Harold and the Angel of Death

by Gary McPherson

  Tom cleared his throat. “Yea, well, your dad was a careful man. So, when the agents went to hang out at Joshua’s I swept through the house and was surprised to only find a couple bugs. One was in the old office phone, and there is one in the kitchen. I think the agents really are focused more on external threats than anything I’d be doing. Anyway, we met in a secure location here.”

  “What about the agents?”

  Tom’s voice was confident as he responded, “Oh, I told them we were getting together for a celebration of life party to remember your dad and we wanted privacy. They complied immediately. There were three Franks on an old wooden porch over at Joshua’s place during our event. I had the board bring their swim trunks, and we actually met in the pool. You wouldn’t believe what some of these people look like in swimsuits.”

  “I’d rather not think about it.”

  Tom chuckled. “Yea, you owe me.” But then his voice turned serious. “I wish I could say it was good news. We have a solution, but you won’t like it.”

  “Anything has to be better than where we are now. One slipup and I feel certain Garcia will leave us flapping in the wind. If we hope to survive this, we need to find a way out,” said Harold.

  “Maybe. The only way for the company to survive outside of our current game plan is to merge with JR Aerospace and Guilford Defense systems.”

  “So, John wins,” growled Harold.

  “Hold on a minute before you throw the phone into the ocean. I wouldn’t say John wins. First, he’s dead. Second, PDS would absorb the other two companies.”

  Harold silently focused on the rising sun and tried to relax.

  After several seconds, Tom’s voice broke in, “Are you still there?”

  “Yea, I’m just trying to stay focused. How is this going to work? Are there enough contracts? And what about layoffs? How many people would we have to lose?”

  “Believe it or not, we’d have to hire some people. Both JR and GDS lost a lot of employees due to the fallout of John’s conspiracy. And as you know, we’ve had our fair share of walkouts as well.”

  Harold tapped the edge of his seat and said, “Okay, so let’s say combining the companies is a good business move. We still have a huge problem named Garcia. Any move to do this will trigger meetings and reports to the FTC, the DOD, several congressional committees, and who knows how many other acronyms. Garcia is likely to kill it off before it gets started.”

  “Well, we thought about that as well, and you’re right. He could. However, we don’t think he will. The numbers are solid for the merger. If you removed the CIA contract, we only have a few months left. John’s company is in the same boat. Jerry’s company came out better because he provided state’s evidence, and as part of the plea deal, took the brunt of the punishment for his company. However, a lot of good people have left. They still aren’t getting a lot of new work as the DOD sees them as a high risk. So, all three companies are shy of manpower and long-term sources of income. If our companies close, it would be a big hit to the area economically. That isn’t real popular with the politicians in Sacramento or our locals in DC. Garcia would have a hard time fighting this much public fallout without somebody leaking what’s been going on.”

  Harold let out a sigh. Tom had always been a good salesman and an encourager. It all sounded doable. That was what worried Harold. “What’s to stop Garcia from pulling the newly formed company into this mess or even stopping the DOD contracts from coming our way after the merger?”

  Tom’s voice sounded strained, “Here comes the part you may not be so thrilled about.”

  Harold paused and took a sip of his coffee. He was unsure he wanted to know whatever was left. He responded slowly, “Go ahead. I need to hear it all.”

  He could hear Tom take a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking. “Well, there’s a good chance you’ll have to step down as chairman.”

  “Never,” interrupted Harold. “This is Dad’s company. If I step down, then I’ve failed. It’s no longer his company.”

  Tom’s voice was calm and steady as he continued, “Harold, your father is gone. His legacy isn’t you working at Parabolic Defense Systems; it’s the company’s survival, and that’s what I’m trying to help you accomplish.”

  Harold’s voice rose in frustration, “Survival! Who’s surviving, Tom? You’re telling me people are leaving. Now you want to get rid of me too? What about the other companies? Are you planning on putting one of those executives in my place? We don’t know what those people knew. You could be handing Dad’s company right into John’s hands! Besides, how do you know what Dad wanted?”

  “Harold,” Tom responded quietly, “both your dad and John are dead. The board isn’t handing over anything to anyone. Our board will take over the new company. I may or may not stay on as CEO. If they do replace me, it will be with Abigail.”

  “Who’s replacing me?” Harold snarled.

  Tom’s voice attempted to sound upbeat, but Harold could hear the strain, “The board is of the same mindset as you. Promoting somebody from within the newly formed company could land someone who secretly agreed with John into a powerful position. Our plan is to go outside the company. This is California. We have a plethora of technology, aerospace, and defense talent to choose from.”

  Harold was unable to hide the shock in his voice, “So, I’m replaceable then?”

  “No, come on, man, give me a break here. You’ve been like a brother to me. I’m not saying that about you, but you know the drill. Everybody is replaceable. If that wasn’t true, no company could continue once its founder died or retired. Besides, this is worst case.”

  Harold stood up and leaned against the window on the other side of the small office. “So then what, we tell Garcia it’s over?”

  “It’s not like we can just call him and tell him to pack it up,” Tom said. “We have a contract. Our plan is to renegotiate that contract during the merger. As you know, that’s not an abnormal business practice during a merger.”

  Harold looked across the small room, shielding his eyes from the sun’s full fury now shining across the water. “Keep talking.”

  Tom continued, “We’ll agree to finish the project with Chuck. Garcia has told me Chuck and Nigel are selling our guns to three terror training camps. He wants to give Chuck three shipments of GPS-configured weapons to ensure they can tag all the training camps, and if they are lucky, maybe even their headquarters. The plan is to use drones and cruise missiles to take out those locations. Garcia is hoping Chuck and Nigel will be in Africa at one of the camps during the attack. If they are both there, Garcia plans on targeting them as well. We’ll see that through, but then the contract is ended.”

  Harold leaned against his desk. He reached down and ran his fingers across the bloodstains on the desk. His voice was barely audible, “Is this really the only way, Tom?”

  Tom’s replied in a soothing voice, “Believe me, my friend, we looked at every angle in our brainstorming pool party. Everyone went away to pursue their idea. In the end, this is the only idea that would save PDS, and make us fiscally healthy again without Garcia, and even then, there are still some concerns. Garcia could go for broke and report this whole plan to a closed session of the intel committees, but he would only do that if he felt betrayed. We’re hoping that pulling him into our offer as we rewrite the contracts will be enough to appease him.”

  “What if he wants more?” asked Harold.

  “Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Whatever we negotiate, we’ll let him know none of us will be joining him in the field any longer. Garcia’s a creative guy. I’m sure he’ll come up with another story for his next target.”

  Harold stopped tracing the bloodstains and stared out the window. “When can you start?”

  “We already have.”

  Harold’s free hand clenched into a large fist, and he began knocking on the top of the desk. His voice strained to maintain his composure, “What do you mean?”

/>   “Don’t get upset. It’s just paperwork. I asked Abigail to start filling out the proposals for the other two companies and begin putting the paperwork together for the FTC, etc.”

  “So, you assumed I’d agree?”

  “Harold, you’re my friend. You’re the most standup guy I know. I knew you’d understand.”

  A question popped into Harold’s mind. “You’re forgetting something. What about the investigation? Why would the DOD approve the merger of two defense companies under investigation?”

  “Well, here’s a bit of good news. The company has been cleared, but they are still looking into your dad. Even though he’s gone, the estate could still be held liable for any civil fines if the investigation finds any wrongdoing on your father’s part.”

  “That’s a waste of time. Dad always kept things legal.”

  “I know. John’s company didn’t come out so well, and it’s hanging by a thread. The board has been replaced, and they have a temporary CEO. The new guy had been a middle manager in the company. The investigators leaked to me that anyone who may have been complicit at JR has quit or retired. In any case, a lot of senior leadership suddenly left California, and in some cases, the country.”

  “So, you’re sure we aren’t merging someone into our company that’s holding a secret grudge?”

  “Believe me, Abigail and I went over this with a fine-tooth comb. This is our best bet, and we have you to thank. The board got in bed with black box contracts and threw you into danger. Everyone here feels like you’re the one that was thrown under the bus, and they want to make things right. It’s because of you that we came up with an alternative, and it will save the company’s soul as well as our finances.”

  Harold released his fist and bowed his head. His voice cracked as he whispered into the phone, “Tom, I know you’re right, but I feel like a failure. Dad trusted me to save his company and his reputation. Look at where we are. Dad’s reputation is still being investigated, Parabolic as he knew it is gone, and I may not have any control over the company when this is over.”

  “You still own the majority shares of stock,” Tom reminded Harold.

  “That may be, but all I can do is dump them if I don’t like what they’re doing. Thanks to Dad’s foresight, I can’t replace the leadership.”

  Tom cleared his throat. “Harold, listen to me as a friend for a minute. You’ve been amazing through all of this. Your dad never acted as a lord over his family or the company. He built a solid corporation that helps protect the country he loved and provides good paying jobs for its employees. You’re continuing that vision. In a way, you’re expanding it. The employees from JR and Guildford didn’t have good leaders, and now they will.”

  Harold plopped down in his chair, and it groaned to hold him. “But that’s just it, Tom. What if the board replaces us with people who aren’t good leaders? What if the worst case happens?”

  Tom’s voice was soothing but stern, “I think Abigail will make a great leader, and the rest of the board will hire the right person as chairman. Besides, you still have a say in those votes.”

  He was out of excuses. “You’re right. I guess the idea of possibly letting go is harder than I thought. Of course, Abigail is more than capable, and the board is solid. Okay, I surrender. Keep pursuing your idea.”

  Tom’s voice sounded more upbeat, “I’m glad you’re okay with it.”

  Harold turned to put his feet up on his desk and leaned back. He stared at the ceiling and then moved his eyes down to stare at the ocean over his feet. A smile crept across his face. “Tom, I want to make one alteration to your plan.”

  “Okay,” Tom answered hesitantly.

  “When the time comes to discuss the CIA contract with Garcia, tell him he has to throw in the yacht for us to finish our agreement.”

  “Yacht?” asked Tom. “What yacht? Why does PDS need a yacht?”

  Harold chuckled a little. “It’s not for the company. It’s for me.”

  Tom’s voice became more inquisitive, “Why would Garcia do that?”

  Harold’s voice had a tinge of stress behind it, “For putting Joshua, Maria, and me in harm’s way. This Chuck guy is no joke, and the two men he keeps with him would turn your blood cold.”

  Tom sounded concerned, “They must be bad if you’re saying that. I’ve never known you to be afraid of anybody.”

  Harold’s forehead formed small creases across his brow. “Trust me, buddy, you’d probably shoot these guys on sight. In a fair fight, I could take them out in a second, but these are the sort of men who never fight fair.”

  Tom’s voice softened, “You be careful out there.”

  “Believe me, I plan to.” Harold reached over and took a sip of cold coffee then put the mug back down.

  “How is our favorite doctor?” asked Tom.

  Harold paused and then responded, “Oh, he and Maria have gone to North Carolina. Doc is doing some research about my half-brother, and Maria and he needed to get away for a little while.”

  Tom’s voice sounded concerned, “How are you doing without him around?”

  “I’ll survive.”

  “Is Darla keeping you in check?”

  Harold chuckled. “I think she’s more than capable of keeping me between the lines.”

  “You are hooked, my friend.”

  A lilt was in Harold’s voice as he replied, “Hook, line, and sinker.”

  Both men laughed.

  “Well, congratulations,” Tom said. “Whenever you both decide to give up your independent ways, I expect to be at the wedding.”

  Harold sat up. “I expect you to be part of the wedding party.”

  “Good. Well, I need to try and get some shuteye,” Tom responded through his yawn.

  “Have a good night,” said Harold.

  “Good luck.”

  Harold hung up the phone and locked it back inside his desk. There was a knock on the door, and Darla’s voice hollered from the other side, “Are you decent?”

  Harold’s heart quickened with anticipation. “Well, I’m dressed, but the jury is out on decent.”

  The door opened, and Darla leaned in. Her white linen blouse, dark eyes, and black hair made Harold long for the day when they would be married, and he could make proper use of his cabin.

  They gazed at each other for a moment, and Darla finally blinked. “It’s time to meet up on deck. Hip-hop, dear. We have a meeting with the devil.”

  “No rest for the wicked,” Harold responded.

  Darla had disappeared by the time Harold got out of his chair and left his office. How is anyone that nimble?

  Chapter 20

  Harold and Darla sat mid-boat, and Garcia gunned the Kodiak’s engine as they completed the short journey to the familiar Crossroads Key. As the crew prepared to disembark, Harold saw the top of the same tent sitting on the short hilltop, just as before. However, closer to shore sat a couple of boxes. Harold had been around weapons enough to recognize that rifles were packed within. Several canisters of ammunition had been placed under a table that was set up on the beach near the boxes.

  Darla disembarked first. She turned her attention to Garcia. “Looks like we get to have some fun for once.”

  Garcia twitched with a slight smile as he responded, “Don’t get too excited. Remember, this is business, but business can be fun.”

  Harold was about to ask where the targets were located when Alice appeared from the direction of the tent. She stopped at the base of the trail. “I’m glad to see everyone is here. We only have a few minutes. Gather around the table so we can review the weapons.”

  Without a word, Garcia walked up and stood between Harold and Darla. They all had their backs to the ocean and faced Alice. Harold wasn’t sure why they chose the spot they had, but Alice’s commanding presence seemed to go beyond verbal direction or need for questioning. Today Alice wore a khaki-colored short jumper. Although she was not unattractive, her features dimmed when near Darla in her white linen blouse an
d tight white shorts.

  Alice’s voice broke through Harold’s rabbit trail of thoughts, “Everyone, pay attention. Before you are the latest prototypes of smart rifles.” Alice lifted one of the weapons, opened its bolt, confirmed the empty chamber, and left the bolt open. She flipped the rifle around so everyone could see the bottom. “Here is where the magazine is loaded.” She placed the butt of the rifle on the table and flipped it around. “This is the laser sight that guides the smart bullet to its target.”

  Harold raised his hand.

  Alice turned in his direction. “Do you have a question, Mr. Brown?”

  Harold lowered his hand. “Yes. I’m curious, why did Chuck agree to pay such an outrages amount for these guns? I mean, today we can use laser sights that are so accurate an eighty-year-old with poor eyesight can hit a target down range. What’s so special about these?”

  “I’m glad you asked.” She reached, grabbed a loaded clip, and shoved it into place. She reached back down to a small control panel on the table and threw a switch. A humming could be heard drawing closer from the far side of the island. “I programmed some targets for today, and I made sure I included a few extras. Now watch.”

  The drone zoomed overhead and out over the water. Alice locked and loaded the weapon. “Before anyone asks, the patterns are programmed, but they are run in a random order, so I can’t anticipate the moves. As you know, with a normal rifle, you need to lead a moving target. That makes laser targeting with dumb weapons useless in many situations. Now watch this.”

  Alice lifted the weapon and put the butt hard into her shoulder. The rifle followed the drone for approximately four seconds before the round went off. Even though it was expected, the entire group jumped when the bullet’s sonic boom emitted from the front of the rifle. In less than a second, the traveling drone exploded in the air, and parts drifted to the sea below.

  “That, my friends, is what makes these weapons so valuable. With a little training, you can hit moving targets with predictability. It not only ensures lethality with each round, but it helps avoid friendly fire, assuming someone does not insert themselves into the bullet’s path.”