D-MINGO

Prologue: The Fallout

In the opulent office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The polished mahogany desk gleamed under the overhead lights, but the man seated behind it, CM Ulhas Thackray, appeared far from his usual composed self. Papers were strewn across the surface, various reports of political meetings and public welfare schemes, but his focus was fixed on the sleek television screen in front of him.

On the screen, a Goa news channel was broadcasting a breaking news segment, the words flashing in bold:

"Shocking Drug Overdose at Elite Goa Club-Monte De Classo Party Turns Fatal."

The news anchor's voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of intrigue. "Authorities are currently investigating a drug overdose incident that left numerous guests at an exclusive club in Goa critically ill. While no names have been officially released, sources suggest that this event may have involved high-profile attendees. The exact cause of the overdose is linked to a powerful, unidentified substance that was freely distributed at the party."

Ulhas Thackray clenched his jaw. His son, Aditya, had been at that party. The fact that Aditya's name hadn't surfaced yet was a relief, but it was only a matter of time before the media began digging deeper.

His trusted aide, Suhas Raut, Prateek's father, stood to the side, watching the broadcast silently. "The news hasn't leaked their names yet, sir," Suhas said cautiously. "For now, they're safe. But we need to ensure it stays that way."

The CM nodded. "We have to manage this. If Aditya's name gets out, it will cause a political scandal, and my entire career could be in jeopardy. I need you to make sure it doesn't happen. Speak to ACP Rajdeep-tell him to handle this discreetly."

As Suhas quickly stepped out to make the call, the news broadcast continued. The screen cut to an interview with ACP Rajdeep, who was standing in front of Monte De Classo, addressing a crowd of reporters. His sharp features and authoritative stance gave him a commanding presence.

"We received a tip-off about suspicious activity at the club," Rajdeep began, his voice steady, though his eyes hinted at the gravity of the situation. "Our team was already en route for an unrelated investigation. However, upon arrival, we discovered that many of the guests had fallen victim to a lethal drug circulating at the party. Unfortunately, there were no suspects among the attendees. All of them were affected, leaving us with very few leads to pursue."

One reporter raised her hand, her tone accusatory. "But ACP Rajdeep, isn't it true that the guest list included influential figures from across the country? Are you saying none of them were involved in distributing the drug?"

Rajdeep remained calm, choosing his words carefully. "At this moment, we are not at liberty to disclose the identities of those involved. However, I can assure you that every guest present was treated as a victim in this case. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working with forensic experts to identify the substance and trace its origin."

The camera panned over the entrance of the club, now sealed off with police tape. "It is important for the public to understand," Rajdeep added, "that this was not a raid, nor was there any prior suspicion of drug activity at this venue. We were responding to a separate matter. The situation escalated when the guests started showing signs of extreme intoxication."

Back in his office, the CM's phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Suhas again. "I've spoken to Rajdeep," Suhas said, his voice low but urgent. "He'll keep their names out of the report, but we need to tread carefully. The media is hungry for details."

The CM leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping nervously on the armrest. "And the drug?" he asked. "Have they figured out what it was?"

"Not yet," Suhas replied. "Rajdeep has his forensic team on it, but no one's seen anything like this before. It's something new, something... potent."

Ulhas's gaze hardened. "This can't blow up in our faces, Suhas. Get to the bottom of this. I don't care what it takes, but keep Aditya out of this mess."

Suhas hung up, leaving the CM in heavy silence. On the screen, the news anchor began to speculate, tossing around rumors about Goa's underworld and potential international drug smuggling rings. Ulhas knew they were only scratching the surface. But beneath that surface, the real danger was lurking, and it was getting closer to his family.