Harold and the Angel of Death

by Gary McPherson

  “So why didn’t you follow up when you came back?” asked Harold.

  Garcia popped open another beer bottle and took a sip. He put it on the table and then rolled it back and forth between his palms. He continued to watch the bottle as he spoke. “I tried. Everything had changed by then. My handlers had all moved on to other jobs. The politics around the Middle East, and defense, were turning. Cuts were happening everywhere. Even your father’s company saw two of their newest contracts cancelled before they had finished with their first production model. There was nothing I could do for John, and unfortunately, he couldn’t accept it. John was sure Richard had somehow found out about our deal and had turned someone against him. The man had issues.”

  “Yea.”

  “The whole thing’s a shame,” mumbled Garcia.

  “So, how do I know something like that won’t happen to PDS? It doesn’t sound to me like there are any guarantees in this little arrangement.”

  Garcia stopped focusing on his beer bottle and leaned back into his chair. His eyes seem to look past Harold as he spoke. “I can’t tell you it won’t go down that way. Maybe your dad didn’t teach you everything about this industry, or maybe the truth is what killed him. Making weapons for national defense can be a nasty business. It’s all tied to the boys in Washington, DC. Everyone from the Pentagon to Pennsylvania Avenue has their opinion on how the world should work and who should defend it. Those opinions change with each election.”

  “I thought this arrangement would help stabilize things. But it’s sounding more like I just dug a deep hole, and a ladder may or may not be sent down to help me back out.”

  Harold looked back up to see that Garcia had put his sunglasses back on. He could no longer see Garcia’s eyes, but his mouth formed a frown.

  “Look, I understand if you don’t want to play along. Here’s the truth. If you back out, then the CIA will back out. That leaves your company in desperate straits. The board will likely vote to remove you because of your decision. I have no idea what Tom will do. Frankly, the board placed him in that position as a favor to you and our operation. Tom understands the military side of things, and he’s worked in the company, but he isn’t really CEO material. The two of you together make a great team, but with one of you gone, he’s a weak link. I’m not trying to threaten you here, but I want you to understand what may happen if you just walk away. At least going with my plan, you and your company have a chance to survive.”

  Harold gazed down at the table and did not say a word. He turned his attention to the reflective ocean waters below. As he watched the waves racing towards the shoreline, thoughts raced around inside his head. Why had he allowed himself to be talked into this? After all, his personal financial future was assured. Garcia was a cagey individual at best. Harold had a feeling Garcia could take away his company and financial security with a simple phone call if he was crossed. Besides, it was not just his future in the balance, but all the employees and their families. Quitting now was not really an option.

  “Earth to Harold, what are you thinking about?”

  Harold looked up to see a smile across Garcia’s face that disappeared behind his sunglasses. He finished off his beer. “Tell me what I need to do.”

  “How would you like to move away from the left coast lunacy and relax down in the Caribbean?”

  Harold doubled over with laughter. He gripped the table and took deep breaths to get himself under control. Finally, he was able to sit up and face Garcia again, and Garcia’s bland expression from beneath his sunglasses told Harold he was not kidding.

  “You’re serious,” Harold said. “You expect me to walk away from one of the most beautiful pieces of real estate on the planet and move to some island or country with hot humid days that are cooled by tropical storms? And let’s not even get started on the hurricanes.”

  Garcia finished off his beer and sat there. Harold was getting more annoyed by Garcia’s sunglasses with every passing moment. He could not tell if the man was looking at him, looking away, or simply taking a nap.

  Garcia finally spoke up. “Well, should we talk about fires, mudslides, and earthquakes around this coastal paradise?”

  “Say what you want, our estate has survived them all.”

  “And where I’m taking you has done the same.”

  Harold felt cornered. Garcia seemed to be controlling everything—his job, his company, and now his home. Garcia was at least two steps ahead of him. Maybe he was smarter than he looked. Harold needed time to think things through. He stood up and extended his hand out to Garcia. Garcia looked up, and despite the sunglasses, Harold could see the wrinkles in his forehead from the surprised look on his face.

  Harold waited for Garcia to stand. Even with the two men out of their seats, Garcia still had to look up to attempt to meet Harold’s eyes. Harold said, “I appreciate our talk. I have a lot to think about. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”

  Garcia tilted his head to the side. “You’re planning on talking with Joshua?”

  Harold worked to keep his deadpan expression, although inside he was surprised Garcia would guess that. “Doc is returning home today. My decisions impact him too. Do you think he’ll have a reason to stay in Malibu if I move away? I’ll be in touch.”

  Garcia released his hand. Harold stepped towards the French doors to let him out through the house. When he had opened them and turned back to Garcia, Garcia had disappeared. Although Garcia had obviously used the side path, his speed and stealth surprised Harold. He pondered whether Garcia was simply showing off or letting Harold know he could be anywhere nearby.

  Harold went inside to grab a trash bag for the beers. He did not like feeling threatened. Insinuating the board would turn on him simply because he did not want to play in any spy games seemed a bit of a stretch. Still, he had not thought up any better plans in the months since his father’s death. Perhaps Garcia was trying to help. Maybe the nightmares about John were playing games in his head. Joshua could help him sort through his concerns. He was happy his lifelong friend was away in paradise with the love of his life, but he would be happier when he returned.

  Chapter 6

  Harold sat in the oversized wooden rocker and stared out past his estate to the ocean below. Joshua’s wooden deck creaked beneath his chair as he slowly rocked and waited for the driver to arrive. He had sent his car to pick up the newlyweds to ensure they would arrive back home promptly by six in the evening. There was a lot to discuss with Joshua, and Harold did not intend on waiting. Maria would forgive him for inviting himself into their home after a five-hour flight. After all, she was impacted by what was going on as well, and she should be included in their discussion.

  The black Lincoln sedan eased into Joshua and Maria’s driveway. Harold rose up, and a very tan Maria and a somewhat red Joshua emerged from the vehicle. Joshua walked around the car wearing khaki shorts, a Hawaiian flower shirt, and a straw fedora. Harold worked to hold in his snicker. Maria looked stunning in her white sundress. Doc married up.

  Maria walked over to meet him at the edge of her porch and gave him a hug. “Harold, we didn’t expect to find you here. Thank you for the car ride. Joshua was planning on grabbing a cab. The town car was much nicer.”

  Joshua walked up, hugged him, and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “How have things been going?”

  “I’m the new chairman of PDS, so I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

  Joshua glanced up. “Chairman, congratulations are in order.”

  Harold smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Adam told me he’s been talking to you.”

  Harold’s eyebrow rose slightly. “We’ve had some interesting discussions.”

  “I hope that isn’t why you’re here. We would like to settle into our love nest before I hang my shingle out.”

  Maria giggled, and Joshua winked at her.

  Harold felt an awkward shiver pass through him. “No, Doc. I wish that was it. I need to talk to both of you. Why don’t
I help you with your bags and then the three of us can chat for a bit?”

  “Okay. I really would like one of my beers. Would you like one as well? I stocked my fridge with my favorite before we left.”

  Harold put a shoulder bag on each shoulder then lifted the two remaining suitcases, one in each hand. “None for me. I had some earlier today.”

  “Are you sure you have that?” asked Joshua.

  “Doc, please,”

  Joshua joked, “It sounds like somebody’s been talking to agent Garcia.”

  Harold did not respond. Maria held the door open, and he walked into the house and gently put the luggage down in the living room. The maid service had done an excellent job on the home. The wood parquet was shining and flawless. Everything smelled fresh, unlike the musty odor that would sometimes linger when Joshua was living alone and was busy with his work.

  Joshua appeared to have given Maria the run of the living room. Instead of staged antiques, Maria had covered the velvet couch in a beautiful Mexican blanket. The spinning wheel was missing, and the book A Prescription for the Doctor’s Wife by Debby Read sat in one of the two empty chairs.

  Joshua walked in and stopped between him and Maria. “Why don’t you two go relax outside? I’ll get a couple beers.”

  “I don’t mind getting them, Doc. You two need to relax after your trip.”

  “They’re hidden,” Maria said.

  “What’s hidden?” asked Harold.

  “His beers.” Maria stuck out her lip in disapproval.

  Harold’s eyebrows went up. “You hide your beer from Maria? Where is it, an in-ground refrigerator?”

  Joshua grinned. “I don’t hide them from her. I just keep them in a safe place. Not all refrigerators are large after all. I told her I’ll take care of my beer stock. She does enough around here, and I don’t want to put the blame on her if I run out of my OMB Copper.”

  Harold leaned his shoulder up against the wall. “I don’t know, Doc. It sounds to me like you’re trying to hide your beer. Maybe you should see a psychiatrist about your obsession. It could be serious.”

  Joshua smirked at him and went out through the sliding glass door.

  “Seriously, you don’t know where he keeps his beer stock?”

  Maria tossed her hair off her shoulder. “He would tell me if I ask, but this is more fun.”

  With a smile on her face, Maria strolled out the front door, and Harold followed. She sat in one of two chairs that were placed on either side of a small table. Harold resumed sitting in his oversized rocking chair.

  Before he had a chance to turn his head, Maria asked, “What is it, Harold?”

  He looked over, and Maria’s large black eyes appeared to almost pool up amid the anxious look on her face.

  He replied, “Something tells me you can get Doc to tell you anything.”

  Maria cocked her head to the right. “Is that such a horrible thing?”

  “I suppose not. For a man who tells people to talk about their problems, Doc isn’t always much of a talker.”

  “What about you?”

  Harold squirmed slightly. “I see you’re already learning his ways.”

  “I’ve studied my husband’s ‘ways’ for many years. I have also studied you, and I can tell there is something wrong, and it has nothing to do with your father or some dreams.”

  The front door opened, and Joshua walked out holding the glass necks of two beers in one hand and a bottled water in the other. He handed Maria a beer and Harold the water.

  The three of them popped opened their drinks, toasted one another, and took slow sips.

  Joshua asked, “Okay, Harry, what’s up?”

  Harold took another sip of water and let it sit in the large palm of his hand on the armrest. He took a long slow breath and began to tell Joshua and Maria about Garcia’s offer to save the company and the need to move.

  “What about us?” asked Maria.

  Harry made eye contact with each of his friends before responding, “I honestly hoped you would join me. I’m not sure I can do this alone.”

  When he finished, Maria and Joshua sat there staring at him. Maria reached over and took Joshua’s hand. Harold finished off his water. Several seconds of silence passed between them before Joshua finally spoke.

  “Harry, I honestly don’t want to move. I made my peace with living here a long time ago. This is home to me now, and this is Maria’s home, and it’s your home. I can’t imagine walking away from here.”

  Harold shifted his weight in the chair. “I know, Doc. I guess you technically don’t have to go. I mean, Garcia needs me, but I really need you, and Maria.”

  Joshua’s fatherly eyes rested upon him. “Harry, how important is this to you? Is it worth gambling away everything you have? Yes, your father wanted his company saved, but he would have never sacrificed your well-being to do it. He was wrong to shoot himself, but he did it in hopes of protecting you, not throwing you into more danger.”

  Harold looked down at the porch and back out over the estate. “I don’t know what to do, Doc. I don’t want to move either, although I would like a break from the ghosts.”

  “Ghosts!” Maria jumped in her seat. “I had enough of them as a little girl. If there are ghosts here now, we need to leave.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. Ghosts aren’t real. It’s a trick the mind sometimes plays. Let’s say you can’t say goodbye to someone you love. When you’re asleep, or possibly just tired, your mind will bring that person into your consciousness from your subconscious. That may cause you to see someone who isn’t there. Like a mirage in the desert to somebody needing water.”

  Maria released Joshua’s hand, leaned in towards Joshua, and waved her arm between them as she spoke. “You’re wrong, honey. I saw ghosts as a little girl in Mexico, and they were not friends or family.” She stopped, took a long breath, and got control over her emotions before continuing. “I had never heard of such things until after I came upon one. A little girl by a river. We would play every day. I told my mother about my new friend, and she thought it was another girl in the village. One day we were playing, and my friend fell into the river. I screamed and got my mother. When I brought her to where we were playing, she turned pale and asked me my friend’s name. I told her it was Olivia. My mother picked me up and ran to the church. When she told the priest what happened, he put his hands on me and prayed over me in Latin. Once my mother calmed down, I asked her if we were going to try and find Olivia. She explained Olivia had drowned twenty years earlier in the spot where we were playing. She sometimes showed up and played with children and tried to get them to go into the river with her.”

  A shiver traveled down Harold’s body as he recalled his most recent dream. “Well, Doc. What do you have to say to that?”

  Joshua sat there silently. Maria looked over at Harold, and he tipped his head and water bottle towards her.

  Joshua turned to Harold. “Are these ghosts in your dreams?”

  Harold leaned closer to Joshua. “Yea.” He turned towards Maria. “Don’t worry, Maria. These ghosts live in my dreams. I think Doc may be onto something in my case. The only thing that could have held Dad to earth was Mom, and she’s gone too. Besides, it isn’t Dad who’s the problem. John keeps showing up. He seems to be everywhere.”

  Maria’s voice rose an octave with her question, “John died in the house. Do you think he will try to come over here?”

  Harold looked over at Maria. “So far he hasn’t walked the halls beyond my mind. If his spirit is around the house, he seems content to harass me in my head.”

  Maria scowled and began rocking furiously. “I don’t like it.”

  “Neither do I.” Joshua shot Harold a look that let him know he did not approve of his wife being frightened.

  He knew everyone needed a break. He stood up and stretched. Maria raised a finger towards the empty water bottle in his hands, and he gave it over. “I think I’ve caused enough worry for you both. I’m sorry, Maria,
if I upset you. All I wanted to do was talk about the possible move. I’m sorry I brought up my dreams. I guess they are bothering me more than I thought. I’ve tried to keep the details between Joshua and me.”

  Joshua looked up at him. “It’s okay, Harry. It sounds like a lot has gone on. I guess the world can’t wait on the two of us.” He turned and gazed at Maria. Their eyes sparkled as they gazed at one another.

  Joshua turned back to Harold. “Let me drop by in a few minutes after we get ourselves settled in and we can talk details. I think the three of us probably need to speak with agent Garcia. I’m not saying we will join you, but if we do, I want to make sure Agent Garcia is on board so we don’t show up unannounced.”

  “That’s a great idea, Doc. I’ll see you soon. I’m sorry to bring things down so quickly after you got home.”

  “Don’t worry. You didn’t. This is important. I’ll be over soon.”

  Harold walked over, bent down, and hugged Maria. He turned and shook Joshua’s hand. “I’ll see you soon.”

  The walk back over to the estate felt longer than usual. He wished he had been more patient, but he felt like Garcia was pressing hard. If he had said nothing to Joshua and Maria now, Garcia could have shown up on their doorstep and told them himself, and that would have been worse.

  Harold sat at his office desk for the next hour looking up information about the Florida Keys. When he heard footsteps coming down the hall, he let go of his mouse and clenched his fists, half-expecting John’s specter to appear. Joshua came walking into view with a contented smile on his face.

  Harold’s hands relaxed, and he pointed to the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Doc.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me letting myself in.”

  “Nope. In fact, I’m relieved. I’m tired of having to walk that long hall to answer the door.”

  Joshua chuckled. “Well, I know you missed Maria.”

  “I missed both of you. We’re a family.”

  “Yes, we are. Okay, let’s talk shop for a few minutes. Adam told me about your nightmares. Those didn’t sound any different from what you were dealing with when I left.”