Watched: Don't Say a word

by Preeti Singh

  The killer reached his society and climbed the stairs to his flat on the first floor. The pizza boy was waiting there, always smiling, eagerly waiting for his generous tip.

  But behind him stood Milan and Amber who had reached before, through the society back entrance. As soon as the killer opened his flat door, Amber barged in and attacked him, making him stumble to the floor. Amber sat on the killer’s chest and growled with his freshly brushed, shining white canines! The killer’s helmet was still on but he was truly terrified and didn’t move an inch.

  Milan himself wore a helmet and after tipping off the pizza boy for the timely information, he stood by the killer till Kinjal arrived with Maggie. The pizza smelt awesome, Amber couldn’t stop licking his lips, but duty came first and he didn’t let it distract him.

  Kinjal also wore a helmet and the killer was now thoroughly confused who was he being attacked by. Within minutes he was tied to a chair and his helmet taken off.

  Kinjal froze at whom she saw.

  It was her milkman. She shuddered at the thought that each morning since the last few months, she would sleepily open the front door in her skimpy night suit and was being stalked by her milkman? He saw her daily for months, but she had failed to see the killer in him. The thought itself was so infuriating that she nastily slapped him across his face.

  Shaken, the man instantly bled from the lips, just as she had. Ensuring Amber watched over him, Kinjal whispered to Milan, “He is my milkman, Milan”, she sounded shocked.

  “But Ma’am, didn’t you notice your milkman may have changed lately?” Milan asked surprised.

  “Milan, early morning who has the sense to notice what the milk man looks like? It means, he has been stalking my house since months and we had no clue”, she sounded dazed; as she watched Amber enjoyed scaring the killer.

  Milan quickly gagged his eyes but his mouth was left open. They needed some answers.

  “What is your name?” Milan asked, clutching the killer’s jaw in his hands, nastily.

  “Monu....Monu... Sir. Who are you? What do you want from me?” he asked terrified. For the first time, he realised how each of his victims felt when he attacked them. For the first time he tasted fear.

  “You don’t ask questions, psycho, you only answer them!” Milan shouted pointing his revolver at the killer’s temple. The man nodded in fear.

  “Why did you kill all those women and the DIG? How are you connected with Vikash?” Milan asked, while Kinjal stood quietly, allowing the anger in her to build up.

  “I ...I am Monu, Vikash’s half brother. I am the DIG’s and Pinky’s illegitimate son.” the boy murmured, petrified and gathered this was Kinjal’s team. They had finally caught up with him and now he wished he had listened to Vikash bhai’s advice of leaving her alone.

  Kinjal was shocked. The chowkidaar had mentioned about Pinky having a baby but she never gave this vital clue any thought!

  She asked, “So where were you all these years? And why kill your own father?”

  “Vikash bhai is 15 years elder to me. When I was born, he gave me to a maid in Dehradun who brought me here. My mother was unconscious for 2 days and Vikash bhai told her she gave birth to a dead child. I began school and Vikash bhai would meet me during his leave. He told me how my mother was dumped by our father and her friends. And slowly taught me the process to take revenge on them,” Monu said totally scared now.

  Kinjal felt shaken for a while to know what a master mind Vikash had been, but she was glad to have finally found the UnSub.

  As Milan was questioning him, Kinjal browsed around the house wearing her gloves. He lived well with liquor bottles, condom packets and drugs in the house. The flat was in a mess. Kinjal went through his cupboard and his clothes smelled of ‘Old Spice’, the one he had used when he tried raping her. The one Vikash also used. There were various bottles of nail polish remover and cotton swabs as well .His drawers were full of orbit; she recalled his breath when he had attacked her.

  In the drawer, she found the main photograph which all the 6 friends had and pieces of it were left at the crime scene. This one was Pinky Bindra’s, given to him by Vikash. She also found the same shirt tag of Feroz Tailors, Zirakpur, behind his dirty, smelly shirts.

  Both the brothers had similar tastes but sadly, different intentions. Vikash still had goodness left in him, she felt, but he had not realized he had nurtured a devil.

  In the side shelf, she found the individual snaps and addresses of all the victims, including the DIG. She pocketed the snaps. She also found the DIG’s letter to Vikash where her mother’s murder was vividly explained. Vikash had taught his brother well, how to repeat the same modus operandi for the new killings, thereby making Kinjal go crazy, trying to find the UnSub.

  What an education to give to your younger sibling, she thought sadly.

  She just stood and watched him. His jaw line, facial features and slim, body built resembled DIG Uncle as well as Vikash. No wonder they had been fooled all long.

  He was telling Milan, “I would park my bike far away from Kinjal’s house, deliver milk to only her every morning and when she opened her house sleepily, I would peep inside and gather information. Then my elder brother Vikash and I would plan each move. I am not a milkman, Sir, but I bought milk daily just to watch her. I ...er...killed the regular old milk man months back” he replied, scared.

  “And why did you use nail polish remover and a dupatta on all the victims,”Milan demanded.

  “Just to mislead you all, that maybe the killer was a woman,” he replied. Amber sat up alert and mumbled you fooled me too, jerk...ab toh... tu gaya, beta !

  Kinjal removed the gag from his eyes. “You want to know me? Watch me, now!” she said as she picked up an iron rod lying nearby and beat him black and blue on the face.

  His chair toppled over, just as hers had fallen when he attacked her. “You wanted to rape me? Now watch me rip you apart, milkman dear!” She tore off his shirt and poured hot water on his bare chest till he screamed in pain. But Milan was quick to gag his mouth again, lest the neighbours heard Monu’s screams.

  Kinjal took out her mother’s dupatta and tried strangling him, but Milan stopped her. He would not let her take the law in her hands and be behind bars. Kinjal then took a kitchen knife and attempted to slit Monu’s wrists. The entire volcano within her was pouring out now. But killing him would be an easy death. She would let him bleed to death for taking away her peace of mind since months. She slit his forearms instead and made multiple slits on his burnt chest.

  Then she told Maggie, “Now it’s your turn, sweetheart....woman to woman!”

  Maggie, the soft hearted mouse, suddenly turned devilish; crept up Monu’s burnt chest and began biting him with her sharp teeth. She bit him nastily in the neck, arms, nose, cheeks and every possible free skin she found. The man kept crying in pain but could not scream for help.

  Kinjal took out her tape recorder and played the same song he wrote after killing the victims. She sat, grabbed a bite from the pizza and watched him writhe in pain.

  Amber gulped seeing the angry side of Maggie. Oh Boy! I better not annoy her or she will bite me too! But shaking himself out of his dream world, he also attacked Monu’s ankles and bit him till he bled.

  Milan then opened the main door and Kinjal undid Monu’s ropes.

  “Run, jerk...run for your life. Run!” she shouted.

  It was beyond midnight now so most of the society people were asleep and there was no society guard to help him too. Monu stumbled from the stairs and ran wildly on the road, asking almost every vehicle to help him. But no one stopped, seeing a mad, naked man. He was scared and terrified of being killed by an angry Kinjal, a dog and a mouse.

  Amber was close on his heels trying to grab him once again. Kinjal and Maggie followed him on the bike from one side of the road and Milan was on the jeep on the other side. Each time Monu would stop to take a breath, Amber would pounce on him.

  They cornered him from all
sides and the highway was the only option he saw. Monu ran for his life desperately and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t see them behind him. He paused and caught his breath. But, the next instant a truck hit him, throwing him up in the air and he dropped down, lifeless. The truck stopped for a moment but sped away faster.

  Kinjal and Milan emerged from the bushes from where they were watching him. They didn’t want to alarm more vehicles on the road, so they quietly dragged the body into the bushes and Kinjal placed the photographs of all the victims in the body’s pocket. As a final goodbye to the devil, she picked up a large stone and shattered Monu’s face, making it unrecognisable. Near his body, Kinjal left his wallet which had Vikash’s hospital identity in it.

  Let the SP dig into his past now.

  While Milan drove back to Monu’s flat to wipe out any clues they may have left behind, Kinjal called the CBI Director that her job was done and she was ready to join duty again. He smiled at the other end. Kinjal Joshi was the best agent he had on his team; accepting defeat was not her cup of tea.

  The CBI director had called her earlier and she had kept it confidential. He had told her that the DIG, his good friend, had called him just casually, hours before he was murdered, to take care of Kinjal and had briefed him about the entire case. When the DIG was suddenly murdered hours later, the shocked CBI Director then instructed Kinjal to go undercover and bring the DIG’s death to justice. He gave her the green signal and he would take care of the SP.

  And she had done so, dutifully.

  From a public telephone booth, she called the police control room that a body was found crushed on the Ambala-Zirakpur highway.

  Quietly, she, Amber and Maggie drove back home in their jeep and Milan went back home on his bike. They all needed a good sleep.

  The next morning news covered Monu’s death saying, the serial killer who had been terrorizing the city since the last few months was found dead on the highway. He was run over by a truck, but by the time the police arrived, his body was almost eaten by stray dogs and rats. His face was badly crushed but he has been identified as Monu, an acquaintance of the arrested Dr. Vikash, who will be questioned further.

  Kinjal, Amber and Maggie sat and enjoyed their breakfast while watching the news.

  Then Amber dropped another bombshell. “Er...Kinjal I have to tell you something?” he said hesitantly.

  “Tell me something pleasant please, Amber.” she said encouragingly.

  “KJ, Maggie and I are in a committed relationship now!”He said excitedly while Maggie blushed, fluttering her long lashes.

  Kinjal almost dropped her bowl of Kellogg’s. A dog and a mouse, in a relationship? But she smiled. Anything was possible, considering the events of the last few months.

  Seeing her smile Amber further asked, “So, KJ can we please have the store room to ourselves?”He asked expectantly.

  “All yours, Sir.” Kinjal said giving the couple a bow.

  Without wasting a second, Amber and Maggie rushed to the room, locked it and peeped out to put the sign ‘Do Not Disturb’!!

  Kinjal laughed, rolled her eyes and called Milan to thank him. He was on his way to Gujarat to meet his parents to plan how to take divorce from Jaya. Kinjal ruled his heart and once the divorce would be through, he would surprise her by asking for her hand in marriage.

  It was the end of the week and it was time for Kinjal to join back duty, but before that she had to meet him once.

  Police HQ,

  Sector 9, Chandigarh.

  Vikash was informed that Kinjal Joshi was coming to meet him. He was happy and nervous at the same time. A part of him wanted to tell her how much he loved her and wanted to protect her, while a part of him was scared to hear her reply.

  “Your half brother is no more, Vikash. He died in an accident last night.” she said as soon as she met Vikash. She preferred to stand at a safe distance from him.

  “I know it was not just an accident, Kinjal. You made him meet his end. I know you well, my lady. But I am glad you killed him. I did not realise I had raised a devil who would never stop his crimes.” he said regretfully, holding the prison bars.

  Kinjal kept quiet and heard him out. “But Kinjal, now the police will know he was the killer and I can be set free, right? I will fight now for my freedom.” he said excitedly waiting for some warmth in her eyes.

  “You were the mastermind behind all the crimes, Vikash, even if you didn’t actually kill them. Even if you confess to your crimes, few years of imprisonment are destined for you,” she said coldly.

  Vikash gulped with eyes bent and said, “Kinjal, I guess Pinky Maa died of shock when I confessed to her that her still born child was still alive and I had parted them to take revenge on all who hurt her. I know she will never forgive me; but I did all this for her to get justice”, he said with genuine regret in his voice.

  “But you gave her death, Vikash, not justice. I hope God forgives you. Goodbye, Vikash.” she said walking away.

  “Wait, Kinjal”, he pleaded, “Will you wait for me till I am released?” he asked, hopefully.

  Kinjal stopped and turned. She asked herself...could she spend her life in the arms of a manipulator, master planner and a liar?

  No, she didn’t think so. She knew her answer but she didn’t tell him so.

  She just replied, “I don’t know”, and walked away. She let him live in the dungeons with a hope that she maybe there for him, when he was released. That wait would be his hope to live in prison. But his punishment would be, when she would no longer be there for him, when and if at all, he gets free. Once the SP would dig his past, she was sure he would be given a lifetime imprisonment.

  Kinjal realised she will always love him; she just didn’t like him anymore. There was a difference between the two.

  Then it was time to meet one more person before she joined duty.

  The SP was waiting for her in his office. His police experience said that Monu did not have an accident last night, but was killed by Kinjal.

  He was waiting for her to confess the same. She smartly walked in and after exchanging pleasantries, she let him speak. She knew he was dying to confront her.

  “Kinjal Joshi, I know what you did last night and don’t deny it. So, lady now out with it?” he asked, walking around her as she stood with a calm smile on her face.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Sir, but your investigation is all wrong. I was at home all night, enjoying the last day of my holiday before I join duty today. You can check my mobile location, Sir,” she replied calmly.

  “Don’t con me, woman! I know it was you. The dead victims’ snaps which were not in the file you gave me were at the crime scene. Do not play smart with me, lady, I will finish you. And the police control room said a woman called to inform them about the accident!”The SP breathed down her neck, angrily.

  “Oh! Sir, I am beginning to wonder why I am the only lady you are interested in. Huh? I thought you said we women are useless for the force? But now you are saying I am smarter? Make up your mind, Sir. Couldn’t any responsible woman citizen call the police?” she asked coming closer to him, giving him her most seductive smile.

  “Don’t you dare...?”He said grabbing her arm nastily.

  “Don’t you dare touch a woman officer, Sir, before she puts you behind bars for assaulting her. Don’t mess with a patient woman. Ever!” she retorted with an icy tone, that his grip loosened easily.

  “Kinjal Joshi, I will put you behind bars one day!” he grunted.

  “Prove it, Sir. Catch me if you can!” she purred. “And, Sir, I think you would like to look at this letter; I am resuming duty as a CBI Agent again, not as an incompetent Administrative lady officer, much to your disappointment. Watch out for the CBI Director’s call; he would like to have a word with you soon, Sir.” She whispered sweetly before leaving his office to join duty.

  She heard him grumble in frustration and throw the file across the room.

  Kinjal was on her way to resume
duty at the CBI office, while the Police HQ, was relaxed that the serial killer had finally paid for his sins. The case was closed.

  As she left the Police HQ, she looked up at the SP’s office. He was smoking his pipe and watching her. Kinjal smiled victoriously, walked confidently not caring what he thought of her and drove away. She could feel his eyes behind her back. Whether he was keeping an eye on her to catch her as a criminal or he was in awe of her beauty and brains, she left it to time to reveal.

  But the SP kept watching her jeep till he could see it no more.

  That night as she snuggled into bed slipping into a peaceful slumber, Kinjal had a contented smile on her face. She was now finally safe.

  Well...that’s what she thought...totally unaware that yet, she was being watched from her bedroom window....by another pair of eyes.

  Still being watched.

  Just like maybe you are being watched, my dear readers. Maybe by God...Maybe in the mall...Maybe by your milkman....Maybe by the courier chap.....Maybe by the pizza delivery boy....Maybe by your trustworthy maid or security guard or ....Maybe by just anyone...

  You are being watched!

  Hushhhhh......don’t say a word!