Chapter 18

Sabari was confused as Inspector Mahadev pointed to a red dot over the dead body of Prathap. Sabari turned to Mahadev.

“Inspector… I think I’m missing something. You said that Prathap was attacked by a heavy weapon. All I can see is a minute red dot. This looks as if a needle has been pierced his chest and nothing more.”

Inspector Mahadev replied, “You are correct Mr. Sabari. It was a needle that killed Prathap. But the needle is almost a feet long.”

Sabari exclaimed, “What??? One feet?? A needle??”

“Yes right..  A Needle that is one feet long and we call it ‘Needle Shell’.  These kind of needles acts as bullets and are fired from a gun, which would create minimal impact but maximum destruction.”

“Oh my goodness”. Sabari exclaimed.

Inspector Mahadev continued, “Do you like to see?”

“See what?”

“The bullet”

“Sure.. “

Inspector Mahadev turned to forensic officer Parasuram.

“Parasuram… Can you??”

Parasuram opened his suitcase and it had a container. He unwrapped the container and it had a needle as described by Mahadev. It was a feet length and it had hardened stains of blood.”

Sabari was astounded as he saw the needle shell. Mahadev continued.

“When we came here, we could see that the needle had pierced his chest and was protruding a few inches outside in the back. We removed it once we were done with the initial forensic procedures.”

Sabari asked, “How did you come to know about Needle Shell?”

“A terrorist was nabbed in Delhi couple of months back. This happened while the cops who were patrolling in one of the highways. When they checked his belongings, they identified a gun that was quite unusual from the regular ones. A gun that can fire a needle. This information was later shared by the Defense ministry along with pics to all the state police departments. I happened to see the gun and needle in one of the pictures.  When Parasuram reached here, I raised my doubt and he confirmed that it was the same.”

 Sabari was baffled hearing Mahadev’s statement and stood without providing any comments. Mahadev walked closer to Sabari and asked, “I need to ask you some something Mr. Sabari”

“Me??”. Sabari wondered what could Mahadev ask him.

“Yes”

“What can I say about this inspector?”

“The question is not anything about the bullet. I’m just wondering why should Prathap be killed by a highly technical weapon that is used only by specific groups like the terrorists. What could be the motive? I don’t see this murder just like the usual one. A murder which is highly sophisticated. May be an international link.. What do you like to say about this?”

“I’m sorry inspector… I don’t think so. Prathap is a Gentleman and also the senior researcher in our organization. He was soft and a no-nuisance fellow. I don’t think that he might have foes inside or outside the organization. “

“But the way how he was killed doesn’t give the same picture to me”

“I.. I don’t have any answer for your views”

“Actually, your MD Sidharth gave exactly the same statement as you did, when I asked the same question to him. As a cop, I will always look for the motive of any murder. If we can find the motive, finding the killers would be a cakewalk. So, I request you and your MD SIdharth’s cooperation in this case”

Sidharth who was overhearing Inspector Mahadev’s statement said, “I think we are doing it already… we don’t have anything to hide. Do you think otherwise?”

Inspector Mahadev smiled at him and said, “Mr. Sidharth!!! I forgot to ask you one of the most important questions for which I’m looking for an honest answer”

‘Shoot it”

“I know your company is involved in Research and Development. Can you tell me as what kind of Research are you folks involved in?”

“They are all in the field of Bio Technology”

“As part it, do you do any unapproved, crazy or weird researches?”

“Nope.. Not at all… Our researches are about the diseases that the humankind foresee in the future. We do lots of studies about it and also try to look for new drugs that can cure those. These are as per the guidelines of Indian National Medical Council. We have well documented procedures for all the projects and researches that we do. You are free to verify those anytime”

“Mr. Sidharth.. Don’t take me wrong. I’m not here to harass you by throwing too many questions. The murder of Prathap might have affected you badly right now. But for myself and forensic officer, the way how Prathap was killed is a bigger worry. He has been killed by a highly sophisticated weapon that is banned around the world. Do you know in which metal is the needle made of?”

Sidharth nodded his head in denial. Forensic officer brought the needle to Sidharth and asked him, “Have a look at it and guess it”

Sidharth looked at it and replied, “Steel?”

“Hmmm Ok.. “

Parasuram turned to Sabari and asked, “Mr. Sabari.. Do you like to give your guess?”

“May be stainless steel.. “

“Neither of those metals have the ability to kill someone instantaneously… “

Sidharth asked, “If not these two, which one is it?”

“Iridium. This is one of the heaviest and dense metal. Though the complete needle is made up of Iridium, it was coated by Uranium. These two metals together had enough power and capability to stop the heart completely in a few microseconds.”

Sidharth and Sabari were awestruck as they heard the details on the Needle Shell. Inspector Mahadev turned to Sidharth and Sabari.

“Can you guys guess the cost of the Shell?”

“Sorry.. No idea”

“It costs fifteen lakhs or one and a half million in Indian currency”

Mahadev continued with a pause.

“The killer could have used a simple and cheaper pistol to kill Mr. Prathap. I’m just clueless as why someone had to use such a costlier sophisticated weapon to kill him. There needs to be a very sensitive and bigger issue behind this and is done by a highly professional killer. For sure, this seems to be a HIGH TECH and SOPHISTICATED murder”

Once Inspector Mahadev completed his last sentence, a constable came near him.

“Sir!! Sorry to interrupt you… “

“No problem… Tell me”

“I want you to look into something…”

The constable’s face looked very serious and Inspector Mahadev understood that it was something serious.

The constable walked to the corner of the room followed by Mahadev. The corner of the room had a large refrigerator.