I was driving, but something felt off. It was as if someone was watching me. I pulled over to the side of the road and stepped out. My eyes scanned the area, but there was no one there. Shaking off the unease, I got back into the car and continued to the station.
As I arrived and parked, I saw Nikhil hurrying toward me, his face pale and anxious.
"S-Sir, t-there has b-been..." he stammered, struggling to catch his breath.
"Calm down, Nikhil. Take a deep breath," I said. He followed my instructions, inhaling deeply before speaking again.
"Sir, there has been another murder," he managed.
"Where?" I asked, my voice steady despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.
"Sir, ek bar mein ek aadmi ki maut ho gayi hai. Uske drink mein poison milake usse maara gaya hai," he explained.
"Acha, okay. I'll look into it," I said, already thinking of the implications. "Waise, Ramesh ki reports aa gayi?"
"Ji, Sir. Doctor ne hospital bulaya hai," he informed me.
We wasted no time and headed to the hospital. The doctor was already waiting for us.
"What is the cause of death, ma'am?" I asked.
"The victim consumed poison, which led to his death," the doctor said matter-of-factly.
"What's the name of the poison?"
"Cyanide-Potassium Cyanide."
I nodded and made my way to the bar to investigate. The body had already been sent for postmortem.
At the bar, I examined the scene and interrogated everyone present.
"Hum sab drunk the aur naach rahe the," one woman said, clearly still shaken.
"Yeah, we didn't see anything," another added.
I searched for the glass the victim had used, but it was nowhere to be found. Frustration bubbled up as I returned to the station.
Sitting at my desk, I tried to piece everything together when there was a knock on my door.
"Come in, Nikhil," I called out.
He entered, holding a file. "Sir, Aveek-the bar guy's-reports will come tomorrow," he said.
"Okay," I replied. "And check the CCTV footage from the bar. I'm sure we'll find something."
"Sir, actually... the CCTV camera was off last night," Nikhil said hesitantly.
"KYA?!" I asked, incredulous. "Such a popular bar, and the CCTV was off? How is that even possible?"
"Sir, even the owner doesn't know how it happened. Aur jo security guard CCTV footage dekhta tha, uski bhi death ho gayi hai," Nikhil added.
I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "God help me. And the glass-the one Aveek drank from-that's missing too."
"Sir, main Ramesh ke ghar gaya tha," Nikhil said cautiously.
"Kyun?" I asked.
"Sir, yeh pata karne ke liye ki uski maut kaise hui," he explained.
"Toh kuch pata chala?"
"Ji, Sir. Madhu ji ne bataya-"
"Madhu kaun?" I interrupted.
"Sir, Ramesh ki maa," he clarified.
"Oh, Mrs. Joshi. Aaj kal mujhe yaad nahi rehta. Sorry," I muttered.
"Koi baat nahi, Sir," Nikhil replied.
"Acha, continue."
"Sir, Madhu ji ne bataya ki Ramesh ke suhagrat ke din Rupali ne haldi ka doodh pilaya tha," he said.
"Glass mila?" I asked.
"Nahi, Sir. Isme bhi glass gayab hai," he said.
"Matlab..." I began, but Nikhil finished my thought.
"Matlab, Sir, Ramesh aur Aveek ko ek hi insaan ne mara hai-aur woh hai Rupali."
"You're right," I said grimly. "Nikhil, humein Rupali ko jald se jald pakadna hoga."
"Ji, Sir," he replied, equally determined.
I clenched my fists. I won't give up.
TO BE CONTINUED