UNIDENTIFIABLE

UNIDENTIFIABLE Chapter 1

............

It was 10:30 at night. Near a villa in Ernakulam, the air was filled with the sounds of ambulances, media vans, and the murmurs of gathered people. From the surroundings, it was clear that a murder had taken place.

The police had set up barricades to keep the crowd away from the scene. Media crews and onlookers stood outside, covering everything from a distance.

Suddenly, all attention shifted as a government vehicle arrived. The media rushed toward the car, eager to catch a glimpse of the officer stepping out. But he didn’t respond to them or face the cameras. Without saying a word, he walked straight toward the crime scene, accompanied by one of the officers.

“Did you find any evidence?” he asked.

“Not yet, sir. The forensic team has just arrived. So far, we’ve only been able to confirm that it’s a murder.”

“Oh, is that all? We need every detail immediately. How can you confirm it’s a murder so quickly?”

“There’s a note, sir… nailed to the victim’s forehead.”

“A note?”

“Yes, sir… it says, ‘Find me. I’m the real hunter.’ That’s what’s written on the note.”

“So the killer has thrown us a challenge,” he said.

He nodded.

“Anyway, collect all the evidence. Arrange a meeting first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, sir.” He saluted.

As he was about to leave, the officer called him back.

“Naval, there’s a new appointment—an SI joining us. One Mister Aatik Shankar.”

“Okay, sir,” Naval replied.

“Sir, the media is asking what exactly happened,” the constable said.

Naval frowned. “Didn’t I already say we can’t disclose anything? Then why are they asking again?”

“But they’re not agreeing, sir,” the constable replied.

Naval sighed. “That’s not something we need to worry about right now. Why should we let them cover this place for no reason?”

“Yes, sir.” He saluted.

“Also, sir… a forensic officer is asking about you.”

Naval’s expression turned cold. “Who?”

“Neethi Janaki Govind, sir.”

Naval gave a slight nod.

“Has the SP sir left?” the constable asked.

“Yes,” Naval replied briefly.

“Govind sir said to inform you,” the constable added.

“We’ll discuss everything in tomorrow’s meeting,” Naval said firmly.

“For now, focus on collecting all the evidence.”

“Alright, sir.”

“Hey… I want you to make sure nothing gets missed, especially Neethi. Okay?” Naval said.

The constable nodded.

With that, Naval walked away.

Nearby, a team was collecting evidence around the body. Naval moved closer and took a look. The moment he saw the body, it was arranged in such a disturbing way that it made even him momentarily uneasy. Every possible trace around it was being carefully collected.

Naval approached one of the officers working there. Just then, sensing someone nearby, she stood up and turned around.

“Hm?”

“Miss Neethi…I heard that you said something about me?"

Naval asked.

Neethi replied calmly, “What you heard is absolutely true, CI Naval Krishna Sir."

Naval: "What exactly do you want?"

​Neethi: "While evidence is being collected here, where on earth are you wandering off to, Sir? Are you just walking around without a shred of responsibility? You're a CI, shouldn't you at least have some sense of your position?"

​Naval: "I don't belong to the forensic department, you do—so aren't you the one supposed to be collecting evidence? Besides, I'm doing everything a CI needs to do. Don't worry about my job, just focus on your own duty."

​Neethi: "Watch it, don't you dare address me disrespectfully like that. The media is here, so don't make a scene for no reason."

​Naval: **smirks* *

​Neethi: *stares at him*

​Naval: "Where is Lidiya Paul?"

​​Neethi glanced in a particular direction as someone, having overheard them, walked over to join them.

​"What is it, Sir?"

​Naval: *looking directly at the person who just spoke* "Is the evidence collection done?"

​"Yes, it's finished. Where is Govind Sir?"

​Naval: "He left."

​Just as Neethi was about to ask something else, Naval spoke up again, cutting her off.

​Naval: "There is a meeting tomorrow. Inform all the forensic officers stationed here that they need to attend."

​With that, Naval cast a sharp glance at Neethi and walked away.

​ "Why are you snapping at him like that, Neethi?"

​Neethi: "Oh, it’s just a bit of fun... Why, doesn't my dear Lidiya like it?"

Lidiya: "You knew Govind Sir had already arrived and gone over there, didn't you? Then why did you go out of your way to tell the constable otherwise?"

​Neethi: *winks* "Well, the evidence collection is done, right? So let's head out. We have to report to the office tomorrow morning, don't we?"

​Lidiya: "Yeah, let's go."

​The two of them left the scene. Leaving only a few police officers behind to guard the area, everyone else dispersed. The body was dispatched for a post-mortem examination. The media and the rest of the crowd wrapped up whatever coverage they could manage and immediately left the spot, following the instructions given by the police.