“Zahra, I presume?Would you like to learn how to dance?We don’t want the boys to have all the fun.”
Zahra’s head reappears.She regards the curly-haired brunette solemnly, then slides her hand into Roberta’s.With a wink, Roberta plucks her charge from behind the sofa, then twirls her down the hall, leaving the adults to speak in private.Well played.
Detective Marc takes a seat on the sofa while Aliah returns bearing a tray filled with fragrant cups of green tea.
“All right,” the detective acknowledges.“You have my apology and now my attention.So, the missing woman, Sabera Ahmadi?And that’s her daughter, Zahra?Start from the beginning and tell me everything.”
ALIAH CATCHES HIMup on Sabera’s disappearance three weeks ago, vanishing after work, and not seen again until this morning’s news broadcast showing video clips of a mystery woman walking away from the scene of a double murder.Aliah is convinced the woman is Sabera based on her headscarf, while Detective Marc, like his sister, appears skeptical to accept any ID based solely on textiles.For her part, Nageenah describes the courier who visited Isaad yesterday, after which Isaad handed over his daughter to Nageenah and is now also MIA.
“But you’re saying Isaad isn’t always reliable?He’s often late?”Detective Marc asks.
Nageenah shrugs.“He is a brilliant man, but like many who see what no one else can see—”
“He’s arrogant and selfish,” Aliah provides more bluntly.
“You don’t like him,” I speak up, not really a question as the answer is written all over Aliah’s face.“Why?You said he and Sabera were not a love match.What are they, then?”Then in the next second: “Wait, you also commented Isaad was a friend of her father’s.How old is this man?”
“Fifties?Sixty?”Aliah gives a harrumph of disapproval.“Certainly, closer to my age than hers.”
If memory serves, Sabera is twenty-three.So, yep, that’s definitely an age gap.
“It is not that uncommon,” Nageenah counters.“A good husband is expected to be a provider, which requires a certain level of age and experience.At least it wasn’t a forced marriage like so many others.”
“So you like him?”I ask Nageenah.
She hesitates.Finally: “Isaad fills a room.Sabera withdraws accordingly.He is older, dominating.She is one person when she is alone.A different woman when she’s with him.”
There are some things that require no cultural explanation.I follow up with the next logical question: “You ever witness Sabera appearing bruised, injured, perhaps suffering from a rash of accidents?”
Nageenah shakes her head.“In my position in the ministry, I spent much time learning exactly how defenseless a wife, daughter, sister can be.Isaad… he’s not an easy man, but I don’t believe he hurts his family.”
I purposefully avert my gaze from Aliah before launching my next question.“Have you ever observed Sabera acting like… not quite herself.Maybe stumbling a little, slurring her words.Incapacitated?”
“Wait, what are you implying?”Aliah is already sounding outraged.“Are you asking if Sabera was drinking?”
I keep my attention fixed on Nageenah, whose eyes have widened slightly.
“Sabera is Muslim.She would never—” Aliah’s voice cuts off, Detective Marc raising a silencing hand.I can already tell he’s as interested in this answer as I am.
Nageenah doesn’t say anything.
“Couple of times?”I supply softly.“Or at least one episode, where you had to wonder?”
Nageenah bows her head.Then, a single faint nod.
“No!”Aliah protests.
I finally shoot her a glance.“Remember our deal.I will ask any question.I will consider all answers—even the onesyou don’t like.”
Aliah has the good grace to flush.She slumps back on the sofa, appearing less angry, more distressed.Then her own mindconnects the dots: “You’ve heard of this behavior before.That’s why you made the inquiry.Someone else thinks Sabera is drinking.I didn’t… I never saw anything myself.”
“Sounds like there’s a lot of strain on the home front,” Detective Marc murmurs, focusing our attention.“Domineering older husband, stressed out young wife.Is it possible Sabera was planning on leaving him?”
“Leave Isaad, maybe.But leave Zahra?Never.”Aliah’s conviction is absolute.“Nor would she have to give up her child to end her marriage.She could have talked to me about how to go about such a thing.I promise you, she’s never said a word.”
Detective Marc turns his attention to Nageenah.“What do you think?”
Nageenah is more circumspect.“Right now, divorce would not be practical.For most families, both the husband and wife must work outside the home in order to pay bills, and still, each month is a struggle.On her own, where would Sabera go?How would she take care of her child?These are questions she would ask herself.And without the answers…”
