An Unsolved Puzzle

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, institutions or designations are purely fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental.”

“Team Tiger…Report to the Police chief immediately.” A shrilled voice of Shekhar Banerjee echoed over the phone.

“Yes sir,” Rajat replied instantly.

“Guys, there is something serious awaiting us. Chief wants to meet us in his cabin right now.” Rajat announced.

“Must be a review regarding the case progress of serial killing,” Don remarked.

“Today’s news headline is striking. The media is swiftly attacking the home department! “ Varsha exclaimed with a deep breath.

In the Chief’s cabin

A lady in her late 30s and a young man in his early 40s we’re in discussion with the Chief.

“So, Ms Shreya. These are our young, dynamic and most potent officers of Team tiger. Rajat, Don and Varsha.” Shekhar Banerjee, the Police Chief started the talk.

Team Tiger stood confused and muddled without knowing the intentions of The Chief.

He continued “Meet Ms Shreya,IPS, Special investigating officer of the serial killing case. Directly deputed from the Home ministry. She belongs to Bihar cadre.”

“But sir.. We are very close to the killer.” Rajat tried to defend the interference of another investigator. He feared the role of an IPS officer will take away the credit of their valuable findings.

“I have immense political pressure. I have to obey the directions issued to me. Ms Shreya is not supposed to join your team, rather she will carry out parallel investigation. Shreya will be assisted by Mr Vinay. They will not impede with your matters and discretions. They will work as an autonomous power.”

Sheya spoke “Friend’s we are here to solve the same puzzle. Let’s try with different methodology. I really do not want to have hostility within us. Please do brief me the incidents till now.”

Team tiger had no other option than handing over the case diary to Shreya and Vinay.

“Shreya…” Rajat spoke “There is an incidence of serial killing which targets only woman of 30-35 years old. It’s a brutal homicide wherein the killer initially hits the victim hard on head probably to make her unconscious. Then the arteries and capillaries are pierced leading to blood drainage and death.”

Shreya and Vinay kept listening.

“The first victim was Vibha, a 32 years old married woman. Her husband Braj Varma is the present CEO of Varma Textiles. They owe a large business empire. She has a 5 years old son and she was found dead in her bungalow. Her death was reported by the servant next morning.”

“So where was her husband then?” Vinay queried.

“He was on an official conference to Delhi. We have collected and checked the CCTV footages of both the airports and The Mascot International hotel where the conference was being held. Mr Varma has attended the conference.” Rajat explained

“One month since then, another victim Ms Indu, a 33 years old unmarried environmentalist and a social worker was found dead in her flat. The flat was locked from inside.” Varsha spoke.

“Who else lives with her” Shreya queried.

“She lives alone and recently she has filed a legal movement against a big fry, Mr Martin Joseph, Managing Director of Fine Group of Constructions, for they were violating Wetland Acts. The company is launching a huge project in the urban outskirts by converting twenty five acres of wetland. As a social worker she voiced against the firm and had filed case too. The very next morning, her death was reported by the servant. The door was opened and there was no incidence of struggle or strangle inside.” Don added.

“Hmmm…” Shreya was lost in her thoughts.

“The third incidence was reported from Midas Resort and the victim was Blessy, a 33 years old married software engineer. She was settled at Texas. She came here with her family for a week to attend her cousin’s marriage and was found dead in her suite room.” Rajat spoke.

“Where were the other friends and relatives? “ Vinay shoot the query.

“They had left for an outing including Blessy’s husband. The death was reported by the room boy who reached the suit to deliver laundry dresses.” Don explained.

“Fourth victim was Gayathri who was an entrepreneur. She owned a boutique and an online business named Daksha. She was recently engaged to her close friend, Freddy, a gym instructor. Her body was recovered from her boutique.” Varsha took a deep breath.

“One week before her death,Gayathri brought a new plot in Arcades to extend her business venture. The plot shared its boundary with one of the esteemed projects of Fine group of constructions. Gayathri claimed the unauthorised occupation of the firm over her property and she didn’t agree for a compromise talk. There aroused some quarrel over the matter and she challenged them in public that she will move legally. The next day this incident happened.” Don continued.

“Hmmm…” Shreya couldn’t resist her comment. “This seems damn complicated.”

“Yes madam, it is...” Rajat spoke with a smile, for he has every reason to summon upon for not tracing the killer.

“The last incident happened a week ago and the target was Yamini. A 35 years old freelancer and blogger. She wrote about travelling experiences and travelogue. She is a divorcee and is having twin daughters. She was found dead in her car parked in a lonely place” Varsha said.

“ Yamini’s husband Albin Joseph, is the son of Martin Joseph, MD of Fine Group of Constructions. There’s been a love marriage. They both belonged to different religion too. So the marriage was not accepted by either family. Later some disputes grew between them which aggravated and lead to divorce.” Don remarked.

“This Fine Group of Construction seems to leave imprints everywhere. Isn’t it madam?” Vinay said suspiciously.

“It seems some mentally disturbed psycho is on his way...” Mr Banerjee opined.

“Can’t say… What about footprints and fingerprints? What do the reports from Forensic Department suggest?” Shreya interrogated.

“Same footprints and fingerprints were discovered from all the case points. Footprints suggest that it belongs to a woman with size nine. “ Rajat replied.

“And what about fingerprints. Are they too the same?” Vinay became curious.

“Yes, from the uidai department, we could collect some data. The fingerprints belonged to an Assam based labourer named Dayaram. He was working on daily wages in Fine constructions. But now it seems he has sensed our notions, he is not traceable anywhere. We have given wide publicity in this regard through mass media and social media too. The Fine Group of Constructions state that he is missing since long.” Don said in a single breathe.

“That’s why we thought that we are too close to the killer. We didn’t want anyone to investigate this matter further as we are about to conclude the case.” Varsha said hesitantly.

“Any further where about of Dayaram?” Shreya asked thinking deep.

“No…”

“Can I get the photographs of the crime scenes?” Vinay asked

“Oh..Yes sure. It’s in the case file.” Varsha replied instantly.

Shreya and Vinay kept on looking at the photos one by one with utmost care.

“I can see that both hands and legs of all the dead bodies are tied with different colour of cloths. Is it indicative of something?” Shreya pointed.

“Nothing much. We saw it, but since the killer is Psychic, his intentions may be to give maximum pain and suffocation till death to the victim. That is what we have concluded.” Rajat said in low voice.

“Ok sir…meets you soon.” Shreya and Vinay took their leave.

After a week, at Police chief’s cabin, Shreya and Vinay landed with some remarkable conclusions.

“Sir, before I disclose the facts, I wish team Tiger to be here, for they have struggled very hard for the sake of this case.” Vinay insisted.

“Why not, they will be here in a moment.” Shekhar Banerjee said.

Within a minute Team Tiger reached there.

“ Sir, as rightly pointed by the team Tiger, all the brutal murders were operated by a single brain but implemented by two worthy bodies.” Vinay started.

The team Tiger stood confused.

“There is something very strange in this case. All the dead ladies Vibha, Indu, Blessy, Gayathri, Yamini were tied on hands and legs and that too with different coloured cloths; violet, indigo, blue, green and yellow coloured cloths. Actually as their first letters suggest they are VIBGY , but the killer intended to kill two more ladies Olivia and Rini to complete the VIBGYOR, as these girls were known during school days. Every killer has a past and every murder has an intention. Let’s talk to Ms Olivia and Ms Rini to know what sin their friends had done.” Shreya spoke in her shrilled voice.

Mr Banerjee and team Tiger stood muddled.

Ms Olivia and Rini, both ladies of early thirties came to the Chief’s cabin.

“Please get seated.” Vinay spoke softly.

“ Please tell since when you both know Vibha, Indu, Blessy, Gayathri, Yamini?” Shreya asked.

We all studied in St Peter’s Residential School, Ooty and know each other since class1.” Olivia replied.

“Why you people opted for residential school. Was it your choice or someone compelled you?” Vinay asked.

“Since we all belonged to a very high class affluent family, as a signature of social our standings we were sent to boarding without our will.” Rini replied.

“And that turned you girls frustrated right.”

“Yes....” Olivia replied in a low voice.

“Then, how did you manage your frustrations?” Shreya queried.

“We emerged as a notorious gang and named ourselves as VIBGYOR. We constantly created troubles in the hostel and school, so that the management would be fed up of us and will send us back home. But that never happened. Every time our parents would come and promise that this won’t be repeated any further. Moreover they will give hefty donations for swimming pool, gym, and auditorium and golf court. Our school management considered our parents as ideal funding agencies.” Rini spoke in low voice.

“When did Della joined your school.” Shreya asked arrogantly.

Both girls kept mum for some time.“You have no escape. Just tell us what has happened to the girl.”

“ Della joined our school in eleventh standard. She was studious and obedient girl. As a part of ragging we used to tease our juniors.” Olivia started.

“Only tease..? Or brutal torture...?” Vinay spoke in between.

“Continue...” Mr Banerjee commanded.

“One night at about 11 pm, almost all the hostel mates were slept and Della was preparing for some project.”

“Studying at this late night... let’s give her a tight surprise..We thought.” Rini said in calm.

“These girls had a special way of frightening their juniors. They would hug them so tight that the children would almost faint due lack of oxygen supply in their body. At times due to hypoxemia, the children became bluish.” Shreya added.

“What happened to Della, speak out?” Vinay commanded.

“That night Della was alone in the study room. We tried our same pattern of ragging, hugged her tight...I mean very tight and held her for long. She was unable to scream and speak out. We kept laughing at her dismay. After some ten minutes, we left her with a warning never to stay awake at late night. But due to acute hypoxemia her body turned bluish and she lied pale. We called her many times but she was still. We understood that she is dead......!!!!!” Rini said with utter guilt.

“Then what you girls did?”

“We informed our matron who immediately shifted her body to a nearby dispensary. That incident completely ruined our mental health. Somehow our parents succeeded in confirming her death as a suicide. But we were expelled from the school. The death of Della was never intentional, but it happened accidentally. Her death really disturbed our mental well being. We left the school and decided never ever to meet each other. I don’t know about others, but I sought treatment in mental rehabilitation centre for a year. It took a long for me to evade the prank we played...” Olivia burst into tears.

“I too took shelter in a psychiatric centre for six months, later I was left with my grandparents in Defraud so that I can get some solace and peace of mind away from all.” Rini too spoke in trembling voice.

“So sir, this Della had two elder brothers, who loved her more than anything else. Sudden death of their sister and that too suicide hit the boys hard. They too had same mental crisis which you girls faced. One of her brother, Delvis, is presently working as police forensic surgeon in our police force. The other brother is also working in our police force. The person who was one of the most crucial element for the whole investigation. May I know who he is? Does anyone know?” Shreya said smilingly.

Mr Banerjee, Olivia,Rini and team Tiger stood still holding their breath.

“It’s me. I am Della’s brother.” Don said in his shrilled voice.

“So..I think the rest we can hear from you..” Shreya spoke in her orderly way.

“What.. These girls studied in the same school where my sister studied and since my sister was found dead in the school premises, does it make me the killer? What are you upon officer.I can’t understand.” Don said desperately.

“Mr Don, Delvis is under our custody. Don’t play more with us. You had been deviating the case since the beginning. You were spying on the department. Now you have no rescue. Speak out the truth.”

Don remained silent for a moment.

“ I and Delvis loved our sister more than anything else. She was the part and parcel of our home, an apple of everyone’s eye. She was smart, energetic and ambitious. We knew she would never ever give herself and commit suicide whatever hell would come. She always shared her joys and sorrows with us. Just a few hours before her death we spoke to her over the phone. She was very happy and talked about her presentation the next day. She even reminded me about the secret surprise party we were planning for Delvis on the coming Sunday. The next day we woke up with news of her suicide. It was beyond belief. I and Delvis smelled something suspicious here. We went to her school and hostel. By the time police concluded the case as suicide and even produced her suicide note which stated that she is committing this because of her family problems. Upon enquiry, the watchman of the hostel told them that the team VIBGYOR has attacked her hard and she succumbed to death. We decided never to spare the killers of our beloved sister. Though the law pardoned them for want of evidence. I and Delvis took up this career and profession to take our novel revenge. We kept on following these seven ladies and killed them brutally by draining every single drop of blood. We reminded them of our little sister who couldn’t even cry for help before their death... We were to execute two more deaths so that the VIBGYOR game would have been over.” Don said ruthlessly.

“You intentionally got into the team Tiger and tried to distract the entire team. You were a spy and due to your presence only we were confuse3d at each and every point... What about the story of Dayaram and what about Fine constructions? Are they in the game?” Mr Banerjee asked in doubt.

“Since Delvis is a forensic surgeon, he once found an unclaimed body which was underwater for a few weeks. And so the epidermis was easily peelable. That epidermis could be preserved in formalin as long as needed and can be used to create finger imprints that will be mistaken as fingerprints of the killer. Forensic surgeons and police officers exactly know how to confuse and misguide the cops. Isn’t it Mr Don?” Shreya replied in her shrilled voice.

“Dayaram is an Assamese labourer who once worked with Fine constructions, some six months back. He fell into a well and his body was brought after some weeks for post-mortem. The forensic surgeon peeled off the epidermis and used it wisely for all operations.” Vinay explained.

“And our spy element intruded into the investigation team and constantly directed the department towards Fine constructions, its managing director Martin Joseph and his son Albin Joseph, which was absolutely wreckless,” Vinay said in a single breath.

Don kept his head down without knowing what to speak.

“But Mr Don, you and Delvis were mistaken. You both executed five serial killings without knowing the exact killers of your sister.” Shreya revealed.

Don kept his eyes wide open.

“What... officer you can’t lie,” Don shouted.

“It’s true. We went to the hospital where Della was taken that night by the matron. It was shocking that no patient of the name Della was admitted in the hospital as per records. What does that mean?” Shreya asked with her brows up.

“I...I don’t know. But my sister was taken to hospital. The car driver and watchman told us the same.” Don said in confidence.

“Then why her name is not in the hospital records?” Vinay said in loud voice.

“Sir, actual Delvis and Don are aware of only a single phase of the story. Actually something grave and conspiring is going on.” Shreya said pointing to Mr Banerjee.

Varsha and Rajat stood in hell not knowing what all is happening around them. Don also was muddled.

“Sir, Della was taken to Oscar multi-speciality Hospital. Doctors told the matron, management and these girls that Della was brought dead. But actually the very next day a heart transplantation surgery took place in the hospital. It was not a pre-planned surgery. As per the statement of hospital staff, the surgery was conducted immediately as they found a donor. The heart was transplanted to Mr Nitish Babu, Managing Director of Galaxy metals and the transplantation fetched two crores.”

“What....” Don said in exclamation.

“Yes. When Della reached the hospital, she was not dead, just unconscious. Her blood group was O negative, a rare group. The hospital was in search of a donor for such a rare group and it was then your sister reached there. They convincingly declared that she was brought dead and within the next few hours her heart was transplanted to Nitish Babu. We doubted these and gave a secret petition to the court for reconduct of post-mortem with our own forensic surgeon. It was found that from Della’s body heart was removed and moreover it was told to her family that post-mortem is over and her is a case of suicide, for which they took a hefty amount from the parents of VIBGYOR parents too, but upon repost mortem it was found that post mortem was not conducted earlier. The report was absolutely fabricated.” Shreya explained.

“Oh. My god. What next.” Mr Banerjee said in confusion.

“Sir we have other evidence too regarding immoral organ transplantation and organ trafficking of Oscar multi-speciality Hospital. The details are already mailed to the Home department and health ministry. You will receive the directions via fax within an hour sir.” Vinay said with a smile.

“I can’t believe that this case was such mysteries. Anyway, we never ever imagined Don could be the culprit. Thanks for solving this ridiculous puzzle. Organ transplantation and the related issues are eye openers. I believe that your sincere effort for the case has brought even more dreadful matters to the forefront.” Mr Banerjee told with a deep breath.

“Sir, excuse me. You have an urgent message from Delhi. Kindly check it.” Another cop interrupted the talk.

“Yes sure. That might be the direction regarding the arrest of last year’s “Award for peace” winner Dr Raghunandan Dev, Managing Director of Oscar multi-speciality Hospital.” Mr Banerjee assumed.

“Ok sir, let us take our leave. And Don...you and Delvis took away the lives of perhaps five innocent ladies without knowing the underlying truth. Let these women, Olivia and Rini live in peace. Law will take its turn regarding the Oscar multi-speciality Hospital and its management. You have to face the consequences of your deeds. See you then.” Shreya bid her goodbye to Don who kept his head down.

“And all the very best to the team Tiger.” Vinay also bid his hands.

“Madam, will we meet again,” Varsha said in low voice.

“Why not...As I said before, every killer has a past and every killer has revenge. This world is full of awful sins and revengeful minds. So we will meet. Till then goodbye.”Shreya and Vinay left the room with an eager wait for the next challenging assignment.