Harold and the Angel of Death

by Gary McPherson

  How could anyone know about him and Darla? They had not kept their relationship a secret, but only a few people had seen them together. Besides, they were still early in their relationship. Why would Nigel draw any conclusions from that? Harold looked at Darla wide-eyed. “How could he know about the company, and us?”

  “Chuck,” interrupted Garcia.

  Harold turned to Garcia. His hands were clenched and his voice rose an octave, “But how? Darla and I weren’t exactly going to parties together at the time.”

  “What about at the company?” asked Garcia.

  Harold scowled. He could not remember her ever coming to his office. “I was hardly there. When I was, I was normally in my office.”

  Garcia’s fingers tapped on the table. “Do you keep a picture of her on your desk?”

  Harold’s shoulders slumped, his fists unclenched, and he leaned back into his chair. “Yea. So, who could have seen it?”

  “Cleaning crew, security doing their rounds, a co-worker, it’s tough to say.”

  Harold pointed towards Darla. “Why go to her? Why didn’t they come to me?”

  Garcia answered, “You weren’t officially in position yet. I’m guessing they checked out who Darla was and realized she not only had ties to you but to the CIA at one point. In fact, we counted on that, and so far, it’s paying off.”

  Darla jumped back in, “This is where everyone needs to pay close attention.”

  “Right, this is where you all come in,” Garcia said. “Darla reached out to me when she was contacted. At first, we weren’t sure if Nigel had connections to John’s old organization. When we realized he didn’t, we dug deeper and discovered his link to Chuck McGill. Chuck helped broker thousands of illegal arms shipments to various dangerous factions around the world. Normally, the weapons are second rate because he can’t get his hands on anything else. He’s made it a good niche because those weapons are cheap, and the terrorist in developing countries are desperate to get their hands on what they can. However, Chuck is ambitious and always looking for ways to expand his reach. We assumed Chuck was hoping to get his hands on a fire sale when it came to Parabolic Defense Systems. Additionally, he was probably hoping Darla could give them intel on the CIA. He would love to know what we’re up to.”

  Harold spun towards Darla. “Did they interrogate you? How much do they know about my company?”

  Darla turned towards Harold and crossed her smooth, tan legs. Despite his best efforts, he was distracted by her. She had the look of a woman in total control as she answered, “No, Chuck assumed that I had joined the dark side since I was seen around John. Nigel mistakenly thought I had changed sides after you took down John. You know, all women are gold diggers, right?”

  “Idiot,” mumbled Harold.

  Garcia took back over the conversation. “I explained to Darla this might be an opportunity to put away one of the most dangerous men in our lifetime, but I would need your help to pull it off. She agreed to let me pull you in if she was involved.

  “So, we set up a backstory that Darla had changed sides once she realized you were planning on destroying John’s company for what he did to your father. Additionally, we sent out leaks that there was a dirty agent in the CIA, and he was working with Harold to sell black box weapons to certain factions in Central America.”

  Harold interrupted, “I assume that would be you.”

  Garcia answered, “It is. Darla is working as the middleman, so to speak. Once Nigel checked out the rumors, he contacted Chuck. Chuck took the bait and is ready to meet.”

  “Where do we come in?” asked Joshua.

  “Darla spoke with Chuck by phone and told him that Harold was not comfortable expanding beyond the Americas but that the company needed the money. Darla then communicated via Nigel that Harold had to meet Chuck face-to-face before he’d consider a deal with him and show Chuck some of the weapons he has to offer.”

  “Where does that put Doc?” asked Harold.

  “I thought you might want Dr. Zeev joining us,” said Garcia, “So, we told Chuck Dr. Zeev was helping you deal with your parents’ death and may need to travel with you wherever you go.”

  Harold cleared his throat, and Joshua said, “That sounds uncomfortably close to the truth.”

  “That’s not the only reason you’re here,” Garcia said. “Once you asked to join us, I called Darla to let her know you would be coming for sure and the house should be prepared. She pointed out that you bring us a unique dynamic that I hadn’t thought of previously. You’re a darn good psychiatrist. I want you to assess Chuck during our initial meetings. After we get back, you can report your findings to me.”

  “So, who was the house for if you weren’t sure I was coming?”

  Garcia looked at Darla, then Harold, and back at Joshua. “Do I have to say it?”

  “If you don’t, I will,” said Darla.

  Garcia turned to Joshua. “Honestly, that would have been my house if you both had stayed in California.”

  “That explains why the master bedroom has an extra-large shower and no tub,” quipped Maria.

  Garcia sheepishly replied, “I had hoped the front porch would make up for some of my design preferences.”

  Harold’s mind was spinning. He could not decipher what was fact or fiction from Garcia and Darla’s plan. He leaned forward in his chair. The creaking of the wicker got everyone’s attention, and they turned his way. “Darla, please don’t get mad at me for saying this, but I’m trying to figure out if this is a brilliant ruse or if I’m being played.”

  Darla’s face looked concerned. “How so?”

  “You both seem to know me, and Doc and Maria better than we know ourselves. How do I know you aren’t using me and my company to get weapons to developing countries as some sort of CIA plot?” Harold’s finger wagged back and forth between Darla and Garcia. “Maybe you guys want the bad guys to have these weapons. After all, the more unstable Africa and the Middle East are, the more money and manpower you need to fight them. It’s job security.”

  Darla and Garcia looked at one another in shock. Garcia turned back at Harold with a confused expression. “I guess my ruse is a little too good. Harold, how can you even think that?”

  Harold’s large finger pointed at Garcia’s nose. “You did it to John.”

  Garcia slapped the table. “I told you that wasn’t what happened.”

  Harold waved off Garcia. “Yea, you told me. You also told me knowing I would be coming out here.”

  “What about me?” asked Darla.

  Harold sat silent. He could not help loving Darla, and every fiber in his being prayed she loved him too. However, he could not help thinking, what if. Harold lifted his finger and then dropped it and said, “I hope I’m wrong, but what if I’m right? You’re a beautiful, smart woman. You fooled John into thinking you liked him after all.”

  Darla’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe you would think that.”

  “Harold!” exclaimed Maria.

  Joshua raised his hands up between everyone and jumped in. “Everyone, let’s cool down. Harry and I are going to go for a walk. Darla, perhaps you and Garcia should think through this. I believe your assessment on who needs to know what may have some holes in it. Harry, come with me.”

  Harold was more than happy to follow Joshua out of the house. Things had gotten out of hand. He had not meant to hurt Darla, but sudden doubts swirled in his mind. He could not afford to make his father’s mistake and trust the wrong people. Even if she was not involved, Garcia could be playing them all for fools. After all, Darla had been outside the agency for some time when she reached out to Garcia. Maybe he saw this whole disaster as a chance to further destabilize this region of the globe. It was not as if spy agencies had not done that in the past.

  The two men walked in silence past the parking area, a short distance down the narrow two-lane road, and then onto a new walking path. “Where are we going, Doc?”

  Joshua turned for just a moment. �
�Just follow me. I’ll explain when we get there.”

  Harold estimated they had walked almost a third of a mile down the trail bordered on each side by overgrowth before emerging onto a narrow beach. The calm Gulf of Mexico gently lapped at the sugar-white sand, which was dotted with small rocks. The gently sloping sand descended beneath the water to a coral bottom. Small barracuda, blackfin tuna, and other fish swam near the relative safety of its shallows.

  “This is beautiful,” said Harold.

  “Yes,” replied Joshua. “This was the one spot on this end of the island that John had not touched and was still accessible even when I was here. Although, the trail was much narrower back then. Come with me. It’s just a little further up the beach.”

  Harold stopped. “What is, Doc?”

  Joshua gave Harold a quick, annoyed glanced over his shoulder. “Just follow me.”

  The two men walked several yards up the beach near some larger rocks. Joshua turned into the vegetation just shy of the coastline that curbed out of sight. Joshua stopped short of the bushes and pointed. Harold looked down to see several rocks sprawled about and a shallow hole.

  Joshua pointed down at that hole. “Darla did that.”

  “What was there?” asked Harold.

  “Everything,” responded Joshua. “Everything we needed to stop John. She risked her life storing it here.”

  “I don’t know. It looks pretty remote,” said Harold.

  Joshua spun around and smacked Harold in his shoulder. “Don’t be an idiot, Harry. I was here. I know what happened. You think this is remote? John found me out here one morning while I thought I was alone enjoying the company of some manatees until his boat scared them away. That was the day Darla showed me this spot. If John knew I was hanging out here, he had to know Darla would walk along this beach.” Joshua’s eyes took on a blank stare as he pointed further up the beach. “We walked around the bend in the beach and happened upon Senator Jones and that teenager. It’s a miracle this was never found.”

  Harold looked over Joshua at the shallow grave where the documents once lay. Was it a miracle? “Tell me, Doc. Why would she do that?”

  Joshua scowled and looked straight into Harold’s eyes. “Because she didn’t want to see your father’s work destroyed. Don’t you get it? She felt partially responsible for Richard’s death as well. If she had found the evidence sooner, maybe she could have stopped their extortion scheme.”

  Harold rubbed his chin. That is what he had assumed at the time. “What about now, Doc? Why is she still involved?”

  “Maria is right,” quipped Joshua. “Boys are stupid. She’s in love with you, man. Can’t you see that?”

  “How do you know? Oh, because you’re the doc.” Harold did not mean for his comment to sound sarcastic. He meant it sincerely.

  “Well, I don’t know much, but what I do know I know pretty well. I saw Darla with John. Did she have him beguiled? Yes, but it wasn’t because she acted like she was in love with him. She acted cold, cruel, self-centered—just like John. That isn’t how she is with you. Nobody can fake the look of love. I’ve seen how she looks at you. Maria has looked at me the same way for years. I was a fool to ignore it. Don’t be a fool and lose out on a woman who loves you.”

  Harold knew it was true. There was something about Darla. When they talked to each other, it was like the entire world disappeared. He could stare into her eyes and lose all track of time. There was nothing fake about that.

  “Doc, what do you think about Garcia? Can we trust him?”

  Joshua remained silent, and Harold was concerned that his friend did not have his mind made up already. After all, they had both been around Garcia enough to form some opinion at this point.

  Joshua finally answered with a question. “Do you trust Tom?”

  “Yea,” Harold responded immediately. “What does that have to do with Garcia?”

  Joshua crossed his arms and looked past him towards the still waters. “I think we should find a way to communicate with Tom outside of Garcia’s influence. We should have a plan for extracting the company out of this if the need ever arises. Do you still have the funds your dad secured outside the country?”

  “Yea, Doc. I haven’t moved them. That won’t be enough to help PDS though. I would burn through those funds in six months trying to keep the company running.”

  “True, but they could keep you and Darla comfortable for the rest of your lives. Keep those well-hidden. You may need that money one day if Garcia is tricking us.”

  “Okay, Doc.”

  Harold turned around and watched the still waters with Joshua. Harold hoped everything was as it appeared. One thing was for sure. He did not like being involved in espionage. The sound of footsteps grabbed both men’s attention. Darla and Maria came walking into view.

  Darla said, “Didn’t I tell you?”

  “This is where you hid everything?” Maria asked.

  Darla nodded and then spoke to Harold. “Maria was wondering where you two wandered off. I guessed Joshua was bringing you here.”

  Harold walked over and held Darla. Her firm body felt good, and all his stress melted away in her strong arms. Harold whispered in her ear, “Can you ever forgive me?”

  Darla released her grip, and Harold followed suit. She stepped back. “I was debating not forgiving you, but Maria keeps reminding me that boys are stupid. So, I guess I have to forgive you.”

  “I guess I had that coming.”

  Darla raised an eyebrow. “You guess?”

  Everyone laughed.

  Maria turned to Joshua. “Why don’t you show me the rest of this beach?”

  Joshua looked towards the bend. Harold thought Joshua had a sad look in his eyes.

  Joshua replied, “There isn’t much to see.”

  “Let me be the judge of that,” Maria said.

  With a sigh, Joshua took Maria’s hand, and the two slowly disappeared around the bend.

  Harold turned to Darla. “Alone at last.”

  Darla patted his chest with her hand. “Easy, big boy. We still have a lot to talk about.”

  Harold turned back towards the vegetation line and Darla’s hiding place. “When you were helping us, who did you trust? I mean, the lies and intrigue. These gray areas that Garcia and you seem to be able to navigate through. I’m not sure I understand it.”

  Darla walked up next to Harold and put her arm around his waist. She rested her head against his bicep and said, “That’s why I love you. I need somebody who can see black and white and not gray all the time. I trust you, and I hope you can trust me.”

  Harold considered Darla’s words. “I loved you from the moment I saw you, and I do trust you.”

  Darla’s hand slid into Harold’s. “You didn’t sound like you trusted me earlier.”

  Harold spoke quietly. “That was before Joshua explained things to me. He told me how you risked your life for us. You had nothing to gain by doing that.”

  Darla responded softly, “I did have something to gain. My life had been careening down a dark path. When I decided to come here and help your father, it gave me back my self-respect.”

  Harold looked down towards Darla. “What does that mean?”

  Darla let go of Harold, and he turned and looked into her eyes as she spoke. “Maria told me you have been having nightmares about John. You’re not the only one who gets visited by people they’ve killed. Some of my people were innocent. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I left the CIA because I got tired of counting the innocent. Voices in my head said that I had become the very person I was fighting, so I left the CIA to find who I used to be. Your father was my first client after leaving the company. He gave me an opportunity to redeem my work, my talents. I had a chance to be involved in something that wasn’t going to become gray. So, I did have something to gain by helping you. I gained my soul back.”

  “Is that why you rejoined the agency? You wanted to make sure Garcia didn’t pull us into your gray wor
ld?”

  Darla squeezed Harold’s hand. “I don’t know how much I trust Garcia. Although, I would say that’s exactly why we can trust him. He’s very good at his job. If he is on the side of right, Agent Garcia Hernandez is a powerful ally. If he’s simply using us to transport arms to terrorist, then we’re in a lot of danger.”

  Harold let go of her hand. “Which do you think it is?”

  Darla pulled him close to her and put her head against his chest. “I hope he’s on the side of good.”

  He wrapped his large arms around her body. “As long as I’m around, you won’t need to worry.”

  She let out a ragged breath. “I wish that were true. Your size and strength mean little to a man who can kill you without lifting a finger.”

  Harold pushed her back away from his body. Her eyes looked fearful. “Are you really that afraid of him?” he asked.

  “I’m only afraid of what he could do to us if he wanted to.”

  His voice took on a low growl. “If he does anything, he better hope I’m not alive to respond.”

  “Don’t get angry, darling,” she said. “I’m not saying he’s our enemy. I’m just saying be careful.”

  “I intend to be.”

  Chapter 12

  “Psst, hey, brat, wake up.”

  Harold groaned and swatted at the air.

  “I said wake up!”

  Harold jerked up from his stomach to his hands and knees when something smacked the back of his head, and the bedroom light came on. He looked over his shoulder and saw John standing there. John’s hideous grin and sunken eyes no longer scared him. Whether this nightmare was simply his mind trying to think or John really sought revenge, he remembered it was only a dream. Harold let his body fall back to the mattress and slowly rolled over on his back.

  “What are you doing here? I thought I left you in California.”

  “Come on, this is my island. I told you I was grabbing the bus. Besides, I really like the upgrades Garcia and Darla have done. I guess I did make an impression on that woman. She was really a tasty piece.”