Auditory Viewpoint

by Lillian R. Melendez

  Special Agent Sanchez breathed in deeply. “This is not happening right now,” he said to himself.

  “I will call back with more notifications,” Gloria said.

  “Where are you?”

  “If I tell you, you will stop what I am doing.”

  “Gloria!”

  “I need to go. I will definitely call back,” Gloria said and hung up.

  Special Agent Sanchez, who was even more furious than after his first call with Philip, put his phone back on the clip attached to his belt. “Keith.”

  Special Agent Henderson was glued to the computer Eric and Colin was working on.

  “Keith!” Sanchez called once more.

  Special Agent Henderson heard his name the second time and quickly went over to his colleague. “What happened? You look as if steam will come out of your head any minute now.”

  “Gloria contacted me,” Sanchez said.

  “She did? Has she been kidnapped?” Henderson asked with a worried look.

  “No, she is okay. She’s actually trying to solve the case and wants us to play along,” Special Agent Sanchez said, still sounding slightly annoyed.

  “Did she at least reveal where she is?” Henderson asked.

  “No.” Special Agent Sanchez shook his head.

  “What do we do? What the hell do we do now?” Special Agent Henderson asked anxiously.

  “We have to think. We’ve got to find her, although she said she will call again.”

  “That is a big if, and we can’t take any chances,” Special Agent Henderson said.

  “Of course.” Sanchez rubbed his chin and was in deep thoughts.

  “We need to trace her phone,” Henderson said.

  The FBI special agents of the New York Division came over to them after hearing the commotion.

  “Is something wrong?” FBI Special Agent Lane asked.

  Special Agents Sanchez and Henderson turned to them.

  “Gloria, the blind woman I mentioned, she just called,” Sanchez said.

  “Is she safe?” FBI Special Agent O’ Donnell asked.

  “It would seem so. She’s with two other people,” Special Agent Sanchez replied.

  “Michael, am I hearing things correctly?”

  Special Agent Sanchez turned to Captain Steve; his friend for over twenty years.

  “It sounds like you trust this woman,” Captain Steve said.

  “Steve, I…” Special Agent Sanchez couldn’t find the right words.

  Captain Steve shook his head. “Michael.”

  Special Agent Henderson and the agents from FBI’s New York Division gave each other questioning looks.

  “Can I speak with you in private for a minute?” Captain Steve said to him.

  “Sure,” Special Agent Sanchez replied and walked with him.

  “Thanks for helping since this case is connected to two states,” Sanchez said.

  “We have to cooperate, but I’m concerned about your own life,” Captain Steve said as he stopped walking.

  “I think in our profession, personal safety is an issue whenever we are on duty,” Special Agent Sanchez said with a perplexed look.

  “This is a very big case for you, Michael. One mistake can hurt your reputation. You should normally trust your instincts; but sometimes, such as this case, they won’t work one hundred percent of the time. We are both great at what we do, but we’re still human,” Captain Steve said.

  “What are you talking...”

  “The blind woman, Michael. This woman who calls and plays hide and seek. Don’t you think it is possible you are being manipulated?”

  Special Agent Sanchez was quiet, but he knew what Captain Steve was talking about.

  The Captain continued. “Gloria calls you and tells you she knows where the hacker is, yet she doesn’t say where she is. This doesn’t add up. Is this woman trying to play the hero? Or is she laying a trap for you? Either way, something is seriously wrong here, and the fact that you trust her makes me a little worried about you.”

  Special Agent Sanchez remained quiet and looked sideways while deep in thought.

  “We must always remain suspicious in this profession. I don’t want her to bring you and your partner down with her – that is, if she’s not really the innocent person she purports to be,” Captain Steve said. “I am just putting this concern on the table as well.”

  Sanchez didn’t reply, but Captain Steve’s every word was slowly sinking in.

  “We can’t have her out there playing cop. Let’s say she finds the perpetrators. She can’t exactly arrest them, even if she can show probable cause. She’s going to get herself killed. Do you want that on your conscience?”

  FBI Special Agent Sanchez shook his head.

  “Don’t hurt yourself, Michael.” Captain Steve patted him on the back and walked away.

  Then FBI Special Agent Henderson walked up to his partner.

  CHAPTER 21-UNNOTICEABLE

  Anna leaned her head against the window and Gloria listened to Benjamin tapping his fingers on the wheel until she felt the car turn to the right direction.

  “Colin, a colleague, texted me a lead a long while ago. I don’t know why I haven’t heard from him since. Maybe he is extremely busy with a conference,” Benjamin said.

  “What did it say?” Anna asked as she leaned forward as much as she could while her seatbelt restrained her a bit.

  “There was an arrest made a month ago on a hacker who compromised several accounts at a business, carrying a device rather than a laptop. Colin’s company had to fix things to prevent it from happening again. He believes they may be using a device at the parade to hack into people’s accounts. He will give me further information when he can,” Benjamin said.

  “Where does the USB come in? I heard USB a lot,” Anna asked.

  “That baffles me at this moment, I would know if I had time to do some research. I don’t know what purpose a USB drive would serve at the parade, but we may learn more soon if we catch a hacker, somehow,” Benjamin replied.

  “Anna, have you heard keys recently?” Gloria asked.

  “No. No one came near me with a bulk of keys.”

  “I know this sounds crazy, but when you talked about the sound of keys, and as I heard it myself at Woodbridge Train Station, I have been thinking a lot; having flashbacks,” Gloria continued.

  “Oh?” Anna replied.

  “Yes, my memory,” Gloria said.

  The car stopped at a red light, and Benjamin looked in the rearview mirror again.

  “What do you remember?” Anna asked.

  “Two women, my mother and someone else, I cannot remember who she was. I only heard her voice twice in my entire life. I remember they were arguing near the front porch and I heard a car engine on. I cannot pinpoint exactly what they said. As I came closer to the living room, their discussion became clearer. The woman informed our mother that she was moving across the country. My mother later said ‘let us talk’ and told me that some things the woman said were false,” Gloria explained. “I cannot remember the rest, yet it is coming to my mind slowly. I remember moving my cane to the edge of the wall, and I heard both women become quiet. I knew they heard me, and then I had a sense that they saw me. All I heard was a dense sound of keys dangling. The sound of a pair of shoes was moving a few feet away, and the door slammed shut. My mother came to me and told me to go to my room and listen to a radio program I always tuned into. I refused, and my mother told me there was nothing to worry about. That she was having an adult conversation, and for me to sit by the radio and listen to my favorite radio shows, as she would bring me a bag of pretzels a little later after she checked on my baby sister.”

  Benjamin parked the car.

  “We’re here,” Anna said. Both Anna and Benjamin got out, and Gloria took off her seatbelt and opened her door. She felt cold wind come toward her.

  “It’s a bit windy here,” Anna said.

  “We’re already here?” Gloria asked with amazement. �
��That was quick.”

  “Actually, no, we were stuck in traffic for fifteen minutes because of the parade. You were reflecting during that time,” Benjamin said and helped Gloria out of his vehicle.

  “Yes I was, wasn’t I?” Gloria said as if speaking to herself.

  “I don’t remember much,” Anna said to Gloria as she forced herself to think deeply.

  “You were a baby,” Gloria said. “You really couldn’t have recollection of anything. Now, can you tell me more about this area? I was here to hear a Broadway play two years ago. I don’t come to the theater district often.”

  “We are on 45th Street and Broadway. I am still puzzled about why they chose this area,” Anna replied.

  “We will find out soon,” Gloria answered.

  Several sounds came from the left and right side, hitting Gloria’s ears. The smell of food was distinct, and the sound could be heard of containers from a truck being rolled away to one of the theater buildings. Anna and Benjamin moved slower to match Gloria’s pace. She began to listen to a conversation nearby.

  “I just received a new bank card, I need to find my bank to activate it,” someone said.

  Gloria kept her ears tuned to the conversation.

  “Your bank is further away,” another stranger said.

  “I guess I will have to call this number on the back of the card to activate it,” the first stranger replied.

  She listened closely again, but found nothing of great interest. “Oh nothing, never mind,” she said to her companions. Then she heard another voice that caught her attention.

  “These pants don’t fit me. All of you are in a rush, and there are no other clothes I can try on in there that fit,” a stranger said.

  “Use a belt and stop complaining. We have to go now to the parade. Oh, I forgot something inside the bagel shop. Wait here,” another stranger said.

  Gloria slowed down and heard footsteps a few feet away. She turned away from the second conversation. “Something is up. This time, I know for sure,” she announced to Anna and Benjamin.

  “What is it?” Benjamin asked.

  “I’m hearing more from two strangers talking amongst each other.” Gloria listened in closely again, whereas Anna and Benjamin remained silent.

  “I went into the trailer again. How can I stand out there with these huge pants?” the same stranger said.

  “Never mind the pants, are you sure you closed the trailer?” the second stranger inquired.

  “I didn’t close it fully,” the other one replied.

  “Why? Let’s just get out of here, the car just came. Get in!”

  Gloria suddenly stopped moving, and her companions did likewise.

  “Guys, we need to turn around. We have to inspect a trailer nearby. I just don’t know what trailer the strangers were talking about. You will see two people arguing. Something about promotional wardrobes they have to wear to market products,” Gloria explained.

  “It does sound suspicious,” Anna said. She gazed around the area. Two large trailers were locked, and one was open. A man and two women were talking to each other, but the way they approached each other made her believe she had understood the source of Gloria’s suspicions. One of the three put his hands up and outward several times, while one of the others extended her hand forcefully. The third individual put his hand on his forehead and shook his head simultaneously. Anna, Benjamin and Gloria came over to confront them.

  “Excuse me, you don’t know me, but I am investigating. Have some of your goods been stolen?” Anna asked.

  “Yes. Who are you, a detective?” the promotional manager asked.

  “No,” Anna replied.

  The three people had a blank stare on their faces.

  “If you want your stolen goods returned, we can get them back. Please let us know exactly what was stolen,” Benjamin said. “I am an IT professional. I know that doesn’t compare to a cop, but I’m searching for cyber criminals, and they probably took your clothes for their agenda.”

  “I thought you searched for them online?” another promotional staff member asked.

  “In this case, no,” Benjamin answered.

  One of the staff members interrupted. “Melissa, I don’t think we have time to question their motive.” He then turned to Benjamin. “We will call the cops, but since you have good intentions yourself, I’ll answer your questions.”

  “What was stolen?” Benjamin asked.

  “My marketing team is selling an energy drink.”

  “Forgive me for interrupting, but I would like to know what is the first store near the trailer?” Gloria asked.

  “I believe it’s a bagel shop,” Benjamin said.

  “I will let you continue with your questions, but please make it snappy,” Gloria said.

  “Please just tell me what was stolen, in details,” said Benjamin, who felt he was in a tight spot with too few potentially valuable leads.

  “Well, several hats are missing, matching shirts and pants. And IDs, but no one really looks at those, they’re just more visible credentials to show the customer, and that’s about it.”

  “Those were my only questions – I must go, for there may be another lead.”

  The three went inside the bagel shop where one side featured several tables and chairs, the other side a counter displaying several different sorts of bagels with different types of ham, bacon, cheese, and eggs. People were working steadily under bright lights, which illuminated the whole counter area. One person stood on a ladder as he changed the menu with two different-colored markers. On the far left side, there were two large posters displaying the variety of bagels on offer.

  “Please take me to the counter,” Gloria said.

  Benjamin did as she asked.

  “Hi, how can I help you two?” a store associate asked as she adjusted the company cap she was wearing and brushed off her apron, which had some crumbs on it. Benjamin glanced at her nametag.

  “Rachel?”

  “That’s me,” Rachel said with a smile. “Today, we have a holiday sale, buy two bagels...”

  “I apologize, but we need to ask you important questions in a short amount of time. We are investigating stolen wardrobes. Did you see anyone wear a certain type of clothes for promotional purposes, such as matching hat and shirt stating a brand-name for a product they’re selling?” Benjamin questioned.

  The store associate thought for a second. “I don’t think so. We get all kinds of people. Several actors come in with costumes, New York City travel guides wearing work wardrobes, Broadway show ticket sellers, and some people actually dress like cartoon characters such as Elmo and the Cookie Monster costumes, and carry their costume heads on their shoulders in order to eat something. Also, there are several promoters of products that are brand new, ones I’ve never heard of before, such as what you just stated. And lastly, there are uniformed police officers. That’s all I can think of,” Rachel said.

  “Who did you see today in promotional wardrobes?” Benjamin asked.

  “I did see two people with caps on and clothes to match. I don’t know what product they were marketing, because I didn’t read what was on the wardrobe. So many people come in and out, I don’t really put a name and a face on a person easily, unless I have long conversations with him, which is rare,” Rachel said. “I hope I’ve told you what you needed to hear.”

  “Do you know what their conversation was about?” Benjamin asked.

  “No, I had to move on to serve other customers,” Rachel replied.

  Gloria brainstormed for a few seconds. “What did they order?” she asked.

  Benjamin and the store associate looked at her strange.

  “I just cleaned the counter they were sitting by. I’m sorry, but I can’t remember their orders,” Rachel replied.

  “Do you have any order receipts with the time you served them?” Benjamin asked.

  “I think we do, let me check for a moment.” Rachel went to talk to another worker. The store associat
e came back a few minutes later with a receipt in hand, and gave it to Benjamin.

  “Did she bring the receipt?” Gloria asked.

  “Yes. I have it in my hand,” Benjamin replied.

  “Please make the exact drinks they ordered. We are on a case,” Gloria said to the store associate.

  Rachel gave the order to another worker and came back to them. “I will be right with you when they bring it. I need to help another customer who just came in.”

  “Thanks,” Gloria said. “Benjamin, the uniform can hold a clue now that we’ve been hearing complains about stolen costumes. But what if something they ate or drank can help resolve this case?”

  “Possibly. Some people drink different beverages for medical reasons. I don’t know how that will help us here,” Benjamin answered.

  Gloria faced forward to the counter. “Let’s find out.”

  A store associate came back with the drinks minutes later. “Here you go. Please be careful with one of the cups, it is very hot.”

  Benjamin helped Gloria reach for the first cup. She slowly lifted it and felt coldness fill her palms, then took a sip. “This is orange juice.” Gloria put the cup down and broke off a piece of bagel, then ate it. “Plain white bread bagel.”

  Benjamin gave Gloria the other cup, and she took a sip of the hot liquid. “This one is tea. I taste more honey than sugar. I don’t believe there is any sugar in this. This person may be diabetic. A medical specialist who was a guest on my radio show a year ago suggested honey as a supplement for artificial sugar.” Gloria put the cup down and ate a piece of bagel. “This is whole grain bagel. The person who ate this is definitely diabetic and has to watch his or hers starch intake when eating. The medical specialist I interviewed a while ago said the same thing. Benjamin, please tell me if all the ingredients I tasted are correct.”

  Benjamin nodded. “Yes, that was orange juice and the type of bread you said.” He then turned to Rachel. “Is my friend correct about the honey in the tea?”