Months later, Shiuli texted Shreeja to meet immediately. Shreeja rushed to Shiuli’s office. Shiuli said, “The beggar woman you’ve photographed has resemblances with one of our missing cases, Mohul Saha. Bone structure of her face is a match, but facial features like the shape of eyes, nose, lips, chin are much different. We need her DNA.” Shreeja was perplexed, “What can I do in this matter?” Shiuli explained, “Simply, you’ve to collect her DNA. You already have a connection with her. Just take her to a tea stall. Made her eat something. Drink something. We’ll bring the plates and glasses and shall collect DNA samples. Our people will be around.” Independence Day had long passed. Even the Puja had passed. Usual route was open. Yet Shreeja got down from the bus at PG hospital stoppage. She walked along the western boundary wall of Rabindrasadan. She did not find the woman. After two weeks of endeavor, Shreeja spotted the woman along the southern flank of Rabindrasadan. She asked, “Remember me?” The woman was bewildered, and replied, “No.” Shreeja sought for her child of the day and located a girl, a toddler. She took the toddler in her arms, then cautiously asked, “Is she yours?” The woman said, “No. my sister’s. She died last month. I have taken the orphan in. I must feed her.” Shreeja utilized the opportunity. She took them to Rabindrasadan food stall. The woman and the girl ate some, and took some food packed for later. Shreeja did not feel like giving them any money. She smelled deep conspiracy from the woman’s changing mushy stories. A busboy took the paper plates and plastic glasses away wearing disposable gloves. Shreeja received a text from Shiuli, “Got the samples.” Later that night she mentioned it to Saurabh. Saurabh wanted to explore his plan to crack this case. With rape spree sensation dying down and in absence of strong sensations, the news cycle was starving for salaciousness. Saurabh and Shreeja presented their begging ring theory in the weekly meeting with Tapaja and Moumita. Shreeja and Saurabh were not sure if there would be resources to pursue their plan. They expected to be asked to remain tagged along with the Police. Instead, Tapaja asked, “Take some youngsters. Build a team. Try to enter the hornets’ nest. But don’t get stung.” Moumita alerted, “As much as I understand, the Police is maintaining a cautious discretion, probably to avoid a blow up. My advice is, you should maintain that too. We need results. To feed the news beast. Hence, don’t blow up.” These were more than expectations of Shreeja and Saurabh. They interviewed ten people. They appointed three of them. All girls, Trina, Hridi and Pratiti.
~~~~~~~~
Advisory:
