Swindon, England – Director's Office | Late Afternoon
The room was grand yet austere, a cold contrast to the warmth of the rare praise that filled it. Heavy mahogany furniture gleamed under the soft glow of recessed lights, while portraits of past luminaries of law enforcement gazed down solemnly from the walls. Director Arvind Bansal sat behind the massive desk, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth—a rare expression in the usually stoic man.Joint Director Raghav Kapoor stood by the window, arms crossed, glancing occasionally at the files spread before him. ACP Shruti Rana paced slowly, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor, anticipation and restrained excitement mingling in the air.Kiaan Verma stepped forward, holding a sleek black folder stamped with official seals. He exhaled lightly and presented the files to Director Bansal. "Sir, all findings, forensic reports, suspect profiles, and operation details are here. The killer—Dr. Darian Voigt—has been apprehended alive. The case that baffled both England police and CBI's top departments for months has been closed within two weeks by our team."Director Bansal carefully flipped through the thick dossier, his eyes scanning the precise details—each page revealing the web of intelligence, courage, and strategic brilliance behind the operation. "Impressive work, Agent Verma. Truly impressive." His voice carried a weight that made everyone in the room straighten with pride.Joint Director Kapoor turned from the window, nodding slowly. "Two weeks, Kiaan? I was skeptical at first. But your team's rapid response, the bait operation, and flawless coordination proved every doubt wrong. It's not just a win for the department—it's a message."ACP Shruti Rana stopped pacing, folding her arms, her voice sharp but sincere. "The forensic lead, Mia Hartley, sent additional commendations. Your analysis of the assault pattern and psychological profiling was spot-on. We owe the surviving cadets a debt."Kiaan allowed himself a brief smile but remained humble. "Thank you, ma'am. It was a team effort. Tara, Zid, Dev, and Rehaan never faltered despite the risks. Every one of us knew what was at stake."Director Bansal looked up, his gaze piercing. "This case was more than just about catching a killer—it was about protecting the integrity of our forces. That you identified the mole, uncovered the assault cover-ups, and brought the predator to justice—before more lives were lost—is commendable."Kiaan's jaw tightened, memories of those nights flooding back. "Sir, we had close calls, but the mission was clear—no compromise. The killer thought he could outsmart the system, but he underestimated the persistence of a few determined agents."ACP Rana's eyes gleamed with approval. "You've set a new standard, Kiaan. England and India's combined efforts have never been better synchronized."Raghav Kapoor finally spoke, voice steady and approving. "This success reflects not just on you but on the entire CBI secret operations division. We will be recommending commendations and operational support for your team. And Agent Verma—expect new assignments soon. Your work has caught the attention of even higher echelons."Kiaan nodded, heart pounding—not from pride but from the relentless fire inside him. He wasn't done yet. There were more shadows to chase, more secrets to unravel.
Director Bansal closed the folder and fixed Kiaan with a grave smile. "Enjoy this moment. But remember—the darkness never rests. Neither can we."
Kiaan stepped back, his mind already racing ahead to what lay beyond this victory. "Understood, sir."As the team dispersed, ACP Rana gave Kiaan a brief nod. "Welcome to the big league, Verma."And for the first time in weeks, Kiaan allowed himself a moment of satisfaction—the weight of the past lifting, if only slightly.