Family Matters

by Robert Ullrich

  The entire clan was assembled on the back deck when Lazarus came around the corner. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of a striking blonde woman and two mini-Derek’s. It wasn’t an exaggeration. The two boys, 8 and 11, looked like Derek with blonde hair.

  Derek introduced his family. They shook Lazarus hand and gave Angelique a hug.

  The boys announced they were ready to go snorkeling. Lazarus gave LJ the heads-up while he rustled some gear small enough for the two. Katsumi, Rebecca and went with LJ and the boys. Angelique took Sigrid, Derek’s Norwegian wife for a shopping run to Marathon.

  After the ladies departed, Lazarus turned to Derek. “I’m in a little bit of shock here, Derek.”

  Derek drained half a Corona before answering. “Okay, what’s got your knickers in a twist.”

  “You never told me you were married, Derek,” Lazarus said with the feintest of smiles tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Let alone, the two damn kids.”

  Derek stared at Lazarus; head tilted to the left for the better part of a minute. He drained his beer and grabbed another one before answering. “I know. You never asked.”

  Surprisingly, it made perfect sense to Lazarus. He’d always avoided personal questions with people he got close to. He didn’t want to know. Now he did. The repercussions of the attack in Key West still troubled his sleep.

  Derek could see it on Lazarus’ face. He’d been there many times. The thing was, Lazarus had never lost anyone on a mission before the death of Ben. Then, six days later, he learned his two closest friends were gone.

  “Listen to me, Lazarus. I know what you’re feeling, what you’re going through. I’ve lost six men and two women over the years I’ve been running ops. It never gets easier. It’s not supposed to. You ARE supposed to feel bad – for a while. Mourn their loss, but don’t mourn their lives. They live on in you, Katsumi, LJ, and only God knows how many others. You need to let this go, Lazarus. For your family’s sake.”

  ‘My family’s sake,’ Lazarus repeated in his mind. “For my family’s sake,” he said softly aloud, “my family.”

  He pulled out two Gurkha Black Dragons, gave one to Derek and lit them both. The earthy flavors of the Black Dragon rolled across his tongue. He knew Derek was right. He knew from this point on, every action he took would affect the lives of Angelique, Rebecca, LJ and even Katsumi. He’d always thought of Katsumi as a daughter in a way. He had failed to realize she was only strong because of him. If he died, she would, too. It wasn’t his ego talking, it was his heart.

  Family matters change everything. Lazarus had a lot to consider as to his future course. Could he continue as the Chameleon and NOT put them in harm’s way? Did he need to simply stop? Money wasn’t the issue, neither was it love. It was his nature. He was a predator. He sat on the bench next to Derek, watching his smoke rings dance on the light breeze.

  Lazarus knew in his heart what he would do. Time would tell if he’d chosen well.

  In Memory of HH and D

  The characters, Dr. Helen and Darnell are based upon real people who were close friends of mine, and so very many more. I do not have the right to share their real names, so they will be forever HH and D in my Lazarus novels.

  To say I had a difficult time writing the “letter” from Darnell to Lazarus, would be gross understatement. It was just as hard editing through it. The story of how they died is fictional, in that they didn’t die in Chicago, but rather in Mexico.

  HH, who was indeed a psychologist, was murdered by one of the cartels. She was visiting a Mexican border town, working with battered and abused women.

  My wife and I were traveling to join them for the 4th of July in 2008 when I got an email from D. He was distraught and beside himself. HH hadn’t checked in for two days. I cancelled the visit, though I would have loved for Kim to meet D. It couldn’t be under such circumstances, so we returned home to await word.

  The days dragged out, so I began to read the Mexican newspaper for the border town she was last seen in. I think it was July 13th when I came across a story, buried in the back of the paper, in the obituaries.

  The story described an unknown Anglo female, in her mid-50’s, discovered in a vacant lot. She had been beaten to death after suffering abuse and torture. There was no identification on the deceased woman, so the story of her death described several tattoos on her body. I knew them by their description and location. It was HH they found.

  The single-most gut-wrenching task I’ve ever endured was calling D with the news. I sat on the phone with him for what seemed like an eternity, in silence on both parts. He thanked me for letting him know, then told me what he was going to do.

  He did, in fact pay off his mom’s house and took care of his sister’s children. He closed all their accounts and turned the shop over to his foreman. The last time I heard from him was on the fifteenth of July in 2008.

  “Hey, Spike,” he said. “Everything’s taken care of.” Then he told me about his mom and sister and the shop. I knew the answer but asked the question for D’s sake. “Are you heading south?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Spike, I am,” he answered. “You keep reading that paper. I’ll be making the news.”

  “I know,” I said. I knew where he was going and what he would do.

  As for making the news; I never read anything about him in that paper. What I did read, told me D had accomplished what he set out to do. He was a true warrior-poet. He had an amazing singing voice. He played Santa-Claus for the children of his neighborhood. He called me brother. I will always miss my weekly hour-long phone chats with HH. I will always miss her gravelly voice whilst D shouted at me from across their living room.

  Their real names, as I said, are not mine to share. I hope sharing my love for them helps make them a little more tangible to you, the reader. “Truth is truth.” D told me that so many times, I use it myself now.

  May they forever wander the night sky, together again for all time.

  From the Author

  Thank you for taking the time to read my novel. I am an independent author. I don’t get support from a big publishing company. I rely on you, the reader. If you like what you read, please take a few minutes to review my book on Amazon. It doesn’t need to be long or wordy, but I would appreciate the time you take to write one.

  “Family Matters” is the second of the Lazarus Chronicles. If you missed the first, “Evolution of a Killer”, it is available for $.99 on Amazon in e-book format, $9.99 for paperback. You can also read it for free with Kindle Unlimited.

  There will be a third novel in the Lazarus Chronicles. I know that much, although I have no idea what direction it will take. In the meantime, I will enjoy life here in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and look forward to reading your reviews on Amazon.

  Thank you again for taking time out of your life to let me share a part of mine with you. For additional information:

  Phantom Scorpio Productions.

  Stevens Point, Wisconsin 715-972-4321

  My personal website: sign up for specials and other information.

  https://phantomscorpioproductions.com/

  My Amazon Author Page

  https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MQHUP2J

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