Top of The Edge - Captain Preston Brief

Once everyone was seated Captain Preston began his brief.

"Loose lips sink ships. What does that phrase mean to you ladies?"

Cherry and Robyn, a bit baffled, looked at one another and then back at Preston. Finally, Robyn answered, "I have heard the phrase, but to be honest, I have given it little thought if any at all."

"How about you Miss Welling?"

"The same... I suppose if I was asked to give my own interpretation of the phrase, I would have to say that it's referring to keeping secrets, and if those secrets are not kept secret, then something as catastrophic as the sinking of a ship could or would incur."

Robyn nodded in agreement with her friend.

"Very good." Captain Preston replied. "Now, I'm going to explain to you how that phrase relates to the Coastal Watch Initiative. Most Americans, to include troops fighting abroad, are only aware of two fronts in which we are actively engaged in combat – the European theater and the South Pacific. The truth, however, is that we are actively engaged in combat on three fronts. The third being the US Eastern Seaboard, and it is on that front that we are losing miserably. Bart, what’s the latest intel you’ve received?" Smith was quiet for a moment as he appeared to gather his thoughts before answering, "The last intel I received was pretty vague - dozens of US and Allied Forces' ships have been destroyed and the number of lives lost as a result is in the hundreds." Captain Preston lowered his eyes and shook his head before responding, "Wow! They really have been keeping you in the dark. The truth is hundreds of ships have been destroyed and the number of fatalities is now exceeding a thousand.

The consternation of both Robyn and Cherry was clear. They were speechless and appeared to be apoplectic as they grappled with the numbers. Taking note of how this news was affecting them, Captain Preston interrupted himself. And asked, "Are you okay?" They both took a deep breath. and nodded as they attempted to regain their composure.

"Why is no one talking about this? Why isn’t it in the News Papers?" Cherry asked.

"Washington, in cooperation with the press, made a decision to keep these facts quiet."

"Why would they do that?" Robyn asked. "Everyone needs to know this."

"Morale." Smith answered.

"Morale of both the service men fighting abroad as well as the morale of the US citizenry as they continue to do their part in support of our troops. That’s why I asked you what you knew about the ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’ slogan. Basically, the slogan is a warning, that if everyone that knows about this starts talking about it so that the word gets around, it could demoralize our troops. Which in turn, could end up costing the lives of thousands of our sailors and soldiers fighting abroad." Incredulously, Cherry asked, "Really?" Then Robyn commented, "I mean... I guess that makes sense... kind of."

Preston looked at Smith smiling and said, "Uh-oh, it looks like you might have a couple free thinkers here Bart." Smith smiled and rolled his eyes in response. Then Preston continued his dialog with Cherry and Robyn, "Look, I’m not saying you have to buy into their ideology hook line and sinker. I don’t fully agree with it either... Ah heck, who am I kidding? I flat out don’t agree with it at all."

Smith suddenly jerked his head around to be face to face with Preston. "Geeze, Andy, always the maverick, aren’t you?"

"Let me finish Bart." Captain Preston retorted before continuing on. "But... since those in charge seem to be... very bent in that direction, it would behoove all of us to go along with it." Then speaking again to Smith, "See, that wasn’t so bad."

The trip back to the Navy base was quiet and as they headed north and east toward charleston, the setting sun in behind them provided a sense of calm, peace and serenity. But it was a facad Cherry thought to herself. Beneath that apparent calm and peaceful sea, lurked a dangerous enemy whose intent was to sink any ship that might be carrying needed supplies to the Allied troops. She got a sudden chill up her spine as the reality dawned on her that the enemy may even have them in their sights at this very moment.

Investigator Ben Tuttle

The phone rang and abruptly interrupted Smith's doze. He was startled and suddenly realized that he had fallen asleep fully clothed. It had been a long day and he was exhausted. The phone rang again as he slowly arose and sat on the edge of his bed. It was in the middle of the third ring when he finally picked up the receiver and answered, "This is Smith."

"Were you asleep? You must be getting old"

Smith recognized the voice and retorted, "That's rich coming from you.  You feeble old goat..." Then on a more serious note, "So what do you have for me, Ben?"

"What, no small talk like, 'How are you Ben? It's good to hear from you. How was your day?'"

"It's been a long exhausting couple of days... and yes, you did catch me dozing."

"Okay Bart, I'll cut to the chase. That philosophy professor of yours has been quite the busy character. Professor Charles Sanford Michaels received tenure at the College of Charleston just last year in spite of the fact that at least 7 female students have levied complaints against him to the administration."

"Let me guess. All seven of those students either dropped his course or failed it."

"Wow, you’re really good at this Bart. Maybe you should consider partnering up with me when you finally decide to liberate yourself from Uncle Sam."

"The two of us working together. I don't know Ben – we might end up killing each other. Anything else about Professor Michaels?"

"Yes, there's more... Within the last 5 years, three female students at the College of Charleston have committed suicide... And Bart, all three of those females were Professor Michaels' students – two of them while they were still taking his course and one shortly after." Ben Tuttle could hear his friend on the other end of the line take a deep breath and then there was a pause for several seconds.

"Ben... we need to stop this guy."

"How do we intend to do that Bart?" There was another long pause before Smith responded.

"I would like to kill him... but I really don't think murder is the answer."

"Well, I'm certainly glad we can agree on that."

"He needs to go to jail, and for a very long time. We may not be able to get him for what he's done to these girls, but I would be willing to bet that he's guilty of some other crimes. Hopefully, some that could get him sent away for an extended period. Keep an eye on him, Ben."

"I'm on it, boss. Now go lay back down and get your beauty rest."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow Ben."

After hanging up the phone receiver, there was no way Smith could simply lay back down and go to sleep. "The night air and a walk will do me good", he thought to himself. So, he grabbed his overcoat and hat and headed downstairs to the lobby where he spoke to the front desk clerk before heading outside, "If I receive any calls, please inform the caller that I will return in an hour and to call back at that time, or ask if they want to leave a message." He handed the clerk a 20-dollar bill and exited the hotel stepping out onto sidewalk adjacent to King Street across from Marion Square. Unlike many of the larger cities like New York and Chicago where there is constant hustle-bustle both day and night, Charleston was relatively quiet in the evenings. In a way, it actually seemed a little spooky. As he walked down King Street toward the battery, he took note that all the stores and shops were closed, and because of the blackout orders they were all dark, not even the streetlamps were shining. All of Charleston appeared to be dark, quiet, and desolate – no one out and about, no cars and no pedestrians, just Smith walking alone. A gust of wind hit him from behind as he turned his collar up to the cold damp air. One of the mandates within his orders concerning the Coastal Watch Initiative was to do whatever is necessary to alleviate any obstacles and/or hindrances that may pose a threat to its success. He almost laughed out loud as he thought about the ambiguity of that mandate.

Just a few blocks away Cherry and Robyn were waiting to meet their close friend, Maryanne. Robyn had called her immediately after their return from Hilton Head and asked her to meet them behind the old city jail at 9:00 PM. The sound of Maryanne approaching from around the corner caused both of them to nearly jump out of their skins.

"Why on God's green earth did you want to meet me here? You know this place gives me creeps." Maryanne said as she shivered and looked up at the old building with disgust.

"It gives everybody the creeps" Cherry responded with a forced half laugh.

"That's the point." Robyn responded. We...