5

Inside the interrogation room, Raj was silently looking at the walls. He knew no one would come to question him as his lawyer was not present, But the Police officers were keeping an eye on the cameras on him. They are studying every action, every expression on his face. He kept his nerves calm. He knew the game.

Soon, the room's gate opened, and one constable entered.

“Mr Bhasin, you are free to go.” He announced.

Raj took his glasses from the table and moved out. He knew the lawyer must have arrived and done all the paperwork for him. That is what they are paid for. But not even in his weirdest dream had Raj ever thought that he would spend time in the Police station on suspicion of murder and that too of Krit. Raj felt he would start crying at any moment. His mentor was now gone; someone had murdered him.

As Raj moved out, his eyes fell on another interrogation room where Aisha was getting questioned by a lady officer. Aisha was crying her heart out. She was using a handkerchief to clear her nose when her eyes met Raj. Raj kept on moving. He found his lawyer standing with Shelby and Rahul outside the police station.

As soon as Shelby saw Raj, she ran to hug Raj. She had genuine affection for Raj. She loved him a lot. She was worried for him.

“What happened, Raj? Are you all right? What did they do to you?” Shelby asked about everything she had on her mind.

“I am okay. Nothing happened except the usual.” Raj replied coldly. He was not ready to express anything.

“I was worried,” Shelby said and started to cry.

“I didn’t kill Krit,” Bhasin said rudely.

“I know. How can you even think otherwise? We all know that you are innocent.” Shelby stopped crying and got serious.

Raj then looked at the crowd of reporters outside, clicking and recording everything happening with them. He knew the headlines that they were going to make now. Raj didn’t want any of it. He was now angry with Shelby.

“You shouldn’t have come. They will start talking shit now.” Raj signaled toward the reporters.

Rahul knew the way out from the back door. He directed everyone outside towards the car, waiting for them in the backyard. Shelby was sad about everything but decided to stay silent.

Raj whispered in his lawyer’s ears, “Is everything under control?”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” came his reply.

Everyone sat inside the car and moved away.

Inside the car, everyone seemed to be tense about the situation. No one said anything. Raj took his iPad and started to read everything he could find on the news about him and Krit. There’s negative news all around.

“They have already painted me as the killer of my mentor. This is insane.” Raj said to particularly no one. He blurted out his frustration. No one said anything.

Raj knew that his image would get destroyed. Suddenly his eyes fell on a news article about ACP Mizan. ‘Finally, the murderers of Bollywood actor Rakesh are behind bars because of the extraordinary work of the Mumbai Police. While talking to our reporter, ASP Mizan revealed that the cousin of the Bollywood actor was involved in the murder, and he is being charged….’

Raj read the article and a few more about Mizan and looked at his photograph. He appeared nothing less than a model himself. Tall, fair, and with a perfect jawline. He was quick to solve crimes and gave Raj new hope. His being an Indian was also a good thing for him.

“Allen, you need to bring him to handle this case. Can you do that?” Raj forwarded his iPad to Allen. He took a few seconds to get a hold of what to do, and once done, he answered.

“For sure. I’ll pull up a few strings in the Police department and get him over this case.”

Rahul’s eyes then met with Raj’s. There was something unsaid. Rahul wanted something to ask but stayed silent. They both left it on time.

*****

Allen took no time to do settings to take Mizan on the case. He had approach till the very high end of the police department.

Mizan was excited about his first assignment abroad. He had no idea how he landed upon the case but was excited because he also had many more personal things to do in London. And he knew about the case as well. A high profile case means high publicity, which directly or indirectly does help in the growth of a career.

He was lost in thoughts while on his seat on the aircraft when the air hostess arrived with the liquor counter.

“Sir, what would you like to have?”

“Whisky, please,” Mizan replied with a sweet smile on his face. He was brought back to reality.

‘London, here I come.’