Hidden Connections

"Well, what do I care, I'll ask myself," Imran said. "Do you know Sir Jahangir?"

"Yes, why?"

"He's my love-rival."

"Could be, what should I do about it?"

"Somehow find out where he is these days."

"Don't waste my time," Fayaz got annoyed.

"Then go where the devil will go on Judgment Day," Imran said and started walking towards the judge's garage with long strides. Rabia was taking out the car to go out from there.

Imran cleared his throat and said, "Perhaps we have been introduced before."

"Oh yes, yes," Rabia said quickly.

"Would you like to give me a lift?"

"With pleasure, come on....!"

Rabia was driving herself! Imran thanked her and sat down next to her.

"Where will you get off?" Rabia asked.

"To tell you the truth, I wouldn't want to get off at all."

Rabia just smiled. At that time, she had an artificial eye, so she wasn't wearing glasses. Fayaz's wife had told her a lot about Imran, so she was not ready to consider him a fool.

"Are you upset about something?" Imran asked after a while.

"What?" Rabia was startled. "No, not at all." ...then she started laughing.

"I thought so, people usually stay angry with me. They say I make them angry for no reason."

"I don't know, you haven't made me angry yet."

"Then I'm lucky," Imran said. "By the way, if I try, I can make you angry."

Rabia started laughing again! "Go ahead, try!" she said.

"Well, you might think it's impossible," Imran said, laughing foolishly.

"I do think so. I never get angry."

"Alright then, brace yourself!" Imran said in a manner akin to a swordsman challenging another in a cheap movie.

Rabia didn't say anything. She was starting to get a bit bored.

"Where were you on the night of the 14th?" Imran suddenly asked.

"What..." Rabia was startled.

"Oh! Keep your hands on the steering wheel! We don't want an accident!" Imran said. "See, I made you angry, didn't I?" Then he laughed loudly and started slapping his thigh.

Rabia's breathing had quickened, and her hands were trembling on the steering wheel.

"Look," she said, panting. "I'm in a hurry... I need to go back... Where will you get off?"

"You didn't answer my question," Imran said calmly.

"None of your business! Who are you to ask?"

"See... you're angry! By the way, this matter is very important. If it reaches the police, it could be troublesome! It's possible I could take some action that would prevent the police from even asking this question."

Rabia didn't say anything, she was licking her dry lips.

"I won't even ask where you were," Imran continued. "Because I know. Just tell me who was with you."

"I'm thirsty," Rabia said in a choked voice.

"Oh! Then stop... Café Nebraska is nearby."

A little further on, Rabia parked the car, and they both got out and walked down the sidewalk to Café Nebraska.

Imran chose a quiet corner, and they sat down. Before the tea, Imran asked for a glass of cold water.

"I believe that on the way back, he might have kept the key," Imran said.

"Who?" Rabia was startled again.

"Don't worry! I believe he never told you his real name and address, and since he returned the key, you haven't met him again."

Rabia was completely exhausted. In a lifeless voice, she said, "So, what do you want to ask now?"

"When and under what circumstances did you meet him?"

"Two months ago."

"Where did you meet him?"

"At an event. I don't remember who introduced us."

"Where was the event?"

"I think it was Sir Jahangir's birthday party."

"Oh!" Imran started thinking. Then he slowly asked, "When did he return the key to you?"

"On the evening of the 15th."

"And the body was found on the morning of the 16th," Imran said.

Rabia started panting heavily. She put the teacup on the table and leaned back against the chair. Her condition resembled a tiny bird caught in the claws of a hawk.

"The key was with him the whole day on the 15th! He made a copy of it and then returned the key to you! After that, he never met you again. Am I wrong?"

"That's correct," she said softly. "He used to tell me that he was a tourist staying at the Jafriya Hotel... but when I went there the day before yesterday..."

She fell silent. Imran nodded and said, "And you found out that no one by that name had ever stayed there."

"Yes." Rabia lowered her head and said.

"The only reason for his friendship with you was to somehow get the key to that building from you."

"I want to go home... I'm not feeling well."

"Two minutes," Imran said, waving his hand. "Where did most of your meetings take place?"

"At the Tip Top Night Club."

"What was his relationship with Lady Jahangir like?"

"Lady Jahangir..." Rabia said irritably. "Why are you bringing up her name in this matter?"

"Won't you answer my question?" Imran asked very politely.

"No! I don't think I've ever seen them meet."

"Thank you! I won't ask his name now. Obviously, he wouldn't have given his real name... but if you could describe his appearance, I would be grateful."

Rabia had to describe him. But she was very sad and also quite scared.