Free Killer in the Shadows! by Amit Nangia Page A

it suffocates me,tearing the life from my lungs as someone thrusts a bloody knife into me. I open my mouth to scream, but the sound gets caught in my throat. My parents… They are going to die and there’s nothing I can do to save them. I want to run for help, but something blocks the doorway. I crouch into a ball and hide in the darkness, biting my lip until I taste my own blood, covering my ears to drown out the pain of my parents’ cries. I couldn’t save them. The sharp sound of someone’s shoes scraping along the floor makes my flesh crawl. A loud thump follows. I’m in the bedroom with my parents lying on the floor…but there’s someone else there. I can see a shadow.”
    Abhay traced his fingers along Naina’s hand, opened her palm and twined her fingers with his. “Then what happens?”
    “I don’t know,” Naina says, her hands clenched in frustration. “I can’t see the person’s face. I try and try but I can’t and the doctor said it was just a figment of my imagination.”
    “The police didn’t find evidence of anyone else being there that night?”
    “My grandmother said they didn’t. That’s when they ruled it out. But I know there was someone. I mean I think–” She broke off, unable to finish the sentence.
    “I know,” Abhay whispered. He rubbed her shoulders and wiped the tears from her eyes.
    “Do you believe me?”
    Abhay chewed his lip. “I want to help you find the truth. Isn’t that what you want?”
    Naina nodded and lowered her eyes. He hadn’t exactly said he believed her.
    “Let me drop you home so you can get some rest,” he suggested, fighting the urge to take her into his arms.
    When they were home, Abhay continued his questions. “I know you’re shaken, Naina, but I have one last question. Does anyone else have the keys to your house?”
    “Yes, but that’s just Ria. She needs to get papers and things if I am ever out for a meeting, you know.”
    Abhay dialled Shukla’s number and briefly told him about the threatening call. “Shukla, I need some fingerprint assistance. Get here quickly with the expert. Also you need to do a background check on Ria Sood, Naina’s assistant. I want to know everything about her.” He then turned to Naina and said a bit reluctantly, “I’d like to talk to Ria.”
    “Sure…” Naina dialled Ria’s phone and told her about the phone call.
    Abhay heard Ria’s shriek.
Drama queen huh!
    “I’m fine,” Naina said. “But Inspector Abhay Pandey wants to talk to you.” Naina handed him the handset.
    “Ria, have you given your set of keys to Naina’s house to anyone? Or lost them?”
    “No, I haven’t!” Ria was baffled by these questions.
    “
Kya baat kar rahi ho!
It’s so strange,” Abhay said. “Naina’s house has been broken into twice, and on both times there were no signs of a forced entry. It’s almost as if the intruder had a key and you say that you have no idea.
Ek lady constable bhejoon tumhare paas kya
?”
    “No, no, Inspector. I don’t know anything about that,” Ria said, sounding slightly defensive.
    Could Ria be involved?
Abhay wondered.
What motive would she possibly have? Kaatil type lagti toh nahin hai
. The doorbell rang and Naina went to get it. Shukla anda young, uniformed officer were at the door. He saw the wide frown Shukla gave Naina and noticed her posture go rigid in defence.
    “I want you to check for fingerprints around the house,” Abhay said to the expert.
    The fingerprint expert put on his gloves and began combing the place.

    Later, after Shukla and the expert had left, Naina went to her bedroom and said to Abhay, “I think I’ll take a bath and try to sleep.
    “Do you want me to stay?”
    Naina’s head snapped up. As she stared at him with a multitude of questions in her eyes, he instantly realized what she thought he’d implied.
    “I meant…until you get through.” He shifted from one foot to the other, not looking at her. “I thought you might feel safer that