Episode 7

Death at Midnight

Episode 7: The Widow’s Last Move

The blade flashed under the moonlight as Anjali Malhotra lunged.

Aryan barely had time to react. He twisted to the side, the knife slicing through the air inches from his throat. The widow’s face was twisted with a mix of fury and exhilaration—she wasn’t just killing to escape. She was enjoying this.

She struck again, aiming for his ribs. This time, Aryan caught her wrist mid-air, twisting it with practiced precision. The knife clattered to the floor, but before he could overpower her, she kicked him hard in the stomach.

Pain exploded through his torso as he stumbled back, crashing into the antique desk. Anjali grabbed a glass bottle from the bar and smashed it against the table’s edge, turning it into a deadly weapon.

"I always knew you’d be trouble," she hissed, circling him like a predator stalking its prey. "But now? You’ve made it personal."

Aryan steadied himself, his gun still gripped tightly. "It was always personal for you, wasn’t it, Anjali? That’s why you killed Karan."

Her expression flickered—just for a second. And in that moment, Aryan saw it.

Beneath the arrogance. Beneath the cruelty.

There was pain.

A Marriage Built on Lies

"He was a monster," Anjali whispered. Her voice had lost its edge, but her grip on the broken bottle remained tight. "You think I married a perfect businessman? No, Inspector. Karan Malhotra was a liar. A cheat. A manipulator."

She exhaled shakily. "At first, I thought I could control him. After all, I was the ‘perfect wife.’ Beautiful. Loyal. Obedient."

A humorless chuckle escaped her lips.

"But then I found out about Meera." Her eyes darkened. "And all the others. He never stopped. I was just his trophy, nothing more."

Aryan kept his gun steady. "So you decided to kill him."

Her jaw clenched. "I decided to free myself."

She took a step closer. "I spent years watching him lie to my face. Listening to him whisper false promises. Smiling while he paraded his affairs in front of me."

She tilted her head. "Tell me, Inspector—how long should a woman tolerate betrayal before she snaps?"

The Game of Death

Aryan’s mind raced. Anjali was dangerous, but she was also emotional right now. That made her unpredictable—but also vulnerable.

"You could’ve just left him," he said calmly.

Her fingers tightened around the glass shard. "And go where? My family disowned me when I married Karan. He made sure I had nothing of my own. No power. No money. If I left, I would’ve been nothing."

Aryan took a slow step forward. "So you planned his murder."

Anjali’s lips curled into a smile. "Oh, it wasn’t easy. Karan was careful—he trusted no one. But trust isn’t always necessary, Inspector. Fear works just as well."

She exhaled, her grip loosening slightly. "When I found out about the vent repairs, I knew it was my chance. I planted the cyanide. Made it look like an accident. And then, when the time was right—"

Her fingers snapped.

Aryan filled in the blanks. "You turned on the AC, the cyanide was released, and Karan died."

She smirked. "Smart boy."

Aryan shook his head. "You think you won, don’t you?"

"Didn’t I?" she mused. "Karan is dead. Meera disappeared. Patel is gone. And now, you’re the only loose end left."

Her expression turned sharp.

"And I don’t leave loose ends."

Then, she lunged again.

The Widow’s Fall

Aryan was ready this time.

As Anjali charged, he sidestepped swiftly, grabbing her wrist and twisting it behind her back. She cried out in pain as the glass shard dropped from her fingers.

Before she could react, he slammed her face-first against the desk, pinning her arms behind her.

"Game over," Aryan growled.

Anjali struggled, but she was trapped. "You think you’ve won?" she spat, breathless. "You think a woman like me will rot in prison?"

Aryan pulled out his handcuffs. "Oh, I don’t think, Anjali. I know."

As he snapped the cuffs around her wrists, her breathing turned ragged.

Then, unexpectedly—she laughed.

Low. Amused.

"You’re too late, Inspector," she whispered.

Aryan frowned. "What do you mean?"

Anjali leaned closer, her lips curling into a chilling smirk.

"I never planned to escape, Aryan. I planned to take everyone down with me."

The Final Betrayal

A loud beeping sound filled the room.

Aryan’s eyes widened. He recognized that sound.

A countdown timer.

His gaze darted to the corner of the room, where a small digital device blinked ominously.

00:10.

00:09.

00:08.

Anjali grinned. "If I go down, Inspector—this house goes down with me."

"Shit!" Aryan released her, rushing toward the device.

00:07.

His fingers flew over the wires. He had no time to figure out where the bomb was planted—but he could stop the trigger.

00:06.

Anjali’s laughter filled the air. "Tick-tock, Inspector."

00:05.

His hands moved instinctively—red wire or blue wire?

00:04.

A bead of sweat dripped down his temple.

00:03.

His gut screamed—cut the red one.

00:02.

His blade sliced through the wire.

00:01.

A sudden silence filled the room.

No explosion.

No fire.

Just… silence.

Aryan exhaled, his breath ragged. He turned to Anjali.

And for the first time, she looked scared.

"No," she whispered. "No, no, NO!"

Her carefully crafted plan—her entire empire of lies—had just collapsed.

Aryan walked over and grabbed her by the arm. "Your game is over, Anjali. And this time? You lose."

Justice at Midnight

By the time Aryan led Anjali out of the mansion, the police sirens had already filled the night. Officers swarmed the estate, reporters flashing their cameras, the world finally seeing the true face of Anjali Malhotra.

She was no grieving widow.

She was a killer.

A master manipulator.

And now?

She was just another prisoner.

As the officers dragged her into the police van, Anjali turned to Aryan one last time.

"You’ll regret this, Inspector," she said, her voice eerily calm.

Aryan met her gaze without hesitation. "I don’t regret bringing justice, Anjali."

She smirked, leaning back against the seat.

"We’ll see."

The van doors slammed shut, and for the first time since the case began…

The city was silent.

To Be Continued…

(Episode 8: The Shadows That Remain—because even though the killer is caught, some mysteries never die.)

This was one hell of a showdown—but trust me, the story isn't over yet! Get ready for Episode 8, where Aryan discovers that not everything is as it seems.

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