A Masked Detective

Later that night, after the funeral, Inspector Ratan sat with Abir Dey and Sohana Dey in their drawing room. The storm outside had calmed, but the tension within the house remained.

He opened his notebook.

"I need to ask a few questions," he said. "I hope you'll understand—it's about Ritika's personal life."

Sohana crossed her arms, eyes cold. "You mean that orphan boy?"

"Aarav Bachi," Ratan confirmed.

Sohana's voice sharpened. "I hate him. Why did my daughter choose him?"

Ratan frowned. "Why do you say that, ma'am?"

Before she could reply, Abir spoke, his voice low but firm.

"Because… his father used to work for me. My personal secretary."

He glanced at Sohana, then continued.

"His name was Anish. A loyal man. Intelligent. But his life… was tragic."

"What happened?" Ratan asked, now leaning forward.

Abir sighed, his gaze distant.

"Anish's wife left him when the boy was just one month old. Ran off with another man. He never saw her again. He raised the boy alone."

"And how did Anish die?"

"In a car accident," Abir said softly.

Ratan scribbled something down. "Details?"

"His car's brakes failed. Crashed into a divider. It was raining that night too. His son—Aarav—was five."

Sohana added bitterly, "And after that, the boy grew up in an orphanage. We tried to keep Ritika away from him, but she wouldn't listen."

"Did she tell you about the relationship herself?" Ratan asked.

"No," Sohana said sharply. "We found out from her diary. And her phone. But by then… it was too late."

Ratan looked down, silent for a moment.

Then he closed his notebook slowly.

"Thank you," he said. "That'll be all for now."

As he stood to leave, Abir suddenly said, "Inspector…"

Ratan turned.

"Is my daughter's death… truly just a part of some game?"

Ratan's eyes met his. And for the first time in a long while, he didn't have an answer.

---

Meanwhile...

In a hidden corner of the city, a masked figure carved another symbol into a wooden coin.

The sixth one.

The game had one name left.

And behind it—more secrets than anyone was ready to face.

---

To Be Continued…