Chapter 123: chapter 123

MADHAVTHE DAY GABRIELLA WAS POISONEDI park the car and get down. Sruthi looks worried for her friend. The shock of all that has happened is too much. I still find it hard to believe Nisha is behind all the crimes. The evidence is clear, and that is what makes things more suspicious.“Should we tell Gabe about Nisha?” Sruthi asks, looking nervous and uneasy. Before I can answer, my phone rings—not my personal one but the one I use on missions. The only people who call this number are either Vikram or the techie guy. The caller ID shows it is Vikram.I frown. Whatever Vikram has to say must be confidential, or else he wouldn't call this number. That means Sruthi should also not know who is calling.“Sruthi, go ahead. It’s my employee, and it might be urgent,” I lie.“Oh, sure,” she says with an understanding look. That makes me feel guilty for lying to her, but there are things she shouldn’t know.She turns to leave, and I call out to her, “Just be careful. Stay alert. I’ll join you in a minute.”She gives me a determined nod and starts walking, but I keep my eyes fixed on her as I answer the call.“Hello,” I say.“Where are you?” Vikram's voice is calm.“Outside the hospital where Gabriella is admitted,” I answer.“Where is Sruthi?”“She just entered the hospital.”Vikram’s voice grows urgent as he speaks. “I don't believe it’s Nisha who did it, and I am suspicious of Gabriella. Just keep an eye on her for me and make sure Sruthi isn’t alone around her. I will tell you the rest when you leave the hospital. For now, don't let my sister be alone with that woman.”“Okay, but Sruthi wanted to know if she can tell Gabriella about Nisha.”“By all means, tell Gabriella about Nisha, but not a word about Raj.”“Okay,” I answer, and the line goes blank.I want him to elaborate, but he hangs up. Suspicious of Gabriella? It makes no sense. Gabriella is the victim here. Why would Gabriella poison herself? What could she gain from it? I mean, no one would risk their life unless... unless they knew their life was not in real danger.I run to the hospital and reach my wife just as she thanks the receptionist. Sruthi takes in my face, and I realize it is still tense and agitated.“I am sorry you had to leave the expo because of me,” she apologizes. God! How sweet of her! She thinks I am upset about leaving the expo.“Don't apologize. I am here because you are more important than the expo.”She gives me a grateful smile and squeezes my hand. “Thank you.”We step into the elevator, and I answer her question. “Sruthi, I think you should be honest with Gabriella about what's happening. She deserves to know about the threats to your life. But don't mention Raj. That's confidential. The public doesn't know he’s been arrested or is serving a jail sentence.”“Okay,” she agrees as the elevator opens.We step into the corridor, and my trained eyes pick out details. There are a total of ten rooms on this floor—five rooms on the right and five on the left. The fourth room on the left has a police constable stationed outside. That must be the room where Gabriella is being treated.I approach the policeman. He is the same one who let me meet Vishnu for interrogation a few days ago.“Hello, sir,” he greets me with a look of understanding and concern. “Nasty business, sir. Glad your wife escaped the poisoning.”“Did the doctor say anything about the poison found in her system?”“Yes, sir. The poison was mixed into her juice. It’s a slow-acting toxin—if untreated within two hours, it would’ve killed her in eight. It affects the muscular system first, then spreads slowly through the rest of the body.”“Thanks for the information,” I say, my mind spinning. Why use a slow poison if the goal is to kill someone? A slow poison that shows signs as soon as you take it. A poison that can be treated in two hours. It all seems too convenient for Gabriella.We enter the room. Gabriella is awake. She looks pale but otherwise fine. Her eyes gleam when she sees Sruthi, and for the first time, I notice how cunning they look. Sruthi doesn’t seem to notice, of course, because it is subtle.“Seems like I just escaped death, Sruthi,” Gabriella says with a smile.Sruthi shivers. “That is not something to joke about. I am so sorry. This is all because of me.”Sruthi then launches into the story of how she is being targeted and how her life has been threatened many times. She is careful not to reveal details about me and Raj. My assassin identity is not something that can be bragged about. For some reason, though, every time Sruthi talks about how she escaped a threat, Gabriella's eyes flicker to me like she knows something more.Yep! Gabriella is definitely suspicious.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Later That Night“Where is Sruthi?” Vikram asks over the phone.“She is fast asleep in the bedroom, and I am in the living room. I don’t know what made you suspicious of Gabriella, but I think you are right.”I tell Vikram my suspicions, and he listens in silence.“Remember, I told you that I was suspicious of someone a few days ago? It was Gabriella. Sruthi’s life started being targeted only after she appeared in the capital, and it didn’t seem like a coincidence. Besides, she was a doctor but had no records of working in any hospital for the past three years. We only have her word about how she helped the poor. There was no other proof. So, I dug a little more into her life and found that she and Raj studied in the same medical college and were acquitted.”I gasp. “So, is it confirmed? She is the culprit?”“She is the only person who fits all the criteria. She has framed Nisha, and it is clear that she wants us to believe she is innocent and let our guard down so she can strike.”“What do we do?”“For now, we stay low and let her believe that we’ve fallen for her trap. Don’t mention any of this to Sruthi. Gabriella is her best friend, and it would be a big shock to her. We can only tell her things after we are fully confident. We don’t have any evidence against Gabriella yet, and we need that to arrest her.”“Should I search her house for any evidence?” I ask, feeling the excitement of an assignment.“That is a good idea, but can you do it without Sruthi getting suspicious of you?”“Yeah, I can. I have the jewelry expo as an excuse. When is Gabriella being discharged from the hospital?”“By tomorrow afternoon,” Vikram answers.“That gives me plenty of time.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Next Early  MorningHad to leave early to oversee things happening at the expo. Stay safe and alert. Love you.I scribble the note hurriedly on a post-it and stick it on the bedside table in Sruthi’s room. It’s four in the morning—the perfect time to carry out my mission.I’m sure Sruthi will buy my excuse. I feel guilty for deceiving her, but she shouldn’t know the truth for now. We need solid evidence before sharing any suspicions with her.A quick drive takes me to Gabriella’s street. I park my car out of view of the CCTV cameras. Taking out my phone, I look over the instructions the techie gave me to dodge the cameras and enter Gabriella’s house.I follow the instructions carefully and slip inside her house as quietly as possible. The place is sparse, with little furniture. It’s a small two-bedroom house. One bedroom has a cot and a bedside table, while the other is empty. I go through every nook and corner, making sure to place everything back exactly as I found it.But I find nothing. Not a single piece of evidence that could prove Gabriella’s involvement. Just as I think about heading back, something catches my attention—a keychain shaped like an octopus. The keychain is remarkable because, while collecting information about Raj, I came across it. Raj had an obsession with octopuses. Finding the same keychain in Gabriella’s house is no coincidence. If I’m right, the keychain would have an “R” on it. I turn it over, and just as I suspected, there’s an “R” engraved on the back.This isn’t solid evidence, but it strengthens our suspicions about Gabriella. My phone vibrates, and I pull it out to find a message from the techie.Get out of her house now. She’s coming back early. You have five minutes to leave without being seen.My phone shows it’s already eight in the morning. I quickly snap a picture of the keychain and pocket my phone. Then, I take out a small transmitter microphone, switch it on, and place it under the dining table.Giving the room a final glance to make sure everything is back in its original place, I walk to the front door. Unlocking it with the duplicate key, I carefully open the door. I am about jump out of the compound wall that surrounds her house when I hear the sound of a car pulling up outside.Shit. She’s back.I hear her asking the cab driver how much the fare costs. I can’t jump the compound wall now, and standing here would be a disaster. Think, Madhav, think! My eyes dart to the house on the right of Gabriella’s, and an idea flashes. Just as I hear the sound of Gabriella’s car door slamming shut and the gate being unlocked, I make a high jump and land silently inside her neighbor’s property.Today is my lucky day. The neighbor’s house is locked. As quietly as I can, I cross their yard, jump out of their property, and disappear down the street, my adrenaline still pumping.My phone buzzes again, and I see another message from the techie.Erased the CCTV footage of the neighbor’s property.I respond with a thumbs-up emoji and walk briskly back to my car. Vikram’s team is the best. They always know what to do and when to do it to avoid trouble. Thank heavens Vikram is the defense minister of this country and not some gangster. I can’t imagine what this country would be like if Vikram were on the opposite side of the law.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥LATER THAT EVENING I leave the jewelry expo with a mix of relief and dread. Relief, because I don’t have to worry about the expo for another ten months. Dread, because focusing on the expo gave me a brief escape from the more pressing issues in my life.After leaving Gabriella’s house this morning, I went back home, where Sruthi was already awake and cleaning the house with Jaya Ma. It was a sight to behold. Seeing her take on the duties of the mistress of the house was something I wasn’t prepared for. It reminded me of how much she’s invested in this relationship.After giving her a quick excuse about resolving a small issue at the expo, I took a bath and returned to the event. Today was a blast, with people voting and feasting. I missed having Sruthi by my side, but her safety is far more important.Now, finally, I’m heading home. I’ve reported my findings to Vikram, and the techie is monitoring the transmitter mic for any leads. Vikram also told me he was going to search Nisha’s house today to find evidence that could prove her innocence. I’m eager to hear how that went.I ring the doorbell, my mind crowded with worries. Vikram answers the door, and I’m not surprised to see him here. He must have stopped by to check on his sister.“You look like a dead fish,” he says with a smirk.“I could say the same about you,” I counter, taking him in. It’s been a full day, yet he looks completely drained. I’m sure he hasn’t slept and has been working non-stop to find evidence against Gabriella.“How was the closing ceremony? Did everything go well?” Sruthi asks as I toss my coat onto the couch and loosen my tie before sitting down with a heavy sigh.“It went well, and I’m glad it’s over. Finally, I can get some rest,” I reply. She picks up my coat and throws it into the laundry bag on her way to the kitchen. Once she’s out of earshot, I turn to Vikram.“So, how did it go? Did you find anything on her?”Vikram lowers his voice and leans closer. “I did. Gabriella is on the same mind-control drugs that Vishnu was on.”I struggle to keep my reaction quiet so Sruthi doesn’t overhear. “What? Are you serious?” I whisper, stunned.Vikram nods grimly. “I am. Her blood samples were analyzed specifically for this drug, and the results came back positive. The only difference is that Gabriella has more of it in her system. The doctors estimate that she’s been taking it for at least a year, maybe longer.”“That’s insane,” I mutter, trying to wrap my head around it. A year? That means she must have been working with Raj even before we arrested him. Could Gabriella be one of Raj’s followers?I don’t get to voice the question as Sruthi returns.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“What do you plan to do with Raj in prison?” I ask as I drop Vikram off at the airport.“I am going to play the same game he’s been playing with others. Manipulate him into giving me the answers I need.”“Good luck with that,” I say. “What do you want me to do in the meantime? Keep an eye on Sruthi?”Vikram shakes his head. “Take her away somewhere, Madhav. Keep her away from the capital until I return.”“Why? Are you still suspicious of—”“Shh, not here,” he cuts me off. “Just follow my words and hide her away for two days. For her safety, it’s better she doesn’t know anything until the last minute. Do you understand?”I nod. “I do. Get going, and come back with answers. I’ll keep her away from the capital.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Minutes After Sruthi Gets Off Gabriella’s CallI wait for Sruthi in her school’s parking lot, watching the time and feeling a little nervous about the news I’m going to break to her.Vikram managed to get Raj to confess that Gabriella worked with him. It seems she knows how to make the mind-control drug, which means she must be the one who drugged and manipulated Vishnu. But where did she prepare the drug? She must have a lab somewhere to make it, and I’m sure the other followers of Raj would also have access to that place.Now, the mission is to find Gabriella’s hiding place.A tap on the car window jolts me out of my thoughts. I blink in surprise to find Sruthi standing there. I roll down the window to see her smirking.“Were you thinking about me?”“No,” I answer honestly. She raises her eyebrows before joining me in the car.“Then what was occupying your mind that you didn’t see me coming?” she asks, buckling her seat belt.“Gabriella,” I say, and Sruthi’s eyes widen in disbelief. I click my tongue, realizing how that must have sounded.“Don’t misinterpret it. There are things you should know about her,” I say, trying to ease her into this news.Sruthi frowns. “What is all this about, Madhav? She just called me asking to meet up, and now you’re telling me I need to know things about her?”“She asked to meet you?” I ask, thinking about why she would want to meet Sruthi. The only reason that comes to mind is to kill her. I’m sure Gabriella is going to make a move today because she believes Vikram and I have fallen for her trap and would have become slack about Sruthi’s security.“Yeah, it seems like the work she had in the capital is nearly over, and she’s going back. She wants to give me one last farewell gift,” Sruthi says, oblivious to the double meaning those words hold.Of course her work in the capital is nearly over because she believes Vikram and I think Nisha is the culprit. All she has to do now is finish off Sruthi.There’s no beating around the bush now. We’re running out of time. I take a deep breath and blurt out the words, “Gabriella is the real culprit.”Sruthi blinks once before unbuckling her seat belt and fully turning to face me. “I think I heard you wrong. Come again.”“Gabriella is the real culprit behind all the attacks that happened to you,” I repeat slowly.Sruthi is silent for a moment or two before letting out a sigh. “Do you have proof? What about Nisha? Does my brother know? Why would she want to kill me? What connection can she—”She stops mid-sentence and looks at me, realization dawning on her face. “The darknet ID ‘Octopus.’ Damn it, why didn’t I remember it sooner?”“What is it, Sruthi?” I ask.“Remember that I told you I checked Gabe’s phone for photos of the wedding to find out who sent that terrible gift?”I nod.She continues in a trembling voice, “While looking at the photos, she kept receiving notifications from a messaging app. In my hurry to find the photo, I kept swiping them away to avoid distractions, but I accidentally saw one of the messages. I remember seeing the word ‘Octopus.’ I found it weird because we don’t usually use that word in normal conversations.”I intertwine my fingers with hers and squeeze them.“Stay strong,” I say. “We still need solid evidence against her. First, call her and tell her you can’t meet her.”Sruthi shakes her head. “No, I am going to meet her today.”“Sruthi, you know it’s not safe. She might try to kill you.”“That’s exactly why I am going to meet her. I’m sure she would reveal the reason before she kills me. I will get her to talk, and we can record everything and use it as evidence against her.”“Nope, not happening. Yes, we need evidence against her, but not at the cost of your life,” I say in a firm voice.But Sruthi shakes her head. “Do you still think I’m that soft, fragile woman you married?”I think about the question and answer what I believe is the truth. “No, you’re not that soft and sweet woman anymore. My recklessness is rubbing off on you, and I’m scared because of that.”Sruthi gives a smile. “Oh, come on. It isn’t fair that you and Vikram are the only ones who get to do dangerous missions and adventures. I am perfectly capable of handling Gabriella. I faced an assassin head-on even when I had no idea about self-defense and was shit scared of blood. Facing Gabriella wouldn’t be nearly as hard as facing Vishnu. We must find evidence and put a stop to this today at all costs.”The determination in Sruthi’s voice leaves me speechless. I’m scared of letting her be in danger, but at the same time, it’s her call to make. I have to trust her to be safe.“Alright,” I agree. “But come back safely to me.”Sruthi chuckles before pulling me close. “I will, honey.”I close the distance between us, and our lips meet in a fierce kiss. It’s filled with urgency and desperation. It’s not sweet or gentle but hard and raw. She pulls back, and I rest my head on her shoulder.“Don’t worry. I’ll come back safe. Just promise me not to interfere unless I’m totally helpless.”“I promise,” I say.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“All set?” I ask as I park the car in front of Gabriella’s house.“Hmm,” Sruthi says, adjusting the pendant I gave her. It’s not just a gift—it’s a tracker. If she presses it, I’ll know her location immediately.“The transmitter I placed in Gabriella’s house will let me hear everything. I’ll know what’s happening. Still, the transmitter in your watch ensures I can listen in even if she takes you somewhere else.”“What makes you so sure she’ll take me somewhere?”“It’s Vikram’s hunch. He seems to have an idea of why Gabriella is targeting you, but he wouldn’t reveal it. I have no idea what conversation went on between him and Raj. He only told me Gabriella is involved.”“Alright. Time to see if what you people told me is true. I still don’t fully believe that Gabe is the culprit, but let’s see.”Before getting out, Sruthi pulls me into a hug inside the car and whispers into my ear, “Remember, I know how to free myself from ropes, throw hard punches, and kick at points that inflict maximum damage. So, you’re only to interfere if things get too hard for me. Trust your pupil to make you proud today.”With that, she gets out of the car and transforms into the character of the oblivious, cheerful Sruthi. She pays the cab driver AKA me with a wink and turns to the house with an excited grin, looking every bit like a woman thrilled to meet her best friend.I have to admit, she’s gotten much better at acting and I hope she returns back to me safely.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥