The Master Copy
- Writers Pouch
- Feb 17, 2024
- 11 min read
8th March 2005
The exam season was in full swing, and the photocopy shop was swamped with students. Govind, with a smug smile on his face, was standing in front of the canteen, sipping his tea and reminiscing about his college days. Little did he know he was about to be plunged into a dark and twisted mystery. On the surface, it seemed like DCP Sharma had assigned him a minor case of a paper leak at a local college.
Meanwhile, Inspector Ankitha joined him and handed him a file. She told him that the local police had received a call from the college principal stating that the master copy of a question paper was nowhere to be found and that the Professor who had set the paper was also missing. She also disclosed that after a few days of investigation, they found his car abandoned in the hills behind the college, but the Professor was still missing.
“Alright! If the local authorities are already involved, why are we here?” asked Govind.
“Apparently, the Principal & our DCP are good friends. The former did not want any stain on the college’s reputation,” replied Ankitha, sitting beside Govind.
“What did the local inspector deduce?” inquired Govind, flipping through the file.
“He suspects that the Professor is dead; the inspector could not be here since he is on a family vacation from today. However, he did instruct his team to support us,” replied Ankitha, hiding her smile.
Suddenly, the bustling atmosphere of the college grew silent, and there were whispers in the air. Govind looked around, trying to comprehend the sudden shift in the atmosphere, and saw a man walking towards them. He was wearing polished leather shoes and a brown suit, and he was in his early fifties.
“That’s the college Principal,” whispered Ankitha, standing up. Govind got up and shook the Principal’s hand as he approached them.
