I did not post yesterday. I got much of the following transcribed before I fell ill. I am still recovering, and I'll be okay -- but that was a nasty bug I had. I hate the I broke my one post a day rule, but I'll live with it. Well, here's McNutt's next letter (It's a doozy):

Dear Mr. Blathe,

After my unhappy experience while writing you yesterday, I am going to let that adventure rest awhile. Instead, I shall regale you with an exciting adventure that I got to have today. Please note that I am certainly still in no small amount of danger and that I am going to describe something that should not be taken lightly. But, I cannot help it.

Mr. Blathe, I got to participate in a dead drop. I am sure that you have heard of such a thing where a person leaves an item at a predetermined location and another person retrieves said item. These are all the rage with the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. spying on one another at all hours.

My experience took place at a local grocers. I learned that I was to receive some very important documents and items and that these items were so sensitive that if anyone were found in possession of them, the results would be catastrophic for that person.

So, I asked Margaret to drive me to the market under the pretense that I wanted to try eating something new. She is always trying to fill my belly with something, so she enthusiastically agreed to take me.

On arriving, we found the place full of people, many of whom were tourists. Of course, tourists made everything more expensive than it should have been. At least we found a parking spot.

Margaret is a wonderful person. But, she can sometimes dote a little much. Today was no exception. She hovered over me like I was her chick and about to fall off a cliff. Maybe my recent difficulties have caused her to be more concerned with my wellbeing than she would otherwise be.

I was supposed to pick up a specific bag of potato chips that hid the package in question, conceal the package on my person, then get back to my lodgings to uncover the items contained therein. However, Margaret has been adamant that I eat a healthy diet as I convalesce, so potato chips would be unacceptable. The challenge I had before me was to get the package without her even realizing that I was anywhere near the potato chips. This may have been the most difficult task I have ever performed.

I started by asking about the various items in the produce section. Yams and other tubers are in abundance due to the season, but I am not that fond of them, but I asked about them anyway. Margaret took that to mean that I had acquired a taste for them. I accept full responsibility for the result -- I will be eating yams tonight. Such is the suffering I endure for my mission.

Anyway, while she was distracted, I tried to wander off. Unfortunately, she saw me and followed to see how I was. So I had to make the excuse that I was just browsing. What was I to do?

A mom walked by, cooing to her infant. I heard her whisper, "Did you peepee in your diaper?" And I was inspired. I told Margaret that I was feeling a little off and needed to take care of some business in the "little boys room." She pointed me in the right direction, and I was off with her continuing with the shopping.

I did not want to even go in. However, the restrooms were in plain sight of the produce section and Margaret. I walked in and let the door partly close. I waited until she was occupied with other things to leave the restrooms and walk along the back of the store. I went straight for the potato chips. It took me a few minutes to find the right bag, and underneath that was a small, and densely packed manila envelope. There were several people in the aisle with me, so I picked up the bag and held the package underneath it. I walked to a neighboring aisle to put the envelope in my jacket. I wanted to discard the chips there, but felt bad about making a mess of the store. So I returned the chips to their rightful place.

Now, I had to find my way back to the restrooms without getting caught.  And, there was Margaret, hovering around the the men's room door. This was an awkward situation. I felt like I was in one of those French romantic comedies, the ones where the characters are all having affairs and trying to avoid each other at the same time.  I was just on the other side of an aisle, not ten feet away from the restrooms. I could see Margaret through a gap in the shelving. I tell you, my heart was pounding. I was certain that anyone around me should have noticed. 

I took several deep breaths to calm myself down. I walked out of the aisle and slipped behind Margaret when she was pawing through her purse and pretended to walk out of the restroom. Worked like a charm. I am still rather pleased with myself. I think I would make a fine spy.

The only issue was the fact that the package was held in my jacket by its waistband. I was certain that if I made the wrong move, the package would drop. Now, that would be awkward.

Thankfully the trip back to the lodgings was uneventful.

Here is a partial list of the contents of the package:

Correspondence among CRA members concerning yours truly.
Negatives of photos, I assume surreptitiously taken, of one or more CRA rituals. (No prints though.)
An audio cassette that I do not know the contents of.
A photo of J. Durham kissing Lola McGuire. J. Durham is in a suit. Lola McGuire is in a wedding dress.

My jaw dropped too.

As always, be wary to be well,

Richard McNutt