Crime Control Squad

Chapter 11

With both the hands holding his head, with the fingers running through his almost grey hair, Vedant was taking his time to comprehend. Samar! He had just about eliminated the possibility of him being a suspect based on Ruby's psychological profile which in fact made complete sense. But forensic science had something different to offer, to flawlessly contradict with the science of psychology. Sitting as if someone had looted him, he looked at all the photos scattered around the table.

"I can only give you what I had found," said Shakti feeling a little guilty.

"Ruby said it's highly impossible that Samar could have killed anyone, leave alone Veerkaran..." explained Vedant without being reticent.

"Ruby?" asked Shakti annoyed, realising there was another important news she had missed.

"Ruby, our psychological analyst. She is consulting for the Special Branch."

"From when did psychologists enter police?"

"I requested for one," replied Vedant taking Shakti by surprise. "I thought knowing the psychology of the suspects and the victims, say anyone involved in the case is as important as the rest of the investigation."

"The Mayor seems to be assenting to every request of yours," said Shakti caustically. Vedant didn't miss the sarcasm. He glared at her as a sign of caution. He wasn't in any mood to take whatever blatant comment she shot at him.

"What else?" he asked dryly, eyes softening a bit from his earlier raging ones.

"Hmm..." Shakti checked her files, moving past the tense moment. "There are many finger prints on the body, probably from the public who gathered around. So it is immensely difficult to eliminate those and filter the ones of our suspects. But, a trace of wool has been picked up from the bike of our victim."

'Wool?"

"Yes. It was found on the kick start lever..."

"From the socks may be...?"

"Could be. I have sent it for testing. But it's surprising. There are no finger prints on the bike, even that of Veerkaran. If he had drove the bike, his fingerprint should have been there, right?"

"If Veerkaran was murdered somewhere else? How did the bike enter the accident scene?" questioned Vedant not expecting an answer. "So...Either the bike was moved using some vehicle or...it was driven there by our murderers. Hence the wool should belong to one of the murderers."

"The murderers have been very careful. They haven't left any fingerprints behind. They have planned it really well."

"In that case, how did they...how did Samar leave behind his hair sample if they had taken so much precaution?"

Vedant and Shakti remained silent lost in thoughts, trying to figure out theories.

"I have authorised to release our victim's body," said Shakti.

Vedant nodded. "I'll inform the family." After a moment, "Can you check if any of the evidence matches anyone from the Kiran rape case? We have linked one to Samar. I want to see if anyone else is involved."

"You believe Samar is involved?" asked Shakti.

"His hair is involved," laughed Vedant. "I can't eliminate his involvement now. I can't drive to any conclusions." He got up. "Just keep me informed."

------

"Bring Samar in," ordered Vedant.

"But Sir, we haven't spoken anything with him. We are just about to enter his place," replied Vikram.