Blind Fire

Part 3: A Wronged Antagonist

Author's Note: Hey everyone! I am back with Part 3. I wasn't really so sure that I would be able to get it out in time, but well...I am here! I hope you are excited to read the third and final part of the series. If you haven't read the first and second parts, you should definitely do so before coming here because this is a continuation.

I hope you enjoy this part! And thank you for sticking with Nancy and the Hardy Boys for so long!

Chapter 1: Unintentionally Responsible

"You have had a hand in all these murders, haven't you?" the Inspector asked Vikram while pacing around the interrogation cell.

Vikram looked up with frightened eyes and mutely nodded his head.

"Four murders, I see," Inspector Shukla observed, "You surely didn't do all that on your own. Who are your associates?" he asked.

Vikram started shaking. "I don't know," he stuttered knowing quite well that the Inspector wouldn't believe the truth.

Inspector Shukla quirked an eyebrow. This boy spoke blatant lies. "You mean you didn't know who all helped you in murdering those four innocent people?" he almost laughed. "Well it wouldn't do you much good to conceal their identities. So you better speak up."

"I really don't know who the others were," Vikram implored, "If I did I would have told you," he seemed sincere, "We-we weren't supposed to know who the others were."

Inspector Shukla frowned. "Is this a cult from where you people originated?"

"No, no," Vikram insisted, "It is nothing like that," he appeared to be in a right state not sure what to say and what not to say.

"Then what is it? How were you involved with the murders?" Inspector Shukla asked relentlessly.

Vikram didn't reply. He sat rigid like a rock while an occasional shiver made him tremble from time to time.

The Inspector asked, "What was the motive for these murders? How had the victims harmed you, or anybody else?"

"I don't know why they were murdered," Vikram sighed, "I never knew any of them."

"Yet you murdered them?" the Inspector asked at a loss for words. This interrogation was becoming queer. He seriously doubted whether Vikram was a little deranged. Whatever he had said so far was self-contradictory.

On the other side of the glass, Joe was thinking along the same lines. Vikram admitted that he had been involved with the murders but not only was he unable to name his associates but he also denied having any motive. Not to mention, he denied being involved in a cult. What did this guy want to prove?

Joe realised that Nancy had walked over to join him in front of the glass. She cast around a cautious glance before dropping her voice and whispering in his ears, "Nobody is bringing up the topic of that game," she said, "Everybody is just asking about the murder."

"I know," Joe agreed, "Inspector Shukla doesn't seem to think that the game has any significance."

Nancy frowned. She disagreed, "I think that the game is vital here. Didn't you see Vikram's reluctance when you asked him about its name?"

"Yeah. He seemed like he was enraged that I would be talking about it," he looked at the interrogation cell, "I wonder why."

After a few minutes, the Inspector walked out of the cell. Joe walked up to him with a suggestion, "Inspector, could I interrogate Vikram for a few minutes?"

"Why?" the Inspector asked. Did the boy doubt his interrogation ability?

"I just wanted to ask him about that game. The one which he said was named 'Blind Fire'," he said hopefully. He had realised that it was the only way he would get to know about it.

"Ok. You may," the Inspector gave his permission, "Only; I need to arrange for armed guards stationed at the entrance."

Joe took a deep breath to steady himself before walking into the interrogation cell.

Joe noticed that Vikram appeared to be wary at his entrance. This look wasn't on his face when the Inspector was handling him roughly. He looked like he was carefully framing his words to avoid a slip of tongue. Joe didn't understand what the boy wanted to conceal from him which he wasn't that worried about concealing from the Inspector.

"Hi Vikram," Joe greeted sitting down across the desk from him.

Vikram merely nodded without uttering a word.

Joe remained silent for a good few seconds before saying, "I didn't quite understand something you said just now," Joe said, "You told that Inspector that you had no personal gain from the murders," he quirked an eyebrow, "Then what did you murder all those people for? Was there some money involved?"

"It wasn't about money," came Vikram's prompt reply but he refused to look up at Joe.

Joe waited for a few minutes, expecting an answer but when none came, he went on to his next question, "You see Vikram," he said in a jollier tone hoping to wheedle out the answers in a friendly conversation, "I am a big fan of video games too." This had the desired effect. Vikram finally looked up at him with a streak of interest. Joe pulled his chair closer.

"You are?" Vikram asked appearing a little excited and apprehensive at the same time.

"Yeah. So much so that my brother gets really irritated at times," Joe said.

"Oh...What is your current favourite game?" Vikram asked timidly.

"Right now I would say it is Planet of Kasers," Joe replied with a little more enthusiasm than he actually felt. Anything to keep the conversation going. "What is your favourite game?"

"I really like Planet of Kasers too," Vikram agreed, "But right now I like Blind Fire better," he stopped abruptly feeling that he shouldn't have spoken so much out of excitement.

Joe pretended not to have noticed Vikram's sudden setback. He asked, "Oh I see. Umm...what is the game about actually?"

Vikram remained silent for a long time. "It's complicated," he replied shortly.

"You see, I have been trying to download the game," Joe said, "But i couldn't find 'Blind Fire' on any AppStore. Do you know why?" he asked feigning innocence.

"I-I didn't actually download it from any AppStore," Vikram said almost inaudibly.

"Then where did you download it from?" Joe asked.

"I-I..." Vikram failed to say anything.

After another few minutes of silence, Joe asked something else, "Why were you drilling your phone Vikram?" His voice was so low and serious that it sounded strange.

"It is destroyed, isn't it?" Vikram asked. He sincerely hoped that all his efforts weren't in vain.

"It is irretrievably destroyed," Joe said to which Vikram sighed in relief. "Since you drilled so many holes all over it, it wasn't possible to recover any of its components."

Vikram looked...joyful almost. He had absolutely no qualms on losing so prized a possession. Joe was surprised. It was annoying too, "What makes you so happy about it?" There was no reply. "Why did you do it Vikram?"

Joe knew that the loss of the phone was an incalculable damage. It was indeed the worst luck that they couldn't get the phone as a lead. Vikram had effectively damaged a vital clue. But what was unnerving was the timing. It had seemed that the phone was purposefully damaged to inconvenience the police, but Vikram couldn't have known that the police was on his trail. That much was evident from his shock and surprise when he was handcuffed.

That was why Joe was keen on this question. He wanted to know what had prompted Vikram's action.

"I-I just had to," Vikram said without any proper reasoning.

Joe was about to say that it was too vague when he heard Nancy calling him. He noticed that Frank had also arrived. Reluctantly, much to Vikram's relief, Joe exited the interrogation cell.

"Hey Frank, what's up?" Joe asked his brother who looked rather grim.

"Vikram's parents are here," Frank said nodding towards the door which led to the main police station, "The police brought them here and we came along," he said, his voice even grimmer, "Things aren't looking too good for them. The police refuse to believe that they never had any inkling that their son was a serial killer," he ran a hand through his hair which was in a mess, "I am not sure but I think that the police are planning to keep the entire family in the lockup."

Nancy added, "Plus, the police are going through all possible documents and previous records to whip up some connection. It is crazy out there."

"It wouldn't be a good idea to be there right now, I guess," Joe pondered.

"No, it wouldn't. It's utter chaos out there," Frank advised, "What has this guy got to say?" he asked indicating Vikram.

"Nothing useful yet," Nancy said.

"Just look at him," Frank said, "I could never have guessed that this guy was such a dangerous murderer. Do you think he is affected here?" he asked tapping his head.

"Could be," Joe said, "But I don't really think his parents are involved. More like they weren't all that cautious about their son's actions."

While they were ruminating about all this, the door suddenly flew open. Inspector Shukla peeked inside and said above all the commotion, "There is something we found in Vikram's e-mails which you might like to see."

The three teenagers followed the Inspector anxiously. The Inspector skilfully guided the crowd and led them to a table where people were gathered excitedly around a laptop.

"This is how we think Vikram accessed that game 'Blind Fire'," the Inspector said offering the three detectives a seat to peruse the e-mail.

Too excited to sit down, the three of them read the e-mail together. It went like this,

Dear Vikram Kamat,

This is to inform you that owing to your excellence in e-gaming as is noticeable over the last few years, you are one of the selected players for our latest game which goes by the name of 'Blind Fire'.

Link: *link*

We eagerly look forward to your participation in the game.

Thanking you,

Team Blind Fire.

P.S.:- Since this game is only for a few selected players, we hope that you will respect our terms and conditions by not sharing this link with anyone. Doing so will result in your permanent suspension from the game.

No one uttered a word after reading this.

"I can bet this Gmail id has been deleted," Joe finally said. He knew from the Inspector's sombre expression that he was right.

Author's Note: Well, this is it. The beginning of the end...

I look forward to seeing all your reviews soon!

Hope you enjoy this story! Up next there will be 'Chapter 2: Seventh Bullet'.

Typing Courtesy: Anjuna