Into The Shadows by Aayush Borulkar (top novels to read .TXT) 📕

“But after 20 years?” asked Nishant, confused. “It doesn’t make any sense now. The case was closed, and the suspect was convicted right. So why now?” added Nishant.

“Richa might have somehow gone to the cops again,” suggested Ishaan

“Could we stop with the blame game please? I thought we were already done with this!” exclaimed Kaajal.

Vibha took the newspaper from Nishant and read the whole article again. “Guys! Guys! I don’t think it was any of us. It reads that the new ACP Erika Lobo in Goa Police has re-opened the case due to some novel findings in the 20 years old homicide case” readout Vibha. “And in her statement, she has clearly stated that the new findings are conclusive enough for the case to be re-opened”

“Conclusive evidence, huh? After 20 years?” wondered Ishaan.

All this time Abhimanyu was standing quietly by one of the broken windows with hands in his pockets. He was aloof from all the chaos in the warehouse. Vibha saw that Abhimanyu had cut himself off from the rest of them, so she walked up to him, wondering if something was wrong.

“Are you planning on fixing the window?” said Vibha on a lighter note, but it did not change the situation.

“Yeah. I mean, no. I was just trying to get myself together,” said Abhimanyu breaking the silence. “It’s just that the whole trail of events of that fateful night started playing on repeat in front of me. The dead body, the police, my dad, and everything about that night was so messed up. Gives me goosebumps,” said Abhimanyu cringing at the very thought of it.

“It was the same for all of us Abhimanyu. We just coped up with it in our different ways,” said Vibha looking at Richa, who was now sitting bent forward on a chair filled with cobwebs, scratching her head.

“Yeah, but now if I have to relive the whole thing again then it would be one hell of a ride,” sighed Abhimanyu.

“We have to do, what we have to do,” said Vibha, still looking at Richa.

By now, Nishant and Ishaan had also joined the duo.

“How on the planet earth are they going to solve this case after twenty years? Should I say re-solve” questioned Nishant.

“That is not our concern, I guess,” replied Ishaan

“It indeed is…

“Because it’s Abhimanyu’s farmhouse, remember?” said Vibha cutting Nishant mid-sentence.

“We have to go up to the police station though, because we have to find more information about this,” said Abhimanyu.

“Abhimanyu and Nishant could go to the police station while we three would go back to my room,” suggested Vibha.

“But where is Kaajal?” asked Abhimanyu

“She might be around. Don’t sweat it. She must have gone for a smoke. You guys carry on, we will take care of Richa,” said Vibha.

They all exited the abandoned warehouse, which was on its last leg. Nishant accompanied Abhimanyu in his car and Kaajal was accompanied by the girls, while Ishaan went alone in his car. All of them drove their separate ways.

Abimanyu and Nishant drove towards the Panaji Police headquarters. On reaching, they went to the first desk they saw, and inquired about DCP Dattatray Sawant. One of the constables told them that he was in a meeting and that they could wait until they were called. They both sat on the adjacent benches.

“I had a question about that night which has been lingering in my head. Do you mind me asking?” asked Nishant.

“Spit it out,” said Abhimanyu, somewhat exhausted.

“Did they find out what we were trying to hide that night?” whispered Nishant. Hearing this, Abhimanyu got alarmed but did not let that reflect on his face.

“Yeah, the drugs they found it,” whispered Abhimanyu.

“What!? They did?” exclaimed Nishant. “But how did it not trickle down to us?” he added, surprised.

“But seriously? That’s what is on your mind and bugging you right now,” said Abhimanyu irritated.

“Just a curious mind at work,” sighed Nishant.

The clock struck three, and it had been over an hour that the two were waiting. Both of them tried their luck by once again inquiring about Dattatray Sawant, but received the same answer. Finally, at half-past three, the cabin’s door opened, and three police officers exited the cabin.

“Now could we go?” asked Nishant going up to the desk.

“10 mintaat java aat"

They waited and then they went towards the cabin and entered the cabin but were surprised to find it empty. The peon inside clearing the desk told that Sir was on a break and that he will be back in a while. They could wait in here till then. Finally, after 15 minutes, the door opened again, and Dattatray Sawant entered the cabin.

“Tell me what brings you two here today?” asked Dattatray sitting on the chair.

“We are here to discuss about the 20 years old homicide case that is being re-opened now,” answered Abhimanyu.

“Oh, so the news has already reached so far and wide huh. How are you people connected to this, if I may ask?” he asked.

“We are the prime witnesses in that case, and this is Abhimanyu Shekhawat, the owner of the farmhouse,” explained Nishant.

“Oh, okay! You are Mr. Abhimnayu Shekhawat, son of the respected high court lawyer Mr. Ranvijay Shekhawat. Even you have quite a reputation in the Maharashtra high court, huh” greeted Dattaray.

“Yeah, so, we were just wondering, about the reason to re-open the case. As in, what ground breaking discovery has been made?" asked Nishant intently.

“Oh, about that. I am afraid I can’t disclose as it’s a sensitive matter,” answered the DCP. “But what I can tell you is that, we checked this puzzle from a different angle, and what we found is, that the very centre piece of the puzzle is missing. And when that is missing, we have to re-open the case right?” he added.

“But why now, after 20 years?” asked Abhimanyu.

“Look, we have to follow the protocol. We have found pieces of evidence that could lead to a different outcome. Hence we have to re-open the case,”