Disguise

Inspector Nadira Sharma looked around the thick bush wondering where her team had wandered off too, she looked at her wrist watch 10:55 pm. She walked towards a tree to lean on and felt something drop on her face she wiped it off as she bought her hand to her face;it was blood, she looked up quickly as she gasped, she felt the chill breeze run past her as goosebumps popped up her skin. She felt something around her as she quickly reached her dagger, she spun around quickly as she held the dagger to her supposed assailants throat. "ACP Yash" she said as she breathed out. "I did not mean to scare you" he said as he hung his police jacket on her shoulder. " It's cold out here" he said looking at the body, he let the blood of the victim drop on his body. "It's still warm; it hasn't been long he died." he paused as Inspector Nadira looked at him understanding the meaning of his words. "The killer is right here in this bush" he continued took out his walkie talkie and brought it to his mouth. "Officer Aaryan, Seargeant Chandra come in, we have our killer here in this bush and I want him alive; be careful I repeat be careful" "Call forensics and the department, we might need back up" he said as Nadira picked up her phone. "Go that way and I'll go this way " he instructed as she nodded and moved into action. After hours of searching the ACP and his team stood directly behind forensics and watched them work. "We have done our job so it's time to let them do theirs, to home and take tomorrow off" The ACP instructed his team members "Sir" they saluted and left Inspector Sharma's residence, Mumbai. "Pakir" Nadira called as she heard the door creak behind her, her 10 year old daughter ran into the room. "Mom" she called as her mother squatted to hug her. "Have you eaten?" "Mmh mmh" she shook her head "Let me quickly prepare something mmh" Nadira said as she walked towards the kitchen "Nadira" a hoarse voice called out as a man in his early sixties appeared before her. "Where is my food?" he asked "I'm about to prepare it, Pratik" "What do you mean by about?" he asked as he slapped her across the face "You go to work and forget that I have to eat" "I said that I'm about to prepare it" she said and received another slap. "Be fast" he said as she walked into the kitchen. Pakir peeked through the curtains, she closed them quickly and climbed her bed, she eat on her bed buried in her own thoughts when the opened, she looked up to stare into her mother's face, her mother sat beside her. "Eat your food" "I'm not hungry, eat without me" "Come on, how can I eat without my doll" Nadira said and hugged her from the side as they both smiled, Pakir looked into her mother's eyes "Mom, are you okay?" "Yes, why won't I be okay? I'm your strong mother. Inspector Nadira Sharma" she said as they both laughed "Don't worry I'll beat him up one day" Pakir whispered as she looked into her mother's eyes with a smile on her face. Police headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra. "Sir, we should get the reports in about a weeks time" Aaryan said as the ACP nodded slowly as he opened a file in front of him. "Two years ago Mr Akshay Betal, a famous artist who was regarded as the best in his field was found dead in his residence, it was written off as a suicide but most people think that it is murder. Two days ago, Mr Akash Mehra, a renowned doctor, who is literally the best doctor in Mumbai was found dead in a bush hanging upside down a tree; dead. Is it just coincidence or is it something bigger? " The ACP asked. "Your making up a story in your head and supporting it with facts;it is a coincidence " Inspector Nadira said as Seargeant Chandra nodded " I agree with her sir"he said. " But there is just one problem "the ACP paused" I don't believe in coincidence " he said as he looked at Aaryan and said " We're going to the crime scene ". They got into the police van as Chandra drove . "We are here" Seargeant Chandra said as they got down and looked around, the ACP walked in as they followed his lead "What exactly are we supposed to be looking for looking for sir?" Aaryan asked " We are looking for a mistake..., a clue " he specified " If the murderer left a clue, forensics must have seen it" Inspector Nadira chipped in "Never forget that a criminal always returns to the crime scene" he paused "are you guys going to do your jobs or will you ask further questions?" he asked as they all saluted and spread out in different directions. They left no stones unturned as they combed the entire bush for hours, they met up at the tree were Mr Akash Mehra was hung, the ACP looked at the tree carefully. "The murderer was right here with us that night and we couldn't find him"The ACP said and turned to leave as they followed his lead. Nadira took a step forward and looked at the ground there was a small piece of paper lying on the floor she picked it up immediately the ACP turned around to look at her as Officer Aaryan and Chandra stopped in their tracks. " What's that? " ACP Yash Kumar asked as Nadira opened the folded paper. " It's blank " she said as she handed the paper to the ACP,:he stared at it for a while " This is the mistake we are looking for"he said and tucked it into his breast pocket. Nadira, Aaryan and Chandra exchanged glances and shrugged as the AC) walked ahead of them. "What do you think about the ACP?" Chandra asked. "I don't, he seems strange" Aaryan said "I just hope he knows what he is doing, I can't afford to waste my time on useless quests" Nadira said. Police headquarters Mumbai Maharashtra ACP Yash Kumar walked into his office with a folder in his hand and handed it over to Officer Aaryan. Aaryan opened the file, he looked at the ACP and passed the file to Inspector Nadira then Chandra. "So it is just an ordinary murder" he paused "but nothing about it is ordinary " The ACP said " Why do you say that Sir? " "The victim was hung on a tree, if it was an ordinary murder he should have just been stabbed or shot or poisoned and he was left in a bush indicating a very serious motive for his murder." Inspector Nadira Sharma's residence, Mumbai. "Where has this girl gone to?.. Pakir.. Pakir" Nadira called as she searched around. "Are you that determined to ruin my sleep" An angry Pratik walked into the living room. "Great" Nadira muttered under her breath "What did you say?" "Hmm?" "I asked what did you say?" "I didn't say anything" she said as she received a slap, she stared fiercely into his eyes. " Lower your eyes" he ordered " this is my house, my rules if you are not comfortable you can leave " " It's my father's house not yours " " His will said it's mine " he said as he took out his belt and lashed her with it. "Pratik you'll injure me" she cried as he didn't listen to her, she heard little footsteps behind her. "Leave mom alone" Pakir said looking at the male figure in front of her.