an: introducing Adhi as Sarthak. Don't remember who I chose for Kavya so introducing Pooja Hegde as Kavya Krishnan in this one

*💫💛💫*

The day after Seyon, Thiya left, Mira spends her time in the forensic archives going through detailed reports, autopsies of the deceased celebrities. What caused the deaths? How did the culprit make them seem natural deaths? How did the police and film chambers connect the deaths and conclude there's a slasher? Who were the officers investigating the case before? How many of them allegedly fell prey to the same slasher?

Despite their basic knowledge, they depended on Dr Shah for detailed forensic analysis. However, going through the details herself, she hopes she finds a semblance that can analyse her.

She remembers Seyon, Thiya wanting to analyse the forensic files of the slain fully but couldn't because of time constraints and the ACP harassing them.

At the end, it's teamwork. It doesn't matter who's doing the digging. If she finds a clue to what transpired, she might link it to her psychoanalysis and use it against Aran...

Lots of theory, hard to put in practise. But that's what goes behind the scenes while solving complex cases.

While Mira is holed up in the archives, Soham stands by his desk in hall 57, explaining things to a rather attentive Sarthak, Ramya and Ulla. The trio are facing him, their posture alert as for the first time they absorb the details of the slasher case investigation so far. With Seyon, Thiya out, the DCP had approved for them to temporarily help the SIT. Soham finishes his explanation, unable to believe how simple the investigation process feels with having the right cooperative boss.

Ramya and Ulla handle the paperwork, file evidence, and review old reports. Soham leaves them in hall 57 and guides Sarthak out. They head to Kavya's residence.

Kavya hasn't resumed filming after her burnout. The latest update is that she has a mild fever. Her parents are back in her home, watching over her, a dozen more bodyguards and a couple of others with prior experience of working at the NSG watching the place.

Soham snorts derisively. He gets on his bike, wondering how on earth Kavya's parents arranged such security for an actress. The slasher case sure is serious. Is every life truly protected by the police and judiciary without any favouritism or nepotism? Maybe. When people fight for it. But then this is a prestigious case, one plaguing the entertainment industry and one that might inflict other areas of the societies if left unaddressed.

Examining old files, past murders were swift. Several older and younger celebrities died in mysterious ways — natural deaths on the surface, one by drowning (the actor was an excellent swimmer), another by an accidental fall, one in peaceful sleep, etc. Before the police documented the slasher's first official victim, how many unidentified deaths occurred? How many more celebrities did the slasher kill in his tally? What's his dispute with the film industry? Whoever he is, must have links with the film industry and has a grudge against it.

Whatever the reason, it's an absurd but undeniable reality that it has become hard for the police to determine if a death is natural or unnatural, suspicions of the slasher running rampant in the film circles.

The slasher hasn't struck yet, but how credible is the information? Could the slasher be responsible for the recent death of a child actress? Soham's thoughts race. He notices with a frown that he's still thinking while driving on the road, with his helmet on, and Sarthak sitting behind him, the on-goers on the road honking their horns at the crossing light turning green, agitated that he spaced out while driving.

If Mira were to observe this, she'd probably opine he was acting like Seyon?

He drives on, senses alert, a slight smile on his face, yet the recent happenings remain in his thoughts.

Seyon's call from this morning is unforgettable. Seyon called just before Mira could leave to study the forensic files.

"We drove all night and stopped at a gas station for a quick morning break," Seyon shared on the call. "Didn't make it to Madurai. The traffic at the toll booths is horrendous. And we don't know where the person we seek lives. All we know are a few names. The first one's Rameswaran. Thiya and I are considering asking around in the nearby villages."

Mira nodded, looking at Soham's phone screen. Behind Seyon, who was speaking, stood Thiya, both appearing elegant but worn-out.

Soham understood the trip was important. It needed to be fruitful. Seyon, Thiya appeared to share the same thoughts. Professor Arindam hadn't disclosed the exact details of the close confidants of Aran and the man in the photograph, Sekaran.

"So we'll be gone for a while," Seyon spoke again, gesturing a hand at Thiya behind him, "Soham, you're the leader of the SIT until I'm back."

Soham was taken aback but Mira squealed with delight, practically gushing into the phone, leaning over Soham, "How wonderful! I have zero objections."

Soham coughed. He could tell Mira too was faintly embarrassed. He looked at Seyon, who wore a teasing grin,

"Uh why me, Seyon? Isn't Mira eligible too? Ladies can't lack specific talents compared to men, right?"

Mira was touched by his words. Soham saw her smile reaching her eyes, her cheeks flushing with delight,

"Of course she's eligible," replied Seyon. "Ladies might be way more advanced in talents compared to men, isn't there an old saying all men are idiots but wise men still exist? Of course Mira can lead us, our resident psychiatrist, same as Thiya our genius computer expert."

Thiya nodded in the background though it's evident she bit her lip and supreesed a smile in the wake of Seyon's praise. Before he could add more, Mira cut him off—

"We'll let Soham be the leader, thanks! I mean, it's sweet you all exalt of me. If someone asks me to be the team-lead, I'd say, I want to prioritise my specialisation, which surely isn't leading a team. So I'll leave it to you and Seyon."

Seyon and Thiya nodded in understanding both wearing pleasing smiles. Soham glanced at Mira as she added,

"You see, I'm good at working behind the scenes. It's not about sticking to my comfort zone but doing what I'm the best at, to the best of my abilities."

Soham was struck by the sincerity in her words. Those words, that laughter will probably remain in his mind forever, like the other important memories they'd made.

She's so sweet... and talented, he thinks, recalling her smile. It's why I worry about her. I hope her psychoanalysis finds us a clue.

Soham snaps out of his thoughts. Rest of the way to Kavya's residence, he keeps all thoughts at bay.

***

When Soham, Sarthak, move past the guards outside Kavya's room into it, they find her sitting on the bed, looking troubled. She looks weary for sure, but not sick. Soham wonders if she's sick about her parents restricting her.

"Kavya..."

The moment she hears her name, she shows him a small smile and shrugs her shoulders, straightening her posture to a somewhat presentable one rather than her relaxed posture or being alone in her bedroom. Next to her, Kruthi does the same. Sarthak clears his throat. Soham quickly apologises for intruding on the girls' privacy.

"I knocked twice, but it seems this isn't the right time."

"No. No. It's fine," Kavya cuts him off. "I'm glad to have visitors. It soothes the pain of becoming a prisoner here."

Kruthi sighs but quickly adds, "her parents won't let her resume shooting. She's down. Beg pardon, sir, but I hope you understand discussing the slasher will be painful if that's what you're here for."

"No, I'm here for routine greetings." Soham trails off, feeling sorry for the actress. Kavya doesn't meet his eyes, looking at her clasped hands. All she wants is to be normal, not hunted by a slasher. She wants a successful career, working in films that entertain the masses and satisfy her soul. She doesn't deserve this despair.

"I heard you have a fever, Miss Kavya. How are you doing?"

Kavya responds with a chuckle. "It's just exhaustion, something I have always dealt with before. Returning to work soon will make me better. Can I even call off working on my current film? Aren't I halfway through? If only my parents understand..."

Sarthak, Kruti assume silence. Soham speaks up.

"I hope they understand."

Soham's gaze casually flits across the room. A doll rests on the bedside table, its design the same as the doll Mira gave him!

It had been one hectic birthday. Seyon, Thiya left. Mira was with him but, he hardly got any time to mark his birthday. Sarthak, Ulla took over, joining the security at Kavya's residence.

"The least you can do is sleep peacefully on your birthday night, Soham... throw us a party later," said Sarthak.

This gave Soham and Mira a chance to enjoy a ride home, the only luxury they could afford. Mira insisted on getting him a gift. She lamented that at short notice, none of her online orders could be delivered. The transport strike was certainly affecting the deliveries.

The roads were empty at 11 pm, only a few open shops on the way to her house.

"Soham, stop the bike! Stop, stop!"

Mira insisted on stopping next to a gift shop. Out of all the tokens and trinkets inside, what caught her eyes was a beautiful doll of a young cowboy playing guitar.

Dyed in bright colourful colours, his skin was a perfect shade of peachy bronze, eyes striking, the colour of the morning sky — a mix of caramel and gold. Plastic made, he was covered in a shiny top coat of resin. Powered by two AA batteries, a button at the back when pressed played soft guitar tunes. Mira was entranced listening to the soothing folk melody. Soham couldn't deny it was a wonderful doll, but was it meant for a grown man like him?

"It's cute and plays soft music. Look at his smile as he plays the guitar. It resembles your smile. Ooh, the hat and his scarf are my favourite crimson! Mr Cowboy sure is handsome. Soham, I want you to keep him. Whenever your smile drops, I hope listening to this melody can make you smile. You must preserve your smile. You know how much I treasure it."

Her words warmed his heart. She blushed at how passionate she had sounded. They exchanged smiles. It was a sweet memory. One he nearly forgot, swept away by his duties. Except that it has taken a bitter turn with the same doll being present with Kavya.

"This doll..." Soham trails off again. Kavya looks at him, feet rooted to where he is.

"Yes?"

"It's a musical doll, isn't it? Looks like trending in the market. Quite cute. Did you buy it?"

"No, Aran gave it to me."

Sarthak and Soham frown at Kavya's revelation. Sarthak recalls the doll he saw atop Soham's desk, knows it's a special gift from Mira. The same runs through their minds — the same doll. Is it a coincidence?

The two officers stare at the doll longer than intended. Kavya follows their eyes,

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

Sarthak purses his lips. Soham hesitates for a moment. Does he tell Kavya that Aran is the suspect? The SIT has never mentioned who is after her life. This is the right time for the revelation.

Should he ask Seyon? Probably as the stand-in team leader, he can make this decision by himself. His fellow friends and teammates would want the same. He clears his throat.

"Miss Kavya, this might be sudden and intimidating. Perhaps disheartening, but the suspect we had in mind was Aran."

"What?"

A moment's silence. Kavya digests this information and shakes her head. "Why? How? On what basis?"

"It's a long story. But he'd been someone we tracked down while a civil inspector jumped to death regarding the slasher. The mobile tower tracking, so..."

"Oh... I see."

Kavya isn't disappointed, but there's profound sadness on her profile. However, she brushes it off and smiles, "heh, what do I expect? You told me it could be anyone."

"It's still not confirmed," Soham interrupts her before she can make judgements and conclusions in her mind, "but I ask you to be careful around him. And let us know if he does anything suspicious, let alone pass you generous gifts or grand gestures."

Another moment's silence. Kavya nods. "I understand." She sighs. Kruthi pats her back, though her rage at the recent findings palpable.

Sarthak steps forward. "May we take this doll to the lab for testing? We'll return it to you soon."

Kavya doesn't lift her head and again stares at her hands. "Sure, go ahead."

***

"It's bugged," Sarthak tells Soham in the quiet of hall 57 that afternoon.

"What?" Soham's hollow response echoes in the room.

The two officers had returned to the CBCID from Kavya's residence. Ramya went to join Kavya's security battalion.

As a robotics engineer prior to joining the force, Sarthak opened and checked both dolls and found hearing devices in both. The devices are of the same class and materials crudely built out of homemade tech, transistors, resistors and circuits built by expert hands.

"Bugs in both of them, Sarthak! Both!"

"Yes. As we suspected."

Sarthak shakes his head. "Since these devices are homemade, we cannot trace back where they come from. We can find the source of these spare parts, but..."

He finds a spare chair to sit on. As of now he has got one extra chair in hall 57, like the others helping the SIT, and is sharing Soham's desk. Soham sighs and plops into his chair.

"Both the dolls bugged using the same tech... Aran was the one who gave one doll to Kavya. But Mira chose the doll randomly. How could Aran have bugged the second, Sarthak? No way he intended to plant it there."

"It's hardly a coincidence, Soham, but who can say?"

"Maybe someone else is making similar stuff..."

"Maybe this whole thing is a plan. It's possible this isn't related to the case or Aran. There could be a gang seeking sensitive information to blackmail people for money. That'll require another team of investigators."

"There could be." Sarthak picks the devices on the desk and places them in a sealed envelope. "I will ask Dr Shah to look for fingerprints. I doubt we will find any but...."

"Yeah."

Sarthak takes off his gloves and pockets them. Soham looks at the cute dolls. One given by Mira is on the right side of his desk, and the other is on his left. The dolls are identical, the only difference between them being the colour of guitar — the one Mira gave him is red, Kavya's is black.

He sighs heavily again. How can he tell Mira the doll was tampered with? Mira would be disappointed. He's disappointed too. It had been his best birthday ever, despite the hectic work. It's thanks to you and it's thanks to Seyon, Mira and Thiya. Sarthak, Ulla and Ramya came by to wish in the evening. It's been far too long since he had such a wonderful working experience on his birthday.

Sarthak places his hand over his shoulder. "It's okay, Soham. We took out the bug. It's all fine now. Let's not tell Mira about this."

Soham nods. Just then, hearing a faint noise, they turn towards the entrance. The door to hall 57 is open; the tight security Thiya arranged means only one of the SIT and its helpers own the power to enter.

Soham gasps seeing Mira at the entrance with a file and her smartphone clutched in her hands. No immediate words come to him even as their eyes meet.

Mira stands there, her expression one of guilt and regret. She has heard the conversation and feels it is her fault that a stupid doll had made its way into hall 57 and gave the slasher a means to eavesdrop.

"Mira, I..."

Soham tries to say I'm sorry but fails. Mira shakes her head.

"I came to say hello and see what you guys are up to. I'm fine, don't worry." She dons a brave smile and waves her free hand. "Dr Shah said he's willing to explain the forensics files with me, so I have a huge discussion ahead of me. I'll see you both in the evening."

Soham watches as she turns on her heel and leaves.

Sarthak pats his back. "Trust me, Mira will be okay despite this hiccup."

"Yes." Soham composes himself, though he curls his fists tight.

"I'll try to find out the source of this bug in the dolls."

"Doubt you will find anything worth the case. We know the doll is from Aran, but can't tell if the bug is from him."

"I know, but we have to try. Seyon, Thiya, Mira are out there trying their best."

"Yes."

Sarthak leaves and Soham lets his thoughts sit with him for a while. The best way to deal with thoughts is to let them come, watch them as the fluffy white clouds drifting away in the clear blue sky. With the bugged dolls, surely the slasher should have been updated with the current investigation status and Kavya's present condition, which is a conundrum(sun). One they can surely overcome.

A juggernaut of powerful feelings run through Soham's veins, determination to solve the case, as his thoughts dissipate. Knowing his friends in the SIT, he's confident they all share the same sentiment, including Mira.

However, it doesn't mean that he can't cheer up Mira. The next time he's presented with an opportunity, he will do something sweet to make her forget the better experience of gifting him a bugged doll on his birthday. He'll return her favour and make her smile.

"Maybe I can make her buy me another gift. That should cheer her up. Gods, I also should inform Seyon, Thiya of this doll business. Ah, now I'm thinking out loud?"

He chuckles and taps his forehead, pondering what Mira's gift will be before refocusing on work. He later has to connect with Seyon, Thiya and check on Mira.

***

❣💫TBC❣💫

how was the Soham special chapter, let me know😊😇
This chapter is highly and edited I will edit it soon. It had been a really long and stressful weak that I couldn't work on the chapter again as I should but I hope it came okay

💟💫Up next: Seyon, Thiya's road trip adventures! Some case solving some budding romance again... dejavu? Maybe yes! See you the next Sunday update

✍💫💟An: So is this story, the blend of mystery romance interesting to keep you going or is it making you want to fall asleep? 🥲🥲

I desperately need to know what my readers are thinking. I'm questioning myself over and over these if I'm writing this well... and I'm going mad. Another hurdle besides the hurdles in my personal life, ugh!🥲

Self doubt is a real devil. When you vote comment for a writer, you're actually showing the writer some support, a little pat back that it's okay!🤗

So if you're someone reading the story and following weekly updates, please don't be silent and share your thoughts with me in the comments! Or maybe on my dash. 😌💟💫

Hoping I can hear from at least one of you.

Until next week tc! Ty for reading. V and C! 💟💫