The Inspector's Inquiry

Dinner at the table had a somber atmosphere. They finished their meal in silence and then moved to the veranda to have coffee.

"Sophie," Colonel Dixon said. "I believe we must inform the police."

"I agree," Bartosh replied, speaking rarely as he did.

"What can I do?" Sophia said in an exasperated tone. "Daddy doesn't want to make this public. He's utterly against involving the police. He even told me once that if he ever disappeared suddenly, we shouldn't worry. He'd return once the danger was gone, but under no circumstances should the police be informed."

Imran looked at Sophia with admiration.

"Zargham has always been mysterious," Colonel Dixon muttered.

"Everyone here is mysterious," Imran said, glancing at Martha with a laugh.

"I swear, I still don't understand you," the Colonel told Imran. "I'm surprised Zargham made you his secretary. He's usually so hot-tempered!"

"I recite Confucius to him," Imran replied seriously.

"You mentioned him again! Are you mocking me?" the Colonel snapped.

"No, Uncle," Sophia interjected quickly. "It's just his habit."

"A nasty habit!"

Imran continued to sip his coffee nonchalantly.

"He's got an MSc and a PhD!" Arif said with a laugh.

"There you go blabbering again!" Anwar growled through gritted teeth.

"Let him speak, I don't mind. Confuc... oh, no, ahem!" Imran said, pretending to fumble and covering his mouth with both hands. Martha and Sophia burst into laughter, and this time, even the Colonel chuckled. Bartosh's face remained as barren as ever, not a hint of a smile.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps at the gate. Someone was approaching. They strained their eyes in the darkness. The far end of the garden was quite dim, the light from the veranda bulbs didn't reach that far. Soon, the stranger's legs became visible as he shone a small flashlight to guide his way. The man came into the light—a burly figure in a brown serge suit.

"Excuse me," he said as he neared the veranda. "I hope I'm not intruding. Is the Colonel here?"

"No, he isn't," Sophia replied quickly. "Please, come in."

The newcomer sat on a chair. Sophia continued, "He's gone out."

"When will he be back?"

"It's hard to say! He might return tomorrow... or perhaps in a week!"

"Oh... that's unfortunate," the stranger remarked, casting a contemplative glance at those present. He fixed his gaze on Imran for a moment before speaking again. "Where has he gone?"

"Regrettably, he doesn't disclose his plans to anyone," Sophia replied. "You can leave your card. We'll inform him as soon as he returns."

"It's a matter of urgency," the stranger expressed with regret.

"You can tell me what it is!" Imran interjected. "I am the Colonel's private secretary."

"Oh!" the stranger exclaimed in surprise, then composed himself. "Well, then. Could you perhaps spare a moment?"

"Is that all?" Imran said, feigning ignorance. "But I didn't quite understand what you mean by 'spare a moment.' What kind of trouble are you referring to? You're not planning to strangle me, are you?"

"Oh, I just mean, could you step aside with me?"

"I always walk alone! I've never walked with my leg tied to someone else's."

"Oh, sir! I mean, come with me for a moment."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Imran said, rising. "Let's go."

The two of them moved towards the gate of the garden.

"Are you Ali Imran?" the stranger asked.

"I am the Colonel's secretary."

"That's fine!... Look, I'm with the Intelligence Department, and my name is Khalid. We have orders from Captain Fayyaz of the Federal Department to assist you in every way possible."

"Oh... Fayyaz, haha... a great man and a friend of friends! I had no idea he would go as far as to write to his department about such a small matter. Well done!"

"What's the matter?" Inspector Khalid inquired.

"Didn't he... didn't he explain it?"

"No, he didn't."

"What could he have written! The thing is, Mr. Khalid, I have a fondness for both eating and fighting quails. But here, hunting quails is prohibited. Fayyaz had said he'd get me a permit!"

Khalid stared at Imran in disbelief for a few moments before speaking. "Why did you say you were the Colonel's secretary?"

"What else could I have said! Perhaps you would object to my other role. That's perfectly understandable, Mr. Khalid. The truth is, I came here as a guest, but later on, I got a job. The Colonel likes me immensely! I spend my days shooting flies with an airgun for him."

"You're trying to evade me, sir," Khalid laughed, then said seriously, "though this is a very important matter."

"What kind of matter?" Imran asked, surprised.

"Whatever it is, you seem to be a very deep person... I'm certain you're one of Captain Fayyaz's special men! Alright, I'll just ask you one question."

"Go ahead."

"Did the Colonel request help directly from the Federal Department?"

Imran stared at him, startled.

"Help? I don't understand," he said.

"Look, sir," Khalid continued. "Maybe you've been in this department for a long time, but I'm quite new. Surely, you must be senior to me! So, I can't compete with you!... Therefore, I'd be grateful if you could speak openly."

"Alright, I'll speak openly, but first let me understand the nature of the issue. What do you have in mind regarding the Colonel?"

"Nothing specific! But one thing..." Khalid paused, thinking. "Wait, I'll explain. The thing is, you're new in Sonagri! We've been searching for a mysterious man or group named Shifton for the past month. He's sent threatening letters to the wealthy people here, demanding large sums of money and threatening to kill them if they don't pay. All of them have reported it, but..."

"But what?" Imran asked quickly.

"We haven't received any such complaint from Colonel Zargham."

"So, you want to force him to file a complaint?" Imran laughed.

"Oh, look! You don't understand! The point is, why was the Colonel left out? And if he received a similar threat, why didn't he report it?"

"You really are a deep person!" Imran said sarcastically. "Alright, let's suppose the Colonel received a threat letter... is it necessary that he report it to your department? Maybe he thought it was a joke. Even if he didn't, some people only trust their own strength!"

"I just want to know if the Colonel received such a letter or not."

"I can't say for sure!" Imran replied. "I have no knowledge of it!"

"Why did Captain Fayyaz send you here?"

"My skull is cracked in the middle... so cool air suits me in the summer!"

"Oh! You won't tell me anything. Well, alright... thank you very much for your time! I'll just have to wait for the Colonel to return."

"Anyway, we'll still see each other around!" Imran said, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Oh... of course, of course!" Khalid said, shaking hands before departing.

Imran returned to the veranda, where everyone anxiously awaited his return.

"Who was it?" Sophia asked.

"Inspector Khalid from the Intelligence Department."

"What!" Colonel Dixon exclaimed in surprise.

"What was the matter?" Sophia asked, her tone uneasy.

Imran recounted the entire conversation. They all looked at him in astonishment.

He then asked Sophia, "Did the Colonel ever receive a letter from Shifton?"

"No."

"That's what I said! Why didn't he mention it to his most trusted secretary?"

"You didn't mention the other matter?" Colonel Dixon asked.

"Absolutely not! How could I?"

"You really do seem to be cracked."

"Yes... Confucius—no, it's my own saying—that a good servant is one who doesn't deviate an inch from his master's orders!"

"Go to hell," the Colonel growled, standing up and walking away.