Chapter 2
A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed my last chapter. Sorry I can't thank you'll in person as I'm updating this jaldi jaldi, par next chapter mein definitely! :D And with all due respect, I must say that although I'm happy with the number of people who has reviewed, it more than disappointing that despite the high number of views on the story, only 4 people have actually reviewed to this! I'm not begging for reviews, but reviews are certainly the most encouraging factor for a writer to get motivated and continue giving updates despite their busy and tight schedule, and this is certainly going to the level of discouraging.
Anyways, here's the next chapter. Happy Reading! :D
12:30 PM:
Daya and Abhijeet were sitting in the Qualis. It was a nightmare to see his friend crumbling like that before him, but it was essential that he spoke his mind and heart out to somebody. Daya had bandaged Abhijeet's hand with the First Aid box that was in the car. Abhijeet seemed to look much relaxed and eased off than usual, and the emotional drain had tired him out to the extent had the moment his head touched the seat top, he fell asleep.
Daya drove the car back to Abhijeet's house. Just when he brought the car to a halt, his phone rang, waking Abhijeet up with a start. Cursing the person who called, but instantly taking it back when he saw the caller ID displaying ACP Pradyuman's name, he picked up the phone.
"Daya? Is waqt kahan ho tum?"
"Abhijeet ke saath hoon sir..."
"Humein ek naya case mila hai, foren Aastha Research Center pohonch jao, Andheri west mein hai..."
"Theek hai sir, hum pohonchte hai..."
Disconnecting the call, Daya turned towards Abhijeet. Abhijeet looked tired, but his eyes were alert as usual.
"Boss, sir ne humein Aastha Reseach Center bulaya hai... keh rahe the ki kuch zaroori kagzaat chori ho gaye hai, aur 100 sone ke bars bhi..."
"Yeh toh wahi research center hai na, jo Andheri West mein hai?"
"Haan, wahi hai..."
"Toh phir chalo, der kis baat ki...?"
Daya gave him an unsure look. Abhijeet looked confused for a moment before it hit him. Smiling at Daya, he replied with a sigh.
"Main theek hoon Daya... ACP sir hamara wait kar rahe hai..."
"Par Abhijeet..."
"It's okay Daya..."
Nodding at his friend in hesitation, he started the car once again, this time heading towards Aastha Research Center.
At Aastha Research Center, 1:10 PM:
Abhijeet and Daya reach Aastha Research Center. On seeing ACP Pradyuman, they head towards him, and they are introduced to all the members involved in the case. ACP Pradyuman then briefs of the two of them on the case. Freddy and Kajal return from interrogating the other employees, and the team go in for a group discussion in a private corner.
"Bolo Freddy, kya pata chala tumhein?"
"Sir, saare employees ka yahi kehna hai ki Akash aur Tarun dono yeh partnership todna chahte hai, aur pichle kuch dino se, inn dono ke beech kaafi an-ban chal rahi hai?"
"Kuch pata chala kyun?"
"Sabka yeh kehna hai ki kuch din pehle, Tarun aur Akash ke beech ek zabardast jhagda hua, jiske dauran, Akash ne Tarun pe yeh ilzaam lagaya tha ki usne gaddari ki hai, ki woh chupke se research center ke saare experiments ke baare mein kisi private company ko khabar deta rehta hai..."
"Tarun ka kya kehna tha?"
"Sir, usne Akash par yeh ilzaam lagaya ki yeh papers jo abhi chori hue hai, woh asal mein Akash ka nahi, balki kisi aur ka kaam hai, jise Akash ne apna naam diya hai..."
"Oh... toh yeh baat hai... ek kaam karo, tum aur Kajal iske baare mein jaake Akash aur Tarun se baat karo, tab tak Abhijeet, Daya, tum dono Raghu se pata leke Arjun se jaake puchtach karo..."
"Yes sir!"
At Arjun's Apartment, 1:30 PM:
Abhijeet and Daya, along with Kajal, reach Arjun's building. On asking the security guard, they learn that Arjun lives on the 5th floor, and he was home. The three of them rush to him flat, and ring the bell, but no one answers.
"Abhijeet, kuch gadbad lag rahi hai..."
"Daya, tod do darwaza..."
Breaking the door, Abhijeet, Daya and Kajal rush in to search for Arjun, when they hear moaning from the bedroom. Rushing towards the bedroom, they find Arjun on the floor, with a gun wound on his stomach.
"My God!" Abhijeet rushed towards Arjun, while Daya quickly signals Kajal to call the ambulance. Patting Arjun's face vigorously to bring him into his senses Abhijeet asks him who did this to him and why did he rob the bars.
"Si..r ... woh... mai..ine... ye.. yeh.. sab... Ra.. Raje.. Rajeev ke.. kehne pe.. kiya tha..."
"Yeh Rajeev kaun hai, hain? Kaun hai yeh Rajeev?"
"Me...ra... dos.. dost..." But before Abhijeet could say anything further, Rajeev's eyes rolled back into his head, and he was no more. Looking at Daya, Abhijeet shook his head in a negative, and got up.
"Iske ghar ki talaashi lete hai. Mujhe lagta toh nahi hai ki humein koi kaam ki cheez milegi, par phir bhi, ek baar dekh lete hai."
Abhijeet and Daya search the entire house. They find the identical suitcase that was found, but it was empty as well.
"Iska matlab hamara shak sahi nikla. Kisi ne Arjun se yeh chori karwaake apna kaam nikalwa liya, aur phir, bars lekar ise maar diya."
Just then, Kajal entered the room once more.
"Arre Kajal, itni der kahan lag gayi tumhein?"
"Sir, woh signal nahi mil raha tha toh ground floor jaana pada... phir ambulance ko phone karke, maine security guard se thodi pooch taach ki, ki usne kisi ko dekha tha ki nahi, par uska kehna hai ki hamaare aane se pehle na toh koi andar aaya tha na baahar."
"Aisa kaise ho sakta hai! Nahi Kajal, yeh kuch aur hi chakkar hai. Ab yeh case sirf chori ka nahi raha... ek kaam karo, laash ko Forensic Lab bhijwa do, aur building mein jitne pe occupants hai, sabse se puchtach karo, tab tak hum dono Akash aur Tarun se ek aur baar baat karke aate hai."
"Par sir, Freddy sir..."
"Mujhe pata hai, lekin Freddy ko maine already inform kar diya hai. Woh aur Vivek yahan pe aake tumhaari karenge sab se baat karne mein."
"Theek hai sir."
"Aur ek baat, ghar mein se jitne bhi fingerprints mile, sab utha lena, aur Lab bhej dena."
Kajal nodded in affirmative, and the three of them get back to their work.
On the way:
Abhijeet and Daya were silently seated in the Qualis. Just then Abhijeet received a call.
"Hello? Haan sir... kya? Par kyun sir?... Main! Main kaise... sir... *sighs* theek hai sir."
Disconnecting the call, Daya turned a questioning gaze towards Abhijeet, which quickly turned into a one of concern. Abhijeet had put his face into his hand.
"Kya baat hai Abhijeet? Sab theek toh hai na?" Abhijeet looked at Daya, but he was still lost in his reverie.
"Pata nahi." The car came to a halt at the signal which gave Daya a good chance to turn his full attention towards Abhijeet now.
"Kiska phone tha?"
"ACP sir ka..."
"Sir ne kya kaha?"
"Sir ko achanak koi zaroori kaam aa gaya hai, jis ke wajah se woh immdiately out of town jaa rahe hai..."
"Sir, ne bataya nahi ki kya kaam hai?"
"Nahi... bas itna ki unhone ab mujhe iss case ko lead karne ka order diya hai."
"Abhijeet! Yeh toh bohot acchi baat hai... toh phir tum itna upset kyun ho?" And Daya regretted asking his question immediately. How stupid of him! The reason was quite obvious. But the moment he looked at Abhijeet, he realized that Abhijeet was not upset. He looked quite thrilled, to be said in simple words. Smiling at Daya Abhijeet said
"Main hamesha chahta tha ki mere career ke last case ko main khud lead karu, aur woh case mere career ke sabse challenging cases mein se ek ho."
Daya understood what Abhijeet meant to say. He hoped that Abhijeet would change his mind about quitting CID. Yes, ACP Pradyuman had let him know about Abhijeet's decision, but he asked him to keep it to himself only - the news shouldn't be leaked. Daya had immediately confronted Abhijeet about it, which had led to a very ugly argument, maybe the worst the two of them had ever had. And they had only just patched up today. So, he was not eager in the least to bring up the topic once more. Perhaps, maybe during the case, Abhijeet might change his mind, and might decide to stay back after all.
The two friends were enveloped in silence for the remainder of their journey to Aastha Research Center.
2:15 PM :
Abhijeet and Daya knocked at Tarun's cabin door. A tense 'Come in' echoed, and the two of them entered inside. Tarun looked like he must have aged several years in these few hours. His broad forehead looked like it had contradicted wrinkles forever, while his brown eyes looked wary. He had bags under his eyes as well. Giving the two of them a tense smile, Tarun asked
"Kuch pata chal sir uss aadmi ke baare mein?"
"Haan, pata toh chal gaya hai..." Daya stated. Tarun's head seemed to have jerked suddenly, and he looked alertly at the two of them, before he composed himself once again, in that same doleful look.
"Kya pata chala sir aapko?"
"Woh aadmi mar chuka hai. Kisi ne use goli maar diya."
"Aur woh bag bhi aapko nahi mila hoga."
"Nahi, ghar mein humein woh imposter suitcase mila tha, par woh bhi khaali tha." Tarun nodded his head with worry etched on his young features. He must have barely been 28. Speaking in that same mechanical voice Tarun stated
"Paise gayab hai, formula chori ho gaya, deal kabhi bhi cancel ho sakti, aur woh ek kadi, jo iss case so suljha sakta tha, woh bhi mar gaya. Meri zindagi..."
"Dekhiye Tarun ji, humpar bharosa rakhiye, hum iss mujrim ko chodenge - yeh mera aapse wada hai." Smiling sadly at Abhijeet, Tarun questioned next
"Main aapki kya madad kar sakta hoon?" Abhijeet nodded and put forth his question.
"Aap Rajeev naam ke kisi aadmi ko jaante hai?" Tarun's face looked drained off all colour.
"Yeh naam aapne kaha se suna?"
"Uss aadmi ne marte marte yeh kaha ki usne yeh kaam kisi Rajeev ke kehne pe kiya hai."
"Oh! Toh phir woh koi aur hi hoga"
"Kya aap bhi kisi Rajeev naam ke aadmi ko jaante hai?"
"Uh..."
"Dekho Tarun, humein sach sach batao - ho sakta hai ki tum jis Rajeev ko jaante ho, shayad uska hi haath ho ismein."
"Nahi sir, aisa nahi ho sakta... Main galat samajh baitha tha." "Par kyun, tum itne confidence ke saath kaise keh sakte ho ki iss sab ke peeche Rajeev ka haath nahi hai?"
"Kyunki Rajeev mar chuka hai!"
~OoO~ ~OoO~ ~OoO~~OoO~
"Kya! Rajeev mar chuka hai?"
"Jee sir..."
"Kaise...?"
"Sir, main aapko puri baat batata hoon. Darasal, Rajeev Akash ka purana partner tha. Main uske baare mein zyada kuch jaanta nahi, par jaha tak mujhe pata hai, yeh formula Rajeev ne banaya tha aur yeh formula woh government ko dena chahta tha, par Akash yeh formula ek private pharmaceutical company ko dena chahta tha. Rajeev ne iss baat se inkaar kar diya, aur usne Akash ko yeh dhamki di ki agar yeh formula government ko nahi jayega, toh phir woh formula kabhi release hi nahi karega.
Phir kuch din baad yeh pata chalne mein aaya ki Rajeev ek illegal private pharmaceutical company own karta hai. Woh company pe pehle se hi bohot legal cases the nakli dawai banane ke liye. Aur jab yeh baat saamne aayi, toh Rajeev ko business se nikaala gaya, aur toh aur, use black list bhi kiya gaya tha, aur formula Akash ke haath mein aa gaya. Iss baat ki guilt mein Rajeev ne Goregaun helipad se khud khushi karli."
"Ek minute, yeh baat tum logon ko kaise pata chali ki woh khud khushi kahan se karne wala tha?"
"Sir, uss din Akash uske ghar gaya tha, usse baat karne ke liye. Tabhi use Rajeev ke study room se ek suicide note mili, jahan pe Rajeev ne apna suicide point likha tha. Uss wakt ghar mein sirf bai thi, toh usse puchke Akash helipad pohonch gaya, par iss se pehle ki woh kuch karta, usne kood ke apni jaan de di."
"Aur uske laash ka kya hua?"
"Sir, uski laash kabhi mili hi nahi thi. Yeh soch ke ki janvar uske laash ko kha gayi hogi, case band kar diya gaya tha."
"Aur ek baat, kya woh company sach mein Rajeev ki hi thi, ki kisi ne use jaan booj kar phasa diya tha?" An uneasy look spread over Tarun's face.
"Ha... haan sir, woh company Rajeev ki hi thi."
"Theek hai... agar kuch aur hoga toh hum tumhein Bureau bula lenge. Waise yeh Mr. Akash hai kaha?"
A week later:
CID Bureau:
Daya and Freddy were working together on a file, while Sachin was engaged in a telephone conversation. Just then, ACP Pradyuman entered the Bureau. One could have sworn the temperature of the Bureau had dropped down several degrees. ACP Pradyuman had returned from his mysterious mission last evening, and he was not the same ever since.
He seemed to remain constantly in rage, and seemed to lose his cool at even the tiniest of things - be it Salunkhe's inability to put any more light on the case, or any brainstorm by his officers. No one was spared from this attitude, and the one person who was always in the line of fire was Abhijeet. Arguments had already broken out between the two, ever since he returned back. The arguments were never serious - it looked more like he was removing his frustration over him for his unknown failure. Daya and Freddy tried to ask him about it, but they were only shooed away in return. Abhijeet, however, never asked ACP Pradyuman about this sudden change of behaviour. On the contrary, he began getting suspicious about it, but he didn't put his suspicion in words. He knew him too well. ACP Pradyuman never liked to fail. But that was not the only failure they were facing at the moment.
They had questioned Akash immediately after Tarun the previous week, and he did not manage to shed any new light on the happenings two years ago. He had maintained to the same account Tarun had given. They had re-opened Rajeev's case file, and there was nothing new to tell. They found a photograph of Rajeev along with the details of the incident, but that was all. He had no family, and he was raised as an orphan. There was only his wife remaining after his death, but she too, had committed suicide after Rajeev's similar action. They had hit a dead end in the case of Arjun's murder, for the only fingerprints found in the house were of Arjun's, and the murder weapon was still missing. The suitcase was checked for finger prints, but there were only Raghu's and his prints on it, which was to be expected.
Entering the Bureau with the same look of frustration on his face, ACP Pradyuman headed towards Daya.
"Kuch naya pata chala hai case ke baare mein?"
"Nahi sir, jahan pe the, wahin pe hai hum..."
"Damn it! Jab se aaya hoon tab se yahi sun raha hoon! Na toh Rajeev ka pata chal raha hai, na Arjun ke khooni ka na toh uss chori ke baare main! " Scowling at the usual rant that was about to begin, Daya tried to keep his voice steady but he seemed to fail miserably. It was annoying enough to not have any lead in hand, than hear his boss rant about it.
"Sir, Akash ki kundli nikalke humein jitni bhi information mili hai, usse yeh saaf saaf pata chal jata hai ki Rajeev ki maut mein kuch na kuch toh gadbad hai. Humne Akash se bhi puchne ki bhi koshish ki par har baar uska ek hi jawab hota hai."
"Toh uska lie detector test karwao!"
"Par sir, jab tak humen uske khilaaf kli thos saboot nahi mil jata, tab tak hum kaise..."
"Main kuh nahi jaanta Daya! Agar evidence mein kuch mil nahi raha hai, toh phir se check karo!"
"Par sir, evidence mein kuh hai hi nahi toh check kya karein sir! Arjun ke ghar se humein koi khaas cheez nahi mili hai , uske bank account mein 3 hafte pehle 5 lakh ka ek check deposit hua tha, aur toh aur murder weapon missing hai. Airport authorities se pata chala ki Arjun ki flight subah 9 baje land hui thi, aur uske paas chaar ghante ka time tha pura set up ke liye. Uske ghar se humein ek travel bag mila tha uske passport aur ticket ke saath. Passport authentic hai, aur Arjun sach mein who din Australia se aaya tha. Database mein Arjun ke fingerprints daal ke dekhe hai. Uska koi criminal record nahi hai. Par uske credit details data sirf teen saal pehle tak valid hai. Uske pehle ka kuch bhi nahi mila hai."
Grunting with a pronounced scowl on his face, ACP Pradyuman asked the same question again, perhaps for the umpteenth time.
"Tumhein pura yakeen hai ki woh private pharmaceutical company Rajeev ki hi thi?"
"Haan sir, humne uss company ke saare employees se baath ki hai. Unka yahin kehna hai ki uss company ka malik Rajeev hi tha."
Looking for a distraction point, he looked around and found half the Bureau missing.
"Yeh Vivek aur Kajal kaha hai?"
"Sir, woh dono aaj Bureau late aayenge. Kal woh dono Bureau mein subah 3 baje tak kaam kar rahe the."
Nodding his head, ACP Pradyuman enquired next
"Aur Abhijeet?"
Goregaon Helipad:
Abhijeet tapped the steering wheel, as he waited in the car. He had received a note from an unknown source, stating that if he wanted a vital piece of information, he should come at the Goregoan helipad and collect it himself alone. The note seemed to resemble more of a hoax, but he had agreed nonetheless. He had informed only Daya about it, and it took a good deal of hard work and buttering to get him to agree about it. He had strictly told Daya not to tell anyone about, seeing the hostile atmosphere in the Bureau as of late. A knock on his glass, and he pulled it down to see a man with a beard and sunglasses look at him with a smirk on his face.
"Arre Manik tum!"
"Sorry saab, aapko aise bulaana pada... par woh thodi gadbad ho gayi thi..."
"Kya hua?"
"Woh saab, aapne jaisa kaha maine waisa hi kiya... par uske baad, woh Akash saab ne mere piche uske aadmi log ko laga diya. Badi mushkil se unn logon ko chakma de ke aaya hoon!
"Toh phir itna khatra kyun liya... mujhe kisi aur tarah se contact kar leta."
"Nahi saab... apun ko kisi tarah se bhejne ka bharosa nahi tha... note bhi aapko kitni mushkil se bheja hai..."
"Theek hai chal, gaadi mein aake baith." Manik entered the car and took the passenger's seat.
"Ab bol, kya pata chala?"
"Saab aapka shak bilkul sahi tha... woh Akash saab ka hi sab plan tha. Rajeev saab ko pata chal gaya woh company ke baare mein, aur woh uska parda faash karne waala tha. Isiliye, iss se pehle ki woh kuch bolta, Akash saab ne Rajeev saab ko phasa diya. Uss din Akash saab ne dhamki di thi ki woh sharam ke maare apni jaan dene helipad jaa rahe hai, aur Rajeev saab ke naam se woh ilzaam hata denge. Unhein rokne Rajeev saab yahan pohonche, toh Akash saab ne use dhoke se khaai mein gira diya. Uske baad, ghar jaake Rajeev saab ko milne ke bahaane se unhone woh suicide note wahan rakh diya."
"Par ek baat bata, note padhke kisi ko pata nahi chala ki handwriting Rajeev ki nahi hai?"
"Nahi saab, woh darasal yeh Akash saab handwriting badi acchi tarah se copy kar sakte hai, toh kisi ko shak nahi hua... Upar se unpar itna bada ilzaam.. kisi ne itna dhyaan hi nahi diya."
"Aur sharam ke maare, uski biwi ne bhi khud khushi kar li... waise yeh Rajeev ki laash mili thi, ya phir records ke saath..."
"Nahi sir, Rajeev saab ki laash sach mein kabhi mili hi nahi thi..." Nodding his head with satisfaction and a broad smile, he put his hand ahead. Manik removed a chip from the back of his ear, and put it in Abhijeet's palm.
"Iss mein sab kuch hai...?"
"Sab kuch saab... bharosa rakho."
"Theek hai. Tumhein iska bohot bada inaam milega!"
Both of them parted their ways, while one walked with pride in his stride, the other one couldn't wait to reach the CID Bureau to break out the news of their first breakthrough after a week.
A/N: There! :D Sorry for all the typos, and constructive criticisms will be more than welcome! :D