Chasing the Elusive 'H'

Chapter 4

Day Ten.

Early in the afternoon, I returned to the same station I was working at last night. I instantly picked up where I left off. Going through over a week’s worth of footage, watching to see if the truck in question ever left the ‘dead end’ service area.

“Ha, my first stakeout,” I thought to myself. “And it’s not even a proper one.”

During this time, I also called the local DMV and asked for the details regarding the licence plate “EBP 5414.” The DMV woman on the other end of the phone, did a quick check on her system.

“It seems like the owner of the vehicle hasn’t changed hands,” which is a good sign I thought to myself. Worse case scenario ‘H’ has abandoned the truck there, and I’ll have to come back here and re-watch all of the footage from the day he left the truck there. I thanked the lady for her time.

In no time at all, I went through hours upon hours of footage using the ‘motion detection’ settings. There were not many cars going in or out of this street, just the usual staff for the buildings around 0800 to 0900 hours in the morning and again at 1500 to 1700 hours. With the exception of clients, customers and deliveries, there weren’t many vehicles to monitor, so it made my job easier. I don’t believe anyone left or came into the area during the night, except on one occasion when a group of teenagers with spray paints came past the service street camera.

Finally I got to today’s recordings. I was quite confident that ‘H’ hadn’t moved his truck. Since ‘H’ has a history of being eventually tracked down, he moved prior to being zoned in on. Perhaps he’s thinking of striking again shortly and wanted to be outside of the last area that he operated in. I’m hoping against all odds that ‘H’ hasn’t realised that there is a report of his suspicious vehicle on the police system. If he did know, then why didn’t he delete it off the system? Why didn’t he mask his trail from the traffic cameras? Maybe there’s a limit to his abilities or maybe he didn't think that anyone would make the connection? Either way I wrote all of those questions down on my notepad as possibilities.

But in any case, it seems like he hasn’t moved his truck again because there are no signs of risk. It looks like I am the one lulling ‘him’ into a false sense of security without even realising it myself.

Unaware of how tired I am, I yawned. I involuntarily looked up at the clock in the room I was in.

“Oh s**t!” I saw I only had a few hours to get to the Street in question to do a visual on finding ‘H’s’ truck, before potential witnesses would be leaving to go home for the day.

It was also a good opportunity to take photos of the truck, the location and it’s contents and presented them to my chief. Maybe that would be the ‘breakthrough’ to secure my job.

I packed my things in a neat bundle and left them at the station. I planned to leave most of my items to help me look less suspicious for the next part of my investigation. I purposely dressed more casually for today, to look more like a customer. My idea was plain and simple, act like a normal everyday consumer, for a front.

I would then ask the ‘normal’ workers about any suspicious activity or any abandoned vehicles in the area. My theory being that ‘H’ has probably has friends there or paid them well to keep quiet. I decided I can’t trust anyone high up in this area of work, and that's why its best to ask the people at the bottom first.

I got myself tidied up and presentable, straightened up my ponytail and made my way out of the station only taking my blackberry phone, identification, camera, a spare roll of film, wallet, a notepad, pen and handcuffs, just in case. Even though I wasn’t trained to restrain or arrest anyone officially, it was like a security blanket of sorts, a reminder of who I am.

I hailed a taxi and made my way for the service road that ‘H’s’ truck is residing in.

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Day Fourteen.

I had lost count of how many places I had tried to scope out, at least six I believe. Having no such luck in any information from anyone at this point in time, I was starting to lose faith.

I was starting reach the end of the street, feeling that maybe he did just disappear into thin air again. Losing heart but still keeping my cool persona, I headed towards the next buildings’ entrance. I didn’t know what it was, but I had a good feeling about this next showroom. My guts instincts proved right, as I entered the building I examined the sign. ‘I.T.G, Innovative Technology Giants.’

As I entered all eyes fell on me. It was like this in all the other stores, but this felt different. It was understandable, a young lady by herself in a mainly industrial area seemed unusual, but this time it felt strange. Like their customers have ‘never once seen a girl in their entire lives’ sort of strange. I was able to grab the attention of one of the few salesmen, and began my questions in a discrete tone.

“I was wondering if you could help me” I quietly asked the man I was able to get the attention of.

“Sure thing, now what are you after today young lady?” He asked like it was second nature to him. I was glad that he wasn’t acting like the other awkward men around me.

I looked down at his name badge before continuing. “Well Gill, I was wondering if you could help me in an investigation,” I whispered, I flipped my ID badge to let him know that I’m with the police department. I subtlety looked over my shoulder to make sure no one could overhear our conversation. I had gotten used to keeping an eye out for any suspicious behaviour, and me bringing up this topic in the store I hadn’t noticed a change in anyone’s demeanour. Strange, as it already was. “I would like to know if you noticed anything unusual lately, especially from the 24th of April up until this date.” I continued to whisper to him.

His eyes focused on the badge for a second or two which is understandable, as not many people have dealt with the authorities before. I gave him a moment to ponder, when he was about to open his mouth, I continued further. “Oh and have you seen an abandoned truck with EBP 5414 as the licence plate?”

“No, I can’t say I have noticed anything out of the norm. I’m kinda stuck in here all day to be honest.” I deflated a little inside. He continued, “But the Dockies may know of the truck you mentioned”

“Dockies?,” I questioned back.

“I think the term is ‘dock-men’ or ‘dock masters’. They look after all deliveries here, in and out.” He quietly explained.

“Am I able to see these dock-men right now?”

“Sure, I’ll take you out the back if you want.” He offered with a small smile, extending an open hand to indicate the direction to start walking towards.

“Thank you, that would be appreciated Gill” I beamed back at him and started to walk.

Gill took me through the ‘staff access only’ automatic door, using his magnetic strip card. He then led me through the building’s storeroom. We went through another set of conformation doors, which required the same card, before we reached the docks. This seems like a very advanced company. A secure one. I was very impressed. The same sort of technology is used at the station, but also we have staff manning the doors in case of potential threats.

When I came onto the platform for the docks, my eyes locked onto a very attractive figure in front of me.

A young man.

With a clipboard out in front of him, he was checking off items on a pallet. Bending down every now and then to check numbers or what not, before ticking it off. He waved to another man in the forklift shortly after to take the pallet away towards the storeroom.

“Hey Robin!”, Gill addressed the young man whom I was currently focused on.

As we walked a little further in his direction, he noticed us. His gaze seemed to linger on me in particular, giving me a thrill.

He was lean and semi-tall, wearing a shirt that was maybe one size too small showing off his figure further. He was slightly tanned. Toned and sculpted, but not in a bulky sort of way. His hair was nearly jet black in comparison to his skin, and he wore his hair in a lightly brushed state. If I had to explain his facial type, I would describe it as slightly rugged, rectangular face that would make me believe that the Greek gods truly did exist.

“Get it together” I told myself quietly, “I’m just asking a few questions for an investigation. Get a grip.”

I felt like I’d melt if he smiled in my general direction. So I took a subtle deep breath before Gill and I finally reached this manly specimen.

“Robin? This is .. oh I’m sorry I don’t remember your name Miss ..?”

“..Abigail” I answered, showing my ID badge yet again. I looked over my shoulder again, as a precaution.

“Abigail has a few questions for you, if you’ll be so kind to offer your time.” Gill continued.

Robin looked from his co-worker to me and back again, nearly wide-eyed. “Yer sure, should I sent her back to the floor through the storeroom when she’s done?” He questioned unsure of the protocols.

Gill smiled “Yes, that should be okay Robin, as long as you or another dockie guides her back.”

“Will do” He gives a dazzling smile to Gill and waves him off. I watched as Gill turns nearly instantly on his heels, heading back towards the way we came.

I observed the surroundings before I continued. The dock wasn’t an enclosed space as I imagined, it was actually quite the opposite. It was mainly a concrete platform connecting to the main building’s storage area. There are a few offices that connected to the platform, possibly for stock suppliers to order new items in and arrange for deliveries to go out. This area was also quite unkempt, I could tell by the dust and dirt along the fixtures and permanent items that surrounded some of the offices.

There is another structure on this property opposite from the dock, detached from the rest of the building. Looks like that’s where they store their delivery trucks during the nigh...

“So? What questions do you have for me miss Abigail?” I was snapped out of my inner thoughts, now drawing my attention back towards Robin.

He was already turned away, looking at his next pallet and flipping through the paperwork on his clipboard. He began to tick off an item or two whilst waiting for my response.

“Well, I’m investigating a certain case” I explained. “I’m after a suspicious vehicle, a truck in fact, with the licence plate EBP 5414. I was wondering if you had noticed anything suspicious regarding activity or have seen the vehicle in question.”

He stopped for a second clipboard still in hand. His face turned slightly towards me, at this point I realised his facial expression. He wore a small smile, giving a semi-dreamy look, tugging at my heart strings.

“I think I know exactly the truck that you’re talking about.” He was now turned with his body fully facing mine. “I noticed a parked truck out back a couple of days ago, which isn't ours. I didn't think anything of it, so I never told anyone.”

My eyes felt like they were wide with shock. Holy Crap. Is this it? Will this be the breakthrough that will save my career? Will this chase end with simply finding ‘H’s’ truck though?

A hand motioning in front of my eyes broke me out of my trance. How long was I standing there wide eyed?

“S-sorry, … what did you say?” I tried to recover from my thoughts.

“I ‘said’, would you like me to show you where it is?” He repeated with a somewhat concerned look.

Taken a back, I look at his face. His eyes seemed to hold me hostage for a moment before I replied, “Yes, please.” Was all I could manage to get out.

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The walk to the whereabouts of ‘H’s’ supposed vehicle was short. Behind the building across from the dock’s platform, was where Robin was leading me. When myself and Robin turned the corner, the truck came into view.

My heart was caught in my throat.

I didn’t think this far into what would happen when I finally found this key part of the case. I was unsure if it was safe to investigate the truck by myself.

I hurried back around the corner and tried to stay out of sight from the vehicle so I could quickly ponder my possible options and assess the situation, without risk of being spotted.

Ok, it was away from prying eyes, but the vehicle wasn’t covered up or hidden away properly. Did this mean ‘H’ was planning on using his truck shortly? Was he in there right now? Or does he know someone inside I.T.G to keep an eye on it for him?

Poking my head around the corner, I observed the area at a distance. I noticed the truck was parked closely to the building’s wall, on the opposite side was a chain-link fence separating the properties. At the front of the truck stood a wall of pallets, that have been placed to obscure vision of the truck’s appearance from that angle.

But that begs the question, how did Robin come to see it?

I turned to Robin and asked, “How did you find this truck, what were you doing back here?”

He looked at me and knocked on the material beside him in a smug-like fashion. It was now that I realised that we were hiding beside a dumpster. “I was taking out the trash and noticed the bumper of the truck sticking slightly out from the corner” he stated as he points at the bumper.

“Ok, I have another question. What ‘is’ that space behind here used for in the first place?” I continued to interrogate.

“It was a waste of space, so the higher-ups decided that it should be used as an area for storing large unwanted items that are too big for the dumpster. We pile up items to a point until it’s enough to fill up majority of a truck and then we make a dump run.” He explained. “We don’t do dump runs often” He continued.

With this information, I searched for my notepad in my bag and started to write down the statement Robin gave me.

Now the real question. How do I persist?

I could ring the Chief, but unfortunately I had a feeling that he wouldn’t send anyone to help me investigate something I should be able to do by myself. I'm nearly positive that he wouldn’t believe that I found ‘H’s’ whereabouts so soon, when his other investigators didn’t.

And if I did call I’d probably just get...

*Flashback*

“Enough! One more excuse and that’s IT... Do the case, or YOU’RE THROUGH!”.

I didn’t bring my dusting kit with me. Stupid. Stupid me. That’s right I was going undercover to put ‘H’ into a false sense of security. So I can’t get the true identity of ‘H’ with prints, or at least his accomplices. I also couldn’t leave the scene in fear that ‘H’ finds out that someone is snooping around, and moves his truck whilst I get my supplies or the authorities. I don’t know the extent of his hacking skills. Hell, he probably has a police scanner and listening out for anything regarding him or his current location.

And what if he’s in there right now? Or if there is a team of them? I glanced beside me to see Robin. I think he knew I was contemplating my next move, so he gave me some time to think whilst keeping an eye out for me. Well at least I have Robin with me, maybe that might intimidate ‘H’ enough to buckle and be taken into custody, right?

The best chance I have to catch ‘H’ off guard is here and now.

“Will you be willing to help me investigate that truck?” I finally broke the silence.

He faced me again, visibly taken aback. He then looks back around the corner. I signalled him to stop looking and stay hidden.

“What do you think is in there?” He asks, “What are you hoping to find?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to be grabbed without putting up a fight.” I said, as a thought or two clearly showing the unease on my face.

“You think someone is in there?” He questioned again, his eyes slightly wider.

“Likely, yes” I answered. “Can I ask you to have my back in-case this goes sour?”

He gave me a smug smile. “I’ll make sure that no one takes you from behind.”

I instantly blushed, realising what he said and how he said it. He started laughing quietly, I lightly tapped him on the chest to bring his attention back to the situation at hand. “I'm serious. Please help me, cause I don’t know what to expect.” I asked, trying to disarm the situation.

“Sure, I’ll protect you. But why not just call for backup?” He asked, clearly unsure of why I’m not following possible protocols.

“Look, you’ll just have to trust me. I have to do this here and right now. It’s now or never.” I half snapped back, which was not my intention.

He held his hands up in a ‘surrender,’ “OK and what if they run? What’s the game plan then?”

“And if they run? Well that’s something I can handle. I’ve always wanted to chase a suspect.” It was a secret wish of mine to have an epic chase at least once in my life. A guilty pleasure I would admit. A smile escaped my lips. “If there are multiple people, pick one and chase that one down,” I directed. “Call the authorities when you do.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He did a cheesy salute. I smiled and shook my head slightly, I was charmed at his attempt at humour.

We made our way past the corner and towards the truck. We each took a back door handle to open together at the same time.

I mouthed “3.. 2..1 ..” We pulled the door simultaneously. “Freeze! Detroit Poli..”

But myself and Robin were met with an empty truck.

I still climbed into the truck trying to see if ‘H’ had left any evidence behind. After a few minutes I came back outside, defeated. Unfortunately ‘H’ hadn’t left anything to go off of.

I punched the truck’s backdoor. s**t. So close. Yet so far. Turning back towards Robin after I took my anger out on the door, I asked. “You said that you noticed this truck here a few days ago? What day exactly?”

He looked taken aback, seeing the impact I had on the truck’s door. I was currently holding my knuckles in my other hand, regret and hurt probably clearly shown on my face from my stupidity. “Well my first day back was three days ago. The truck could have been here earlier, if that theory helps.” he offered.

“Am I able to see the logs from the 24th till today and your security footage for your dock and side access that the trucks use?”

“That seems like a plan, sure, I’ll take you to see Micheal” As I started to make my way back towards the corner he added, “Anyway … Do I get anything out of this, by helping you today?”

Without turning around and still cradling my injured hand, I answered, “A written thanks for aiding a criminal investigation from the ‘Chief of police’ himself. That’s ‘if’ the case is solved.”

I heard a loud sigh behind me, throwing me off guard. “..Lunch would be good too.”

“But it’s past lunchtime..” I looked back towards him to see him with a doubtful expression. “Oooooh” I realised that Robin was flirting with me the whole time, and that he was bold enough to ask me out just now. I started to slightly blush again.

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