Ch-46: Google Search (Novel-Zero)

John sat in front of Anjeni with disappointed, gloom face.
“ Bloody Boss... He backstabbed me” John angrily banged his tight fist on the table .
Anjeni got up and went to him, caressed him, running her figures though his hairs.
“Before surrendering the gun I was tempted to shoot all the bullets in his temple” John raged.
Anjeni retracted her hand from his head, went in front of him, “ Look John, it is useless to be raged on him... whatever he has done, its to save his skin, Anybody in his place would have done the same thing” Anjeni tried to cool him down.
“ No.. he was playing with me right from the beginning... he was waiting for the proper opportunity to let me down...” John slammed.
“ But he had backstabbed you and how you are going to reply back is not the issue right now.”
John looked back at her in puzzle.
“ How can you wash out the allegations made against you? ... that’s much important now”
“ How can I wash out the allegations against me?” John said in despair.
“ There is only one way out”
John again looked at her in puzzle.
“ And that is to catch the killer” She tried to convince him.
“ But how is it possible now, when all my authority and even the gun is retracted by them? ... Now even if I try... it will be like trying to fly high by a bird when all its feathers are cut down..”
“ No, don’t be disappointed... though it had become risky now .. But you should understand that you don’t have any other way out than that... “
John got up, went to the open window, and looked outside. He saw the water, calm and quite, in the oval shaped lake, shining in the lights around.
The water is very calm and quite.. as if suffocated within the boundaries...
He realized that his condition was somewhat similar to the water in the lake. As he saw the circular boundaries of the lake the thought of zero came into his mind. For sometime he stared continuously at the lake. Then he turned slowly and went to Anjeni, “ Who invented zero, do you know?” He asked.
Anjeni was confused with this unexpected, sudden question, “ No... but Why?”
John again went to the window, started to stare outside, absorbed in his thoughts. Then he started strolling in the room restlessly.
Anjeni was trying to get what was going on his mind.
Suddenly he stopped, “ Anjee ... Will you put on the computer for me please” he said, pointing to the computer in the corner.
“ Computer? ... What for?” Anjeni asked.
He did not reply, just continued strolling in the room. Anjeni went to the computer and put it on.
John stopped, went to her, sat before the computer, waiting for it to boot. Anjeni was looking at the boot messages appearing on the monitor. As the computer booted calm and quiet John suddenly came into action. He swiftly started pushing keyboard and mouse buttons to give various commands. Anjeni opted to be quiet, just looked on the monitor.
John first connected Internet, and then double clicked on the browser.
As browser appeared on the screen, he typed “Google.com” in the address field of the browser.
As Google site opened he typed “Zero invention” in the search string field.
By this time Anjeni could make out what was on his mind, “ Yes your are right.. The killer must be hidden in this question – Who invented zero?” She said enthusiastically.
John still was typing swiftly the various keyboard buttons and the mouse buttons.
She could not stop tenderly looking at him hearing the typical swift sound of the keyboard and mouse buttons, as she remembered of her husband Sani. When he used to work on the computer she used to feel the similar emotions. Now the same feelings she was feeling about John.
Its better that John has started to work on the case again...
She was feeling contented.
“You better continue.. I make a cup of coffee” She said and went to the kitchen.

... contd..

Ch-45: I am sorry (Novel-Zero)

As Boss escaped from the reporter’s mob, he went straight to his cabin, John also came out of the crowd, avoiding the reporters and followed his boss.
How can Boss do this with me?..
Last time also Boss declared everything to the press, without my any role or consent as such,...
In fact he sent me on the vacation nearly forcefully...
John was very upset and angry with his Boss.
Every time he works with dictatorship and if anything goes wrong blames somebody else...
Neither to John, nor to anybody else, it was not acceptable. John rushed to catch up with his Boss. He wanted to ask him the explanation. When Boss reached his cabin John was right behind him. He must have sensed John coming behind or he must have expected him, he stopped abruptly before entering his cabin. John also stopped. Boss turned and strolled towards John, stopped in front of him, looking directly into his eyes. He too stared back into his eyes, as he was still angry.
“ This is typical arrogance? Don’t look like this...You are going to eat me or what?” Boss shouted at him.
Boss was playing his usual trick. But this time John was not shocked. Then Boss tried the second part of his trick, he surrendered, patted on his shoulder “ I am sorry John... The situation was such that I could not do anything” .
Nor John confused, still looking directly into his eyes with rage.
Boss realized that his trick was failed. He retracted his hand from John’s shoulder, abruptly turned and entered his cabin. Boss was successful in achieving two goals in the single shot, one to save the image of the police, and second to create his terror and importance in the department by suspending John.

... contd..

Ch-44: One shot two victims (Novel-Zero)

As Boss and John went before the press they rushed towards them.
Camera lights where flashing on their faces like lightening. The police made a circle holding each other’s hand to control the crowd. Still behind them it was totally mess.
“ Quiet please” Boss’s stern voice echoed.
The crowd became silent; still some were struggling to come forward. Boss took a confident and stern stance, looked around over the crowd.
“ Yes” Boss gestured to ask questions.
The reporters standing in the front started firing questions. Since all were asking simultaneously, boss could not make out the intelligible words.
“ I will ensure that the last person is also answered.. one by one please” Boss said coolly.
John looked at him with surprise, he was surprised of his coolness in such an adverse situation.
“ The killer was died ... from the recent murder it seems that he is resuscitated again.” One of them said sarcastically.
“ We never thought of police department fooling around people in such a way” Other added.
“ And what makes me wonder is that still how could they face us with such a shamelessness ” Third said loosing his control.
“ Mind your language” Boss thundered.
Boss has changed his stance suddenly. John too startled for a while. John was surprised of the fact that even if his side was weak how can he try to override the press.
The mob became silent.
" Look we agree that we were wrong.. .we did not considered the fact that there could be more than one killers...'' Boss changed his stance and he became more polite and pretended to be more helpless now.
It was his style, first to override and startle the others, and then suddenly surrender and confuse them. It happened the same way as he anticipated, the press first got startled and quiet when he override and got confused when he surrendered. They were confused to the extent that they felt sorry for Boss. But they were strong-boned reporters, not just his repressed, obliged subordinates. They immediately recovered and attacked back on him.
" You are supposed to be the protectors, supporters of the people, you are responsible for their good or bad... You just can’t escape just by apologizing "
" And at least now ... what's the progress of the case... or again as it was before" Somebody said.
" Just like a zero... ending at the place where it started" Somebody added.
The press around laughed sarcastically.
" You just can't keep quite by apologizing ... You have to take some concrete action.." Nobody was in a mood to allow Boss to talk.
" That too right now.. this very hour...in front of us"
" Yes.. right now... in front of us" All supported.
Now Boss was sweating. The press was not in mood to leave him just like that. Boss's trick had also not worked, in fact rebounded on him with the equal force like a boomerang.
" Just a minute...please" Boss gestured the mob to be quiet.
As they became silent and he was sure that at least he could be heard, he said, " Now I am going to declare my action plan in front of you"
Some people cut his words, " Right now... right here ... we will not allow procrastination as before"
Boss felt like trapped with no escape.
" Yes ... Yes , right now... right here I am going to declare my action plan" Boss said clearing sweat on his face.
Now the mob became pin drop silent, as they were eager to hear his action plan. The reporters tried to invade with their cameras and microphones as ahead as possible
" Number one ... police is for protecting people and people completely rely on them... we should take care that they should not loose faith in us. ... Therefore it’s not sufficient that police accept their mistake... but they should be punished too... so that they should not dare to do such mistakes again"
Puzzled John looked at his Boss, as he was talking against police.
Whether I am mistaken to listen him or he is mistaken to talk like this...
John thought.
" And therefore I have taken an important decision at this juncture "
Boss took a pause purposely before declaring his decision, so that he should be able create the desired effect and impact.
People were quiet, waiting eagerly for the Boss's decision.
" And my decision is ... the one who are responsible for this big mistake should be punished immediately... therefore I declare the constitution of a committee, which will look into the mistakes, malpractices if any carried out during this investigation... until then I also declare that the current officer working on this case stands dismissed..."
John felt as if the earthquake shook him. John looked at his boss in shock. But the boss was still busy with his declaration, " And till then I am appointing an other able officer on this case. "
John was encountered with this side of his Boss first time. Still he was in shock, looking at his boss continuously. Suddenly the camera lights started to flashing on John's face. The reporters now turned there attention to John. As reporters got engaged with John, Boss took the advantage of the situation and escaped quietly.

.. contd..

Ch-43: Again press conference (Novel-Zero)

John and his boss sat in the cabin facing each other, with nobody else in the cabin, only two of them. For quite a long moment there was an unnatural silence between them.
" We have got Alex’s postmortem report too" John broke the silence, turned over some pages in the file he possessed.
John’s boss was seated relax in his chair, taking puffs of cigar in his hand.
" There is no reason of death as such mentioned in the postmortem" John continued.
Boss removed the cigar from his mouth and flicked the ash in the ash tray ahead.
" I am sure he must have been killed by over dosing him with insulin ... When the insulin is overdosed... we can’t find any apparent reason for the death and we can’t prove it too.. Sometimes it puzzles everybody whether the death is natural or a murder" John said.
Boss got up from the chair, went to the window, looked outside as if in void. Then suddenly turning he said, "Look John we met here in connection with Niyole’s murder... Not to discuss about some X,Y,Z' case...How can you divert our discussion to the some other topics?"
"Because it is also concerned with this murder" John said sternly.
" It’s connected to this? Are you loosing your mind? Who is that fellow... yeah Alex.. he died, we even don’t know how he died... and you are just connecting it with this case ... its ridiculous" Boss said in irritation.
" It is concerned therefore I am connecting them" John said with confident tone, " Probably Alex had the clues of this case ... therefore the killer killed him"
There discussion broke up as a peon came in, they both looked at him. Peon went to boss and informed, " Sir the press has assembled outside"
The peon left.
" Press ... this time? They are out of their minds or what?" Boss said in surprise.
" The freaks assemble wherever they feel like... they only are bothered of the news... Who is died, how he is died? They are least bothered about..." Annoyed Boss said.
" Sir ... in fact.. I have called the press conference" John said.
" Press conference? And you called? With whose permission? ..." Now Boss was out of his mind.
" Sir ... in the morning to avoid them it just slept of my mouth..." John tried to explain his side.
" Slept of your mouth? You people commit the mistakes and we had to go through the consequences" Boss thundered.
" Sir if you would have listened me last time... this time might not have come.." John was loosing his patience.
" What do you think? If I would have listened you last time the time which had come now would have come long back... you people delayed the investigation and I tried to protect you... In fact I had given you the choice ... either solve the case fast or quit"
John was speechless, he said with soft tone, " But now how to deal with the press outside?"
" That you don’t worry about... I will take care of everything" Boss changed his stance like a chameleon.
John felt better listening his boss’s comforting words.
Boss stubbed the cigar in the ash tray ahead and asked John to follow him.
Boss got up, dashed out the open door and John quietly followed him.
... contd..

Ch-42: Who invented Zero? (Novel-Zero)

After coming out of the lift John started to go to flat no.3. Around the open door of the flat viewers were gathered around, some were reporters. The police standing there seemed to be dizzy. As they saw John they came into action, started to scold the people and the reporters gathered around. As the reporters saw John they came forward to ask him questions, blocking his way. The police standing there and the police who accompanied him pushed them aside to make way for John. John went straight in.
In the hall the investigation team was busy in their routine procedures. John turned to the bedroom taking care that his team should not be disturbed in their investigation. As John entered bedroom, Sam came forward, “Everything is as usual, nothing new" Sam said.
“How can we get it ... if someone among us is deceiving us?" John slammed.
Sam opted to be quite seeing John’s mood.
On the bedroom floor, in the pool of blood, Niyole Wagner's corpse was lying. Niyole was around twenty-five, impressive personality, stern and young chap, probably living alone in the flat. At least it was evident from his belongings and from the fact that no relative had reported till then. The blood had flowed down his injuries and frozen on the floor. On the other side of his body a streamlet of blood had flowed below his back. On his body there were injuries of bullets and the knife. Niyole's mouth was slit open, head turned to one side. Cloths on his body were his regular office cloths.
Killer must have followed him, entered with him in the house...
Of course all there were mere possibilities..
All his belongings in the flat, on his body, in his pockets were as it was..
Again all means the one which were valuable..
As nobody closer to him reported, there was no way to know what the killer had stolen and what left behind. According to John's experience some criminals not always steal all valuables. They leave behind some valuables purposely to mislead the police.
From Niyole's body John turned his attention to the wall ahead, on which was drawn a big zero, again with blood.
Zero... it was a big zero..
And in the zero was hidden the killer ...
but zero means nothing...
Then how could the killer hide in it?
In the center of the zero was written a message- 'Who invented Zero?"
Then in this message the killer must have been hidden..
John was thinking.
John now felt an urgent urge to solve this case.
He knew, he had promised the press conference in the evening. But still he did not have anything to speak in the press conference. At least by evening he had to solve the case.
... to be contd..

Ch-41: Sudden encounter with media (Novel-Zero)

As John got down the car to go to Niyole’s apartment, press surrounded him from all sides.
“ Mr. John... As you said the killer is died... and the case has been finished ... how will you comment on this” A reporter jumped from the crowd right in front of him, his cloths and hairs messed. John was already surrounded from all side except the path ahead, now this one has blocked his way too.
Now it is important to answer something to calm down these press people. John thought. But what exactly to say he was not getting.
“ Let me first investigate the case” John tried to escape from them, pushing aside the one who came in the way.
“ Sir you can’t just igore us this way” one of them shouted.
“ Yes.. yes” others also joined him.
They all were going out of control now. John stopped abruptly; turn around, looked at them. They all were angrily looking at him as if ready to eat him. John's face faded; as he knew that it was police's fault. Now it was necessary to calm down the press people, giving some explanation.
Cameras were flashing on him, due to which he confused more. With great difficulty other police were holding back the media people.
" After this investigation in the evening I am calling press conference... there, I will reveal all details" Somehow John managed to speak, turned and walked speedily towards the apartment.
Media was calmed down, may be for the time being. John was surprised of himself, how did he manage to speak.
It was true that he talked about the press conference, but he was not sure what he was going to say them in the evening.
At least they are calmed down, may be for time being... What to talk in the evening could be dealt at that time...
He entered the elevator. As the elevator door closed he pressed the number 10 button.

... to be contd..

Ch-40 : Detective Alex (Novel-Zero)

John pressed the door bell and heard the bell ringing ‘Ding Dong’ from Alex’s house. John waited for the door to open. To pass the time till the door opens he looked around the house.
... Alex was staying alone. Their friendship was quite old, as he was known him from quit a long time. It seemed that Alex was not taking proper care of the garden in front of his house. When Alex’s wife was alive, she had nurtured the garden, as she was very fond of it. It was almost 5 years back when she died in an accident. Since then the garden was not been taken care of. In between the security there used to hire someone to take care of it, but not regularly. Therefore the garden was looking eerie and dry, like Alex.
It was quite a long time he had rang the bell. Still why the door is not opened?..
John pressed again 2 - 3 times the button, knocked the door too and again waited for the door to open.
... Since his wife’s departure there was tremendous change in his personality. Since then he totally stopped mixing with his friends. Suddenly he started to behave like too matured and too old. He became more careless as he was without mother and father or any close relatives. His wife was the only asset he possessed. And when she left he became all alone. That way his duty was mainly concerned with the dark of the night, but now he had made the friendship with the dark. Since then his life became so lifeless that he even not left a scope for another woman to enter his life.
Still Alex’s door was not opened...
Now John was getting scared. He again banged the door, “Alex” He called out loudly. There was no reaction from inside. John strolled towards the backside from the right side of the house. While going he peered through the windows, banged them too, with no response. He reached the backside of the house to find the back door completely open. John again called out in through the open door. The voice simply echoed in the dark in the house. John slowly and cautiously entered the house, on the way various doubts on his mind.
What would have been wrong? ...
Is there any kind of mishap?..
His breath was getting short and fast. Automatically his hand went to his waist and removed the pistol from the holder. He vigilantly, without making noise, entered in, aiming the pistol around. The things in the house were littered around.
Alex was not of the type to keep things neat...
Somehow his wife, sometimes scolding, or sometimes caressing, had tried to change his habits..
But since Alex’ wife left him... everything became lifeless for him...
As John entered the bedroom, he missed the beat. Alex was lying on the bed with his mouth slit open. Immediately John went to him, shacked him, “ Alex “ he called out.
There was no movement in his body. He checked his pulse. It was stopped long back. John hurried to remove his mobile from his pocket. But a vibrating mobile came in his hand. He checked the display; it was Sam. He pressed the button to attend, “ Yes Sam”
“ Sir there is bad news ... the killer has executed the fourth murder too” Sam said from other side.
“ What?” was John’s reaction?
“ Niyole Wagner ... North Street, 2024... killed the same way” Sam provided the additional information.
... to be contd...

Ch-39 : Interruption in the vacation (Novel-Zero)

John was driving the car and to his side was sitting Anjeni, both quite, looking straight at the road.
Breaking the unnatural silence John said, “ Didn’t I told you?... this murder case is still not finished”
Anjeni looked at him.
“ Killer is still moving freely around in the city” John continued.
“ Then Who he was, the one who died ?” Anjeni asked.
“ So many possibilities..” John said averting his eyes for a while from the road.
“ like?’’ she asked.
“ Firstly it is possible that the one who died is no way related to the murder... Secondly he could be killer’s associate... Or just a mere member of the association responsible for these murders...” John said.
“ But what Alex wanted to tell you?” Anjeni enquired.
“ Will you check whether my mobile has got signal or not?” John asked striking the thought of their conversation.
“ Your mobile?” Anjeni asked in perplexed.
John gestured with his eyes towards his overcoat kept next to Anjeni.
Anjeni took the overcoat, removed mobile from the pocket and checked the display.
“ Ya.. now quite clear signal ... wait I will try him”
Anjeni pressed few buttons with her delicate long fingers and tried Alex. John was glancing in between with curiosity.
She removed the mobile from her ear and redialed.
“ What’s wrong?” asked John.
“ His mobile is switched of ... it seems” She tried again.
She tried after some time but again the same message, “The mobile you are trying is switched off, please try after some time”
“ It seems he has switched off his mobile” Anjeni handed over the mobile to John.
John also tried 2-3 times but in vain.
“ I think, He must have switched it off purposely” John pocketed the instrument.
“ Purposely? ... but why?” Anjeni asked in puzzle.
“ May be he is feared of tapping his conversation” John reveled the possibility.
“ Now there is only one way... To meet him.. Then only we will come to know the truth” Anjeni said.
John said nothing, just concentrated on the driving, looking straight ahead on the road. Anjeni also get immersed in her thoughts, while looking ahead on the road.

... to be contd..

Ch-38 : Detective’s call (Novel-Zero)

They slept on the terrace, holding each other tightly, to protect from the cold. Anjeni wake up, as she heard the chirping sound of the birds in the morning. She squinted her eyes; it was morning, time to get up. While wearing her cloths she gently shook John, " John get up... its morning"
" Umm... " John yawned and pulled her again.
She released herself from him and wore her cloths. Again she shook her, this time little sturdily. John woke up, looked around with his squinted eyes and again slept keeping his head on her lap. She smiled moving her fingers through his hairs. Suddenly they realized that downstairs in the room mobile was ringing.
" John .. it seems its your mobile"
It was first time the mobile rang after they came here. He got up abruptly. Wearing his cloths he darted downstairs, she too followed him.
yes it was John's mobile..
John picked it up, looked at the display. It was Detective Alex.
Alex...So early in the morning?...
Quickly he attended it, " Yes Alex"
" John there is one good news" the voice came from other side.
Suddenly there was some disturbance in the mobile signal. Nothing could be heard.
" Hello... hello" John tried.
" Hello.." the response came from other side.
" Yes ... What's the news?" John asked.
" We got his where abouts... Better you come quickly..." Before he could finish some garbage noises could be heard and after some time nothing could be heard.
" hello.. hello..." John tried.
He looked at his mobile display, to find that the signal was gone.
Probably since this place was too long from the city, the signal could not be caught properly.
" What's the matter? Whose phone it is?" Anjeni asked.
He went to the balcony to try if the signal gets there, but it didn't.
" Anjee come on get ready fast ... we need to leave immediately for the city" Jonh said while going up through the stairs. Anjeni too followed him not knowing what exactly he was up to. The mobile didn't catch signal on the terrace too.
" It was Alex's call.. It seems he got some important information about the killer... but the signal went in between" John said showing her the mobile display.

... to be contd...

Ch-37 : Full moon Night (Novel-Zero)

It was past mid night. Out side, the full moon was to its peak and spreading the white milky light all over. The dim light of the moon and the melodious sound of the flowing water were perfect for the romantic environment in the bedroom. Both were lying on the bed and John's fingers were playing with Anjeni's smooth body. As his hand, while playing with her body, tried to skip down, Anjeni hold it with a naughty smile, '' Was it so important to bring a ring with so hurry?'' She said pretending to ignore his intention.
" You know... we can't stop the passing time... but we should take care that the time in our hand should not be wasted'' He pulled her in his tight embrace.
" I see'' She pushed him away, smiled naughtily.
He advanced again to catch her. As she got down the bed to go away from his reach, he also got down to catch her. Now she was giggling and running around the room and John was right behind her. At last she ran up the stairs towards the terrace. John also followed her. When she reached the open terrace she was moved to see the beautiful twinkling stars above and white, milky light of the moon. The melodious sound of the flowing water was adding more beauty to the scene.
" Look ... how beautiful the shining flowing water is looking in the moon light" She said.
By this time John came from behind and pulled her in his tight hug, " But definitely not beautiful than you"
He started passionately playing with the back of her long neck with his eager lips. He turned her around to bring her face in front of him and holding her firmly he rested his warm lips on hers.
Now she too started passionately responding him.
He took aside her long hairs from her back to untie her top lace.
Anjeni started unbuttoning his shirt playing with his chest hairs. Now both were feeling the warmth and the moisture of each other's breath.
" John I love you very much" the words came out from her shuddering lips.
" I too" He said and gently made her to lie on the floor on the cloths, they had just removed.
Now both were without cloths and embraced to each other passionately. In the white milky light of the moon, in the melody of the music of the flowing water, responding to each other's eager feelings, they were filling the different colors of love in their romance.

... to be cond..

Ch-36 : Proposal (Novel-Zero)

Anjeni still sat alone at the dinning table. By this time candles were stubbed out, leaving just the wax, spread out around on the table. The condition of her heart was somewhat similar, frozen after waiting so long for him. The dinner kept on the table was as it was, untouched. As she felt exhausted, she got up from the chair. Suddenly the wall piece rang, twelve strokes, as if it was the sound of somebody blowing on her heart. It was 12 O' Clock.
He left right at 8 O' clock...
Four hours were over..
Probably he must have been somewhere near the cottage..
She went to the window, peered outside. The road coming to the cottage was calm and quite. She waited in the window, staring at the road, waiting desperately for John. Suddenly she saw two flashlights moving forward on the road. Her face lightened.
Must be he...
Definitely it must be John...
She kept looking at the approaching headlights. As they came near, she felt her heart beating more vigorously.
I should not have doubted about him...
She felt odd about doubting him. The vehicle now reached the square.
Just a turn and the vehicle will reach the cottage...
But what's this?
The vehicle moved forward instead of turning towards the cottage.
The disappointment crept over her face. She started strolling in the room to come out of the disappointment, still could not stop to peer outside in between.
She glanced at the wall piece; it was 25 past 12. John had to come by this time. Now she was feeling lonely. Again she peered outside the window with anticipation, as again she saw two flashlights moving forward.
Now it must be he this time...
She waited at the window and stared at those headlights.
This could be John's vehicle... and may be some other vehicle. Both possibilities..
But hope is strange.. it keeps one alive..
Suddenly the headlights disappeared when the reached the square..
What's wrong?
Did the vehicle stopped there?...
Or it was just the hallucination..
She moved away from the window and again strolled in the room. She ran to the window and peered down as she heard horn from the downstairs. John was getting out of the car. Her gloom face lightened. She darted to the door, opened it and ran outside. John saw her running towards him and he too ran towards her. She hugged him tight.
" Why did you take so long?" She playfully beat on his chest.
" I was so scared... I thought you are going to leave me here.." she continued staring in his eyes.
" Are you crazy... Is it possible that I ever leave you?" He took her to the cottage putting her hand around her shoulder.
Both climbed the steps putting hand in each other's waist.
" Now tell me ... Where you was?" She asked.
" Be patient...dear" He smiled.
When both of them entered the cottage Anjeni slammed back the door and wavered around him to listen what he had to say. He went straight to the dinning table, again lighted the new candles on the table, putting off all house lights. Anjeni was just following him in confusion not knowing what he was at. At last John made her sit holding her shoulder in front of him across the dinning table.
" Have a sit... I will tell you where I went" He said sitting across her.
For a while they were quite, John stared in her eyes and Anjeni stared back puzzled. John took her soft hand in his.
" Anjeni... will you marry me?" He proposed, looking right into her eyes.
Though Anjeni got puzzled with this unexpected question, but felt excited hearing it.
But then controlling her emotions she said, '' Is this some kind of joke?"
" No.. I am serious" He said.
" Look John, I missed you and felt lonely when you was not here... at least don't cut such useless jokes at this time" She said.
" No Anjee... I am dam serious" He tried to convince her.
John called her with a nickname 'Anjee', the first time. She stared into his eyes, trying to read his emotions.
" You don't believe..'' He removed a red box from his pocket, '' look what I have brought for your"
" What is it?"
" Engagement ring... of course if you agree" He took her consensus again, " Will you marry me please?''
Anjeni's eyes welled up.
" You went in the city for this?" She asked with chocked throat.
He nodded in agreement looking lovingly at her.
Both got up the chair and entered passionately into an embrace.
" Yes I will" the words erupted from her chocked throat.
His face started beaming with happiness. He held her up and kissed her passionately. Then he let her down and gently pushed the ring into her engagement fingerer.

... to be continued...

Ch-35 : Four hours (Novel-Zero)

Now it was night. Both prepared the dinner and arranged all dishes on the dinning table. John lighted the candles, making dark in the room. Both sat across, fondly staring at each other, in the dim light of the candles. The dinner dishes were still untouched, as they never felt like hungry. Their hunger thrust was gone. Suddenly she realized that again Johns face was gloomed with worry and he was immersed in some thoughts.
“ Hello..” she snapped her fingers in front of him.
“ What are you worrying about?” She asked.
“ How much it will take to go to city from here?” He asked, coming out of his thoughts.
“ May be around one to two hours.. Why.. Why did you ask that?” She asked.
“ Please.. Can you give me four hours?”
“ For what?”
“ I got to go for one important job... two hours for going and two hours for coming ... it will hardly take four hours” He said reading her reaction.
Her cheerful face gloomed.
“ Please.. don’t say no” he insisted.
“ Is it necessary?” She asked.
“ Yes.. Its very much important” He said.
“ But what is it, for which you want to go?” She asked.
“ I can’t say it now, but after coming back definitely I will tell” He got up, smiled, not to completely ruin her mood.
Before she could say anything he darted out too. When she went to the window, he was going to the car. He stopped at the car, turned to look at her.
“ Don’t worry... I will come back soon” He said loudly, so that she could hear, while sitting in the driving seat.
‘knock’ he slammed the door. Her heart started pounding. He started the vehicle and said ‘bye’ from the window. As he drive away, the gloominess crept over her face again. May it be for four hours, she was not sure how to pass those four hours without him, and that too at such a lonely and calm place.
Why would he have gone?
Or he would also leave her alone in the midway? ..like Sani
Her thoughts began wheeling.

to be contd..

Ch-34B : Fishing (Novel-Zero)

For a while both were quit.
Jonh broke the silence “ Now I ask you a puzzle”
Anjeni approved with her eyes.
“ Number zero appreciated number eight. What it would be?” John asked.
Zero.. As John mentioned about zero, Anjeni’s face became gloomy. Cheers and naughtiness were disappeared of her face. John realized, he should not have mentioned about zero.
“ I am sorry..” he patted on her back.
She didn’t respond, simply steered the hook in the water.
“ Really I am sorry... I didn’t mean it” He apologized again.
“ It’s all right...” She tried to control her emotions, “ I quit... you tell”
“ What?”
“ How number zero would have appreciated number eight..” She tried to be animated again.
John kept quit
“ Come on...” She turned his face towards her.
“ Gave up! so easily” John smiled.
“ Yes... Now come on tell me quickly” She said eagerly.
“ Zero appreciated number eight...oh Nice belt!” John revealed.
“ Wow ... really nice” both cheered.
Again some time passed quietly. Both were busy steering their hooks anticipating for the fish.
“ Can you cook fishes?” Anjeni said slipping closer.
“ Nope” John checked, pulling his heavy hook.
“ Then why are we catching the fish?” Anjeni asked.
“ Of course for our lovely dinner” John said with astonishment.
“ If it is so then it’s useless” She said.
“ What do you mean?”
“ I also can’t cook fish”
“ What?” he said with surprise.
“ It’s okay if you want to eat them uncooked” She said jokingly.
“ You also can’t make? ... Okey no problem... we can try?” He suggested.
“ And if we failed?”
“ At least we would not be required to eat them uncooked..” He said.
Suddenly Anjeni realized that her hook was heavy. She checked it by steering. Probably the fish was hooked. She started bundling the thread. One white fish with brownish shade was floundered and came to her with the hook. She gently unhooked it and kept in the basket, which was kept beside her on a rock. She released the hook again in the water, as she was now ready for the next fish to catch. When she was releasing the thread something like butterfly stumbled with her nose and fall in the water. She cleared her nose, tucked behind her ear a strand of hair, which was flying over her face, and continued releasing the thread. Suddenly john burst out laughing looking at her.
“ What’s wrong?” She asked, looking at John.
“ Where is your fish?” he asked.
She looked behind in the basket. The fish was missing.
“ Where is it?” She looked around, “ How can it suddenly disappear?”
In fact she was enjoying the moments.
“ It jumped in the water... stumbling with your nose” He laughed again.
“ Oh ... I see.. it was fish.. is it?” As she realized, she touched her nose and laughed to join with John.
... to be contd..

Ch-34A : Fishing (Novel-Zero)

On both side of the flowing water there were groups of cottages nestled at the bottom of the hills in the background. Up above in the sky there were white clouds, as if playing with the tips of the hills. The environment around was filled with the melodic music of the flowing water, supported by the sweet chirping voices of the birds hidden in the green tall trees around.
John and Anjeni sat on a big rock, with their legs released and dipped in the flowing water. Both held fishing hooks, released in the water to catch fish. Both were very happy and free of day-to-day tensions today. Anjeni was in teasing mood today, she asked John a puzzle,
" Once number twelve went to the bar and ordered bar tender a whisky, but bar tender asked him to go away. Why he would have asked him to go away?”
Anjeni asked him, checking her hook.
“Since when these numbers too started to go in bar?” he teased her.
“Come on tell me...be serious” She insisted him.
“ I think it's like those elephant and ant’s puzzles” John laughed.
“ May be... tell me why did bar tender asked number twelve to go away?” Anjeni was not ready to leave him.
“ Well... Okay I quit... now tell me” John gave up.
“ So easily you quit...” Anjeni tried to rag him.
“ No.. I mean I just can’t guess... I told you I give up... Now why don’t you tell me?” John seemed to be eager to know the answer.
“ It’s simple.. because number twelve was under age... less than eighteen” Anjeni giggled.
“ I see.. really its funny... isn’t it” John too joined her laughing.
“ One more” Anjeni said checking her hook.
“ Okay” John encouraged.
“ What number eight would tell number three?” Anjeni asked.
“ Now these numbers started to converse too” John again teased her.
“ Not only converse ... after a while they would love each other... like us” Anjeni snapped.
“ It’s possible... may be that’s why people use 99, 66, 63, 69 as codewords” John said squinting his left eye.
Anjeni blushed, lowered her head.
After some time she looked at him, squeezed his cheek and said, “ You are such a naughty... you know”
Jonh simply smiled staring in her eyes.
“ Come on tell... What number eight would tell number three?” Anjeni said lovingly patting his chest.
“ Nope ... this also I give up...” John said, responding her.
“ Again ... it’s simple... number eight would tell number three... will you shut up your mouth please”
“ Wow... it’s nice too...no?” John said checking his hook.
“ Okey... one more ... number eight advised number six pointing at number nine ... What he would have advised.? ”
“ Look your numbers are now going one more step ahead... firstly they went in bar.. then they started conversing ... and now they are advising each other ... and the next step would be ...”
Before John could say something more Anjeni playfully shakes her fist at him.
“ Okey ... sorry...” John pretended as if feared, “ well.. what he would have advised...right... he would have advised number six... Why don’t you stand right...look how number nine behaves and stands right” John guessed.
“ Wow ... you are right...” Anjeni said in surprise.
“ What? I am right?” John could not believe.
“ Yes you are absolutely right... I guess you must have heard it before..” Anjeni doubted.
“ No... Really ... I have never heard of it ... I just guessed” John said.

... to be contd..

Ch-33 : Some Clues (Novel-Zero)

Command2 seemed to be in urgency as he was trying to rush through the jam pack crowd, pushing the one who came in his way. In the same crowd but standing at different place, detective Alex’s vigilant eyes caught hold of doubtful activities of Command2. He started to follow him, taking precautions of not making him alert.
Command2 came out of the crowd, turned around, took a look around. Detective Alex swiftly went into the shop nearby, to hide himself. Once Command2 ensured about his safety, he went in the dark ally nearby. Detective Alex too followed him. Hiding behind a wall Alex kept an eye on him. Command2 entered in the compound of a lavish bungalow. As Command2 disappeared in the bungalow, detective came out, looked around and vigilantly started marching towards the bungalow.

... to be contd..

Ch-32 : Vacation (Novel-Zero)

The speed with which John’s car was racing, his thoughts were running with probably more speed. John was driving the car and Anjani sat beside him. Though she was with John she felt loneliness, because John was somewhere else mentally. Slowly they left behind the main portion of the city; still some houses sparsely spread were visible through the window. Later on they also disappeared. Now the vehicle was running through the land, which was surrounded by greenery around. Anjeni looked at John; still he was immersed in his thoughts.
“ You are sitting beside me but it seems you are still stuck up with the murder case” Anjeni said.
Listening her, he came out of thoughts.
“ Yes.. I mean ...No... It's not like that” He said in confusion.
“ I understand that whatever your boss has done with you is not correct. But then we don’t have the control over the things happening with us. See... in my case ... what the destiny has done with me is not correct” She remembered of Sani.
He looked at her tenderly, not to know what to talk and how to console her.
Suddenly they heard the voice of water flowing thought rocks.
“ There must be waterfall around” He said, trying to change the subject.
“ Look ... there it is!” Anjeni said with enthusiasm, coming out of the shadow of the grief.
The shades of innocence crept over her face.
Pure, transparent, dancing water was flowing through the roughness of the rocks.
“ Wow ... what a beautiful!” John could not stop saying.
“ How relevant it is with human life” She said, again allowing grief to take control of hers.
“ How?” John asked.
John felt guilty and responsible for the unhappy moments she is remembering thorough. If I would have not immersed so deeply into my thoughts, she would not have felt so lonely.
To overcome her from the bad times, he tried to converse as much as possible with her.
“ Once the water falls as a rain, its lifecycle starts. Then there is no end to its lifecycle unless it meets again to the sea. Even if it decides to stop, it is not in its control.” Anjeni said philosophically.
“ Hey look at those spring bugs ... How they are jumping” John said, indicating outside the window.
On John’s side, a large group of spring bugs was running and jumping, probably disturbed with the noise of their vehicle.
“ How sweet!” Words came out of Anjeni’s mouth.
Her eyes were shining with childlike happiness.
By this time the vehicle marched further leaving the spring bugs behind. Anjeni was looking behind thought the back window till they disappeared.
“ Our cottage also must be on the bank of this river” John said.
“ What? ... We have river there too!” She said happily.
“ Yes... I heard him saying so” John said.
... contd..

Ch-31 : Politics (Novel-Zero)

John was sitting in the foyer, slowly taking swigs of whisky. It was evident from his face that he was disturbed. Doorbell rang. He got up, keeping his glass aside on the tea table. As he opened the door, it was Anjeni in front of him.
“ I was trying your mobile since long.. But it seems it is off...” Anjeni came in.
“ I put it off... to get rid of the press.. and their continuous calls...” John closed the front door.
As Anjeni came in the foyer, she saw the whisky glass kept on the tea table.
“ What’s wrong? ... looking upset?” Anjeni stared at his face, trying to get to his problem.
“ Sit...” Sitting on a chair he gestured Anjeni to sit on the chair in front him.
She pulled the chair to his left, sat on it, trying to give him the warmth of her closeness.
John again picked up the whisky glass and took a swig.
“ It’s better to share the problems with the closer ones, than to curse ourselves” Anjani took his hand in hers.
He kept his other hand on hers.
“ Any departmental problem?” Anjani asked, tapping on his hand gently.
“ I tell you... I will tell you the whole episode” He kept aside his whisky glass.
John took a deep long breath and started telling...

John was sitting opposite to his boss.
“ Sir, the corpse we found ... we have investigated about it and found some important information” John went through his file.
“ I see” Boss said.
Boss took a long puff of the cigar.
“ We found a revolver in corpse’s pocket... till now the past murders were executed by the same..”
Boss shook off the ash from his cigar in the ashtray kept ahead and said,
“ So to say... we got the killer automatically, for whom we were searching desperately, may it be dead”
“ Sir, I think it will be too early to conclude so”
“ Look John... the water has reached up to our necks ... now this is not the time to play with words... at least, time being, to make the situation normal we need to do something concrete... And why do you think the conclusion is wrong?” Boss asked, staring straight into John’s eyes.
“ There are so many reasons” John turned over few pages from his file.
“ For example?” Boss stubbed out the remaining cigar.
“ Number 1 - It is possible that the real killer killed somebody and kept his revolver in his pocket... he could have done it to divert our attention.."
" Number - 2 - When we have raided the so called killer's house, we found that the hard disc from his computer was missing... There are so many possible reasons for it... More than one person, such as a group or an organization could be involved in it... Or as I said earlier the killer could have done it to divert our attention... or even it could just be a normal robbery"
John paused to read reaction of his boss.
" Anything else?" Boss said blankly.
" Number-3 - This time the information given to us was not by the killer, as had happened earlier. This time it was some unknown person, who had not opted to disclose his identity... because the place from where he phoned, it was practically impossible to reach victim's house and kill him within such a short span... The person who phoned could be the member of their group who deceived them or could be some person who came to know this information some how and did not wanted to disclose his identity..."
John said almost in a single breath and waited for his Boss's reaction.
Boss slowly got up from his chair, lighted the new cigar while looking outside the window. He strolled around John taking deep puffs.
" Have you finished?" Boss said, staring at him.
John just nodded.
" Look John... As you know this incidence had brought us a bad name... and whatever you are telling are all those possibilities... We don't have any concrete proof about those..."
Boss was now strolling around in the room.
" But sir" Join tried to explain.
Boss interrupted him,
" I think working on this case day in and day out you might be sort of tired, physically and mentally, and we do get to such conclusions when we get tired, it happens..."
" No sir... it's not like that" Join tried to explain his side.
" Look... whatever I say ...listen carefully" suddenly Boss's tone became hard.
" Now we have to call a press conference... we have to put forth all the facts to save our name and ... and then I suggest you to go for vacation for a week or so... I sanction your leave right this moment... You can plan your vacation with your friend Anjeni... to some hill station or wherever you like... "
Startled John looked at him. How did he know about Anjeni? and... about us?
Still surprise and shock was visible on John's face.
" I am sorry... its your personal matter... but it's my professional way of working ... I need to keep a vigilant eye on everybody.."
Before John could say anything, Boss picked up his overcoat hanged behind his chair and headed to the door.
He abruptly stopped at the door, turned and said, " Tomorrow morning 10 O' Clock I have called a press conference... How to deal with it.. I will see ... You just be there"
Without waiting John's response, Boss walked off, echoing the corridor with his shoes sound. John in confusion did not understand to deal with the going boss, or to deal with the papers and the file held by him.

to be contd..

Ch-30B : Press conference (Novel-Zero)

Now everybody was waiting for City Branch Police head to arrive. The discussion among the press people suddenly stopped as they saw some movement and disturbance on the other side of the table. As they saw City Branch Police head coming, they started rushing as close as possible to the table. John was behind his boss following him with his heavy steps. The press conference was called regarding the recent hottest issue - the serial killer case.
Press reporters started shooting their questions-
“ Who is the killer?”
“ Why couldn’t you caught him live?”
“ Why did you people take this much of time?”
City Branch Police Head glanced ahead over the crowd.
“ One by One” his mesmerizing commanding voice came.
“ Yes you” he picked up one poor looking chap.
“ Sir, How can you say so surely that the one who felled down from the terrace was the killer?” the press person asked.
“ The bullets found till now from all the three victims body were from his revolver... this has been proved by our technical team... and his blazer pocket in which we found the knife, the inside cloth was spotted with all three victim’s blood ...” City Branch Police Head provided the information in detail.
“ Why couldn’t you catch him alive?... If you would have caught him alive ... probably we would have got some more information.... such as his motive and all” the other press person quickly took the opportunity to ask, almost pushing himself in between.
“ As soon as we got the information, we reached the site... When we reached there, the murder had been already executed, but the killer was still in the building... then we have surrounded the building from all sides... we blocked all his possible ways of escape... as a result he was left with only one option ... to suicide.” he reveled.
John looked at his boss, with surprise. He was not surprised of the fact that he lied, but he was surprised to found him lying with such a confidence.
“ What?... killer committed suicide? But some people say that he would have felled down from the terrace...” one of them argued.
“ Its unreasonable to say that he felled when the terrace has 3 feet parapet wall”
“ Who had informed about the killer to police?” One reported asked.
“ Now it’s difficult to tell all these things... We have our spies all around.. one of them informed us... some prefer to disclose their names while others not... Whatever it may be, lastly the important thing is we were able to catch the killer, may it be dead. Therefore... the murders which would have executed, if we would have not able to catch the killer, are prevented. And all this credit goes to our able police department, their efforts and their strong network."
City Branch Police Head was now trying to escape from there.
As he was about to turn to depart, one more reporter asked,
" Sir what would be the intention of the killer?"
" A serial killer comes in the category of a psycho... isn't it? They are not required to have any particular purpose... I can talk about the purpose of you being here but It's really difficulty to talk about the purpose of a psychopath.." City Branch Police Head said jokingly.
Other reporters around burst out laughing. The poor chap who asked the question blushed with embarrassment.
Now City Branch Police Head was giving casual answers.
" Sir, Somebody has stolen the Computer hard disk from the killer's house... is it correct?" Someone asked, trying to catch attention of the Police Head.
Ignoring him, Police head said, " I think I have given the answers of all possible questions.. And provided you the sufficient information about the case... thank you... thanks all of you"
Police head turned and departed, he never looked back until he reached his car. John followed him like a robot, not having any particular role in the whole press conference.

... to be contd...

Ch-30A : Press conference (Novel-Zero)

In the open ground a table was kept on a podium. A bunch of microphones tagged with different media channels was kept on the table. The place was crowded with press, eagerly waiting for the City Branch Police head to arrive. Some were sitting on the chairs, which were kept in open ground, in front of the table. Others were discussing, making small-small groups, the same discussion, the discussion about the serial killer case recently going on.
“ Its since long ... people were sort of fed up with the similar news... Now, due to this case people got a new fodder.” Someone said.
“ Did you imply that the serial murder case going on is a good thing?” Other asked sarcastically.
“ No.. I mean... not like that” the first one tried to recover.
“ You know... its the same... but we can’t concur openly..” the second laughed, the first one joined him.
“ I mean ... Our nature of duty is such that we can’t do anything about it.. We have to make news on others sufferings ...” third joined their conversation.
“ You are right... and if we don’t have news how can we survive?”
“ You know ... when I was new in this profession ... I used to pray to God daily.. that... hey god ... let me get some news today...”
“ in short... hey God... today May it happen, an accident, a murder or something news worthy ...” first one took a consent clap from third one.
In other part of the open ground TV channel employees were ready with their cameras. They were also discussing among themselves-
“ Hey ... its pity that bad things happen everyday in this world” someone said.
“ At least its good that ... we are not required to see all this with our open eyes” other responded.
“ How come? ... We do see all this with our open eyes” the first one expressed surprise.
“ I mean... this camera acts as a flapper to our eyes” other one said jokingly.
Both burst out laughing.

... to be contd...

Ch-29 : Boss phones (Novel-Zero)

Command2 was sitting in front of his computer in the cellar at his new house, as he had changed his location. His face was still beaming.
After killing Command1 his further way to his aim has become easier....
A thought crossed his mind. It looked as if he was checking mails on his computer but on his mind something different was going on.
He came out of his thoughts as his mobile rang. He checked his mobile display, showed no number.
Whose phone is this?...
Can it be police?...
He attended the mobile, “ Hallo ..” he said arrogantly.
There was no response from other side, just he heard some machine like buzz in the background.
“ Hello.. Who’s this?” Now Command2’s tried to be polite.
“ Boss... Boss speaking” , A firm voice came from other side.
“ Boss? ... Yes Boss.” Command2 said, trying to show him as normal as possible.
“ I came to know about Command1” Boss said.
“ Yes sir... It’s really bad and unfortunate” Command2 said, trying to sense the hidden message in the voice from other side.
“ Who killed him?” Boss asked.
“ Killed? I thought it was an accident?” Command2 said innocently.
“ Thought?... You were not with him?” Boss asked in surprise.
“ No... I didn’t... As he decided to go one day earlier, that too in the risky time, you predicted... therefore I didn’t go... He wanted to check the correctness of your predictions... it seems” Command2 told.
“ Had he checked then? To check it is required to be alive... idiot ... cheaply lost his life ... stupid, doesn’t know the simple thing ...that the poison is not to be tasted...” boss said in anger.
“ Then who informed the police?... And how did they arrive so early?” Boss asked further.
“ I think he himself must have informed... Last time also he hurried unnecessarily to tell the police.” Command2 said.
For a while there was no conversation from other side, simply the buzz, same machine like buzz.
“ You have done the wise thing... by moving” Boss said.
“ Yes sir... I had an idea that after investigating all details they would definitely raid Command1’s residence”
“ Now take the lesson from this... and don’t do such stupidity again.. Still we need to do much more work togather” Boss counseled him.
“ Yes sir” Command1 said politely.
Phone disconnected from other side.

... to be continued...

Ch-28 : Raid (Novel-Zero)

A police vehicle stopped by Command1's house. A team of police rushed out of the vehicle, went straight into the compound and circled the house. John was continuously in contact with his team with the walky-talky, in between giving them orders. After making sure that all his team members took the proper positions, he headed towards the main door with Sam. The door was open ajar.
There must be somebody in...
Both of them guarding each other entered the house, keeping their vigilant eye everywhere. There was nobody in the hall. He called two of his team members in, instructing through walky-talky. As the other two joined them, they got scattered in the house and started searching each and every room, but in vein.
John went to the steps, which was near the bedroom. As he was thinking to go up by steps, he happened to see below the steps. He saw the door, probably to go in the cellar.
" Sam, Come here ... look... " John called Sam.
" And you ... look for the fingerprints ... at least we will come to know his peers " John instructed fingerprints experts.
John opened the cellar door ajar and peeked inside, to find nothing but the dark. John signaled Sam to bring the torch. Sam came out slowly, taking care to make no sound and then rushed to bring the torch. He handed over the torch to John. John vigilantly entered the cellar holding pistol in one hand and the torch in other. Sam followed him to guard him with his pistol. John raked through the cellar with the torch flash, to find nobody in the cellar. There were not many things in the cellar and even not a place to hide in it. Lastly he zeroed on his torch flash in the center of the cellar, where the computer was placed.
“ Don’t you think it's a difficult place to keep computer?” John said with surprise.
“ Seems to be some kind of conspiracy” Sam expressed his opinion.
Both went to the computer and had closer look at it.
" Will you put on the electric switch? " John instructed Sam.
Sam pressed the electric switch and John pressed the computer switch. Both were eagerly looking at the monitor, waiting for to boot the computer.
Initially white letters appeared on the black monitor, at the left side. Then memory test started and suddenly the message appeared-
" No boot disc found"
" Now what's wrong with this computer" Sam said irritated.
By then John's two more team members appeared there.
" What's wrong?" Harry, one of the two, who had just arrived, asked.
" Harry, will you please look into, why it is not going on?" John instructed Harry to inspect the computer.
Harry was computer technician. He tried again switching off and on. Again the white letters appeared at the left corner of the black monitor, memory test started, and lastly the same message-
" No boot disc found"
Harry put of the switch and started opening the machine with screwdriver.
" What's wrong?" Sam asked.
" Sir.. There is no other way to know other than to open it" Harry said, still continuing with his work.
When Harry opened the CPU cabinet, he started looking in surprisingly.
" Some problem?" Harry asked.
" Sir... the hard disc inside is missing." Harry said clearing the drops of sweat from his forehead.
" What? Hard disk is missing?" John and Sam said in astonishment.
" Who would have stolen it?" Sam said, as if asking to self.
" It means it contained some vital information..." John inferred squinting his eyes.
John again had a round in the cellar in the flashlight of his torch.
" Well... ask the finger prints experts to come here immediately.. Probably we could find the finger prints of the culprit who would have removed the hard disk" John instructed Sam.


.... to be continued...

Ch-27 : Investigation (Novel-Zero)

... In hurry John got out of the elevator. He seemed to be frustrated due to the odd time phone call.
But what else he can do? It was the part of his duty.
Which moment, where they will be, they themselves had no control over.
What Anjeni would have felt?
As John entered Utina’s flat he could see Sam already present there with his team. He directly went to the bedroom, Sam followed him. Utina’s body was lying on the bed in the pool of blood, with her eyes and mouth wide open. And beside on the wall the big zero was drawn with blood, something written in the center, ‘ If zero were not there?’
John was reading it again and again.
What the hell the killer want to say? ... Is there something hidden in the message?
John thought.
“ Who informed us about the murder?” John asked Sam.
“ Sir, some unknown person... he did not reveal his identity... we tried to trace the call too... it was of some public booth from this area..” Sam provided him the information.
Sam was always prompt in his work.
“ It seems ... it must not be to long since the murder is executed”
“ Yes sir... when we arrived ... the blood was flowing... therefore we searched everything around...” Sam said.
“Did you find anything” John asked.
“ These two did not find anything...” Sam said indicating to his two associates, who had just returned, “ three more are on their job... still not returned” Sam said.
John warned them all, “ Look... this is third consecutive murder... we are still clueless ... if this continues its going to be big problem for us... do whatever need to be done... but this time we need to find him”
Before he could say anything further, two of his team members came back, huffing badly. Everybody looked at them with anticipation.
“ Sir... at the back side ...there is dead body..” one of them managed to say.
“ Seems to be fallen from top... I think he must be the killer...” other added.
“ Sam... you wait here and continue the investigation... I will go with them...” John darted out with his two team members.

... to be contd...