Vishal paused at the question, thinking. “The kidnapper isn’t doing this for money, Uncle. I can bet anything that he won’t call or visit you. And honestly, I don’t think he is going to release Mitra anytime soon without sensationalizing the whole thing. We don’t know why he is doing this, except that he has been targeting her for a long time. This is not going to end soon, uncle. I am really sorry to break this to you, but I feel we are going in for a very long fight. If Mitra gets out soon by a miracle, I will be there to get her to you safely. But first, you and aunty should be

safe.”

Mitra’s father gave it a thought. Though his heart refused to accept the theory that Mitra wouldn’t be let out easily, his brain considered the logic Vishal laid out to him as sensible and the most plausible one. He had to avoid the media and public frenzy.

“Uncle, realistically speaking, you can’t switch your phone off, and it would be difficult to avoid all the people intruding your space. So, instead, send a common message to all your family, friends and acquaintances to not disturb you, that you are thankful for their concern but would like to be left alone for a while, that you would contact them yourself after everything settles down. Tell them not to contact you unless they have credible information about Mitra’s situation. This message would deter at least most of the sensible people from disturbing you,” Vishal further advised him.

They both discussed Mitra’s situation, most of it based on their assumptions. Mitra’s parents were not aware of a lot of the issues that were spoken in the videos, like the other woman whom the kidnapper was claiming to have killed, the knowledge that Mitra had of his existence prior to the incident and Mitra’s claim that she had been after him to catch him red-handed. 

Evidently, Mitra had never spoken to her parents about the crime and the criminal she had witnessed, the efforts she put in to alert the authorities and her final attempt to nab the criminal herself.

Vishal felt uncomfortable to delve into all the details. He and Mitra had never spoken to any of their families about what they actually did apart from their day jobs, lest they feel tensed and worried about them for getting into trouble.

Yet, trouble had already set in at its worst.

So, he reluctantly filled in Mitra’s father with her part of the story. Just the right amount that would let them relate to what was happening.

“Will she be okay?” Mitra’s father was at the verge of breaking down.

“She will,” Vishal tried to assure him, but without any confidence in his own words. “The culprit seems to have some grudge, something that he wants from her. He will stall a lot of time, if I am correct. We can use that to save Mitra. I will do my best.”

Words of comfort and reassurance were spoken. After the call ended, Vishal felt more responsible than ever to search for his friend.

He spent the night re-watching the video multiple times, reading through public comments on multiple social media platforms, assessing the situation, making his notes on what to discuss with the police the next day. And majorly praying for Mitra to be safe.

“So, what are you planning to do?” The question was directed at Raghavan. Vishal looked straight at him with a tamed temper.

They were in a meeting room in the DSP’s office, where Vishal had been summoned to at 7:30 in the morning. 

Basava and Ahmed were both standing to a side in the Inspector’s room as Raghavan and Vishal stood facing each other at the opposite ends of the table in the room.

“I have already spoken to the Commissioner of Police and reported everything. They are establishing a special team to investigate the whole incident,” Raghavan informed him solemnly.

“A SIT*? Another team?” Vishal was flabbergasted.

“No, it is going to be us, along with our Sub-Inspector Naresh and a couple of other constables. And our DSP Sandeep sir will be heading the team. We will be privileged to use any resources we need to track Mitra and rescue her. The DSP will be joining us in half-an-hour,” Raghav explained.

“Am I included in the team?” Vishal needed confirmation.

“Yes, as an investigative journalist. Since you are personally involved in this and know about Mitra more than any of us, the Commissioner was okay with you staying in on the team. But, our initial terms of agreement stay intact Vishal. I hope you remember them?” Raghav asked to get his own affirmation.

“Yes. Don’t worry about that,” Vishal nodded.

They waited in silence as Raghavan sat down and worked on a few of his assignments, approvals and inquiry reports on other cases. Vishal sat browsing through internet. A quarter hour later DSP Sandeep walked in.

He was quite young, having joined the IPS* ranks a year back. He was easily six feet tall, of slender build and an amicable temperament.

To Vishal, he seemed less intimidating than Raghavan, which would be the result of the difference in the years of experience with criminals each of them had.

After a quick round of introductions, everyone sat down to discuss the case so far. Raghavan filled in Sandeep with all the details of the case, Vishal’s involvement and the investigation they had done so far.

“Do the videos have any time stamp on what time they were filmed?” Sandeep asked.

“No, sir,” Raghavan replied. “Depending on the timing they were released and what was being spoken, we can assume that they are being released a few hours after actually filming them. Like the ransom demand videos we get.”

“But there have been no such demands, right?” Sandeep enquired.

“No, nothing.”

“Then, it could be that the culprit is seeking attention from someone. He is instigating someone by declaring publicly his actions. We should find out who he is looking for,” Sandeep stoked his temple, thinking.

“There’s more to it,” Vishal spoke up. As everyone looked at him, he stated, “He is seeking revenge on Mitra.”

“For what?” Sandeep asked. “Because she witnessed him commit other crimes? That wouldn’t explain the intent to release the videos. If he targeted her for witnessing his crimes, he should have killed her silently. Unless he wants the whole police force and public after him, which is absurd, why would he do this purposefully?”

*Author Notes: SIT - Special Investigation Team

IPS - Indian Police Service