Crime thriller: Delhi policeman Roshan Rana looks for a ruthless, cunning psychopath in Darjeeling

Roshan Rana’s Qualis made its way through the busy streets of Gurgaon that were trying to navigate their new-found millennium City status. The new millennium was already over a year old, yet the word “millennium” was still a part of every new corporate “sales and marketing pitch”. On the outskirts of New Delhi, the recently built multistoried buildings dominated the skyline, looking down upon its older sibling – the old Gurgaon – which was essentially a large village cajoled into being a city due to its proximity to the country’s power centre.

He remembered his growing up years when his father was posted here. Those days, Gurgaon was a sleepy, homely, small town. As he passed the old Sheetala Mata Mandir, a sudden vivid memory of his mother made him smile.

The temple had been a grounding force for him then, just as it was now a reminder of simpler times and togetherness. His mother would emotionally harangue him into visiting the mandir whenever he was home from his hostel at the prestigious Fort School. The past is really etched into our being. The smoke from the incense sticks and its familiar scent were intertwined in his memories. A serenity enveloped him…

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