Kate Brown, 78, dressed in black, pretended to mourn the sudden death of her husband, Bob Brown, 82, who in his own turn played the dead on his wheel chair. This daily performance was taking place at White Street, close to Halliday’s Mall, a crowded place especially during Christmas season. The unsuspicious victims, who run to help them, caught by surprise were deceived, attacked and robbed.

The police had been watching the two partners for some time, gathering evidence, and taking photos. The case was assigned to detective MacClaine, who caught the frauds in the act. Yesterday, at 6 pm, he came out of his car, which was parked for stake out reasons opposite to the Halliday’s Mall, and handcuffed the couple, while they were trying to rob a fifteen years old girl at the dark alley nearby.

“Mr. Brown was standing on his feet alright and Mrs. Brown was the most cheerful widow I have ever seen”, stated detective McClane in his report. During the press conference, Harry Bogomill, the chief of Detroit’s police department, noted that this was the third fraud case in the last month. So, next time you meet a beggar or a stranger in distress, be careful… things are not always the way they seem to be!

I was standing nearby waiting for the bus to take me home. The labours of the day had exhausted me and I was desperately in need of a warm bath and some rest. Despite my tiredness though, I found this strange woman very appealing and I might have tried to engage with her to a kind of conversation, had not my bus been approaching from afar. I made a couple of steps forward, feeling my willingness too weak, my thoughts captured behind. When the bus arrived and opened its doors I heard the sweetest voice asking me for the time. I turned around and while stepping on the bus I said decisively “It’s time to go”. She smiled silently and followed me to the back seats.

“I thought you have been waiting for somebody” I said to initiate a conversation and learn her story.

“I was” she replied firmly and stopped.

“Who then?” I asked both indiscreetly and impatiently.

“You” responded she.

I was astounded. “Me? Do we know each other?” I finally asked.

“Not yet” said she and smiled mysteriously again.

“What’s your name?” I asked all the more interested.

“Destiny” she said.