[This is an interstiched novel through various series of incidents. Request to continue reading each part in a row, so that you get the spicy flavour of the mystery.
Thanks for your interest in my work]
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The night had settled over the city like a heavy blanket, and Dipankar acted swiftly on the lead provided by Mr. Saxena. He instructed his assistant, Sanjay, to get ready for a trip to the middle-class hotel, the Royal Bar & Dinner. The darkness outside was matched by the vibrant, colourful atmosphere inside the bar, where live singing filled the air, and customers revelled in the music.
As Dipankar arrived at the bar, he was keenly aware of the need to maintain a low profile. He had adopted a disguise to hide his true identity, blending in with the crowd. The bar's patrons were an eclectic mix, but one man stood out—a wealthy Punjabi gentleman, his extravagant attire and gestures a testament to his affluence.
Inside the bustling bar, the vibrant notes of live music filled the air, and the energy was palpable as patrons revelled in the intoxicating ambiance. Yet, amidst the crowd's euphoria, Dipankar became the unwitting focus of attention.
A seductive bar attendant, her eyes smouldering with desire, couldn't resist the intrigue of the man who seemed to exist on the fringes of the party. She glided over to Dipankar, her intentions as clear as the melody in the air.
With a sultry smile, she purred, "You, handsome stranger, look like you could use some company tonight. I can arrange a special coup for your dinner with my sweet company. I hope you will not mind to spend some extra money for that."
Dipankar met her advances with a calm demeanour, his eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "Ah, but I'm afraid I'm here on a different kind of business, my dear."
Undeterred, she leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Business can be fun too, you know. Let me show you how."
Dipankar chuckled softly, his voice a smooth undertone in the cacophony of the bar. "swwet heart! That sounds tempting, but not tonight. I've got other plans."
Finally, Dipankar found a table in a discreet corner from where he could observe the entire floor without drawing attention. He focused on his mission, waiting for any sign of the man from the coffee shop who had met Nurse Shalini.
Time passed, and just when he was beginning to lose hope, the rich Punjabi man made his entrance. Dipankar's heart raced as he recognized the man from the photo Saxena had sent. This was the man he had been waiting for.
The bar attendant girl, ever eager, approached the wealthy man, using her wiles to win his favor. Her gestures were intimate, her words suggestive, but the man remained unmoved, his attention focused elsewhere. Dipankar observed the exchange with caution, knowing that the key to unravelling the mystery lay in that man's actions.
Eventually, the wealthy man turned his gaze toward the bar's entrance, and Dipankar seized the opportunity to approach a private table tucked away in a corner. From there, he had an unobstructed view of the entire bar floor.
Minutes turned into hours, and Dipankar's patience was wearing thin when he finally saw the man make a move. The man rose from his seat and began making his way toward the staircase that led upstairs. Dipankar didn't hesitate; he followed discreetly, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Upstairs, the atmosphere was quieter, and Dipankar could hear snippets of conversations as he made his way down the dimly lit corridor. Finally, he reached the end of the hallway, where the door to one of the rooms was slightly ajar.
Dipankar positioned himself strategically, allowing him to eavesdrop on the conversation inside. There were three voices, two of which referred to the third person as "Chotelal." They were discussing the nurse—Shalini Mhatre—and their frustration with her reluctance to divulge the office address of her boyfriend. The mention of the murdered person on the beach sent a thrill through Dipankar. This was the breakthrough he had been hoping for.
But as he listened intently, Dipankar heard approaching footsteps. Panic surged through him, and he knew he had to act swiftly to avoid being discovered. He ducked into a small alcove, hidden from view, and watched as the footsteps grew closer.
As the unknown figure passed by, Dipankar held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Once the coast was clear, he slipped away from the hotel as quietly as he had arrived. The information he had gathered was invaluable, and he couldn't afford to risk being caught.
Outside, the city's nocturnal rhythms continued, unaware of the secrets and revelations that had unfolded within the walls of the Royal Bar & Dinner. Dipankar knew that he was now one step closer to unravelling the intricate web of mysteries surrounding Rajesh's disappearance, the cryptic message, and the shadowy figures that seemed to lurk in the background.
With smell of alcohol and the electrifying music lot of questions started blowing the air. Who is this Chotelal? How he is concerned to the nurse? What is the relationship with the murdered man and the missing boyfriend of the nurse? Why Chotelal wants to know the office address of Rajesh?
All this will come up next…
