Note to readers: This article contains content created by LLM ChatGPT. The story portion is the product of my prompt and ChatGPT’s response. The rest of the article is my unadulterated creation, thunk up out of my own brain. Please, contact me with questions related to this article or the series of articles.

The newsletter initially became a bane demanding a full week’s attention on the detailed analysis of ChatGPT’s trite narrative. Once that project was completed, I’ve spent that lost week shaping ChatGPT’s story into a narrative palatable for human consumption. Sadly, when you start a thing like this, you damned well have to finish it.

As a result of this underhanded trickery dealt me by AI, I am minimizing my involvement with the unforeseen plight of “Shadows in the Dark.” Going forward I will simply provide the rewrite with no commentary. We will finish this duty and let it stand on its own. Should it choose to do so.

Tallyho!

I’ll tell you a story, scene six.

Shadows in the Smoke

Harland tirelessly pursued every lead and rumor in his relentless search for The Widow. Each time he got close, she faded into the proverbial mist—a mirage taunting him. Determination faltered at the nagging doubt in the back of his mind. He second-guessed every move. Was something or someone working against him? Her unseen power hindered his progress. It scared him.

It was a Tuesday evening when Eleanor mentioned the cousin.

“I ran into someone today,” she said as they sat down to dinner. “A cousin of mine—well, distant, really. I hadn’t seen him in twenty years.”

Harland looked up from his plate, detective instincts on high alert. “A cousin? I didn’t know you had any cousins in town.”

“I didn’t either,” Eleanor replied with a slight frown. “His name is Edward. He said he was passing through and thought he’d look me up. It was so strange—I barely recognized him. Last time I saw him, we were kids.”

A prickle of unease danced across the back of his neck. “Did he mention why he was in town?”

“Said it was business,” Eleanor replied, twirling her fork absentmindedly. “He’s into real estate now, apparently. We had coffee, caught up a bit, but… I don’t know, something about him felt odd.”

Harland didn’t like the idea of someone suddenly reappearing in Eleanor’s life. This was the type of game The Widow played.

“What did you talk about?” he asked, his tone casual.

“Family stuff, mostly,” Eleanor said with a shrug. “He asked about you, too—wanted to know what you were up to. I told him you were working on a case, nothing specific. He seemed interested in you, though, asked a lot of questions.”

Harland’s jaw tightened. “Did he?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t tell him much. He was… I don’t know, kind of pushy about it. I just thought he was being curious, but now that I’m thinking about it, it was a little strange.”

“You didn’t mention any details? Didn’t say anything about The Widow?” Harland asked, his voice growing tight.

“No,” Eleanor said quickly. “Of course not. I just told him you were working on something big, you know, like I was bragging on my man. I didn’t go into details. Women know how to talk without really saying much, John.” She clasped his hand and smiled. “I don’t give away your secrets.”

Harland nodded, squeezed her hand. But the incident had his mind racing. This cousin could be nothing. A coincidence—or he could be something more. Sent by The Widow to worm his way into Eleanor’s life, gather information and undermine their relationship.

“Where’s he staying?” Harland asked.

“He didn’t say,” Eleanor replied, her frown deepening. “Which is a little odd come to think of it. He just said he was in town for a few days. Do you think we should be worried?”

“Hard to say. We need to be on our guard,” Harland admitted. “You did good, El.” He lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “If he contacts you again, you let me know right away. And keep him on the hook the way you’ve been doing, okay?”

Eleanor nodded, concern showing in her eyes. “Okay, John. I’ll be careful.”

That night, with Eleanor asleep beside him, Harland lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The more he thought about it, the more this “distant cousin” didn’t add up. Why would someone suddenly reappear in Eleanor’s life, asking questions about him? Was it coincidence? His mind playing games with him because he was close to unraveling The Widow’s plans? He rolled over, snuggling Eleanor. The late night rumination wouldn’t solve the case. He drifted to sleep on memories of their last vacation, on the beach with a gentle breeze brushing Eleanor’s hair with light strokes that imbued her with effervescence.

Waking early, Harland was consumed by a frenzied determination. He pulled every string he could, using his vast network of connections to unearth any shred of information on “Edward,” Eleanor’s elusive cousin. It didn’t take long for the results, and when they came in, they confirmed suspicions that fired the blood in his veins.

There was no distant cousin named Edward in Eleanor’s family. The charlatan wasn’t related at all.

Harland gripped creases into the report as he read. Whoever this Edward was, he’d managed to convince Eleanor of his identity, even charmed her into accepting him. At least for a bit. But what was his endgame? 

No doubt he worked for The Widow—one of her pawns, sent to gather information, probe for weaknesses and plant seeds of doubt between him and Eleanor. 

Harland clenched his jaw, tossing the report on his desk. He would confront this “Edward” and squeeze some truth out of him. It would take using Eleanor as bait, and that disturbed him. But she was tough. And he believed he could protect her from real danger.

He expected Edward to make a move soon. This imposter was in town to derail Harland’s investigation on behalf of The Widow. That meant keeping the con fresh.  He’d play his hand soon. And Harland wanted to be ready.

A day later, Eleanor received a call from Edward, asking to meet again. Her nerves showed in the lines around her eyes, but she kept cool until the call was over. She played it as if she were none the wiser. It made Harland proud and he told her so. 

They arranged to meet at a small café downtown, the kind of place with lots of traffic where they wouldn’t be noticed.

But Harland would notice. He found his spot early—one with a good view and a low profile. He positioned himself in a corner, hidden behind the ubiquity of a newspaper. Eleanor walked in, eyes scanning the room until she found a line-of-site table. When Edward arrived a few minutes later, he smiled as  warmly as a cobra and sat down with her.

Harland studied the deceiver. This Edward looked the part—sharp suit, confident air—a well-groomed façade. Too neat and perfect as far as Harland was concerned. The guy looked exactly like the perfect long lost cousin we all want to know. But this wasn’t a cousin. This was a snake, slithering his way under their front door and into their lives.

Harland’s placement made it easy to hear them. 

Their conversation started innocuously—small talk, pleasantries, remember Grandma Izzy? The dude had definitely done his homework. It was a detail that made Eleanor glance his way. Harland gave a quick shake of his head to dissuade her from believing in the con. 

Harland noticed how Edward kept steering the conversation back to him, asking pointed questions about his work, about how much time he spent away from home. Eleanor seemed to notice as well. She played her part expertly, deflecting the questions with ease, but Harland recognized the strain it caused her. This was more than a friendly chat—this was a test, and she had to pass, or else.

Finally, Edward leaned close, his voice low and conspiratorial. “You know, Eleanor, this work of John’s—it must be hard on you. All the late nights, all that stress, wondering what he’s up to. Are you sure he’s not keeping things from you?”

Eleanor stiffened, her eyes flashed with anger. “Edward? What are you saying? You think I should be worried about John’s integrity?”

“All I’m saying,” Edward continued, easing back in his seat as smooth as a viper. “Sometimes, men with John’s temperament, always wrapped up in their work and witnessing the worst side of people. It’s easy to forget what really matters. They have to keep secrets. Maybe you should start asking some questions of your own.”

That was enough for Harland. He slapped the newspaper down and stood, his heart thumping inside as he strode to their table. Edward didn’t see him. Harland clamped a hand onto his shoulder, and Edward jerked his head around, the counterfeit smile crumbling.

“Time to go, pal,” Harland said, his voice arctic.

Edward’s eyes widened, but he quickly recovered. “John, hey! I was just—”

“I know exactly what you were just,” Harland said, his grip tightening. “And it’s over.”

Edward looked around the café. People watched out of curiosity. Harland didn’t care. He would get answers.

He leaned in and growled. “What’s your game, Ed? I know you’re no cousin of Eleanor’s?”

Edward swallowed hard. “Look, I got no beef with you. I’m just following orders. It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think?” Harland sneered. “You’re a liar and a con. You’re sure as hell not here on a social call. Let’s just take it outside.”

Edward’s eyes darted toward Eleanor. She watched in shock, mouth partly open. “Alright, alright,” he muttered. “I’ll talk. Just… not here.”

Harland released his grip. “Fine. Outside.”

Edward rubbed the offended shoulder. “But just to talk, right?”

Harland glanced at Eleanor, giving her a reassuring look. “Just talk.”

She nodded, but with a scowl that reprimanded his strong arm tactics. 

Harland escorted Edward out, thoughts racing with questions about The Widow’s influence.

In the alley behind the café, Harland shoved Edward against the wall. “Start talking.”

Edward looked everywhere but at him, the bravado gone. “I’m just an actor. Hired to get close to Eleanor, pretend I was family. Stir up questions in her mind about what you were up to and find out what you knew.”

“Who hired you?”

“Some woman. She wanted leverage—something she could use to control you.”

“Leverage,” Harland repeated, voice deadly calm. “She specify what kind?”

Edward swallowed like an egg went down his throat. “Anything. Marriage, personal life, finances—but mostly stuff about your marriage that would make you vulnerable. She… she said you were about to cost her a big corporate deal worth millions.”

Harland’s blood turned cold. The Widow knew her prey and she knew how to keep her distance. 

“Where is she?” Harland demanded.

“I don’t know,” Edward stammered. “I don’t know anything about her. She found me through my agent. I met her once. In a dark bar with smoke. I got the impression I wasn’t supposed to remember her, so I didn’t try.”

“How are you supposed to give her the information once you have it?”

“She’ll reach out to my agent again. That’s all I know. I swear.” Edward’s eyes pleaded for the ending.

Harland considered the options. Convince Edward to let him take the information to her. Sit on Edward until she got nervous and came for him. Or kick him loose with nothing to share but bad news. The first two ideas were foolish. The Widow was too smart, too careful. If she sensed a play, she’d strike harder, faster. He’d never see it coming.

He stepped out of Edward’s way. “Leave town. Now. Forget the deal with the woman. I ever see you again, your pretty face will pay the price.”

Edward nodded frantically and ran off down the alley.

Harland watched him in frustration. The Widow was closer than he liked. But maybe he had one up on her—and he needed a win.

He found Eleanor waiting in the café. She stood as he approached, an expectant look in her eyes.

“Did you learn anything?” she asked.

Harland grasped her hands. “No doubt it’s The Widow. But she was smart. He’s a nobody actor, sent to get close and disrupt things. I told him to get lost before he could do any damage.”

Eleanor shook her head in disbelief. “John, how could a person be so devious?”

“Greed, I suspect,” Harland said, pulling her into a hug. “I’m sorry I dragged us into this, El.”

They held each other, not caring what other patrons thought. Harland began to worry. The Widow failed to infiltrate his life and people like her didn’t like to lose. He was more determined than ever to protect his own. But now, so too would The Widow.