actions back in club.
"His shirt is wrinkled." Sakshi said in a stone hard tone as she looked at Rawte who was now speaking to Mukherjee, and the trio looked at her, then at the second in command.
"Did they really do it? Hooking up in dark?" her voice was hurt. the men eyed each other, silently agreeing its best not to say anything at all.
"You did good." She heard Rawte beside her after some moments and whipped her head toward him, surprised.
"Praising from Boss?" she replied sarcastically. he huffed.
"You make it sound so ugly." he muttered, then frowned, looking straight in her eyes, "you didnt kill them."
she narrowed her eyes slightly, and he explained, "those guards. guests. you didnt kill them."
"They were disarmed and unable to hurt any of us, if thats the whole point." she waved her hand around. that didnt make him back off.
"The first case you worked with us? Sheen's kidnapping? I noticed you didnt kill then too. you never kill, hurt disarm the enemy." his observations were surprisingly unsettling, and she dont like to be uncomfortable or intimitated by anyone. she gave him a heated gaze.
"And?"
"You cant avoid it. the killing." his eyes were . . . what is that softness? pity? "its part of job. one day you wont have any choice."
"I am aware of that." she answered too quickly, almost in a defensive way, but the . . . softness was still there, she needed it to go, "and just because I dont kill, doesnt mean I am incapable."
he stared at her for too long moment, then shook his head, "No, you are not." sounding sincere and civil than he was ever with her.
she looked on as he walked away, to team mates who looked upto him with the expression of hero worship, brotherhood, even possessiveness, and said to herself quietly, "there will be only one man's blood on my hand. only one death. One kill."
she vowed to herself in the darkness, determined.
The past is never dead. It's not even past.
-William Faulkner
"Wedding!" Squealed Sakshi excitedly, nearly jumping upside down.
Sameer rolled his eyes, "not Wedding, just an engagement party."
"Rajasthani style?" Chotu quipped, giving a look to his partner in crime Shree, who intrigued look as well.
"Gujarti style. My soon to be sister in law's family are hardcore Gujrati, staying in Ahmedabad from past 4 generations." He distributed the cards to the team mates, "Party is being held in our other house."
"That house which looks like mansion and should be illegal for acquiring too much land?" Rawte entered the room, his voice amused, to which Sameer gave a mock stern gaze.
"Funny. And yes, that home only." he then took rest of cards from table, "I am heading for lab to give Liza invitation."
"Where is my card?" the second in command asked, his expression of someone with wounded pride.
"You are the official slave for the day along with me, so no need for card." he started to leave as all of the team mate started to laugh, "just show up sharp at 8."
"PM?" the former could not resist.
"AM. for work." and he exited, leaving behind team mates who shook their heads at the rare banter between two lifelong friends in a workplace.
Sameer returned from lab and near lift nearly banged with ACP Mukherjee, "In a hurry, eh?" she asked sarcastically, but in response he grinned widely and thrashed a card in her palm.
"Engagement party. not mine, my elder cousin's." he explained before she even opened the mouth.
"Of course not yours." she murmured dryly with a hint of amusement.
he quirked an eyebrow, "do I want to know what was that?" then shook his head as they both started to head for discussion room. he never noticed the way her face softened or the varity of emotions flickered across, but stopped in track when her fingers gripped his forearm.
"I cant accept this." she tried to hand over the card but he didnt take it.
"I promise food will be good and music wont be as much terrible as you imagine."
she looked away, lips turned up in the corner for a moment, then she was serious, "I should not. its a family function."
"I invited the whole team." he assured.
"I just dont think I should be there. not much family person." she tried to politely decline.
"Then you just enjoy food and have internal laugh at other's stupidity." he sighed when he took in her unwilling emotion, "I invited you. now its up to you, arrive or dont arrive. I promise not to brood if you dont, now its upto you."
she had to look away when he was starting to see too much, and in the process noticed they were standing merely some metres away from discussion room, and that the crime journo was giving her death glares through the glass.
"whats with the love looks?'' she said to herself as her fingers slowly loosened its grip from his forearm, frowning a little.
he sighed, to which her head whipped toward him, "would not you like to know?" he replied, then looked at her. both shared a small chuckled at that, and then headed for discussion room.
"just a curiosity, will this time it be a LBD or couture?"
"would not you like to know?"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The engagement party in the other house of Rathore's was . . . uneventful, to say at least. chatting people, waiters serving snacks and drinks, elders already planning the future of would be kids of the couple, soon to be engaged guy whose emotion went back and forth from impatient to the dread that he is about to be slaughtered, and kids running around for no apparent reason.
Maybe its the reason the party is so . . .
"Its not dull." Liza scolded the boys and Sakshi took over, "you guys are just too much addicted to thrill. sometime you should appreciate the calm."
the IT head Shree and commando Chotu gave each other sulking look, "it would have been better if I finished that code i was working late last night." and yawned, to which he earned a admonished slap on his forearm.
"Are you doing gym or what?" he rubbed the arms, "so strong."
"You guys are so unromantic." the crime journo said, annoyed, then her voice went dreamy, "dont you guys plan for engagement party for you like this in the future? propose, party, then grand wedding, with the right person." she sighed happily.
"I wont throw this much boring party. I promise." the commando raised his hand as if he going to take an oath, and Shree snickered.
"Enjoying?" the snicker was cut short when Sameer and Rawte arrived, giving expression of irritation and somber.
"would not you like to know?" mumbled Chotu and Shree together, to which Sameer got back some good humor and snickered.
"You too eh?"
"it just grows on you." Chotu replied. beside them the girls looked confused while the second in command looked surprised, then gave a quick glance here and there.
"Where is your Director Aisha?" Sakshi asked cheekily, nudging Sameer.
"only 3 women are missing today, and she is one of them. she had to go out of city for work." then he glared at her, "she is not mine."
"not yet." she sing sang, and all of them chuckled while he scowled.
"Is ACP Mukherjee coming?" the forensic head asked, trying to be curious but hopeful.
"I gave her invitation, obviously." Sameer replied, "I dont know if she will come or not."
to the second in command's added surprise, almost everyone looked sadned by the news. when did she become so much popular among his team members when she hardly talk to anyone in a straight manner?
He pulled out of the thought rather harshly when the most irritating people of today, the distant aunt of the soon - to be bride along with his incompetent, good for nothing son joined the group, and started to assume who is with who. Sameer sighed, part in irritation and part in amusement to what will happen next. the aunt chastised Chotu that he will have trouble to find a bride according to his height, to which he sulked and glared, she eyed Liza and Shree and commented on nowadays kids and their inter religion marriages to which Shree choked on his cold drink. she then turned to Sakshi and Rawte, the former moved swiftly near him to give the the impression they are together. then the aunt sighed and started to praise his son and how no girl will be good enough for him, but she will compromise.
"Actually Aunty," Liza tried to cover up her glare as the older woman turned to her, "they are not to . . ."
at the same time there were collective gasps from the partners in crime, soft low whistle from Sameer as he let out his breath while Rawte's breath stopped, the glare he was giving Sakshi till now softening instantly as they noticed the arrival of the remaining team member in party.
And almost everyone was thinking the same thing, she look as good in Indian as in western. Dressed in blue lehenga with off white blouse and purple chunri, she looked a stunner, and everyone in party was thinking so as they stopped talking and eyed her appreciatively, then hushing among themselves to know who is it. the open hair which was in a side sweep, like last two times, flew softly as she made her way, her eyes lined with deep coal going over in party. she spotted the group and started walking toward her, frowning and tilting her head only when she noticed the lack of word from them. its like they were frozen.
Whatâs with her and side sweeps?
Not that he was complaining, though.
"What?" she asked after a while, and comically everyone snapped out of it. they half opened and closed their mouth, stumbling on word and flushing with embarrassment for staring.
"Oh!" they all jumped when the (forgotten) aunt started talking again, voice a mixture of curiosity and harshness as she eyed her from top to bottom, and then glanced at Rawte, "she is the one."
Mukherjee eyed the lady with a mixture of annoyance, but not sure what she was talking about. Sakshi didnt look good with the comment.
"well, you are not that pretty." she went on in the same tone, and team looked shocked at the comment, "but I would have think about you for my son, if you were available."
"Excuse me?" Mukherjee uttered each syllable separately, teeth gritting, the inner demon just coming out, when someone called the woman from behind. she excused herself and dragged her son with her, who went behind her salivating over the former.
the ACP turned to her team after some moments who looked guilty, her voice low and threatening, "what the hell was that?"
the question didnt have the desired effect. the crime journo went off, rather stomping, to somewhere. Rawte rolled his eyes, the IT head and commando excused themselves and Sameer barely laughed.
"You look nice, ACP." Liza said appreciatively.
"Um. . . Thanks?" she replied, brushing it off but flushing a little. that was the first time anyone saw her looking out of her comfort zone. the former beamed.
"At least one of the 3 missing women showed up." Sameer quipped, smiling.
"Who are other two?" she asked.
"Director Kapoor and my cousin's friend's grandma."
they all made small talk, mostly Mukherjee stayed silent while the others went on about the preparations and who was who. it was only 5 minutes after arrival she said the most obvious thing.
"Its dull." ACP explained after they all looked at her, "the party."
"see?" Liza said to Sameer, who raised his hands in surrender.
"its because you are too used to adrenaline rush." Rawte commented dryly, to which she rolled her eyes.
"You sound like Sakshi." the forensic head replied, eyeing him suspiciously. Sameer also eyed him, while for some unknown reason Mukherjee's eyes lit up with humur.
"Not that word." he warned, to which she shrugged, again looking over to the party. the forensic head and senior officer gave each other looks, then shrugged. the four of them barely said something else, when two things happened simultaneously- Sameer's cousin, the soon to be fiance, joined the group with another person hot on his heels, and ACP Mukherjee went away as her phone rang, not the one for social etiquette or the way Rawte didnt look please with her lack of it. the men's focus went to the cousin and fiance, and suddenly the party didnt seem too dull as there was a new case.
"My grandma is missing." the man with cousin said in a hurry, palms rubbing in tension and eyes a mixture of dread and worry, "Please help us to find her."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"He is in town. Just arrived." ACP Mukherjee looked around her as she pressed the phone in her ear, "is that gujrati song playing behind you?"
"Then arrest him." she replied, brushing off his last sentence.
"I have men tailing him. We will track his movement for a while." He replied, bracing himself for a argument.
"That is NOT the reason we lured him here.'' her voice went quiet, barely above a whisper, not pleased with this development.
"By tailing him, we can get information about Iqbal's gang and other gangs in the business. this is a nice opportunity." he tried to make her see sense. she didnt say anything else, only her quick breathing audible in the phone. he sighed.
"We will catch him. I promise."
"Okay." she said quickly, and cut the call. she stood in the same position, motionless, the phone clutched tightly in between her finger for some seconds. suddenly she snapped out of it, quickly dialing a number.
"Johny is in town. I want you to pick him up the first chance you get."
the person on the other side said something, to which her eyes went cold and voice deadlier than ever.
"You owe me a favor. Don't make me remind that." before the other side can answer, she went on, "Police is tailing him as well, be careful." and w/o any warning, she cut the call. she barely snapped out of her cold eyes and deadly voice avatar when Liza appeared before her, summoning her as there was a case.
maybe the party is not going to be that much boring.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Seriously, Specky, you carry extra bluetooths in your pocket?" Sakshi asked, incredulous, as the IT head handed over extra wireless headsets to the team mates.
"Dont call me that." he warned, "and yes, I do. see how efficient that arrangement turned out."
"Enough of bickering." Rawte intervened and the team turned to look at him, "here are the things we know, kalki devi, the missing lady, was supposed to arrive in party alone in her personal car, but she didnt. none can reach her or the driver. servants in her home informed she indeed left for party 4 hours ago."
"Any kidnapping call?" Chotu asked, to which he shook head.
"None till now. it looks like the prime motive, we will keep an eye for any call. Shree?" he turned toward the IT head.
"I can do some arrangement so that any call he gets, I get the notification and recording of it. then i can try to see for location." he replied, pushing glass on nose.
"Vikas already sent his family members to see if they can found her car, but they could not. I informed local PS to search for the car." Sameer informed.
"If she is kidnapped," Mukherjee spoke for the first time, "the driver is dead then. maybe you should tell them to look for a body as well." her eyes on the former, who nodded once slowly, absorbing her words.
"Are we sure she didnt arrive in the party?" Liza asked.
"If she did, why none can reach her?" Chotu counter questioned.
"Maybe she left on her own? switched off her phone because she was too upset to talk to her family?" Sakshi chimed in, "what we know about her family anyway? family drama."
"She is not the finest lady in town." Sameer nodded, "I met her once, safe to say she has distinct relation with Hitler in the matter of discipline." the team mates snickered, "and orthodox mentality. believed in family above all, even at the cost of crushing personal wishes. not the easy person to live with, but her family member fear her. chances are minimal they are involved in it."
"They are suspect." ACP Mukherjee said dryly. nobody said anything after a while, and Rawte sighed.
"I agree." everyone looked surprised, "The family is a suspect. Is everyone of her family present?"
"Yes." Sameer confirmed.
"Then I think we should keep an eye on them for anything suspicious." he eyed everyone, "We cant confront them directly, it can threaten Kalki devi's life. mingle with them, try to know who has motive to kidnap her. when we have all evidence pointing at someone, we will take action. is that understood?" his eyes were basically on ACP Mukherjee. the team mates hummed, except for her, and when he tilted his head, as if asking her to challenge him, she rolled her eyes.
"Anything you say, Boss." her voice was dripping with sarcasm. he huffed in annoyance and turned to discuss next course of action with Sameer as Sakshi-Shree-Mukherjee-Liza and Chotu left the room the join back in party.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Its not the same like it looks, in case of this family."
ACP Mukherjee stood with IT head Shree in the corner of party, eyeing the people of Kalki devi's family. he frowned in response.
"I agree." Liza joined the two, eyes roaming everywhere as she spoke, "everyone in the family appear as if they are deeply disturbed by her disappearance, but everyone has motive to kidnap her. I am not sure if she is alive till now."
"They appear as a big happy family, but its a lie." ACP Mukherjee said in response to her, "Every brother is jealous of the other, the wives have problems with each other. all of them hates the matriarch of family who is forcing them to stay together when they are better off living alone. But the question is, who hates her most to take the drastic step?" she concluded.
"I am keeping an eye on Vikasâs cell, no kidnapping call till now." Shree informed.
"Who will be benefited most by her death?" the ACP asked.
"Her property will be divided equally between her sons. no share for daughters, she didnât believe daughters should have any place in father's property after their marriage."
"Its one step ahead of orthodox mentality." Liza didnt look too happy with the information. she looked sideway as she heard voices in her ear, then looked at the duo, "Sakshi is with the elder DIL, wants me there."
"Enjoy investigation." Shree quipped, and she smirked as went away. the duo were interrupted as someone who know Rawte and his family recognised Shree and started to hurl questions at him, going only with the promise to return back. he turned to look at ACP Mukherjee, expression sheepish.
"ACP Rawte is my. . . " he was cut by her.
"Cousin. I realised that much."
"Now or earlier?" he could not suppress the curiosity. she gave a look, half indifferent, half amused.
"The LBD times." he suppressed a snicker at the reminder of that conversation, and cleared his throat to appear serious.
"How?"
she didnt answer instantly, her eyes lazily going over everyone on party for some moments. a waiter passed them and she picked two glasses, handing over one to him for which he had to put his phone in pocket. it took nearly several minutes for her to speak again.
"You are less intimidated by him."
"I am professional all the time!" he was surprised. she sighed.
"You and Chotu, you are always together, joking quietly, talking things which are not part of case. he compose himself when your cousin is around, you do too, but one can see you dont try enough."
he frowned adorably at the answer, and her expression soften as she tilted her head to him.
"You are professional. You work hard and never let your team down. that all matters."
that earned her a wide grin from him. the moment was short lived as the salivating guy, the son of the irritating aunt who assumed everyone's relationship status in the team and commented on it, joined the duo.
"Hello." there was a cheesy grin on his face and his eyes were shining, going over her too many times, "I dont think I introduced myself."
"Your Mother did." Shree mumbled, irritated, which the person ignored, all focus on ACP Mukherjee who held his gaze. he took it as a sign that she was interested in him as well.
"I am Sameer." the guy offered his hand, and she gave in slowly, eyebrows in hair.
"You are." she commented dryly, and suddenly there were three snickers in her ear. she had forgotten everyone is connected with everyone. the man held his smile, hoping for her name, but the name never came. he brushed it aside, suddenly looking here and there.
"Where is your husband? Leaving alone his beautiful wife, not a gentlemanly thing to do."
there were deadly silence in her ear, even Shree went still beside her, "My who?" If only this Sameer knew her, even for a minute, he could tell she was not pleased with the comment. as he is not, and also dumb, he didnt notice it.
"Your husband."
"I dont have any husband." she uttered each word separately, as if she wanted nothing more to drill it into his skin. the man looked confused.
"That Man . . . what was his name?" he looked at Shree for the name supply, and the IT head mumbled.
"Arjun Rawte."
ACP Mukherjee's head moved so fast that it might crack, and the look she gave, Shree for a moment cursed himself, even if there was no fault of his.
"Yes, Arjun Rawte. Are not you Mrs Rawte?" the man asked, just to confirm or piss her off, Shree could not tell.
"I am not." She again uttered each word separately, her toe tapping impatiently as if she is trying to channel her irritation into Earth. the man looked surprised again, then delighted.
"Good then." he said cheerfully, and again there was voices in her ear, huffing this time, "Actually my Mother thought you are. . . she liked you, you should know."
"Did she now?" she plastered a smile which looked deadly.
"For me." he emphasised, thinking she didnt get it, "said to me, you will be perfect for me."
"She didnt think anyone is good enough for you." Shree quipped from her side.
"Jerk." came Liza's reply, for some reason Sakshi was enjoying it while Chotu cursed something in marathi.
"Don't you want him on floor, Riya?" suddenly it was Sameer who joined her ear, not sure how much he heard as he and Rawte were out for some case related work.
"She said, you should believe me." the other Sameer replied, once again ignoring Shree.
"Oh yeah." ACP Mukherjee replied, from her tone it appeared she answered to ETF Sameer, and suddenly there were 5 chuckles from different voices, one relatively new.
"Team meeting." The new voice was of Rawte's, she distinctly realised as the other part of her brain was too busy to feel relief to get away from this jerk, "Excuse us." she walked hurriedly to a side, Shree running behind her to catch up, and the other Sameer cheerfully hoped to meet soon behind them.
"How I wish to do something with him." she mumbled to herself. though the words sounded something else, her tone made no mistake to let know what she was feeling.
"No, you can't." Rawte's smug voice came in her ear. she cursed in mind, muting the bluetooth as they were near the room where team meeting was being held.
"Next time."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The next time came some 3 hours later, when the other Sameer made the mistake to held ACP Mukherjee's elbow and dragged her into a dark, empty room. he quickly shut the door behind him, eyeing him predatorily.
if someone else was in her place, she would have panicked, turned on the bluetooth to let her team know. But this was ACP Riya Mukherjee, the person who was trained in various self defense tricks throughout her life, nicknamed her skills super ninja skills by her team mates and had Second in command Rawte on floor thrice. she wanted to see what was this about, her mind already making plans to teach him some lesson, she dont like people to touch her.
"I know who you are. You are a police officer." the man crossed his arms over chest, at least he can come straight in business.
"So?" she inquired.
"You and your team investigating something, right? and None know it? If you dont do exactly what I want you to do, I will blow your cover." he smirked, pleased with the speech and how his voice didnt shake.
to his utter shock, she started to laugh, the type of hysterical laughter which make you dizzy. she placed her palm on wall to hold herself, "what is this, a threat?"
the man was bewildered, "I am serious. I will blow your cover and you will never solve this case." he paused, ''someone can die because you didnt listen to me."
the smile was gone instantly, her icy stare was back, "Try it, and see the consequences."
the man didnt prepare for this, but hell, he can give a warning right? "As your wish." he turned to unlock the door, and his one foot was merely out of the door when there was a grip on his neck and he was being dragged inside, the door slammed shut in front of him. he found himself on his knee in less than a minute, the pressure on neck doing funny thing in his body, he could not even move his limbs. he was horrified, and found her on his level, meeting the dark brown eyes which was almost black now, glaring back.
"If I didnt know better, I would have thought you have to do something with this case." she gripped his neck tighter and bring his face closer, "You will keep your mouth shut, and keep your distance. Is that understood?"
he nodded meekly. his neck was released the next second.
"That will leave bruise." suddenly her eyes were not so much black anymore as she tilted her head in a side, "How it happened, the bruise?"
The man was not as dumb as he looked, after all, threatening a police officer take a little bit planning. he realised what she was talking about, "spider bite."
"Glad we settled it then." she gave a small smile. the man was on his feet and running out of room the next minute, stumbling. she got up from floor, fixed her hair and dress and came out of room after a minute, and came face to face with Rawte and Sakshi, who looked suspicious as he noticed the other Sameer running, and Sakshi mirroring his expression, even if the reason was different as her eyes went over ACP Mukherjee who was fixing her dress while coming out.
"We know who got her kidnapped." Rawte informed, and the trio started heading to a direction.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Are we sure?" Rawte talked to his bluetooth as he watched ACP Mukherjee trying to appear polite and interested to the elder women of kalki devi's family who babbled and laughed something.
"Positive. the smallest DIL was the last one to see Kalki devi, and one servant said she looked upset with her. even Kalki devi was not pleased with her." Shree paused, "Ok, Sameer sir and Chotu found the car near mansion some 1 km away, but it has complicated locking system, it wont open with external force. they can hear someone's voice inside, they think its her."
"We have to hurry, Arjun." Came Sakshi's urgent voice. He looked around wildly, trying to find the smallest DIL and for a wild moment wanted to pressurize the pregnant lady for truth. his eyes found her at last, and then he noticed one small car key hanging by her waist with many other keys.
"I think she has the key." he said to his team, and then noticed she along with many other women joining the already dancing circle. fearing he will lose her, he tried to talk to Riya, who was the only female member infront of him, to follow her, but cursed when he found her comm disconnected. he then signaled her from across the room to join the dance, which she did, trying to match the steps of others and giving fake smile.
the circle moved anti-clockwise as it danced, and when he got her near him, he took several step toward her, gripped her forearm and pulled her flush to him. the movement took both of them by surprise, maybe because suddenly she found herself too close to him w/o any warning and it was unsettling, and maybe because he noticed for the second time today how absolutely breathtaking she is looking. she stumbled because of the pulling and his grip was still on her elbow, holding her in place till she recovered, and his eyes fell on her maangteeka, how he didnt notice it before? though he missed it earlier, he was now certain this small piece of jewellery made her look more. . . feminine.
her quizzical glance snapped him out, and he pushed the voice in his head aside which said this is the first time he saw her eyes w/o any trace of anger or irritation, and she looked tender, "The smallest DIL, she got the keys. I need the keys. . . " he paused, for some reason breath catching in his throat, "Riya."
his voice was so soft and low that she never heard it, head already turned to see the woman. she gave a small pull with her elbow and he freed it, feeling like he was stuck in some kind of alien zone where everything around him was blacked out. he watched as she joined back the dancing circle, realising the moments which felt something like minutes were mere seconds. his eyes then fell on Liza and when he arrived? Chotu, both of their mouth open in shock at the scene between their boss and ACP Mukherjee.
the three of them looked on as the latter swiftly went near the smallest DIL w/o alarming her, and banged with her. as she apologized, she quickly took the small key from the key set and handed it over to the DIL, now coming toward Rawte. she thrashed the key in his palm and walked away w/o any second glance.
for some reason it was unpleasant for him.
Kalki devi was found inside her own car, which sameer and Chotu found. her smallest DIL did that to her, because she had stolen several lacs from her locker. the driver helped her with it because of the money she offered, and he put the car away from mansion in a jungle-y area thinking none can find her there. the family member didnt want police to do anything, and it was left to Kalki devi to decide the punishment for the near attempt on her life.
The ETF team watched as the engagement took place finally, everyone happy and clapping for the soon to be weded couple. they went ahead to congratulate the couple, only ACP Mukherjee left behind. when they looked around after finishing congratulations, she was nowhere to be found.
its not like she gave any warning of her arrival or departure ever.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Night was always the same for her, sitting against bed room door with a gun in hand, or just circling in her apartment till its dawn. Tonight she settled for sitting, already throwing her jewellery haphazardly everywhere, the dupatta lying on the floor several feets away from her.
She knew it was a bad idea to go to the party, but then, she is someone who never shied away from challenge. the minute Officer Rathore gave the card, it was a challenge for her, to see if she can make it or not. she did, arriving in party and stayed until the ceremony was over.
the last part hit her hard.
Its not like she dreamt of marriage family and kids since childhood, she was never 'normal' like that. it always something for future, which will happen eventually and no need to think. the extravagant was so not her style, too many people or a giant place. she thought it will happen, one day.
she never thought too much about it, but she knew with the right person, she can do it. maybe in a quiet ceremony, only two of them, but she would have done it, for the right person.
realising that it will never happen, like ever, nearly cut her heart in twice. partly because the right person was not there anymore, partly because she didnt know what she will do w/o him or the abstract future she thought she will have with him, but which has no existence right now. ETF is temporary, her personal reason iss temporary as well. what is next? she had no idea. she had wrapped her life so much into the personal motive that there was nothing else left for her to put her mind into. 3 years of obsession, roaming around in dangerous places, making contacts, saving low lives and earning favors, cutting herself from the world, running behind a cause which make no sense but which turned her life upside down. 3 years, and now, there was something. this something will end one day, and she had no idea what's next.
she closed her eyes, head leaning against the door. she could see the flashes instantly, so clear and real as if she can touch it.
Fingers intertwined, thumb tracing senseless pattern on back.
Voice near her ear, lips gently brushing her earlobe and the point where her shoulder and neck meets.
Mischievous eyes shining with affection.
Hooked fingers on her jeans, and then arms finding its way to her waist as she was pulled.
The last part kinda mixed with the tonight's, when her Boss pulled her toward him for that key.
her eyes flew open, suddenly an irritation creeping inside. why the last memory was ruined, she didnt want to think. she got up from floor and headed for washroom, picking up the dupatta only to throw it near the piles of laundry on her way.
that was the first time his thought came to her, unchecked.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The two things that snap people out from their smooth mask to show the world - Getting hurt and Love someone. The feeling is primal, raw, unabashed.
--
"Oh my God we are going to die!" panicked the crime journo, her eyes widening and boring holes in the electronic device with colorful lights blinking, gulping every now and then.
"Shut. Up." came the biting reply of ACP Mukherjee, her fingers clutching a small knife as she cut wires on the device, eyes fixed on it, "somebody get her outta here."
"we should wait for bomb squad." Second in command Rawte ran his fingers through hair, clearly panicked and displeased with the situation.
"Then wait." the former replied, really want to glare at the man herself but not moving her eyes from the device, "I am not waiting around."
"Alright kids, lets focus on the elephant in the bus stop." Sameer said, as much calm as he can manage, "there is no timer on this thing, that should be good, right?"
"That only means someone has the trigger to blast it." she informed, now turning her neck to give the trio beside her a look, "Get out. Now."
ETF has a spectacular start of a day, they arrived at a bus stop to look for a man who was running from the police on his way to jail, but then they heard some people yelling bomb and running toward south and suddenly all the worries about escaped criminal was forgotten. People stumbled and ran all over each other, and by the time police arrived to barricade the whole place, there were only 4 of them and police several hundred feets away from them, not wanting to be any part of a bomb blast.
"That means the person with trigger might be watching us right now? waiting to explode it?" the crime journo panicked, "We are sure going to die!"
Rathore gave her a look, barely opening his mouth to tell her to take a deep breath and calm down, when Rawte kneeled down beside ACP Mukherjee and asked, "Do you have any idea what to do with this thing?"
"Of course she has." The crime journo recovered momentarily, voice shaking and foot tapping in a nervous reaction, "she was in bomb squad."
Your knowledge when it comes to her is unsettling, Rathore was saying to himself, when a police came near them, tiptoeing as if a wrong move will set off the bomb, and nearly dragged Sakshi away. she looked torn between staying and leaving, offering Sameer or Rawte to come, but the men didnt want to leave another officer alone with this electronic killing machine. when she went away, the air was silent for the first time in 30 minutes.
"They are arriving." he said to his both team mates as he received a call from ETF office and ended it, giving a look to the lady officer's head, "the Director is not pleased with you."
"I am not exactly hoping for medal." she replied, face twisting as she cut another wire, then frowning at the device. beside him came the exasperated sigh of Rawte, somewhere along the line he had come to accept both her biting replies and recklessness which bordered on stupidity, not that he had any other option. he turned to look at his best friend cum colleague, and the man give a look.
"Dont even think to shoo me away. If I leave, you both will fight and make the bomb explode on its own."
the most admiring quality in Sameer Rathore was his ability to lighten the atmosphere, irrespective of the situation. the second in command sighed in resignation, while the ACP's lips curled upwards.
"I am taking a guess here." she said after some moments, "your last chance."
"Go ahead.'' the senior officer said, and the second in command gave his silent support. her fingers paused for less than a sec, then she pulled the blue wire from the device.
the three held their breaths as one by one all colorful lights went out, and the machine looked. . . dead. the second in command get up from ground, running fingers in hair, exhaling breath as it finally dawned on him how close he had come before dead, and he didnt run away from it. the senior officer mirrored his, and both the men shared a look. ACP Mukherjee didnt move instantly from the bomb, her fingers pulled some more wires and moved the deviced carefully up and down to see it was totally off. when she was satisfied, she dropped the knife and got up as bomb squad arrived in their heavy suits, police hot on their heels. Rathore and Rawte already signaled them to come, along with the rest of ETF team mates. they all shared a look with each other, the crime journo talking how she thought she was going to die, Chotu bemused at missing such a chance, while Sameer joking if luck was with them, they can get more these bomb surprises in the upcoming days.
The Director was furious when they arrived, they all could feel the anger radiating off her. her face looked normal, but the set of her jaw and those eyes filled with silent fury, adding that crossing arm over chest? they all knew on whom this anger was directed, and the subject barely looked affected from it.
"In my cabin. Now." with the four words she walked, footsteps echoing loudly in the air. as soon as she left everyone exhaled their breath, sharing look with each other. ACP Mukherjee rolled her eyes but followed her, leaving the team mates to talk about the possible consequences.
"How did you know she was in bomb squad?" Sameer asked as soon as the team settled down in their seats in discussion room, to which the crime journo smiled cheekily, looking proud.
"I am a journalist. Thatâs what I do."
"first you know her first name when we met her first, and now you know her bio-data?" he tilted his head, "TMI to know about someone whom you dont even like, is not it?"
"May be." she sing sang, and all of them nearly jumped when the glass door was banged open and the topic of conversation, ACP Mukherjee, entered inside, not a hair out of place. she settled down in her usual seat, not noticing the way other team mates giving looks to each other, thinking the trip to Director's den was relatively short.
she moved her neck to meet her team mates, who didnât even try to hide their curious expressions. she asked through her expression What? then replied when none of them dropped their silent questions, "I am not fired, or suspended."
"They found the escaped guilty." Rawte informed the team, ignoring the former, to which all of them nodded.
"He made us chase him and put in front of a bomb, and then police get the pleasure to find him." Shree said in a sarcastic tone, to which almost everyone scoffed.
"You cant get everything." the second in command unexpectedly joined in, his eyes surprisingly light to which everyone reacted, and the crime journo gasped happily, "You either get a criminal, or you get a bomb."
She was the loudest to giggle after that.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"You are avoiding me for far too long!"
"I am not avoiding anything, Roshni." came the tired reply of ETF second in command, his eyes going over everything and nothing in the office through the glass walls of his cabin. he heard her sighing on the other line, then it was quiet. he braced himself for whatever that was coming.
"I am not having any of that." she was determined, "Lunch. with my friends."
"Why I should have lunch with your friends?" the tiredness was gone and irritation filled him.
"Because they are insisting, and I am keeping them off for far too long." she reasoned, "I will book place. 3 days later, near the cafe of my college. wear the purple shirt, and that bracelet too.'' he stilled for a second, a surprising expression falling on his face as he remembered something, "you dont wear it anymore, wear it, ok?"
he scarcely remembered to hum and cut the call, brows frowned together as he stared at nothing.
Her Bracelet. The Silver bracelet with aqua colored stone which she gifted him but he wear it because he liked it. where the hell is that bracelet?
its not like he is particularly touchy about things. messy cupboard, bottles not kept in a order in kitchen, DVDs haphazardly organized near TV set, clothes waiting to be washed from 2 days, it was normal for him. while he is not the careless, messy person, he is not too organized either. but then, he donât like to lose things. he donât like to lose things which is his.
he never loses things. he is too focused and careful person to leave things and not remember where he left them.
this bracelet thing, he noticed it before. its always on his wrist, as natural part of him as his brown shades and gun. he noticed it sometime, only to push the thing aside for something more important (work), promising himself to find it later only to forget about it for something else (work).
"We got a case." there was a knock in door and Sameer was calling out for him.
just like that, the thoughts about bracelet was gone from his mind.
The case, murder of newlyweds near the forest, looked both simple and complicated. while they had many theories to discuss, there were no ID on them. the people living near forest, they donât remember seeing them at all. the bodies looked 9 days old, already decomposing, making it hard to exam them. there was no missing person report for any newlywed couple either. even after 3 days, none responded to the press report ETF released in the hope for someone to identify them.
Liza was going over her examination in her lab on the 2nd day; the air was too heavy with the extra medication to cover the awful smell of decomposed body. There were identical scars on both of them, looks like knife but sharper, goes deeper, and wider. Possibly because of mugging, that explains no purse or wallet near either of them.
"Itâs not mugging Liza." Rawte dismissed the mugging angel casually as the forensic expert looked at him, "its forest, none goes there even in broad day light. less possibility any thief will be there."
"Maybe they went there for extracurricular activities." Sakshi chimed in, earning three pair of eyes on her, "you know, newlyweds, all the hormones."
"Of course, honeymoon suit was not enough, right?" Sameer mocked, and Shree Chotu along with Liza burst into laughter. the crime journo looked unashamed, but the second in command looked pissed at the lack of seriousness coming from his best friend.
"The murder weapon." the laughter was abruptly cut short by the curious voice of ACP Mukherjee, "its wider than knife, and sharper?"
"yes Ma'am." the forensic expert confirmed, earning a frown from the crime journo at the Ma'am, "I have a list of the possible murder weapons, none of them fit."
"it went all the way inside, that means its long." Sameer mused, "was there any added force near wound?"
The forensic head shook her head in No, "it was not." she motioned to a glass dish, "I also found some added element near the wound, something I have never, ever seen."
"What is it?" Shree asked.
"Iron rust." she informed, and everyone frowned.
"Are you sure?" Rawte asked, to which she nodded.
"100% positive. its weird, a murder weapon with rust? that means the weapon is old, but who carries something with rust on them?" she shook her head, "doesnât make any sense to me."
"It can be a sword." ACP Mukherjee said, frowning in the floor as if she is talking to herself, then meeting their eyes, "it fits, long, rusty, no need for added force."
"But someone needs to use extra added force, if he is going around and killing with sword." Sakshi pointed out, not agreeing with the other woman.
"if the person is an expert, then he can do it with one swift move." the ACP replied, her eyes falling on the body, "the wounds were deep, clear, and went all the way to the back. I donât think any other weapon fits." she met the crime journo's eyes again, "do you?"
before any of them can answer, the receptionist arrived, informing the team they have found someone who knew the male victim.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
in the end, it was not a mugger, or a madman in city killing off people with rusty sword, neither it was two newly weds feeling each other up in a forest where some orthodox, society saver demon made them pay.
it was Khaap panchayet.
they hear it, some day or other, parents killing children because they loved someone, head of village pointing at a woman and banishing her from village as she is a witch. ETF deals with urban crimes, where most reasons are grey, greed, jealousy, twisted revenge. Never they thought they will take a road trip, like this, for a case.
when they arrived at a small village in Maharastra with state police, they felt out of place and uneasy at once.
The village was like something straight out of movie, no electricity, cows and goats everywhere, women under long veils, men with turbans and big moustaches, all image of primal, dominating gender as if its not evident. they stood guarded when they reached at the door of panchayet ji, the head of village, giving the vibe they wont hesitate to start a bloodbath if they threaten him.
The head of village eyed the team with guarded yet flippant expression, a confidence that none can touch his hair as long as he is in the village. but in the end, he should not have underestimated the team, nor he should have eyed both the ladies with an expression something like disgust and scepticism.
"Why women are there in your team?" he asked the ETF team, his voice displeased.
"We are not here to discuss your unhappiness about women's presence in a crime fighting department.'' Rawte's snapped, his voice harsh. he showed all their findings one by one, like how the male victim was an orphan who fell in love with the girl who was from this village, and they eloped when panchayet were on them. in the end, even the big city of Mumbai could not save them. the sister of his orphanage, who gave shelter to them, identified one person who she remembered trolling around her locality before the newlyweds were killed. the Maharastra police IDed the man as a member of this khaap, already 12 cases on him but all stuck because none go against them.
the panchayet dismissed all charges, and none in the village opened their mouth. it was irritating, and when Rawte met Maharastra police DIG's eyes, he knew the latter dealt with situations like this many times. he could see the latter already resigning here.
"I think that's enough?" the head of village got up on his feet, a lecherous smile on his lips, so sure of his victory, "I told you, officer, we dont know anyone of your victims."
"The female is from this village." Sameer said, glaring at the man. the smile faltered on the older man's face.
"You dont have any proof." he emphasised each word. behind him his men scooted closer.
"Oh we have." The older man's eyes snapped toward ACP Mukherjee as she started speaking, voice irritated at the misogynist pig, "Some 3rd degree to one of your men, and they will spill all the beans faster than you can take out your swords." nobody could mistake the ice in her voice or the steeliness in her eyes. beside him, the team could see the village guards ready for anything and they tighten their grip on their guns, ready for anything. slowly, Sameer put Sakshi behind him to shield her for anything, and then he met Rawte's eyes, the latter barely holding his edginess or the anger that ACP Mukherjee pushing some low buttons.
the village head took some step toward the woman, and the team moved closer to her, silently protecting her, even if she didnt need it or her eyes never shifted from him to notice the gesture. he eyed her once again, from top to bottom, then gave the earlier lecherous smile, "You know, in this village, I keep women like you beneath my feet. And you dare to talk to me like this?"
The response was instant. Rawte could hardly see her imprinting the fingers of her left hand on his cheek, and heard at the same time DIG of Maharastra police shouting orders to his men. air filled with sounds and then there were guns everywhere, pointed at the guards and the panchayet himself. he looked around, for the first time not sure he can get out of this, unscratched, and how outnumbered his men were infront of ETF and state police. he turned to look at the female in front of him again, glaring at her only to outmatch by hers, "Women you keep under your feet? We give birth to scumbags like you." she then took a step closer to him as he gaped at the audacity of her, "I wish your Mother had strangled you the minute you were born."
he went to lunge on her, eyes and teeth coming out violently as if he is going to tear her apart, when he found himself nearly picked up from ground. Chotu was giving a disgusted expression to him, only to throw him on ground where state police picked him up. Shree came to stand near them both, and he replied, "Not worth of wasting my strength."
Sameer and Sakshi could not let go of the moment, the former giving a punch in his stomach while the latter stayed content with a slap. the village head was in the police car some moments later, some peers of him who loved him too much was being tackled by police and dragged away to custody as well.
ACP Mukherjee found Rawte sitting on the SUV bonnet, staring into nothing, when they all stopped on their way back near a lake, to enjoy the view for a while. she could hear the excited voices of their colleagues, and she must have stared at the man too much, as he suddenly snapped out of it and looked squarely at her.
for a moment she felt as if he knew she was staring at him.
there was something unfamiliar the way he looked away from her gaze, or the way his posture stiffed slightly to protect himself. she realised it after a moment, that she caught him unguarded.
its not like they have any. . . relation. none of them like to chat, with his dislike for her and her indifference to everything. professional relation, well, he dont approve of her jumping into danger straight and she dont care what he thinks. still, it was the second time she was there when he was. . . different. she remembered that night in Gym, that was different, and this seems different as well.
never the one for personal space, she sat right beside him on the SUV bonnet. he stared at her for some moments as her gaze fell to the distant team mates, seeing but really not seeing.
"We live a city, a modern city which is expanding every year." he started talking, staring like her ahead to the team mates but not really seeing, "we talk about the bad condition of roads, 4G network, new discos, the rising price of things. its not like that we dont read news papers, the orthodox evil rituals in darkest part of country, woman subjected to violence because she cant give birth to a boy, or even cases like this, honor killing. But coming across to them, it makes it feel . . . "
"Real." she concluded for him. both their eyes meet, and he nodded softly.
"Yes." he sighed, "its just. . . hard, to know things like this happen. And for what reason? why these people even do that? what honor they are even talking about? how can honor is bigger than a person's life anyway?"
"Only people like them can answer these questions." she replied, now looking ahead, "and I dont think any of us like those answers."
his lips curled up to a small smile, "No, i dont think we will."
They sat there for some moment, the silent surprisingly comfortable for both of them. it was like a surreal dream, both person who dislike each other, sitting in comfortable silence. its not happening.
the dream was broken when her phone rang. he watched as she moved away from him, talking, and then got up to go behind the wheels as he saw the team mates coming back. he opened his side of door, and then paused.
that was his silver aqua-stoned bracelet on his seat.
he was surprised, of course, and then his eyes found its way toward her, whom he could see through the SUV door. her eyes met him once again, just for a second, as if she can sense him looking, and then she turned once again, still talking to phone. he took the bracelet, touching the chain with his thumb. before he can think anything else, the team mates arrived and got inside the SUV. he put on the bracelet, not removing his eyes from the reflection of her as she settled down in the back, and started driving, leaving behind the beauty of lake as the Sun slowly set down infront of them, heading for their modern city filled with traffic, noise and regular problems.
for the first time they preferred Grey over Black and White.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I take it the work is done." she put the phone on her ear and started talking, distancing herself from the Second in command of her team as she walked. she stopped only when she was at a safe distance, and waited for the other man to start talking again.
"I knew it." Raghu sir's voice surprised her, and she closed her eyes shut, cursing.
"I told you, you will get your chance but first, I need my information." He was pissed, very, very pissed, something she didnt face for many years. she opened her eyes, bracing herself for an argument.
"I need him." she spoke quietly, emphasizing each word, "You can have him later."
"I am not sure he will survive for later." he answered harshly, to which her jaw clenched. then she heard his sigh, "you going behind my back only drag the process, Riya. I need my team to work w/o any hindrance, and if you create the hindrance, it will only mean you wont get anything anytime soon." he spoke hurriedly when she opened her mouth, "and that was not a warning. its clear cut truth."
she didnt say anything, because frankly, she didnt have anything to say, "So there wont be any plan to pick up Johny anywhere available, I guess?"
"No." her clipped tone earned another sigh.
"Good. just for your information, your men got him. now we have Johny." she inhaled a sharp breath, "soon you will get him too."
"I am counting on it." she cut the call, hitting her forehead softly with the edge of phone, cursing silently. this means more wait, and she is tired of waiting.
it didnt look like the day was over for her, matching eye to eye with a evil village head and earning wrath of an entire village, not to forget, nearly escaping death if the timing of other police officers and ETFians were not accurate. Still, it was not over.
she least expected her past to be dangling in front of her in ETF office, in the form of a news paper cut out, though.
its not like she was unaware that the crime journo knew some bits and pieces of her, maybe even did some digging. The most surprising part was the person who was holding the paper. who knew, Arjun Rawte, second in command and no-nonsense personality, who can hardly bear light comments in crime scene, always on focus, always glaring at her and disapproving her actions, can team up with the nosy crime journalist to do a background search on her? who knew, that he actually gave a damn about her, though she would have liked if he didnt, not like this.
Anger was something like a second skin to her, always surfacing and showing its ugly teeth, may it be shady suspects to draw out confessions, or low life criminals to remind them they owe her favor and she is using that favor in that moment. she is always angry, but right then, it was nothing like the second skin she felt.
At that moment, she could put this place, the ETF building, on fire, and walk away leaving them burning inside it.
The crime journo looked scared, embarrassed, and what not, she observed, but she was hardly taking pleasure from it. The second in command . . . Arjun Rawte, left the news paper cut out on a nearby desk, his both hand on air and walking to her cautiously, as if he is afraid to make any move. Well, he should be, if he donât want this building to burn, he very well should be afraid. For some reason, she was angrier at the man than the crime journo who didnât like her since the very first time they met. Sure, she arranged all the links of her past, but somehow his involvement into this made it feel worse.
She felt betrayed that moment.
What was this, human nature to count on someone? Its desire to trust someone? She knew she could not trust anyone, yet somewhere down the way, her sub-conscious self wanted to trust on someone, maybe even did. Blame it on those Gym group exercises, the fights between the two of them, verbal and physical, his willing and unwilling presence beside her, compliments and loud disapproving.
Well, her mind said, it wonât happen again.
"I can explain." her ears picked up the shaky voice of the crime journo, scared and cautious. She could hardly look at her, eyes fixed on the second in command as he watched her every move.
"Go. To. Hell." her reply was more for him than her. The next moment she left the two of them, door banging behind her. She half expected the glass to shatter, maybe it would have made her feel better, but it didnât.
Even the glasses of ETF disappointed her.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
He knew, one day, the nosy attitude of the crime journo of the team will land her in trouble.
He just didnât know he will be with her in trouble land as well.
In all fairness, he didnât know what the hell even happened. He noticed her working on her laptop, papers scattered everywhere. He could only see the mention of ACP Mukherjee in one of the lines, and he asked her about it.
she nearly jumped at his voice, and he knew, in that moment, that she was doing a background search on the ACP. he was all ready, glaring eyes and disapproving voice to chastise her for it, but then he noticed the papers on floor which she had dropped when she jumped at his voice. he bend to picked it up, and all went to hell from there.
Honestly, he was half expecting the ACP to strangle them both to death. for some reason, her eyes were fixed on the paper cut on his hand, which he didnât so much as look. she looked mad, the kind of mad which leave you breathless and on edge. she just stared at both of them, nails digging on palms, and just continued to stare at him. her eyes went dark, not the usual kind, but something . . . raw, animal- like.
that moment he knew she was not kidding when she said just because she donât kill, that doesnât mean she canât.
If looks could kill . . .
She was like those people who become quiet when furious, only showing it through her eyes. when she replied to Sakshi, both of them flinched at her tone, harsh, biting, disgusted by them.
when she left, both of the stood frozen for some seconds, and then he was running behind her.
it was dangerous, to go behind her when she is this much pissed. but a louder voice in his mind said him to fix it, though he was just at the wrong place at wrong time and no fault at all. he wanted this, whatever this is between them, to be fixed.
Yes, he didnât like when she hurt his neck when they first met. He didnât like when she went through an encounter w/o her bullet proof jacket. He didnât like when she showed up in a crime scene in less than formal dress. He hates she canât talk to him straight, always rude and sarcastic. He hates that she donât fear him, his angry glares and loud voice, and match it with her equally powerful icy stares and quiet voice. He hates when she call him Boss, not for once obeying him or realising the authority behind the word, making it sound mocking.
But somewhere along the lines, something changed from his side. he let her pin him down on floor for the 3rd time, willingly walking into her trap, not so much as struggling when she showed off arrogantly her strength. He admired her courage when she didnât hesitate to slap the village head, surrounding by his guards. He liked when she bickered with rest of team mates, playful to serious at an instant. He liked how she handles the bites of Sakshi with her own, appreciate the Juniors. He wont admit, but he liked how she cared enough for the nosy crime journo to lend her bullet proof jacket.
He wanted to fix this. . . however non-existent is the professional relation between them. He could say its because he didnât want any awkwardness in his team, surely not with someone he was trouble adjusting already, but it was not the truth. Somewhere in these months, the subtle and verbal arguments, the pinning down on floor, the short dresses and undercover jobs, something developed. when she looked at him tonight, he saw the disgust in her eyes and hear it in her voice. that something had broken, and he wanted to fix it.
he found her near the elevator, fists clenched, stiff posture, gaze fixed on elevator but he could tell she was really not looking at it. the hallway was nearly deserted, one person or two walking every now and then. he approached her cautiously.
"Its not like you think. Just calm down and we can talk about . . . "
he was cut short when she turned to him swiftly, her palm on his chest, and pushed him backwards with surprising speed. she always takes him by surprise, the swift and quick movement barely missed by eyes. But that moment, he knew, in all the earlier encounters, she was not really looking forward to hurt him.
she did, that moment.
he grunted in pain internally, exhaling a breath softly both not to show his hurt and not to spook her further. that will leave a bruise , he thought in mind, and then met her eyes. his mouth went dry just by looking into her eyes, angry and raw, as if she can do much more damage to him than hurt him.
she matched him toe to toe, head held high, her fingers twisting the coller of his shirt as she pulled him toward her, jerking them both, "How dare you?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper, harsh and disgusted like earlier.
he could not immediately answer her, all the voice which told him to fix it and explain died in mind. he took another breath, trying to find his voice, but it only came out as meek as he said, "Its not like you think."
why the hell he is repeating himself?
"I don't care a f*ck." she answered in the same tone, and he again wondered how she does this, deadly yet calm, furious yet quiet, "It won't happen ever again, is that understood?"
The way she is ordering him, he would have taken offense at her swearing and her audacity, but all he could do was to stare at her. she left his coller, and he shivered as her voice fell on his ears.
"If you do that again, I will kill you."
her voice made no mistake to make sure she was serious, and then she took some step back. at some point, she had pushed the elevator button. he continued to look as she went inside, and could only stare at the place where she stood less than seconds ago.
he snapped out of it, and then saw several people glancing at him in the hallway, obviously alerted by the sound she made when she pushed him on wall. he also saw the crime journo, who looked more scared than ashamed at this whole situation.
He won't lie, he was also scared of her.
Indifferent is not a reaction, itâs another type of expression. If it was not, it would be normal and not Indifference.
--
"Aha!" cried Sameer mockingly as the ETF team burst through the door, "who knew we would find the CEO of a multi-million dollar Enterprise in a wife-beater, with his secretary on desk?"
"Well," Rawte mused, casually looking over everywhere and to the CEO himself, as the secretary busied herself to get her clothes off floor and leave the cabin, "when I didnât see the secretary in question outside, I had a tiny amount of suspicion . . . "
The CEO looked out of his game at the circumstances, horrified and ashamed, while the rest of team having laughs at his expense. Everyone was silent for a while, chuckling under breath, until ACP Mukherjee spoke, âWhat the hell is wife beater?"
"The piece of garment on his upper body." Shree spoke beside her quietly, to which Chotu and Sakshi scoffed. the former's eyes widen at the garment, making the CEO wanting to bury himself six feet under earth, and then she started to laugh hysterically, the kind of laugh that fill your eyes with tears and shake your whole body. the CEO looked more scandalous, and the team looked at one of their own part amused and part surprised, never hearing more than chuckle from her. she continued to laugh for a full minute, still could not stop laughing as she asked, "What is this name?"
"The things society force us males to wear . . . " Sameer replied good humouredly, and Rawte decided the joke has gone too far. he cleared his throat, effectively killing all fun, but she was still red with all the laugh and questions that how on Earth one piece of garment can earn such a name! she sobered up as they confronted the CEO and arrested him, and after descending 24 floors and handing him over to the local Police, when the team was near the SUVs to head back to ETF, Chotu's low well timed comment set her off once again.
It seemed like she was over her anger, Rawte thought in mind as he along with the rest of team came out of elevator. the flashes of that evening clouded his mind, her carefully controlled anger and the way she threatened him, skipping his heart a beat for all wrong reasons. Itâs been 3 days since then, she took off that night and only came through today in that CEO's office to join the team. she looked same, eyes going everywhere, the same McDonald mug in hand, intimidating yet in total confidence, with sarcasm and snarky comments thrown here and there. she so much as didnât even give a glance to Sakshi, which was understandable, and till now though she and him didnât have any one to one convo or no lonely moment, it looked it was going good.
They barely came out from the elevator when the receptionist ran toward them, telling her to visit the Director ASAP. everyone eyed the ACP, to which she rolled eyes, walking toward the Shree's desk and taking out a file from one of its drawer, to which the IT head frowned, mumbling, "I didnât keep that there."
apparently, she did stop by the office, and the second-in-command's suspicion was only confirmed by the receptionist who sighed and said itâs the second time the Director is asking for her.
that night after she left, he spent a good amount of time lecturing the crime journo to stop poking her nose in others matter. while initially she accepted her mistake about background search, she didnât accept it was something intruding as the info was already there, she just did a research. he didnât even want to know what the hell was that damned paper cutting that sent everything out of control, he shouted more and she went red eyed and sniffed a little bit, still adamant about her view but informing she will explain and apologize to the lady officer.
though he was not sure how anyone, let alone her, can explain such a thing. he didnt want to think about the apology part either.
as he headed for his cabin and settled down on his seat, spinning it sideways, he thought once again the literal kill looks on her face that night and sighed once again. can one really get over that much anger?
he shook his head, bracing himself for the impact, while enjoying the calm before the storm.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"It canât go on like this." the words were out as soon as the door was banging and the whirlwind of ACP Mukherjee entered the Director's cabin, while the assistant of Director shaking her head from outside at the lack of etiquette.
the officer raised her one eyebrow in response. the Director leaned on her seat, leveling her with a look which will look and feel like glare to others but to her? like parent disapproving to their kids, which she never liked anyway . . .
"I knew it will be like this. Breaking protocols, putting others risk. It cant go on like this." she paused, "more than one week earlier, you were diffusing a bomb in middle of a bus stop,"
"which was deserted and I was an expert." the ACP countered.
"And now you take off and donât come in here for 3 days, no leave of application or anything." she continued as if the former didnât even open her mouth, "what is this for you? playground? where you can come and go as you please? It canât go on like this, I wonât let you . . . "
"I brought paper work for you." she waved a red file at her, and tossed it on her table next moment.
that has to be the most unusual line to shut someone up. The Director stopped abruptly, brows frowning, maybe she didnât hear her right. then she looked at the file, turned over one page or two, eyes widening.
"Who's work it is?" she asked, even if the familiar handwriting was evident enough. the other smiled politely.
"Mine, Madam Director." for the first time in days. . . months, Director Kapoor heard the designation coming out of her mouth in less than mocking tone. she seemed . . . sincere?
"You never do paper work." the suspicion was on red alert now. she shrugged.
"I thought to make it up, the leave and that bomb stunt." what was this, an apology in Riya Mukherjee version? what this world has come to?
The Director merely stared at the officer, something was off. she looked good, no anger or humor in those eyes, she was looking sincere for god's sake! there was no smirk too, which was so odd, it was like a second skin to her.
nothing looked out of place.
she glanced at the paper work.
something was definitely wrong.
"All okay?" she asked casually, knowing better to ask outright as she will get no answer, good mood or not.
"Yeah."
"Why take 3 days off then?" the frown was back. she shrugged once again, rubbing neck . . . who is this person? some imposter? the idea was so absurd that she shook her head to clear thoughts.
"Wanted some personal time." she replied, her voice serious, "Iâll leave a paper next time."
the Director nodded suspiciously, eyeing her. the officer met her eyes.
"Hopefully that," she pointed at the file, "will make up for everything."
after the officer left, the Director jumped at once on the file, tearing apart and checking for anything, a big âjokeâ written inside, missing papers, blank papers, hell, something in foreign symbols to make sure it was just a joke from her side. nothing was out of place, everything too damn perfect in the report, and there was not even one spelling mistake.
she always knew if the ACP ever put her mind into report filing, she can achieve it too well. now, she has this file.
she huffed, leaning back on seat, the papers mocking her. it all seemed like a big joke, yet nothing was off. should she dread or wait for the next part of joke?
it was like the first day of college, looking over shoulder to check if there is any prank in any corner.
she growled in frustration, slamming the file shut.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It was almost funny to watch, the ever to bubbly and cheeky the crime journo, the resident PR manager of ETF, eyeing everything nervously and rubbing her sweaty palms in her dress, not sure how to proceed the ACP whom, when she last saw, wanted to kill by her eyes only. The ACP in question of course noticed her, even though she was playing in her smart phone and trying to appear busy.
the former cleared her throat, and the ACP thought about time . . . "Um. . . Ri. . . ACP Mukherjee? Do you have a minute?"
its astonishing, and amusing, the way people behave when they are on the guilty side. if anyone had said to the officer the crime journo will address her by her surname, she would have scoffed, and now?
she merely moved her eyes from phone, enjoying it too much. she went for calm and normal stare, but something must have been off because the crime journo looked flustered and scared than ever.
its not like the ACP was not angry anymore. but these 3 days helped, and now, she can control her desire for violence. the anger was subdued, non threatening, and she will as far as go to avoid the other woman like she doesnât exist to spare herself from the extra exhaustion. she already has so many things to be angry about, rich parents, dead lover, Raghu sir and his stubborn head, the paper work she did just to stop breaking everything in her apartment because it was too messy and there was nothing else she could break . . . its already taking so much, she wants to keep some reserved for criminals and crime scenes.
"I. . . " the journo cleared her throat again, quite unnecessarily, "I just wanted to apologize. . . for that . . . night." her voice dropped an octave, like its a secret.
she waited for the other to say something, but she merely turned her eyes to her phone, making her feeling stupid and confused at once. she expected some comments, and after several moments, cleared her throat again.
"Need cough syrup?" came the reply.
"I am sorry."
"It was audible." she replied in her same bored tone. the crime journo blinked.
"So? Thatâs it?" she took a step, "you are not going to say anything?"
"Should I?" the officer asked in the same tone. she was frustrated by now.
"Do you want to hear something else? Or long rant about how sorry I am feeling?"
"I donât want anything from you." the officer put her phone down and gave her an icy stare, "Anything." she emphasized with each syllable.
"At least have the decency to say 'Its okay.'" the crime journo snapped. it set off the officer, but unlike Chotu that day earlier. this time, the icy glare was replaced with fire and she turned her chair fully to her, dropping her elbows on table and leaning on it.
"You are the last person to talk about decency, so dont expect anything in return." she continued, leaving the crime journo stunned with embarrassment and the coldness in her voice, like she is someone less than human who is not worth of even talking, "I cant say its okay, because it was NOT. you search about me sitting in here and hand pieces of my past over to everyone, thats not okay. I cant see any decency to expect an 'its okay' for the apology you dont even feel. If I feel even a tiny shift in this team's attitude toward me, just because you handed them over some paper related to me, I swear it won't end well for you." she stared at her long after the speech was over, and the crime journo jumped a foot in air when someone behind her spoke.
"Um . . . did I just walk into some ladies chat?" Shree eyed the two women. the ACP didnt even blink, neither she looked at the IT head.
"No Genius, our crime journo was just heading out."
Shree frowned back and forth at the ladies, which only deepened when the crime journo nodded and hurriedly exited the room. his gaze met the ACP, who merely shrugged. he could swear there was something off in her eyes and her breathing, but then it all was gone and she was asking him lightly, "whatcha got?"
For the rest of day, nobody saw the crime journo in ETF building.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"What's up?"
Sameer Rathore was the observation-ist of team, if there is any term. He sees too much, observing people's behavior, their movement of eyes and body language. while its good for cases, it can be pretty annoying when tested on actual humans.
from past three days he was noticing the shift in his team. while all looked pretty normal, as normal as it can be considering the work they all do, he could feel something was different, and surprisingly, it involved the bubbly crime journo, the on and off ACP and the second on command himself. if he was a dreamer, he would have think it as a triangle of love with two beautiful women, but when one woman in question doesnât look slightest bit interested in anything . . . organic, so that was a moot point. he noticed how Sakshi was quiet these days, avoid eye contact or chiming in with the ACP, and he noticed Arjun noticing the two women, noticing the former more if he is being exact. Riya also avoiding any direct contact with the second in command, no interrogation trips with him or verbal bickering.
yes, something was off.
He was never the one for mysteries, and damn him, if the latest-but-not-newest-anymore ACP Mukherjee is no less than an enigma herself, contradictions-brooding-play full-open-closed off, all thrown into a blender. so he asked her straight one afternoon as the woman sipped machine coffee of ETF, offended at the smell and taste.
she looked over head and answered seriously, ''the ceiling, and lights."
he rolled eyes, "I didnât mean that. Whatâs with the subtle tension with our in-house journalist and Boss?" his tone was just like her when she used to call, before . . . well, before.
she gave a look, and he rephrased.
"Okay, you never liked Sakshi, and the feeling was mutual, no offense." he continued, "what about Boss then? why no verbal war which can equal world wars?"
"Didnât know someone miss those." she murmured dryly, making face as she took another sip.
"Trust me, everyone does." he assured, "so, what's up?"
"I just realized talking to him did wonders to my hormones." she replied deadpanned. if he didnât know better, he would have thought her answer was serious.
"Oh please."
"This one is better." she finally gave up on the coffee and threw it in dustbin, "I realized I have a crush on him, and my impulse needs some work."
he gave her his classic dont-BS-me-look which he mastered over years, giving them often to Arjun, "Yeah right. anything else? are you going to tell me you are an alien? Superwoman by night? Assassin hired to kill PM? A Nerd with crazy fantasies?"
she just stared, which said he is not getting any answers from her, not that he was hoping any. he wanted a hint, and his BFF needs more pestering in that area, he thought he can work one or two hints if the female throw at him. turned out, both of them are stubborn in that way.
"If you are serious," he hopped on the nearest table, "you donât have to control your impulses."
"Oh?" she raised her eyebrow good humouredly.
"I am sure he wonât mind," he paused, thinking if he should stop now, but then realized she is the last person to gossip or rub people off the wrong way with their personal details, this much he can count on her, "with his recent singlehood and all that."
''Does that mean I have your blessing?" she asked mockingly, crossing arms over chest. he nodded.
"Totally. Go for it, he wonât even know what hit him."
"Thanks." she quipped, smirking. then the moment was broken as Chotu was calling them for case discussion and both of them were heading that way.
At least Sameer Rathore has two mysteries to solve now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Patience, Riya." Raghu sir replied calmly, which only added to the irritation.
"I am not exactly known for patience." she tapped her fingers on glass wall, "How far are you? when I can have him?"
"We are getting there."
"Sir." she gritted teeth.
Raghu sir gave some replies like she will soon get he chance, they are halfway there, Johny is stubborn. she was only half listening, and had to control the urge to hurl the phone across the room when he cut the call. she took breaths, one two three, and found the irritation level was slightly over.
Of course, she had to pull a temper tantrum in middle of case discussion. never the one for subtlety.
she was stubborn, and wrong, ignoring the second in command for days now. it was not effecting cases or anything, but today, he seemed extra agitated, already shouted at receptionist because she sent the wrong file and talked quite rudely to the Father of the victim who was, surely, a pedophile, judging by his internet history Shree dig out. she cant blame about the father, but hey, that receptionist was not his PA.
if he thought he can get away doing that to her . . .
The case was simple, actually, Pedophilic father, estranged mother, a drug addict son who killed someone with his car while he was on high. the driver took the blame, if only one of these three crack under their interrogations and confess that son was not home for party that night and was busy driving around city until he ended up killing someone. simple, but frustrating.
The second in command was more on edge, maybe because of what Rathore said, Love does shitty things when its getting away from you. But then, you cant yell at everyone for that. Total hypocrisy, coming from her, but then she was always selfish like that.
she was trying to appear busy with her phone, in middle of case discussion, unprofessional and enough to set him off. and it did.
"Its a case discussion." he was using that loud voice, "Put the phone down."
she never liked people shouting at her, and suddenly it was a contest who can show more anger. she didnt move the phone a bit, just gave him a look as she said, "I am listening."
"Its distracting."
"Then dont get distract."
every one of them was giving her a look which said dont do this and then changed to lets see how this goes.
"I said put the phone down." he was growling now. she tilted her head.
"Or, what?"
"Can you just not create a scene while we are discussing a case?"
"Can you just NOT yell at everyone?" she countered, slamming the palm on table, "frankly, its distracting."
he gave a look to others, and everyone hurried to exit the room, not want to be collateral damage in middle of cross fire. she stood as well, as he took some steps toward her.
"I get that you are angry at me for that night." he spoke, voice low but the anger was evident, "But that doesnât mean you have a right to take it out in front of whole team."
"Trust me, if I was taking it out?" she paused, leaning forward slightly, "you would have known."
he looked around, to calm himself down or divine intervention, she didnt know, "There was no fault of mine. I was just at the wrong place at wrong time. Your anger is totally misplaced."
"Did I ask?" she questioned rhetorically. he threw his hands up in frustration, making others outside jump.
"So what do you want? A written apology? Verbal one? Tell me what is it do you want and just spare me!"
"Dont. Shout." she gritted her teeth, "I am not the receptionist to take it quietly, and I dont want anything from you."
"So what is this, really?" he took another step, invading her personal space, "why this anger? or its just your way to make me feel guilty even when there was no fault of mine?" he took a breath, trying to calm himself down, "so this will continue?" he gestured with hand, "this antics in front of team? disobeying me?"
she didnât answer, just merely locked her eyes with his. he exhaled another breath.
"If this happens ever, and I am serious, I will be forced to include the Director."
she laughed at it, eyes going cold, "She is not my Mother or someone to put collar around my neck."
"Its a team, Riya." he replied, "you need to respect it."
when she didnât reply, he decided itâs time he showed her who's the boss, "as long as you are going to disobey me, its better if you donât join field work."
she gave a look, which said she didnât really believe him. he sighed.
"I am serious." he caught her wrist, to warn her or show her serious he was, or maybe both. as usual, it had the opposite reaction, as she caught his own wrist with the same hand and was groping him rather painfully.
"Like I said, she is not my Mother." she forced his hand to free her wrist, "and you are not someone who can order me around. as far as team goes, my disobedience is not creating any obstruction for them, so it should be enough." she took a small step toward him so that their nose was almost touching, "And Don't. Yell. At. Me. I am not going to bear your BS like others."
and then she was walking out on him once again. he saw her until she disappeared, looked around in the room once again, and found himself on the edge of his emotion. he was never the violent kind of person who throw things and start a brawl when he gets angry, but if there was a time for that, it would be now.
he ran his fingers in hair, suddenly more exhausted than angry. she was right though, about the yell at others thing. ever since his break up with Roshni he was agitated, trying to cover it up with work and harsh behaviors. of course, he should have known better to use his loud voice with her, the female who pushed him off his normal emotional zone more than often. now, if he comes to think, maybe she wanted to give him a piece of mind in her own twisted way. not that he didnât deserve it, but a showdown in front of team could have been avoided.
The break up was not unexpected actually. only so long you can hang out with your GF and not take the next step. for months, this damned 'next step' was the only thing between them, she was expecting it and he was running from it. she asked about it 5 days ago flatly, and he was unable to give her any satisfactory answer. so she said it canât work between them anymore.
his frustration and anger was more on himself. he invested 7 years in this relation, and he was not an idiot to not know the standard steps in a relationship. courting, dates, gifts, meeting the parents, anniversaries, and finally, the ring. it was long time coming, and somehow he always ran from him. its not like he is a commitment phobic, but he could not see himself with her taking that step. it was all him, getting cold feet, and not her.
what pissed him more was he knew the pros and cons, he knew what he should do, he knew she was the girl and its time. yet somehow, he could not. he is an utter lunatic to even suspect if she is the one, because Duh, she was there for 7 years, what else one person needs to know that? he could not see himself doing that because, in some twisted way, he could not see himself with her in some abstract future.
which was totally weird. 7 years, and this!
he stopped the urge to pull his hair, and found himself sitting on the same chair Riya always does, head between his knees and both hands on neck. he looked up at the smell of coffee, and saw Sameer, "That didnt go well, I assume?"
he took it, sighing, "You bet."
"I get what she did, the phone thing, was wrong." the second in command could sense a âbutâ coming from his best friend as he took the opposite seat, "but frankly, you are giving hell to the staff from days. hopefully the showdown with her will calm you down or something."
the statement earned a wry smile, but then, it was true. he felt a lot calm, which is weird because who feels calm after a shouting match? "I was wrong to take my frustration out on staff." he agreed.
"as long as we donât get another repeat show in here." Rathore gestured, "not that I dont enjoy those heated arguments, but donât want to give heart attacks to the juniors and our crime journo."
"Donât mention her." his voice went icy. frankly, its all her damned fault anyway.
"Okay." the former drawled, "at least I got a reaction. is this a good time to ask whatâs going on between you three?"
"didnât your new found best friend give any info?" he asked lightly, not angry or judgmental.
"never knew you for the jealous type." Sameer quipped, "and to answer your question, No."
"Best friend No or Info No?" he asked with a small smile.
"second one No, first one . . . I will answer later." the senior officer got up as the former made a face, "As there is no way I am getting my answer now, lets restart the discussion, shall we?"
"hopefully w/o another showdown." he cocked his head, giving his mug a shake to give an imaginary cheer.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Frankly, her . . . sometimes, crazy yet amusing (?) antics comes rather handy, Rawte thought as the culprit, the drugged son was being pulled away by the police. The father cracked during interrogation, which they were able to conduct after the shouting match and rather tense team discussion, where she was mostly quiet and thankfully, w/o her phone. He had to fight the urge to smirk, remembering the father and him and Sameer and her in the same room, both the male officers staring him down while she took out her gun, touching it and looking over like she was all alone and not trying to scare the man to death. when the father looked startled, and asked them both if they cant see she is inside with a gun, Sameer replied they are willing to overlook many thing, not too subtly saying they can overlook if she does something with that gun that helps solving the case, and then manipulated the man into confessing by saying his wife already gave a statement that he was the one killing the girl.
smooth, really.
sometime, its really easy to overlook his annoyance with her, but the next day, when they got a call about some new case and they all noticed her still seated in her chair, spinning on it casually, he could feel the annoyance creeping again.
"You are not coming?" Shree asked, frowning like others.
she looked rather smug as she answered, "Na, I will pass." and then gave a look to him, "besides, I am not allowed for field work."
while he was rather busy to feel several emotions at once, surprise, pissed, and frustration, the third one he feels quite often around her, he completly missed the surprise and unhappy look on most of his team, besides the crime journo of course. wait, when his team became such a big cheer for her?
he could still feel their look on his neck as they headed for crime scene, leaving her busy with her phone and mischievous look in eyes and smug expression.
it had to be one of the most bizzare crime scene the team witnessed, like ever. old abandoned factory in the outskirt of city, a rather overused place for haunting experience or serial killer cases, but today, there was no body or guts spilling all over place. rather it was only blood, which he was not sure to be real blood, some pieces of wires and metals. thats it, no body, no DNA, nothing that can indicate a man or woman was slaughtered here and not some animal for voodoo sacrifice.
and oddly enough, w/o her frowning over clues and adding theories with him, the place looked awfully empty.
"Well, black magics dont have wires include I think." Chotu said as Liza held a wire in her palm, looking puzzled as rest of them.
"There is something . . . unsettling about this place." the crime journo looked sick, looking around, "like it was house for slaughtering pigs or something."
"Doesn't they all look the same?" Sameer scoffed, "though its really weird, old abandoned building, nobody comes here anymore. I checked, the owner is long dead." he looked over the crime scene, "nobody saw anyone around here, and only blood in crime scene? and wires? so weird."
"obviously someone was here." Rawte replied dryly, eyes glued to the crime scene.
"maybe we would have more theories to discuss if we had extra pair of eyes." it was uncharacteristically Shree to jab, and that too directly to the second in command himself. they leave the family relation in home when they come for work, but looks like all those Genius really paid him off.
The second in command in question just glared in response.
"Oh, good you brought that up." Damn Sameer Rathore's timing for the most ill-times convos, "why she is not allowed for field work?"
"Later.'' he tried to dismiss, but of course the team was going to gang up on him on this topic. they looked giddy with anticipation.
"I want to know now." He pressed. before he can tell him to get off his tail, suddenly the ground shook beneath them, and several microseconds later there was a loud sound of explosion.
suddenly he was very happy she was not here for that.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Danger is everywhere. We don't invite them, or walk right into them. We just cross paths with them.
-
the explosion happened some 200 meter away from the crime scene ETF found, nobody was injured but everyone was spooked and police was around to look for anything suspicious. suddenly a normal day with bizarre crime scene was turned upside down as the crime journo of team puked on the ground and behind her stood awkwardly the IT head and commando with water bottle.
now they all could see where was the body and guts that was missing from the first crime scene.
Even Liza and her team were having hard time to be indifferent to scene and examine everything. they donât know, and maybe wonât know, if the man or woman was alive when the bomb went off or not. they wonât know if this was some suicide bomber. the bomb was so powerful that all they could find pieces of body, the crime scene was all but some metals and blood and guts.
Director was here and so the last remaining member of the team, and of course, she had to look unaffected when everyone was not doing too well in that department. she kneeled side by side with forensic team, looked over the whatever remained evidences, frowned, already forming theories when rest of them were too busy to control the urge to vomit all over the place and contaminate the crime scene. Her eyes were glued to the vans as forensics left the crime scene and rest of team behind and Director was going over possibilities with the team.
"It looks like some terrorist organization work, but why exploding a bomb this much powerful in middle of nowhere?" Sameer was saying to rest of them "the amount of blood we found in last crime scene indicated the person, whose . . . " he paused, eyes going over crime scene, "remains, we found here, was already injured enough or possibly dead. that doesnât explain why the bomb didnât explode earlier? why exploded later?"
"you donât think someone was watching the first crime scene do you?" The Director asked, trying to be calm but all could see she was assuming the worst, some lunatic after her team.
"Maybe it was time bomb." the second in command answered, "maybe it was the plan, to gather attention. I think we should put the city on orange alert, and keep an eye on everything."
they went through every possibility for the next 20 minutes, and then left for ETF. in the discussion room they talked for some more time, and Rawte could see the restlessness which was in Riya since the crime scene on full alert until she could not take it anymore and excused herself rather rudely, earning the suspicious and disapproving looks.
as if she cares.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Getting the remains of bomb from forensic department was piece of cake, really, but ACP Mukherjee could not manage to get them out of the lab and be alone with them. there was no possibility of radiation from the pieces, neither they were toxic, yet Liza wonât let her take any risk by taking them away from lab. so she had all the remains of bomb, a far off table with every equipment of the lab, and total silence to work with.
still she would have liked a room with the bomb pieces only.
she was itching to get her hands on the evidence since they left the crime scene, and the impulse was growing by second. now the impulse had died down and all she had was a steady determination, to get everything from these remains.
when everyone was busy to check their urge to vomit at the sight, she noticed at the first glance, rather interestingly, that the bomb pieces were not as damaged as it should be. sure, it had fallen apart and pieces and wires were all over the place, but when the body was so badly damaged that they can barely get a single finger from it, the bomb had survived. it should not have happened. it just doesnât add up.
the only reason she is camping into forensic lab because she truly believes she can help with her work experience in bomb squad and try to find more about this bomb. right now, as her eyes glance over the table, every inch of it hidden under metallic pieces and wires and coffee mugs, a notepad with various diagrams and ingredients names and composition pattern written on it, several papers curled into ball and lying all over the floor, a single pencil in between her fingers, her figure bracing itself against the table's edge, she felt oddly accomplished. yes, she did figure out some things about this thing.
she glanced around and frowned, then looked at clock. funny, she didnât remember time passing this much that its 3 in the morning.
she looked back at the table, going over all the info her mind stored. for once, it was not normal bomb, like the law enforcement encounter every now and then. the metal was different, stronger, to endure bigger impact. the chemical compound was ten time complicated to make sure nobody in the 500 meter radius survive. she was estimating the bomb to leave an impact at least till 2 KM area, enough to kill 200 people and injure several hundred others.
but there was only a tiny confusion.
she heard the bomb went off after the first crime scene was discovered, and if the team's theory is right, it was timed to set off like that. but she could not get anything to indicate it was a time bomb, and naturally, time bombs donât have these much complexities as there are already so many. if someone triggered it manually . . . itâs not possible also, the first crime scene indicated the person was already dead or fatally injured, and the DNA matched from both places. the dried blood indicates 6 to 8 hours had passed before the person was injured, in no way he or she can survive this long, and for what? blowing him/herself?
it doesnât make any sense, and yet, she felt she was overlooking something.
the pen moved faster in between her fingers.
she spent several other hours on floor, sitting against the wall and staring into nothing as she went through everything over and over again and tried to make sense how someone can upgrade a time bomb to make it so much powerful, and well plan the entire sequence, finding the first crime scene, and then the perfect timing to explode it when ETF was already there. the possibility that, someone was targeting the team, also crossed her mind, but then, why not explode in the warehouse itself and finish it once for all? why this trailer? unless, there was bigger plan behind all this.
her focus was snapped when her nostrils filled with divine smell of Mc D's coffee and she found the Director on her eye level, kneeled on floor and holding the familiar red mug out for her.
she took it, and sighed as the drink reached her taste buds, "looked like you had a wild night with metals." the Director remarked dryly, taking in the scene. she hummed in response.
"Now pack it all, ATS will be here shortly." she said, bracing herself for her reaction. the ACP didnât disappoint, the coffee mug stilled right before her lips and she frowned, clearly displeased.
"I understand I have spent over 12 hours in here, but when did this happen?" she inquired, lowering the mug and staring at the Director which bordered on temper.
"ATS handles this sort of things." the Director replied, "We came to a conclusion that the explosion in warehouse was probably a test for a bigger attack, and ATS is perfect for this."
"Your team was called for that crime scene, not ATS." the former replied, now glaring. the Director sighed.
"There might be plans for several other blasts. we might have been stumbled upon something big."
"So we need to investigate it rather than shifting departments."
"Its not a competition to see which department can solve the most complicated cases." the Director replied sternly, "itâs their territory, we did what we could, now we let them take over."
"I didnât pull an all-nighter just to make it easy for them." the ACP said bitterly, "and screw the office politics. I donât know why you are not handling it." she finished as she got up the floor, all thoughts and accomplished feelings from last night gone in an instant.
"Because itâs the right thing to do." the Director followed her, trying to make her understand.
"Oh sure." the other replied sarcastically, "If you donât mind, I have to clean up since another department will be here to take away the hard work I put into it. I need space."
the Director scowled, pondering if she should say something to make the ACP realize, then decided against it. one of the flaws of ACP Mukherjee, and she had way too many of them, is that she is nearly blind when she is pissed. and now, everything the Director will say is going to be wasted. she nodded once and left the lab, leaving the officer alone in there.
the ACP glared into the table as she heard the door was being closed, like she would like nothing but to put a hole into the innocent table. then she spilled the coffee all over the evidences, unnecessarily ruining them, then put them all haphazardly into plastic bags w/o labeling them. she took the pencil and notepad from the table, not ready to give her hard work to ATS, when her department wonât work on it anymore.
even if there is a possibility of bigger terrorist planning.
she was always selfish when it comes to things close to hers.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The team watched as the ATS took everything they worked on the crime scenes through the glass wall of discussion room, the assistant head shaking his hand with the Director. nobody looked pleased with this development, but nobody dared to question the Director. probably it was for best to hand over this case to ATS, since it most likely involved a lot of dog hunts. ETF donât handle terrorism cases. Itâs not their territory.
someone should specifically note down what they supposed to handle and what not.
"why calling us if we canât work on this one?" Shree grumbled, and Chotu nodded his head sympathetically.
"I agree. I get it, ATS should handle it, but why we were called first? Itâs hard to watch some other department taking over what was our development." He said.
"Now they will take away the credit." Sakshi added sadly.
"itâs not about credit." Sameer said, "itâs about satisfaction to finish what we started."
"I nearly faked the bomb evidences." ACP Mukherjee unexpectedly chimed in, eyes on the door even if she was not really staring. all looked at each other, taken aback.
"How you were going to fake it?" Chotu asked, a curious smile on his face. she snapped her eyes to look at him, frowning.
"Itâs easy." she waved her hands, and of course, it was the exact same time Rawte entered the room and paused hearing the next words coming out of her mouth, the team too busy to notice his entry, "Just go to store room, there is always some machine. break it and you have metallic pieces and wires."
"And we can always get blood from lab." Shree supplied, "perfect evidence . . . until they test it and finds out itâs not real, of course."
"Are not you quite the team?" all of them jumped when they heard Rawte's voice, annoyed and disapproving, "If you are done, letâs get back to work, shall we?"
"What work?" the crime journo asked. the second in command didnât even look at her, but answered nonetheless.
"Paper work."
Everyone groaned, "I better head to apartment." ACP Mukherjee got up, unnecessarily faking a yawn which everyone understood, a fake, "an all- nighter and forensic lab, not a good idea."
"the smell and all." Sameer replied, understanding her perfectly, to which she flashed a smile. Rawte shoot them both an irritated look, but didnât say anything when she walked passed him toward door.
at the same time Chotu switched on the LCD, and everyone was glued to the screen as there was a breaking news and a piece of paper was on display.
3 MORE TO GO. LETS SEE IF ETF CAN STOP THEM.
the paper was white, the letters were typed. they canât say anything else from it.
"well, there goes your sleep." Sameer commented, which was obviously pointed to ACP Mukherjee.
"well," she sounded curious, even if thatâs possible in that situation, "that means I can finish what I started."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ATS was off the case, and the Director's worst nightmare came true. some lunatic was after her team.
the maniac, on the other hand, taunted the team after every 5 hours by sending a note. note, not email or sms. first time, they were delivered by a pizza guy, and time after that he or she found new ways to send note.
the first 5 hour mark was passed with barricading the entire city, leaving every law enforcement to spread every corner of the city and search for anything suspicious. they were already doing that, after the first blast, but 20 hours and a note later, there were more police on street, more officers in civil dress, and people were on full panic mode.
"He had to send the first one to a freaking media house!" Rawte was frustrated, "if not anything, people panicking and accidentally stumbling over something might blow the rest of three off."
"Media can help, you know." Sakshi took the comment by heart, hurt evident in voice.
"Sure, they are helping so much." he could not help it, "asking every time we head out that how can we let out a maniac like that! as if itâs our fault."
she was shut up after that, and the Director had to step in, "okay, calm down everyone." she eyed all, "letâs go through the 2 notes again."
the team encircled around the table, staring down at the notes.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, RED IS ALWAYS THE DANGER. TIME IS PASSING.
SO BRAVE AT THE FIRST, UNKNOWN TO THE SECOND. THREE ARE WAITING, HURRY!
"whatâs does this mean 'SO BRAVE AT THE FIRST'?" Chotu asked, "the media house note mentioned 3 more bombs, and only one exploded by now. what does this first one means?"
Every one of them jumped when ACP Mukherjee cursed aloud, running fingers through her already messed up hair.
"Care to explain?" Rawte asked, frowning. she took a deep breath, bracing herself as both of hands held onto the edge of table.
"it all fits." she started, staring hard at the notes, "when i was going through the bomb evidences, i was sure i was missing something. now i know what."
she straightened herself, "remember that bus stop bomb?"
everyone's eyes widened at it, "you think that was the first?"
"It fits." she replied, "time bomb canât be that much powerful. it had to blow off manually, which is impossible, or by some trigger."
"So," The Director started, "this maniac was already targeting us? but how can he know you guys were supposed to be in that bus stop that day?"
"or maybe," Sameer countered, "we stopped it and it triggered him? or her?" he eyed the women in team as he corrected, "the way this person is going after this, seems like lunatic. Lunatics donât come out and challenge unless someone provoked them, which we did, by stopping the first bomb. that can be co-incidence, but the second bomb? Itâs not."
"So he was near the crime scene?" Chotu asked, eyes widening, "he watched us inside that warehouse and . . . " he trailed off.
"He wanted to challenge us." Shree supplied, "thatâs why these notes started to drop. but we have nothing to go. these notes donât say much, and we canât be dependent on police to find the rest of bombs."
Rawte picked the first note, "He knows about the orange alert."
everyone eyed him, "So?" Sakshi asked.
"How does he know?" he asked, eyes going back and forth to Riya and Sameer.
"is not it standard procedure after every terrorist threat?" Sameer replied. the former shook his head, now meeting the lady, and looked like she was the only one getting him.
"Nobody was supposed to know about it, when we were talking about it there were not much people around us except ETF and local police." he went on.
"You canât possibly suggest . . ." The Director trailed off, exhaling a sharp breath.
"Itâs either people from crime scene, or someone at IA office." ACP Mukherjee commented. the Director shook head.
"Do you realize how impossible that sound? IA office? why some lunatic who work at IA will drag us through hell?"
"because itâs a lunatic, Aisha!" that was the first time Mukherjee addressed the Director with first name, and anyone had barely any time to grasp as the latter hurried, "there is no reason why a lunatic will do anything! you might think everyone is sane and goody two shoes, but they are not." she forced herself to lower her voice, her tone grave, "sometime they let us down."
once again, the words felt like much more personal than the case at hand.
The Director looked taken aback, but then composed herself as she ordered everyone to pull up a list of people present at crime scene, possible suspect and employees at IA office. everyone scrambled off, Sakshi went off to her office to see if any new note popped, or anything new she can get which can help the case, the Director went off to give upper level news of development, and ACP Mukherjee braced herself against the table again, inhaling and exhaling breath, brooding over everything.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
when ETF team had termed the lunatic as lunatic, they didnât, even in their wildest dreams, think what this lunatic will do to live up to his title.
he kidnapped one of them and put a bomb belt around the person's waist, then left the member in middle on city and informed all media houses to do the live streaming.
now they knew what this lunatic was capable of doing.
when they reached near the member, who were sitting on ground, limbs were tied behind with ropes tightly, they found another note attached to the member, taunting them.
YOU TAKING TOO MUCH TIME, SO LEFT A GIFT. 2 MORE TO GO.
"Son of a bitch." Rawte crushed the paper and threw it away, as Sameer and Chotu untied Sakshi, who looked unfocussed and scared out of her mind, tears running down her face. he looked at her, then at the bomb in her waist, and then around him. the lunatic really chose his place well, first bus stop, now a housing apartment in middle of city. it was the thickest place population wise and media were everywhere along with police, bomb squad already making their way toward the team. they kneeled down as the ETF backed off, thinking about next course of action.
"This person doesnât want anything, just want to play with us." Director said, "it makes him even more dangerous." she sighed, "where are we on the list?"
Shree did some quick tapping on his tab, "everyone look clean enough, both in IA office and crime scene."
"there has to be some way!" Rawte exploded at the poor IT head, "now itâs not the time for dead end."
"He is not the lunatic, so watch it." ACP Mukherjee used her quiet angry tone, glaring him down. he opened his mouth to say itâs not at all a good time to cross him, when Sameer intervened.
"Guys, letâs not make a scene here." He warned, "Police are already searching the area as we speak, if there is any other bomb, or suspect, we will know instantly."
"You go to the bomb." the Director ordered to ACP Mukherjee, who went w/o another word. Sameer and Chotu hurried to team up with local police to evacuate the place, Shree went over his list once again, and Rawte stood with Director as they watched bomb squad and ACP Mukherjee near the crime journo, touching the device lightly and checking, as if it can explode by a little more pressure.
it took another hour for the whole neighborhood to evacuate, and they could hear law enforcement and media people arguing at the BG as the former tried to shoo them away. finally they gave up and backed off, and the place was totally empty, no civilians visible, only police, ETFians, bomb squad and other law enforcement agents. they could also hear the crime journo blabbering that how last night, when she was returning from office, she felt someone gripping her from behind and then all she could remember was darkness, on the verge of nervousness.
The Director and Second in command was standing too still, but then they jumped as ACP Mukherjee stood up with a sour expression on her face.
"itâs the same, like the second bomb." she started, "much more powerful than the bus stop one."
"canât you deactivate this one?" Rawte asked rather harshly, desperate for anything. she shot him a look, running fingers through hair, an indication she was frustrated as well.
"I am not sure, and I am not willing to try."
"Why not?" he took a step to her, trying to intimidate. as usual, it had the opposite reaction as she glowered.
"I am not willing to take any risk."
"she is right." he tore away his gaze as the Director spoke, "we canât risk that. can we move her?"
"we are not sure. the lunatic did some upgradation, its better if we donât move at all." she replied, clearly irritated as she looked around, "because of that, I am guessing he increased the trigger distance as well. now the range can be as long as 3 KM, who knows?"
he looked away, his fists turning white. Itâs so not going well for any of them, and for some reason his all anger are directed on the ACP Mukherjee. she was supposed to know everything, she was the damn ex-officer of bomb squad. who else supposed to know if not hers?
but it was not the time for blame game, he exhaled a breath, trying to calm himself down and think rationally. Sameer and Chotu joined him.
"when the first note dropped in that media house," the Director asked, "did anyone see anything?"
"it came through courier service. the guy said he just found it in his bag, someone put it when he was not looking." Chotu informed, "there is no reason to think he lied."
"and what about her office?" Rawte asked, motioning at Sakshi, "she was attacked right outside her office, someone must have seen something."
"No luck there." Sameer didnât look too pleased, "it was too dark, and nobody was around."
the discussion was interrupted when they heard a reporter was trying to get inside, arguing with one of constables. Chotu went ahead to clear the mess, leaving them to go over more theory. when he came back, his face was stone hard.
"The reporter found this inside his car." he handed over a piece of paper, and the team braced themselves for another note.
SAME PLACE-S. 0 TO GO. WAITING.
"same places?" Shree asked, "means bus stop and warehouse!"
the team looked at each other, instantly plans were made. Shree Riya and Arjun headed for the warehouse, while Sameer and Director Aisha headed for bus stop, Chotu staying with Sakshi. they will send back anything that can help to diffuse the bomb, and diffusing bomb come first. they can find the lunatic later.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
when they walked into the same warehouse for the second time in 50 hours, Rawte found himself on edge. his senses were always on high while on work, but here, right now, he felt something was wrong, as if they walked right into a trap.
which they did, for starters. though itâs not exactly a wise decision, but they canât let a lunatic go run around and place bombs just because he felt like challenging ETF. but they took precautions, they had help outside, guns, bullet proof jackets and determination to finish it once for all.
the lunatic really had a thing for public display, or maybe itâs his own twisted way of humor. it all started from that bus stop, and now he put one of the two bomb there. they found their bomb right middle of the first crime scene, where used to be blood and wires earlier.
crime scene cleaners clean up well.
they all simultaneously exhaled breath, and ACP Mukherjee was the first one to walk toward the bomb, the bomb squads following her. Rawte watched from sidelines, hating every minute of it as he donât know a thing that can help them right now. after some 20 minutes, they concluded it was the same like 3rd one which was now gracing the waist of their crime journo. he watched as some silent conversation passed between ACP Mukherjee and bomb squad people, and then she was walking back to them.
"You need to leave, right now." she eyed them both. in reply he simply crossed his arms over chest, because Duh, he is not leaving her alone. Shree also gave her a look.
"Now." her emphasis was more to the IT head than the second in command. he blinked once, silently agreeing with her, which was really rare that he can actually count them on fingers, and then turned to Shree. he looked crestfallen, as if two of his parents ganging up on him.
"You guys are not leaving, so I am not leaving." the IT head was determined.
"Really, Genius, itâs not a good time to argue considering I didnât sleep in nearly 2 days." she talked fast, quiet, but with enough force to make it sound sincere, not angry, "we are going to take a chance here, you should not be here for that. we will be connected through comms, you will know everything. if we get something, you can forward the info so that they can help Sakshi and stop the other bomb, alright?"
The IT head didnât look convinced, but unlike Rawte, he knew better to argue, "okay." he nodded slowly, handing over the comms. he gave one last look as he left with several other officers the warehouse, and to Rawte's utter amazement, relief passed in her face.
she cares for him.
it should not come as a surprise, because Shree always respected her and she was always more or less polite while talking to him, even defended him few times. they shared a cordial relationship.
and still, he was taken aback by it. maybe because he put her to some level where she is uncaring and stone hearted, but that assumption was crumbling right in front of him.
that moment, surrounded by bomb and death, he looked forward to see what other things he can be wrong about her.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
it was same like bus stop some weeks ago, heart beats nearly stopped, sweats were shed, there were some lip biting moments, but in the end, they managed to cut the right wire and diffuse the bomb.
"What? what happened?" Shree asked urgently in their ears, and Rawte opened his mouth to answer, while ACP Mukherjee got up from floor and ran fingers through hair, this time in relief. but then the fingers in her hair stilled, and her posture tensed. he found himself looking what she was staring, and saw a crime scene cleaner guy with a remote in his hand.
"I only want ETF." the 50 year old bald man looked around, voice calm and compelling as his eyes went on everyone, his grip on remote tight, "rest of you, get out."
the bomb squads and police looked at each other, the latter already pointing guns at the old guy. in response, his grip on remote tighten more.
"I just want ETF." he repeated, eyes going over the only 2 officers of ETF. his eyes met with them and he signaled. they all hurriedly left for the door, in his ear Shree shouted something to others.
"You diffused it." the man now eyed the bomb, then glanced at ACP Mukherjee. Rawte forced himself to get on his feet, standing some feet away from the lady officer.
"I had some help." God bless her ability to keep calm, really, as she looked unaffected, "so how this goes now? do you have gun to kill us?"
the man gave a blank smile, "and what purpose that will solve?"
"you tell us." Rawte inquired, crossing arms over chest, "we are wondering about your purpose since the first note."
the man eyed the bomb, then stared hard at his remote in hand as he spoke, "you were not in my plan. I just wanted . . . it to go off. but you had to intervene." he met ACP Mukherjee's eyes, "I heard you diffused the bomb in bus stop." he paused, "itâs your fault your team is suffering."
"Nothing I didnât hear earlier." she commented dryly, "But why put the bomb in the first place? what was your plan?"
"You gave any thought to my plan so far?" the old man asked, curious. she shrugged.
"you kept us busy, but yes, I did." she replied, "a crime scene cleaner, you canât have that much money for making this powerful bomb. I am not sure if you have any knowledge in chemistry. . . " she paused, tilting head, "where did you get money?"
while she kept the man busy, Rawte moved closer, gripping the gun tucked behind him tighter, ready to shoot at the man and defend her at a moment's notice.
the man smiled hollowly, "I had savings . . . when family shrank," the smile vanished, "you have a lot of money." his eyes went out of focus for a while, then it turned on her once again, "i made those bombs."
"The upgrades were tricky."
"Yet you managed to diffuse just fine."
"Like I said, I had help." she commented, clearly realizing the time for talk is over. silence engulfed him for several moments, and he saw from the corner of his eyes police surrounding the warehouse, ready to take the kill shot. but if things go wrong, he can pull the trigger and the other two bomb can explode. though he was so far from both locations, still . . .
"You are far away from both the locations." he said, and the man jumped at his tone, as if he had forgotten his presence, "what will this trigger do?"
"I made some upgrades." the man said gravely, "when i pull this trigger, two phones near the bomb location will start ringing. Itâs just the matter time when someone curious enough will pick up the phone and press the call button. and . . . " he trailed off for the dramatic effect.
"You know my wife and son was killed in a bomb blast?" his voice was suddenly so small, full of unshed tears that he took pity on him, despite of what he put him and his team through these 50 hours, "they were just at the wrong place at wrong time. there was no fault of them."
"There are always none's fault." ACP Mukherjee's voice sounded surprisingly compassionate, which again, took Rawte by surprise, "except for the bomb maker."
"I thought after they were gone, why them? why not others?" a crazed look passed in his eyes, and the pity was gone from the second-in-command's mind, "people are always in wrong place at wrong time. why not others, why them?"
"so you took it upon yourself to blow off others?" the reasoning was so . . . idiotic, even by a lunatic standard, he really canât blame Riya for her ill-timed sarcasm. but the lunatic didnât seem faze by her tone, instead he nodded.
"But then you were in wrong place at wrong time. so i had to change plan." he finished, which sounded like conclusion from his side.
"So how this will go?" Rawte asked, "obviously you donât want anything, nothing to negotiate. why you are here and not somewhere else? why this confrontation?"
"Because my change of plan now concerned ending ETF." the man replied, the grip on his remote tighten. simultaneously both of them took out their guns and pointed at him.
"Thatâs not going to happen." in a way, it looked they were winning, but the irritating sense of Rawte said something was wrong, and he forced himself to sound calm, "you are going to hand us over the remote. there is no need for any more plans. Itâs the best course of action."
"My best course of action now includes ending the team which ruined my plan in the first place!" the man shouted, for the first time looking lunatic, like they rightly titled him, "and you know what else includes in the plan? another bomb, right here!" then he gave a wry smile, "the second bomb exploded outside, and another will explode here, ending you two."
"So not in a mood to die." ACP Mukherjee commented, stealing a glance at Rawte, "give us the remote and end this now. no need for another body drop."
"I donât have anything to lose." the man replied, looking fully prepared to push the button in his hand. many things happened at once.
some well timed and well aimed officer shot the man's wrist from outside, causing the remote to fell from his hand. in response, the man let out an animalistic growl and, apparently, he was a man with gun. as he shot everywhere, causing more mayhem and trouble for everyone, Rawte jumped toward ACP Mukherjee, taking her down, so that both of them are spared from the gun shots. he shouted at Shree through the comm to let others know itâs the black wire to diffuse the bomb, and he could hear Shree informing others on the other side. together, he and ACP crawled near the door, also shooting at the man. the last thing he saw it was probably his or ACP Mukherjee's bullet that hit the man on knee, and he was struggling to reach for the remote. he could feel Riya going at it, but he didnât allow it, his grip tightening on her waist. as she struggled against him, the man reached the remote and pushed the button.
there was a sound of violent explosion. everything crumbled. fire and smoke filled the air. people hurried to get away from the fire, some were lying on the ground, too hurt to move. Shree along with others were some 100 meter away from the warehouse, and he could only stare, his body and mind going numb as he realized two of his team mates might be dead inside, one his cousin, other someone he came to respect quite a bit.
The explosion might have taken his ears, was his first thought when he smelt and saw the fire and smoke around him, and tasted the dirt in his mouth, but could not hear a thing. he was struggling for breath, it was a combination of darkness, due to the remains of warehouse which fell on them, and fire, obviously a result of explosion, but hey, at least he was not dead.
he snapped out of it when he heard someone coughing around him, and then noticed. he was on top of ACP Mukherjee, crushing the woman with his weight. at some point, his hands had found their ways to her head and waist, shielding her from the impact.
he blamed it to his cop instinct, nothing else.
he tried to move and grunted in pain. he might have saved her, but his back was screaming at him. there had to be a nasty wound back there. he moved slowly, falling with a thud to the ground, his breath coming out quickly due to the pain.
"F*cking lunatic." he heard her swearing, and turned to look at her. if you ask him, she looked better, if you donât count the dirt and ashes which covered both of them. he looked over for any wound or blood, and found none.
though he found his one hand was still under her head.
"On a brighter note," his voice came out raspy, "everyone else miss the breathtaking confrontation."
she turned to look at him, and in the process their faces came much too close, which should be illegal in life threatening, under the debris, surrounded by fire situations. but she was never for the one for personal space, and she seemed unaffected by it.
"who knew bombs bring the dry humor in our Boss?" she smirked, and suddenly he felt like it was over. the rift that came between them after that god awful evening, his ill-timed presence, that piece of paper which he had no idea what was about. he felt it was back to normal, or whatever it was before that damned evening.
and damn, it should not bring the relief in him. not a time for relief, when surrounded by fire and smoke and crushed under burnt building.
"Breathtaking indeed." she muttered, turning her head, as she coughed once more, and then tried to get up. her hand slipped rather awkwardly under her weight, and she inhaled sharply, her head falling with a thud on his hand as she cursed yet again. he was about to ask what was wrong, when both of them heard voices calling for them.
some 1 hour later, the team was together once again, some 300 meters away from the warehouse which was now surrounded by fire fighters and police, and some intrigued people of locality. Sameer was lecturing about the human civilization and its need for hospitals, which both Riya and Arjun brushed aside, as they sat on the back of medic vans and let them did the stitches. on his part, he at least used sedatives, but when Liza tried to put the sedative syringe in her arm, which had a broken bone, she brushed it aside.
beside her the Director sighed, "itâs not necessary."
Liza blinked in surprise, and ACP Mukherjee smirked, "super ninja skills."
if lunatic who nearly killed them cant dampen her spirit, he was not sure anything else can.
"While I appreciate courage and totally for the female power," Sameer said to Riya, eyes narrowing, "I donât think itâs good idea to feel that much pain only to show off."
"she donât feel any pain." the Director sighed once again, now explaining as several pair of eyes widen like saucers, "itâs a genetic disorder, she donât feel any pain."
Like every other time, the team listened to her and didnât question how on earth she knows about it. They came to expect that she knows. Thatâs it.
and she was right. even the medic and Liza was wincing at the state on her upper arm, and almost all of the team looked away as the cleaning of her forearm for cast started, but she looked unaffected. he was stunned, maybe that was part of reason of her reckless attitude, because she is in no position to feel any pain.
he was not sure he should feel sorry for her, which didnât feel right, or feel more fascinated by her.
he continued to stare at her unabashed as she looked at the team, hearing how Shree called others about the black wire thing and they diffused bus stop bomb and rescued Sakshi, and the conversation between lunatic bomber and them, and the shootout that followed. somewhere down the time, she felt his gaze and looked right back, never the one to back from challenge. there was no anger, or mocking. she simply held his gaze, like he did.
he didnât know how long this staring game was going on, but he snapped out of it when he head Sameer's "enjoying the view?" and found himself with a blanket on shoulder. the medics finished with him long ago.
she looked at the other officer, "canât beat yours . . . I assure you." she remarked lightly. it had the weird effect on him, he looked away to hide his embarrassment. he was not blushing, he was shirtless and naked on the upper body except for the blanket on shoulder. she was staring in his eyes and not anywhere else. he had nothing to blush.
"Me in my wife beater?" Sameer smirked. he knew what that word does to her, and she didnât disappoint. she started to laugh like that day, to which the Director stopped talking to whoever she was, stunned yet pleased with it. even he smiled softly at it.
"donât make me laugh while I am getting cast." she tried to sound stern, and moved her arm as the medic and Liza helped to wear the cast.
"You donât feel any pain so itâs a moot point." he shot back. she narrowed her eyes playfully, and stood up w/o anyone's support of course, a little disoriented, but nothing she canât handle. she then notice the quiet IT head looking down and tilted her head to him.
"Your glasses are misty." she commented. he jumped at it and hurried to clear his glasses, which, Rawte knew, because of his tears. Shree always held his emotion when at work, but when someone of them is in danger, he canât stop it.
he consider her one of them.
the care is mutual.
she ruffled his hair once, a soft look passing on her face. it was gone as quickly as it came, and then she was leaving the crime scene with Chotu, telling to her she was going to sleep all night and full day tomorrow to make for the lost sleep, and his astonished inquiry about her inability to feel any pain.
He was sure she will have something interesting to say to that.
He was starting to know her well.
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