HORIZON 1.1

Part-27

Shiva positioned himself at the centre of the police control room, carefully observing the city's surveillance videos that were being projected onto multiple displays scattered across the circular wall in front of him.

Riya, along with the other techies, occupied the console area, situated in the front row between the displays and Shiva.

"Could someone please fetch a coffee for this gentleman and one for myself?" Maya exclaimed as she entered the control room. "You go ahead and continue with your work." Maya nodded towards Shiva, taking a seat beside him in the middle of the room.

"Riya, could you please play the video when the child disappeared? And make sure to divide this large screen into two sections," instructed Shiva to Riya.

"As you wish, sir," replied Riya in her funny tone as she began operating the console.

The video captured by the school camera appeared on the screen.

"Do I need to start from the beginning?" Riya inquired.

"Yes, but wait for my signal," replied Shiva, grabbing his coffee, and walking around Maya. He attentively watched the video for over fifteen minutes, providing Riya with instructions to pause, resume, fast-forward, and rewind the footage.

"Please display the video from the left-side road camera on another screen," demanded Shiva. "And also show the footage from the camera after the right turn."

"What? There's nothing visible on the screen, and you keep telling me to turn left, then right, then left?" Riya grumbled. "I think we're just wasting our time."

Riya glanced at Maya, who seemed more interested in savouring her coffee than paying attention to the screen. That's what Riya initially thought, but when their eyes met, Maya's gaze conveyed something else. Riya now understood that she had no choice but to comply with Shiva's instructions.

Shiva noticed the silent communication between Riya and Maya. "Alright, let's start the video from the beginning at the school. Now, place a car on the road just behind the school bus, but not too close," stated Shiva.

"What?" Riya turned to Shiva, puzzled.

"Use your imagination; the car must be very common in Zone."

"Perhaps a woodie," suggested Riya, her excitement evident. For Riya, it was all a game. After a few clicks on the console, she successfully added a virtual car to the live streaming video.

All eyes in the room were fixed on Shiva and Riya.

"Now, when I say, move the car. Signal left, wait for the green light, then go straight," Shiva instructed Riya, who followed his guidance without a sound.

"Stop, wait, now turn left and continue straight," Shiva directed.

"How do you know where we're supposed to go?" Riya asked wearily, raising her eyebrows.

"If this is a kidnapping, the kidnapper wouldn't use teleportation technology as it can be traced. An invisible car would be the most suitable option. If he did use it, and I believe he did, surveillance cameras wouldn't have detected him," Shiva explained.

"Then why are we watching videos from all over the city?" Riya inquired; her gaze fixed on the display.

"This is our best shot at tracking him. Riya, focus on the surroundings, not just the car you placed. Pay attention to the traffic and people. Wait again and turn the car to the right."

The car eventually turned off the main road and continued until it reached a dead end.

"There's nowhere else to go," Riya said, removing her fingers from the console.