Into The Shadows by Aayush Borulkar (smart ebook reader txt) 📗

address, but it had none on it. She went back inside, closing the door behind her, still staring at the envelope. She went into the kitchen and tore the envelope open with a knife. She emptied the contents of the envelope on the counter and to her surprise, a bundle of cash fell from it. She again checked the envelope for something else and found a small piece of paper.

“Homicide case files of the last twenty years! Truth Be Told,” read the piece of paper.

Erika was puzzled as to what she was seeing in front of her. There was a thick fat bundle of Rs.500 currency notes, and a piece of paper that read the mysterious message. She did not know how to react to this and just stood there perplexed as the clock struck seven.

Chapter 9

Erika stood there, stunned as she was not sure of what she was looking at. Just then, the doorbell rang once again. Erika was alarmed, so she cautiously walked towards the door, picking the gun from the counter. She went up to the door and opened it swiftly, flashing the firearm outside the door. But to her immense surprise, this time, it was the milkman standing there. Completely stunned by looking at a gun from such proximity.

“Aaj kitna liter chahiye madam?” mumbled the paranoid milkman.

As soon as Erika saw the milkman and the petrified look on his face, she immediately lowered her gun. “Aadha liter,” she replied, a little embarrassed.

The milkman handed Erika the milk packet and left quickly. Erika closed the door and placed the gun on the counter, feeling like a fool. Again, the envelope and the money caught her attention, and she walked back into her bedroom thinking about the same.

It was the first day of her duty at the Panaji police station, and she wanted to be in her best mental health. But the thoughts about the envelope, the cash, and especially the piece of paper that read “Files of last twenty years and not five”, bothered her.

On reaching the police station, “Who must have sent it and what had happened twenty years ago. And how am I supposed to find out which file it is” thought Erika to herself as she sat in the car thinking about the incident. Her thought bubble was broken by the sudden opening of the door by the driver.

She stepped out of the car and took a deep breath as she entered the police station. Everyone at the station, from the sub-inspectors to the constables, all stood up to welcome her. She thanked everyone present and asked them all to get back to their work.

“Welcome, madam. Your first day of duty,” said Rodriguez as he came out of his cabin to welcome Erika. “Your cabin is ready to use now. You please get comfortable in there, and I will send in some tea or coffee,” added Rodriguez.

“Perfect! And with that, send in all the homicide case files of the last twenty years,” said Erika and left a clueless Rodriguez behind.

Erika entered her cabin and saw that everything was cleaned and ready, from the chair to the computer and the printer. She walked up to her desk and picked up the nameplate on her desk that read “ACP Erika Lobo. IPS.” As soon as she read that, a broad smile spread over her face. She placed it back where it belonged and sat on the chair. She got comfortable in her chair and reclined back, but just then the cabin door opened.

“May I come in?” asked Avinash standing uncom- fortably at the door. Erika immediately stood up and went to the door to help him with the files.

“This is half of the pile. Once you get done with them, I will bring in more,” said Avinash, putting the pile down, adjacent to the table.

“Oh! That was quick,” said Erika, looking down at the pile of files.

“Alright, I will take your leave then,” said Avinash, saluting Erika, and turned to leave.

“On second thoughts, I will need help with these, I guess,” said Erika going back to her chair.

“I will tell Ekbote sir, and he might help you with that,” replied Avinash turning around.

“Yeah sure” said Erika, as she rung the bell. “Ekbote ji ko bulao” told Erika to the peon.

Ekbote came running to the cabin and was surprised to see Avinash there. “Jai hind madam,” saluted Ekbote.

“Ekbote ji apki madat chahiye thi” said Erika.

“Yes, madam,” replied Ekbote.

“I needed help with all these files. Unsolved homicides,” said Erika pointing towards the pile.

“And you need me for that?” asked Ekbote, gulping hard.

“Hmmm,” replied Erika, nodding in agreement.

“Ma’am, sorry to say, but the thing is that I have grown old now. I even have my retirement in the next five months. So I can’t put a strain on my eyes, you know. I… have migraine problem,” said Ekbote. “Aap…Aap hai na Avinash ko le lijiye. A very efficient officer and to work directly under you will be his privilege. Right Avinash?” added Ekbote looking at Avinash, with hope.

“I mean… I am o…

“Abhi isme puchna kya. Uski IPS mein bhi madat ho jayegi. He will join you after lunch then. Jai hind ma’am,” said Ekbote, patting Avinash on the back and pulling him out.

“But I have not come here to get busy with such paperwork,” protested Avinash as soon as they came out of the cabin.

“Please understand. I am getting old, and just the sight of that pile made me dizzy. I owe you one. Lunch is on me today,” said Ekbote.

“I am not hungry.”

“But I am. Let’s go,” said Ekbote pulling a half-convinced Avinash along with him.

After lunch, Avinash did join Erika with all the files. They managed to complete half of the pile during the office hours. But then Erika wanted to complete this work as she couldn’t stand the mystery of the letter and the cash she had received earlier today. According to the message these files were the only way to find something concrete. So