Missing

by Mian Mohsin Zia

  “Thanks, Lucy. You saved me today. I won’t steal anything from you in the future,” David declared and sighed in relief.

  “Now tell me. Where did you get it?” Z asked her.

  “As you can see from my uniform, I work for the Lahore Recycling Corporation. One day, I found it in a trash can in Shad Bagh, the area I’m designated to work in. It looked imported, and when I saw this writing, I believed it was, so I kept it.” Z took the scarf back. “We often find things in trash cans. A colleague even found a gold chain once! It happens. It’s just luck.”

  “When did you find it?”

  “On Thursday, March 1.” Lucy was astonishingly sure and very precise.

  “How can you be so sure and so precise about the date and day?” Z asked in surprise as he wasn’t expecting her to be so meticulous.

  “Because I didn’t go to work on Wednesday, February 28, as I wasn’t feeling well and went to the doctor for a check-up. That day the doctor told me that I’m expecting a child, which lit up our lives. That’s the news we’ve wanted for almost six years of marriage. I was thrilled that day, and so was David. The very next day — on March 1 — when I went to work, I found this scarf,” Lucy outlined with utter confidence.

  Z listened to Lucy, and the moment she finished, he thought hard, trying to figure out the date and time when he’d received the call from Lena, and all this had started. Things started to connect, and the dates seemed to match. He was convinced that what Lucy had told him was true. Before he emerged from his thoughts, he heard David saying, “Sir, she’s told you everything. Am I free to go now?”

  “Yes, she did. But if I need to, I’ll call you both for a written statement. For now, please write down your contact details for me,” Z requested as he rushed his left hand through his hair. He resumed thinking while Lucy wrote down their details on a piece of paper and handed it to him.

  CHAPTER 13

  “Here’s the breakthrough that you and I have been waiting for, Inspector,” Z said in Joseph’s office later that afternoon, as he put Lena’s scarf on the table.

  “What’s this?” Joseph asked in surprise, as he and the other two Inspectors, Amjad and Akbar, looked at the scarf.

  “Allow me to lay out this supporting evidence in detail. First, please look at this writing.” Z pointed at Lena’s name on the scarf. “It says ‘Lena Volikova’ in Russian. I’m sure Russian is not Pakistan’s native language, and that no one sells handwoven, custom-made scarves with Russian writing on them here in Pakistan. I bought this online for her, and here’s my printed receipt. Above all, it can’t be a coincidence that the scarf, the name, and the other details match so perfectly,” Z said with conviction.

  “Now allow me to show you some pictures of Lena wearing this scarf. I got them printed for your convenience in the market.” Z took out an envelope with photos of Lena wearing it. Joseph examined them carefully.

  “This scarf of Lena Volikova’s has been found in Lahore, Pakistan, in the same time frame when Lena called me in the US for help. I prepared a document for your convenience.” He presented a paper with some points on it that Joseph looked at while Z elaborated. “Lahore is currently thirteen hours ahead of Los Angeles, which means that when it was 1 pm on February 27 in Los Angeles, it was 2 am on February 28 in Lahore. The point is that by the time I received the call from Lena, it was almost 2 am in Lahore. Her scarf was found the very next day on March 1 in a trash can in Shad Bagh, Lahore. I can present five witnesses who’ll give statements that prove Lena’s scarf was found in Lahore. The bottom line is I got a call from Lena from Lahore, and her scarf was also found in Lahore. That indicates Lena’s presence in Lahore.”

  “Well, first of all, I must apologize! What we were supposed to do, you’ve done,” Joseph said, as he glanced at his two officers, who seemed embarrassed too, and then looked at Z again.

  “Second of all, I’m thankful to you for helping us with your findings. Though we’ve been trying, we couldn’t find anything substantial, which I told you yesterday over the phone, but that doesn’t mean we were doing nothing.” Joseph spoke politely. Z nodded while listening to him.

  “I’m not saying that you’re not working. I trust you, and that’s why I’m here. I’ve been out to places, meeting people and gathering information since this morning and came straight to the Police Station to share it with you. You’ve always emphasized the need for substantial evidence, so we could lay an official foundation for this case,” Z said endorsing Joseph’s narrative. “Now that we have the evidence, you can officially file the report and find Lena at the earliest.”

  “You’re right. Lena’s scarf is a breakthrough. These five witnesses you mentioned? Are you sure they’ll be available to give their testimony?” Joseph asked.

  “Yes! I have their contact details, and I’ll reveal their identities when necessary. I’ll keep this scarf with me, as I just brought it here to show you that I have it. You may keep the pictures and the other documents. I’ll be waiting for something significant from you, as the ball is now in your court. You can approach your higher-ups, if necessary,” Z summarized.

  “And if nothing happens, I’ll be left with no other option but to do a press conference where I can present the evidence to the media and reveal the witnesses’ identities. Everyone can then get to know about this, and the international media can be involved to unravel this mystery of how someone traveling from one country to another goes missing in a third country,” Z drove his point home.

  “I thoroughly agree. I’m with you on this. That’s why I didn’t ask you to give me the scarf or tell me about the witnesses. I just wanted to be sure that I can officially file this case on the grounds that strengthen us and leave no loopholes. This isn’t a standard case, as I’ve maintained before,” Joseph said.

  “Thanks!”

  “I’m sure this will be resolved, and we’ll find Lena. You won’t be pushed to take it further because the law is there to protect people. It may take some time to produce results, but at the end of the day, it’s the law that prevails.” Joseph smiled at Z and paused a moment.

  “If you want, I can file the First Information Report, FIR, straight away. However, I suggest, I consult my seniors first — and if necessary, let you meet them as well — so we can come up with a plan and file an FIR that supports and strengthens our case. It’s Lena who’ll be at the receiving end. One mistake could make things go badly. The choice is all yours. Let me know what you think,” Joseph said, giving Z the authority to decide.

  “What you say is sensible, so please do consult with them but in less than twenty-four hours. I want Lena. That’s all.” Z made his decision.

  “As soon as I’ve done that and we make a plan in Lena’s best interests — and yours — we’ll request that you visit the Police Station to sign some documents and complete the formalities, so we can file the FIR. We’ll provide you with a copy of it. Rest assured, it’ll be done within the next twenty-four hours.” Joseph sounded optimistic and upbeat as if he knew he’d got the breakthrough that he required to work this out officially.

  “I’ll be anxiously waiting for your response. Thanks!” Z said as he stood up, shook hands with them all, and left.

  *******

  “Come in,” Z said when he heard the knock on his hotel door. He was doing a headstand late in the evening after returning from the Police Station. He saw the door opening and the feet of the hotel waiter entering the room. “Please put it on the table,” Z asked. The waiter did and left. Before Z could finish his headstand, he heard his local cell phone ring. Initially, he felt surprised but immediately stood on his feet and picked it up.

  “Private number,” Z said as he looked at it and answered, “Hello!”

  “Good evening!” To his surprise, he heard the very confident and composed voice of a woman.

  “Who’s this?” Z asked suspiciously.

  “Wrong question! Not who, but why, is what you should have asked, Z or Bhai — or should I address y
ou as Daddy Cool?” she clarified with authority.

  “How do you know about that?” Z was at his wit’s end on hearing the terms ‘Bhai’ and ‘Daddy Cool’ that only Lena used privately to address him.

  “Again, you’re asking the wrong question,” the woman repeated.

  “OK. But why?” Z tried to follow to get the conversation to be more lucid.

  “There are no second chances, my boy. You should think well before you question me. Focus! Anyhow, I won’t be that callous in your case and will discount your ignorance this time. But do keep that in mind next time.” The woman spoke with total composure and complete mastery.

  “Well, that’s so kind of you.” Z’s sarcasm could be heard in his tone. “But wouldn’t it be nice to know the person you’re talking to? It helps to be able to address someone you’re in conversation with. You’re already addressing me by my name.”

  “Madame!” The woman revealed her identity. Though it was still just a voice with a name, it made it easier for Z.

  “Madame!” Z repeated. “Well, anyone can be addressed as ‘Madame.’ That’s not a name a woman would officially have.”

  “What I’ve said is more than enough for you.” Her tone remained unruffled by Z’s deliberate sarcasm.

  “Well, if you decide everything yourself and set the rules of this conversation, what’s the point of calling me?” Z tried engaging her to get something out of her.

  “Just contemplate this — Madame has called to welcome you to this hell,” she clarified.

  “Well, then, I must again thank you. But just for your knowledge, I’ve been here for a couple of weeks. Why did Madame want to welcome me now, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “As they say, there’s a right time for everything. Now it’s time to welcome you and offer you a deal.” Her response was short and sweet.

  “I don’t deal with an unknown voice over the phone.” His response was curt.

  “It’s up to you. I won’t insist, but don’t forget — this call is the only chance you’ll get to connect with me. Once this call ends, you’ll miss out on the opportunity you’ve been roaming around the streets like a mad dog for,” she retorted with persuasive logic.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lena Volikova.”

  “Why should I trust you?”

  “Beggars are not choosers, my boy. Do you have any choice other than to trust me?” She posed a question, and there was silence in the air. “I won’t turn it into a movie scene where you ask me for proof, and I let you speak with Lena to prove that she’s with me. Mentioning ‘Bhai’ and ‘Daddy Cool’ is more than enough to let you understand where I’m coming from. I’ll be realistic and practical. You’re here for Lena Volikova, and I can get you Lena Volikova.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “No one else can get you to her no matter how hard anyone tries and how much evidence in the form of Lena’s scarf and witnesses you present. Only Madame can.” Her tone was consistently self-possessed.

  “Really?” Z said, wanting her to carry on speaking, so he could hear more from her. Her mention of Lena’s scarf and the witnesses had intrigued him.

  “Don’t stress yourself thinking about how I know these things, my boy.” Z realized she was thinking exactly the way he was and focused on her words. “Take my word. If I can know about the scarf and the witnesses — and so on and so forth — then I can get you to her as well. You were lucky to find that scarf when the police couldn’t find a thing. You proved your point, so there’s no point in your further struggle. I never expected you to get that far.”

  “OK,” Z said, wanting to hear more from her.

  “However, from this point onwards, there’s no need to involve anyone else and create a scene. Let’s deal directly and sort things out because I hate crowds. Still, if you think contacting the police or raising your voice could get you to her, then you’re welcome to try your luck. Your objective is to get Lena Volikova alive — hale and hearty — and when you can get her alive, why get the police or anyone else involved? Will they guarantee that you’ll get her alive?”

  “First things first,” Z said, “I’m not thinking about how you know all these things. When people like you operate, they always have informers who leak information, so I ain’t surprised at all. Anyone can sell himself for a few bucks.”

  “Good!” she concluded.

  She’s right. My objective is to find Lena alive not to prove that she went missing in Pakistan, Z realized, but fear of Lena being hurt stabbed him. “Now to your second point: only time will tell what’s guaranteed and what’s not, but one thing is for sure — nothing can stop me from finding Lena,” Z said with confidence.

  “That means Madame is right. Lena Volikova alive is your priority.”

  “Indeed!”

  “Then listen and listen well. If you behave like a good boy, Madame will get you to Lena, but if you don’t, Madame will let you burn in hell, and you can be sure we’ll both do well. Burn together in hell.” She said it loud and clear.

  “What do you want from me?” Z asked as he believed what Madame was saying made sense. He wanted Lena alive and back, not to waste time gathering more information.

  “I’ll answer this in your style. First things first: when you and I deal directly, why get a third party involved and spoil the show? I hope you understand what I mean,” Madame said, clearly implying what she meant.

  “Got it. I won’t be going to the police or anywhere else.”

  “Good for you! Now relax. Your problems are over. I’ll be in touch soon to answer your other question. Though it’s not mandatory, I’ll still repeat what’s in your best interest — if, at any point, I get a sniff that you’re in contact with anyone, police or anyone else, this communication will end, and you’ll never hear from me again. The only thing you’ll be left with is regret, and I’ll ensure that we’ll both do well — burn together in hell,” she said and ended the call.

  All of a sudden, Z found himself in no man’s land. He threw the cell phone onto the bed, rushed both hands through his hair, and glanced at the food on the table that he no longer wanted.

  Several questions flooded into his head that he had to address.

  *******

  “Pick up the phone… pick up the phone,” Z muttered later in the night, as he listened to it ringing at the other end.

  “Hello, Z!”

  Relief flooded Z on hearing it being answered finally. “Hi, Marshal,” he replied and rushed on. “I’ve been trying to call Johnson, but his phone and Skype have both been set on voicemail. I’ve also left a couple of messages for him, but there hasn’t been any response. I need to speak to him now, and it’s urgent.”

  “Relax. Just calm down. You seem to be in a big hurry. Is everything OK?”

  “Marshal, please, I don’t have time to chat. I need to speak with Johnson. It’s urgent! Can you put me into contact with him, please?”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t,” Marshal said hesitantly. “If you’d seen the news here, you’d know that there was another mass shooting in a school yesterday, and Johnson was hit in the neck by a bullet.”

  “How… when? I spoke with him only the day before yesterday, and he was off duty for the rest of the week! How is he now? Is he OK?”

  “Yes, that’s right. He was off duty, and that contributed to his injury. He took his daughter to school yesterday to drop her off and found this happening. Before the cops arrived, he tried to take down the shooter with the only pistol he had in his car to save the kids and the school staff. That’s when a bullet hit him in the neck.”

  “Goodness me!” Z was shocked.

  “He’s seriously injured and under observation in the ICU. The doctors have no idea when he’ll be ready to leave.”

  “My prayers go out to him and his family. How’s his daughter? Is she OK?”

  “She’s fine, but the whole family is taking it hard.”

  “I can understand that. If Johnson’
s not available, I think only Howard can help. I’ll give him a call.”

  “The idea’s good, but it won’t work, because last Sunday Howard met my wife, Sally, at church and told her he was leaving for Afghanistan that night for three weeks. By the way, is everything OK there? You sounded very tense when you called.”

  “Things are not OK. But now, I think I’ll have to make them OK on my own. All alone.”

  “Then, good luck.”

  “Talk later. Bye for now.”

  “Bye, Z.”

  CHAPTER 14

  “Hello!” Z answered the phone still half asleep, as he’d been awake all night, tense and preoccupied, thinking about what he needed to do in the new situation and who to trust. He didn’t even realize he’d fallen asleep.

  “Good morning, Mr. Z.”

  “Good morning!” Z replied while yawning before fully opening his eyes.

  “It’s Best here… Joseph Best. I promised that you’d hear from me within twenty-four hours, and here I am with an update well before the deadline.”

  “That’s much appreciated, Inspector. What’s the update?” The clock on the wall showed 11:20 am.

  “I’ve discussed this matter with my higher-ups. You need to visit the Police Station, so we can get your detailed written statement and other formalities to lodge an FIR and proceed with this matter. You’ll have to submit the evidence — the scarf — and share the details about the witnesses you mentioned yesterday. Rest assured, it will be well taken care of, kept confidential, and we’ll totally cooperate with you.”

  Z grimaced as he heard Joseph assuring confidentiality. “You’ll be given a copy of the FIR for your records. You just have to follow our instructions, and do as we say during the investigation,” Joseph said blithely.

  “OK. What are the chances, and how quickly can it be resolved?” Z inquired. He’d been thinking about what to do all night and wanted Joseph’s response before he decided which way he’d go.

  “I can’t commit to any time frame, and the chances are always fifty-fifty in such cases. As you know, this isn’t a standard missing case; it’s way too intricate. But you’ll find us on the job. There’s a famous proverb — it’s impossible to go and look in the stomach of another. However, that’s precisely what we’re supposed to do! Find a missing girl from another country — who didn’t even officially enter this country — based on her scarf found here and witnesses who can testify that, according to you,” Joseph answered as plainly as he could.