Teer (thinking): It's futile. I keep trying to rediscover my enthusiasm through people. But the way I used to feel in the earlier days has completely vanished. Every day is nothing more than a dull, monotonous routine…
.....
{Teer Investigation Pvt. Limited Headquarters Building}
Teer was sipping his coffee while reading a few files and documents regarding pending cases in his private chamber.
Knock! Knock!
Kartik Kumar knocked on the door.
Teer (focused on his work): Come in.
Kartik entered the chamber with new case files.
Kartik (sincerely): Sir, here are the new case files related to the increasing kidnapping cases.
Teer (frustrated): Kartik, can't we have any other cases besides kidnapping? Around 40 files related to this case are already pending. What the hell is going on? So many cases in just a few weeks, and all of them are kidnapping cases.
Kartik (gently): Yes, sir. Moreover, my team and I conducted more than 90 field investigations with your permission. Surprisingly, not a single case matches another in pattern.
Teer began typing every important point from each case.
Teer (slowly and subtly): Kartik, do you think the same thing I am thinking? A second "Katil"-level organization?
Kartik (seriously): Hmm! But instead of assassinations on a global scale, it has started as a kidnapping organization, only inside India.
Teer (curiously): Uh! What about Katil? Since last year, Katil cases have been declining.
Kartik (carefully): Sir, Katil cases are not declining, but rather changing pattern. The organization has slowed down assassinations inside India and has drastically increased taking assassination contracts in major countries like the USA, China, Japan, Russia, and others.
Teer (exhaled): Katil slowing down is like a tiger taking a few steps back before pouncing on its prey. It will be quick, drastic, and sudden.
Kartik (jokingly): Sir, I'm just curious to see when this organization will grow and kidnap all the assassins of Katil under contract.
Teer (smiling): Then Katil might quickly end the kidnapping organization through assassination contracts.
Kartik: This war will be legendary!
Hahaha.....
Teer's interaction with Kartik looked very normal, but he was feeling suffocated from within.
Teer (soft voice): Kartik, I might not come tomorrow since I have to go on a family trip.
Kartik (happily): Oh! After such a long time, you are taking leave, sir! I will manage all the work. Don't worry about anything. Have fun, sir!
Teer kept looking at the case files while thinking something very important.
Kartik (whispered): By the way, where are you going, sir?
Teer (eyes in shadow): Kartik, can you investigate a few people within a month?
Kartik (paused): ...?
Teer: Try to gather information about the following people—what they were doing during the time these cases were happening. Moreover, never let them know that you are investigating their past activities.
Kartik (thinking): What came up in his mind? Let's see.
Kartik: Okay, sir! I will try my best.
Teer prepared a very short list of suspects and handed it over to Kartik. The names mentioned in the list remained secret to them for now.
Teer: Hey, listen. Do this work starting tomorrow. For now, let's have a party at a restaurant. Call all the senior staff.
Kartik was speechless and confused by the sudden party.
Kartik (confused): Y...es, sir? All of a sudden?
Teer (mild smile while typing on the desktop): Why not? Everyone is working hard, and our agency has ranked 1 in public reviews. They all, including you, deserve some refreshment after such efforts.
Kartik's face turned confident, and he felt proud hearing that their agency was ranked number 1 online.
Teer: Do you still drink?
Kartik (softly): No, sir. I stopped many years ago when I joined you. You inspired me a lot, sir!
Teer: Well then, keep it up!
After office hours, Teer, Kartik, and all the senior staff members (department heads) went to a reputed restaurant. After three hours of an early-night party, they returned to their respective home. The door opened...
Teer (tired voice): I'm back!
Kamya rushed to Teer.
Kamya (worried): Oh dear, you are late today. I called you, but you didn't pick up the call.
Teer (untying his tie): I arranged a small party for the senior staff for the rise of our agency.
Kamya (happy): That's nice. You cared about your staff. And what about the junior employees and investigators?
Teer (dull voice): I will increase their salary by 10% soon.
Kamya: Oh, that's great!
Teer looked here and there.
Teer: Where is that trio?
Kamya: You mean Annu, Kaavi, and Katya? They are walking in the backyard and talking about tomorrow's trip. They even packed their bags.
Teer (smiling): Nice! Did Rava come?
Kamya: Yes, he is watching the news in the drawing room. Give me your bag; I'll keep it in its place. You go and take a bath.
Teer went to take a bath. After becoming fresh, he went upstairs to his private room. As always, Teer started searching online and soon returned to the dark web. Scrolling continuously, he found the store again.
Teer (thinking): This store... again! The power means something. I have never seen such a thing online before. It may be a scam, but why does my mind want to see the outcome? The enrollment is free of cost.
Teer unintentionally began stuttering and smiling. His smile seemed involuntary, the result of his rising curiosity. Teer knew that no hacker could breach his private server, as his system was highly secure and he possessed excellent hacking and privacy skills. Teer clicked the button. Enrolled....
[Chapter 4: A Day in Office Ends]