AN: Yes, I know it has been long. But exams were occupying my free time, and now that it is over, here you go!
Another chapter. This basically describes what the case will be about and a small part where Tasha remembers the day when she met Abhijeet and Daya and the relationship she has with her team-mates.
Enjoy!
"Dialogues"
'Thoughts'
CID - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Hunting 'The Specter'
Freddy walked inside the Bureau with a big smile on his face. He saw Abhijeet sir and Daya sir working quietly on a nearby desk and Tasha was filing the cabinets meticulously. It seemed like a normal day at work. He walked over to his seniors and placed a file on their table with a bang. The two officers nearly jumped out of their chairs in surprise. Before Daya could reproach him, Freddy loudly greeted them, "Good morning, sir!"
He raised a meaningful eyebrow and received two nearly identical amused smiles. Abhijeet shook his head fondly, "Yes, it is a good morning Freddy."
Freddy walked over to his own desk, humming a cheerful tune. He soon lost himself in his work, but the smile on his face persisted. It was a little over an hour later that a tensed ACP Pradyuman entered the Bureau. He barely looked at them when they stood up to greet him and nodded distractedly as he entered his cabin.
"What do you think is wrong?" Abhijeet quietly asked Daya.
His friend discreetly glanced at the ACP, "I don't know. It seems as if he received some bad news. Do you think…?"
Daya and Abhijeet shared a look and then simultaneously, both of them got up. Freddy and Tasha, at the other end of the room, looked on curiously as the two Senior Inspectors entered ACP Pradyuman's cabin. For quite some time, the three of them talked in low tones before ACP opened a file and laid it in front of them.
"What is going on, sir?" Tasha asked Freddy, "Today, of all days, was supposed to be normal and stress free! Vivek is coming back today! And now, we have a problem popping out of nowhere…"
Yes, today was meant to be a relaxing day for the detectives. It had been nearly a month and half ago that a confidential file had been delivered to ACP Pradyuman from the Headquarters. The three senior most officers were the only ones in the know, and Freddy, Vivek and Tasha were on a strict need to know basis.
This particular mission though, required an officer to go undercover and mingle with the criminals. The information they needed to capture and put them to trial in court was not something that they could collect easily. And the most probable and easiest way was to send a detective in disguise to become a part of the gang.
Usually, ACP Pradyuman would have sent Abhijeet, who was a master of disguise and totally capable of integrating himself into the role he was playing. And if not Abhijeet, it would have been either Daya or Freddy. But unfortunately, all three of them had been a part of the CID team for many long years that it would be difficult for them to stay hidden among the gangsters for long. They were, simply put, too recognizable and famous in the underworld.
That left Pradyuman with two options – Vivek and Tasha. It had only been a year since Tasha had joined their team, so he was hesitant to send her for any solo and potentially dangerous missions. Therefore, it would have to be Vivek. He, Abhijeet and Daya made sure to prepare him for almost everything and even put a backup plan in place.
However, Murphy's Law – Anything that can go wrong will go wrong – proved itself correct here; today was the day Vivek was supposed to return back from the mission, safe and sound, with the information that would incriminate the gangsters. And there was no news of him.
Vivek had been giving them weekly reports of his progress and had told them that he was very close to getting his hands on a top secret file. Consequently, the mission had been extended for another two weeks during which, they had not established contact due to increasing danger.
ACP Pradyuman brought himself out of his stupor when Daya spoke, "Sir, what do the Headquarters have to say on this?"
"They cannot spare anymore people of theirs for this mission," ACP replied tiredly. "They have left it up to us. But the most they will allow us is four days, after which the case will have to be closed. No arguments."
"Four days!" Abhijeet whispered in shock, "That's all? But…we have been out of the loop for the whole time! We do not have any leads, or any clue to go on with. How will we do it in just four days?"
Daya had a similar expression of disbelief on his face. But then he steeled himself, "But we have to try! We do have the weekly reports that Vivek sent us. Perhaps they will prove useful."
ACP gave his two officers a grim smile, "Yes, perhaps…"
They fell silent for a moment. That they might never see Vivek again was a huge possibility, and that realization was sinking into their minds. But then they collected themselves – they were trained CID officers, and now was not the time to fall apart. Vivek was a strong man; he would not be put down so easily.
"This case should be handled by all of us," Abhijeet spoke up suddenly, determination shining in his eyes. "Not only by a couple of officers like the Headquarters prefer it. And also, working as a team has always produced the best of results for us."
ACP Pradyuman looked at him and nodded firmly, "I agree. Call Fredericks and Tasha in. It is time to bring them up to speed with the current affairs. With all of us on this case, I'm confident that we will be able to crack this case and bring Vivek back safely, within four days!"
Freddy and Tasha had known of course, that Vivek had been sent on a mission, but not about what it pertained to. As they read up on the meager information they had, ACP Pradyuman, Abhijeet and Daya laid out a map of a certain area of Mumbai in front of them.
"This was where he was when he first reported to me," ACP Pradyuman pointed at a place that had been circled with a marker. The place was quite close to the sea and had many commercial sectors located there.
"Housing societies in this area are far and few in between. So, finding 'The Specter', the woman who helped him make contact with the gang members, will not be too difficult."
"The Specter?" Daya asked skeptically, "What kind of title is that? What does the woman do? Did he say something about her?"
ACP Pradyuman nodded absently as he traced his finger down the map in an arbitrary line, "Yes, like her name, she is well known for going unnoticed. She is a lot like a – what can you say? – ghost…yes. She is a lot like a ghost, travels from place to place collecting information but so skillfully that she is not even regarded as a threat. All in all, a very dangerous woman."
"Is she a part of this infamous gang that Vivek was after?" Abhijeet asked his senior.
"No," Pradyuman denied, "She is not a part of any mafia. She prefers to work alone. It is said that she can collect and find almost any information and provide you for the right price. All the Underworld gangs are quite happy to employ her for a small period and then break all ties. It is said that she would not pledge loyalty to any gang."
Abhijeet smirked at that. This woman was dangerous no doubt, but she was also the first link of the long chain that would lead them to Vivek. So finding her was of utmost importance. And handling this type of person was just the kind of job for him.
"I shall take the responsibility of looking for her then," Abhijeet declared. "Besides, I have an idea to locate this woman. I am not sure if it will work, but there is a slight possibility. And if it does, then it will not even take more than a few hours."
His colleagues looked at him and smiled.
"As expected," Daya shook his head, "you are intrigued by her. And if you already have an idea, good enough for me. Besides, I know that you will be able to handle her best. Isn't that right, sir?"
The ACP nodded and then tapped another spot on the map, quite far away from the previous place and mostly into the main city. He picked up a marker and drew a line connecting the first and the second spot.
"This was where he was when he contacted me for the second time," ACP tapped the spot repeatedly, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"What's wrong, sir?" Abhijeet asked, looking at his senior's irritated profile.
"He did not have much time then, to actually tell me much. Whatever information he gave me, was incomplete."
"Incomplete?" Daya enquired.
"Hmm, yes, incomplete. He managed to tell me a few things, which I have written down on a paper. It must be in that file." The ACP waved his hand towards Freddy and Tasha, where a file lay open between them.
Just then, Tasha and Fredericks got up and moved to join them, having finished reading and retaining the information. A smile no longer graced Freddy's lips, the news about Vivek's disappearance having saddened him greatly. His fists were clenched tightly, partly in anger and partly in desperation.
Tasha, on the other hand, had her mouth set in a firm line. Her eyes were unusually bright with determination, but they were also slightly moist.
Abhijeet patted Tasha on the back in an attempt to comfort her, while Daya squeezed Freddy's shoulder reassuringly. ACP Pradyuman began to explain to the both of them about how they would proceed in their investigation.
Meanwhile, Daya went to get the file. He scanned through it to find a piece of paper that had some words written on it in ACP Pradyuman's handwriting. There were only a few words that had been hastily scribbled, but it was all the information that Vivek had been able to give the second time.
Two trees…he drinks half a glass of wine…cross the bridge…a microchip…
"Sir?" Daya called out after reading the words, "Is this it? That's all he said?"
"That is all he could say," the ACP corrected. "Which is why I am confused. Why would he say 'Two trees'? Is something going to happen under some particular tree? Is there perhaps an area with only two trees? Did I mishear what he said?" The ACP shook his head, "I have no idea and was hoping one of you might shed some light on it."
Freddy and Tasha, now up to date with all the information, too pitched in to see if they could help. Daya tapped his chin thoughtfully before saying,
"Perhaps it is the name of a place? It might mean a building or maybe, a bar that is called 'Two Trees' and not two trees."
Pradyuman's eyebrows rose, "Yes! Yes, that could be it! But the only way to make sure would be to go to the place and check it out. And the rest of the words?"
"The microchip might refer to where he would be hiding the information," Tasha suggested.
The others nodded along, it made sense.
Freddy spoke up, "Maybe we have to look for a person who drinks only half a glass of wine?"
"Maybe," agreed Daya, "but drinking only half his glass and leaving the rest? I do not know who does that."
"About 'Cross the bridge'," Abhijeet mused, "does that also mean a place? Like 'The Bridge' and not just any bridge, because the map does not show any bridges in this area."
"The bridge he mentioned may not even be in this area," countered Pradyuman, "He might be talking about some other place."
After some more discussion and getting no concrete result, they decided to let it be and find out more by actually going to the place and enquiring in person.
"Daya, you will search for this 'Two Trees' place," ordered ACP Pradyuman. "Take Freddy along with you."
"Tasha, you will come with me to look for 'The Specter'," Abhijeet told her and the ACP nodded in agreement.
"Moving on, the third time Vivek established contact, it was from here," Pradyuman tapped another place on the map, "and this time he gave a name. He said that this would be the man who could lead him to the gang. The man's name is not known, but his alias is 'The Wanderer'. A man who wanders a lot and has changed gangs as regularly as we change socks. Not very dependable, according to me. You may never know when he double crosses you."
He looked up at his officers, "I will look for this man. If we get hold of him, it will save us a lot of time."
"This case sure has a lot of mysterious people in it," Freddy sighed, "And we only have their nicknames – odd nicknames too! I mean who calls themselves a specter or a wanderer?"
ACP cracked a smile at Freddy's poor attempt at humour, "The fourth time he contacted me was to tell that he had successfully entered the gang and to request for two weeks' time. The Headquarters agreed, and he was not to make any contact for those two weeks due to possible danger of being found out."
"He was supposed to return today, right?" Tasha said more than asked.
ACP Pradyuman simply nodded. Then he brought up a mask of indifference on his face and ordered his officers to get moving.
"We have only four days! So get cracking, and I want results. No excuses!"
Everyone consented and moved out.
Abhijeet and Tasha got into one car while Daya and Freddy took another. They would be going separately so as to get the work done faster. It might be possible that the second clue would not be solved till the first one was, but they would try to solve each one simultaneously to save time.
In the car, Abhijeet asked Tasha, "Do you know who the specter is?"
She mutely shook her head.
"So you've not heard of the name…"
"Should I have?" she asked her senior self-consciously.
Tasha looked up to Senior Inspectors Abhijeet and Daya ever since her first meeting with them in that dingy little bar. She had not even joined CID properly then and confronting them had been slightly frightening. They had appeared charismatic, confident as well as dangerous. It was their 'On duty cop' manner that she had seen then and realized just why they were regarded as two of the best CID officers in the department.
When she finally joined CID, though she still wanted to please ACP Pradyuman, gaining the approval of Senior Inspectors Abhijeet and Daya seemed more important to her.
Soon, of course, she became a respected member of the team with highly praised skills of her own to boast about. She maintained a good relationship with her senior, Inspector Freddy and perhaps slightly more than friendship with Vivek. ACP Pradyuman was also pleased with her.
However, the respect and admiration she held for Abhijeet and Daya and their appraisal of her had been what always pushed her to do better and better – Abhijeet slightly more than Daya. Why? – That she did not know. What put Abhijeet sir's opinion about her above Daya sir's, she could not guess. But perhaps that's just how it was. There were not supposed to be any favourites in the team, but that did not mean there weren't.
Just like the closest to ACP sir were Daya and Abhijeet, she was closer to Abhijeet than Daya sir, while Vivek had a better relationship with Daya. However, the web of bonds and relationships within the CID team was so perfectly entangled and crisscrossed that in the end, they made up one dysfunctional, happy family.
Bringing herself back to the present, Tasha racked her brain, wondering if she had ever heard of 'The Specter'. She did not like disappointing Abhijeet after all. However, she could come up with nothing.
"Don't worry," Abhijeet dismissed it, "I do not know either. I was just hoping that you might."
She nodded and then asked, "Then how are we going to find her?"
A smirk spread across his face and Tasha regretted asking. She had seen that smirk before – it was when he had a plan in mind; a plan that he would not reveal till its completion, no matter how much she asked.
"I have a plan that I am almost sure will work," Abhijeet began and she groaned internally – that was always how he began it. "And if it does, we might not even have to actively look for her."
She sat up at that, "Really? We might not even have to look for her? What is the plan?"
He shook his head, "I am not sure if it will work, I think it's best if I do not reveal it yet."
She sighed, 'As expected'. Then she said, "What do you want me to do, sir?"
"Call your informer," Abhijeet replied immediately.
"Suvidya?" she asked, startled. "B-But…why her?"
"Have you never noticed," Abhijeet sent her a look, "how even with the multiple informers Daya and I have, it is you who always reports the information faster when you contact your own informer? That every time you ask her for a piece of information, the result you get is absolutely perfect and flawless?"
Tasha had a shocked expression on her face. But as she thought about it, what Abhijeet sir was saying was true. Whenever she asked Suvidya for information, she would receive it the fastest among all of them.
The other officers had always been impressed with the speed of her informer and praised her for it. Many a times, Vivek or Freddy had asked her who it was, but she had refused to reveal anything about Suvidya as per her request.
Abhijeet sir was the only one who knew her name, or even that her informer was a woman. The others still thought that it was a man. Tasha smiled slightly, remembering how Vivek would berate her for having a 'shady, unreliable man as an informer that no one knew anything about'.
"You are right sir," she agreed, "but what does Suvidya have to do with it?" Then her eyes widened in realization, "Wait! You don't mean…!"
"Yes," Abhijeet nodded decisively, "that is exactly what I am thinking about."
AN: Okay...so I am not sure how this chapter cam out, since I actually sat for two hours and typed this down JUST NOW before posting it. It may even have some errors in it, so please let me know if you spot any.
Also, if you feel that I have not conveyed some feeling or thought properly please let me know!
And if any character seems...er...out of character, do tell me about it!
Reviews are appreciated! They inspire me to write faster! :)
To all Guest revievers - Thanks a lot for your support!
Rinky - Good to know that you will enjoy reading it! Leave lots of reviews too please :)
Aditi - I do not know if you have an acount or not, so I can't personally thank you, but thanks for your support! You have faithfully reviewed to each chapter of mine! Thanks a lot! It really means a lot to get a review from you! Hope you enjoy this story of mine too!
Disani - Not a bad guess! But alas, it is not correct as you have no doubt read above. Thanks for reviewing! Hope this story captures your interest and you read it to the end!
Phir milenge! Tata!