Top of The Edge - Orientation Part 3

"How's your private investigator business doing?"

"It's Okay... but I know you didn't call me at this hour all the way from D.C. just to ask me how my business was doing." Ben Tuttle responded. "So... what's up Bart?"

"Well, I'm not calling from D.C. Ben. I'm actually right here in Charleston, and I need you to look into something for me."

"You need me to look into something for you? You work for the FBI. Doesn’t the 'I' stand for investigation?"

"I would rather look into this matter at the lowest level possible… before escalating it up to my superiors."

Tuttle responded with a loud laugh before saying, "So, what you really mean is that you have your own method of retribution in mind for someone who has obviously crossed you. Who is it, and what in the world did he do to end up in your cross-hairs?"

"Geeze Ben, I just need you to look into something for me. Can you do that?"

"That depends Bart. Are you expecting me to give you the friends-and-family discount, AKA pro-bono?"

"Charge me the going rate Ben. You’ll be paid."

"Well, in that case, what do have for me?"

"There's a professor at the College of Charleston, Professor Charles Michaels. Any and everything you can tell me about this guy, especially any improprieties between him and his female students, both past and present."

"Hmm… Improprieties between him and his female students. I may just volunteer pro-bono for this one. So, how can I get in touch with you to let you know what I’ve found?"

"I'm in room 612 at The Francis Marion and I should be here every evening after nine o'clock. Oh, and Ben, keep me posted on everything you find as frequently as possible."

"I can do that Bart. I'll most likely be calling you tomorrow."

"Thanks, Ben."

Orientation Part II – Sat 17 Oct 1942

Saturday morning the air was brisk, and it was a little windy as Smith drove with his two passengers in the back seat to the Charleston Navy Base. He brought along three coffees to go from the hotel dining room. He was drinking his black and both Cherry and Robyn were drinking theirs with ample amounts of cream and sugar.

Between sips, Cherry asked, "So... I know you told us before, but exactly what are we doing today?"

Smith smiled as he replied, "First we're going over to the Charleston Navy Base where we'll meet up with the base Commander, Admiral Steve Johnson. That will be more of a simple meet and greet than anything else. He won't be briefing you on any details. He just wants to meet you and give you a little pep talk. After our meet and greet with him, we'll be boarding an Elco Patrol Torpedo Boat (PT Boat) that will take us to the Coast Guard Station that's actually just around the corner from your dorm. There we'll be meeting with Coast Guard Commander Samuel Chilton. He'll brief you on some of the specifics concerning your rolls in Coastal Observer Initiative. Once our business there is concluded, we'll get back on board the PT boat and head further south to Hilton Head Island where we'll meet up with Coast Guard Commander Andrew Preston. He's in charge of the Mounted Coast Guard Patrol Training Camp. He'll brief you on some of the specific details concerning the equestrian aspect of the Coastal Observer initiative. On our way to Hilton Head Island, we'll be passing Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. So, you just might have an opportunity to see the general vicinity of the areas for which you'll be responsible."

Robyn took a deep breath, exhaled with a long sigh, and asked, "These briefings... are they going to be long and drawn out like the one we attended last night?"

"Last night's briefing was a detailed overview of the entire initiative along the U.S. Atlantic coastline from Main to Florida. Today's meetings, however, are all about you and your specific roles and responsibilities."

With a note of cynicism in her voice Cherry asked, "Do you really think we'll actually see anything out there?" Smith was quiet for several seconds as he pondered the question. Then he answered, "I am confident in your abilities to be watchful and spot enemy craft as well as any attempts they might make to deploy enemy spies to our coastline... if they are out there on your watch. That being said, however, I sincerely hope that you never see anything, and that this turns out to be one of the most boring things you have ever done. I'll be happy with that scenario."

Charleston Navy Base

The Charleston Navy base was impressive with its huge ships and massive buildings and structures. After turning this way and that, they finally ended up at the base's headquarters building. The front door opened into a type of vestibule where a young seaman sat behind a desk. He stood as they entered and handed a clipboard to Smith. "Good morning, sir, ma'am, ma'am", with a nod toward each of them. "Please sign in. Do you have an appointment or is someone expecting you?" "Yes, Admiral Johnson is expecting us. I am FBI agent John Smith", Smith signed the clipboard and handed it to Cherry and Robyn to do the same.

"Yes sir. He is expecting you. His office is..."

"I know where his office is son." Smith smiled as he interrupted the young seaman. "...and unless he instructed you to have us wait, we will see ourselves in. Thank you, Seaman."

"Yes sir."

Smith led them through a set of double doors to the right of the seaman which opened up into a wide hallway with large paintings hung along both walls. Their frames were ornate and the paintings themselves were of U.S. Navy ships out on the open seas, some in stormy weather and some others actively engaged in battle. At the end of that hallway was another set of double doors which opened directly into Admiral Johnson's large and plush office. The hardwood floors shined with such brilliance; you could almost see your reflection. Admiral Johnson sat behind a large ornate dark mahogany desk. The walls were paneled with dark mahogany as well. In front of his desk on the floor, there was a beautiful oriental rug on which there were three over-stuffed dark brown leather chairs facing the admiral's desk in a slight arch. The paintings that adorned the walls were larger and even more impressive than the ones in the adjoining hallway. As they entered the office the admiral stood and walked around his desk and towards the door to greet them. He was of average height with a stocky build. There was something about his demeanor though, and the way he carried himself that made him seem as if he was 9 feet tall.

"Agent Smith, ladies, please come in and have a seat", he said as he shook each of their hands.

Once they were all seated, Admiral Johnson leaned across his desk and addressed Cherry and Robyn. "Miss Welling, Miss Kramer it is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I know that a lot of what you are currently learning is probably a bit overwhelming. This is a joint operation involving the U.S. Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. I wanted to meet with you so that I could personally convey my sincere appreciation for your willingness to participate in this initiative. I also want you to know that you have the U.S. Navy's full support and backing as well as that of the other services. In your briefings today with Commander Chilton and Commander Preston, I want to encourage you not to be afraid to ask questions, pay close attention to every detail, and take copious notes. Again, I want to reiterate it's a pleasure and I am proud to have made your acquaintance."

Admiral Johnson stood as he reached across his desk to shake Smith's hand. Smith stood as well and motioned for Cherry and Robyn to do the same. "Agent Smith, as always it's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine, sir."

Then after the admiral gently grasped and shook hands with the two ladies, he addressed Smith again, "The PT boat is ready and waiting for you to board." He then walked around his desk and to the door and held it open for the three of them to leave. As they exited his office, he said, "God bless you and Godspeed."

Charleston Coast Guard Station

Neither Robyn nor Cherry had spent much time on boats especially out on the ocean. The PT boat felt like it was flying across the top of the water, and the trip over to the Coast Guard station seemed to take only seconds. Once they arrived, they disembarked onto a boardwalk adjacent to the Charleston Marina that brought them to the Coast Guard station's main building.