Chapter 2: Thank God for Spooks (I never thought I would say that)
General Gordon Cresswell was watching the scene before him unfold with interest. While he was giving his closing remarks, there was a beautiful brunette hanging by the back gate, who was only focused on the Rear Admiral about to take command. He thought she looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place her. When he glances at his successor, for just a moment, he actually sees the shields that Harmon Rabb carefully constructs, fall into oblivion. He saw not an Admiral, but a man, and a man in deep and longstanding pain. He had often wondered why the handsome and kind man had never been married. He surely had enough women swooning over him over the years. Now, he might have just witnessed the key to the enigma. And if he wasn't mistaken, the woman who held his heart was a former Marine. Of all the woman that he would have pictured to capture the heart of the elusive Harmon Rabb, a Marine was nowhere on the list. Gordon chuckles at the mere thought of it. He also watches her flee, shortly after another woman steps on the stage for the statutory, congratulatory kiss bestowed upon someone newly frocked, with a precocious three-year-old trying his best to behave. Apparently, the agony exists on both ends. He may have to call his predecessor, Admiral Chegwidden, later tonight for the inside scoop. There is definitely a story here.
Harm plasters a smile on his face for the remainder of the afternoon, but only because it is what is expected of him. The smile doesn't reach his eyes, and it certainly isn't heartfelt. Inside, he is slowly dying. He has just been promoted to one of the most prestigious positions in the Navy, and all he wants to do is find HER…not the one who had kissed him on stage, but the one who got away.
Among the congratulations, as he shakes the hands of several congressman and fellow brothers in arms, are the inquiries. Where did your beautiful wife and son go? He only offers that the child was fussy, so his mother took him home. He doesn't know most of these people. His personal life is none of their business. They only know the man in the uniform, and the stories that are told by the medals he wears, or the rumors that have circulated Washington of his many adventures and exploits. They don't know the man behind the mask, or the woman who helped shaped him into the person he is today. He never would have come this far without her in his life. She challenged him, grounded him, and he didn't know how to function properly without her for a long time. Only those chosen few in his inner circle, and those that tore his life apart to confirm his selection for this position, know the truth. Appearances are not always what they seem.
He silently wishes for a moment that Bud and Harriet were here. Unfortunately, Bud is currently stationed at the Regional Legal Services Office in Naples, Italy, and the twins had come down with the flu. They had sent their sincerest apologies for missing this glorious day that was years in the making. His second thought is that it is probably good that they weren't here, because they definitely knew the whole story, and Harriet isn't one who holds her tongue very often.
Every ten minutes or so, he will glance in Keeter's direction, hoping for a different response than he received the last time he checked in. However, the answer is still the same. Keeter shakes his head in the negative from his post on the side of the stage, where he has remained rooted to the spot, on his phone, since he watched her leave.
Keeter silently, sincerely, hopes that one of his contacts will be able to provide him with some insight. He had the unique displeasure of watching Harm crawl himself inside of several bottles, years ago, and it is not an experience he would like to relive, EVER. Ironic, that he had turned to alcohol to get over a recovered alcoholic. It had taken Harm a long time to pick up the pieces of his tattered life, and move forward again, even if his heart had never fully recovered. Jack only hoped that if he could find her, that she would heal his heart, not break it again. However, he was willing to take any risk to help his best friend feel whole again.
Finally, Keeter walks up to him and places a piece of paper in his hand, with her hotel and room information. It is the one and only time that Harm will actually thank the CIA for spying on people within the United States, even if they emphatically deny it.
Harm raises his eyebrow in question. Jack confirms, "I'm positive, it's correct. She is currently there, and someone I trust is standing outside the hotel to follow her if she leaves. Now go make your last rounds, and politely excuse yourself from the rest of the festivities. Your future is waiting."