“The estimated time of death of victim…it is around the time when he was at his place.”

Aastha gasped and Khushal slumped back in his chair in shock. Their doubt just got confirmed.

“He could have left through some back or secret exit we don't know about. Murdered that woman and came back pretending as if nothing happened. Bloody killer!”

Khushal cursed and banged his hand on the table.

“But I still don't undertand why his fingerprints didn't match the ones found on the crime scene.”

Avantika questioned and Aastha said.

“That's not the concern right now. He is the killer Avantika. And the way he behaves around you, I'm sure he's obsessed.”

Aastha said scaring Avantika.

“Aastha! Stop scaring her!”

Khushal reprimanded and Aastha turned to him.

“I'm not scaring her. I'm asking her to be careful. He's been trying to get closer to her. Aaj pehla din hua hai aaye huye and he's already committed a murder right under our noses. He's too dangerous Avantika. I think you should start going home with one of us.”

She said and Khushal nodded.

“She's right about that.”

Avantika nodded. All kinds of bad thoughts revolving around her mind. But that one thought about the fingerprints never left her mind.

Two days have passed since the third murder. Avantika was on her lab floor all alone going through the reports again to find any evidence to arrest the killer who was right in front of them.

She was so lost in reading the report that she didn't pay attention to the door of the floor opening or someone enter in until she felt a presence behind her and heard the voice which sent shivers down her spine.

“Hey!”

Avantika turned around and looked at him wide eyed. What was he doing here? And on top of that, she was all alone on the floor. With him.

“What happened? Why do you look so scared?”

Prakhar asked, confused at her reaction as he leaned against the counter in front of her. Avantika felt trapped and gulped trying to smile.

“Umm…I just…was not expecting you…umm…anyone here.”

He smiled and showed his dimpled cheeks. 

“What are you doing?”

He asked and she took a deep breath trying to find a way to save herself.

“Wo…ummm…I was just…revisiting these reports.”

He got serious and asked.

“Found anything else?”

She shook her head quickly and he frowned.

“Why are you so scared? Mai itna darawna hu kya? Jab mujhe dekhti ho darr jaati ho. People have called me handsome, some even cute, lekin darawna toh aaj tak kisi ne nhi kaha. You tell me?”

He asked mischievously while leaning closer to her. Avantika wanted to cry. She was shit scared and she wanted to run.

“Aisa nhi hai sir. I’m just worried about the case.”

He got serious again and got off the counter. He looked around the room and unconsciously caressed a scalpel making Avantika's breath hitch.

“Even I am worried about that. Aisa pehle kabhi nhi hua ki itne murders hone ke baad bhi koi evidence ya lead na mili ho. It's very strange.”

He said while eyeing the scalpel. Avantika didn't hear a word he said because her sole focus was the way he held the scalpel. What if he kills her too? Like those women? After raping her and chopped her body into pieces with the very scalpel.

“Sir! Can you please keep that down.”

She said and he turned to her confused.

“Wo scalpel…it's ummm…it's very sharp and if it pricks you, wo infect ho skta hai.”

Prakhar nodded in understanding and kept the tool back on its original place.

“How long will you be?”

He asked her and she stuttered.

“A few more minutes.”

“Great! I'll keep you company. Saath hi neeche chalenge.”

Why? Why was he hell bent on staying around her? Why not leave her alone?

“Actually, let's go down. Kuch khaas toh mujhe mil nhi raha hai.”

He nodded and they rode the elevator together. As soon as they reached the main floor, Avantika heaved a sigh of relief. She was safe. He hadn't killed her. Yet.

Time was passing by quicker than anyone wanted. Each day, each hour and each second felt so valuable yet there was not a single evidence in their hands. The media was constantly questioning their capability. The authorities were questioning them. But none of them had any answer.

A week had passed since the third murder and right now Prakhar was out. Their officers were following them and had just informed that he had again met the same man he met on the day of the previous murder. 

This time, he handed over some cash and the man left soon after collecting it. As soon as the man left, Prakhar drove home. And he was currently at his home. All the exits of his place were covered by their officers.

“Money? Why did he give the man money?”

Aastha asked and Khushal hummed.

“Maybe a source. Agents tend to have those.”

“What if it's not a source but a partner in crime? Not a direct partner but an indirect one. Kya pata wo aadmi inhe victims ki information deta ho. I mean last time they met, the murder happened.”

Avantika said and Khushal nodded.

“Quite possible. And if that's the case, we'll have to be more careful and make sure he doesn't leave his place without someone on his trail.”

Khushal immediately dialled the officer who was following Prakhar's movements and instructed him the same.

The atmosphere was very tense in the office. It was so silent that even the breaths could be heard. 3 hours have passed since then. Suddenly Aastha spoke up.

“Something's wrong. I can feel it.”

Aastha's sixth sense was very strong and 99% accurate.

Khushal asked for an update from the officer and was informed that Prakhar was still at home.

“But what if he is not at home. What if there's a third exit we don't know about?”

Aastha questioned. Her gut feeling was too strong.

“I'll call him. If he does pick up, we know something's wrong. I mean he won't attend the call while murdering someone right?”

Avantika said and immediately called his number. The phone rang and rang. It was almost on the last bell that the phone connected.