FBI National Academy
Behavioral Science Graduate Course Lecture
Part 4
As time goes on, obedience alone may become less of a sure thing – the captor is under stress as well, and a change in his mood could mean harmful consequences to his prisoner. Figuring out what might set off her captor's violence so she can avoid those triggers becomes another survival strategy. In this way, she gets to know her captor.
Golden Mile Chinese Restaurant (Big 5)
Chinatown
San Diego (Deagle town), California
6:57 p.m.
The dusty and polluted air of California's premier border city blows this way and that, fulfilling its only job in a concrete jungle, a job that is stirring up awful odours from the levels of rotting garbage on the floor to the nose levels of the average person.
The reason why Chinatowns here as well as anywhere in North American big cities were so dirty was that in North America, trash burning was illegal. Since trash burning was sanctioned in Hong Kong, streets remained very clean, while Chinatown's on this side of the pacific were disgusting.
It was this attitude that Theo couldn't stand. Most of the time his desire to rid himself of his family and their Hong Kong ways didn't come from the big problem such as the crime and selfish greed, that was something that he had steeled himself to (for the exception of certain moments) a long time ago. But it was because of inhabitants like these. Theo couldn't understand what would make these migrants think that they could still discard trash on the street without proper disposal. Theo had little regard for those who believed in that because it was this self centered, attitude that kept Chinese men like himself under the stigma of stereotype. That kept his family in power. The stereotype of unclean, slovenly, and most of all uncivilized and stupid.
Theo had pulled the Escalade to the back of a well lit Chinese restaurant. He paused and looked over. He had put Miley's blindfold back on before the signs of San Diego could be seen, therefore she had no idea where exactly she was.
He flickers his high beam lights three times
He then calls a number on his cell phone.
(Talks Mandarin Chinese)
"Happy (Chinese) New Year"
At that point the filthy garage door directly in front of them opens. Theo hangs up and drives in.
After the SUV gets in and the doors close, Theo gets out and guides Miley out too. No one is there to meet them.
Theo looks around and sees for himself what Tom had warned him about. For Theo was thankful Miley couldn't see this for herself.
The basement was half underground and seemingly separated from the restaurant part. But this basement was filthy. Theo was grateful, to say the least, that new restaurant inspection standards had forced the building to be brought up to code. No infestations of any kind were around any more.
But what had replaced the junk and pests weren't much better.
As Theo guides Miley by the hand, Miley sniffs twice and squeezes Theo's hand.
"It smells funny," Miley stated.
"I know, I know, just stick with me."
Theo stops and refrains from entering the next room deeper into the building. They were nowhere near the restaurant. But Theo saw exactly was Miley smelt.
Packages, wrappings, and other shipping paraphernalia were strewed anywhere and everywhere.
Theo sees the 'cook' taking a break, eating a Chinese dish, probably from upstairs.
"Hey, you knew we were coming, you think you could've cleaned up for the lady, you lazy a-," Theo cussed out, worried about how Miley was gonna navigate all this and about how the chemicals could get to her.
The slim man of Chinese ancestry just shrugged indifferently as he went back to eating.
"Ok, Miley, just walk forward and listen to my say so and you'll get through this room."
"Where is this place?"
Theo knew she meant 'what is this place'. And he didn't want to bring her deeper into the darkness that was his family business.
"A storage place, that's all"
Theo looked around at the place and knew. He wasn't told it what this place was, but he knew exactly what it was.
A packaging depot for the China White Heroin his father dealt in
Miley's POV:
I don't believe him. All I smell is awful chemicals. Nothing I ever smelled before yet I can't help but be wary and afraid of it.
This can't be just a 'storage place'.
But I need Teddy to get me through this. Really…really Teddy needs me to need him.
He just does.
I have to do this. He's my guide now. And as long as I stay that way. I'll live… I just know it.
Just then I hear the pop and click.
"Hey…hey…what the f-k do you think you're doing! You don't pack product up with Miley still here you f-king s-thead.
I jump back.
Ok, now I know he isn't talking about doing just anything to snap like that.
I feel it as Teddy holds me close while shielding me from the direction of the cooking fumes coming from the other side of the room.
Theo fingers his gun with an itchy finger which is only getting itchier.
I can feel the tension is high, yet I sense the other guy is a dirty and low class man who surprisingly speaks English.
"What is your problem?" the cook asks slowly and with a heavy Chinese accent.
"My problem? MY PROBLEM! My problem is that you exposing Miley here to this s-t that's what. Her health, MY PROBLEM, the BOSS' problem, thus YOUR problem, you D-khead.
The cook had now stood up confronting Theo. He could do not much else, not so much because of Theo's position in the family but because of his heightened determination. The cook correctly thought Theo's grit meant that the girl was much more than just about the job. The pot of chemicals still burn away.
"Oh lord, he's nuts?" I said to myself.
I cough for no reason, but Theo thinks it's because of the packing…
"Well? I don't give a rats a- about you or the fact that you're retarded enough to eat in the same room where product abound, meaning you're eating precursors. You gonna stop?"
The cook relents. There is a slight pause after he stops. I hear the man speak Chinese.
"Sun set must be nice. Like you're little girlfriend there," the cook pointed out in Mandarin Chinese, having been inside for so long.
"She is, and if you wanna live to see the next sun rise we won't go through this again, understand?" Teddy replied in English in a tone of finality.
Theo knew more enough Mandarin Chinese and even a bit of Cantonese to get around. Habit from the family.
Is he talking about me? Oh my… I think he does care…
"O-kay," the cook replies.
I feel Teddy rushing me away, further into the darkness.
"Dirty business?" I ask taking a risk.
"Very," he retorts not thinking about my inquiry.
But then he stops me and hold me while asking…
"Are you ok. Nothing's on you, you don't feel funny or tingling, nauseous, dizzy?"
"No, I'm fine…Thanks to you, Teddy," I said with a smile to try to get on his warmer side.
I feel the pause for a little too long, I hope Teddy was moved by me. That would be a good sign.
And it is a good sign because Theo was moved. He then pulls Miley's blindfold down.
"Miley," Theo began as he leads me into another room, "I don't think you were there long enough to have any real damage from the chemicals. But with all the precursors on the floor, just watch out, ok."
"Ok…," I replied.
"Oh and one more thing…"
I look straight at him. His eyes.
"If something happens, probably you're feet, just tell me and I'll make you a nice pair of pumps out of that guys lungs."
I stare blankly not knowing what to say.
This guy is insane. I just realize now he just gave someone a death threat over my shoes? No, over my safety. I…I…I never had someone do that. All my life I've been so sheltered, yet never protected.
I've never heard so much harshness. But I can't help but feel safe, because it was all for me. To protect me.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but his heart seems to be in the right place.
But what interrupted me, shocked me.
Teddy's bleeding again. It's fresh and must've started when he yelled at that man before.
It's trickling down and but at the time Teddy wants to check up on me with his right hand, the blood reached his hand, at my eye level.
Oh poor Teddy.
"I know what it is. It's much worse than I thought. No worries just have to find a needle and thread,"
Teddy insisted remaining incredibly calm.
Wait, needle and thread?
Oh, heaven to betsy.
I think he's gonna stitch himself up.
A part of me wants to offer to help, but how?
"Don't worry, I'll do this" Teddy reassured me, as he used his left hand to bring my face up.
Minutes pass as we look straight into each other eyes, before I see Teddy snap out of it and bolt out.
I look around and am surprised to see another well-furnished basement with even a stove top and what looks like a pantry. The windows are larger but still boarded up shut.
As I look around I see things any kitchen would have. A pantry full of food, cleaners, furniture…
All I know is that I have to make the best out of this…
What does he need the most? What would he like the most?
Well he's a hardworking, serious, yet sensitive man.
He's more man that Jake could ever be.
I know!
Miley proceeds to look around…
Theo's POV
As I look up and walk toward the light, I'm happy that was over and done with. I pocket the key that I used to lock Miley in the hidden apartment, as I go up. I also take off the bandana covering my face.
Up the narrow dirty rotten wooden stairwell.
Instead of a door, what greets me is a hatch in the ceiling.
I knock on it twice and push the door open.
I am greeted by the hustle and bustle of a restaurant kitchen with Oriental spices and sauces permeating with the rapid fire Chinese being spoken by the chefs.
Without stopping I walk further back into a restaurant to the offices and service entrances. The legit business offices were here along with the service entrance. Anyone who wasn't a customer would come through here.
Theo passes a man but not before he notices a man carelessly tosses a shiny silver wrapper on the floor landing no where near the waste basket.
"Stupid couriers always around, always in and out and in and out…"
Theo reaches the roof.
As I look out across the city, I am engulfed by the open air. After spending most of my leisure time indoors I was glad that I was able to immerse myself in fresh city air.
However fresh that may mean for a city like San Diego. But my idea of camping is a Holiday Inn, so this was perfect for me.
I take the time to set up a small folding table. I take the needle and thread and without a sound begin to stitch myself.
In and out and…shift and wipe bleeding…and so on
15 minutes later, Theo looks out at San Diego Bay and sees something he envies. He sees the U.S. Naval Port and sighs.
Look at those lucky SOB's. It must be nice still being able to do a job with pride, discipline and service for you're country.
But most of all, I envy the peace of the sea. Of the knowledge that when those sailors and Marines step off the boat into their arms will the rush of family, friends and most of all
Sweethearts. Loves.
Theo sighs…
I regretted giving in to Tom's pressure for me to lose it. I had lost mine to working girl, one of my family's trafficked doll turning tricks to avoid deportation.
Since then, the opportunity to get laid never presented itself to me…
Since mom, I have never once been loved…
What I would give to…
Theo then looks up at the emerging stars
Divine…
Dead center in the city and I can see the heavens shining like divine fireflies.
I reach into my shirt and pull out my dog tags. The last gift given to me by both my parents before mom passed.
I finger it at I continue to look up. But this time, I look up to help myself solve something…
I couldn't help but keep searching my head for what these stars reminded me of. And worst of all I didn't know why I wondered to even make a comparison in the first place. Just something pushed and pushed.
I look at one star that was pretty close to the other, yet both were sort of separate from all the rest. For some reason I feel those two are in a perfect orientation and distance for my brain to form…
Drops…
Snowflakes…
Crystals…
Diamonds…
Spark…
Sparkles…
No, one Sparkle on black…
Sparkle on black because of light reflection
Now I see my brain fading in
(Sparkle centered around…)
Blue
Coming clear, the crystal blue...
Eyes…
Eyes of…
I gasped and quickly looked forward in instant shock and shame when I realized
Miley.
Miley's crystal blue eyes
I shook myself awake and scolded myself. This job was getting to me.
But as I look up again, the eyes had disappeared.
(Phew-sigh)
Yet a part of me feels sad, very very sad that it's gone and I can't see her almost wonderful…
As I breathe in and out, I close my eyes and realize a minute later that Miley face hadn't left me, but all I saw was her face among the times when her eyes were
Clenched…
tearful…
hurt…
exasperated…
fearful
sad…
dejected.
Cheap, merciful, F-K!
That was the guilt
It had to be the guilt…
It's the guilt
It's the guilt.
It's the guilt.
I refuse to acknowledge that I was only trying to convince myself. And failing at that.
"Hey!"
I turn around and see a chef peeking out the roof door.
"You use the gas, shut it off, shut it off, arrgh" (New Chinese Immigrant attempt at English accent)
What the hell? I was used to 'Oriental' English.
But the gas?
Wait the gas leads to Miley's place…probably doing something…
Well there was a pantry in the place…so I guess…
Cooking?
Well I was hungry. Was planning to call in food from the chefs but I guess Miley couldn't wait…well that was my fault…
But I should see what Miley's up to…
As I come down from the roof…I almost pass by the silver wrapper that the courier dropped. Swearing underneath my breath at the rudeness of it, for some reason I pick if up. But before crumpling up I notice traces of whitish powder seeped from it into my hands.
The powder seems peculiar. I look at it, taste a tiny bit of it and inhale a humming bird's breath of it through my nose.
Being in a crime family made me quite familiar with street drugs…And this feels like…
Angel Dust. (PCP).
Wha? He's high?
Then something hits me about the courier.
I remember what happened…
Flashback in Theo's mind:
We bumped into each other.
He's not a customer, he can't be a cop.
At first neither wanted to give the other way, but a second later I slipped passed him.
It was obviously a courier for the meth lab downstairs. We had many, but this guy was different. He wasn't Asian, but he wasn't a Skinhead either, so he couldn't be just doing something for our partners. At least 6 feet tall, built like a football player or a wrestler. (A/N: Bill Goldberg)
And there was a funny way he walked…I had thought it was what he was like, but he did seem odd…
Like completely determined to get to something…
End flashback
By now I am rushing to the kitchen, and I see the hatch being wide open…
Couriers would know and use this way, but that wasn't what was bothering me…
What was bothering me was that it was left open...
A closer look and I see the handle latch almost twisted off by hand with monstrous force.
Theo freezes and springs into fear induced action.
"Miley!" Theo screamed inside himself.