My Angel Is A Devil

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2 :

Pravalika nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for her team to take their seats. Setting her coffee mug aside, she stood with a commanding presence and addressed the group.

“Good morning, team! Despite our diligent efforts, another murder has occurred. Should we assume that the perpetrator is more skilled than we are, or are we failing in our duty? We’ve found no clues on or near the body. If this were the work of a serial killer or psychopath, we would expect some sort of signature or identifying mark. However, nothing of the sort has been found. This individual does not seek public attention. It appears he is fixated on girls aged thirteen to fifteen, and the brutality of his actions reveals a disturbing obsession with young girls”, Pravalika explained with a precise, analytical tone.

She scanned the faces of her team members, assessing their reactions.

Charan immediately rose from his chair, while Ajith, Rakhi, Pavan, and Imran remained seated, their gazes fixed on him and Pravalika.

“Yes, Madam! Reviewing the postmortem reports reveals a pattern. Each report indicates that the victims are subjected to prolonged assault until death, either through exhaustion or, if he is satisfied, through strangulation. Out of the eight murders, five girls died due to the assault itself, while two were strangled. We are waiting for the report on yesterday’s case”, Charan detailed his analysis.

Pravalika nodded in approval and turned her attention to the other team members.

“What about the rest of you? Do you have any additional insights?”, she inquired.

The remaining team members responded in unison, “We agree with Charan’s assessment”.

“Hmmm! then we need to review the case from the beginning”, Pravalika suggested. “There may be something we’ve missed. A fresh look might reveal new insights”.

One by one, the team members rose from their chairs and provided a comprehensive review of the case, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. Pravalika listened attentively, jotting down key points as they spoke. After every one in the team completed their turn, Pravalika took a few moments to go through her points.

Later, Pravalika rose from her chair and addressed the team with a decisive tone.

“Excellent analysis. It is clear that the murderer harbors no animosity towards the victims’ families. His sole motive is to satisfy his own depraved needs. However, note this. All the girls were kidnapped in the eastern part of the city and discarded in the west. Given that the bodies appear freshly wounded, it suggests that the atrocities occur in the western area. Increase security in the east, particularly around schools, tuition centers, parks, and bus stops. Deploy forces in the west to investigate any suspicious locations or individuals. Focus on abandoned houses and deserted areas. Additionally, arrest and interrogate local goons to see if they can provide any leads. Even a single clue could be crucial in tracking down the murderer. Understood?”.

The team nodded in unison, responding, “Yes, Madam!”.

“What about the person we saw in the CCTV footage during the last murder? Have you located him?”, Pravalika inquired sharply.

“No, Madam. Our informers are still searching, but he has vanished without a trace, as if he never existed”, Ajith reported.

Pravalika’s frustration erupted as she slammed her fist on the table. “Do you not feel ashamed to provide such an answer? It’s been almost a month, and you still haven’t found his whereabouts. Do you think this is a casual job? We need to work with the urgency of a bullet. If you’re this slow in locating him, how long will it take to extract any useful information from him? Perhaps you should reconsider your position if you can’t meet the demands of this job”, she rebuked, her voice filled with fierce intensity.

The team members flinched at her outburst, startled by her fury. Ajith, feeling deeply embarrassed and angry, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His disdain for Pravalika had been growing, and her public reprimand only deepened his resentment. Stifling his response, he lowered his head, unable to counter her anger.

“I don’t know how you’ll handle this, but I need the details of that person’s whereabouts within 24 hours. Although he doesn’t have any known family, he might have friends or acquaintances. Leave no stone unturned and interrogate everyone connected to him”, Pravalika commanded with unwavering authority.

Just then, her phone buzzed, interrupting the meeting. Clearly irritated, Pravalika fished her mobile out of her pocket. Seeing the caller ID, she swiftly answered the call.

“Good morning, Sir!”, she greeted the commissioner on the other end.

“Good morning, Pravalika! I need you at my office to discuss the case”, the commissioner said.

Pravalika’s expression momentarily soured, but she quickly composed herself and responded, “I’ll be there in half an hour. I’m currently in the middle of a discussion with my team about the case. I hope that’s acceptable?”.

“Alright”, the commissioner replied, sensing her temper and promptly ending the call.

Her team watched in astonishment, noting her unflinching demeanor as she spoke to the commissioner with an air of authority. There was no sign of apprehension, only the confident poise of someone who managed the room as though she were the true boss.

Pravalika shoved her phone into her pocket and cast a disappointed glance at her team. “I expect you all to work with the precision of an arrow in flight. I don’t want to hear about another murder. We need to find a clue before the murderer strikes again. Is that clear?”.

“Yes, Madam!”, the team responded in unison.

After offering some final suggestions, Pravalika grabbed her jacket and bike keys, then made her way to the door. Just as she stepped out, Charan’s phone rang. He answered swiftly.

“Hello! What’s the update?”, Charan spoke into the phone, his expression shifting as he received new information. He quickly gestured for Pravalika to stop.

After finishing the call, Charan approached Pravalika and relayed the news. “Madam! The person from the CCTV footage is hiding in Vizag. Today, he met someone and handed over a pen drive. This second individual is traveling to Hyderabad on an RTC bus, arriving around 10 AM. According to my informers, he’s a 6-foot-tall man wearing black jeans and a light blue shirt. He looks like a goon”.

Pravalika’s eyes widened as she checked the time already be 9 o'clock. She sprang into action, issuing urgent orders. “Charan! Find out the bus number, the driver’s details, and the stops in the city. We need to intercept him before he reaches the bus stand. We’ll head to the city entrance and catch him there. The bus will be coming from LB Nagar. Let’s move quickly.”
Turning toward the door, she shouted, “Jeeva! Get the vehicle ready!”.

With the team now in high gear, Pravalika and Charan rushed out, determined to intercept their lead before it slipped away.