Wrongly Accused

Chapter 54

In Abu Dhabi Rafeeq and Adithya relentlessly tapped their extensive networks to locate Vikram Sharma a man who had vanished without a trace for eight years. Tracking someone with no digital footprint no professional connections and no recorded family ties proved a formidable challenge. The absence of leads eroded their confidence but what troubled them most was the persistent question of why Vikram Sharma had been spared. The villain they pursued a ruthless psychopath who never allowed anyone who saw his face to escape operated with chilling precision. Those who crossed him were either dead coerced into his service or buried so deeply in anonymity they were effectively ghosts. Was Vikram Sharma dead? Forced into hiding? Or secretly working for the villain? The uncertainty consumed them each unanswered question tightening the knot in their minds. Vikram Sharma was not the threat to Amaira the young woman they regarded as a sister but he was the critical link to unmasking the true villain whose identity remained shrouded in secrecy.

Their only viable strategy was to find someone connected to Vikram Sharma a family member a sibling anyone who might hold a fragment of information. Adithya shared this plan with Anjali a sharp witted criminal lawyer renowned for her resourcefulness. Without hesitation Anjali contacted former clients who owed her favors instructing them to search discreetly. Meanwhile Rafeeq balanced his demanding day job with nighttime operations directing his trusted team to pursue any hint of Vikram Sharmas whereabouts. The strain was palpable and guilt weighed heavily on him for neglecting his wife Amina. Yet Amina fiercely protective of Amaira urged him to stay focused. "Do not worry about me" she said firmly. "Find who is after Amaira. She is like our child no harm must come to her." Her initial fury upon learning that Rafeeq and Adithya had left Amaira in Austria with Suhail burned hot but subsided when Rafeeq explained the danger posed by the undisclosed villain. The stakes were clear failure could cost Amaira her life.

One night a breakthrough emerged. Anjalis contact in Goa mentioned a woman named Priya Sharma who ran a quiet seaside cafe. The surname immediately piqued Adithyas interest. "Priya Sharma. That is a lead" he said his voice tinged with cautious optimism. Rafeeq ever skeptical countered "Priya Sharma is a common name. Can we really pin our hopes on it?" Adithya shook his head his instincts sharp. "Not when she has no social records no online presence and avoids personal questions. That is someone with something to hide." Deciding to act swiftly Rafeeq and Adithya planned to approach Priya Sharma not as investigators but as grateful relatives of a patient Vikram Sharma had saved years ago. It was a plausible cover designed to elicit information without raising suspicion. Soon they left for Goa in search for Priya, the lead to the case.

At the cafe a cozy setup with wooden tables under a thatched roof Rafeeq and Adithya found Priya Sharma a wiry woman in her mid forties wiping down the counter with practiced efficiency. "Hey can we order something?" Adithya asked in a cheerful tone easing into a chair. "Yes what would you gentlemen like?" Priya Sharma replied brightly though her eyes flicked over them with a trace of wariness. "Two lemon teas please" Adithya said keeping his tone light as she scribbled the order. Rafeeq leaned in slightly his voice casual but deliberate. "By the way Adi did you find Vikram Sharma?" Priya Sharmas hand froze mid motion her face tightening the brightness in her eyes dimming. Sensing her reaction Adithya quickly added "No I have asked many people and even contacted the hospital where Vikram Sharma worked eight years ago but no one knows where he went. It is as if he disappeared without a trace." Priya Sharmas face tightened further a strange emotion flickering in her eyes fear perhaps or suspicion. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she wondered why they were searching for him. Trying to deflect she said brusquely "Your order is coming up" and hurried to the back of the cafe. Adithya sensing her evasion followed quietly and caught her trying to contact someone likely Vikram Sharma. "Priya Sharma" he said sharply stepping forward "we know you are reaching out to Vikram Sharma. Do not lie to us. We are not here to hurt him but we need to find him." Rafeeq joined them his voice calm but cold. "If you care about your brother you will talk. There is someone far worse than us out there and Vikram Sharma is the only one who can help us stop him." Priya Sharma startled clutched the phone tighter her brows furrowing. "What do you mean?" she demanded. Adithya not wanting to reveal their true purpose crafted a lie with the finesse of a seasoned lawyer. "An innocent girls life is in danger. Vikram Sharma knows something that can save her." Rafeeq added darkly "We will find him with or without you. But if he gets hurt because you stayed silent that is on you." Priya Sharmas eyes softened then filled with fear. "He is in Kharwada a remote village in Uttarakhand. No outsiders go there. They will not welcome you" she whispered. "Do not tell him we are coming" Rafeeq said his voice clipped. "I will not" Priya Sharma replied quietly her voice trembling. "Just do not hurt him." They nodded curtly and left the lead to Kharwada burning in their minds.