The Last Errand

Chapter 1 The story begins in the pristine workspace of Pristine Bank Headquarters, a high-rise building in the heart of the city. Madhavan, the aging peon, is introduced. His daily routine is described—arriving early, cleaning the desks, preparing tea, and running errands for the staff. Though a seemingly invisible figure, Madhavan is the silent backbone of the office, always punctual and polite. The office dynamics are subtly introduced: Rajeev, the ambitious branch manager, is always preoccupied with his targets. Sonal, the no-nonsense head of operations, exudes authority. Deepa, the chatty receptionist, who often gossips about office happenings. Vishal, a jittery junior officer with a history of making mistakes. Madhavan overhears snippets of conversations that hint at tension between Rajeev and Sonal. His keen observation skills are evident, though no one pays him much attention. Chapter 2 Monday morning begins like any other. The employees trickle into the office, exchanging pleasantries. Madhavan, as usual, is in the pantry, preparing tea for everyone.  Suddenly, a piercing scream shatters the mundane atmosphere. Deepa discovers Madhavan lying motionless on the pantry floor. Chaos ensues as employees gather, and the police are called. The discovery of a half-prepared tray of tea cups suggests Madhavan was interrupted mid-task.  Detectives arrive and declare it a suspected poisoning case. Madhavan’s body is sent for an autopsy, and the pantry is sealed off as a crime scene. The calm workspace turns into a hotbed of suspicion and fear.