“We’ve wanted evidence like this all along, so we could come to you to unravel how and where Samad went missing. We’d already checked his background and found that he was a travel agent, who owned a travel agency. His elder brother Yasir, a poor gravedigger at the Kotha Pind Graveyard, Faisal Town B Block — who’s already in our custody — is the one Samad went to that night carrying Miss Lena over his shoulder. When Yasir saw Samad carrying a body, he handed him a shovel and indicated the area where he could dig and bury it.” On hearing this from the Inspector General, Lena raises her eyebrows in shock.
“This was not something new for them. Yasir has confessed and shown us several graves where they’d buried other bodies. Sometimes they even re-dug a grave and added a second body. Samad used to pay Yasir for each body, and he was also served with women, as he was a womanizer, but couldn’t afford to pay for one.” Everyone looks askance, but with this background about Samad and Yasir, they gain some insight into the inner workings of the network.
“This was our entry into the network. It has roots in people from different backgrounds and occupations, who are a part of it though they work professionally by day. They use their daytime occupations and connections to spread the network and, when necessary, to access assistance at every level of society. They’ve penetrated so deeply into our society that they can always find help in exchange for either money or women,” IG Tariq says with a concern that they all share. While they think about this in dismay, he starts speaking again, and they turn their attention to what he says next.
“You must have noticed that taxis are rare in Lahore and can only be found at the airport. The most popular vehicles for public transport are buses and rickshaws. Buses always carry more people, but you can travel alone in a rickshaw and therefore be more private.
“From our investigation of the network, we found out why they prefer rickshaws over private cars. According to them, as this is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, some things are prohibited and must be operated under the carpet. If police stop a private car and the occupants are found not to be husband and wife, that could bring shame. However, if they are found in a rickshaw, they can easily pass themselves off as a driver and a passenger. Rickshaws are simple, cheap, and, most importantly, safe for avoiding any sort of risk or hassle, when a woman is being transported for an out-call.
“Rickshaws are preferable to taxis too. As taxis are not the preferred mode of transport within Lahore, they could catch someone’s attention. The network’s objective is to make everything as risk-free as possible,” he says, and everyone can see how this would be so, but instead of drawing this topic to a close, he segues to another related one.
“To our shame, the network also uses the burqa, which is available to women, so they can cover themselves when they go out. However, these women use it so they won’t be noticed, or can’t be identified, or can’t have their motives queried. This, of course, works in their favor, as they can mislead the authorities. These people always find a way to misuse anything and make it work for them. They slap the law in the face,” IG Tariq concludes. He now looks at Z in particular.
“Mr. Z, you mentioned you wouldn’t return to the USA until this gets solved. When you said, you not only wanted Miss Lena back but also wanted this network to be uprooted for Pakistan’s sake, that cemented our determination to get this fixed. No place is safe or secure in any part of the world, but at least we can do our bit to make it as safe as possible.
“And we’re very pleased to be able to tell you, Mr. Z, that the woman Miss Lena traveled with has also been identified as a Russian national by Faisal, and we reported her to the governments of Dubai and Russia. Hopefully, she, along with the attendant in the restroom and those who transported Miss Lena in the shipping container, will be brought to justice soon,” he reports with evident pleasure.
“There’s still something I’m curious about, Mr. Tariq,” Z says. “Madame — I mean Faisal — knew that Lena called me ‘Bhai’ and ‘Daddy Cool.’ When Madame, Faisal, Honey — whatever — mentioned those names to me, that’s what convinced me that Lena was held captive. How did Faisal find out about those names?”
“When we interrogated Faisal, he told us that he realized you were unstoppable. He contacted the Russian woman Miss Lena traveled with and asked her to provide him with all the information she had about Miss Lena and every single thing they discussed. She told Faisal that Miss Lena had spoken very highly of you and referred to you as ‘Bhai’ and ‘Daddy Cool.’ She also mentioned that being a native Russian speaker helped her to befriend Miss Lena and get the most out of her. Faisal played his cards very well by using ‘Bhai’ and ‘Daddy Cool’ to hook you and keep you engaged.” IG Tariq pauses to rub his ear.
“Let me tell you, Mr. Z. These people are very skillful at winkling personal information out of targets that they might be able to use to their benefit — which Faisal did. I’m sure you can understand this,” IG Tariq says sympathetically.
“Indeed! Yes, I can,” Z says with a nod.
“I hope I’ve spelled out everything without leaving any more questions in your mind, Mr. Z?”
“Thanks, Mr. Tariq, you’ve summed up everything very well, and I have more questions,” Z says with a smile.
“By the way,” the Governor says, “We have someone for Miss Lena to meet! Officer, would you please bring him inside?” Z and Lena look at each other in surprise, wondering who on earth it could be.
The other officer goes out and returns with the same boy that Lena had asked for help. The boy smiles at Lena, and she at him, the moment they catch sight of each other. Z approaches the boy and gently tussles the hair on his head. When Lena beckons, he comes closer to her. She takes his right hand and says, with tears in her eyes, “Thank you!” to which he smiles and places his left hand on his heart.
“He was intelligent enough to try telling Miss Lena where she was by pointing out the word ‘Pakistan’ written on the coins, that he showed her. He told our signing specialist that he’d been too scared to go to the police — or anyone else — and when he got the first opportunity to get rid of the scarf, he did so he wouldn’t get into trouble. Luckily, he threw it into the trash can in Shad Bagh, where it was found later and ended up finding its way into your hands, Mr. Z. That scarf also served as an indirect help to Miss Lena. When we raided the Misri Shah guesthouse, we showed everyone a picture of Miss Lena and asked if anyone recognized her. This boy responded and recognized the scarf too. We’re very proud of him,” IG Tariq says happily.
Lena also tussles the boy’s hair gently.
“Miss Lena, you’ve been a blessing in disguise to the many other kids that we’ve rescued from this hell. Directly or indirectly, you’ve made an immense impact on many,” IG Tariq says to her with a beaming smile.
The Governor looks around to make sure no one else wants to add anything else before he speaks. “Well, I think we’ve covered everything, and it’s all sorted out now. Mr. Z and Miss Lena, you’re both our guests. The Pakistani government has spoken with the American Embassy and the Russian Embassy, as you’ve each said that you’d like to return to your own country once Miss Lena is discharged. We’ll make the arrangements whenever you’re ready to leave. My secretary will be in touch with you,” the Governor says.
“Yes. I’ll return to Moscow to find work and pursue postgraduate study,” Lena confirms.
“And I’ll return to Los Angeles and continue working as a fitness trainer,” Z confirms.
“But Bhai has promised me that we will see each other once every year. Either he’ll visit me in Russia, or I’ll visit him in the US,” Lena adds.
“Insha’ALLAH,” Z says happily.
“Well, I wish both of you the very best of luck for everything you do in life. You are indeed extraordinary individuals,” the Governor says with a big smile on his face, while he and everyone else clap them for what they’ve achieved.
“Thanks!” Lena and Z say together and smile.
&n
bsp; All of them then smile in turn when Z and Lena say something else together.
“An extraordinary relation of ordinary people.”
BIOGRAPHY
Mian Mohsin Zia is an International Award-Winning Author, Speaker, Spokesmodel, Publishing & Marketing Specialist:
Endorsed by Hollywood actors
Endorsed by actors from the British Film Industry
Has his merchandise well-received by an American superstar as big as Forbes Riley
Has his merchandise featured in an American movie, “Joyce”
Has his books, merchandise, apparel, and PopSockets brand available on Amazon
Approved as a brand by Amazon & allotted an official Amazon Brand Store
Won International Awards from the USA
Featured on National TV and several TV shows
Featured on International Shows
Featured as a Brand Ambassador for American Fitness Brand, SpinGym
Featured as a model on Getty Images and iStock Photos
Received shout-out from WWE superstars as big as Kurt Angle & Booker T
Received international recommendations
Labeled as “King of Marketing” by Americans
Guest-lectured students at prestigious universities
Set new trends worldwide in writing and marketing
Has one book recommended to be a Hollywood movie
Has one book translated into Russian
For more visit:
www.mianmohsinzia.com
www.amazon.com/MianMohsinZia
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Strange Loyalist: Inspired by True Events
ONCE: Ask Me Anything, Not Love
Victim of Shame: Why me, God?
Wrinkles: A True Love Story
MISSING: Extraordinary Relation of Ordinary People
MESSAGE TO THE READERS
Dear Readers,
I kindly request that you share your reviews and star ratings about my books. They are very important to me.
Sincere thanks,
Mian Mohsin Zia
Missing Page 22