AvNeil: Chase Against Time

Chapter Ten

Neil stood there with his eyes fixated at her retreating figure as she went back in the embrace of the party crowd. Not being able to point out the feeling that overtook him as his eyes took the sight of Ananya dance on the rhythm. She was casually dressed in an elegant white blouse paired with blue denims. Even with her simple attire and her carefree moves, she drew a lot of attention. Though it wasn't just his eyes that drank the sight of her, there were many and she was unaware of it.

The curly haired guy, Ali could have been avoided; he could have pushed aside and walked past the birthday guy but he couldn't. The way Ali's eyes rested at Ananya with not just concern but a much more fierce look, left Neil with unsettled thoughts. He could see that Ali would have fought Neil down just for Ananya. It only fueled his anger. I was just there for my duty, he had to remind himself. The exchange of words between Ananya and Ali gave him the time to straighten out his thoughts and calm himself. Though, the exchange between the two friends was not something he wanted. The otherwise cranky Ananya was laid back and seemed flirtatious, even though if she hadn't intended to. He frowned. Maybe the drink did that to her, he reasoned in her defence.

Thinking back, he found himself scowling at having let this happen. Yes, he had refused to let her go out of the sight of his team when she had announced her wish to attend this party. His only concern was her security and he couldn't rely on the security of a club, no matter how good it was. He wanted his team around her for her security. It was she who refused the uniformed team surrounding her at the party.

Probably, I could have had the team dressed as civilians, he mentally scolded himself.

"Sir," the firm voice of DD interrupted his thoughts. He turned his head and looked at DD, "the team has taken its position." He had asked everyone from the team to surround the building, while some were positioned at the entrance and exit of the restro-bar. He had his team scattered around just for the sake of precaution. Everyone from the team was dressed in disguise in an attempt to mingle with the crowd without being suspicious.

"We will go to the CCTV room then," Neil spoke as he marched towards the room already. His steps faltered as he heard DD, "Shouldn't we have someone with Ananya?" DD couldn't help but ask. When Neil looked at him with the blank expression, he knew the answer would be a 'No'.

"She can manage," Neil repeated her words. Those words that pricked him for an unknown reason. Also, she had her friend who was there for her. Realising what he had said, he tried to reframe, "We are right here, DD. I also have a lady officer at her about whom she doesn't know." He couldn't help but plant someone around, just in case there arises a situation.

He wanted to storm inside the club and be there. Watch her with his own eyes instead through cameras but he knew it was better not be impulsive. He had to get this murderer. It was his priority. Not the irrational emotion that he felt with the stubborn card Ananya played every time.

They had been watching her throughout until she disappeared into the restroom. The camera was able to barely capture that area. He had to rely on the lady officer and her updates for the last fifteen minutes. With every passing second, he grew restless. He demanded the officer to check the restroom for herself. Even before he could get an update, they heard a gun shot.

A gun shot on 7th December, Thursday, 2:15 a.m.