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

“I do have a feeling that the answers are right here somewhere. Right in this villa. Right in front of our eyes. We just have to look in the right direction,” said Erika looking up at the mansion.

“That all sounds good to hear. But how are we even going to continue with the investigation from here? We have no leads, no suspects, and to top it off, it’s an twenty years old case, and there is no evidence left for any new investigation,” Avinash explained. “And you do know that DCP Sawant wasn’t completely convinced for re-opening the case. So we are fighting against a lot of odds here”.

“You are right, but there should be something that cracks open this case, and I know there is something,” said Erika walking towards the house. “Bring in all the photos clicked on that day which we have as evidence,” added Erika.

They both entered the house again, passing the group sitting in the living room on their way in. They glanced at the group and made eye contact with them, which only lasted for a few seconds. Avinash asked Balaram to bring in all the old photos they had as evidence from that night.

“He must be one rich lad to own a digital camera back in the early 2000s,” said Avinash as both of them poured over the photos.

“Let’s call in Richa now, and let’s show her these photos. Let’s see if she reacts to any of these differently.”

Avinash went out of the room and called out for Richa.

“Somebody has to go in with her though,” said Vibha. “She isn’t mentally stable.”

“I’ll go with her,” Ishaan said. He helped Richa get up, and then they both went into the room.

“Hope she does well in there. They are damn good at what they are doing,” said Nishant as everyone ignored him.

Ishaan and Richa sat on the sofa and had all the photos stacked in front of them on the table.

“So we are going to start the recording now. Richa will be shown these photographs clicked on the night of the party, and any of her abnormal reactions will be recorded in a video format,” Avinash explained.

Avinash then leaned forward, taking the stack of photos in his right hand. He placed the images on the table one by one. Richa’s reaction after every photograph was recorded. Richa sat there expressionless without saying a word when Avinash showed her the 12th photograph in the stack. Her reaction was also same for the 30th photograph. Avinash gave Erika a puzzled look as he kept the 35th photo on the table. But this time, something changed. Richa cringed. Her heartbeat increased and her eyes widened to an extent where her eyeballs could pop out. Avinash placed another photo over the 35th one, and Richa started to calm down slowly. But as soon as Avinash picked up the picture, making the 35th picture visible, Richa again had the same expressions as she was scared of something or someone! Ishaan sat there, baffled at what was happening. Why was Richa reacting in such a weird manner on seeing that particular photograph? He was clueless as to what was happening.

“Stop right there! Wait!” exclaimed Erika as she got up from her chair and went up to the table, and picked up the photo. The photo had Kaajal, Nishant, and Richa, raising their plastic cups and screaming.

“Scan this photo for me right now,” Erika commanded.

Avinash took the photo and scanned it.

As they were scanning the photograph, Richa returned to normal with Ishaan by her side, trying to calm her down.

“Who is this guy standing in the background with the glass. I have not seen him in any of the other photos so far,” Avinash wondered. “Seems to be of their age back then,” he added.

“Ishaan, come here for a minute” Erika requested.

“Yeah, sure,” replied Ishaan comforting Richa, who was now slowly calming down.

“Do you remember this man from that night?” Erika asked.

Ishaan crouched to get a better view and stared at the picture for a minute and said, “Yeah! He is Vivek Sequeira! The guy that Richa brought along with her that night. He was a local cab driver, and she tagged him along, that was a bit odd thing to do frankly speaking”. “He was a last-minute addition. But if I am not mistaken, he did leave the party pretty early,” he added.

Both the officers looked at each other in disbelief. “Oh, okay, thanks for your help, and you may leave now with Richa,” said Erika seeing them off.

As soon as they left, Erika asked for the file that had the confessions of all those present that night. She checked the whole list but could not find anyone named Vivek. Avinash again checked the entire list, but in vain.

“He was at the party but was never questioned?” asked Avinash in astonishment.

“Ishaan said that he was a local cab driver, so he might be from around here. This is a small town. Send the two constables to enquire with the local taxi drivers and find this Vivek Sequeira. He might be our guy,” instructed Erika.

Avinash implemented the instructions at once, telling both the constables to enquire about Vivek.

“Wasn’t I telling you there was something off about this case from the start?” Erika said.

“We cannot let the others know about this though, not until we have some conclusive evidence,” Avinash suggested.

“Yeah. But this case isn’t easy or simple as it seems. There is always more than what meets the eye,” replied Erika.

Chapter 13

The sun was shining brightly, directly over the head now as the clock struck midday.

“How are they even connecting us with this whole incidence? We don’t even have a motive in this, for that matter,” asked Ishaan.

“I don’t know. I asked the same to them, and as far as I know, we did not commit any murder,” replied Nishant relaxing on the couch. Just then, the two constables came running in and went inside the room,