Thanksgiving Chapter 10

Never thought it would take this long. I promise to finish it before Thanksgiving, of course they have to have the traditional meal, discuss the history and the required family-fight. But that is for later chapters. Images of rabbits…N&W…Now I'll have to work in a few rabbits, deer and bear…guess I didn't mention Black Bears live in this region. Then there are wild turkeys…the animal not the drink. Hawks, Owls…wait this is turning into Animal Planet. On with the story.

Chapter 10

They arrived at the diner shortly before 9 a.m. and were surprised to find there was room for a group of six to be seated at the table. While it definitely looked rustic inside, and Beth was a little apprehensive of the food, they soon relaxed as they noticed everyone seemed to be eating heartily. The waitress approached and distributed their menus. "Or do ya'll already know what ya'll want?"

Harry replied, "I think we'll need a few minutes, and by the way can you answer a few questions for us as we aren't from around here."

"Well I figured that from the way you talk. I'd say you were foreigners. That's okay with me. Sound English."

"Yes, but our food is a bit different. What are Grits?"

"Oh that's made from corn and is like cream of wheat. You know what cream of wheat is?"

"I think so."

"Well to eat grits like a southerner, you add butter, salt and pepper. Guessing that you are more like some other folks I know, I'd recommend a little milk and sugar that way it tastes more like a cereal."

"Good to know."

"Now about eggs."

"Well there's hard boiled, soft boiled, fried over easy, fried over hard, and scrambled. I like my fried over easy, but many like them scrambled."

"Sausage?"

"Well there are pork links, and patties, mild and spicy. Order what you think your stomach can stand," said the Waitress.

"Pancakes?"

"Well there are the traditional pancakes served with a variety of syrup."

"What's this biscuit and gravy? Is gravy good on a cookie? "

"Cookie," laughed the waitress, "It ain't on no cookie. The gray is poured over a biscuit you know a baked round fluffy piece of bread. Most people like it. You all really aren't from around here. At first I thought you might be putting me on, but I see you need a little help."

The waitress, named Jessie, called out, "Hay Mable, you are one of our regulars could you help these folks figure out what they want."

"Thought that was your job Jessie."

"Well you are used to dealing with these highfalutin types. Your husband is the Mayor."

Mable got up and made her way to the table. In a friendly tone she asked, "What can I do for you folks?"

Harry was thinking, so much for a low profile. "I think we have the idea. What do your recommend?"

"Depends on what you like." Mable wasn't making this any easier for the six who were starting to feel very hungry. "Okay, let's keep it simple. You folks probably used to bagels cream cheese, maybe a tart. If you are going to survive a day of our festival, you need a hearty breakfast. Jessie, give all of them pancakes, with maple syrup, two eggs over easy with toast and mild sausage grave over biscuits." With the order placed, Mable left the group of Englanders.

Everyone looked at each other smiling, but no one dared laugh because everyone in the diner was looking at them by this point. When all the food arrived, they were sure there was no way they could eat it all. Ruth and Beth looked at each other and picked over their food mainly sampling to see what they liked. The fellows seemed to have heartier appetites and were after initial small bites, were digging into their food liking the strange tastes. Dimitri declared the next time he wanted to try the grits with butter.

Finally the meal ended and Beth left first looking for the nearest police officer. When she saw both local and state uniforms she had to think about where she should start with her inquiries.

Dimitri and Alec headed toward the gun show section of the flea market.

Ruth, Harry and Tariq walked around as the computer genius found the strongest wifi signal and suggested Ruth begin her work from a nearby bench. As Ruth opened her laptop and began to work Harry put his arm around her. Ruth looked at him as if to say "What are you doing?"

"I'm keeping up our legend. You better slip this on too. With his other hand he held hers out and then reluctantly removing his arm from her shoulder he slipped a wedding band on. We have to keep up appearances. People tend to get up close and personal around here as you saw this morning." It was at this point she noted he was already wearing a wedding band.

Ruth knew her time was limited if she were to remain unobserved by CIA, DOD and Homeland Security as she searched for the mole through their files. That meant taking a break ever so often and going through another route. Tariq would walk by occasionally to offer suggestions.

A few minutes later they found themselves greeted by Mable's husband. "Heard we had some folks from England here, just want to say hi, and hope you have a good time at our little event. It there is anything you need just tell us."

Ruth was thinking, "What do you know about your town's internet services?"

"Not much." Ruth's hopes were dashed.

"But I'll take you to the municipal building and let our Town Manager set you up with a space to work if it is that important."

"It's pretty important. We run an import business, and a secured connection is really desired." Ruth found her ability to lie was getting easier.

"Let's go."

Harry was a little skeptical about Ruth's suggestion, but Ruth was pretty sure there would be greater security from a town office than on a wifi signal.

They were off to the offices and within 20 minutes Ruth was working in a private office, with a T-1 line allowing her to transfer data as quickly as was possible. Within an hour Ruth had the identity of the mole. Harry was seated nearby when she told him that she'd found all that was needed. "We can get out of here soon."

"What's the rush," said Harry. I rather like our hideaway. Perhaps a few more days. I understand there is another tradition called Thanksgiving. I say we forward the information to the correct people, including British security services, and then have a few days before flying home."

"Harry, I don't think it will be that simple. You understand the CIA want to keep me."

"That's where Zaf will come into play. Ruth I will tell you more later. Right now we need to gather the crew together and head back to our quarters."

Ruth still found it unsettling to see people walking up and down the streets carrying rifles some out in the open. Others were in cases. When they came upon Alec and Dimitri they looked like two boys whose Christmas had come early. They were loaded down with weapons.

Next they found Beth chatting to a man in a gray uniform perched on a motorcycle. She was smiling, and seemed reluctant to leave the conversation. "Seems there is an APB out on us but the descriptions are vague and say only to contact a federal number and not to take any action if found."

They had been careful to park away from the center of the action and kept apart except breakfast, and they were picked up in the SUV at different points to try and avoid a suspicion. Harry was beginning to think the hospitality had been too easy and that perhaps it was a setup. They were careful to make sure no one was following them as they returned for the evening. To be safe it was decided each would eat in their own chalet that night. As they started arguing over who was going to do the cooking. Harry silenced them and told them to sort it out later. "I don't care if you eat bear, deer or rabbit. Just sort it out." The thought of eating anything they had seen alive was not appealing. "Maybe I'll just have salad," said Beth.