Top of the Edge - Surbuban Concealment

Several hours had passed. Billy was asleep and from what Louise could tell he was running a pretty good fever. At first, she would lift her head from beneath the tarp to look out the window at the Post Office about every 20 to 30 minutes. But that got way too risky as the day wore on. People were out and about all over the place now. They were just going to have to wait until after dark and the shop closed for the evening to emerge from the back of the Suburban. They were going to need to come up with a new game plan as well.

It was about 3:15 in the afternoon when Tuttle finally drove into Rockville. He was tired and hungry, and the frustration from not being able to find the Nazi spy and his two helpers was mounting with each passing hour. Based on his experience he firmly believed that the longer it took to find them, the more likely it was that they would never find them. He hadn't eaten anything in over 12 hours or longer. He was lightheaded and had a headache that was making it nearly impossible to concentrate.

Sally's diner in Rockville overlooked the water and she had some of the best and freshest seafood, oysters, and crabs around. Tuttle ordered fried flounder, crab legs, and oyster stew accompanied by a half dozen hushpuppies. He was looking out over the water as he waited for the server to bring his food. It was quiet and serene. By the direction of the water flow he could tell that the tide was going out. "Well that's strange." He thought to himself. "It's hard to believe that someone around here wouldn't know how to secure a boat properly." But there it was someone's unmanned Jon Boat floating out toward the open sea.

Between docking the boat, donning the duffel bag, and assisting Billy Cook, Louise had only wrapped the boat's rope to the dock cleat a couple of wraps and with no knot. It took a few hours, but finally against the ebb and flow of the river, the rope worked itself free, allowing it to freely drift past Sally's diner and eventually to who knows where.

Now with a full stomach Tuttle was fighting the urge to relax in one of Sally's rocking chairs on the back porch of the restaurant overlooking the water. "It certainly would be nice to catch a short nap before continuing on with the man hunt." His better judgment won out though, and he decided to check out the roadblocks and perhaps hook back up with Bart.

It was 4:40 Saturday afternoon as Tuttle pulled his car alongside the gas pumps at Johnny's Gas, Auto Repair and Towing which would be closing in a little more than an hour. The bell rang inside which prompted Old man Simmons to come out and service Tuttle's car. He asked, "What'll it be sir?"

"I'm in need of some fuel."

"Because of the rationing I can only sell you a dollar's worth for now."

"A dollar's worth it is then. Thanks."

With the sunlight coming through the windows of the Suburban, it had been comfortably warm for most of the day. The sun was going down now, and the temperature was dropping fast. Billy Cook was awake and definitely running a fever. He was chilled, shivering, and noticeably miserable. Louise had come up with a plan and was explaining it to him in a low hushed voice. "Once everyone is gone from the shop here, we'll break in. We'll be able to stay warm, perhaps get cleaned up a little, and with any luck we may even find a first-aid kit. We need to change the dressing on that burn. We'll have to leave early in the morning before they arrive. I'm optimistic about catching that U.S. Postal truck out of here tomorrow." Billy Cook just nodded shivering and clenching his teeth.

Suddenly Louise's heart dropped, and she became still and quiet. Someone was doing something to the vehicle they were in.

While Simmons was servicing Tuttle's car, Tuttle got out and asked him a few questions. "Have you seen any strangers around here today, specifically two men and a woman? One of the men is injured most likely with noticeable burns"

"No, I can't say I've seen anything of that like around here today... or any day for that matter."

"Well, if you do, keep any conversation with them to a bare minimum, and don't argue with them. They are dangerous. Notify the Charleston County Sheriff's Department immediately and give this guy a call as well." Tuttle said as he jotted Smith's hotel and room number down on one of Smith's cards and handed it to Simmons.