Chapter 5
With AJ's help Harriett spent the day making arrangements for Bud's funeral. He had put one of the gift casseroles in the oven and they were all sitting down to eat lunch when the doorbell rang. AJ went to answer it and found Agent Victor Galindez there. He hadn't seen Victor in over a year, since he'd heard that Victor had resigned his commission in the Marines to join the CIA full time. It was said in the circles that were in the know, that Victor was in line for Webb's old job as Deputy Director. Clay had moved into the position of Director when the previous one retired a year ago.
"Victor, hello!" AJ welcomed him.
"Admiral, I didn't know you'd be here."
"AJ, please. I'm just helping Harriett, I assume that you heard the news?"
"Yes, I thought I'd stop by and offer my condolences and see if there was anything I could do. Both Bud and Harriett were such a big help when I was at JAG…"
"That's the kind of people they are…were…you know what I mean."
"Yes, Sir…ummm, AJ."
"Won't you come in? I'm sure Harriett will want to see you."
"Thank you," Victor followed AJ into the dining room where everyone was sitting.
Harriett got to her feet when she was Victor and gave him a sad smile, "Hello Gunny…oh I guess it's Agent Galindez these days, isn't it?"
"No, Ma'am, it's just Victor to my friends and I'd like to think you might consider me that."
"Well, my friends don't call me Ma'am they call me Harriett and I'm glad to call you a friend Victor. Won't you please have some lunch with us?"
"Oh, I don't want to impose. I just came by to offer my condolences and to see if there was anything at all I could do for you."
"You can stay for lunch please, Victor. There's plenty and we'd like you to stay."
"All right then," he conceded with a smile and pulled up a chair. "It was such a shock to hear what happened."
"Yes," Harriett said, "But it was so like Buddy to ignore himself while trying to save others. That was how he lost his leg too."
"I remember that. Bud was a very special man and from what I've heard a great father too!"
"He was," she replied in a choked voice.
"I'm sorry, Harriett, I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that it's still all so new that anything and everything still makes me cry."
"That's very understandable. I just wish there was something I could to do ease your burden a bit."
After thinking for a few minutes, Harriett said, "Actually there is something you could do, if you would Victor."
"Anything, just name it!" he promised.
"Well, we will need six pallbearers and I'm pretty sure that Mike, Harm, and Tom Patterson, Sturgis' replacement will serve, and AJ has already said that he would, but I'll need two more…"
"No, Harriett, you only need one more. I would consider it an honor to serve you and Bud in that way."
"Thank you, Victor. I just wish I knew who to ask for the sixth spot," she said shaking her head.
AJ patted her hand and said, "You could ask General Cresswell, he'd be glad to do it as Bud's CO."
"Oh, but that was why I hadn't thought he would. I mean he's a General and all! I wouldn't have asked a three star Admiral either if you weren't such a close friend of the family!" she protested.
Taking her other hand because he'd also noticed that she wasn't eating, Victor told her, "Harriett, as a former Marine I can tell you he will be offended if don't ask him. He would be proud to do that for a fine officer like Bud!"
"Thank you again, both of you!" she said to AJ and Victor. "I don't know what I'd do without friends like the two of you."
They both silently squeezed her hand giving her what comfort they could just by their presence. When lunch was finished Victor said he needed to get back to the office, but if it were all right with Harriett he would stay in touch in case she needed anything. His unexpected reward for that offer was a quick, but fierce hug from Harriett.
To be continued….
