Top of The Edge - The Altmans

As they proceeded to the Francis Marion, Tuttle commented, "They seem pretty upset about our surveillance of the professor." Smith didn't respond. He just continued to look straight ahead. After a few seconds Tuttle continued, "In light of the most recent developments in this case, I have the strong inclination to take actions that will... ensure Professor Michaels ends up on the receiving end of some rather harsh retribution."

"I'm inclined to agree with you." Smith finally responded. "But... everything needs to be handled above board and according to the rule of law."

"I knew that would be your stance. Just like old times, you're a stick in the mud and no fun at all. I'm not so sure I'm the right person to be helping you with this Bart."

"Suit yourself Ben. You can drop by here tomorrow evening. I'll pay you for your services, and we'll part ways."

As Smith exited Ben's car just outside of the Francis Marion, he thanked him for the ride and started toward the front door of the Hotel, but then Ben hollered out to him, causing him to turn back.

"Okay, you called my bluff. We'll do it your way, above board and strictly according to the rule of law!" Smith smiled and answered, "We'll get this guy, and I assure you, he will pay for what he's done."

"Yes, I'm sure we will" Tuttle said with a smile as he depressed the clutch pedal and put the car in gear. Then he revved the engine, released the clutch, and peeled out, burning rubber a good 30 feet as he headed up King Street. Smith stood there for a few seconds watching Tuttle drive away. Then he shook his head smiling and said aloud to himself, "Was that really necessary Ben?"

Orientation Continued Sunday Morning October 17, 1942

Smith was seated at his table and drinking his coffee as he glimpsed over the sports section of Morning edition of the paper. He got there at 6:30 AM, and as he had expected at 6:45 AM Cherry and Robyn were now being shown to his table by one of the servers. Before the server could leave, Smith asked, "Do either of you need to see a menu or do you already know what you want?" Cherry immediately turned her attention toward the server and said, "I'll have two eggs over medium, grits with cheese, and two strips of bacon well done with toast on the side lightly buttered, and I'll have coffee to drink, with cream and sugar." Then Robyn ordered, "I'll have the same, only I want my eggs scrambled". Smith ordered French toast and bacon. The server brought the ladies their coffee right away and refilled Smith's cup.

"Today is Sunday", Smith said, as he folded the paper he had been reading and put it to the side. "The plan for today... Originally the plan was to take you out to the beaches on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands this morning so you could get a feel for the area and then take the afternoon and evening off. However, considering the lack of rest due to last night's events, I'm going to leave it up to the two of you. Do you want to see the area this morning as scheduled, or would you rather put it off until this afternoon?"

"What do you think?" Robyn asked Cherry as she added a little more cream and stirred her coffee. "I for one, am a little anxious to see the area... sooner than later."

"Yeah, me too", Cherry responded. "Let's stick to the original plan Mr. Smith.

"Very well ladies." Smith said as he smiled and nodded in agreement.

The month of February along the South Carolina coastline was typically cold, wet and windy. The sound of the wind and the waves off the coast of the Islands on this particular day made conversing with one another a challenge as they walked along the shoreline. So, for the most part, their survey of the area was without conversation. At one point when Cherry was certain Smith was not looking in their direction and out of hearing range, she pointed at the dunes and leaning in closely to Robyn said, "We can pitch our tent anywhere along the base of these dunes where one of the three of us can hang out while the other two watch."

"The three of you?"

"How did he do that?" Cherry wondered to herself. One minute he was a good 50 feet away and then... as if by magic he was standing right next to them.

"I nor anyone else will be out here with you. This will be your duo alone." Since that was a statement and not a question, neither Robyn nor Cherry felt a need to respond. Instead, Cherry began talking about Ranger and how much she was going to enjoy riding him on the beach.

"Wait a minute." Robyn interrupted, "How are we getting Ranger and Blue to and from here?"

"That's already taken care of." Smith replied. "We have arranged for the owner of Rackaway farms in Summerville, where you currently board your horses, to provide all of Blue's and Ranger's transportation needs for as long as you are a part of the Coastal Watch Initiative. He'll drop the trailer with your horses at the beginning of your patrol shift and pick them back up at the end. The first couple of watches I'll be along for the ride to ensure that you meet up with your horses without any mishaps. That's one of the reasons we are out here now, so we can determine when and where you will meet up with Mr. Rackaway.

"Come on, let's head back to the car." Smith said as he motioned for them to follow him off the beach. Conversing with each other became a great deal easier once they were in the car and headed back to Charleston.

"Cherry, is your car reliable and in good running order?"

"For a 10-year-old vehicle, yeah, it's running okay."

"I'll take it over to Green's Filling Station and Automotive Repair for you tomorrow morning," Smith responded. "The last thing we need is for the two of you to end up stranded beside the road."

"The reason I have only used that car for trips to and from home about once a month, at the most, is because of the gas rationing. So, how are we supposed to handle that?"

"I've got it set up with Green's for you to get whatever you need to keep your car running, and that includes gasoline."

"It sounds like you've thought of everything." Cherry responded. "So, when do we start?"

"This Friday evening." Do you think you'll have any problems getting back to where we just were?" Both ladies nodded as Robyn replied, "We'll be there."

"Eighteen hundred hours and not a minute later." Smith reiterated. This time it was Cherry that answered, and quite emphatically, "Absolutely, we will be there."

Meet The Altmans Sunday Evening October 17, 1942

Mrs. Altman had just cleared the Supper table and was now standing at the kitchen sink preparing the dishwater when she heard the doorbell ring. "Who could that be at this hour?" It was after 6 and already getting dark out. She wiped her hands on her apron just before answering the front door, "May I help you?" she asked through the screen door.

"Yes ma'am, I am agent Smith with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and this is my associate, Mr. Tuttle."

"And... what do you want?"

"We are the ones responsible for getting your daughter to the hospital. We would like to speak to you and your husband if possible... as well as your daughter if she is up to it."

Marie Altman nearly gasped as her eyes filled with tears, and for several seconds she just stood there looking at the two gentlemen.

"May we come in Mrs. Altman?"

"Uh... No. Please wait here. I'll... I'll get my husband." Then she closed the door in their faces.

After about 10 minutes, Tuttle was certain that no one would be returning back to the door. He stepped down off the stoop and said, "I'll look around back and see if I can figure out what's going on."

"No, don't do that. Let's just wait here a..."

Suddenly, the front door jerked open, and a short stocky gentleman wearing coveralls and looking as though he may have been working under the hood of a car abruptly asked, "What do you want? We already told the police that we have nothing to say and to please leave us alone!"

"Pardon me Mr. Altman. I understand your desire to be left alone. However, the perpetrator that assaulted your daughter has done this before, and recently his actions have become a threat to national security. In short, Mr. Altman, we need this garbage incarcerated and out of circulation."

"You don't understand agent Smith. My Suzy hasn't said a word since the incident." Mr. Altman's face twisted with anger as he continued...