Chapter 46: chapter 46

Kaushal and Karan, both were lost, surrounded by the weight of revelations and unanswered questions. The air was uneasy as the news of Karan's to-be wife being connected to the mysterious Crimson Dagger echoed in their thoughts."Karan, I need you to tell me everything you know about this person – the one who was killed," Kaushal urged.Karan hesitated for a moment, wiping away his tears, "His name was Captain Vipin, and we knew each other from college, but I didn't know that he loved my to-be wife and they had an affair. After college, he had joined the intelligence team and our paths were separate so never met him after that. We weren't close friends, just acquaintances. I never expected him to be murdered or be involved in something like this."Kaushal observed Karan closely, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth. The mention of the informant's name being Vipin matched with the information they had received earlier."Karan, I want you to understand something important. What I'm about to say may sound unbelievable, but you must trust me," Kaushal began cautiously.Karan looked at him, curiosity and fear reflecting in his eyes.Kaushal took a deep breath, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. "Yes, Karan, he's dead. And it complicates things for us. We were relying on him for crucial information. Now, we need to figure out who can help us in his absence."Karan's eyes widened, "Help you? What is happening? And how is my to-be wife connected to all this?"Kaushal hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The person who was killed, Vipin, was somehow connected to a secretive organization called Crimson Dagger headed by Azad. It's a dangerous group manipulating global events for their benefit. I've been investigating them for a while now, and your fiancée's arrest might be connected to this organization!"Karan's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "Crimson Dagger? Azad? This sounds like a spy movie or something. Are you serious?"Kaushal nodded, "Deadly serious. Your to-be wife might be a victim in this conspiracy. We're trying to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.""But what can I do? How can I help?" Karan asked, a sense of determination replacing his initial shock."Right now, we need to find a new lead. Someone who can guide us through this intricate web of deception. We have the information, but we're missing the link. We need to know who else was working with Vipin and if there's anyone who can fill his role."Karan, though anxious, nodded in agreement. "I have some contacts within the intelligence community. Maybe they can help us. But how do we approach them without exposing ourselves?"Kaushal pondered for a moment. "We need to be discreet. No direct contact or names. We can create a secure channel through coded messages or anonymous communication. It's risky, but it's the only way to ensure our safety."Kaushal took a deep breath, deciding to reveal only another portion of the truth, "Vipin might have been a pawn in their game, manipulated without realizing the consequences. Your fiancée might have been dragged into this without her knowledge as well."A moment of silence hung in the air as Karan processed the information. The reality was taking its toll, and the room felt heavy with the weight of the mystery."What do we do now?" Karan finally asked a hint of determination in his voice.Kaushal leaned forward, "We need to clear your fiancée's name but to do that, we have to expose Crimson Dagger. The information I have could help us. Can you trust me on this?"Karan nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and resolve, "I trust you, Kaushal. Let's bring them down."~~~Meanwhile, Neha in Leh was coordinating with her contacts in the media to release carefully curated information about Crimson Dagger anonymously. The story was live and was gaining traction, and the public was growing increasingly curious about the shadowy organization.Just when Neha was back at her office she received a call from Kaushal, updating her about the latest developments with Karan. The revelation that their informant, Vipin, was dead, added another layer of complexity to their already intricate mission.Neha, sitting in her office in Leh, was shocked to hear the news, "But then who is helping us now? Do you think the information we have is even reliable? Though we can't let this opportunity slip away, do we have the right details?""I don't know but let's go ahead with whatever we have, if this information is wrong we will see someone opposing it too. I think we need to keep moving forward, Neha. I've found a way to expose Azad and the collaborators within the government. It's risky, but it's our best shot," Kaushal informed her about Karan’s involvement."I think we should also find out about our active informant in parallel, but I trust your judgment, be careful Kaushal, we cannot trust anyone from now on!" Neha spoke in a hushed tone."Yes, I will take care!" Kaushal said and disconnected.Neha's phone rang again, and it was a private number this time. She hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hello?"A distorted voice echoed through the line, "Neha, Azad is getting stressed, he might be after your media links now, make sure there is no trace of you there."The warning sent shivers down Neha's spine, she cut the call, leaving her with a sense of foreboding. The shadowy informant behind Azad had issued a warning, suggesting that CD is getting reckless about the news, are they in more danger?~~~Back in Kaushal's place, with Karan, he was crafting a plan. The latest encrypted drive containing information about Azad's collaborators was their key to dismantling the organization."We need to expose them strategically, Karan. Your fiancée's arrest might be a part of their scheme, and we have to turn the tables on Crimson Dagger," Kaushal emphasized.Karan nodded, his determination growing, "I'm ready. Let's expose them and clear her name."Neha messaged Kaushal after the threat call, "Stay vigilant. We can't afford any missteps. Seems Azad is getting restless, got a call from our new informant. Be extra careful." ~~~~~