"Aisha. Why is there a bloody knife here?"

She gasped as her eyes widened in shock. The bags she was holding tumbled to the floor as her crystal blue eyes followed the knife.

A grim feeling erupted in my stomach. Just when I thought she was innocent.

"Mrs. Umar, I'm going to ask you again. Why is there a bloody knife in your front yard?" Her breathing quickened as her eyes started to pull with tears.

"Ibrahim I swear to Allah I have never seen that knife before. You have to believe me." I watched her for a second before I slowly began to wrap the knife in the bag.

"Get inside your house please. Lock all the doors and don't answer the phone. I'm going to take the knife in for inspection." I started to walk away when Aisha started to plead.

"Ibrahim I have a little girl. Why would I lie to you. You have to believe me, I never seen that knife-"

"Mrs. Umar it doesn't matter if I believe you or not. Your safety is at stake so I need you to listen and calm down. Huda is waiting inside, please don't make this more difficult than it already is." She closed her mouth and slowly shook her head before wiping her tears and slamming the door shut.

I briefly heard the noise of the door being locked before I turned around and walked to my car. A strange feeling erupted deep inside me.

Yusuf was killed with a gun, not a knife. Who's blood was that?

***

"You're telling me you found it near the trash can?"

After I left her house, I went straight to the chief to tell him my findings. He rubbed his head and rested his chin on his palm while staring at the bloody knife.

"Yes sir. I found it near the trash can in front of her door. There was a pool of fresh blood under it too. When she seen it, she acted as if it was never there before. I have a feeling that she really doesn't know, but until I find out otherwise, she's the only suspect we've got."

Uncle Hussien nodded his head and pushed the bag away from himself. "Send it to Junaib and tell him to give it to forensics. We need to find out who's blood that is and the fingerprints on the handle."

I nodded and started for the door when he called me back.

"And Ibrahim, I want you to have the rest of the day off. I know you've been really busy these last couple of day, and have been cutting back on your sleep. Go home son, you really need the rest."

I almost nodded and stopped when Huda's smiling face flashed through me. That little girls father died, and I can't sleep until I find out who killed him.

"Thank you sir. I'll stay for a little bit and then go home." He nodded and gave me a smile before I closed the door shut.

I walked to my office and immediately rushed to the computer. A memory came back to me when I realized that this morning when we visited Yusuf's house, Khadijah was throwing out the trash.

The knife could've fallen out from the bag.

I searched her name and waited for her address to pop up when my door was swung open.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

I closed my lap top and nodded my head. A small women walked in and looked down. Her black hijab and abaya dulled the area behind her and she slowly moved to sit in the empty chair in front of me.

"How can I help you?"

She looked up at me with black eyes and sighed. "I came to tell you some information that may help with your investigation. Yesterday night, I was sitting with my husband when someone screamed out window. I jumped and yelped, while Adam went to check the doors. A gun shot immediately followed, and we froze. Sir, you see I'm pregnant with our first child. Adam didn't want to get involved so he ushered me into the room and told me not to tell anyone. He was afraid something would happen to me or the baby. But this morning when I seen you talking with Aisha, it hurt to keep it a secret. I had this sudden urge to tell you everything. I'm sorry." She looked back down and fiddled with her hands.

I rested my elbows on the table and stared into her eyes and sighed. "What's your name?"

She slowly shook her head and looked up at me. "I would like to keep my name anonymous so no harm comes to me or my family. I can't take the risk of her finding out." My eyes widened in shock and surprise.

"Her?"

Her fingers trembled as she stared at me with wide eyes and a frightened face.

"Her. The lady who stabbed the young man."

***

"Junaib. I'm going home. Please tell Ahmed to met me in my office tomorrow." He nodded and worked on his computer some more.

"Did the results come in yet?"

"No. We have to wait for a couple days before the test as confirmed." I nodded and began to walk away when Ahmed came in smiling.

"Hey man, what did I miss?" I narrowed my eyes at him and shrugged.

"Oh nothing. Just that a knife was found, Aisha may be guilty, the house keeper went missing and now we're waiting for the blood results to come in." Ahmed's smile completely disappeared as he listened.

"Oh. Wow, that's a lot." I nodded and watched as the clock strike seven. It was maghrib time.

"Look man, sorry but I got to go. Salam." I patted his arm and friend when he yelped and cowered away.

"Dude, what happened to your arm?"

His face palled as he shrugged nonchalantly and averted his gaze.

"I fell a while back, it's nothing. Look, I'll see you later man. Salam."

"Salam." I whispered and walked out even though I knew he was hiding something from me.

I walked to my car and started the engine. It roared to life and zoomed down the street as I yawned and rubbed my forehead.

The drive home was tiring and exhausting. My eye lids felt heavy as I drove down the parking lot and in front of my apartment house. I parked my car and walked towards the elevator when my cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Ibrahim! You finally answered oh my Allah." Instantly a smile appeared on my face.

"Hafsa! How's my little sister? I haven't talked to you in days Subhana'Allah." I pressed the number for the elevator to start and smiled when her voice beamed through my phone speakers.

"I'm good Alhamdulilah and little Salih is missing you. He hasn't seen his uncle in ages right sweetie." I heard someone breathing through the phone and knew it was him.

"Hey Salih! How is my little boy?" I heard laughing through the phone and smiled sadly. I missed my family. Not only that, I wanted a little child that would call me daddy too.

"Okay Hafsa, please tell mom and dad to call me as soon as possible. I missed them. Insha Allah I'll call you later, I haven't had sleep in two days."

She simply chuckled. "Okay mr. Workaholic. I'll talk to you later big brother. I love you, Salam."

"Love you to little sis even if it's only a little. Salam." She laughed and turned off the phone leaving me to my thoughts.

I looked around my empty apartment and took off my shoes. The dullness in the house gave me a depressed mood. I turned on the water, made wudu and prayed my salat. The calm breeze from the window soothed me as I stood and and prayed.

The cold water trailed down my forehead and I sighed. It was too quiet again. I turned on some Quran and changed into my pajamas.

The rhythmic voice of sudais filled my bedroom as my eyes slowly closed and tried to fall asleep.

***

As expected I didn't sleep a second last night. The moment I closed my eyes, and went to sleep, dreams filled me. Pictures and scenarios of how Yusuf died. I kept picturing little Huda and Aisha crying while her daughter was taken from her. All night I was begging Allah so it wouldn't be Aisha. One ayah however stuck with me last night.

أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

...He who slays a soul unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind; and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. (5:32)

I sat up and ran a hand through my hair. It was still pretty early still and my mind was already filled with worry and confusion. Whoever killed Yusuf must feel terrible. The murder of one, feels like you've destroyed all of mankind and I have no idea how they can live with themselves.

I got up and brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. I was going to go to the store to buy eggs and milk since they had ran out.

With my shoes on, I hopped into the car and drove to Isa's store. It was a small store owned by a old man that was really generous. On the stop light, I checked my phone and realized that I had 25 missed calls from Ahmed.

I decided to ignore them and walked into the store. It seemed pretty busy but only because all the old men drank coffee here and chatted with each other.

I grabbed a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk. On my way to the cashier a man grabbed a hold of my arm and stared at me with wide eyes.

"Blue! Blue eyes." I frowned placed my things on the conveyer belt. There were people behind me in line, and everyone turned to face the old man who wouldn't let go of my arm.

"Excuse me sir, what do you mean?" His grey eyes glimmered with happiness as if it had taken him years to come up with it. He shook his head as his eyes widened tremendously.

"The girl with the young man you asked me about. Blue eyes. She had crystal blue eyes."

I left the eggs and milk on the counter and left the store. I clenched my hands and ignored the sound of chaos behind me. My vision began to blur as anger pumped through me. My blood boiled with only one thought crossing my mind.

She lied to me. Aisha lied to me.

***

I slammed my door shut and sprinted up the stairs to the station doors. The sky was a clear blue, with no clouds in sight. My black shirt clung to me as I speeded up my pace and raced to my door.

There was one person right now that has the all the answers we're looking for.

Khadijah.

I powered on my lap top and started to search for a Khadijah in spring field. Twelve searches came up, so I looked through each name and occupation when suddenly the door opened.

"Hey man, what up." I jotted down her address and pushed my chair away from me.

"Ahmed I want you to tell the Junaib to have the fingerprints and blood prints ready. Also, tell him to get a interrogating room ready. Things are going to happen in the next couple of hours, and I want everything to be set understand." I tucked my gun on my waist and grabbed my shades.

Tonight I was going to get to the bottom of all of this, once and for all.

***

My fist pounded on the front door of 235 dayview boulevard. It says Khadijah lived here for the past two years, but now the lights were off and no one seemed to be home. I slowed down my knocks until a faint noise came from the back yard.

The gate was open, and the ruffling of leaves filled my ears. Someone was in her back yard. Their footsteps became heavy and calculated.

I pulled out my gun and leaned back until my back hit the wall of her garage. The footsteps came closer so I close my eyes and pointed the gun at the person.

Instantly a scream filled the whole area and I sighed when their blue eyes came to view. The second Aisha calmed down she rested her hand on her chest and glared at me.

"You nearly killed me Ibrahim." I tucked my gun into my pockets before averting my gaze. I couldn't stand to look at her deceiving face.

"Why would you sneak into someone else's house. What are you doing here anyway? I thought I told you to not leave your house."

"I didn't until Khadijah didn't show up this morning. She usually comes to my house around seven. It been nearly four hours. I was worried." I nodded in understanding and checked the window.

"Is she usually missing like this?"

"No. She's never done this before which was why I came." I looked around her and noticed Huda wasn't here.

"Where's Huda?"

"At her grandmothers." She looked around and placed her hand on the window. I knew that no one was home, but that wouldn't stop me from getting in.

"Aisha, I want you to leave. I'll handle it from here." She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.

"You don't have to keep protecting me Ibrahim. I can handle myself."

"I know you can. I just don't trust you here. Especially after you lied to me." Her eyes widened as she took a step forward.

"I never lied to you, why would you say such a thing about me." I shook my head in anger and walked to the other window on the side of the house. The window was cold and held a lot of dust. My guess was no one was here in a while.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about Mrs. Umar."

"It's Aisha and I never lied to you-"

"Cut the crap Aisha. You don't have to hide anything now. A man seen you walking with Yusuf the night he died." Her eyes grew wide as she gave me a frightened look.

I gave her one last from look before walking to my car. I opened the door and gestured for her to get in. She raised and eye brow at me which caused me to roll my eyes.

"You want it formal? Fine. Aisha Umar, you are under arrested for withholding information from a police officer. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do can and will be held against you In the court of law. You have the right to an attorney-"

"You're really arresting me?" She gave me a disbelieving look before I opened the door wider.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I knew I was being bitter, but lying was one thing I could not tolerate.

Aisha shook her head and was about to get in when Khadijah's house door opened. A young lady suspiciously walked out and looked around.

I frowned and let go of the door. Her black attire caused a stir of suspicious to erupt deep inside me. I turned and realized it was Khadijah.

I quickly ducted and grabbed Aisha's hand to pull her down with me. Luckily the car covered us. Aisha frowned at me and slapped my hand away. I ignored her and turned. It's not like I wanted to touch her hand anyway.

"Quiet. We're finally going to find out what your little house friend what doing all these days." Aisha eyed me suspiciously before turning to Khadijah.

I poked my head out of the window and silently watched as another person pulled up in front of her house. A lady wearing a long black coat exited and started to speak with Khadijah. Aisha gasped as her face palled immensely, but I tried to overlook that and focus on Khadijah and her mysterious friend. Khadijah's hand shook as she tatted stuttering and muttering, but I didn't wait to let them finish.

I jumped up, and pulled out my gun. I forgot to add the bullets, but I wasn't going to shoot them anyway. "Freeze, move and I shoot."

Khadijah gasped and covered her face. Her trembling fingers shook with fear and anxiety. The lady gave me one look and started to run. Me? I stood there for a second too long bewildered by the fact that her eyes were the exact same color as Aisha's. Crystal blue.

The woman ran as fast as she could, but before she could really get anywhere a police car came and stopped her. I stopped and rested my hands on my knees and tried to catch my breath while Junaib handcuffed her.

"Aisha and Khadijah are in the other car." Ahmed said while tying the girl up. I slowed my breathing and walked to her window.

"Who are you? What's you name?"

She gave me a cold glare and turned. I really looked at her face and noticed even more similarities with Aisha. There was the probability they were sisters. How much did Aisha keep from me?

"Not going to tell me huh? Well, I suggest you get comfortable. Were going on a little field trip."

***
I walked into the room and slammed the papers on the desk. A cold smirk tugged at my lips as I watched her squirm in front of me.

"Yasmin Al Sharri. 28. Living alone in Arizona, majoring in nursing and psychology. You see Yasmin, there's nothing you could hide from me."

Her blue eyes widened and I again doubted that they were sisters. They were total opposites. Their face may look the same, but they're attitudes and presentations were completely different.

"Why were you at Khadijah talking about?"

Silence.

"Answer me. Do you know who Yusuf Umar is? Do you know what happened to him?"

Silence.

I stood out of my chair and paced around her. Rubbing my beard, I slammed my hand next to her arm until she shrieked in fear.

"I'm giving you one last chance to tell me what the hell you know or else Yasmin, do you understand. Now I'm going to ask you one last time, do you know who Yusuf Umar is?" Her eyes grew wide, and she clamped her mouth closed. I sighed and called in Junaib.

"Bring them in." Junaib complied and opened the door widely. Khadijah, and Aisha walked in with the fear evident in their faces. Ever since she came in, Khadijah was crying nonstop. Aisha has a calm face, even though I knew she was trembling inside.

"Junaib, call Ahmed in." Junaib had a confused face before he went an called him in. Ahmed strolled in with a confused face as well.

"What's up?"

I crossed my arms and ignored him while giving Junaib a calculated glare. Ahmed seemed to notice my plan and closed the door behind him.

"Junaib. Have a seat." I gestured to the empt one next to Aisha and watched as he frowned in confusion.

"Ibrahim man, I don't get why I have to-"

"Where are the blood reaults." Junaib shook his head and gave me a frustrated look.

"I told you, they take at least a week-"

I let out a dry laugh and shook my head. "No, no they don't. Don't lie to me Junaib. I took a sample from the knife and gave it to Mustafa to send to forensics as well and you want to know something interesting. I got the results this morning." Junaibs face went pale with fear as I circled him.

"Junaib, why were you at Khadijah's house today? I didn't call for back up. How did you know I was there?"

A cold and sinister silence covered the room as Ahmed's eyes grew wide at the sudden news. I waited for an answer but got nothing. Junaib finally cracked and shook his head.

"Ibrahim why would I lie to you-"

I slammed my palms onto the table and looked them each in the eye. A dreadful silence filled the four walls surrounding us. My breathing picked up as every single muscle in my body began to scream. The frustration was building and I wanted nothing but to end it.

"A man was killed two days ago, and the four of you seem to be the only witnesses there. One of you killed that poor man, and I swear to Allah no one is leaving this room until someone tells me the truth."