The Men in Dark | Episode – 08

K L V Saivardhan Reddy

What happened previously? Click here to read

New Secret from the Envelope : Gamma Person

“What do you mean by ‘not used by regular employees’?” Aarushi asked, raising her eyebrows.

The receptionist glanced around nervously before leaning in and lowering her voice. “This logo is similar to the one we use for part of our special projects division. Only a few select individuals have access to this version of the logo. It’s used for highly confidential matters.”

Prerna and Aarushi exchanged looks of intrigue and concern. “So, who could have sent this?” Prerna asked.

The receptionist hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose that information. It’s strictly confidential.”

Aarushi leaned forward, her voice firm but calm. “We’re not here to cause trouble. We just need to understand why someone from your company sent this to me. It’s very important.”

The receptionist sighed, looking conflicted. “I really can’t say much. But… if you wait in the lobby, I’ll see if I can get someone to speak with you.”

Aarushi nodded, understanding the delicate situation. “Thank you. We appreciate your help.”

The receptionist hurriedly made her way to a higher official’s office, clutching the envelope tightly. She knocked on the door and entered, her expression serious. “Sir, two women are here with this envelope. They believe it was sent by someone from our company.”

The officer, a middle-aged man with sharp features and a commanding presence, took the envelope from her and examined it closely. His eyes widened in recognition, and he abruptly stood up from his chair. “Send them in immediately,” he instructed.

The receptionist nodded and quickly returned to Aarushi and Prerna, who were anxiously waiting in the lobby. “The officer will see you now. Please follow me,” she said.

Aarushi and Prerna exchanged a glance, their anticipation growing. They followed the receptionist down a corridor and into a spacious, well-appointed office. The officer stood behind his desk, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Please, have a seat,” he gestured to the chairs in front of his desk.

Aarushi and Prerna sat down, their eyes fixed on the officer.

“I’m David, the Chief Operating Officer at Ripples,” he introduced himself. “I understand you received this envelope?” He held it up for emphasis.

“Yes,” Aarushi replied. “It was left anonymously, and we believe it has something to do with your company.”

David nodded, his gaze intense. “This logo is indeed a symbol from our company. It’s not something that’s widely known or used. The Board of Directors of our company use these envelopes, and that too for the most sensitive and confidential personal purposes.”

“What do you mean by personal?” Prerna asked, her expression filled with doubt and curiosity.

David sighed, choosing his words carefully. “I mean that this symbol is reserved for matters that are not just business-related but also touch on the private lives and confidential dealings of our board members. It’s used for communications that require the utmost discretion.”

Aarushi leaned forward, her eyes narrowing in thought. “So, someone on your Board of Directors sent this envelope? 

“The symbol on the envelope says so,” continued David, gesturing toward the envelope, “and the letter inside it is definitely about your personal life connected with them.”

Aarushi’s eyes widened. “Can you give me a list of your board of directors?”

“Yes, of course! But you cannot take it with you. You have to look at it and memorize it,” said Mr. David firmly.

Aarushi sighed, “Yeah, okay, I will have a quick look at it.”

David handed the list to Aarushi. As she scanned the list, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What are these names, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, listed at the top?”

“They are our Managing Directors and the majority stakeholders, collectively holding 86% of the company’s shares,” David answered.

Prerna, with a suspicious look, asked, “But are those their real names? Who uses names like that?”

David shook his head. “Everyone knows that our company’s Managing Directors are not known to the public, and all operations are handled by them remotely. We don’t know their real names. These are code names for them. You cannot ask more than that, and I don’t know anything more than that myself.”

Aarushi and Prerna exchanged glances, both feeling a mix of frustration and intrigue. Aarushi spoke up, “So these Alpha, Beta, and Gamma must be the ones we need to look into. How can we find out more about them even if you don’t know their real identities?”

David shrugged, looking helpless. “I’m afraid that information is highly classified. Only a select few in the inner circle of our company might have that knowledge. However, if this envelope came from one of them, it suggests that they see you as connected to something very important, or very dangerous.”

Prerna, her voice steady, said, “Thank you for your help, David. We’ll find out more on our own. Please keep this conversation confidential.”

David nodded.

Aarushi and Prerna left the building, stepping out into the now quiet street. The crowd and all the cars of the Sri Ganesha Group of Companies’ chairperson had dispersed. Their cab was still waiting for them.

As they approached the cab, the driver looked up and smiled. “Ready to go, ma’am?”

“Yes, take us to Krishna Vilas in Ram Nagar,” Aarushi instructed as they got into the cab.

As the cab pulled away from the building, Aarushi leaned back in her seat, holding the envelope in her hand. “What does he know about my personal life, and how is it linked to him?” she murmured to herself in a low voice.

“Let’s just find out by opening it and seeing what it has for you,” Prerna suggested, catching Aarushi’s murmur.

Accepting Prerna’s words, Aarushi started opening the envelope. As she unfolded it, a Greek letter Gamma appeared on the inner side of the sleeve.

“So, this is from the third person on the list of the board of directors of the Ripple Company,” Prerna exclaimed with curiosity.

The cab navigated through the bustling streets, eventually merging onto a quieter road as they neared Ram Nagar. Aarushi took a deep breath, trying to piece together the puzzle in her mind while taking the letter out from the envelope.

Aarushi’s mobile beeped with a text message from her informer. As she peeked at it, the message read, “The boy was taken in by him.”

Aarushi gave a sudden, sharp look at Prerna. Sensing something was amiss, Prerna asked, “What is it?”

“It’s about Karthik,” Aarushi said. “He was taken in by him.”

“By whom? Is he in danger?” Prerna’s voice was filled with concern, her eyes brimming with tears.

“No, Prerna, don’t cry. He is at no risk; he’s completely safe and in good hands. TMD has taken him in,” Aarushi replied, her voice steady and confident.

“How can you be that sure?” Prerna questioned, her doubt evident.

“Because I’ve been investigating TMD for a long time, long enough to understand his patterns and intentions. I trust my instincts on this,” Aarushi said, a small smile forming on the edge of her lips.

“You better be sure. And I’m not going to step back from this investigation until I know that Karthik is truly safe with him,” Prerna declared firmly.

“Okay! Cool. Now take a deep breath,” Aarushi said, trying to comfort Prerna.

The cab finally pulled up in front of Krishna Vilas, a quaint and modest-looking building in Ram Nagar. 

“Here we are,” Prerna said, looking at the building. “What’s the plan?”

Aarushi, keeping the letter inside the envelope, said, “Let’s go to Flat No. 143.”

Aarushi paid the driver, and they stepped out. They walked into the building, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.