Michael was waiting for Shabir. He was sure that Shabir would come that day with some good news. Shabir had told him that he was trying to get help from the American Embassy.

At about eleven in the morning, two plainclothes men entered his cell and ordered him to get up quickly. They took him to a car parked in the yard of the Headquarters. He understood that he was being taken away from that place. They were strong and tall, with big red eyes. Michael lacked courage to ask them where he was being led. They told the driver something and the car sped out of the yard.

After five hours drive, they entered a city. He was sure that it was a big city because the traffic and the people suggested the town lifestyle.

It was a big dark building in the congested part of the town. From outside it was impossible to guess that a team of Anti-Terrorists Squad had their interrogation cells there. They were operating there under the blind of a garment export company. Right from the peon to the manager, all were police officers. Even the neighbours never suspected that the garment export company was just a cover.

An Officer: Mr. Michael!

Michael: Yes?

The Officer: We have brought you here for the security reasons.

Michael: But why should I fear?

The Second Officer (sitting in a chair in front): As if you don’t know?

Michael: I am a writer and I have no enemies.

The First Officer: Your brother-in-law has been shot dead.

Michael (stunned): What!

The Second Officer: Yes, he was shot twice in his hotel room.

Michael: But why would someone kill him?

The First Officer: He knew things and you also know things.

Michael: What do I know?

The Second Officer: Your big plan!

Michael: I don’t understand what you are talking about.

Before he could expect some response, an officer slapped him hard on his face and shouted.

The First Officer: Nothing will happen to you if you cooperate.

Michael: I have been cooperating.

The Second Officer: Why did you help them?
Michael: Who?

The First Officer: The terrorists.

Michael: Have you gone mad? I have never helped any terrorist.

The Second Officer: The CIA has sent us some proofs. You wife carried something in her bag for them.

Michael (literally puzzled and nervous): My wife?

The First Officer: Yes, your wife carried a computer chip for them.

Michael: No, she did not have anything in her bag. We left the bags there when we escaped from there.

The Second Officer: That was the part of the big plan.

Michael: Oh my God!

The First Officer: Yes, she married you only because of this big plan. She is a Jehadi.

Michael: I can’t believe it.

The Second Officer: Her brother was arrested after the 9/11 and you say you don’t know anything.

Michael: Yes, but he was released the very next day. He was innocent.

The First Officer: How much money did you accept from them?

Michael: What the hell!

The officer slapped him again and he closed his mouth. Michael understood that he was being framed in something big, though he knew that they wouldn’t behave like that if he told them who he really was and what he was doing in Kashmir. They knew that he was a journalist and that was not going t be enough now.

They locked him in a dark room and left the building.