THE HARVEST

CHAPTER THREE: TWO GHOSTS, PART ONE THE GATHERING STORM       p. 12 

Steve said, "That's not necessary, Inspector. We have money."

"I happen to know you didn't have time to exchange your US dollars for Canadian money, and besides, your Uncle Sam is paying for this honeymoon. He wanted it to be a surprise. I guess he figured you'll need your money for other things. Now, order...I insist."

Steve looked befuddled at the statement, after what Wescott had told them about the 5,000 dollars being all they would get. He stepped back and let Kittie order first. She said, "I want a combo Extreme Italian with a Double-Double and a bottled water."

Steve stepped up and added, "...and I will have the number 5, the Chicken Salad Combo, and if I may ask? What exactly is a Double-Double?"

The young clerk said, "Well, it is coffee with two creams and two sugars, double-double, eh?"

Steve tried not to react, but he winced. "Okay...I will take mine black, just plain coffee, and the bottled water, please."

The four people sat down to wait for their order. Inspector Trembley said, "That's my niece at the cash register. I have always doted on her, given her the best of the best, and since none of this cash I have to account for, I figure I would spot a few bills. It's not going to hurt, eh? Your Uncle Sam is very generous."

Steve said, "I don't understand this. Our boss said that what petty cash we had was it."

The sergeant major said, "Sometimes you need a little lubrication to make an oversized cylinder fit into a particularly tight hole, so you use a lubricant to get the oversized shaft in the hole, and you have to cover all of the rod to shove it all in, if you understand."

The Inspector adds, "...and since this is all off the books, your Uncle Sam had to lubricate everything, and he laid it on very thick, I might add. If you complete your mission to his liking, then he has set aside some more cash for the two of you. I came up with all your IDs and passport papers, and set up credit cards for you. All you have to do is visit this site using the names Bill Jones and Sharon Jones. Make sure you verify the account with those names and use these addresses." He handed Kittie the note with the name of the site and their fake address. "The money will go directly into your accounts to use while here. Make sure that is done as soon as you get to the Orion Motel, or the 5,000 dollars won't be deposited until you do. The first night at the motel is already set up in your name. This is a small town, and it's mostly motels and spas. Tomorrow, at one in the afternoon, you have an appointment at one of the spas to meet with a representative of the K'punaka Nation." Their orders came. "We will meet you tomorrow afternoon at the rendezvous point."

Kittie noticed that the two Mounties' orders were to go. She thought, so, this is it, all the directions they were going to get. At least tonight.

Steve said, "Well, Mrs. Jones, let's eat and find our honeymoon suite. This looks delicious, as good as or better than anything we can get in the States. How is your Double-Double?"

"You know I like my coffee black, but I didn't want to seem unappreciative, so I will drink it all; after all, our job is to blend in, eh?" She nailed the inflection perfectly.

Steve added, "I am curious about the relationship of the Inspector with this young girl, because 'doting uncle has become a slang phrase for something other than doting, if you get my drift."

"It is none of our concern, Steve. We have a mission. Look at her, all smiles, and a big wad of money in her purse. Doting doesn't have to mean incest; get your mind out of the gutter. Even if she approached us and asked us for help, we won't do a thing about it. The mission is too important."

Steve answered, "Still, something's not quite right with this. I mean, between the girl and the inspector."

After Steve and Sue had nearly finished their food, the girl approached the two ghosts and asked, "May I get you anything?" My uncle has paid for everything. Perhaps a donut, or more coffee?"

Kittie replied, "No thanks, we need to be leaving, but your uncle didn't tell us where the Orion Hotel was. Can you point us in the right direction?"

Sure, go up Main Street and turn left on St. John's and go three blocks. It will be on your left. You can't miss it. You can just leave when you're through. Let me write the directions down for you."

Kittie said, "Oh, you don't have to do that. We are from large cities and can find our way."

The girl kept writing anyway and gave the rolled-up ticket to Kittie. She walked quickly back to her station as more customers came in. Kittie opened the paper to see what the girl had written. Kittie said, Steve, look what she wrote. It said, Tomorrow, follow the Voice.

Kittie casually gestured back toward the girl, but the girl was gone, and another woman had replaced her. Kittie walked over to the station and asked the clerk, "Where did the teenage assistant go?"

The clerk replied, "Eh? What girl? We have no girls working for us?"

Kittie said, "Sure, she just waited on us and left us this note." She opened her hand to give it to the clerk, but it was not there. Kittie looked at her feet, but she found nothing. "Then who waited on us?"

"Are you a crazy woman? I waited for you. The inspector gave me the money. Remember? I think you've had too much to drink."

Kittie walked back to the booth and asked, "Steve, there was a young woman who waited on us, right?"

Steve replied, "Yes, of course there was; she was too young." He looked at the counter and saw the middle-aged woman behind it. "She must have gone home."

That's what I thought, too, but when I asked for the girls, the woman said they didn't have a girl working for them. I went to show her the note, and the note had vanished."

He said, "I'll go over and talk with her. Surely, she is mistaken?"

Kittie said, "Don't...she already thinks I'm the crazy bride; best not let her think that you are too. You know these small towns; she will tell everyone, and we will draw attention to ourselves. Let's leave. Just wave politely, and let's check into the motel. I'm tired."