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Episode 8: Shadows of Deception
Scene 1: The Confession Room
Morning light filters through the blinds of the small confession room. Ritika sits nervously at the table, her hands fidgeting. Across from her, Rohan leans forward, his intense gaze fixed on her. Karan stands by the door, arms crossed, observing silently.
Rohan: [calmly] “Ritika, we know you were Saxena’s personal secretary. That’s not a coincidence, is it?”
Ritika stiffens, her eyes darting between Rohan and Karan.
Ritika: [nervously] “I… I worked for him, yes. But I’ve told you everything I know.”
Rohan: [firmly] “Everything? Let’s see about that. Show me your wrist.”
Ritika: [confused] “My wrist? Why?”
Rohan: [motioning with his hand] “Just do it.”
Ritika hesitates but slowly rolls up her sleeve, revealing smooth, unmarked skin. Rohan’s jaw tightens as he leans back, his expression darkening.
Rohan: [to himself] “No marks… That means you’re not the next target.” [He rubs his forehead, frustrated.]
Karan: [concerned] “If it’s not Ritika, then who is it, sir?”
Rohan: [shaking his head] “We’re wasting time.”
Rohan pulls out a folder and places it on the table, spreading out pictures of the previous victims in front of Ritika.
Rohan: [pointing at the photos] “Do you recognize any of them?”
Ritika’s eyes widen as she looks at the pictures. Her expression shifts from confusion to terror. She looks away, her hands trembling.
Rohan: [leaning forward] “Ritika, look at me. These women are dead. If you know something, now is the time to speak.”
Ritika: [whispering, terrified] “I… I can’t…”
Rohan: [sternly] “Ritika, staying silent won’t help anyone. Someone’s life is in danger. You’re the only one who can stop this.”
Karan steps closer, his voice softer but urgent.
Karan: “Please, Ritika. If you know anything, say it. Every second counts.”
Ritika’s breathing quickens. She closes her eyes, as if summoning courage.
Ritika: [hesitantly] “They… They all worked under me at Hope Haven.”
Rohan: [leaning back, crossing his arms] “How many?”
Ritika: [gulping] “Six. There were six of us.”
Rohan’s eyes narrow, his voice sharp.
Rohan: “And five are already dead. Who’s the sixth?”
Ritika: [looking down, her voice shaking] “Sanjana. She’s the last one.”
Rohan: [urgently] “Do you know where she lives?”
Ritika: [nodding quickly] “Yes, I have her address. She stays in Greenview Apartments, near Patel Street.”
Rohan grabs a pen and scribbles the address on a piece of paper, handing it to Karan.
Rohan: “Karan, take this. Sanjana might not have much time.”
Karan takes the note but stays rooted, sensing there’s more to ask.
Rohan: [turning back to Ritika] “Why didn’t you tell us this earlier? What else are you hiding—”
The door opens abruptly, and Kavita steps in, her face pale and urgent.
Kavita: “Sir, I need to speak with you. It’s important.”
Rohan: [sighing, to Karan] “Stay with her. Don’t let her leave this room.”
Karan nods as Rohan follows Kavita outside.
Scene 2: Kavita’s Revelation
In the hallway, Kavita hands Rohan a file, her voice low and urgent.
Kavita: “Sir, I found something. There’s a chemical lab registered under Saxena’s name. It burned down two years ago, and Saxena’s daughter… she died in the fire.”
Rohan: [stunned] “His daughter?”
Kavita: [nodding] “Yes. The police ruled it an accident—said a chemical reaction caused the explosion. But there’s more. That lab was Saxena’s hub for some shady experiments. He lost everything after the fire.”
Rohan processes the information, his expression hardening.
Rohan: “And the Silent Shadow… could this be revenge for that?”
Kavita: [nodding] “It’s possible. I also found the lab’s location. It’s near the industrial area you searched last night.”
Rohan’s mind races. He glances back toward the confession room.
Rohan: “Karan needs to check out that lab. If this is connected to the murders, we need to know what’s there.”
Scene 3: The Plan
Rohan steps back into the room. Karan looks up expectantly as Ritika remains seated, visibly shaken.
Rohan: “Karan, take Kavita and head to Saxena’s lab. Find out what’s left there—it might hold answers.”
Karan nods and grabs the file from Kavita.
Karan: “And you?”
Rohan: [already heading for the door] “I’m going to Sanjana’s house. If she’s the next target, we can’t waste another second.”
Karan: [with determination] “We’ll call as soon as we find anything.”
Rohan: [pausing briefly, looking at Ritika] “And Ritika… you’re staying here. Don’t think of leaving.”
Rohan walks out, his resolve unshakable. Time is running out, and the stakes have never been higher.
Scene 4: A Race Against Sanjana’s Fate
Rohan pulls up outside a modest house in a quiet neighborhood. The morning sun casts long shadows on the ground as he strides up to the front door, his heart pounding. He rings the bell, and after a moment, the door creaks open. A worried-looking middle-aged woman stands there, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Rohan: [showing his badge] “Good morning. I’m Inspector Malik. I need to speak with Sanjana. Is she home?”
Sanjana’s Mother: [hesitant, clutching the doorframe] “Yes, but… she’s unwell. Please, come in.”
Rohan steps into the small living room, glancing around. The house is neat but feels heavy with worry. Sanjana’s mother gestures for him to sit on the couch as she fidgets nervously.
Sanjana’s Mother: [voice trembling] “I don’t know what’s happening to her. She’s been weak for the past three days. She wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t speak much. And today…” [her voice falters] “Today, she hasn’t woken up. She’s been unconscious since morning. I called the doctor. He should be here soon.”
Rohan’s heart clenches, but he keeps his composure. He breathes deeply, relieved to know Sanjana is still alive.
Rohan: [calmly] “I understand this is difficult, ma’am, but it’s important that we get her the help she needs. May I see her?”
Sanjana’s mother nods and leads him to a small bedroom. Inside, Sanjana lies on the bed, pale and motionless, her chest rising and falling faintly. Rohan observes her, his mind racing to piece things together.
Rohan: [softly, to himself] “She’s still alive. We still have time.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. The doctor enters, a middle-aged man with a serious expression, carrying his medical bag. He nods at Rohan and Sanjana’s mother before approaching the bed.
Doctor: [gently] “Let me take a look.”
The room is silent as the doctor examines Sanjana, checking her pulse and shining a light into her eyes. After a few moments, he straightens up, his face grave.
Doctor: “Her condition is critical. She’s severely dehydrated and malnourished. Whatever’s causing this has been going on for some time. She needs to be admitted to a hospital immediately.”
Sanjana’s mother gasps, tears welling up in her eyes.
Sanjana’s Mother: [panicking] “Hospital? Is it that bad? Doctor, please… save her!”
Doctor: [reassuringly] “We’ll do everything we can, but we need to act fast. An IV drip and proper monitoring are essential right now.”
Rohan steps forward, his voice steady but urgent.
Rohan: “I’ll call an ambulance right away.”
He dials quickly, explaining the situation to the dispatcher. Turning to Sanjana’s mother, he places a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Rohan: [calmly] “She’ll be in good hands, ma’am. The ambulance will be here in a few minutes.”
Sanjana’s mother nods, trying to steady her breathing as she glances at her daughter.
Sanjana’s Mother: [tearfully] “I don’t know what’s happening to her… She’s my only child. Please, Inspector, promise me she’ll be okay.”
Rohan: [with determination] “I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to protect her. Right now, getting her to the hospital is the first step.”
The sound of the ambulance siren grows louder outside. Two paramedics rush in with a stretcher. The doctor gives them instructions as they carefully lift Sanjana onto it. Rohan helps guide them out to the ambulance.
Paramedic: “We’ll take her to City General. It’s the closest hospital with the facilities she needs.”
Rohan nods and turns to Sanjana’s mother.
Rohan: “Come with me. You’ll want to be there when she wakes up.”
Sanjana’s mother hesitates, then grabs her bag and follows him. They climb into the ambulance, where Sanjana lies hooked up to an IV. Rohan’s phone buzzes, but he ignores it, his focus entirely on the young woman fighting for her life.
As the ambulance speeds toward the hospital, Rohan’s thoughts swirl. Sanjana is alive, but for how long? And why was she targeted? One thing is clear—he’s running out of time to unravel the Silent Shadow’s plan.
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