Crime Branch – An Old Case
Right in the heart of the town stood an old building—from the outside, it appeared quite ordinary, but the work conducted within its walls was anything but. This was the Crime Branch Office—a place where the files on unsolved cases were never truly closed.
The third floor. Files pertaining to old cases lined the walls, and the air was thick with a peculiar blend of coffee and tension.
It was around 9:40 in the morning.
A 47-year-old man—Uday—walked in slowly. He glanced around the room, then, with a faint smile, remarked:
"Well, Tarun, how are things? Did the sun rise in the west today? You're here so early? I was under the impression that *I* would be the first one here."
Seated at a table in the corner of the room, Tarun—a man of about 32—was poring over files, lost in deep thought. He didn't even look up. With a hint of irritation in his voice, he replied:
"Don't even ask, Uday Sir... I got a call from the new officer first thing this morning. She demanded all the details regarding the unsolved case—and she wants them before 10 o'clock."
He flipped through a file, then added with a touch of frustration:
"But I don't have any proper details for that case! And by the way... wasn't Narayan Sir the one handling this case?"
Uday folded his arms, striking a thoughtful pose, and said:
"Yes... but his contention was that this isn't a murder case. That's why he was trying to close it."
Tarun responded immediately, his tone now turning serious:
"That is exactly what I've been saying, Sir... I've examined it in detail—there is simply no way this could be a murder. I just can't fathom why the higher-ups decided to reopen this case." Silence fell over the room for a brief moment.
"It's been four years since this case began... and not a single piece of solid evidence has been found," Tarun added softly.
Uday took a deep breath and said,
"I don't know, Tarun... but this time, I've received direct orders from higher-ups to handle this case myself. There must be something significant about this file..."
Then, he asked casually,
"By the way... the new officer is joining today, isn't she?"
Tarun glanced at his watch.
"Yes, Sir. She was supposed to arrive by 10:00. It's 9:40 right now... but there's no sign of her yet."
Uday chuckled softly.
"Well, who works on time these days?"
After thinking for a moment, Tarun replied,
"No, Sir... I actually spoke to her on the phone. She sounded quite strict. I wonder what she'll be like in person..."
Uday smiled and said,
"It's a brand-new posting for her... we'll have to show her the ropes ourselves. Besides, I heard she's only about 25 or 26."
Tarun shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't know..."
Uday looked around the room.
"Have the others arrived yet?"
Tarun shook his head.
"No, Sir. I posted in the group chat asking everyone to be here by 9:30—to welcome the Madam. But who listens to anyone around here? Working on time seems to be treated like a crime."
Uday smiled faintly, then picked up a file lying in front of him and began to look through it.
Silence fell over the room once again...
The atmosphere in the office had gradually begun to heat up.
After 9:50, everyone started trickling in, one by one. Some held cups of tea, others carried files, but everyone had the exact same question on their minds—
"Has Madam arrived yet?"
For what must have been the tenth time, Tarun replied without even looking up:
"Not yet… but she's on her way."
Watching all this unfold, Uday stifled a laugh and remarked:
"Why are you guys so tense? It feels less like Madam is about to arrive, and more like a CID raid is about to go down!"
From the back, Rohit immediately chimed in:
"Sir, it's all fun and games for you now. But six months from now, *you'll* be nothing more than a 'flashback character.' It's *us* who have to deal with Madam!"
Everyone let out a soft chuckle.
Rohit didn't stop there—
"And based on the description Tarun *bhai* gave us… it sounds like the moment Madam walks in, she's going to say:
'Everyone, stand at attention!… And dock the pay of anyone who isn't working!'"
This time, the entire office erupted in loud laughter.
Tarun shot them a glare and retorted:
"You guys are having a good laugh now, aren't you?… Just don't come crying to me later saying I didn't warn you."
Meera also chimed in playfully:
"By the way, Tarun—have you actually *seen* Madam, or did you just imagine what she's like based solely on getting chewed out by her over the phone?"
Rohit immediately added:
"Yeah, man! What if she turns out to be the exact opposite—
all cute and smiley… and you've gone and painted her as a villain!"
Suppressing his laughter, Uday asked:
"So, what did you say her name was again?"
"Veera Kapoor," Tarun answered matter-of-factly.
Rohit spoke up once more:
"Going by the name, she sounds like a heroine… but her *entry* is definitely going to be pure villain style. Guaranteed."
Everyone burst into laughter once again. Just then—
"TAP… TAP… TAP…"
The sound of heels echoing down the corridor seemed to freeze everyone's laughter.
Rohit leaned in close to Tarun and whispered,
"Bro… looks like the villain has made her entrance…"
The very next second—
The door opened.
And everyone snaps to attention—as if a parade were about to begin.
Standing perfectly straight, Rohit mutters softly,
"That's it… my job is toast…"