"Welcome, Welcome, Sir. We have been waiting for you" the psychiatric hospital owner said to a man in suit. He looked very professional and profound towards his job. At the same time he shared the aura of being perilous and precarious.
"Did you prepare for what I asked for?" asked the man in the suit.
"Yes Sir… Everything is ready" responded the owner.
"Good… Take me to her this instant" demanded the man.
"Right now, sir?" asked the owner.
"Why? Is there any problem?" retorted the man.
"No sir. I was just asking. Please this way" answered the owner.
"The girl is very aggressive sir. So we have to lock her up all the time" informed the owner.
"Open the gate" commanded the man.
"But sir…" the owner said hesitantly.
"I said open it" man said aggressively. The door was opened and the man entered only to see a small girl sitting over the bedside in a corner with her sketch books and paint colors.
"Hello darling…" greeted the man softly.
"Who are you?" the girl asked curiously.
"I am your doctor, your friend. What's your name?" Doctor said politely.
"Sara" said the girl.
**********
"Tell me my good friend. Give me some good news" said Samuel in his cheerful voice. He was very happy in knowing the fact that soon he is going to have one-o-one with the main suspect.
"Something is wrong" the boy on the system said with a despondent look.
"What's wrong? You were supposed to give good news. You did catch that girl in the camera, right" asked Samuel expectantly.
"Yes, this camera did record something". Hearing that made Samuel sighed in relief. "But other cameras have some problem"
"What problem?" asked Samuel with some interest.
"These three cameras have glitch, some malfunctioning" answered the boy.
"What kind of malfunctioning?" Samuel asked again.
"Three seconds from the morning is not recorded in any of these three cameras or is removed��. The boy himself was perplexed while talking about it.
"But you said glitch" meditated Samuel.
"It seems like glitch but all the three cameras had same problem at the same time. That's what concerns me. By the way this is the picture you wanted. It's not clear but still something is on the plate. This camera was not placed obviously. I am just saying it's weird" boy muddled.
"Yeah… Whole case is" Samuel admitted.
"Show me the picture" Samuel asked for the picture from the boy.
"Here you go…." said the boy.
Samuel saw the picture and yes it was blur. The face could be seen but mostly it was covered with her hair. "I am buzzing, Thanks man" Samuel said while leaving.
"Yes!!!"
"The woman just woke up. Get here fast" Harry said over the phone.
"I am on my way" responded Samuel in return.
**********
"How are you feeling Mrs. Parker?" asked Harry.
"Better. What about my son?" Mrs. Parker inquired.
"He is going to be okay. The doctors are attending him" ensured Harry. "Can you tell me who could have done something like that?" asked Harry.
"I don't know" Mrs. Parker gave a simple answer.
"Can you think of any rivalry or enemy which might want to cause you and your family pain or trouble?" Harry asked again.
"I can't think of one" answered Mrs. Parker.
"May be your son does had some fight or some money issues or some mischievous friends. That could invite unnecessary danger" Harry was trying to be wary while asking such questions.
"Look I know my son has some issues of his own but he is not what you think he is. He is my son" Mrs. Parker responded with a hint of displeasure in her voice. Although it was very much understandable to Harry but Samuel is another story to tell.
"The son about whom no one knows!!!" asked Samuel with a straight face.
The statement made Mrs. Parker winced a little. "It has nothing to do with him. It's not his fault. He was raised by my cousin and hence no one here knows anything about him. It has been short period when he started living with me after my sister died"
"Any specific reason for leaving your son with your sister?" Samuel asked again without showing any emotions. He wore a blank expression which was hard for even for Harry to read.
"That's a very personal question Officer" reminded Mrs. Parker.
"I know ma'am but just a part of inquiry" responded Harry this time.
"12 years back we lost our daughter which nearly caused the whole family broke down. My husband took it very badly and after two years he also died. I was in no shape of raising another child. I had fear of failing motherhood again. So, when my cousin sister suggested that idea, I couldn't deny. It was the best thing to be done in those scenarios" explained Mrs. Parker.
"Clearly it was the best you could think of" Harry glared towards Samuel indicating him to be a little bit more subtle.
"Sadly yes" Mrs. Parker replied. Although she could have been down casted by Samuel remark but her reply was more pugnacious. Both Harry and Samuel felt that she is not a delicate person in her life. On the other hand, Samuel was not the one to be scared of some old woman. He meant to retaliate at that moment but Harry spoke first. "How did your daughter died?"
"She got lost not died" said Mrs. Parker.
"Can you explain it more?" asked Harry.
"She… She never came back from the school" answered Mrs. Parker.
"Any chance of kidnapping?" Harry asked again.
"You should be answering for that question but no. she just disappeared" Mrs. Parker said with an impassive facial expression.
"How could you say that there was no kidnapping?" Samuel asked in wonder.
"Because there was no ransom call and it's not me but your department who ruled out the chance of kidnapping" answered Mrs. Parker.
"And your husband?" questioned Harry.
Mrs. Parker took a moment and then replied "An accident."
Samuel thought that Mrs. Parker was pondering while answering but there was no need for being so cautious while replying.
"This girl in the picture might have attacked your son. Can you check if you know her or seen her?" Samuel showed her the picture. Mrs. Parker looked very vigilantly and after few moments she began shedding tears. Both Harry and Samuel were startled and kept on staring her for some answers.
"Are you okay Mrs. Parker?" Harry asked with a soft tone.
"Where is she? Bring her to me" demanded Mrs. Parker.
"You are not allowed to punish her by yourself and moreover, we are not sure if she really was the one who attacked your son" said Samuel in a sardonic manner.
"Please… please… I beg you. Bring her back" pleaded Mrs. Parker.
"Did she say back?" asked Samuel to no one in particular.
"Do you know her?" Harry asked anxiously.
"She is baby. My baby…." Mrs. Parker said in a coarse voice with heavy tears in her eyes.