Tires screeched and a blue police cruiser came to a shrieking halt right in front of the CPD. The reporters with their cameras and mics rushed to the car, bombarding questions and recording the scenario. It was as if bees buzzing around the honeycomb.

Officer Asad Qureshi made an appearance, closing the door of the jeep, dressed in a navy blue uniform. Removing his eyeshades he leered at the crowd of buzzing reporters. Their tittle-tattle and flashes were successful in irritating him even more than the compulsion in this case did.

"Sir is the security of our prisons so useless that a murderous woman successfully escaped during the night."

"Why our law enforcement agencies fail to protect citizens?"

"How did that girl run away? Where were the officers at that time?"

"Where did the girl go? Did anyone help her? Is she still in the city? Or able to escape?"

All the mouthing came to a full stop as soon as his hand was raised in the air, a silent but daunting gesture. His comrades stood around him.

"First of all, we are not deaf. We listen to what our people say. We aim to serve our best to the citizens. So please, do not vent your anger on us," Asad's intimidating accent echoed.

"Secondly, about the recent murder case, we found a café worker's fingerprints and we arrested her. The trial was set on Tuesday in which we had to present solid evidence and witness against the suspect, rest of the things had to be handled by the court-"

"Do you have any witnesses, sir?" A reporter interrupted.

"Patience, I'm coming to that topic. Unfortunately, we do not have any eyewitnesses. The murder victim, Mrs. Shabana Farhan's husband is in our custody since he came back from Oman last night. He is shocked and grieved. He clearly demands to see the murderer hanged. Although we don't have any proof that who is the lady's actual murderer. But we have solid evidence against the murderer of Rasheed, the guard. So this is a serious issue, our police search parties are looking for Miss Alina Imtiaz where her chances of presence are," Chatters and whispers started again.

"Her sister, Maryam Imtiaz is also in our custody but she's a child and underage. We do not intend to harm her. Though we request our citizens that if they got any information related to Alina Imtiaz and her whereabouts, they must inform us. She's a wanted murderer, and we want her at any cost," Asad eyes the crowd and ended his speech.

"That's it." Ignoring their never-ending annoying inquiries he walked inside the department, where his main office was situated. The noises were blocked away as soon as the large glass doors closed behind him. He could sense the unusual thick tension that lay in the air due to what happened last night.

His palms clenched into fists as he thought about Alina. How that little sneaky girl escaped easily, challenging his rank and ego. And yet he was forced to act like this.

He marched towards his office, replying to the greetings of his junior comrades. Slamming the door open he was welcomed by a strange man who had his back facing him. Upon hearing the jolting of the door he turned around and Asad saw his face.

"Hi, I'm Detective Shayan from Crime Wing, FIA," he threw a kind smile and showed his ID. "What are you doing in my office?" Asad frowned.

"Guess I'm waiting for you," he shrugged. "You could have waited outside, never mind. What do you want?" Asad walked across the center table.

"I'm here to help you with the recent murder case-"

"Help me? Well, I don't need your help, thank you so much. You can leave now." Asad cut through him, and Shayan sighed in response as if controlling himself from snapping at Asad.

Asad glanced at his stiff posture, it was like a slap on his ego to accept help from a young man. Shayan seemed to be in his late twenties. The ID and badge he showed clearly state he was an intelligent man because very few people reach this high level that demands hard work and brain.

"You may not want it though you have to obey. It's the order from high command." Shayan spoke with determination. Asad thought for a while. He knew that he had to agree with the decision willingly or unwillingly.

"Your experience and my intelligence, the two elements we need to solve this case as soon as possible before the murderer gets out of hand." Shayan's voice pulled him out of the whirlpool of his thoughts.

"You are right, we must take immediate actions," as soon as he said that he picked up the intercom and instructed his team to reach the meeting room. "We also have to get there quickly, follow me." Ordering Shayan, he left the room.

Shayan nonchalantly saw his retreating back nevertheless walked behind him, shaking his head. On their very first encounter, he realized that Officer Asad possess rude and quite selfish nature. He doesn't like someone to interfere in his work or case. Though Shayan had to endure it now because Asad was much older than him and was too on a senior post.

The meeting room was spacious, equipped with computers and other accessories including a broad white table in the center, around which the officers stood waiting for their arrival. Asad started the meeting as they discussed on the possible whereabouts of Alina Imtiaz.

She was indeed a mystery for Shayan. A girl with no proper family background murdered the guard and possibly her boss. When police raided her houses she surrendered and got arrested, leaving a surprisingly modern house and money behind. And last night she fled away despite the security of the police station. Seemed interesting for him.

"In my opinion, Alina can't escape without one's help. We have to check the security cameras for a better lead." Shayan reasoned his thoughts.

"We already have checked it. We don't know how but someone broke into our security room and switched off the camera system for three hours, that is from 12 am to 2 am." An officer informed.

"And what was the duty officer doing at that time?" Asad bellowed.

"He- he was passed out," They all released a frustrated sigh. "We are investigating him also but according to him he drank a cup of coffee and next he was unconscious."

"I want to have a talk with him after this meeting." Officer Asad said and continued the meeting.

"Security cameras won't work, we first have to catch her," everyone nodded. "Our search parties are raiding several suspicious places in the city."

"What if she fled out of the city or maybe the country?" Shayan questioned.

"She can't," Another officer shook his head. "She can't expose herself in the eyes of the public. Airport security would have informed us if they go through her documentations."

"We all know officer that if she's a criminal then it is not difficult for her to access fake documents," Shayan stated. They discussed their jobs and tasks and worked on strategies to find Alina.

"It is final then, team A will find the spots of Alina's presence here and team B including myself and Detective Shayan will start checking the airports. Clear?" At Asad's order, everyone nodded in affirmation.

"Team A align yourself for the security checks on popular streets and roads. Team B, we are heading towards our first destination, Karachi Airport."

Shayan and Asad watched the officers leave one by one until they were alone to further discuss the case.

••••••••••

The sharp edge of the knife stung the skin of his neck as Alina increased the pressure. She was not in her senses right now. She wanted answers.

Azlan stood stiff, unmoving, feeling the cold metal on the base of his neck. Despite the fierceness in Alina's eyes, he wasn't intimidated at all. Though he was aware that the savage girl, a few centimeters away from him, was scared.

"Who are you?" She repeated her question, gritting her teeth. Azlan sighed in defeat and found nowhere to escape from the very angry girl. He decided to tell her the truth.

"I'm your cousin," He spoke, averting his eyes.

"My What?" Alina's mouth opened wide.

"Your cousin, the only son of Waqar Ali and the nephew of Imtiaz Ali."

The knife fell on the ground, slipping away from her hands, landing between their feet. And the room was engulfed by silence, the silence that came after immense shock.

♦♦♦♦♦♦

Hi everyone!

Here's chapter eight.

Your thoughts on this chapter?

Forgive my slow updating schedule, I'm having a tough college routine. Sorry.

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_A.M_