The unexpected

The Pattern

The death of Rithika Jain became the talk of the city. The case could not be fully transferred to the CBI as there were protocols. Akhila and Shivansh were made to cooperate with the Delhi police. Both the parties found it really hard. The team was discussing the case that day. Everyone had different opinions about it. "The first two victims were from poor families, but that is not the case with Rithika Jain. She was a child star." somebody suggested. "This is not even a rape case after all, there is no evidence of assault. The girl has just been stabbed to death." "That might not be the case, unlike the other two victims, this girl could have cooperated with the rapist, she seems like the type." Shekhawath was vexed. Firstly, he found it hard to handle Paru's complaining. Secondly, he couldn't solve the missing jewellery case.

It was later decided that Shivansh and Thambe were to visit the girl's family, while Akhila and Shekhawath visited the girl's workplace. The girl's family were traumatized by the incident. The girl's parent's couldn't give any useful leads. Her father said, "Rithika never went out anywhere, she was a very good girl, she comes home from college directly. She rarely met any of her friends." Shivansh asked, "She used to act in serials right why did it stop suddenly." Her mother was taken back by the question, she then replied, "It was nothing really, she wasn't able to balance both her studies and acting, so she had to choose one and that's what she did." Thambe asked a maid if he could have something to eat. Shivansh looked disgusted by Thambe's extraordinary request. He examined the room. There were a lot of photo frames around. In the showcase there were a few awards most of it was Rithika's. He noticed that there was one photo which was turned facing the wall. It was kept that way so that it was not visible to anyone. He observed that it was a picture of Rithika receiving an award from Amit Trivedi. 

At the same time, the maid bought Thambe roti and some dry vegetable, trying to hide her disgust for him. He didn't stop with this. Instead of thanking her, he asked if there was no non veg available. Shivansh not able to control himself asked Thambe to leave, "You are not worth to work with me. The only thing you are worth is arresting young couples near the beach" Thambe did not mind this and he left without saying a word. Deep in his heart he wanted to ask, them to package his food for him.

After they left, Back at Rithika's house, her mother was crying over Rithika's clothes. Preethi, Rithika's younger sister came and asked her mother, "Why did you not tell anything properly to them, it may have helped with their investigation right." Her mother was angry, she replied with tears, "What do you want me to tell them? Do you know how cheaply people already talk about her? I don't want to make it any worse. Now she is dead and It is all my fault, I should not have allowed her to pursue acting. I am not going to make the same mistake with you. You are not going to go to drama school." Preethi left upset.

Meanwhile Akhila went to the studio to talk to Amit. She had to go alone as Shekhawath did not come, he said that he had some sudden emergency, and she could not wait any longer. Amit Trivedi was busy, he was in his office, inside the bright, extravagant studio, his personal assistant went inside and told him there was somebody waiting to see him "I am going to direct my first movie, all these years I had only been directing series, now it is my chance to have more success. I am too busy to be giving out autographs right now. I can do that later." he replied in a proud, arrogant manner. The assistant told Akhila the same thing. "I am from the CBI and I have to inquire about Rithika's murder" she said shocked, that this man dared talk to her, a respected CBI officer, this way. 

Amit a middle aged, well groomed man, removed his coolers, he started talking in a booming voice, "I am in no mood to answer anything. I have nothing to do with this. I was away the whole week. I had to go to Ladakh for some shooting reasons. Not that I have to clarify anything to you, you should be talking to my lawyer." Akhila continued, "Rithika was the lead actor in one of your series, Do you now why she left the show?" "I don't, and I don't care." Amit said trying to avoid the question. "I can find girls much better than her to work for me." he continued. "You know I don't have to be doing this right? do you know my status? my connections? I am well acquainted with the home minister. I shouldn't be treated this way." Akhila got annoyed by Amit's attitude. "Few woman who have worked for you have given sexual assault complaints against you. You remember this don't you?" she asked him. "I don't give a damn about any of this." he screamed, lighting a cigarette and getting up from his seat.

He got agitated seeing that she was not leaving. Out of irritation he blurted out. "Ok, I may have been guilty of their accusations, even if I was. Was it possible for any of it to be proved. I am a free man and I always will be. I will continue doing what I like, and who I like." he said in a lower voice. "I am sure none of you will be able to stop me." He continued to smile in a carefree manner. He reached out his hand. "It was good to talk with you, close the door on your way out, I have an important appointment in a few minutes." 

 Akhila could not stand Amit anymore. She wanted to find something against him more than anything, as he had almost confessed to sexual assault. As she was about to leave Amit turned and said, "And one more thing, these clothes look absolutely good on. They are a little tight though." he said moving eyes.

Akhila could not bear arrogant and highly confident people like Amit. If only she could get solid evidence against him this case would be solved. Later that day she and Shivansh met at her place. They were sitting on the couch, he said that his visit to the victim's home was of not much use. "They spoke like how any other victim's family would speak." He also said that there was one thing that caught his eye. "There was a photo of the victim receiving some award from Amit Trivedi, that photo was made to face the wall, not to catch anybody's eyes. He continued telling her how Tambe had behaved, "He was actually ordering food there, he requested non veg as well, that too those people were Jains. I hate working with him." "Well, you hate working with everybody." she replied. "Well, that is not true, I like working with you." he replied. She smiled and said "Well, about Amit, I do think he is involved some way or the other, he nearly admitted to sexual assault. Shekhawath didn't come today he says he had some emergency." "Well, what is wrong with him, he will be after that missing jewelry case for sure." he replied. "I am fed up with talking about this case." she said leaning on his shoulder. "Then what should we talk about?" he asked. "Well, we can talk about our upcoming engagement party. It is going to be a small event anyway, we can have a big wedding later this year." she stated.

Later on another pattern was observed with the murders, the first one happened on a Monday, the next on a Tuesday, and the third one on a Wednesday. Serial killers always followed a certain pattern and they felt that this could be the key to solving this case. To prevent another murder, heavy patrols were organized on Thursdays.