Chapter Thirty-Four
Iris
Déjà vu hits me as I walk down the hallway of the police station a second time. Only this instance, I’m venturing deeper into the building, past the bars where I was locked inside the last time. I had hoped to never step foot in here again.
The walls are dirty, as if no budget was spared for repainting them. Don’t even get me started on the smell.
Keeping a straight and impassive face is a hardship while my insides are crawling with nerves, like worms trying to eat my organs.
The budding anxiety is not because I have to talk to the police about the two assaults on me to help get a clue about the disappearance of the women, but because of the lawyer walking behind Kian and me.
I knew that with Kian involving the local authorities, I was bound to give a statement at some point.
Even Harshita assured me it’ll be fine as long as I don’t give away that I’m working undercover after I informed her.
What I never expected was that Kian would hire a top-notch lawyer while the police questioned me.
I tried to talk him out of hiring one because it was a simple talk, but his protective streak isn’t one I could win against. It deepened the guilt I was already feeling. I reminded myself that it was going to be over soon.
My body jolts when I feel fingers lock around my elbow just before we’re about to enter the interrogation room. I blink and stare up at an intense Kian.
“If you’re nervous, we can come another time,” he offers in a low voice.
“No, I want to get it over with.”
Interlocking his hands with mine, he murmurs, “Okay, Rainbow. If you wish to leave at any point, let me know.”
I nod gratefully.
A little more time, and then I’ll be able to tell him everything.
Our lawyer, Sohail Paul, takes the lead and enters the room first. We follow him inside.
The room is depressing as hell with a table in the center surrounded by four rickety chairs.
The detectives are yet to arrive. So, the three of us take a seat with me in the middle.
I keep my hand on Kian’s thigh, which he covers with his and strokes soothingly.
“Stay calm and answer whatever you can,” Sohail says. “Let me handle it if any question makes you uncomfortable.”
“Yeah. Thank you.”
He smiles. “It’s what I’m here for.”
The door creaks open, startling me. I peer up as two detectives wearing sharp expressions enter. Both appear to be my father’s age. They don’t smile as one of them takes the only empty seat available. While the other one stands behind him.
“Mr. Singhania,” the one sitting across from us greets. “Miss Mannan. I’m Detective Shankar, and this is my partner, Rishi. We’re from the CBI and we’d like to ask you a couple of questions.”
“Sure.”
He pulls out a notebook and a pen, before asking the first question, “When did you begin working for Kinetic Securities?”
“Four months ago.” My heart beats so damn fast that I’m afraid it’ll beat out of my chest and land on their feet.
“You work as Mr. Singhania’s executive assistant?”
“One of his assistants, yes.”
“When did the first attack occur? Please go through your entire day. As many details as possible.”
I visibly tense, digging my nails into Kian’s leg as I recall the evening.
Taking a deep breath, I tell them about my lackluster day and how it was around six-thirty in the evening when I rode the elevator downstairs to go to the printing room.
I can imagine the scene playing like a movie until the very moment everything went black.
“So, you never saw the person?”
“No.” My voice comes shaky. “I saw their fist flying toward me and then I was slammed to the ground. I was too busy covering my body from the blows to see the attacker. I passed out from the pain.”
“Would you describe the second attack?”
“I was cornered in an alley while I was walking home. The man was tall and covered in black clothes with a mask on his face. I thought he was a burglar, but soon realized he was the same attacker. I fought him and managed to run away.”
“Did he say anything to you? Threaten you?”
It takes me a beat to lie, “No. He didn’t.”
“Is there anyone who’s raised your suspicion in the company?”
I shake my head.
“The last two women who are taken. Did you interact with them?”
“Yes, I chatted briefly with Rhea, who is the receptionist. Yukta is my close friend. We used to meet in the cafeteria or at my desk, almost daily.”
He scribbles something down and leans forward. “Did she mention anyone making her uncomfortable? Was she dating someone in the company?”
“No, she’s outgoing and is friendly to everyone. Besides her circle of friends, she kept to herself. I don’t get why she was targeted. You have to find her. Please.”
Kian squeezes my wrist as pain bleeds into my tone.
“We will do our best,” utters Shankar.
Sohail cuts in. “Are there any more questions?”
“No. I think we have everything we need for now. I would stay on guard with the person roaming free in the company. I believe he will come after Miss Mannan. We’ll try to find why she was targeted and left alone, rather than being taken like the other women.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to stop from blurting out that I know why I was targeted. That I’m safe as long as I don’t poke around, which thankfully Harshita has warned me against.
“Iris?” calls Kian.
“Hmm?”
“Why don’t you go outside while I finish up here?”
“Yeah,” I eagerly answer, wanting out of here. “I’ll wait for you.”
Standing up, I make my exit and shut the door behind me.
I follow the directions to the restrooms. Quickly doing my business, I wash my hands and walk back out.
Right across is the watercooler. Feeling thirsty, I pour water into one of the plastic cups kept on top.
I’m taking a sip when somebody sidles up to me, dressed in a suit.
“Miss Mannan.”
Jumping in fear, I almost drop the cup. It’s Detective Rishi, who didn’t speak a word. Why did he follow me here? “Detective Rishi.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologizes, handing me a tissue to wipe my hand where a little bit of water fell.
“Are you here to ask me more questions? I’ve already told you and your partner everything.”
“Harshita was right in choosing you,” he comments.
I become confused before it hits me. I straighten my spine. “You’re the case lead she’s been working with?”
“Yes.” Staring down at me calmly, he says, “I’m impressed by the way you answered those questions inside. Good to know you haven’t spilled anything to Kian.”
“I’m not going to hamper the case. Plus, you must realize he’s innocent.”
“It seems that way.”
His tone irks me. “He came to you guys and is cooperating in the investigation. Why can’t we tell him the truth?”
“Not until we’ve brought down the gang. Neither Harshita nor you are publishing anything about the case until then.
That’s the deal I have with her in exchange for information.
I cannot risk the perpetrator being spooked.
We’ve seen the repercussions of it already.
You’ve risked your safety and it’s my duty to protect you. ”
He stuns me yet again with his honorable statement.
“You’ve helped more than you know. Because of you, we have confirmation that it is an employee of Kinetic Securities who is kidnapping these vulnerable women.”
“Are you close to discovering this person?”
“We’re tracking the private number that was used to send you the blackmailing text. The location was inside the company’s headquarters.”
“Do you think the girls are alive? Is my friend going to be okay?”
His lips press into a thin line, a dark look crossing his face before he replies unemotionally, “The girls are no good to them if they’re dead.”
I try not to flinch at his callous response. A part of me understands they can’t become emotionally attached or they won’t do a proper job. Still, one of the victims is my friend. I can’t be cold. I pray she makes it back safe and sound.
“Is Detective Shankar also aware of my role?” I ask.
“Yes. He’s stalling Kian and your lawyer so I could come chat with you.”
“Oh. Okay.”
His brows furrowing, he coaxes, “Is there anything else you’d like to share now that it’s just us?”
“No. I haven’t received another text. Maybe the person realized I got scared and stopped looking.”
“Or he’s waiting for a chance to catch you alone. Kian has a bodyguard following you, doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Don’t assume you’re out of the woods, Miss Mannan.”
Oh, trust me, I’m more than aware of it.
***
“Surprise!”
For the tenth time today, I practically jump out of my seat and press a hand to my chest to calm my heartbeat. Looking up from my desktop, a broad grin stretches on my face as I stare into the beautiful faces of my best friends. “You guys! What are you doing here?”
“Came to take you out for lunch,” announces Bianca.
I round my desk and give both Bianca and Rosalie a hug, holding them for an extra-long second after the stressful morning. “Yay! Let me go tell Kian.”
Right then, his door opens and he steps out of his office. His eyes are glued to his phone.
“Baby, do you want—” His question abruptly dies when he notices the extra two smirking faces. “I didn’t know we had company.”
“Hey, Kian.” Bianca politely waves.
“Baby, huh?” Rosalie teases in my ear. “I call Nova baby. It gets him going. Bet it’s the same for you, sexpot.”
“Shut up!” My cheeks flame.
“What’s up, captor?”
Kian’s gaze narrows as he joins us, curling an arm around my waist. “Still with the nickname?”
“You did steal her heart,” she replies cheekily.
I shake my head and peer up at Kian. “They’re here to take me for lunch.”
“Not just you, sexpot. He’s coming too.”
“I am?”
“Scared?”
“Your husband is the only one scared of you, Rosalie,” Kian says smugly.
She cocks her hip and flips her cherry red hair back. “Everyone’s scared of me. You will be too. Give it time.”
I stifle my laugh and pat Kian’s chest. “Join us, love.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun,” utters Bianca jovially. “I’ll invite Dash too.”
“All right.”
My heart soars with love that he’s making an effort to get to know my friends. Months ago, it wouldn’t have been possible. I’m so ecstatic he’s lowering his walls. The four of us drive—Kian and me following the girls in his car—to a nearby restaurant.
As soon as we’re seated at a table, Dash shows up, eyes pinned on his wife with a possessive heat.
“Hey, wifey.”
“Hey, darling.”
Tangling his fingers through her curly dark hair, he bends and seals his lips with hers, kissing her long and hard as though he hasn’t seen her in forever.
It’s not surprising, yet Bianca blushes when he finally lets her breathe.
“Missed you,” he murmurs, sitting down beside her.
Bianca melts against him with stars in her eyes. “Were you busy?”
“Never for you.”
Kian’s minty breath wafts against my ear as he mutters in concern, “He is Dash, right?”
I snort.
“I heard that,” jabs Dash with a scowl.
“There’s the business partner I know,” retorts Kian.
“Can we order already?” complains Rosalie. “I’m starving.”
“She gets cranky when she’s hungry,” I explain to Kian. Raising the menu, I lower my voice and warn, “Also, don’t make a face when she orders.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
The waiter arrives. As predicted, Rosalie goes first. “For starters, I’d like paneer tikka, crispy corn, and veg kebab. Then, veg kofta, dal tadka, and mutter paneer with lachha paratha for the main course. That’s all for me, thank you.”
“Is she ordering to take it home for Nova?”
“Nope. Just for her.” Kian’s eyes bug out. “Told ya.”
The rest of us finish placing our orders. Another waiter comes by with our drinks while we wait for the food to arrive.
Staring over the rim of her glass at my Kian, Rosalie nonchalantly asks, “So, any plans for next week, captor?”
“If you mean Iris’s birthday, I remember it, and yes, we have plans.”
He remembers my birthday!
Butterflies take flight in my belly. With the turmoil in our lives lately, I completely forgot my birthday was coming up.
“What plans?” I practically leap from my seat.
Kian smirks. “A surprise.”
I pout. He kisses it away, being tight-lipped about my birthday plans.
“You’ll love it, Rainbow.” He winks.
“Yeah, that’s not Kian.”
Shooting a smug Dash a glare, he retorts, “Fuck off.”