Nandita To Nandini
- 4 years ago
- 282
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Hawk, Brenda and Mary Beth joined the others in Maria’s room. A few minutes later, a nurse ran most of them out so Maria could get some rest. Mary Beth and Brenda decided this was the right time to start house hunting, dragging Zed along with them.
Jason needed to head back to his place, as he’d made no provision for taking care of his horses, but Andy insisted on staying close to her new daughter. Hawk stayed a while, but decided he needed to take care of some things while Maria was resting.
Unfortunately, when he started out the front door he realized he’d ridden to the hospital in the ambulance. As a result he didn’t have any means to get home. At least he had Maria’s keys in his pocket.
Standing just outside the front door he heard a female voice ask, “How’s your wife feeling?” He turned toward the voice. Though she was in casual dress Hawk quickly realized she was the EMT person who’d assured him Maria wasn’t dead.
“She’s resting at the moment, but Doctor Adams says she will be fine. He’s going to do a D and C plus some repair work next week. My heartfelt thanks to all of you this morning.”
“It’s our job, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to hear we’re appreciated. Is that Doctor Adams, Maxwell Adams?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then your wife’s in great hands, and don’t let his persona turn you off. Much of his act is to help the patient and her family relax. He’s really a sweetheart.”
“Thank you for the reassurance. Maria’s future mother is a RN and they seem to know each other pretty well.”
“Future mother?”
“Her grandfather raised her. He’s asked Andy to marry him, but she insists Maria will be her daughter, not her granddaughter or stepdaughter.”
“That’s good she has a loving family. When I walked up you looked confused. Are you OK?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I was planning to go back to the apartment, but after I came downstairs I realized I don’t have a car here.”
“Well, if you can wait a few minutes I’ll drop you off. I’ve brought some items for my mother, but I can’t stay. I’ll run upstairs, give them to the nurse, and then take you home. Is that OK?”
“That would be appreciated. My name’s Hawk, by the way.”
“Hi, Hawk, I’m Alicia.”
Hawk sat on a bench looking at a fountain while Alicia ran inside. In less than ten minutes she was back. She led him to her car, a ten-year-old Honda, and headed for Hawk and Maria’s apartment. As she drove, they talked. “So, have you and your wife been married long?”
“About four years, though it seems like only yesterday. How about you? Are you married.?”
“Nope! Haven’t found the right guy yet. Also, this thing with my mother has taken most of my non-work time.”
“What’s wrong with your mother?”
“Breast cancer, and it’s now spreading. That was why I couldn’t stay. I see too many people dying as it is. To watch my mother do the same is almost more than I can take. I still try to spend time with her everyday, but we had a heart attack victim this morning who didn’t make it. After that I knew I couldn’t deal with mom today. We’ve talked about it before, so she understands.”
“I’m sorry. How’s your dad taking it?”
“If he knows, he’s probably dancing a jig. The bastard ran out on us when I was four. I haven’t heard from him since. That’s part of my problem, too. I’m having to go through this alone, and the medical bills are eating us alive, even with the insurance. To make matters worse, with mom not working we’re about to lose our home.”
“Give me your name and number. I might know someone who could help you.” They had just pulled up at Maria’s apartment. She put the car in park and turned to look at him. Hawk said, “Alicia, that was not a pickup line. I do know some people who might help. Besides, even as attractive as you are, I’m not looking for another woman in my life. I’m more than happy with what I have.”
She studied his face for a few moments and finally made a decision. She took a piece of paper from the console and wrote down her name, as well her home phone and pager numbers. As she handed it to him she said, “Hawk, if you rape and kill me, you know I’ll haunt you forever.”
“Please, ‘Miss Haint, ‘ I’s be good.”
She laughed and seemed more at ease as she replied, “And don’t you forget it!”
Hawk thanked her for the lift and headed for the apartment. He got the eviction notice and reread it. Finally, he called Dennis at home. A sleepy Dennis said, “Hello?”
“Dennis, Hawk. I’d hoped I’d waited late enough not to wake you.”
“After our little excursion yesterday I was too tired to get up and go to church with the family. I’ve sore muscles in places I didn’t know I had muscles. I’d no idea I was this out of shape. I think next week I’ll find me a heath club. Now, I’m sure you didn’t call me on a Sunday to just chew the fat. What’s up?”
Hawk summarized what had happened, wanting to know their legal rights. Dennis asked, “Had there been any prior warnings or notices?”
“None that I’m aware of.”
“I’d need a copy of the lease, but I’d say we’d have a strong case of their causing the miscarriage. Do you want to take legal action?”
“I’d want them to apologize for moving so quickly without any investigation or previous notice. I also want them to give us time to find another place, and to make sure there’s no blot on our record, or credit report.”
“I’d say those were reasonable requests. Do you need my presence?”
“Not at this point, but I’m not above giving them hell. Also, that’s something I don’t understand. Dennis, what’s happening to me? I’ve suddenly become a feisty pit bull, instead of an easy-going collie.”
Dennis replied, “I’d say the change would be quite understandable, considering all you’ve been through. Now, what are you planning to do about a new place to live?”
“Brenda, Mary Beth, and Zed are house hunting this afternoon.”
“What and where are they looking?”
“Jason and I talked the other night. We felt we needed a larger place that was close enough to ASU not to be a burden to Maria and Brenda, yet also closer to Jason’s. It needed to be somewhat isolated and unobtrusive, with plenty of privacy. What we’d kicked around was a small ranch. Also, from a legal standpoint, we don’t want it in our names. From outside appearances, Jason thinks, we should appear to be the hired help.”
“I’m following you. How about the house?”
“I told Brenda I wanted at least four bedrooms and three baths. I wanted it to be warm and comfortable, not a showplace. Beyond that, it’s whatever makes my women happy.”
“Then let me call them. I may know of the perfect place, and it’s not even on the market yet. It belongs to a friend of my wife’s from college. She now lives in the northwest and has no desire to move back here. Her father passed away a few months ago, and the estate is facing a huge inheritance tax bill. Their ranch is the least valuable of their assets to her at the moment, and since you could do a cash deal, she might well take less than the property is really worth. That could also help lower the tax bill, as the value of the ranch would be adjusted to what you paid for it.”
Hawk replied, “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of her.”
“Hawk, it could be a situation where both sides wins. She gets the tax people off her back without having to liquidate stocks and other investments. At the same time, you get a good deal on the property. Also, because she hasn’t listed it with a real estate agent yet you’ll be saving her around two hundred thousand in commissions.”
“Then put that way, get off this call and call Brenda immediately.”
“Call me tomorrow and let me know how Maria is. I’ll pass your situation on to the others.”
“Thanks, my friend. Now, call Brenda, and let me go deal with the Apartment Manager.”
After they hung up Hawk decided to get a shower and change. That idea was put on hold when he passed the mirror over the dresser in the bedroom. As he looked at his reflection he realized he displayed just what he wanted; the look of a man who’d been through Hell for weeks. He grabbed the letter and headed to find the apartment office. A few minutes later, he entered the office that was part of the clubhouse.
A young woman was sitting at a small table with a phone and other papers. A computer was on a credenza behind her. She was attractive enough, but she seemed ‘hard’ and authoritarian. It was like she had an important position here, and she expected everyone to bow to her importance. Looking almost disgusted at his appearance, she asked, “May I help you?”
Laying the eviction notice on the desk, he asked, “Who do I need to talk to about this?”
“I’m the resident manager, and I’m the one that issued the notice. Who are you, and what do you have to do with this?”
“I’m Robert Gray Hawk, Maria’s husband.”
Haughtily, she replied. “OK. What did you want to talk about? It’s clear that she broke the rules and the notice should be self-explanatory.”
“Had any previous warning been given, or has their been any prior problems?”
“No, but that doesn’t matter.”
“According to my attorney it does. Now, did anyone discuss the situation with Maria before this was issued? I know no one talked to me.”
“We don’t have to. It’s my responsibility to maintain the standards of the apartment and I felt she needed to be gone. End of conversation.”
“I originally came in to discuss the possibility of a little latitude considering Maria’s condition. Now, instead, I demand a copy of our lease, as well as the legal name and address of both you and the apartment owners.”
Indignant, yet curious, she replied, “What do you need that for?”
“Listen, you little self-important bitch, it’s to give to my attorney. Maria had a miscarriage early this morning. Since the lawyer who’ll be taking this to court is the recent Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona I doubt if he’ll have any difficulty in proving a relationship between the notice and the miscarriage. When he gets through with you, you irritating gnat, you’ll be lucky if they’ll allow you to clean the pool.”
“How is someone like you going to get a lawyer like that to help you?”
“Because, I pay him and his partners a half a million a year to make sure my interests are protected. Honey child, I may not look like much, but I could build fifty apartment complexes like this just from petty cash.”
Obviously deflating, she asked, “Then why are you living here?”
“Because, I was out of the country, and your complex was convenient for Maria to attend ASU. We were already planning on moving shortly; we just haven’t found the right property to buy.”
Trying to change the tone and also hoping to pick up another finder’s fee from her sister she said, “My sister’s in real estate. She represents some nice starter homes in Chandler. Maybe, she could help you.”
“I’d doubt it. We’re looking for a small ranch.”
“Around here? Good luck, cowboy, that would cost you all the gold in Fort Knox.”
“Not quite, but I was planning to pay somewhere between three and ten million.”
This last statement was the final straw, and all the air went out of her sails. She’d never encountered a man with such power and money and who acted like this. He’d been respectful, and she tried to roll over him. Instead, her steamroller suddenly discovered that comparatively, it was just a rubber toy. Her next thought was, ‘ow in the hell did that little Indian bitch land someone like this? Life isn’t fair. This was the kind of man I was destined to have! Switching tactics, she suddenly got very apologetic, wanting to know what would make Hawk happy. As she did so she sent out every signal she could she was available. Hawk recognized what she was doing, but just ignored them.
Instead, he said, “I want the eviction notice canceled, along with a letter waiving any penalty for breaking the lease when we do find something.”
“I can do that.” Then seductively she asked, “Are you sure that’s all you want?”
Hawk thought, I want your ass, that’s what I want. Instead, he answered, “No, that would be sufficient. When I have that I’ll call off my attorneys.”
“I’’ll have it for you before I leave here today.”
“Good. I’ll be heading back to the hospital after getting a shower and changing clothes. If I’m not there, could you slide it under the door?”
Hawk returned to the apartment. Shortly after getting into the shower, he heard a noise. He was shaken when the shower door opened and there stood the resident manager, naked as the day she was born. She seductively asked, “Are you sure I couldn’t do something else for you?”
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“Yes, it’s time to create some corporate structure, including impressive offices for the executives.” “Dan, I thought the intention was for me to remain hidden.” “You will, but, at least for a while, it’ll be ‘hiding in plain sight.’ As soon as we can find a better spokesman then you can move more into the shadows.” “Why not have you in this position?” “Because, Hawk, ‘your’ people, as well as the world, need to see a Native American as the head of the company, or at least as the CFO of...
“What do you mean?” asked Brenda. “That another woman would come and steal his heart.” “And what if she wants to share, like we do?” “Bren, I could probably live with that if she was as good a person as you. Unfortunately, they don’t look like two people who’ve just met.” “You might be right, sister, but let’s not hang either of them without a trial.” With that Brenda grabbed Maria by the arm and approached Hawk and the beautiful blonde, who were still softly talking to each other. While...
Maria responded from the rear of the airplane, “I like those ideas, but I can see one problem right off the bat.” “What’s that, Chipmunk?” “We, as a people, are too small and too fragmented a group to be able to accomplish something like that. Our company might give them jobs, and even some hope, but getting a group of Apaches to work together is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube, or herding rabbits.” Dan responded, “Jason seems to do well with it.” “Dan, Grandfather...
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“Great,” Hawk responded to Sean Sullivan’s enthusiastic desire to take on the government, “because your demonstration and Marsha’s new computer have given me several important ideas. To develop them further I need some input from you.” “Ask away. I guess I just moved my status from employee to fellow conspirator.” “Yes, you did. But before you get the wrong idea, I don’t plan on destroying the US Government, or attacking this country or its people. I just want to shake things up and restore...
As the roof of the back part of the prison room began to fall Jason ran toward the main tunnel. He grabbed Hawk by the back of his shirt, dragging him along the floor until they were completely out of the room. The air was filled with dust, and without their surgical masks it would’ve been hard to breathe. A stunned Hawk said, “Whew! That was close.” Helping Hawk stand, Jason asked, “Are you OK?” “Other than a sore and bruised butt, I think I’m fine. Thanks for dragging my ass out of there....
That evening, no one in the family rested very well. Brenda and Maria were exhausted, and after a thirty-minute conversation with Hawk they lounged in the Jacuzzi for a few minutes before heading to bed. Unfortunately, they hadn’t sufficient time to unwind, and, while their bodies were ready for sleep, their minds weren’t. Jason and Andy sat on the cabin’s front porch and just held each other until the wee hours of the morning. Regrettably, while their bodies were in close contact their...
"So there she is," Bartholomew muttered in a tired voice. "We're finally here." The older man was standing in the bow of the Hawk gazing out at the vista that lay before him. Pedro stood beside him doing basically the same. It was the first time in weeks that either man had stood together side-by-side to share a word or even a thought. Bartholomew had in fact just rowed over from the Virago and this was the first time in over two weeks that he had stood upon the deck of the Hawk. "We...
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As Hawk would say later, “The rest of the afternoon went surprisingly easy. Well, I guess when you’re moving almost eight tons of gold, easy is a relative term.” Zed returned with the lumber and stuff, and the frame was quickly built as Dan had envisioned it. While Dan and the women helped with the frame Jason found the easiest way to get to the canyon and the slope of the wall was ideal for what they planned to do. The other men took the hand truck into the mine and started moving the items...
The Hawk sailed at dawn four days later. Aboard it was a full complement of the crew plus the raiding party. That number included Rashid, As-wad, and Ishmael. With them were a dozen handpicked soldiers from the factory all of whom were trained in the use of the bow. Behind them they left Ibrahim. He and Omar would run the factory and see to the day-to-day affairs of the Portuguese trading post while the captain of the Bella Rosa would command the trading fleet and the garrison. He would...
Hawk terminated the call and joined Bill and Gunnery Sergeant Kellogg. After a questioning look by Hawk, Bill said, “I called Brenda. They’re sending out two vehicles; one for us and one to carry Sergeant Kellogg back to Coronado Island.” “Excellent!” proclaimed Hawk. Then, turning to the sergeant Hawk said, “Gunny, I want to thank you for coming with me as security. I know we’re both grateful nothing happened that required your services, but it helped knowing you were there.” “Sir, I was...
Once Jason was settled into his regular room there began a steady stream of visitors. Hawk, Maria, and Brenda were the first to arrive, followed quickly by Beth, Zed, Deke, and Elizabeth. In fact, this entire group was still there when Senator McCray arrived. When he was introduced to everyone he was surprised at Deke’s presence. “Deke Templeton! What are you doing here?” Deke answered, “Senator, Beth, Zed, and Elizabeth have been my closest friends since before college, and Brenda is Beth’s...
A moment later Brian said, “I just talked to one of the drivers at the airport. Everything was handed over to the pilot, who said, and I quote, ‘get your ass back there as soon as possible.’“ Mike turned to Larry Reid, and said, “How about driving me back to the airport, as well as bringing my truck back to the Reservation?” “Sure, I can do that, but what about papers on your truck at the border?” “I’ll write out something that should suffice, but I’ll also notify Jason’s contact to pass...
Marsha led Dan Cashman to her research lab and demonstrated her new computer’s capability. He didn’t have any idea what Hawk was contemplating, but he knew once this system hit the market it should sell like hotcakes - especially in the corporate and government markets. Still standing in front of the prototype Dan pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. The direct line he had programmed into his phone rang at the desk of the secretary of his counterpart with their computer company...
"Another of my noblemen is dead," King Manuel murmured almost to himself, "and we are no closer to finding that mad man than we were two days ago. What are we to do?" It was early morning and the King of Portugal had been woken by his chamberlain well before the rest of the palace had begun to stir. The king looked tired and exhausted. He stood in his nightshirt and looked out the window of his chamber onto the grounds below it while his chamberlain reported the latest news in the search...
After Hawk’s agreement to become the ‘renegade leader’ of the Apache Rebellion Jason sighed in relief. “Hawk, I’m delighted you agreed to go along with me on this. I think you can make it work, and it goes hand-in-hand with your need to stay in the shadows.” “I’m glad you’re confident in my abilities Jason, but I’m not a leader. That’s why Dan and I have always worked so well together. I’d come up with an idea, and we’d go back and forth until it became something useful. At that point he...
"Whose ship is that?" Pedro was standing by the gangway of the Hawk, watching as the men working on the jetty at Eko hurried to tie off his ship. It was a week later and Pedro's force had finally returned home. It had been a long, hard trip for everyone involved. They had been forced to nursemaid the galley barge up the coast the whole time, restricting their progress to the speed of the oarsmen working it. Their trip had taken even longer since Pedro had been forced to put a prize crew...
In the middle of the party, a loud cry went up and we were under attack. All the chieftains ran back toward their tribes. Wolfgard and I raced back toward our tribe. The only weapons we had on us were our knives. We came upon a couple of raiders attacking some women folk of another tribe. We made quick work of them as we slit their throats. We got back to our tribe and I was so proud. War Hawk had the bows out and the hunters in formation with their helpers behind them handing out arrows. I...
The next day it was first announced the Vice President would survive his heart attack. A short time later the President added his running mate was going to retire. It seemed even the man’s most staunch supporters were fleeing like rats from a sinking ship. During all this it was revealed the electronics in the VP’s pacemaker were totally fried. One commentator had a scientist from MIT explain that there was too much physical damage for it to have been the result of EMP (electromagnetic...
“Yeah, Eduardo Vasquez is offering a hundred thousand for the man’s head, though, from what I’ve heard about the operation, Eddie boy may have bitten off a lot more than he can chew. Now, why were you asking?” “Just curious. Now, how about meeting me for a beer at Bennie’s Bar. I think I’ve got some security work for you, but I don’t want to discuss it over the phone.” “Then, meet me at Bennie’s in thirty minutes.” “Thirty minutes,” Ken replied, “and bring a bug detector.” Ken dropped off...
Chapter 4 “Good evening, Mr. Hawk,” a tall, handsome man said as they entered. “I see that you’ve brought a beautiful woman to dress up my shabby restaurant.”Reaching his hand out, Tommy said, “That’s exactly what I’m doing, Dominic. This place needs a little help, and I think when the word gets out that Elizabeth eats here, your business will improve.”“No doubt,” the man replied as he unashamedly checked her out. “Let me assume that with someone so lovely, you’ll not be sitting at the bar....
AnalIt’d been after 10:00 p.m. the previous evening when Prince Rashid finally returned to his embassy, but it was after midnight before Jason, Genna, Thad, and Joel had gone to bed. Those discussions had been very productive, though, for it looked like things would run smoothly, even for such a thrown together group of mismatched people. One of the first things that had come out was both of the Battens were thoroughly familiar with guns, both long and short. Though they hadn’t had the kind of...
The knock on the door to the conference room brought an end to the euphoric excitement that bonded the three lawyers together. Dennis went to the door and ushered in the young Indian woman. The three of them were rather surprised at the bruises and swelling on her face, feeling that beneath her injuries was a beautiful face to go with the attractive, slender body, the long dark hair and the soft brown eyes. Dennis introduced her to the other two, and then waited for her to talk. “Gentleman,”...
Hawk’s morning began with an early flight to the proposed area where the power and desalinization plants were to be built. As they flew along the coast Hawk could see one of the reasons for this location was it was the closest spot to deep water. However, Hawk was concerned about its isolated location and its proximity to other countries. He was also alarmed about its vulnerability to an attack by Iran. Back at the palace the two men discussed some of these concerns, as well as the...
It was a night like any other winter night in the City of Brockton. The snow was falling gently, the wind was light almost non-existent as two vigilantes keep a silent watch together over their fair city. Brockton used to be a nice city, it was once the ‘Shoe Capitol of the World’. The City of Champions, as its downtrodden citizens called it. Brockton was the birthplace of boxing champions Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler. It seemed to everyone living in the towns adjacent to Brockton that...
Maria led the people from the helicopter into the Hogan. The head doctor came over to Jason and saluted. Jason responded, “Colonel, I’m no longer in uniform. You’re not supposed to salute me.” “Sir, a few years ago, you pulled my ‘chestnuts’ out of the fire. As far as I’m concerned some people are always worth saluting. Now, fill me in.” “The girl who led you in here is my granddaughter, Little Ground Squirrel, but she’ll answer to Maria. This is her husband, Robert Gray Hawk. She was...