OBSESSION'S DARK VOW

┃c h a p t e r - 17┃

The days following their family visit had been a mix of normalcy and anticipation as Esha and Reyansh settled back into their routine. The tranquility of their time together was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a new case. The call came early one morning, disrupting the peaceful start to their day.

Reyansh and Esha were having breakfast at her place when Reyansh's phone rang. He answered, his expression shifting from casual to serious as he listened to the voice on the other end.

"Got it," Reyansh said, ending the call and turning to Esha. "We've got a new case. It's a serial killer."

Esha's eyes widened, her pulse quickening. "A serial killer? What do we know so far?"

Reyansh took a deep breath. "Not much yet, just that there have been a series of murders over the past few months, all with a similar pattern. The CIB needs us to lead the investigation."

Esha nodded, her mind already racing through the implications. "Alright. Let's get to the office and see what we're dealing with."

At the CIB Office

The CIB office was buzzing with activity as the team gathered for the briefing. Inspector Arjun Kapoor, Raj Malhotra, and Dr. Priya Malhotra were already there, poring over the initial reports and evidence.

Arjun looked up as Reyansh and Esha entered. "Glad you're here. We've got a lot to go through."

Esha took her seat next to Arjun, while Reyansh joined Raj and Dr. Priya. The room quieted as Arjun began the briefing.

"We're dealing with a serial killer who's been operating for several months," Arjun started, pointing to a map on the screen. "The victims have all been found in different locations, but there's a pattern to the killings. They seem to follow a specific route."

Dr. Priya added, "The cause of death for all victims has been consistent: strangulation with a distinct mark left on the neck. There's also evidence of torture before death."

Esha leaned forward, her expression focused. "Have we found any links between the victims?"

Raj looked through the files and nodded. "There's no obvious connection between them, but they were all in vulnerable situations—often alone at night. We suspect the killer is targeting individuals who are isolated."

Reyansh tapped the table thoughtfully. "What about the signature mark on the neck? Could it be a clue to the killer's identity or motive?"

Dr. Priya nodded. "The mark seems to be a unique pattern, possibly something the killer is familiar with. We're working on identifying it, but it could be a symbol or part of the killer's background."

Arjun looked at Reyansh and Esha. "We need to dive into this case and gather more information. Our first step is to analyze the crime scenes and any potential witnesses. We're also reaching out to local communities for any leads."

Reyansh turned to Esha, his gaze steady. "We'll need to split our efforts. You and Arjun can focus on the crime scenes and witness interviews. Raj and I will work on analyzing the evidence and any connections between the victims."

Esha agreed. "Let's get started. We need to move quickly if we're going to catch this killer before they strike again."

Investigating the Crime Scenes

Esha and Arjun headed to the first crime scene, located in a quiet, suburban neighborhood. The area had been cordoned off, and forensic teams were already working on collecting evidence. Esha's thoughts were intense as she surveyed the scene, taking in the details.