Mumbai Noir

3

The kapoors where one of the richest family of India and the richest family in Bombay, they were businessman who were dealing in real estate but the dirty business behind it was visible to almost everyone, Kapoors were again and again caught be in a allegation that they were smuggling drugs and guns to other countries. Other businesses would envy the success of kapoors, he always had a huge security with him as there was an assassination attempt done few months back. But today it was something different, it felt like the security have been given a holiday as he celebrated birthday of his daughter with his family. I saw them while having whisky and then his daughter went to the washroom I presume, I saw Vikram Kapoor, you may assume that my name and his name are similar, think again you may be wrong in few minutes, I wanted an autograph from kapoor wife as she was a popular actress, I didn't have anything on which I could ask her to give autograph so I took the my visiting card of mine and asked if I could get an autograph, she took it and was about to give an autograph when we heard a voice.

"Sahib, she is not here, the door to washroom is open, we cannot find her anywhere else," the manager of Kapoor said, they all rushed, she took the card and I thought the opportunity for getting an autograph wasn't there in my faith so I turned back and sat.

"I should have called this motherfuckers," Kapoor screamed.

"Atleast don't curse in public place, darling," his wife said and tried to calm him.

"Our daughter is nowhere found and you are concerned with my cursing? Are you actually--- fuck I have other work,"

"Where are you going?" She asked as Kapoor walked out with all the family members walking behind him, the whole restuarant became silent. I got up and decided to go back home, while going home I had all this thoughts going on inside my mind that what could have happened over there.

How could the daughter of such a powerful man simply vanish without a trace? The first interpretation that came to mind was the Sharmas, the second richest family in the city. Their longstanding rivalry with the Kapoors was no secret, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were somehow involved in the girl's disappearance.

But as I pondered further, another possibility emerged - a kidnapper seeking ransom. The Kapoors' vast wealth made them prime targets for such a scheme, and the timing of the girl's disappearance seemed too convenient to be a mere coincidence. Could someone have orchestrated her kidnapping in hopes of extorting money from her family?

Reaching a crossroad, I paused, the streetlights reflecting in my tired eyes. I needed to consider all possibilities. Maybe it was an inside job. Someone close to the family, aware of Kapoor's daughter routine, could have planned this. A disgruntled employee, a jealous friend, even a family member with a hidden agenda - the possibilities were endless and unsettling.

I continued walking, the rhythmic click of my shoes against the pavement a counterpoint. Then, a new theory emerged, one rooted in the darker corners of the city. Could his daughter have fallen prey to a human trafficking ring? Bombay, with its bustling underbelly, was a breeding ground for such heinous activities. She a young and innocent, could have been snatched away for a nefarious purpose. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced from a recent case. A young boy, Sameer, had gone missing from his neighbourhood park. The initial investigation pointed towards a runaway case, but I, digging deeper, discovered a sinister truth – a network of child beggars operating in the city.  Sameer, lured by a kind stranger with promises of candy, had been swept away into a life of exploitation.

Reaching my apartment building, I practically sprinted up the stairs, my apartment door slamming shut behind me with a resounding thud. Although I was not appointed for solving the case my mind was revolving around all the possibilities it could have done, I couldn't remain idle and then I called Rajesh Patil, the police officer with whom I collaborated in a previous case of mine, I asked him about this case and he told me that he has still not be informed about it, now another possibility went across my mind that what if the family was....

"They just came, I will call you back later," he said and cut the call. One possibility just went out of my mind.