Sharp Practices

Phansa (trapped)

Arjun sir was still standing in a corner and staring her down. She looked right back, in a silent what?

"Are you sure there is nothing else you want to tell them?"

she gave a thin smile. "Arjun sir, are you accusing me of this too? without evidence?"

"i am asking you."

"a little trust to your team mate would be nice." she fired back. he went silent once again, looking ready to leave. Riya made a show of walking all the way and opening the door for him, waiting for him to leave. he did, glaring at her all the way.

her smile dropped once he left.

In washroom, she got time to freak out- she was pretty sure Income tax was doing a routine check up and they dont have anything. if they are tapping Mhatre's phone, the max they will get is 'where to meet' or 'i am near your office'. she had moved her cut the moment she got it and its secured. she tried to rake her brain- what else is she missing?

Sanjay sir called her in evening, on the other number.

"Kaha fasa diya sir?"

"dar gayi kya?" he mocked her. "dont worry. he will be out in no time. this has happened before. anyways, department dont need small fish like him. hes a tool to bring out big ones."

"uske sath hi deal karni hai apko?"

"to kiske sath karu? do you want to step up?" the offer was right there. but the interrogation has shaken her somehow. "Fattu kahin ki. open you mouth and say it."

"i dont know about dealers much. i dont even know the city much."

"stop your excuses and call me when you make up your mind. dont engage with Mhatre at least for a month. stay safe." he cut the call abruptly.

with no extra curricular activities post her work time, Riya put all her focus on case, trying to divert her mind. to her delight and a sinking suspicion, income tax thing was dropped after that visit. she didnt dwell much about it after a few days- Sanjay sir did say this will blow over in no time. as he said, she kept her head down and worked, didnt contact anyone or picked no calls apart from her colleagues. in case she is under surveillance, her life will come up as completely boring.

Shree was going home for rakshabandhan, and asked her if she has a sibiling. Riya said that she dont even have a family. her parents were dead way back. she is all alone in world. she kept her voice light and humours, but colors drained from Shree's face as he looked back in sadness, patted her arm awkwardly. Chotu had shot her a sad look too, and she rolled eyes. she didnt need pity anyways.

So, the man- he turned out a gang member of a infamous mafia group. they chased several goons related to him- few of them got caught, 1 died thanks to one local police inspector who was too trigger happy. the caught men kept mum about the dead man. ETF died to chase the man's family and friends- one of his brother was found in an alley by Arjun sir and punched till his facial symmetry changed. Riya winced, then looked away and signaled Chotu to hold Sir back. for some reason no one had intervened till the point.

once they returned office, Rathore sir gathered the core team and ordered them to stop investigating the man's death- apparently they were too late to get anything concrete about him and its a waste of resource. Arjun sir and he had heated argument, and Riya had to accept Arjun sir did have good points. what if this man was part of a rising gang war, or something sinister. maybe they can chase this point to get something big. Rathore wont have it, and after a point Arjun sir could say nothing. He glared at his boss and left the room, and Rathore sir reiterated again that this case is to be closed. the trio looked at each other in confusion. what changed so suddenly?