Soon after the imaginary choir singing, "Ode to Joy," in my head finished, I heard Pen ask me to play the video again.
"Alright, there might be something that we missed." I said as I hit play on the video.
The others gathered around me for a better viewing and inspection of the video. I could feel my heart palpitation rise with their unintentional invasion of my bubble. Oh well, if I want a relationship with Kayley, I'll have to allow others to pierce my bubble.
Sighing deeply, I tucked my hair behind my ears, and leaned my forehead against my hands. Concentrating on everything going on in the video was my prerogative.
As, I listened, I tuned out Fitzgerald's voice. I already knew what he would say. This time I was listening for even the slightest of noises. After what felt like an eternity, I heard a metallic sound coming from behind where Fitzgerald spoke. It sounded like a thin sheet of aluminum.
Nervous excitement began rising in my gut. Maybe this would be our key!
"Pause video." I instructed my computer.
"I need you three to carefully look at the paused screen. Do you see anything resembling a thin metal sheet in the background?"
"With all due respect, Garrett, how is that supposed to be an efficient use of time?" Gwen asked.
In trying to control my anxiety, I said, "I think it might be an important detail."
"Why, yes! I see an aluminum sign to the left. Do you see it, Arthur? I wonder how it made sound, though?" Julianna nervously mused.
I understood her anxiousness.This maniac had taken her daughter and the woman who had slowly been winning my heart hostage.
I heard Arthur settle himself down to his knees. Presumably, to be able to get a better view at the sign. I played the last minute of the video.
"Yes, Julianna, I do see it. Garrett, may I play back the video? I want to see how the sign is making the noise you heard." he explained.
"Please, have at it." I answered.
I then decided I would try a bit of self deprecating humor. Along with my father's sense of humor, I also picked up a thing or two from Lionel's. He always told me that a joke's timing was everything. I added, "Anyway, you'd see it much faster than I would."
I felt a gentle, but firm hand on my right shoulder. To my surprise, I wasn't badly bothered. "You know, I remember your mentor making wise cracks about himself. He'd definitely approve." he chuckled.
I stood up from my desk chair and pulled it out to offer to Arthur.
"Thank you, my knees appreciate it. The time spent on my missions often is hard on these old bones 'o mine." he said as he seated himself under the desk.
At his last statement, his wife spoke up, "Darling, you're not THAT old. If you would have worn those knee pads I bought for your birthday when you were working on the roof yesterday they wouldn't hurt. However, IF you would have worn them, you wouldn't have anything to complain about today. Brilliant plan."
"How droll, dearest Guinevere, how very, very droll." he harrumphed.
I backed away from the desk. This group of new people...maybe even new friends, required me to get some space. I knew the layout of my flat. Typically using my cane in my home would be pointless. Still, I decided to take out my sidekick. Kayley never told me if she told her mother about me. Knowing Kayley and her propensity to...converse so quickly, it wouldn't surprise me if she did. Yet also, in knowing Kayley and how sensitive she was to noticing my need for privacy, she might not have. Given our situation, I definitely had not even thought to inform my guests of keeping their belongings out of the walkway. I had no idea if one of the ladies might have set a purse down. It's always been a preference of mine to not fall on my face at any given moment, especially in my own home.
I swept my sidekick back and forth. Thankfully, there were no handbags or other obstacles in my path. Although my leather chair was nearby, I remained standing. My legs had gone stiff from sitting so long behind the computer. In thought of the computer again, I waited to see what the others would soon say.
"Play that back, Arthur. Did you see how the sign flipped up?" Gwen asked.
"Yes, I did." He answered her. "Garrett, just want to give you a quick play by play. I am going to rewind it again. I want to see if my hunch is correct." he informed me.
I appreciated his consideration of me. Maybe not all people are as callous as I had believed all these years. Maybe the same indifference people had shown me I've also shown to others. My mother always told me I should treat others the same as I want to be treated. Kayley was the one who cracked my heart's stony walls. I believed I was finally ready to let her in. And, even get to know these three.
The now familiar sound of the aluminum sign drew me out of my thoughts. Arthur spoke excitedly, "Ah! Yes, my hunch was right! I just hit pause, Garrett. There is a hole in the wall of the building they're in. There must have been a pretty strong wind to go through that hole and make the sign flap up. That's what caused the noise you picked up on."
"If there is a hole in the wall, I'd say it is safe to assume that Fitzgerald has Kayley in some old, abandoned place. Does the room they're in look dingy?" I asked...my wheels were turning on speed.
"Quite." Gwen replied.
"Play the video again. Pause it when the sign comes back down. Then blow the screen up and see if you can read anything on that sign. We might get lucky and find the name of the old building they're in." I stated.
"Alright. Playing...now." said Arthur.
"Pause it!" Julianna cried.
"Does it say anything?" I questioned.
"Hmmm...let me see here, it does say something, but it is horribly faded." informed Julianna.
"Okay, can you make out any capitol letters?" I asked.
"Let me get a look at it." Gwen said quietly.
Her feet shuffled slightly.
"Yes... there's a large uppercase 'W' on the sign." she reported.
"Fitzgerald told us to meet him at Hyde's Park. He would most likely be somewhere around that area. Do any of you know how far that is from here?" I asked.
"About a ten minute drive." Arthur answered.
The idea of getting in a vehicle still nauseated me, but Kayley was more important than living in fear. It was time for me face my fears. I have waited now, til the last possible moment. I was ready to evade anymore danger sure to be handed her. I was ready to strike.
"Agent Pen, might I get back to my computer, please? It is time to use good, old Google." I grinned.
"By all means." he responded.
Once logged onto Google, I entered into the search bar, "Old abandoned buildings near Hyde's Park."
The computer read, "Here are your results: Allickson Furniture and Wilson's Wardrobe."
"Thank the Lord." Julianna sighed under her breath.
Yes, thank the Lord.
Through the unconventional use of our bread crumbs, we located the end of the our trail.