The Team

Following my departure, the team's conversation ended as well, and we collectively agreed to conclude our activities for the day. We headed back to our camp, having requested crucial case files that needed to be retrieved from a different location. We were informed that these files would be delivered to us the following day, and we eagerly anticipated delving into them to shed light on the mysteries surrounding the recent events.

I went straight back to my room, not really thinking about anyone else at that moment. Maybe I was being a bit selfish, but it was necessary to avoid causing any more problems or confusion. I needed some time to gather my thoughts and regain my composure so I could work effectively. I couldn't allow myself to be overwhelmed by everything. 

My mind couldn't help but wander into the uncertain future. Mohan's name seemed to be connected to the ongoing investigation, and his presence weighed heavily on my thoughts. I found myself envisioning various scenarios, all of them seemingly bleak. The fear of being separated from my mother, who had supported me through thick and thin, was a daunting prospect. I also couldn't bear the thought of Aman, my dedicated partner, losing his wife.

The burden of these concerns, coupled with the multitude of unanswered questions, overwhelmed me. It felt as if I were bursting invisible balloons inside my mind, only to have them multiply into even more questions, creating a sense of chaos and confusion.

I desperately needed someone to confide in, but I was torn. The enormity of the situation made it difficult to share with anyone. The future appeared uncertain, and I grappled with the fear of what lay ahead, both for myself and the people I cared about. The relentless popping of questions in my mind left me in a state of profound unease, as I continued to navigate a complex web of mysteries and emotions.

I decided to seek help from the camp therapist. She prescribed some pills for me. Since I started taking those pills, I haven't had those troubling dreams again. It's been a relief to have some peace of mind.

This new medication has been a great help, and I no longer experience those distressing dreams. It's been a huge relief not to have those troubling thoughts haunting me anymore.

The next morning, we decided to meet at our jogging track. I was the first one to arrive, and Taeri joined me shortly after. We decided to take a leisurely walk around the track while waiting for the others to join us. 

I can't quite explain it, but being with Taeri always feels just right and amazing. Her presence has a comforting aura, and I can't help but be drawn to it. I know she's been through a lot and recently lost someone she loved. It's certainly not the right time to express my feelings for her, especially given everything she's endured. Perhaps someday, when the time is right, I'll find the courage to share my emotions with her.

Taeri and I talked about the beauty of nature during our walk, and our conversation flowed effortlessly. It's as if our discussions have this natural and unstoppable rhythm. 

Our conversation was interrupted as we noticed Austin and Aman approaching us. It was a pleasant surprise to see them joining our morning walk. Austin, despite feeling homesick, had decided to join us. Aman, always the caring and supportive friend, was there with us too.

As we continued our walk together, the worries and complexities of life seemed to momentarily fade away. The simple joy of companionship and the serenity of nature provided a much-needed freshness and motivation for us all.

"Guys you are late!" I said.

"No, you are early" Austin replied

Trying to cover up for my embarrassing encounter I asked Aman...

"Where is Rajesh, sir?"

"Oh he had to be elsewhere, he wanted us to take the decision and let him know."

"About the team?"

"Yes, he also specifically mentioned that you lead the team," Aman added, "and he has other commitments. Besides, he's retired, so it's not fair to keep asking for his help. However, he assured us he would provide guidance and assistance when needed."

I had mixed feelings about this. Aman's trust in my leadership was evident, but it also raised self-doubts. Was I truly ready for this level of responsibility? Could I protect Aman, as he had suggested?

Taeri voiced the concern that I had anticipated. "Why me? Why can't it be you?"

Aman sighed, acknowledging the potential disagreement. "I knew this would come up, which is why I voted for you when you were away."

I felt a bit defeated. The weight of leading a team was daunting, and I questioned my ability to handle the responsibility. Still, it might be an opportunity to confront my fears and protect Aman.

"So, Tarun, what's the plan?" Taeri inquired.

I nodded, confirming Aman's information. "Yes, Aman and I were assigned to this case. While we work on it, we need a local police officer who can navigate the local police stations without much trouble. That's where Mr. Jang Kang Woo comes in. He's one of the best in the business. We also require a bureau agent from here, so Mr. Kim Woo Shik is joining us."

"So, that's four of us so far," Aman summarized.

I nodded again. "Right. Now, for the two of you." I turned my attention to Austin and Taeri. "Austin, did you graduate yet?"

He replied, "Not yet. I'm still waiting for my results. But don't worry; I'm confident I'll pass all my exams."

"That's good to hear," I said, then turned to Taeri with a reassuring smile. "As for you, Taeri, we need a fresh perspective and a keen eye. Your education status doesn't matter as much as your ability to handle challenging situations. We see potential in both of you, and you also have valuable insider information."

Taeri seemed to brighten up at this explanation and nodded her agreement.

"We'll meet at the agency today at eleven o'clock," I continued. "The other two officers will join us, and we can discuss our strategy and approach to the cases."

Everyone in the room expressed their agreement, and we all dispersed to our respective rooms.

After freshening up and having breakfast, I called my mother. She had been planning to visit, but there was a delay in the visa approval process.

"Maa, you should have been here by now. Why the delay?" I asked.

"Beta, the embassy is saying there's an issue with their server, and it may take a few more days for the visa to be approved," she replied.

I responded, "I understand, Maa, but you know I'm eagerly waiting for your arrival."

"Don't worry, Beta. I'm staying in touch with Aman's wife too, and we're doing everything we can to join you soon."

"Okay. I'll be heading to work now. I'll call you as soon as I get back, okay?"

"Alright, just take care. I love you," she said.

"I love you too, Mama," I replied before ending the call.

After speaking with my mother, I prepared to go to work. I received a message that Mr. Kim Woo Shik was running late because he was dealing with a hit-and-run case at a crime scene. As I waited for him, I took the opportunity to get to know Mr. Jang Kang Woo better. We shared a conversation, and it became evident that being of the same age, it would make sense for us to address each other by our first names. Building a strong rapport with my team was essential, as we knew we'd be working closely together for an extended period.

As we waited for Mr. Kim Woo Shik, we discussed our future collaboration, and made plans for the upcoming meeting at the agency. Despite the weight of responsibility and unanswered questions, we were all determined to uncover the truth behind the complex cases before us.

Taeri and Austin arrived on time and also had the opportunity to get to know Kang Woo. It was important for all of us to maintain a friendly and relaxed atmosphere within the team. We believed this would help us communicate better and work effectively together. Fortunately, everyone shared this sentiment, so things were off to a great start. And we hit off each other the instant we started talking which was obviously a plus. A great team would only lead to success.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly, except for one thing – the case files we had requested from the police department were taking longer than expected to be handed over. So, I had to start the meeting even though we didn't have the files yet. We were eager to get started, but the missing files posed a bit of a challenge. Despite this setback, we were all determined to make the best of the situation and work as a team to address the cases as soon as the files were available.

"So guys, I need your attention here "

Everybody stopped what they were doing and looked at me.

"As you all know I am appointed as the leader of this team, it wasn't my choice. So I just want you to know that we are all equal here and as the leader the only extra responsibility on me is to report our findings, decisions, and conclusions to the commissioner of the bureau directly."

They all nod in agreement.

"And as for the case solving, I want to hear your thoughts before we proceed further."

"What kind of thoughts?" Woo Shik Hyung asked.

"Like do you think that this case is related to any other case currently happening or from a past timeline? or do you think that it is completely new?"

"I think this case must be related to the mine blast case I told you about earlier" Austin answered.

"Why do you think so?" Aman asked.

"Well, I believe it is the same tunnel, and as I already told you the rooms we were in looked like a burned at some point in time."

"Well if it is the case, whoever did that can still be alive now...so if that is the case who are we looking at? A group? A single person? if so what would be their ages?" Woo Shik Hyung asked.

"I don't think that it is a single person because there were many people inside" Taeri answered.

"But, (everyone turned to me) I know about this case, there was an agency that lured poor people from different countries with luxurious lifestyles. So, what if it is a single person who lured some people exactly like he did before and did all those things?"

"I agree with you" Kang Woo replied.

"So we might be looking at a man or a woman probably in their early 60s...isn't it?" Austin spoke.

"No, it is not a woman, it is definitely a man because the guy who was killed the other day said he had to do this for his father. so it is his father, and the only clue we had is now dead. I don't know his real name, or where he is from at this point in time. He didn't carry any ID with him. He booked the tickets and the room using mine."

"What about his passport?" Aman asked.

"He got through the airport for sure, but no I did not see any ID in his belongings"

I assured her it was okay and then we moved on with the conversation

"What about the serial killer on a spree now? Wouldn't he be responsible?" Kang Woo asked.

"That was my first instinct as well, but we did not find any missing pages from the book at the crime scene...so we can rule out the option which means we need to catch him as well" I replied.

"So there are two murderers on the loose and we have to catch them? cool" Austin replied.

"What about the drug dealer?" Aman asked.

"So, you are saying that the killer might already be dead?" Woo Shik Hyung asked.

"Absolutely not, because that guy was killed, so the killer is still alive, so he could potentially have connections with the mafia?" he answered undoubtedly.

"could be," Kang Woo said

"What if it is a cult?" Taeri raised a question.

"As in?" I asked.

" There are these murders that were given to us as case studies, different timelines, and similar patterns of the murders, I believe that they are related. this continued for years so why not them? they might still be having followers of the cult"

"There is a possibility, but for now we don't know and we wouldn't know much until we get our hands on the cases."

"But why the discussion?" Austin asked.

"Look at how many potential possibilities we discussed, the more the discussion the more we get our hands on various cases and it is better for our investigation. Who knows this may lead to something even bigger than we thought."

everyone nods their head in agreement.

"So this is how we are going to be discussing each case before we find the culprit notes, this not only helps the case but gives us a better understanding of where we stand in identifying the criminals."

"I agree with you," Kang Woo said

"me too"

"me too"

"me too"

"and me too"

As our meeting concluded, I expressed my optimism about our team's performance and the success we could achieve together. We were all set to commence our official work starting the following day, provided we could access the case files in time. If not, we were prepared to handle local cases temporarily. Additionally, I reminded the team that Rajesh sir was willing to offer his assistance if we encountered any difficulties.

With these thoughts in mind, everyone rose from their seats and began to leave. It was then that I remembered one crucial detail and called them back. I emphasized the importance of dressing formally for the following day, as we would be introduced to the media. I warned the team that we would face significant attention and pressure from the media, so being prepared was vital.

With nods of understanding, the team left the meeting room. I returned to my room, completed my usual nightly routine, and turned in early, eager to face the challenges of the day ahead.