Loneliest Man Who Ever Lived Ch. 20

"That won't happen," said Harry. "She loves me of her own accord now."

"She told you that?"

"Yes."

Claire sighed. "She probably believes it, too." She bit her lip. "I just don't want you getting hurt."

"I won't be," said Harry. "I trust Goldie."

"All right," said Claire.

********

Claire analyzed the clients of the Geanosis Biochem Corporation and located six prospects.

"But I like this one the best. Look at this. All the shipments are sent to an independent warehouse in Lexington, Kentucky. That's a middleman if I ever saw one," said Claire pointing to the screen.

Harry studied the data. "I think you're right. We should go check it out."

"We'll all go," said Goldie.

"All right," said Harry.

********

They used a cutting torch to cut through the fence around the warehouse at night. There were only two sentries, both of whom were at the front gate. Like clockwork, one of the sentries went and patrolled the warehouse once per hour, on the hour. With luck, they should be in and out before anyone noticed.

They each had hand scanners. Claire told them what they were looking for; a consignment with a shipping tag marked XR-54.

"That's a large warehouse," said Goldie. "It could take a long time to find."

"It's a huge shipment," said Claire. "There should be a dozen or more of such rosa-blanca.ru. Just be sure you don't trip any of the alarms."

Goldie gave Claire a disparaging look.

They cut through the fence and entered the warehouse quietly. They each went in separate directions. The place was huge, and filled with giant shipping containers.

Harry scanned one, then another, then another. The aisle he was on seemed dark and endless. After a few minutes, he whispered into his comm, "Any luck?"

"Not yet."

"No, keep looking," said Claire's voice.

Harry kept walking. All he heard were the faint footsteps around him, of either Claire or Goldie. Then all of a sudden his scanner lit up XR-54. There was a company name, and an address.

"I got it," said Harry. "I-"

Suddenly all the lights came on, and an alarm went off.

"Run!" Harry yelled.

They all raced to get out. Harry felt his heart hammering as he ran under bright lights to the fence. When he got there he saw Claire just behind him. "Where's Goldie?"

"I don't know. I think I saw her-"

Suddenly they saw Goldie running towards them. They heard sounds of people yelling. Goldie ran faster.

In moments, they were past the fence, in their air car, and out of there.

********

"You tripped the alarm," said Goldie, on the long car ride back to Ohio.

"I did not," said Claire. "You must have."

"I certainly didn't," said Goldie.

"Well, the alarm didn't just turn on by itself," said Claire.

"Goldilocks, are you accusing me of lying?"

"I would never think of it, Shrimp," said Claire.

"That's a name I haven't heard in a while," said Goldie. "That's what she calls me, Harry, when she wants to flaunt the bigger size of her tits at me."

"It never was about breast size," Claire snapped. "I'm three inches taller than you, you know that."

"Ladies!" said Harry. "Can we all calm down? The important thing is, I got the address."

They stopped at a diner in Cincinnati for a bathroom break. While Goldie was gone, Claire turned to Harry.

"She tripped the alarm, Harry. She must have."

"It was dark. It could have happened to any of us."

"No, Harry, that's not what I mean," said Claire. "It's her programming. She's still loyal to them."

"No..." Harry shook his head.

"It must be, Harry."

"We've been through so much together... it can't be," said Harry.

Goldie came back to the air car. She saw how they stopped talking the minute she arrived, and took in the situation at a glance, but said nothing.

********

It wasn't until they had returned to Ohio, and went to bed for the night that Goldie whispered, "What did she say to you, Harry?"

"What do you mean?"

"She told you I did it, didn't she, Harry?"

Harry shifted uncomfortable in bed.

"It was her, Harry. It's all clear to me now."

Harry turned to face Goldie. "What's clear."

"She's been programmed, Harry. She didn't just escape from The Foundation. They had her all along, working on her, conditioning her for months. Then they released her."

"Why?"

"To get to us, Harry. Isn't that obvious? Claire tripped the alarm, because she's working for them."

Harry thought about that. "I asked her, a few days ago. She said she hadn't been programmed."

Goldie gave a dry laugh. "What did you expect her to say?"

Harry paused. "You called her Goldilocks. The same name you used for Jerri, Goldie."

"Yeah," said Goldie. "I can see why that might be confusing. When we were born we both had bright blonde hair. Mine darkened a bit, and my parents actually thought about switching our names, though they didn't. I call her that because of the way she flaunts her beauty and her tits all the time."

"You have nothing to feel defensive about, Goldie. You're the sexiest woman alive," said Harry.

He saw a small smile on her face. "Thanks, Harry." She paused. "But what are we going to do about her?"

Harry sighed. "Even if she did trip the alarm, we don't know she did it intentionally. We never would have gotten this far without her. This entire approach was her idea, Goldie, if you recall."

"I do." Goldie paused. "Can we find The Foundation without her?"

Harry sighed again, much deeper this time. He thought for a long moment. "We spent months looking, and got nowhere. It's certainly possible... but I'd feel better if we had Claire helping us." He looked at her. "But if you want her to go, I'll have her leave in the morning. It's up to you, Goldie."

Goldie said nothing. Eventually they drifted off to sleep.

********

Claire was already up and working at her terminal when they got out of bed. "The Wellnex Corporation. That's who the packages are addressed to. Another front group."

"You're sure?" said Harry.

"Look at their profile," said Claire, turning the screen to face him.

Harry studied it for a moment. "You're right. What's next? To crack into their database?"

"No," said Claire. "This will require a different approach."

********

Claire and Harry were sitting at a bar in Indianapolis. At a table, some distance away, Goldie was sitting with another man. His name was Howard Heinrich.

"Are you sure she can do this?" Harry asked, as he tried not to stare directly at the pair. "I mean, why would someone willingly give up secrets to an industrial spy?"

Goldie's cover story was that she was a business journalist. That's what she had used to lure Heinrich to the bar. But very quickly it would be evident that Goldie was after much more than information for a story.

"This is what Goldie is best at," said Claire. "Getting men to do her bidding."

Harry gave her a sharp glance. Her face seemed to be without malice.

He watched as Goldie flirted with Heinrich. He said something, and Goldie laughed, touching his hand. Harry winced.

"What's wrong, Harry? Do you see something familiar?" said Claire.

Harry said nothing.

"I have to give credit where credit is due," said Claire. "I was always called the prettier one, but Goldie had a way with men which I could never master. She could wrap them around her little finger. One time she stole my boyfriend away from me."

"Why?"

"Just to prove she could," said Claire, and Harry could see the displeasure on her face. "I was so angry that we went into the forest behind our house and battered each other real good."

Harry gave her a sharp glance.

"That was a long time ago," she said quietly.

Harry saw Goldie laugh again with Heinrich and touch his hand.

"Does that look familiar, Harry? Was that the technique she used on you?" said Claire. "She's very good at getting men to believe what she wants them to."

"Are you saying she doesn't really love me?" Harry asked.

"She's programmed, Harry. She's admitted it. Can't you divorce yourself from your emotions and face the truth?"

"And what is the truth?" said Harry.

Claire looked him in the eye. "That women aren't repulsed by you. That you don't have to settle for a woman who's been brainwashed to love you."

"I have yet to see evidence that anyone else is attracted to me," said Harry.

"Then maybe you just haven't been looking hard enough, Harry," said Claire.

Harry's eyebrows went up, and he stared at Claire, and saw just the faintest hint of a smile. In the faint light of the restaurant, her eyes seem to acquire just the faintest glint. They stared at each other for a long moment. Then Claire said, "Look, they're breaking up."

********

"How did it go?" Harry asked, as they drove back to their hotel in Indianapolis.

"Fine," said Goldie curtly.

"Do you think he's going to give us what we need?"

"Probably," said Goldie. "I asked him for a list of all the names of his board of directors."

"That's of no use to us," said Harry. "In fact, that's publically available information."

"I know, Harry," said Goldie. "I'm giving him an easy first task, to get him used to giving me what I want."

"It's kind of like asking for something harmless, like solving a math problem, isn't it, sis?" Claire asked.

"What is it you're trying to say?" Goldie said.

"Just that you're very good at what you do," said Claire.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

********

Goldie was to meet Heinrich again the next day at a restaurant. She asked Harry and Claire not to come.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Harry, with you there, staring at me, I feel a little... self-conscious." She took his hand. "Can you understand that, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "How many more meetings will you need?"

Goldie shrugged. "I'll know better after tonight."

Harry saw her putting on a long, black dress, and studying herself in the mirror as she applied makeup. He stood behind her.

"You look pretty," he said softly.

"Thank... thank you, Harry," said Goldie, feeling a bit flustered.

********

Harry waited impatiently for Goldie to return. "She's been gone over nearly three hours."

"You know what she's doing, Harry," said Claire.

"Do I?"

"Harry, can I speak freely?" Claire said.

"You seem to have no problem doing so," said Harry.

"She's seducing him, Harry. That's why she doesn't want you there. She's touching him, and kissing him, and maybe, by now, she's back at his hotel room, fucking him."

"No..." said Harry.

"Face it, Harry. This is what you're marrying. This is what you're getting into," said Claire.

"I refuse to believe it," said Harry.

Just then the door opened. Goldie came in, and saw the anguished expression on Harry's face, and looked at Claire. "I'm back," she said cautiously, as if she were standing in a mine field.

"Welcome home, sis," said Claire, giving a broad smile. "How did it go?"

"Fine," said Goldie, staring at Harry's face as she walked into the room. "How are you doing, Harry?"

"I'm fine," said Harry quickly. "Did you get the information?"

"No, but I asked him for it," said Goldie.

"You were certainly gone long enough," said Harry.

Goldie smiled. "Harry, it wasn't just like asking him for a stylus. I'm asking him to betray his company." She stood up and studied her hair in the mirror.

"When is your last meeting?"

"Tomorrow," said Goldie. She looked from Claire to Harry. "It should all be over then."

********

"She told us not to come," said Harry, as they followed Goldie in a second air car.

"I decided to go. No one forced you to come, Harry," said Claire, who was doing the driving.

"I had to make sure that the two of you don't ruin this operation," said Harry.

"Is that what you're telling yourself, Harry? You know, for the most brilliant man on the planet, you're remarkably dense, when it comes to denying your own feelings."

It was a harsh comment. Goldie had said harsh things to him before, but always as a tease, with a smile. This felt different, like he was being slapped across the face. He looked at Claire, whose face was totally impassive.

They followed Goldie to a fancy restaurant. Harry moved to go in, but Claire grabbed him. She waited for Goldie to join Heinrich at his table, and then took Harry to a window outside the restaurant which gave them a clear view of the two, some distance away.

When Goldie sat down at the table, Harry was surprised to see her lean forward, and kiss Heinrich on the lips. What was going on there?

He didn't say a word, but Claire must have known what he was feeling.

"Are you surprised, Harry? I'm not," said Claire.

Over the course of the dinner they saw Goldie flirting up a storm with Heinrich. She laughed, she touched his arm, she smiled at him, and more than once, she kissed him on the lips.

"What is she doing?" Harry whispered.

And then, at the end of the meal, they stood up. They watched Heinrich and Goldie walk hand in hand into the parking lot. He hugged her by his car, and seemed to pull on her. Goldie pulled back a bit. Then Heinrich kissed her, and it seemed that Goldie kissed him back. Then they talked some more, and Harry saw Goldie nod, and enter his car.

"Oh my God," said Harry.

"Quick, let's get to the air car," said Claire.

They followed them to a seedy motel on the edge of town. Harry watched as Goldie and Heinrich went into the hotel, hand in hand.

Harry opened the car door abruptly. Claire grabbed his arm. "What are you doing, Harry?"

"I've got to stop them," said Harry.

"No, Harry," said Claire.

"Claire, I have to-"

"No, Harry!" she said again. She stared into his eyes with steely determination. Harry shuddered, wrestling with himself. Finally he slumped back in his seat.

"Have you seen enough, Harry?"

Harry nodded.

"Close the car door, Harry."

As they started driving home, Claire said, "I'm sorry you had to see this, Harry, but also not sorry. You needed to know the truth."

Harry sat there, in a daze.

"You know she was doing this with other men, Harry. Many other men, luring them into The Foundation, before she met you."

"She said... she said she never slept with any of them."

"She lied to you, Harry."

"No."

"She lied to you Harry, and we'll prove it tonight," said Claire.

********

Goldie came home around 11 o'clock. Harry and Claire were sitting there, waiting for them.

"I got it," said Goldie, holding up a Pad. "I now know the location of The Foundation base! It could even be their main headquarters! We'll have to check it out first but... Harry? Why aren't you excited?"

"I am excited," said Harry evenly. "How did it go with Heinrich?"

"How did it go?" said Goldie, a little puzzled. "He gave us the information. Here it is." She held up the Pad.

"Where there any problems, or complications you want to tell us about?" Harry asked.

Goldie's eyes narrowed as she looked from Harry to Claire. "No, Harry. No complications. Why?"

"We followed you," said Harry, his voice cracking from raw emotion.

"You followed me?"

"We followed you, all the way to his hotel," said Harry, his voice full of anguish.

Goldie's jaw dropped. She reached out to him. "Harry, oh no-"

"Don't touch me!" Harry snapped, pulling back from her.

Goldie looked up at Claire, who had a completely blank expression. "You! You did this! You're responsible for this, you BITCH!"

"Don't blame me for this, Shrimp!" Claire snapped. "I didn't force you to go to a hooker hotel and spread your legs for Heinrich!"

Goldie gave a primal snarl, and launched herself at Claire. She grabbed for her throat. Claire smacked her in the chest, pushing her back, Goldie slashed at her with her hand, just as Harry reached her, pulling her back.

Claire felt scratch marks on her cheek. She lunged for Goldie, but Harry got in the way.

"Enough! ENOUGH!" he shouted. The two women froze.

"Claire, excuse us," said Harry. He pulled Goldie by the arm into the bedroom, and slammed the door behind them.

Harry turned to Goldie, who had started to weep. "What happened?"

"What happened?" Goldie asked. "I got the information, that's what happened!"

"Nobody asked you to sleep with him," said Harry.

"I... I didn't sleep with him, Harry," said Goldie.

"Why did you go back to his hotel?" Harry said.

"He said... he had brought the information, but he wanted some quality time before he turned it over."

"And did you? Did you give him quality time?"

"I hugged him, Harry," she said. "And I kissed him. And I touched him through his clothes. That was it, Harry. He wanted more, and I promised to give him more, at our next meeting, but I knew there wouldn't be any more meetings. I got the information and left."

"You didn't sleep with him?"

"No, Harry," said Goldie.

Harry paused. "I saw you kissing him, several times."

"I had to, Harry. I was asking him for classified company information. It wasn't as harmless as having him solve a fucking math problem," said Goldie, her eyes full of tears.

Harry thought about it. "You told me that you recruited a lot of men to The Foundation. But you told me you never slept with any of them. Was that the truth?"

"Yes, Harry," said Goldie.

"You told me you never even kissed any of them. Was that true?"

"Yes, Harry," said Goldie. "Everything I told you was true." She saw him staring at her. "You... you don't believe me."

"I didn't say that," said Harry.

"She's laid the poison in thick," said Goldie. "She probably told you that I was a whore. She's been saying that for years. Is that what she told you, Harry?"

Harry didn't answer.

"I want her gone, Harry. I want her gone tonight. Right now."

Harry paused. "We still need her."

"Why Harry? I have the location of their headquarters. We'll give it to the FBI."

"We don't know it's their headquarters," said Harry. "It could simply be a supply base. We have to check it out before we call the FBI. And in any event, I want to find out exactly what The Foundation is up to. If we give it to the FBI we'll never find out. Remember the dead versions of you, and me, we found in the archive?"

"Yes," she said, shivering slightly.

"What if there are more of... us... wandering around? That's why I want to see the facility firsthand. Claire can help get us in. She's good at forging passcodes and ID cards. Better than me."

Goldie took a deep breath. "All right, Harry. One more mission, but then she goes." She looked up at Harry's face. "What is it, Harry?"

"Nothing."

********

The Foundation's base of operations was on the outskirts of Boulder, Colorado. They flew there in silence. Claire and Goldie were not talking to each other. Claire had small scratches on her cheek, but with makeup was able to hide them.

Claire had held onto her Foundation ID card, and was able to duplicate two of them for Harry and Goldie. When they got to the facility, they found it to be large, ten story building, surrounded by a fence. It was bustling with activity, people, guards, technicians, and trucks, loading and unloading.

"This looks like a headquarters to me," said Goldie. "Maybe we should just go the police now?"

"No," said Harry. "I want to see inside." He tried to combat his feeling of dread. If they were caught... there was no telling what The Foundation would do to them.

They drove to the entrance. A guard examined their ID's, and let them in without comment.

They parked near the main building and went inside. They looked at the directory. Goldie spoke softly. "Growing area... Components... Nursery...." Goldie looked at Harry. "Oh my god, Harry. A nursery?"

"Let's go," said Harry.

"I want to check out the components section," said Claire. "We should find out what they're building."

Harry paused. He didn't really want them to be separated. "All right. Meet us back here in 15 minutes, sharp."