BELLS IN NEW YORK

Chapter 06- Part 02

"come in, detective Sharma. Have a seat," Chief Bryson motioned towards the chair before him, "I am sure you know why I called you in."

"Yes, chief," I answered simply, taking my seat facing the Chief.

"I understand that you are in a very upsetting situation. If you would like, I could give you a few days of leave to collect yourself together," Chief Bryson mentioned.

"Thank you very much, chief, but I would like to kindly decline. I would rather be here, amidst the action." I politely declined the offer.

"If that is what you prefer, I don't mind," the chief smiled kindly, something I had never seen prior, before continuing, "then, would you like to answer some questions I have regarding the incident?"

"Yes, Chief," I replied again.

"Alright. Let us start from the top. Can you describe how you found out your nephew was missing?" Chief Bryson requested.

A few seconds of silence spread through the small office as I gathered my memories and traveled back to the last night.

"I left work at about quarter past seven. When I reached home, I found my father and my cousins in the living room, but Ivaan...Ivaan was not there. They told me that he was nowhere to be found. According to them, Ivaan had been playing in the living room when the doorbell rang. By the time they came to check who rang the doorbell, Ivaan was already gone and the front door was left open. I searched through the entire house, but he wasn't there," I paused, reminiscing how my heart raced as I ran around the house frantically looking for Ivaan, "Then, I remembered that we had a security camera installed at the front door. When I reviewed the footage, I found proof that Ivaan was kidnapped," I finished, trying hard to hold in my tears for the second time today.

"I see," Chief Bryson said, jotting something down on his notepad, lost in deep thought.

After a moment of silence, the Chief spoke again.

"apart from Ivaan, who else was in the house?"

"My father and Ivaan's mother and father," I replied.

"Are you positive they were all in the house immediately after the abduction took place?"

"Yes chief," I paused to think, "but by the time I reached home, Gopal, Ivaan's father, wasn't in the house. I was told he immediately ran out to look for him outside the house."

The chief nodded, writing some more in his notepad.

"Do you have any idea who could have done this? Maybe somebody your family is at odds with?" chief Bryson questioned.

Again, I thought carefully for a while.

"Not that I know of, Chief. My father is a very kind man. Besides, Ivaan and his family are not even from here. I doubt they could have made an enemy in the short time they have been here.

"Hmmm. In that case, I can't think of a particular motive for the abduction," Chief Bryson concluded, his brows furrowing. We soon descended into another few minutes of silence as we both silently pondered over the situation.

"Sharma, did you have any visitors over at the house within the past week?" the chief questioned, breaking the silence.

"To the best of my knowledge, apart from detective Campbell, nobody else came over, Chief," I responded.

"Detective Campbell, you say?" the Chief beckoned for me to elaborate.

"A couple of hours before the incident, detective Campbell told me that he will drop by the house to see Ivaan. He had been planning to drop by for a while,"

"Looks like I will have to get a statement from him as well. Maybe he saw something unusual when he came."

I nodded my head in response.

"All right, Sharma. That is all the questions I have got for now. I will contact you if I need you to clarify anything," the chief began, "I will send over two detectives later today to investigate the scene. I would like for you to join them. Can you?" I nodded, "Your father's statement will also be taken on-site, so make sure he is home by around noon. If he could also leave the house untouched until the inspection is over, that would be appreciated."

"Yes chief, I will inform my father about everything," I replied and stood up to leave.

"one last thing, Sharma," Chief Bryson spoke as I reached out towards the door handle, "If I were to create a temporary group to handle the case, are you willing to be a part of it?" he questioned.

"Absolutely, Chief. I would love to be a part of the team," I replied instantly.

"Excellent. Then, get back to work. I will ask the two detectives to come to get you when they leave."

I wished the Chief a good day and stepped out of the office.

Just as I turned the corner to head back to my desk, my phone dinged, signalling that I had received a text message.

Gopal: We just finished filing the case. Can we talk to you before we leave?

Without even stopping to reply to the text, I headed straight toward the place I had left them before.

Just as I had expected, both of them were there, waiting for me.

"How did it go?", I questioned as I approached them.

"We gave our statements. The officer told that two detectives will be sent over to the house to investigate soon," Gopal spoke. Priya did not seem to be able to even form a single word.

"The chief informed me about that not too long ago. I will be going with them," I said. "What's your plan for the rest of the day?"

"Uncle Maanav called us and mentioned that he had printed out some flyers. I think we will go help him hand them out," Gopal answered.

"Do you want me to drive you there?"

"No, no. we can grab a taxi. You have work to do, don't you?"

"But-" I began, too worried to let them go off on their own.

"we'll be fine, Drithi. Don't worry too much," Gopal interrupted, reading my mind.

"fine," I sighed in defeat, "make sure you guys grab some breakfast on the way. Pa probably hasn't eaten anything either, so get him something too."

"you too. You haven't eaten anything either," Priya spoke for the first time today.

I nodded in response, flashing a ghost of a smile at her. Even in her despair, she was still looking out for me.

"I will," I lied, knowing full well my next meal will probably be dinner. "Be safe, okay?"

Gopal nodded as he began escorting Priya out of the police department. I watched as they left through the automatic sliding doors and disappeared out of view. As I watched the doors slide shut behind them, I prayed to every god believed to watch over us.

Please help us find Ivaan soon.

*clears throat*

Been a while, eh?

*laughs nervously*

I would like to greatly apologize for disappearing for nearly half a year. At first, it was writer's block, but then I got busy with university, and before I knew it, it was already 2023.

It's been a weird six months, but hey, I'm back! As to whether I will have a regular upload schedule, I can't make any promises. But I will try my best to upload every week!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Things are about to get interesting, so stay tuned!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to vote!

See you in the next one!

Tschüss!

(German)

21/01/2023