'We're looking at the only public entrance, although there’s also a staff and service access door at the rear of the store, from West Nile Street. Both the public entrance and the one round the back are monitored by cameras and the latest EAS security bollards.'
'Whoa there … what's that?'
'Sorry, it's an acronym they use for Electronic Article Surveillance. That's the system you see used in shops everywhere, which activates an alarm if anyone tries to leave with an item which has the shop's security tag still attached. They've got the same set-up inside the store, at the entrances to the various public toilets. As I said, there's always at least two uniformed security guards covering the front entrance. But they have a big problem with false alarms.’
'That's right and, just to make things worse, sometimes the problem isn't caused by a shoplifter on the way out, it's actually a completely innocent shopper bringing an item in from another shop, where the person who served them forgot to remove a security tag. A lot of the stores use exactly the same kit, so the number of false alarms in an average day must drive the security staff nuts. It's like any kind of alarm going off, on a house or car. You just kind of tune them out, don’t you? Because nine times out of ten, it's another false alarm. Okay, Annie, let's go inside and you can give me the guided tour.'
They made their way through the shoppers thronging the pedestrian precinct and checked in with security at the store entrance, before making their way to the suite of management offices on the top floor, where Annie introduced Jack to the store's head of security. They chatted briefly, mainly to do with the upcoming promotional event for Max Bellendi, and then a temporary ID badge was issued for Jack.
'What do you think is the best way to do this?' said Annie. 'Obviously I'm familiar with the store layout and where all of the really valuable stock is on display. So maybe I should do a couple of hours out on the sales floor first, while you get to grips with the security camera system up here in the office.'
'Yeah, I suppose that makes sense. Although I was looking forward to doing my John Inman impersonation and I've even brought along my own tape. You know, for taking inside leg measurements.'
Annie looked at her partner in complete bewilderment and shook her head, before picking up a radio handset and heading off to patrol the sales floor. Meanwhile Jack reluctantly settled into the security office, where he tried to familiarise himself with the store's network of CCTV cameras.
After half an hour Jack's radio crackled into life and Annie enquired, 'have you seen anything interesting so far, boss?'
'Absolutely. I've just spent ten minutes watching two extremely fit looking young women. They went into the changing room with an armful of dresses and, bold as brass, stripped right down to their unmentionables. It was quite a sight, I can tell you. I had no idea suspender belts were still so popular.'
'Believe me, they're not, unless you're a pole dancer. Look, for heaven's sake,' hissed Annie, 'you're supposed to be helping me spot shoplifters stealing handbags, not sitting up there perving at female customers in the changing rooms.'
'Guilty as charged, Annie. But I certainly don't take any pleasure from doing this,' said Jack, unconvincingly. 'I'm just trying to be thorough and I can state with absolute certainty that the women in question do not have expensive handbags concealed anywhere about their person. So what's happening at your end?'
'All quiet so far. In fact, I've been so bored I actually did some light dusting on the display cases. I don't even do that at home.'
'Good work, Annie. People can say what they like about the JD Investigations crew. Okay, we maybe don't catch the bad guys every time, but we do always leave the place looking nice and tidy.'
Chapter 24
Annie arrived in the JD Investigations office the following morning to find Jack leaning back in his chair with a broad grin on his face.
'Let me guess, you've finally found some poor deluded woman desperate enough to go out on a date with you.'
'No, it's much better than that, Annie. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep. It was the nightmare again so I decided I was as well coming in here to have another crack at the security videos. I've been sitting here for the last five hours, tearing what's left of my hair out, and to be honest I thought I was beat. But something has been bugging me about one of the tapes that I couldn't quite put my finger on. So I decided to take a final crack at it and then it came to me. I've worked out how your shoplifting gang are doing it.'
'You're kidding me.'
'I shit you not, Annie, come and see for yourself. It's not immediately obvious, but I'll give you a clue. The shoplifter will be clearly in view sometime in the next thirty minutes of video footage. Watch it in real time and try to spot who it is, while I nip out and get some lunch. But I bet a fiver you won't get it.'
Annie willingly accepted the bet, noted the start time and hunched over the screen, concentrating hard on the security video footage. The picture switched every ten seconds between three different cameras which covered, from different angles, a line of glass fronted display cases containing rows of expensive designer handbags. A connected counter, with till area, where a sales assistant was dealing with customers was also clearly visible.
Annie discounted the first two customers, young women who had peered excitedly at the price tags on the coveted new handbags, before swiftly recoiling in horror. That left three possible contenders, people who had actually laid hands on the goods in question and appeared to consider making a purchase.
First came a young, loved-up couple, who couldn't keep their hands off each other. They briefly perused several top of the range handbags, between bouts of extended snogging, before wandering off purposefully in the direction of the bedding department.
Next up was a tall thin, thirty-something woman wearing a smart business suit, possibly a professional of some kind. Annie speculated that she was a high flier in the financial services sector, perhaps treating herself with the loose change from the annual bonus pot. Strangely she appeared to be in a bad mood about something and, although there was no soundtrack to the video, she was obviously giving the sales assistant a hard time. The woman closely inspected and then discarded a series of handbags, apparently dissatisfied with either the quality, colour or size of everything she was being shown. Finally, she looked at her watch, appeared to realise that she was running seriously late, and swept up her coat and shopping bags from the counter and hurried away towards the nearest lift. 'What on earth was that all about?' muttered Annie to herself. 'Maybe none of the handbags were expensive enough for her.'
The final contender in the thirty-minute video sequence was a well-groomed, expensively dressed middle-aged woman, wearing a black wide-brim hat, who was also carrying several shopping bags from other up-market shops in the city centre. She asked for a range of handbags to be laid out for inspection and appeared to be chatting away in a relaxed manner to the sales assistant. However, she didn't make a purchase either and, as she walked away, Annie could see that the customer and the sales assistant were both laughing at something that had been said. So, at the end of thirty minutes of video, there had been no obvious drama, no sleight of hand or magic of any kind, which would shed light on the handbag thief's MO. Pick the bones out of that lot, Annie.
When Jack returned to the office with a selection of tasty snacks from Greggs the baker, he sat quietly eating his lunch and smirking as his young partner scratched her head, growing more frustrated by the minute at her inability to positively identify the shoplifter.
She began watching the video sequence once again from the start, before giving up half-way through and spluttering, 'this is impossible. You're putting me off, sitting there covered in flakes of pastry, with that big stupid grin on your face. Okay then, smart arse. I know you're just dying to show me how clever you are.'
'Thank you Annie, it's so nice to be appreciated once in a while. But before I forget, could you possibly dig out a fiver for me?’
Annie searched through her wallet for the dirtiest, most torn and crumpled note she could find and reluctantly tossed it across Jack's desk.
'Cheers for that partner,’ said Jack, quickly trousering the note. ‘Now re-wind the video back to exactly eighteen minutes from the start of the sequence. Then hit the play button and all will be revealed.'
Annie re-started the video at the appropriate point and gasped in surprise, 'so it was the older woman wearing the big fancy hat? I would never have picked her out as the thief. Okay, she had the sales assistant hauling out bags all over the counter, but all of the others did that as well and it all seemed perfectly normal. I mean that's just what women do when they're trying to make their mind up. They need to see and compare absolutely everything before they finally choose. Especially if they're spending two grand on a new handbag.'
'Yes, but now watch her left hand closely,' said Jack.
'It looks like she took her phone out of her bag to check a new text message. So what?'
'I think that was a text was from another member of the gang, who is somewhere close by. She's just been given the all clear that nobody is watching and can go ahead and lift the bags off the counter.'
'But absolutely nothing happened. I still don't get it. I'm right at the end of the sequence again and It looks like she's just thanked the assistant for her help and walked away without buying anything, or stealing anything either.'
'That's right, because that's exactly what the pictures do show. But if you wind it back again and pause it, just there … check the time again. Now hit play again and note the exact time once more.'
The picture on the screen then momentarily flickered and when it returned to normal, Annie saw the time on the screen had jumped forward by eight seconds.
'I don't understand, boss. What just happened there? We somehow lost eight seconds of pictures.'
'Yes, and in those eight seconds the store probably just lost another two of their most expensive handbags. See there … just as the woman puts her mobile back in her handbag. That's when the picture flickers and then the time jumps forward. I'm sure she's activating some kind of electronic jammer, hidden in her bag, which freezes the wireless security cameras for a few seconds. Just long enough to swipe the handbags, while the assistant has her back turned. Obviously we don't see what she did with them, but my guess is they were quickly stuffed into one of her big shopping bags.'
Annie whistled in admiration, 'I honestly thought this was an old school crime. I didn't realise that shoplifters would be using the very latest high-tech kit. Okay, so that's how they're actually stealing the bags, but how are they getting them out of the store?'
'We don't know that yet, but probably the woman wearing the hat left the shopping bag in a pre-arranged spot and another gang member quickly removed, or disabled, the security tags. Then they can all go merrily on their way, probably with a quick detour past the jewellery counter to see if any of the latest fancy watches catch their eye.'
'I really don't know what to say, boss, this is so impressive. I mean, no offence, but technology isn't really your thing. So how on earth did you work it all out?'
'You're right. But I came at from a slightly different angle, because I'm pretty sure that I know this woman from way back when I was a rookie cop. God, it could be almost thirty years ago. I can't remember her name yet, but it'll come to me. She was quite a looker back in the day and, although she's obviously put on a few pounds since then, that distinctive sharp nose and those high cheekbones are definitely familiar. There's also something about the sexy way she walks that rang a bell with me. So when I spotted her casually sashaying towards the handbag counter, I immediately became suspicious. Then when I saw the video picture go fuzzy and the time clock jump forward, I immediately consulted an acknowledged expert in this field, Mr Google. That's where I found out about the trick with the electronic jammer. But I'd never have worked it out in a million years, if I hadn't recognised her first. You know what they say, Annie? If you can't be good, be lucky. And I don't think it was any co-incidence either that the theft occurred just before a staff change-over was due to take place.’
‘Right, of course. The sales assistant would be in a rush to get all the handbags put back in the display cases before she took her break. So was this woman a shoplifter when you first met her?'
'Yes, but not a very good one. She's obviously come on quite a bit since the day I lifted her in the Argyle Street branch of Woolworths, for trying to steal two David Bowie CD's and a Mars Bar.'
Annie checked the date on the security video and said, 'I’m just thinking, this tape was only recorded three weeks ago. You know how we speculated before about how the Bellendi promotion might be a big attraction for the thieves?'
'Yeah, so?'
'I'm just wondering if the gang would have the brass neck to come back to the store again, so soon after the last time.'
'Yes, I think there is a good chance because they're probably a local outfit and, more importantly, their MO worked perfectly last time. So why not keep doing it again and again? Okay, maybe with a different gang member doing the actual business at the handbag counter, to avoid being recognised. But if they eventually get caught, they're actually not too bothered. Yet another appearance in Glasgow Sheriff Court, for a slap on the wrist and a token fine. They're probably on first name terms with most of the staff round at the Court building and they'll only lose a half-day of shoplifting time. So really not a big deal in the overall scheme of things, if you're a career criminal. I’m pretty sure that's how they'll be looking at it, Annie.'
Chapter 25
On the second day of the Max Bellendi handbag promotion, Jack was in the security office monitoring the video screens when a familiar face caught his attention. He alerted the security manager and contacted Annie, using a hand held radio.
'Annie, it's me. I've just seen our handbag thief walk into the store two minutes ago. Obviously she's wearing a completely different outfit and hat this time, but I’m pretty sure it’s her. It looks like you were right, they’re back to check out the new handbags.'
'Terrific, what do you want me to do?'
'Just stay where you are and I'll give you a heads up when she's getting close. But try and stand in a spot where she can't see you and watch what she does. And it would be great if you could use your iPhone camera to video her swiping the handbags.'
Unaware that a trap had been set, the same woman brazenly approached the handbag sales counter and once again went through exactly the same routine as before, carefully inspecting the entire range of new Italian handbags. Annie watched the performance unfold from her vantage point, hidden behind a display of expensive luggage. A few minutes later the woman checked her phone and then, when the sales assistant's back was turned for a few seconds, she reached into her coat pocket to activate the electronic jamming device, before stuffing three of the new handbags into an empty shopping bag with lightning speed.
'Gotcha!' squealed Annie to herself, before quickly checking her phone to ensure that she had captured the theft on video.
Five minutes later three members of the gang were simultaneously detained by store security. One was in the act of removing security tags from the three stolen handbags, which had been left in a security camera blind spot. Loudly protesting their innocence, all three were taken upstairs to the security offices to be interviewed and await the arrival of the local police. Two other suspected gang members wrestled free from the clutches of security guards at the store’s main entrance and legged it down Buchanan Street, quickly disappearing into the crowd of shoppers.
The relieved department store manager personally thanked Annie for the successful apprehension of the handbag thieves. ‘We've won this particular battle thanks to JD Investigations, and we’re extremely grateful to both of you for that. But the war goes on. Hopefully the members of the gang will be charged and fined in due course, but the reality is they could be back in the store tomorrow, trying some new
scam. I really wish there was some other way of combating these gangs.’
While they were waiting for the police to arrive, Jack took the opportunity to have a chat with the leader of the gang.
‘Hello there, Jackie, you don't remember me do you? I nicked you, let's see it must be almost thirty years ago, in the Argyle Street branch of Woolworths. The reason I remembered your face is because you were my very first collar as a rookie cop.’
'That's fascinating,' said Jackie, yawning widely. 'I suppose this is where I should say that you haven't changed a bit either. But, to be honest, I don't remember you at all Mr …'
'My name's Davidson … Jack Davidson. Of course, I'm a private detective these days.'
Jackie fluttered her eyelids and said, 'well maybe if could slip your old police uniform on for me, Jack, that might jog my memory. I am rather partial to a good looking man wearing a uniform.'
Jack felt his cheeks turning red with embarrassment. 'I don't think it would fit me, but I'll see what I can do.’
‘I’ll tell you one thing I do remember clearly from thirty years ago, Jack. I wasn't a very good shoplifter when I was starting out.'
'Yeah well, to be perfectly honest I wasn't much of a cop back then either,’ replied Jack. ‘I think we probably both got better in our respective careers as the years have rolled by.'
'That's true enough. Actually, I suppose I should be flattered that you still recognised me after thirty years.'
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