Falling Stars

Chapter 7

"Life is unpredictable, and I'd rather play every card as honestly as I can than have a deck full of regrets and what-ifs."

~Courtney Peppernell

Happy reading fellas!

The news of suicide of Ankit spread like a fire in forest. Whole city is on high alert and police department is under high pressure, finding a multi-millionaire NRI dead body hanging in a posh hotel of Mumbai is the most highlighted breaking news.

There is a lot of words going on in market and on news channel, some claiming it to be a suicide while some claiming it as a well-planned murder. Every news channel has their own opinion based on substantial theory that they are claiming to be truth.

Mumbai police department had given official statement that as per their initial investigation it is a suicide although they are waiting for autopsy report and interrogating hotel staffs and other people who has met Ankit in last few days.

But media left no stone unturned to roast the situation, after all this news is like a golden egg which none of media house wants to lose.

Although the autopsy report state that it is a suicide but there are many unsolved questions for which police department has no question like why Ankit come to India if he has to suicide? Giving people a chance to point finger on police ability to catch culprit.

Situation worsened when Mr. Aniket Arora refuses to believe the autopsy report and ask for CBI investigation due to lack of confidence in Mumbai police. Media houses and public also support the demand of CBI investigation.

However, handing over the case to CBI meant doubting the competence of Mumbai Police and it would also be a stain on their image for which police department is not ready. So, the police commissioner decided to hand over the case to Special Crime Branch Officer secretively instead of transferring it to CBI.

Haseena was clueless when she is first informed that she needed to transfer the current case she is leading to her subordinate and report to commissioner office. Although Haseena is very calm officer but every officer face situation where they loose their cool. While sitting in chilled commissioner office, she tried to remember if she has done something like this in recent cases. Well, there are some, but the question is will department take them so seriously that they take currents cases from her?

"My Apology, Ms. Mallik, for making you wait." Commissioner spoke while taking his seat "Jai Hind, Sir" She saluted him. "It's okay, Sir."

"Please meet Mr. Hemant Naik. He is investigating officer of Ankit Arora Suicide case and Mr. Naik, this is Ms. Haseena Mallik, Special crime branch officer." He said while introducing the man standing beside him.

"Instead of beating around the bush, I come directly on point. You must know how much pressure is there for transferring this case to CBI but if we do this, it will be like tainting the image of policed department. So, I want you to take over this case secretively. You can take help from some of your trustable people but make sure this discussion don't go out. And submit your report to department. At later point, we might disclose this in public as per the need."

"Thank you sir for putting your trust in crime branch." Haseena replies smilingly.
"Mr. Naik will brief you on this case."

"Hello, Ms. Mallik" This is the first time Mr. Naik talk to Haseena. He is a well-built man in his early thirties with a bold but trimmer voice. Haseena can say he is capable officer but surely handling such high-profile case for first time. His poker face and creases on forehead makes him look much aged, maybe the work pressure is taking toll on him, Haseena guessed.