Amber Boston: Container & Packaging Spy, Part 4

amber-boston-container-packaging-spy-part-4<p>Part 4: The Infiltration, or, When a Poor Disguise Doesn't Really Work</p> <p>The next morning, I composed my report of all I&#8217;d discovered about Container &amp; Packaging Supply thus far. I dropped it in the dead drop at the library (hopefully it didn't get mistaken for a returned book; kind of a dumb place for a dead drop¦). I headed down the street to Container &amp; Packaging Supply. I adjusted my disguise; certainly nobody would recognize me with a baseball cap and big sunglasses on. I walked in the building and realized that most normal people take their sunglasses off inside. And my picture was on the blog roll. So if anybody actually read my articles, my cover was blown. I sighed, then removed my sunglasses. The receptionist smiled at me.</p> <p>Hi Rachel, she said. I loved your last blog article!</p> <p>Uh, thanks. I'm here to see Keith about some container articles. So much for the disguise. She waved me on back. I guess that since she recognized me, it was actually <em>easier</em> to get in than it might have been otherwise. I weaved my way through the rows of cubicles. My superiors had procured the basic layout of the office, and I had memorized it weeks ago. I ducked my head and pulled up the collar of my jacket, hoping to obscure my face so that nobody else would recognize me. Once I was out of sight of the receptionist, I sped up, quickly darting between the cubicles. I was surprised at how many offices and people were in the building. I thought this was a place that fronted as a container seller, so shouldn't they have had big boxes of bottles and jars right up front? It looked like a legitimate office.</p> <p>I could hear phones ringing and people talking. I listened for a moment, shocked to actually hear people who sounded like they were buying and selling containers. Where was the dirty work? It must be here somewhere. This building was their base of operations, and my superiors had sent me in to find their secrets. I had spent months building my cover, and it had been far easier to get in the front door than I had anticipated.</p> <p>I turned a corner and nearly ran into a bald man with glasses. <em>Jon, I think</em>. Hey Rachel, nice hat, he said. Once again, the disguise was failing. Here to see Keith about some articles?</p> <p>Um, nope, I'm picking up some bottles for a series of product tests. That seemed like a convincing excuse. I often used containers, but I'd never actually been past the front desk before. Jon waved as he headed down a row of cubicles and I turned in the direction that I knew the warehouse was. If there were any secrets in this building, they must be out there.</p>