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was to accompany the President, but had excused himself and joined a top-ranking Army officer in another flight, which took off a few minutes before the President's Hercules. They witnessed the crash and loud boom from the other aircraft, but did not bother to help. Instead of returning to Bahawalpur, their aircraft headed straight for Islamabad. That officer did not join in national mourning, when the Senate Chairman announced the President's death. He did not attend the funeral ceremony of Zia-ul-Haq. Do you want to know the name of the officer, who presented the mangoes to the President?"
    Without much to speculate, the Assistant Director shook his head.
    The Ambassador continued, "Then you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know how capable that gentleman is. Even the US is aware how he, with the help of the Pakistani army, obstructed the crash investigation carried out by a high power inquiry commission. To sabotage the investigation, he stated that both America and India were behind the President's killing."
    "How could he accuse these countries without substantial proof?"
    "It was just a ploy to divert attention. The deception and false emphasis misdirected the investigator on a red herring chase. The plot was to deliberately confuse each and every one of us. This gentleman stated that the complex Afghanistan problem was the reason for the assassination of the President. These countries wanted a regime which would act according to their wishes."
    "How did you know about his involvement in this stratagem?"
    The Ambassador laughed, "It's not mere coincidence that I know so much. I was then posted in Pakistan as First Secretary of the Indian High Commission. Rumours were abuzz everywhere and conspiracy theories were rampant in every corner of Pakistan. Friends of mine told me several stories. Some facts cropped up from hearsay and gossip coupled with real accounts, and all of which led to this man."
    The officer nodded and the Ambassador stated matter-of-factly, "Don't lose the bigger picture by paying far too much attention to small things. I think none of you is seeing the forest for the trees, officer."
    The Ambassador smiled, "Do you think Mr. Imran Shah Malik is so naïve as to involve his beloved son in such a dangerous mission?"

New York
    Siddhartha packed his gear and headed straight to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. He checked into the Executive Class of the non-stop Air India flight, which was long, but smooth. It landed at JFK in the morning. After immigration clearance, he briskly walked out of the lounge and went to the Residency office of the FBI.
    "What can I do for you, Sid?"asked Robert McLean.
    "Bob, I'm here for Aban."
    "What could the Indian Government want with a Pakistani national?"
    "What if I tell you that I have the password, which you have been trying to crack for many days?"
    "Not a big deal, Siddhartha. We'll unravel it eventually."
    "Then you will be able to enter the MacBook, but will never gain access to an all-important file. No one in this world can break this uniquely protected password."Siddhartha explained to Robert McLean everything about the image password and salting method.
    Robert McLean's eyes widened in awe, "So, you think there could be a lead in that file."
    "Indeed, Bob. We've analysed all other folders and documents and there is nothing much to show except thousands of files."
    "There may be hidden files too."
    "True, but all hidden files are system files. There are no email exchanges either. A few of them may interest the Pakistani government, but not us. What is important is just one file."
    "So, Mr. Aban Malik must be aware of the contents of this file?"
    "Let's see how much he knows,"Siddhartha responded.
    "Let's go, Sid."
    "Where?"
    "To 26 Federal Plaza, our downtown Field Office."

Ravi Road
    Today where a bustling timber market stands on Ravi Road in the majestic city of Lahore, a few film studios stood in the late '20s. One of these released the first