Top of The Edge - Beach Assault Aftermath

Being confident that at this hour the on-coming vehicle was most likely someone in pursuit of the car that had apparently eluded the police officers they had just left, Tuttle used his headlights, turning them off and on in a sequence of long and short flashes. In Morse code he was flashing the letters, F, B, I.

In the distance Vanderhorst and Wycliffe could see headlights coming their way. "I wonder who that could be." Wycliffe stated. Just as those words left his left his lips, the headlights up ahead began flashing off and on.

"What's that all about?" Vanderhorst asked. "Why do you think they're flashing their headlights at us?"

"I think they are trying to signal us. The long and short flashes appear to be Morse code." After a few seconds of studying the flashes Mark said, "They're signaling three letters, FBI. Maybe they have already apprehended our fugitives."

"Let's hope so." Vanderhorst replied.

When the vehicles were within a half mile or so of each other, Vanderhorst pulled to the side of the road to wait for the other vehicle. Once both driver's side windows were adjacent to one another, Tuttle introduced himself and Smith. Vanderhorst did the same. When he introduced LTJG Wycliffe, however, Nadean slumped down in the back seat till she was nearly lying on the floor. She was glad Tuttle hadn't introduced her, and now she is hoping that no one would notice her at all. After Tuttle explained the events that had just transpired presumably between the Charleston County Police and the spy with his accomplices, Lieutenant Wycliffe asked incredulously, "So you think they got away by driving up an irrigation ditch?"

"It would appear that way lieutenant."

"So, what do we do now?"

"We're going to continue on to the beach." Smith said.

"The officers we just left radioed another patrol car that was already patrolling River Road, which is in the direct path of where the fugitives were headed. Hopefully they'll be able to spot and reprehend them over there.

"I was going to do some surf-fishing tomorrow." Vanderhorst commented. "But I think I'll go on a little fishing expedition of a different sort instead. I know most of the farmers around here. It just could be that the spy's contacts may have been staying on one of their properties. They all have several small dwellings built to house the migrant workers during harvest."

"That's a good idea." Smith replied.

"Are y'all heading back downtown tonight?" Lieutenant Wycliffe asked. "Yes, we are Tuttle answered.

"Do you think you can give me a ride back over to the Coast Guard station?"

"Not a problem. Of course, it's going to be a while. We're going to survey the situation at the beach first.

"Great! Maybe along the way someone can explain to me exactly what in the world my baby sister is doing slumped down in the back seat of your car."

Tuttle laughed as he answered, "Oh you're going to love that story lieutenant."

"We're not going anywhere!" Cherry stated emphatically. "Our shift will be over in a couple of hours anyway, and beside that, we need to take care of our horses."

CPO Daniels responded just as emphatically. "It's highly possible that after getting hit in the head that the two of you are suffering from a concussion. You need to be checked out by a doctor."

CPO Wilson was examining Robin shining the light from a small flashlight into her eyes, which was beginning to really annoy her. She was still seated on the ground. Cherry and Maryanne were both standing now. "Someone, give me hand up. I think I'm okay."

"Can you stand on your own?" CPO Wilson responded. After giving him a look of thorough disgust, she replied, "Yes." She got to her knees, then one knee, and she made a valiant effort to stand. Then her whole world began to spin and with a hard thud she found herself once again with her derriere planted firmly on the ground. "I don't... I don't feel so good. I feel like I'm going to vomit."

"That settles it." CPO Daniels exclaimed. You are all coming with us so you can be seen by a doctor tonight."

"I didn't get hit in the head." Maryanne quickly interjected. So, I'll stay behind and take care of the horses. Even if you're feeling fine Cherry, you should be there for Robyn. After everything is taken care of here, I'll drive your car over and meet you at the hospital."

"So much for keeping your presence out here a secret. Are you sure you can take care of everything by yourself?"

"I've got this. You go with Robyn. I'll see y'all in a little while."

Just as the PT boat was pulling away, Smith, Tuttle, LTJG Wycliffe, and Nadean Wycliffe all came walking up the trail on to the beach past the horses and the girl's campsite and straight toward Maryanne, who was now also walking toward the campsite. As they drew closer to one another, Smith began to introduce himself when he suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute. I know you... from... the Wentworth Mansion." Then he realized something else. "You've been out here all along, haven't you?"

"Yes, from the very start." Maryanne replied with a smile.

"Please forgive me, but I have forgotten your name."

"Maryanne"

"Well Maryanne, can you fill us in on what took place out here this evening?"

As Maryanne gave a thorough recount of the evening's events, Smith and the rest of the entourage listened intently. After she concluded, Smith couldn't help but feel grateful that she was there. Which was in total conflict with how else he felt. She was not supposed to be there, and they totally disregarded his instructions. "While I'm grateful that you obviously saved both Cherry and Robyn's lives. I am also angry and disappointed in you and them. This is a violation of...

"You've got to be kidding me." Nadean blurted out interrupting Smith. "She saved their lives! What is wrong with..."

"Nadean, quiet. This has nothing to do with you." Lieutenant Wycliffe admonished his sister.

"It doesn't have to have anything to do with me? Right is right and wrong is wrong, and it is just plain wrong for this high and mighty FBI agent to come down on this... on this obvious hero."

"You mean heroine."

"Whatever Stan!"

Tuttle smiling and shaking his head over the situation commented, "I'm sorry Bart, but once again this young lady has made an unarguably strong point."

Smith lowered his eyes and shook his head slowly. Then he smiled and looked up until his eyes met Maryanne's. "Yes, truly an unarguably strong point." Then speaking to Tuttle, Smith asked, "You feel like heading over to the hospital?" Tuttle nodded in agreement. "Nadean, if you don't mind, I would like you to stay here and help Maryanne." Then he asked Maryanne, "Can you drop her off at her dorm on your way home.

"I can, but first I need to go by the hospital as well. Cherry will be waiting there for her car. I'm sure she'll have no problem dropping the two of us off after that."

"Don't think this gets you off the hook with me Nadean. You've got a lot of explaining to do." Lieutenant Wycliffe said admonishingly.

"The whole world has seen this car tonight." Ralph stated as he pulled into the drive of their home. "We have got to get rid of it or hide it or something."

"For now, we should hide it behind McDaniel's Barn. There's an old, dilapidated shed back there. If it's not too full of other junk, we may be able to hide the car there indefinitely." Then referring to Billy Cook Louise said, "Let me get him settled inside the house, and I'll meet you back there in a few minutes."

"Louise, I don't know what's gotten into you, but all this bossing me around needs to come to a screeching halt immediately!"

Having to deal with her husband's stupendous ego was beginning to wear really thin with Louise. She was thinking to herself, "Payback is going to be far worse than anything you can imagine dear husband." But for now, taking care of Billy Cook had to take priority. So, she outwardly ignored Ralph as she helped Billy out of the car and into the house.

Inside Louise did her best to make their guest comfortable. He was lying on the sofa now, and even though he appeared to be doing much better, she knew that with the seriousness and extent of those burns, he had to be in extreme agonizing pain. "I'll be back shortly." Louise said as she fluffed up a pillow behind Billy's head. He responded with a single nod.

Ralph had the car not quite fully behind the barn yet. He had to stop in order to move some of the junk back there out of his way. There were several old fence posts as well as rolls and strands of barbed wire. There was also what appeared to be a huge pile of miscellaneous garbage, old rusted through buckets and the like.