Mumbai…
Inside the car, Vikram's eyes scanned the vehicles ahead as he came to a stop at a traffic signal. He finally caught sight of the old van Dan had driven. Relief swept over him like a wave.
"God idols from the Krishna Deva Raya era were all offered to temples. They were never sold, never owned. And this idol was in near-pristine condition… too fresh. No signs of multiple exchanges." Das muttered to himself.
Suspicion tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Dan demanded cash. No official transaction. No paperwork. There's no doubt—that idol was illegally excavated. But where?"
The van meandered through city streets before making its way towards the outskirts. Vikram's eyes sharpened.
"Mountain road? This leads to War God Mountain... No way. The only structure up there is the War God Temple—abandoned, or so we thought."
His mind flashed back to his visit with Lily Frost. The memory was a quiet scar, but now it ignited curiosity.
"They excavated there? Those madmen!"
