'This is Ravi Kumar reporting', the voice from TV put an end to inspector Shyam's flow of thoughts.
Automatically he turned towards TV.
As they had expected he was presenting latest murder victim, girl’s naked dead body's photos in different angles with commentary.
Casually watching the screen, Shyam, became alert suddenly!
Unable to believe his eyes, he watched again and again and again!
It was looking like a bad dream on TV.
Naked dead body of the girl...
Broken head...
Scratches all over the body...
But what attracted inspector Shyam’s eyes wasn't that!
It was the gown piece, soaked in blood, lying next to the dead body.
Pinching himself, he watched it again and again.
A small doubt in the brain, in seconds grew bigger, blasting inside his brain.
Standing stiff, clutching his head, inspector Shyam let out a scream ‘Sir, I found the murderer’!
Ananth who was arching back in his chair, eyes half closed and trying to think, was shaken and jumped next to Shyam.
'Who..tell me..who's it...who’s that bloody bastard?'
Breathing heavily, said Shyam ‘sensational crime reporter, Ravi Kumar!'.
Feeling like there was landslide right under his feet, Commissioner was speechless.
Shyam continued breathless ‘Yes sir, I was there in the spot within 10 minutes of the murder. The blood soaked piece of gown that you can see clearly on TV...I picked it up with glows, and it’s still safe in crime scene box.’
'What’s the relationship man' asked Ananth impatiently.
'There is Sir, I removed that gown piece from the spot and after 30 minutes, arrived the TV cameras unit. Kumar was with them Sir.
So in the scenes that they had shot, there is no chance of that blood soaked gown piece being present...
But now in the photos Kumar's telecasting, that cloth piece is clearly visible.
What does that mean?
That means...it is visible in the photos taken immediately after the murder. If those photos are with Kumar who came after 30 minutes...means...after the murder...he himself...
Head & tail of every murder was now crystal clear!
Sprinting to his car, said Police Commissioner Ananth 'Ravi Kumar, your game is over'.
Epilogue:
For almost 15 days, scaring the hell out of people, making them stay inside the house and taking the whole city to standstill, Ravi Kumar was a hero.
But their hero was the real villain! People were shell shocked for the second time to learn that.
Kumar, who had won the hearts of the people as a poet and a reporter was also a deadly psychopath!
It took time to realize that fact.
And the value of that time?
11...no...12 young lives.
The very next day after being imprisoned, he committed suicide in the cell, saying goodbye to the world, Ravi Kumar, the serial killer.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Serial Killer - 5
Broken heart of the city was bleeding everyday.
14 days, in just 2 weeks, 11 murders.
The whole city was scared & angry.
Simmering tension.
Protests everywhere.
Magazines,TV channels... all the media, projecting police as useless losers, failing in their duty.
It was humiliating.
Internet was abuzz with blogs, mails, celebrity tweets, Facebook/Orkut groups etc.
Kumar's videos were the most watched one's on YouTube.
Peace protests were held in MG road.
Malls & roads were empty.
Commissioner's cartoons were made & effigies burnt.
People from outside had started returning to their natives.
Whole city had a deserted look.
Brand Bengaluru took a beating in world stage.
There were experts & ministers, landing in the city.
CID & CBI were called for.
For police chief Anath, it was chaotic, painful and humiliating.
And Ravi Kumar....well
Every 2-3 hours, he appeared in TV special programs.
Photos of dead from different angles, murder spot, their background, video from the spot, mixing it all he was presenting them like a horror movie.
Citizens had long stopped trusting the 'don't worry’ promises of police & politicians.
They trusted no one but Ravi Kumar.
He was their hero.
He was the crusader.
He was the sensation.
Commissioner Ananth, almost had a nervous break down.
Every single personal in the department was put to work.
Patrolling the roads day and night 24/7.
Murderer had left not a single clue.
Everyone the police had doubt was inquired.
Each one in the police file was scanned.
Rs.10 Lakh prize money, for information on the Killer, got no response.
Help was sought from neighbor states, centre and other friendly nations who had tackled serial killers.
Psychologists were consulted & private detectives were contacted.
Still there was absolutely no clue.
None of the police informers could provide any clue.
What’s the bloody reason?
Ananth had put his trusted best men at work.
Still at square one!
Where’s the bloody loophole?
As he was having 10th cup of black coffee since morning, silently entered inspector Shyam, who was commissioner’s blue eyed boy.
He silently switched on the TV in the chamber.
That means there's a special bulletin of Kumar.
4 hrs back there was a murder.
Now he will present it like a Dracula movie.
As he was about to throw paper weight into TV, inspector Shyam stopped him, gently holding his hand.
'Sorry' said Ananth in a low voice.
Sleepless for weeks his eyes were red. Suddenly he looked to have aged 10 years in 2 weeks.
'It’s alright sir, I can understand your angst. But no point scolding Kumar, we have to catch the murderer, who's the reason for all this'
Sincerely agreed Ananth.
'You are right, young man, it's the frustration of not being able to catch the killer. You are right, Kumar just presents the incidents happening, on the screen. Stopping them is our responsibility’.
Shyam could feel Commissioner's voice breaking.
Not one or two, but for 25 years, his boss had achieved major victories in his career. Right from a forest brigand to the underworld, he had fought them all.
Coming from a poor family, he had worked his way up and was widely respected in the department. He was held in high regards so far by the public too.
He was Shyam's hero.
But now suddenly he was facing a humiliating defeat.
It was intolerable.
But life is like that.
After all, everyday is like a toss, who knows when you go to bed at the end of the day; it might have been head or tail, happiness or sadness, victory or defeat...
14 days, in just 2 weeks, 11 murders.
The whole city was scared & angry.
Simmering tension.
Protests everywhere.
Magazines,TV channels... all the media, projecting police as useless losers, failing in their duty.
It was humiliating.
Internet was abuzz with blogs, mails, celebrity tweets, Facebook/Orkut groups etc.
Kumar's videos were the most watched one's on YouTube.
Peace protests were held in MG road.
Malls & roads were empty.
Commissioner's cartoons were made & effigies burnt.
People from outside had started returning to their natives.
Whole city had a deserted look.
Brand Bengaluru took a beating in world stage.
There were experts & ministers, landing in the city.
CID & CBI were called for.
For police chief Anath, it was chaotic, painful and humiliating.
And Ravi Kumar....well
Every 2-3 hours, he appeared in TV special programs.
Photos of dead from different angles, murder spot, their background, video from the spot, mixing it all he was presenting them like a horror movie.
Citizens had long stopped trusting the 'don't worry’ promises of police & politicians.
They trusted no one but Ravi Kumar.
He was their hero.
He was the crusader.
He was the sensation.
Commissioner Ananth, almost had a nervous break down.
Every single personal in the department was put to work.
Patrolling the roads day and night 24/7.
Murderer had left not a single clue.
Everyone the police had doubt was inquired.
Each one in the police file was scanned.
Rs.10 Lakh prize money, for information on the Killer, got no response.
Help was sought from neighbor states, centre and other friendly nations who had tackled serial killers.
Psychologists were consulted & private detectives were contacted.
Still there was absolutely no clue.
None of the police informers could provide any clue.
What’s the bloody reason?
Ananth had put his trusted best men at work.
Still at square one!
Where’s the bloody loophole?
As he was having 10th cup of black coffee since morning, silently entered inspector Shyam, who was commissioner’s blue eyed boy.
He silently switched on the TV in the chamber.
That means there's a special bulletin of Kumar.
4 hrs back there was a murder.
Now he will present it like a Dracula movie.
As he was about to throw paper weight into TV, inspector Shyam stopped him, gently holding his hand.
'Sorry' said Ananth in a low voice.
Sleepless for weeks his eyes were red. Suddenly he looked to have aged 10 years in 2 weeks.
'It’s alright sir, I can understand your angst. But no point scolding Kumar, we have to catch the murderer, who's the reason for all this'
Sincerely agreed Ananth.
'You are right, young man, it's the frustration of not being able to catch the killer. You are right, Kumar just presents the incidents happening, on the screen. Stopping them is our responsibility’.
Shyam could feel Commissioner's voice breaking.
Not one or two, but for 25 years, his boss had achieved major victories in his career. Right from a forest brigand to the underworld, he had fought them all.
Coming from a poor family, he had worked his way up and was widely respected in the department. He was held in high regards so far by the public too.
He was Shyam's hero.
But now suddenly he was facing a humiliating defeat.
It was intolerable.
But life is like that.
After all, everyday is like a toss, who knows when you go to bed at the end of the day; it might have been head or tail, happiness or sadness, victory or defeat...
Serial Killer - 4
Those who entered the room, stood like being subjected to electric shock.
Hair raising scene.
Commissioner Ananth went mad.
Not one, but two dead bodies...
Lying next to each other...
Scratches all over, naked, broken head...
He just closed his eyes in pain.
Everyone there realised..it's the serial killer on the prowl.
News spread in the city like wild fire in minutes.
Not even 12 hrs passed since hearing about the killer.
Already 2 murders.
Both young girls.
The city was shaken.
Everywhere talks & debates...fear... rumours...
'Human blood drinking animal is roaming freely in the city and the useless police department is doing nothing’ screamed the headlines, slinging mud at department's face.
By 6 in the evening all roads were empty like cemetery.
Anath who went to patrol could see no one.
Forget the girls, there wasn’t a single human being in sight.
Only the sound of police vehicles patrolling.
'Damn it, whole city is paralyzed, now from this moment every second is hell.
No one will trust anyone. Not even their own shadow.
Fear of death...is a common human behaviour....ghost of darkness will gobble up the city...'
To avoid this situation, he had kept the news secret and had started investigation, with himself in the lead.
But bloody bastard Kumar...leaked the news and spoilt the peace...
With anger, as he was about throw the wireless set to ground...it made 'beep beep' sound!
'Anant here', he said impatiently.
Inspector Shyam was on the other side.
'Sir, murder here'.
'What?'
'Yes sir, same style of murder, teenage girl, scratches all over, naked body, broken head...serial killer...'
'Damn it', with uncontrollable anger he threw the wireless handset.
It broke into pieces just like the serial killer's breaking the girls’ heads...
Hair raising scene.
Commissioner Ananth went mad.
Not one, but two dead bodies...
Lying next to each other...
Scratches all over, naked, broken head...
He just closed his eyes in pain.
Everyone there realised..it's the serial killer on the prowl.
News spread in the city like wild fire in minutes.
Not even 12 hrs passed since hearing about the killer.
Already 2 murders.
Both young girls.
The city was shaken.
Everywhere talks & debates...fear... rumours...
'Human blood drinking animal is roaming freely in the city and the useless police department is doing nothing’ screamed the headlines, slinging mud at department's face.
By 6 in the evening all roads were empty like cemetery.
Anath who went to patrol could see no one.
Forget the girls, there wasn’t a single human being in sight.
Only the sound of police vehicles patrolling.
'Damn it, whole city is paralyzed, now from this moment every second is hell.
No one will trust anyone. Not even their own shadow.
Fear of death...is a common human behaviour....ghost of darkness will gobble up the city...'
To avoid this situation, he had kept the news secret and had started investigation, with himself in the lead.
But bloody bastard Kumar...leaked the news and spoilt the peace...
With anger, as he was about throw the wireless set to ground...it made 'beep beep' sound!
'Anant here', he said impatiently.
Inspector Shyam was on the other side.
'Sir, murder here'.
'What?'
'Yes sir, same style of murder, teenage girl, scratches all over, naked body, broken head...serial killer...'
'Damn it', with uncontrollable anger he threw the wireless handset.
It broke into pieces just like the serial killer's breaking the girls’ heads...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Serial Killer - 3
Watching the Scooty till she could no longer see, Payal went inside her home.
Locked the door, turned off TV.
She liked things in place, clean.
Even if her bed sheet had a wrinkle, she wouldn't sleep.
That’s why even if it's little far, and expensive, she was staying in the separate house, not in hostel.
As she was arranging the books neatly, she saw that!
The book for tomorrow’s exam. Out of fear in a hurry, Vinuta had left it there.
'Shit, she will be tense, now what will she read at night', thinking aloud she kept it separate.
After verifying that everything's neat & in place, she sat on the caught.
No mood to read at all.
Mind was still replaying that TV interview.
Serial killer in the city!
The fear that she never had experienced till today, had now embarrassed her.
She looked around.
Independent house...
In that she is staying alone!
What if he came now?
What a silly thought...
As she was trying to convince herself, she heard that sound!
As if somebody moved slowly.
Imagination? Fear?
She froze where she was & listened carefully
tick tick tick
Only the sound of wall clock & nothing else.
As she was trying to gather courage, she heard it loud now.
Like some one walked in kitchen...
She felt like having a heart attack.
Sweat, shivering legs.
Who is it? Using all the energy from her dry lips, she shouted, but what came out was just a whisper.
No response.
Mysterious silence.
Unable to control tension, she tried getting up.
Now the light went off!
She wanted to scream loud, but sound didn’t come out.
One hand had pressed her neck, once she realized it, her body started shivering like a malaria patient.
She tried removing the hand.
But couldn't.
Holding her from behind with another hand, that unknown person bit her neck with his teeth.
Her body became cold.
That burning sensation, from biting, blood dripping over body ...
Eyes were closing...
Fearless Payal, as she was known, now feeling it step by step.
Brain went blank.
His hands were moving all over her body like snakes.
Not just moving, the nails scratching, splitting skin like blade.
From that shock she couldn’t even breathe, and was collapsing.
Darkness in front of eyes.
Clothes being torn...
Pain, helplessness, couldn't even cry..
As she was about to lose consciousness...she heard that sound...
Calling bell...
Non stop ringing
Some one's calling me...
Vinuta?
Yes she must have come for the book!
As she tried to scream, she felt her head being hit against the wall...breaking it open...pain from head to toe...and she just fell to floor.
Looking at her like a hungry tiger...he switched on the light.
Now all his concentration was at the door.
'Payal open the door' Vinuta was shouting from outside.
Whistling in his mind about good fortune, as he was walking towards the door, foot marks over Payal's blood were being clearly imprinted on the floor.
Hiding behind the door, he opened the door.
Innocently entered Vinuta into the hungry tigers den...
Locked the door, turned off TV.
She liked things in place, clean.
Even if her bed sheet had a wrinkle, she wouldn't sleep.
That’s why even if it's little far, and expensive, she was staying in the separate house, not in hostel.
As she was arranging the books neatly, she saw that!
The book for tomorrow’s exam. Out of fear in a hurry, Vinuta had left it there.
'Shit, she will be tense, now what will she read at night', thinking aloud she kept it separate.
After verifying that everything's neat & in place, she sat on the caught.
No mood to read at all.
Mind was still replaying that TV interview.
Serial killer in the city!
The fear that she never had experienced till today, had now embarrassed her.
She looked around.
Independent house...
In that she is staying alone!
What if he came now?
What a silly thought...
As she was trying to convince herself, she heard that sound!
As if somebody moved slowly.
Imagination? Fear?
She froze where she was & listened carefully
tick tick tick
Only the sound of wall clock & nothing else.
As she was trying to gather courage, she heard it loud now.
Like some one walked in kitchen...
She felt like having a heart attack.
Sweat, shivering legs.
Who is it? Using all the energy from her dry lips, she shouted, but what came out was just a whisper.
No response.
Mysterious silence.
Unable to control tension, she tried getting up.
Now the light went off!
She wanted to scream loud, but sound didn’t come out.
One hand had pressed her neck, once she realized it, her body started shivering like a malaria patient.
She tried removing the hand.
But couldn't.
Holding her from behind with another hand, that unknown person bit her neck with his teeth.
Her body became cold.
That burning sensation, from biting, blood dripping over body ...
Eyes were closing...
Fearless Payal, as she was known, now feeling it step by step.
Brain went blank.
His hands were moving all over her body like snakes.
Not just moving, the nails scratching, splitting skin like blade.
From that shock she couldn’t even breathe, and was collapsing.
Darkness in front of eyes.
Clothes being torn...
Pain, helplessness, couldn't even cry..
As she was about to lose consciousness...she heard that sound...
Calling bell...
Non stop ringing
Some one's calling me...
Vinuta?
Yes she must have come for the book!
As she tried to scream, she felt her head being hit against the wall...breaking it open...pain from head to toe...and she just fell to floor.
Looking at her like a hungry tiger...he switched on the light.
Now all his concentration was at the door.
'Payal open the door' Vinuta was shouting from outside.
Whistling in his mind about good fortune, as he was walking towards the door, foot marks over Payal's blood were being clearly imprinted on the floor.
Hiding behind the door, he opened the door.
Innocently entered Vinuta into the hungry tigers den...
Serial Killer - 2
Payal was taken aback, hearing that last dialogue of Kumar.
Back from college, she was watching the repeat telecast, with her friend Vinuta.
As if there really was a monster next to her, she turned her head suddenly shivering in fear.
At the same time, Vinuta was shaken too, aghast, looking madly at TV.
Both laughed out loud & the tension seemed to reduce a bit.
Taking a deep breath, 'the news of a serial killer in city has increased my heartbeat, & those photos, make me vomit'...said Vinuta
Now there was fear in Payal's eyes again.
'Do you think there's really a serial killer roaming freely in the city, like Kumar reported?'
'Definitely, Kumar is always like that, the scoops & sensational news that nobody gets, he presents with proofs'
‘So you believe, the serial killer is really there'
Both were scared like, there was smell of blood in the air.
5 minutes...10 minutes...both were sitting still...without speaking a single word...
The windows making creaky noise with the wind...sound of insects...driving away the silence of night...strange feeling of some invisible person walking...
Suddenly Vinuta stood up with her bag and with same speed wore her heels...
Surprised Payal asked 'where are you going?'
Collecting her books, she said 'to my room...it's already 9...if I stay further it will cross 10 and then...' stopped halfway.
Payal understood.
If it becomes late night...
Darkness everywhere
In that darkness...
In some corner, waiting for his next victim, the murderer... serial killer in the city...
'Why don’t you stay, you can go tomorrow morning', suggested Payal to Vinuta
Vinuta would have liked to do that, but necessity. Exam in the morning.
Her notes, hall ticket etc in hostel room.
Without reading notes at night, going to room in the morning, and then facing the exam...
Shaking head she said 'No..I will go now itself...it's only 15 minutes after all' Holding the books in hand, she walked out.
Payal could understand, it's a tough exam tomorrow, and when she has to go, it's better to go early.
'Alright, go right now, don’t stop anywhere in between'
Even in that tension, Vinuta couldn't help a laugh.
Till today, none knew about the killer & the city was up 24 hours, irrespective of day or night.
But now…
After watching Kumar's show…
To step outside it self....shaky...
What will happen if I go out, tension...
Feeling of Fear is so strange. Till you feel it, it's like a never met stranger, once you feel it, it's like a never going away permanent friend...
Sitting on her scooty, she started & turned on the lights.
'Be careful Vinuta', said Payal again.
Ok, bye, waving her hand, went ahead Vinuta.
Scooty disappeared into darkness...
Back from college, she was watching the repeat telecast, with her friend Vinuta.
As if there really was a monster next to her, she turned her head suddenly shivering in fear.
At the same time, Vinuta was shaken too, aghast, looking madly at TV.
Both laughed out loud & the tension seemed to reduce a bit.
Taking a deep breath, 'the news of a serial killer in city has increased my heartbeat, & those photos, make me vomit'...said Vinuta
Now there was fear in Payal's eyes again.
'Do you think there's really a serial killer roaming freely in the city, like Kumar reported?'
'Definitely, Kumar is always like that, the scoops & sensational news that nobody gets, he presents with proofs'
‘So you believe, the serial killer is really there'
Both were scared like, there was smell of blood in the air.
5 minutes...10 minutes...both were sitting still...without speaking a single word...
The windows making creaky noise with the wind...sound of insects...driving away the silence of night...strange feeling of some invisible person walking...
Suddenly Vinuta stood up with her bag and with same speed wore her heels...
Surprised Payal asked 'where are you going?'
Collecting her books, she said 'to my room...it's already 9...if I stay further it will cross 10 and then...' stopped halfway.
Payal understood.
If it becomes late night...
Darkness everywhere
In that darkness...
In some corner, waiting for his next victim, the murderer... serial killer in the city...
'Why don’t you stay, you can go tomorrow morning', suggested Payal to Vinuta
Vinuta would have liked to do that, but necessity. Exam in the morning.
Her notes, hall ticket etc in hostel room.
Without reading notes at night, going to room in the morning, and then facing the exam...
Shaking head she said 'No..I will go now itself...it's only 15 minutes after all' Holding the books in hand, she walked out.
Payal could understand, it's a tough exam tomorrow, and when she has to go, it's better to go early.
'Alright, go right now, don’t stop anywhere in between'
Even in that tension, Vinuta couldn't help a laugh.
Till today, none knew about the killer & the city was up 24 hours, irrespective of day or night.
But now…
After watching Kumar's show…
To step outside it self....shaky...
What will happen if I go out, tension...
Feeling of Fear is so strange. Till you feel it, it's like a never met stranger, once you feel it, it's like a never going away permanent friend...
Sitting on her scooty, she started & turned on the lights.
'Be careful Vinuta', said Payal again.
Ok, bye, waving her hand, went ahead Vinuta.
Scooty disappeared into darkness...
Serial Killer - 1
Viewers of TV6 in Bangalore were shocked like there was a bomb blast next to them!
"There is a serial killer, roaming freely in the city. He has already murdered four teenage girls, but considering prestige of the department, you have kept this a secret, am I right sir?" asked crime reporter Ravi Kumar staring at Anant.
Police commissioner Anant, went blank. Through live telecast, there are lakhs of citizens observing, waiting to hear the answer with a keen ear, the very thought of which made him sweat. Not even in his dreams, he had assumed that he would have to face this question. It was really a well kept secret. How did the news leak?
Commissioner being uncomfortable in his chair, there was a hint of a arrogant smile on Kumar's face.
Being a romantic poet & crime reporter, Ravi Kumar was a hot favorite in the city. Whatever he does, or writes is sensational news! Right from teenagers to retired citizens he had lakhs of fans.
Handsome Kumar seemed to have hit bull's eye again. Like victory was well within his grasp, there was glint in his eyes.
"Tell me sir, girls, especially teenage girls, are being murdered by the serial killer, roaming freely in the city?" he repeated the question.
At homes, apartments, offices, clubs, malls, hotel rooms, restaurants, & streets...all eyes on TV.
Fear...
Doubt....
Really is there a serial killer like that? What's the commissioner going to say?
Hiding all his feelings, stressing every word, said the Commissioner 'No Mr Kumar, somebody must have given you wrong information, I can tell you with clear conscience, there is no such serial killer'
People were surprised. How could commissioner so easily refute Kumar? He has never failed in investigation. How's is going to face this now? Will he accept defeat? Or bombard?
Knowing that whole city is waiting for his response with bated breath, Kumar pulled out some photos from a cover!
Handing one photo to Ananth, Kumar asked 'Sir, can you recognize this girl?'
Commissioner’s face turned pale. Cameraman zoomed those feelings for the viewers, and then slowly, covered that photograph.
It sent a chill down the spine...
Next to the dustbin on the roadside, naked dead body of a girl.
Broken head, scratches all over body...
'Tell me Mr Ananth, now can you recall the girl murdered 2 weeks back?'
'Yes,....she is...Priya...'
Now Kumar started attacking. There were 3 photos in his hand now.
Holding them like trump cards, visible both to the commissioner & cameraman, he said in a stiff voice
'All 3 murdered within last 2 weeks, I think you know their names...Sony, Pooja, Salma...'
Ananth was assured of a humiliation, looking at those photographs. All the information that he had kept confidential, was now being made public with photographic evidence, proving him wrong.
In 25 years of service, he was never caught in such humiliating situation. Kept in top secret police file, so that a second person can't access, how did Kumar get them?
Forget the inspectors, even deputy commissioner, didn't have access to this secret.
Just how did it leak? Kumar knows some Magic? Mantra?
As commissioner’s thought was flowing, Kumar was going on in a planned manner. Keeping all four photographs on table, focusing the camera on them, he started addressing the viewers.
Everybody listen to me carefully, all these four girls are murdered, with broken head, naked body, scratches all over...in same style.
So it's clear, that some psychopath has become serial killer.
That means there will be more murders like this in the city!
Any moment, any girl, may die in hands of him.
In theatres, hotel rooms, parks, roads, next to electric poles, dustbins, anywhere in darkness this murderer will be waiting to pounce on his next victim...
Why just that, even the person next to you may be that blood drinking Dracula!
"There is a serial killer, roaming freely in the city. He has already murdered four teenage girls, but considering prestige of the department, you have kept this a secret, am I right sir?" asked crime reporter Ravi Kumar staring at Anant.
Police commissioner Anant, went blank. Through live telecast, there are lakhs of citizens observing, waiting to hear the answer with a keen ear, the very thought of which made him sweat. Not even in his dreams, he had assumed that he would have to face this question. It was really a well kept secret. How did the news leak?
Commissioner being uncomfortable in his chair, there was a hint of a arrogant smile on Kumar's face.
Being a romantic poet & crime reporter, Ravi Kumar was a hot favorite in the city. Whatever he does, or writes is sensational news! Right from teenagers to retired citizens he had lakhs of fans.
Handsome Kumar seemed to have hit bull's eye again. Like victory was well within his grasp, there was glint in his eyes.
"Tell me sir, girls, especially teenage girls, are being murdered by the serial killer, roaming freely in the city?" he repeated the question.
At homes, apartments, offices, clubs, malls, hotel rooms, restaurants, & streets...all eyes on TV.
Fear...
Doubt....
Really is there a serial killer like that? What's the commissioner going to say?
Hiding all his feelings, stressing every word, said the Commissioner 'No Mr Kumar, somebody must have given you wrong information, I can tell you with clear conscience, there is no such serial killer'
People were surprised. How could commissioner so easily refute Kumar? He has never failed in investigation. How's is going to face this now? Will he accept defeat? Or bombard?
Knowing that whole city is waiting for his response with bated breath, Kumar pulled out some photos from a cover!
Handing one photo to Ananth, Kumar asked 'Sir, can you recognize this girl?'
Commissioner’s face turned pale. Cameraman zoomed those feelings for the viewers, and then slowly, covered that photograph.
It sent a chill down the spine...
Next to the dustbin on the roadside, naked dead body of a girl.
Broken head, scratches all over body...
'Tell me Mr Ananth, now can you recall the girl murdered 2 weeks back?'
'Yes,....she is...Priya...'
Now Kumar started attacking. There were 3 photos in his hand now.
Holding them like trump cards, visible both to the commissioner & cameraman, he said in a stiff voice
'All 3 murdered within last 2 weeks, I think you know their names...Sony, Pooja, Salma...'
Ananth was assured of a humiliation, looking at those photographs. All the information that he had kept confidential, was now being made public with photographic evidence, proving him wrong.
In 25 years of service, he was never caught in such humiliating situation. Kept in top secret police file, so that a second person can't access, how did Kumar get them?
Forget the inspectors, even deputy commissioner, didn't have access to this secret.
Just how did it leak? Kumar knows some Magic? Mantra?
As commissioner’s thought was flowing, Kumar was going on in a planned manner. Keeping all four photographs on table, focusing the camera on them, he started addressing the viewers.
Everybody listen to me carefully, all these four girls are murdered, with broken head, naked body, scratches all over...in same style.
So it's clear, that some psychopath has become serial killer.
That means there will be more murders like this in the city!
Any moment, any girl, may die in hands of him.
In theatres, hotel rooms, parks, roads, next to electric poles, dustbins, anywhere in darkness this murderer will be waiting to pounce on his next victim...
Why just that, even the person next to you may be that blood drinking Dracula!
Serial Killer – About
I was walking by a magazine shop and happened to see the 'Spy - January 2010 - B.V. Anataram Special' a Kannada Detective magazine.
With nostalgia as I went near, also mentioned on the cover page, sadly, was that 'Sri B.V. Anataram is no more'.
It was in November 1994, that I read a story by B.V. Anataram published in 'Spy - Nov 94 - B.V Anataram Special’.
It was so kick ass that I added it to my collections.
Long since I have stopped following the 'Spy' magazine and none of you might have heard his name since it's the most ignored genre in Kannada literature. (And this issue needs a debate).
I came home & dug up my collection of books & there it was, the Nov 94 Spy B.V Anantaram Special!
Though it's not in great shape, I could read some sections of the story again & it still kicked ass as much as did it 16 yrs earlier for the first time.
It has to be one of the best stories of detective/thriller genre I have ever read.
Since some parts of the book are worn out & it's in Kannada, this is my attempt at retelling the same in English & it's a tribute to late B.V. Anantaram. RIP.
I intend to make a post on every Tuesday & Thursday & it won't stretch beyond a month :-)
Please read the first episode & if you like it, do share it with those who may be interested.
Needless to say that your comments are welcome :-)
I prefer you sending a mail to detectivethriller@gmail.com with subject line 'subscribe' to receive the updates.
(Alternatively you can bookmark the page/Subscribe to the feed.)
Thanks & Happy Reading :-)
With nostalgia as I went near, also mentioned on the cover page, sadly, was that 'Sri B.V. Anataram is no more'.
It was in November 1994, that I read a story by B.V. Anataram published in 'Spy - Nov 94 - B.V Anataram Special’.
It was so kick ass that I added it to my collections.
Long since I have stopped following the 'Spy' magazine and none of you might have heard his name since it's the most ignored genre in Kannada literature. (And this issue needs a debate).
I came home & dug up my collection of books & there it was, the Nov 94 Spy B.V Anantaram Special!
Though it's not in great shape, I could read some sections of the story again & it still kicked ass as much as did it 16 yrs earlier for the first time.
It has to be one of the best stories of detective/thriller genre I have ever read.
Since some parts of the book are worn out & it's in Kannada, this is my attempt at retelling the same in English & it's a tribute to late B.V. Anantaram. RIP.
I intend to make a post on every Tuesday & Thursday & it won't stretch beyond a month :-)
Please read the first episode & if you like it, do share it with those who may be interested.
Needless to say that your comments are welcome :-)
I prefer you sending a mail to detectivethriller@gmail.com with subject line 'subscribe' to receive the updates.
(Alternatively you can bookmark the page/Subscribe to the feed.)
Thanks & Happy Reading :-)
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