Knock!
Knock! Knock!
A rhythmic trio of knocks reverberated through the stillness, echoing off the walls of Dr. Lavanya's house.
Nitin's eyes roamed over the lush surroundings, taking in the meticulously landscaped garden adorned with a tapestry of vibrant flowers and fragrant herbs, their presence a testament to the doctor's refined taste in aesthetics.
Kartik's relentless knocking and urgent pleas for a response echoed through the stillness of the house, but the door remained firmly locked, a barrier that seemed to defy their efforts.
"It's locked," Nitin conceded, his voice tinged with concern. "Maybe she isn't here. We should check the hospital or somewhere else."
Kartik, however, was not so easily dissuaded. His determination to ensure everything was alright spurred him to ask, "Can I just take a look around, sir?"
As seconds stretched into minutes, a sense of unease settled over them, casting a shadow of doubt on the situation.
Growing increasingly impatient, Nitin called out to Kartik, urging him to leave the premises and reconsider their next move.
But Kartik remained silent, his attention captured by a nearby window.
Its clear glass pane seemed to beckon him, offering a glimpse into the unknown, a choice that could potentially change the course of their investigation.
A swift, deliberate strike sent the fragile glass shattering into a cascade of crystalline shards.
He cautiously stepped into the room, greeted by the unexpected sight of well-lit surroundings.
The scene that unfolded before him was nothing short of chaos incarnate.
The room, once orderly and serene, had devolved into pandemonium.
Furniture lay overturned, papers scattered like confetti, and the air was thick with the pungent scent of disarray.
Kartik's voice, tinged with concern, broke the silence. "What in the world could have caused this?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Kartik quickly dialled Nitin's attention away from the shattered window.
Nitin pivoted toward Kartik, a mix of hesitation and irritation etched across his features.
Kartik hadn't sought permission before shattering the window, his initial command more akin to a demand than a request.
However, Nitin's demeanor underwent a subtle transformation as his gaze swept across the room, and he was immediately silenced by the stark reality before him.
The bedroom, once a sanctuary of order and comfort, now lay in disarray.
The bookshelf, TV, and wardrobe had all been toppled like casualties of some invisible tempest, bearing witness to a cataclysmic event that had unfolded within these walls.
A profound sense of unease settled over Nitin, his voice instinctively dropping to a hushed murmur as he surveyed the wreckage.
Nitin upholstered his gun, his instincts on high alert as Kartik mirrored his caution.
Their steps led them out into the hallway, where an eerily similar tableau awaited them.
Furniture was disheveled, paint was scratched, and the carpet bore the tell-tale signs of a violent struggle.
Nitin's eyes darted across the scene, searching for any shred of evidence that could unravel the mystery.
He noticed a torn curtain, its fabric shredded as if in a desperate bid for escape.
His gaze intensified, scanning every corner of the room as though he were a relentless scavenger hunting for a vital clue in a barren landscape.
After an exhaustive search that had spanned nearly half an hour, their tenacity paid off.
Kartik's keen eye caught a glimpse of something amiss beneath a displaced mattress. With cautious fingers, he gingerly lifted the mattress aside to reveal a concealed patch of floor stained with dried, rust-coloured blood.
Nitin's voice was laced with urgency as he directed Kartik, "Take samples of this blood. We need to secure this house immediately."
Kartik nodded, his expression one of grim determination, and he carefully collected the blood samples, sealing them away for further analysis.
Nitin's sense of urgency remained palpable as he emphasized the need to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. "We can't afford to leave anything to chance. Call the forensic team, have them rush here as fast as they can. This situation might be more perilous than we thought."
Kartik nodded again, already dialing for assistance. "Understood. I'll make the call right away. But what about the doctor's family?"
Nitin's voice quivered slightly with concern. "She has a daughter, doesn't she?"
Kartik confirmed, "Yes, she does."
Nitin's dread deepened as he inquired further, "And her husband?"
Kartik's revelation sent a shiver down Nitin's spine.
The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place, and the picture painted was one of domestic turmoil and potential danger.
Nitin urged Kartik to provide more details, his voice filled with a mix of concern and determination.
"Tell me everything, Kartik."
Kartik took a deep breath, relaying the unsettling account of his conversation with Shreya, Dr. Lavanya's daughter. "Her daughter, Shreya, was the one who called us. She sounded terrified, her voice trembling. She could barely articulate what had happened. It was as if she was hiding in her room when she reached out to us."
Nitin's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. "Why did she specifically call you?"
Kartik's gaze shifted, his expression etched with empathy. "It seems her father has been subjecting his wife to regular abuse, especially when he returns home inebriated. Shreya was desperate for help, and she must have believed that reaching out to the police was her only option."
Nitin's mind raced as he connected the dots. "You think her father, recently released from jail, could be behind all of this?"
Kartik nodded, his apprehension palpable. "It's a possibility, especially since he was supposed to have been released six days ago."
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Nitin sprang into action.
He called all the officers patrolling the area within a 20-kilometer radius, instructing them to be on high alert.
He shared photos of Dr. Lavanya and Shreya with the officers, emphasizing the need to locate them as swiftly as possible.
The weight of uncertainty pressed upon Nitin as the fear that had eluded him earlier finally caught up, casting a long shadow over the unfolding investigation.
As the police cars encircled the house, their sirens and flashing lights stirred the curiosity of the neighborhood.
One by one, residents emerged from their homes, their expressions a blend of surprise and apprehension.
The buzz of conversation swirled through the air, and Nitin took charge, determined to gather any information that might shed light on the mysterious situation.
He began by approaching the residents, asking a series of questions, but it quickly became evident that cooperation was in short supply.
People avoided making eye contact with him, evading the police presence as though it were an unwelcome intrusion into their lives.
Frustration knitted Nitin's brow as he faced one refusal after another.
Undeterred, Nitin decided to address the media reporters who had converged on the scene.
The journalists, like a pack of hungry wolves, surrounded him, thrusting their microphone devices in his direction as they clamored for answers and sensational headlines.
Nitin raised his hand in an attempt to quell the cacophony. "Hey, everyone, please calm down and listen carefully!"
The reporters responded by thrusting their microphones even closer, one particularly eager journalist seemingly intent on placing the microphone directly into Nitin's mouth.
"Go back! You heard me? Gooo awayyyy!
Nitin shot the intruding reporter a withering glare, silently demanding some semblance of decorum in the midst of the chaos.
Nitin's voice cut through the clamor with a resounding intensity, startling everyone present.
The sudden outburst had a profound effect, causing people to take a step back and raise their guard. Even the neighboring residents, who had been hesitant to get involved, couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear at his commanding tone.
"Now, listen to me very carefully, everyone!" Nitin continued, his words laced with urgency. "I need you all to grasp the gravity of the situation here. We have no idea what this family is enduring right now, and the circumstances could be dire. I implore each and every one of you to cooperate with us, to assist your police department. Together, we can make our community safe and free from these dangerous individuals."
Nitin's stern words cut through the tense atmosphere, leaving a chilling silence in their wake. His gaze bore into the crowd, daring anyone involved to reveal themselves. "I know you're listening to me," he declared, his voice unwavering. "This isn't a game or some kind of TV show. I'm warning you—this madness can end, but if it doesn't, I won't hesitate to put a bullet in your twisted brain. You have a choice, a chance to change. Surrender now, and I might consider your future."
The threat hung in the air, a clear message to anyone involved in the unfolding chaos.
Nitin understood the gravity of the situation, knowing that escape from the city was near impossible with the borders sealed tight.
As the news of their investigation spread, Nitin and Kartik regrouped with their team at the department.
Amit, was already there with his own team, ready to assist Nitin in any way they could.
However, the unfolding crisis was far from over. A call came in to the department's main office, reporting a grim discovery.
Residents had stumbled upon a police car, its three officers left in a horrifying state—badly wounded and incapacitated. Nitin's face hardened as he heard the news.
Without hesitation, Nitin and his team sprang into action, preparing to head to the location near the city's borders.