Chapter 1

'May I come in sir?' she asked.

'Come in Shreya. Please have a seat.' said DCP Malhotra.

'Thank you sir' she said and sat.

'So, what's your decision?' he asked.

'I am ready to work on the case sir. There was no way I could refuse it. I cannot miss such an important opportunity. I am ready to take transfer to CID Mumbai' said Shreya.

'Good. You have previously worked there so I guess you will be quite comfortable' said DCP Malhotra.

'Yes' said Shreya.

'Okay. I will talk to ACP Pradyuman. You will report on Monday that is after two days.' said DCP Malhotra.

'Okay. Thank you sir. I had never thought I would get such a big opportunity after a gap of almost two years' said Shreya.

'Passage of time does not diminish a person's talent Shreya. I believe in you. I know you are an brave officer and you would be able to give full justice to the case' said DCP Malhotra.

'Thank you sir. I assure you that I will never let you down' said Shreya and stood up to leave.

When she was at the door, DCP Malhotra called her back, 'One moment, Shreya.'

'Yes sir?' she said.

'I've heard that you were enquiring about the officers presently working in CID Mumbai' he said. Though he sounded casual, she knew it was a pressing question.

Shreya stared at him looking slightly uncomfortable.

'Uh... it was... just a routine thing. I mean I had heard that some new officers had joined while some of the previous ones have left. It was nothing important. I just wanted to know with whom I would be working.' she said.

'Okay' said DCP Malhotra looking slightly unconvinced with her explanation.

Before he could ask any more questions, Shreya said, 'Sir, may I leave?'

'Yes indeed. Good Luck' he said with a swift smile.

O-o-o-o

Two Days Later -

10 am CID Bureau, Mumbai.

'Inspector Shreya reporting sir'

'Shreya? Welcome! Welcome! It is my pleasure to see you. Long time! How are you?' asked ACP Pradyuman jovially.

Shreya noticed that he had a lot less hair than she remembered and he indeed looked old and tired. But he wore the same colourful and unusual patterned ties and the same smile which came from his heart.

'I am fine sir. How are you?' asked Shreya smiling.

'I am fine. Nearing retirement' he laughed.

'Oh my God! Abhijeet sir, Freddy sir, Pankaj look who it is! Shreya!' said Purvi dashing to meet her.

'Hello Shreya Mam' said Jaywanti smiling.

'Hi Jaywanti. How are you doing?' asked Shreya.

'I am doing good. Thank you' she said.

Shreya felt nostalgic to see the same old smiling faces. She was so happy to see them. She suddenly realised how much she had missed CID in last two years.

She looked around to find lot more new faces. They were hovering awkwardly in the background. ACP Pradyuman formally introduced them to Shreya.

Shreya wanted to talk to Purvi and Abhijeet and the rest of her friends but ACP Pradyuman cleared his throat announcing that they needed to get back to work.

'Sir, just a small request, can I go and see Dr Salunkhe and Dr Tarika? I will be back in five minutes' said Shreya.

'Sure. Go on' said ACP Pradyuman.

When Shreya came back to the bureau ten minutes later, ACP Pradyuman beckoned her inside his cabin.

A young officer almost Shreya's age was already seated inside. Shreya didn't recognise him.

'Shreya this is Officer Sameer. He will be working on this case along with you.' said ACP Pradyuman.

'Hello' she said to Sameer exchanging a formal handshake with him.

'The last week has indeed been hectic. Two simultaneous high profile murder cases! DCP told me to postpone my retirement! And the media coverage is making the matters even worse. Anyway I have assigned two chief officers on each case. You and Sameer will be the chief officers handling the case of the famous model's murder. Both of you have similar experience so you can work separately and then co-ordinate between yourselves accordingly. I have assigned Jaywanti and Pankaj to this case who would be working under you. I won't be around mostly, I have work at headquarters. So I will have a senior Officer to supervise your work. Both of you will report to him. Daya is coming back from Delhi next week. If he doesn't have any other commitments, I will assign him this case because Abhijeet is already supervising the other one.' said ACP Prdayuman.

Shreya froze hearing Daya's name. The thing we she had feared the most, the thing because of which she had hesitated to take up this case was actually happening.

The prospect of facing Daya again was distressing. She had argued with herself that she had forgotten the past and moved on. But had she really? At that moment she really doubted herself. Had she been foolish to come back to CID Mumbai? She had thought nothing had changed when she had arrived but she knew things were very different. How on the earth was she going to concentrate on work with him constantly around?

'-Shreya are you listening?' ACP Pradyuman said breaking her trail of thoughts.

'Yes, I am following you sir. Sorry.' she said softly.

'The murder took place two days ago and Sameer has been investigating it. He will fill you in the details and then you guys co-ordinate and start working right away. Remember this case is not like the usual ones. The victim was very famous and there is a lot of pressure from the media as well as from our seniors. We have to work our asses off and solve this case as soon as possible, got it?' asked ACP Pradyuman.

'Yes sir' said Shreya and Sameer. Shreya was amazed at his energetic attitude even at this age. Looking at his energy level and excitement, even she felt the passion, the drive to solve the case.

'I will not tolerate any unnecessary delays or excuses. You will submit weekly reports to me regarding how the case is progressing whether I am present here or not. And I will speak to Daya by this evening and let you know' said ACP Pradyuman.

'Got it, sir' said Sameer.

'All right. Get to work then' said ACP Pradyuman and waved them off.