by Larry Brown
Clay spoke, “Well, we have checked all the entries to the house except through the big screened porch above us. The big fireplace and shape make it nearly impossible to see if anybody might be hiding there. Harry, Al and I are going up and check it out. Harry, you stay down at the bottom of the stairs. If anybody but me or Al come down those stairs, you stop them.”
“You mean you want me to shoot them?”
“Harry, I trust your judgment.”
They were ready to go when Clay stopped and sent Al to get three vests.
Hector and Felipe lay on their bellies peeping over the bottom frame of the screen porch. Each time Clay and his team moved, Felipe whispered, “What are we going to do?”
“We are going to stay quiet and still, we know we cannot be seen from the screen door if we stay close to the side of the fireplace. They will look in and not see us and then they will move on.”
Felipe wasn’t convinced, “Maybe we should just kill the three of them and drive out of here in the sheriff’s vehicle.”
“Felipe, think man, too much noise. The whole community would be out and about. Relax, be cool man.”
Al returned and the three men put on their vests. Clay and Al walked slowly and carefully up the stairs to the deck. They then carefully crossed the deck to the screen door. They looked in and around. Clay put his fingers to his lips to let Al know he wanted no dialogue. Clay pointed to a wicker chair and then pointed down. It was a beer bottle cap sitting against a chair leg. The screen door was locked.
Clay said, “Well, it looks like it is secure.” Clay seemed ready to walk away when Al touched Clay’s arm and pointed to a place where the screen had been cut at the corner of the door frame. Whoever cut it had done a good job of putting it back the way it was, but it definitely had been cut.
Clay unholstered his weapon and Al followed suit. “Okay men, it’s over. We know you are on the porch, and we have you surrounded.”
Hector grabbed Felipe’s arm as he reached for his pistol. He put his hand on his mouth to signal quiet.
Clay used the barrel of his weapon to push open the cut part of the screen enough to stick a big thick finger on the latch and flick it open. Hector and Felipe new the sound meant they were ready to enter the porch.
“Last warning come out with hands above your head, or we come in and we will not hesitate to shoot you. You have ’til a count of three. One, two,”
“Okay, okay,” Hector was on his feet with hands over his head. Felipe reluctantly did the same. Hector had decided jail was a better option than death.
Chapter 36
Everything had been wrapped up by Clay and his team. The coins were back where they belonged, and only Harry and Clay were in Harry’s kitchen.
“Damn, Clay, I haven’t even had a cup of coffee this morning. What a start to a day. How about a cup?”
“Naw, I got a lot to do, better get going.”
“Clay Hardaway, you’re avoiding me. Why? We need to talk. Now sit down, have a cup of coffee and talk to me.” Harry was showing his frustration.
Clay grimaced as Harry poured two cups of coffee. They both sat at opposite ends of the granite kitchen island.
“Clay, have I done something to offend you?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Clay, you and I need to talk about Andy.”
He saw Clay’s expression, and he knew that was the problem.
“Well, at least I know where our issue lays. Clay, Andy and I have really grown to enjoy each other’s company, and I believe we are approaching moving our relationship up another level, but I have sensed this could be an issue with you. Clay, I hope you know I consider you one of my best friends and I would never want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship. And I know having your sister involved could make the situation more sensitive. So please tell me what’s going on with you. Please don’t hold back. I need to know the truth.”
Clay sipped his coffee and stared at the granite top, “You are right, Harry, I need to tell you what’s on my mind. I guess with age comes wisdom.” Clay said this with a half smirk, half smile.
"Harry, I too consider you my good friend. I guess that’s why I have avoided this conversation. I don’t have to tell you how I feel about my older sister. She and I are all that’s left of our family. Look, at first, I thought this was a good idea. Remember I introduced you to her. I see now how naive I was. Three friends sharing dinners, drinks whatever together. Frankly, because of her age, I would like to see Andy find the right guy to look after her and spend the rest of their lives together. I think Andy deserves that. I would like her to have that. Harry, I wish she could find a guy like you but not one who is 72 years old. I don’t think it’s right. I don’t think it’s fair. Hey, if you were 60 and she was 50, I wouldn’t even mind. The odds would be in your favor to have a lot of years together. But that’s not the case and therein lies my problem.
“Let me just be blunt. If you two get together and just have a few years together and you have a heart attack and die, I’m okay with that. As long as you die. What I don’t want to see is you have a stroke or some other long-term debilitating disease where she is left to spend the rest of her life taking care of you and basically getting nothing in return. I’m sorry, I know that’s hard and blunt but those are my thoughts, Harry. You are a friend, and I value that, but she is my only family.”
Clay finally looked up and looked at Harry.
Harry cocked his head and thought carefully on how to respond.
“Thank you, Clay, for being honest, I truly understand everything you have said and how you feel. But Clay, I think you have jumped way too far ahead. We are not talking about hiring a wedding planner. Thus far our relationship has been very casual and informal. I think we are both ready to spend more quality time together.”
“Harry, Harry, Andy just spent the night at your house, that’s pretty serious in my book.”
“Clay, Andy saved my ass. This woman Zelda put me in a huge bind, and Andy bailed me out. She slept in my bedroom, and I slept on the couch in my office. It was all very innocent, I swear.”
Clay shook his head, “So you say.”
Harry was now offended, “Are you questioning what I say is untrue? Be careful Clay, she and I are both adults and don’t need your permission to do anything.” Harry was now standing and very defensive.
Clay now standing said, “I’ve told you how I feel, I don’t think there is more for me to say.”
“Clay, Clay, listen to me. I think Andy and I have reached a point where we would like to get to know each other better. Once that happens, who knows maybe she won’t allow it to go further or maybe I won’t. I’m asking you to withhold your position until we at least get past that point?”
“Harry, that won’t be necessary if it doesn’t go there.”
“Clay, I think that’s an unfair position.” Harry’s tone was now calm and his body language no longer tense.
Clay, still standing was no longer defiant, but simply again staring at the granite top. “I’ll think about it, but you think about what I said. Now I’ve got to go.”
“Clay, are you not going to thank me before you go?”
“I’m sorry, Harry, but thank you for what?” Clay said tersely.
“For helping you round up two more bad guys. My coins and I are going to make you man of the year in Polk County.” Harry was smiling.
Clay just shook his head, doing his best to hide the smile on his face as he left.
Harry poured himself more coffee and thought about what Clay had said. Maybe he, Harry, had been selfish. He had never allowed himself to think those kind of thoughts. He already cared too much for her not to consider Clay’s words.
Chapter 37
Harry spent the entire rest of the day thinking about Andy. Thinking about what Clay had said and all the what-ifs that might happen. The first few hours he tried to convince himself that walking away from a deeper relationship with Andy was the noble and right thi
ng to do. He knew Clay was right about the possible health issues he could have. He now had to figure out the best way to handle this with Andy. Should he talk about the conversation with Clay, probably not? Maybe just say he had moved too fast and he needed more time to get over Maggie. That made more sense, and there was some logic to it.
The weather had turned cold. Winter was arriving. Harry put on his coat and hat and walked down to his dock. The wind had come up, and a few white caps had begun to appear. He sat in one of the wrought iron chairs on the dock and stared across the vast expanse of choppy gray water. The sun that had been bright earlier had now given way to a mass of white, gray, and even some black billowy clouds. Rain was coming for sure. He was beginning to feel sorry for himself. He had been enjoying himself having someone in his life again. He tried to think of some scripture that would apply. The only one he could think of was the one Ray Andrews used about a season for mourning. Maybe his season for having someone special had ended with Maggie. Yes, this was turning into a good pity party.
The cold air and wind were urging Harry to go back to the warmth of his house. Then there was a voice in his head as clear as any he ever heard, “Hey, Harry, now that you know where you are going, why don’t you call Dobbins and take care of your funeral arrangements. You can save your kids from the trouble.” There was a chuckle from the voice, “Yessir, now that you are throwing in the towel, might as well, Harry.”
“No, damn you,” Harry said this out loud. “No damn way!” he shouted as he walked up the hill to his house. Screw Clay Hardaway. Clay was his friend, but he was wrong, and Harry intended to set him straight. Harry got into his car and drove straight to Clay’s office. After all the research he had done there, he was comfortable going straight to Clay’s office without being announced or escorted.
Clay was at his desk doing some sort of paperwork when Harry walked in and closed the door behind him.
“We need to talk,” Harry said this in an apparent agitated tone. Clay didn’t speak, he just pointed at the chairs in front of his desk.
“Clay, you were dead wrong in our earlier conversation regarding Andy and yours truly. Every point you made might happen, but it might happen to your sister. Once we all pass 50, all kinds of things can happen. How ’bout Andy’s first husband? How old was he when he passed, 47, 48. People our age know these things can happen. Hell, Clay, in your line of work, how many people younger than us are crippled or killed in all sorts of accidents. I refuse to live my life being afraid to live and love. You told me you and Andy stay out of each other’s lives, and I believed you when you said it. I think you have made a mistake and I’m here to tell you I’m moving forward. Who knows, it may go nowhere but right now, I hope it does. Finally, as far as I’m concerned, our conversations are off the record as far as Andy’s concerned. I don’t think it would do much for your relationship with her. Clay, you are my friend, and I don’t want to lose that. I hope our relationship won’t change.” Harry found himself leaning forward on the edge of his chair, so he slid back and sat silent.
Clay stared at Harry with a blank expression on his face. After a period of silence, he finally spoke. “Are you through?”
Harry just nodded.
“I have always heard, the older we get, the more wisdom we have. I guess it’s true because, Harry, you are a truly old fart.” Clay said this as he finally grinned.
“Harry, I hate to say this, but I was wrong. I don’t need to be in Andy’s business nor yours for that matter. You are correct, only the good Lord knows what is in store for us in the future. We all just have to keep on keeping on and do the best we can. We are friends and this won’t change a thing. And by the way, thanks for keeping this away from Andy. If she knew, she’d probably kill me.”
Chapter 38
Harry couldn’t wait to get back home and call Andy. What had started out as a disastrous day had ended as good as he could have ever hoped. His friendship with Clay was an important part of his life, and he felt that was as secure as ever. He was excited about the next step with Andy.
When he got home, it was almost 6:00 pm and the rains had begun. Andy should be through for the day, so he called while pouring a celebratory drink. He got her voicemail and left a message. The wind picked up with the rain and Harry decided a fire would be in order. He fixed leftovers for dinner and now at almost 8:00 pm he had not heard from Andy. He called again and once again got her voicemail. At 10:00 pm he was ready for bed but had still not heard from Andy. He tried again, but this time he left no message.
At 8:30 am the next morning he was in his kitchen working on his second cup of coffee and reading the Kindle version of the Atlanta newspaper when his doorbell rang.
His first thought was that Clay was stopping by as he sometimes did. He walked to the front door and was surprised but pleasantly so, to see Andy. He opened the door to see her in black slacks, yellow silk blouse and high heels, gorgeous. He was prepared for a big hug and kiss, but all he got was a quick smile as she walked past him toward the kitchen.
“Harry, I hope you have coffee,” she said walking into the kitchen and not looking at him.
“Of course I do. And what’s up with you dressed up like a million dollars.”
“Harry, we need to talk or rather I need to talk to you.” She poured her own coffee and sat down on the stool next to Harry’s coffee and Kindle.
Harry looked puzzled, “This must be important for such an early visit and especially the attire.”
“Harry, it is. I’m going away.”
“Oh yeah, where are you going.”
“I’m going to Ocala, Florida and a 700-acre world-class horse farm and training facility.”
“Great, do you have a new customer?”
“No, Harry it’s an existing customer. Let me explain. Do you remember the two client horses I had when you toured my barn? I don’t know if you remember, but I told you the horses were there to be trained for two girls in the family that owned them. Well, there is a lot more to this story. Do you know the name, John Winstone?”
“Yes, I think I do, oil, natural gas multi, multi rich. That one?”
"That’s correct. His son Jack and my husband did some business together and we got to know each other as a result. Jack had married a beautiful model and had two girls in the first two years they were married. Shortly afterward, she died of cancer. Jack has raised the two girls and never remarried. The girls got older and got interested in horses and Jack remembered me and what I did and he contacted me and asked if I would get involved with his two girls and teach them what they needed to know and help pick out and train their horses. I was delighted, of course.
“Jack and the girls have been in and out of here quite a few times since I started a year ago. Jack had come to my husband’s funeral, so it has been a bit more than the normal client relationship. I’ve gotten to know the girls quite well, and we get along great. The four of us have been to dinner quite a few times, and I always assumed it was for the benefit of the girls. Last night we all flew on his plane to Atlanta for dinner. Only the girls went to visit friends there. Jack and I ate alone, and Jack has asked me to come to Ocala to this new investment of his. He wants me to help him make sure everything is done right there plus continue to work with the girls. To be perfectly honest, Harry, he has also said he would not object to our relationship being more than just business. Harry, I was completely taken by surprise.”
“How old is Jack?” Harry asked now becoming distressed.
“He is my age, Harry, but I hope you know that doesn’t matter to me.”
“Andy, when will you be back?” Harry inquired.
“I have no timetable.”
“But Andy, what about your place?” Harry said almost pleading.
“Juan can handle everything and Clay has agreed to help. And before you ask, this truly has all just happened in the last few days and this is the first Clay knows of it.”
“Andy, I don’t know quite what to say. To say tha
t I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I really felt like you and I were ready to take another step forward, but I guess I misread that.” Harry said glumly.
“No, Harry, I don’t think you did. There is just so much here to consider. The opportunities with the ranch are limitless.”
“Not to mention a man with limitless wealth.”
“Harry, that’s unkind,” she said in a defensive tone.
“Sometimes, Andy, the truth is what it is. But if this is what makes you happy, then God Bless you girl.”
“Harry, I wish I could stay and talk, but I have to be at the airport in an hour,” she said getting up to leave.
“Hey, I understand; you can’t keep those private jets waiting,” he said in his best monotone.
“Harry, we will talk again,” she said, leaving without a hug or embrace.
“Sure we will,” he said silently. For the first time, he noticed she was riding in a black limo. Harry stood at the door watching as the limo disappeared over the top of his driveway. He stood there paralyzed, couldn’t move. His thoughts were jumbles. He had been transported into some other unreal world. He was jolted back to reality when he heard the door slam on the big Tahoe and see Clay climbing his front steps.
Clay opened the front door and let himself in as Harry just stood silently. “I know she’s been here, Harry, I passed the limo on the way here. Harry, I know you must be pissed at me, but I wanted to see you and explain as best I can.”
Harry looked Clay in the eye and said, “This must be a happy day for you Clay, too bad you had to come here and see me and mess it up. And, by the way, you don’t owe me any explanation. If you want to turn around and leave, it’s okay with me.” Harry turned and walked to the kitchen without an invitation for Clay to follow.
But Clay did follow and without invitation, poured himself a cup of coffee and refilled Harry’s cup without a word being spoken. "Harry, I want you to open your ears and your mind and listen to what I have to say. First, this is not a joyful day for me. I didn’t know she was leaving until late last night; correction, it was early this morning. And to set the record straight, I advised against her going so fast. I told her to slow down, be sure she had carefully thought through everything.