Crime Scene – Andheri East, Mumbai – 11:20 AM
The CID van pulled up outside a quiet apartment building. A small crowd had already gathered, kept back by yellow tape and local police. ACP Pradyuman stepped out first, followed by Abhijeet, Daya, Purvi, Freddy, and the newest member—Senior Inspector Nelakhant Swami. His white shirt was still spotless despite the Mumbai dust, and his eyes immediately began scanning the surroundings.
ACP Pradyuman: "The victim is a 38-year-old woman, Leena Sharma. A well-known psychologist. Found dead in her study this morning by her maid."
As the team climbed the stairs, Daya leaned slightly toward Nelakhant.
Daya: "Psychologist killed in her own home? Smells personal."
Nelakhant: "Or strategic. Psychologists often know secrets others want buried."
The flat was modern, tidy—except for the study. Books were scattered, the chair knocked over, and a faint metallic scent lingered in the air. Leena's body was on the floor, head slightly turned, eyes open.
Dr. Salunkhe was already at work, examining the body.
Dr. Salunkhe: "Single blow to the back of the head. No signs of a struggle. Looks like she was taken by surprise."
Nelakhant crouched by the body, eyes scanning the room—not with panic, but methodical calm. He glanced at the broken clock on the floor. It had stopped at 7:47 AM.
Nelakhant (softly): "Deliberate. The books… not randomly scattered. Only those on criminal profiling were touched. And look—no fingerprints on the desk drawer. Someone used gloves."
Purvi checked her notes. "No sign of forced entry. The maid says the door was locked from the inside."
Abhijeet raised an eyebrow. "Locked room mystery. Classic."
Nelakhant walked over to the desk. He tapped lightly on the top.
Nelakhant: "Hollow thud on the right. False bottom."
He gently slid a panel open—inside was a small voice recorder. Daya carefully pulled it out and handed it to ACP Pradyuman. Nelakhant turned to him.
Nelakhant: "If I'm right, that recorder was turned on when the killer entered. This wasn't just a murder—it was a confession session."
Freddy, surprised, blinked. "You figured that out already?"
Nelakhant: "Her diary is open to a page dated today, but with only two words: 'final session.' That means she expected someone she didn't trust completely. And look here—indentation on the chair leg. The killer sat calmly before making the move. Premeditated."
Dr. Salunkhe stood.
Dr. Salunkhe: "I'll take the body to the lab. But from the depth of the wound, the murder weapon was likely a heavy object—maybe a statuette."
Nelakhant turned and pointed without hesitation. "The bronze owl on the shelf. It's been shifted—notice the dust outline?"
Daya and Abhijeet exchanged a look. This guy wasn't playing detective—he was one.
Suddenly, Nelakhant walked to the mirror near the study door. He pointed at a smudge.
Nelakhant: "The killer paused here before leaving. Adjusted their collar, maybe. But more importantly..."
He took a pocket torch and shone it at the smudge—it revealed a faint outline of a fingerprint.
Nelakhant: "This one… no gloves."
Purvi's eyes widened. "But you said the killer wore gloves."
Nelakhant: "They did… but only when they touched objects. In the moment of escape, they slipped. That's a partial print… and it'll match someone in her past."
He turned to ACP Pradyuman. "She wasn't just killed. She was silenced. My guess—she knew something dangerous. And someone in her circle—maybe a patient—couldn't afford that truth to come out."
ACP Pradyuman looked at Nelakhant long and hard. Then nodded.
ACP Pradyuman: "Let's get the lab report on that print. In the meantime… Swami, I want you to dig into Leena Sharma's patient list. Official and… unofficial."
Abhijeet (to Daya): "I've worked with many brilliant minds… but this guy? He's like he's seeing in 4D."
Daya: "Yeah. And something tells me… this is just the surface."
As they left the room, Nelakhant looked back at the body one last time, whispering just loud enough for Purvi to hear:
Nelakhant: "Every room tells a story. We just need to listen."
To be continued…