Nandita To Nandini
- 4 years ago
- 282
- 0
The soft landing and the bright lights surrounding the landing pad were sufficient to stir Hawk from his slumber. He tried to open his eyes, but found he was momentarily blinded by those same lights. Then, as his eyes adjusted, and his mind began to process the different sights and sounds, he realized the pilot wasn’t turning off the Bell Ranger’s engine.
“Snoopy?” he said groggily, “what’s going on?”
“We’re at the helipad beside Kino Hospital, which is just down the street from the morgue. There’s a ‘black and white’ up on the hill waiting to take you there, but I have to head back to the barn. This landing pad is normally used for the air-rescue chopper, and they’re on a call. I’ve got to be out of here before they return.”
“Then, thanks for the lift. I’ll be sure to let Longbow know you were my pilot.”
“Son, it was my pleasure, and tell that ‘old man’ he can fly with me any day.”
While Hawk climbed out of the chopper, he turned back, and said, “I’ll be sure to tell him. Though I can already imagine what he will say.”
Snoopy laughed, and said, “I probably can, too.”
Hawk bent over as he walked under the rotating blades. Once off the pad he straightened up and started up the hill. Before he reached the halfway point the sheriff’s helicopter was already rising into the night sky. Moments later Hawk reached the waiting policeman.
“Mister Gray Hawk?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Climb in, and I’ll run you down to the morgue.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate it.” Within five minutes the patrol car pulled up in front of a nondescript, grayish building. There were no windows, except around the front doors. That, and the lack of landscaping made it appear very drab and somber. Maybe someone thought such a view was appropriate for a morgue, Hawk pondered.
The policeman pointed to the front door, and said, “Go inside and press the intercom button on the wall, next to the desk. From there someone will escort you to where you need to go.”
“Thanks, you’ve been a lot of help.”
“You’re welcome, and sorry about your friend.”
Not sure how else to respond Hawk nodded his acknowledgment, and exited the car. While he walked away from the police car and the compassionate condolences of the policeman Hawk thought, I know I need to act like I’m sad that he’s dead, but Ron Gonzales was a spy; a traitor who sold out his people for a few extra dollars. Dollars that his family probably never even saw. Act sad! Act sad! screamed Hawk’s mind. Damn, this is hard. I’d much preferred to have buried him alive in an anthill, or to have thrown him into a ditch with a bunch of rattlesnakes. I probably couldn’t have physically done it, but the shark scheme wasn’t a bad idea, either. It was definitely the kind of death he deserved.
He walked up the few steps to the concrete pad that led to the front doors, shaking his head again at the dismal appearance of the building. When he walked inside Hawk realized even most funeral homes were less depressing than this place. He found the desk the policeman had described, and pushed the clearly marked button on the wall. Moments later, an elderly voice queried over the speaker, “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“My name’s Robert Gray Hawk. I’m here about the body of Ron Gonzales.”
“Oh! You’re the young man that’s created such a stir this evening. I’ll be right down.” A few moments later, a white-haired gentleman wearing a blood stained, white lab coat came through a set of swinging double doors. Though he looked to be in his late seventies, at six foot four, and two hundred pounds, he was still an imposing person. When he got closer Hawk noticed a mischievous glint in the old man’s eyes, as he said, “I’m Doctor Ike Weatherspoon. You don’t seem that threatening to me.”
Hawk grinned, and answered, “I’m not. I’m just the messenger for my wife’s grandfather.”
“And, who might that be?”
“Jason Magill.”
“Longbow Magill?” asked the old man with both eyebrows raised.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Then that’s threatening. You won’t need a lawyer. I’ll honor your request. In fact, I’ve already finished what I needed to do.”
“Good,” Hawk replied. “Then, if you’d take me to the body. I also need Ron’s personal possessions and a large sheet. This is a very important part of the tribe’s burial ritual.”
“When they told me I was limited in what I could do, I wondered if someone was trying to hide something. This is really that important?”
“Yes it is. We’ve had to make some adjustments to the procedure to accommodate the law, but we require you to work on just what’s absolutely necessary for a trial. Then, when you are finished, someone from the tribe has to constantly stay with the body until it can be turned over to a tribal leader.”
“OK, but what about the sheet?”
“According to tribal custom Ron has to be wrapped in the sheet, along with his personal possessions. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect he’ll be buried in that sheet. I figured I could wrap him to help prepare things for Grandfather’s arrival.”
“The ‘Old Man’ is coming here?”
“He should be here any minute.”
Starting to remove his lab coat the old doctor said, “Then let’s hurry. I’ll help you get started, and then change my clothes. Mustn’t let the ‘old man’ see me like this.”
As the two men moved quickly down the hall, Hawk said, “You sound like you know Longbow.”
“I served with him for several years. There’s no man I respect more.”
“I can truly understand that,” Hawk responded.
Two doors further down the old coroner led Hawk to a stainless steel table containing Ron Gonzales’ body. There were all sorts of tools and medical instruments within easy reach of the table, and a microphone hung from the ceiling. Also, a video camera was mounted on a tripod. It was focused on the area of Ron’s chest where the bullet had entered the body. Ike handed Hawk a clean sheet, and said, “His clothes and stuff are in that bag over there. Do you need my help in getting him wrapped?”
“I think I can do it, but I’ll yell for help if I can’t.”
“Just touch that red intercom button at the door, and say ‘Ike.’ I’ll get back here as quickly as this old body can bring me.”
After Ike left Hawk went through the bag of personal items and set aside things like keys, money, and wallet to be given to Ron’s Widow. Next he worked one edge of the sheet all the way under Ron’s body. He pulled it back over the top, spreading the remaining personal items between the sheet and the body. Pulling the sheet tight he slid the corpse to the side of the table. He held the sheet as tightly as he could, and rolled the body back to the center of the table. He repeated the process a second time. Then folding the loose ends at the head and feet inwards he wrapped another layer around the body. Once everything was smooth and tight Hawk continued rolling the body until he reached the end of the sheet. He was barely finished when he heard some loud buzzing. This was followed by the distant sound of voices. A few minutes later, a ‘spiffed up’ Ike returned to the room, followed by Jason, Andy, and a pleasant looking woman who appeared to be in her late thirties. Her face and body cried ‘mother.’
Jason introduced her, saying, “Hawk, this is Ron’s wife, Denise. Her Apache name is Dancing Brook, with many in the tribe calling her Brook.”
“Which do you prefer?” asked Hawk.
“Actually, because of my job, I prefer Denise. I’m not ashamed of my heritage, but it’s sometimes distracting to have to explain the name.”
Jason asked the Coroner, “Sergeant Weatherspoon, are you finished here?”
“Yes, Sir, other than getting you copies of his death certificate. Do you know how many copies you’ll need?”
“I would guess we might need at least ten. How much will that cost?”
“Don’t worry about it, Sir. I’ll take care of it. I should have the certified copies finished by the time you’re done.”
“Thank you, Sergeant. Now, can you get us something we can use to wheel the body out to the car?”
While Jason followed the old man out of the room Hawk sadly said, “Denise, I wish to express condolences to you and your children.”
“Thank you, Hawk, but I’m not saddened by his death. We both know what my husband did, and he wasn’t much of a husband or a father. The girls and I will be much better off with him gone.”
Jason returned with a gurney and carefully inspected Hawk’s efforts before saying, “Excellent job, Hawk! You’ve made your Grandfather proud.”
“Thank you. I didn’t want to disappoint you, Denise, or the tribe.”
“You didn’t disappoint us. Instead, you honored us by the thoroughness of your efforts.”
At Jason’s direction Andy led Denise out to their waiting vehicle. They were to collapse the rear seats on the driver’s side in preparation for the placement of the body. After they left Hawk stood in the doorway and watched as Jason rubbed something from his medicine pouch over the wrapped body and into the sheet. He was softly muttering something while he rubbed. When Jason finished he and Hawk moved the wrapped body onto the gurney and wheeled it outside to a waiting mini-van. Once the body had been placed in the area the women had prepared Hawk took the gurney back to the building. At the front door a waiting Ike handed Hawk the copies of the death certificate, took control of the gurney, and returned it to where it belonged. Hawk returned to the van and found the front passenger seat had been left for him. After Hawk got comfortable and buckled Jason pulled out of the parking lot. Three blocks later they turned north onto I-10.
Jason drove quietly at the beginning, but a few miles down the road he said, “There’s a big truck stop up ahead. Does anyone need something to eat, drink, or to make a pit stop?”
Denise, replied, “I think I could use all three.”
“Then I guess we’ll stop. I can fill up the gas tank at the same time.”
Jason pulled up to a fuel island just as its only previous customer departed. The two women went inside while he started filling the van’s gas tank. Hawk sat in the open sliding doorway, waiting for his mentor to speak. When everyone around them was out of hearing Jason asked, “What happened?”
“I’m not sure myself. We were stopped at the border over some issue with Mexican insurance. Ron was in an easy chair, still drugged with the Ativan, which had been supplemented with bourbon. I went to bed in the back, leaving Marc and Skyler covering the front. I was so tired I never even heard them leveling the RV.”
“After the past couple of days, I can imagine.”
“You’re right about that. Anyway, the next thing I heard was a gunshot. That was followed by Marc yelling for me to stay in the back. I do know they captured two men who were breaking into the RV, and the Mexican Major in charge of the garrison may have been involved. Beyond that, we’ll have to ask Marc and Skyler.”
“Do you think it was some form of attack against us, or an attempt to rescue Ron?”
“Not from what I saw. Also, the head of the Border Patrol Office said there had been similar robberies. I did hear the deputy say something about security cameras, and the teen that helped us park seemed to have made sure the RV was just inside the American Border.”
“It sounds like you were used as bait for a trap.”
Hawk smiled when he said, “That may be, but it worked out fine in this case. Score: good guys, four - bad guys, zero.”
A puzzled Jason asked, “Four?”
“The two robbers, the Major (who was at the very least, complacent in his duties), and Ron. What’s more, there’s nothing that can involve us in Ron’s death in any manner. Those he was spying for, both in the government and in the business world, will not be able to connect his death to any of his intelligence activities.”
Absorbing what Hawk had just explained Jason nodded, and said, “I agree. Let’s park the van up next to the building. We’ll have to take turns going inside, as one of us will have to continually stay with the body.”
“That’s not a problem. You can go first, as I hear having to pee more often is one of the things that happens as you get older.”
Jason laughed, and said, “You little ‘cub.’ I’ll teach you about getting old.”
Hawk snickered, and said, “I hope so. That’s a state I want to reach, someday.”
“Keep that up and your chances will be mighty slim. Now, if you’ll let me go I need to take a leak.”
Barely able to control his laughter Hawk retorted, “See? I told you that was a sign of getting old.”
Jason closed the door to the van, and Hawk locked it. Jason headed inside, smiling proudly at the relationship that had developed between Hawk and himself. A few minutes later, the three returned. Jason was carrying what appeared to be two meals, including drinks. Hawk unlocked the doors and jumped out. Jason said, “Hawk, Denise is going to drive while you and I eat. It may not exactly be breakfast, but I’ve got us a couple of plates and some coffee. Run and use the bathroom.”
“That sounds like a plan. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
True to his word Hawk returned quickly. As soon as he was buckled up, Denise headed toward Phoenix. Jason had already started his meal of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. As Jason had said, it wasn’t exactly ‘breakfast, ‘ but Hawk swiftly joined him.
“Jason. Did you ever fly with someone with the call sign of Snoopy?”
After thinking back a minute he smiled, and replied, “Sure. He always wore one of those old time leather aviation helmets and kept talking about having dogfights with the ‘Red Baron.’ Why do you ask?”
“He was the pilot of the Sheriff’s chopper that flew me to Tucson. He said to tell you that you could fly with him anytime.”
Jason almost choked on his food at that statement. After he finally settled down he chuckled, and said, “Hawk, I wouldn’t let that ‘Loon’ clean my windshield. I’m just happy he got you to Tucson in one piece. Did he try to fly though the mountains in the dark?”
“No. We went north to Gila Bend and then followed parallel to the Interstate.”
“Well, maybe the old boy’s matured some since the last time I saw him.”
After they finished eating, Hawk stretched back and went to sleep. When he next opened his eyes the van was pulling to a stop. Looking around he saw the sun was just rising over some mountains. “Where are we?” he sleepily asked.
Jason responded, “At the ‘Gene Autry Park, ‘ in Mesa. We’ve got a little surprise planned.”
Hawk looked around. Headed for the van was Maria, and, for the first time since they’d met, she was in full native costume. The dress was soft, white, beaded buckskin, accented with silver and turquoise jewelry. Her hair was done up with a leather band and a ball of soft white fur. White buckskin streamers trimmed with silver and turquoise draped down from the fur onto her shoulder. Her moccasins matched her dress, and came up almost to her knee. The gap between the dress and the moccasins was only noticeable when she walked. Brenda was there, wearing a pink and teal sundress. Her long flaxen hair was gone. It was now cut short, and she was definitely now a ‘sun streaked’ blonde. Though, technically, ‘flaxen’ is a shade of blonde hers was now many shades lighter than before. Others he spotted were Brenda’s Aunt Beth, Zed Andrews, and Doctor Johnson. To the side were the three lawyers, Deke, Dennis and Julian, along with someone Hawk had never met.
Confused by what he was seeing, and still somewhat groggy, Hawk opened the door of the van and stepped outside. Before he could take another step he was almost tackled by the dark haired angel in white buckskin. Brenda followed close behind. Tears were streaming down her face as Maria asked, “Hawk, are you OK?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I slept through the whole thing.”
Brenda joined their hug, and Hawk was able to have a better view of her changed appearance. He said, “Wow! Brenda, you look gorgeous!” he exclaimed.
A pleased Brenda replied, “This is the look Maria thought I should have. Do you approve?”
He kissed each of his women before stating emphatically, “I definitely approve!” Then looking around he asked, “Now, what’s going on here?”
Maria answered, “Brenda decided it’s time I get some individual loving from you, so you and I are going to San Diego this week. Benji will be doing the surgery on your face at his facility on Coronado Island, while I act as your ‘home care’ nurse.”
Seeing the gleam in her eyes Hawk wisecracked, “Yeah, right! I’ve a feeling I may have to come home to rest after my ‘rest.’ Anyway, what does that have to do with what’s going on here?”
With Hawk seated in the rear of the darkened Suburban Ken pulled away from the general aviation terminal. After making several twists and turns exiting the airport Ken turned down the Pacific Highway, and a short distance later he took a left fork at a sign pointing toward the Sports Arena. A little further and the SUV pulled in front of a store named ‘Team Town.’ Ken ran inside and returned a few minutes later carrying a shopping bag with handles. “Based on what we talked about earlier I...
Hawk and Dan returned to the small pond where they had last seen Benji, but he was no longer there. They walked around for several minutes before they found him at one of the fences talking to two of the horses. It was fascinating to watch, since it appeared as if the three understood each other. Hawk didn’t want to break the mood, but they needed to get busy, so he led Dan out of Benji’s direct vision and had Dan shout his name. Benji called back, “I’m at the fence on the side of house,...
For the next few months Hawk and his family felt like a small aspen leaf caught up in a raging thunderstorm. It wasn’t the seriousness of the problems and crises happening in their lives that helped foster those feelings. Instead, it was the sheer volume of the rapidly occurring events around them that placed the three on edge, and it was the sudden and random twists that made them feel overwhelmed. During the week following the wedding Bill and Maria had located a three building cluster...
Twenty minutes later Jason and Maria both left. She was headed to the university to try to pick up the academic pieces of her life while her grandfather headed for a discount department store to purchase some basic clothes for Hawk. Jason returned to the apartment a short time later. He and Andy put a bronzing dye on Hawk. When they were finished Hawk quickly dressed, and he and Jason left to deal with Robert’s body. The first hour was rather quiet with both men considering what needed to be...
When Hawk and Jason arrived at Maria’s room they found her, Andy, and Brenda in deep discussion about the house and other things. Andy left with Jason, saying she’d be back late, as she was planning on staying with Maria during the night. After Jason and Andy left Hawk quietly brought both his women up to date with everything. They especially liked the idea of a convenience store in front and the two security / cowboys. They were also both upset about what had been learned concerning Wilbur...
“San Diego Control, this is Navajo six seven zero three whiskey tango.” “Go ahead, zero three whiskey tango, I have you on the scope.” “San Diego Control, zero three whiskey tango requesting landing instructions. Be advised I have weather report Charlie.” “Confirmed, zero three whiskey tango. Advise when you can see Sweetwater Reservoir on your left.” “San Diego control, reservoir is three zero degrees to the left of my nose.” “Zero three whiskey tango, turn to heading three four zero...
That same Sunday morning things were much more laid back in the Del Coronado suite presently occupied by Hawk and Maria. They’d fallen asleep in each others’ arms after their second time of making love, and they were still that way when Hawk’s body alarm said it was time to stir. When he slipped out from under his wife the damp coldness on his butt told him the bed was soaked. Hawk made his way to the bathroom to relieve his bladder and brush his teeth. When he returned Maria was on the...
It was almost 5:00 p.m. when Candice and Melissa / Katrina finally met Constance Taylor at the Cheers Bar in the main concourse of Boston’s Logan International Airport. On a signal from Candice, Katrina loudly proclaimed she needed to go potty, and Constance offered to take her. Candice thanked her, replying she’d finish her drink and meet them at the gate. As a result no one seemed to notice when Candice left the bar she went to one gate while Constance and Katrina went to another. Within...
Brenda rushed into Hawk’s office with Maria close behind. Their husband was sitting at his desk looking at the screen of Ron Gonzales’ laptop. The look on his face was a combination of shock, amazement, and disbelief. “What did you find?” asked Maria. “There was a hidden and encrypted area within the email storage. What the daughter observed was the counter of unread emails kept increasing, but there were no unread emails visible in the files.” Maria then asked, “Have you cracked the...
(Special Thanks to Mystic_Arrival S~(editor) She has put her special touch in this story and taught me how to create a story that is readable. And Thank you Elizabetht (editor),if not for them this story would not be what it is today.) (The Joining) The horse’s nostrils were flaring open and closed as its head bobbed. The hooves thundered underneath him as he ran with the wind. Its white form and grey mane and tail whipped with its galloping strides. The earth released the clods beneath the...
When their ‘true confessions’ meeting was over Ken opened the door to the Suburban, and Hawk and Maria followed him out of the vehicle. The three walked under the covered entrance-way into the lobby of the Inn where Uncle Tony and three young men greeted them warmly. “Maria! Hawk! Thanks again for choosing our humble establishment. Your guests all arrived safely last night, and we’ve encouraged everyone to sleep late this morning. The meeting room has been prepared as we discussed, and the...
Maria sat up in the bed and looked inquisitively at her husband. “Hawk, what are you talking about?” “I haven’t looked over everything we found in the old trunks, but we’ve probably just rewritten American History.” “And you think Consuela would be interested enough to come out here on a Saturday evening?” “Maria, if it gets any better she’s liable to move in. This is an historian’s dream-come-true.” “And you want her to promise to keep it quiet?” “Honey, only for a little while. Besides...
Marc pulled the motorhome back onto Highway 85 and continued their southward journey. About fifteen minutes later they slowed to pass through the small city of Ajo, Arizona. Looking at the map Skyler suggested it might be a good idea to top off their tanks. Marc agreed, and pulled into a locally owned truck stop. After they pulled next to a fuel island, Marc and Skyler both climbed out of the motorhome. Marc went inside while Hawk stood at the door of the RV. From there he watched Skyler top...
With his two loves looking over his arms, Hawk was trying to rapidly make sense of the headline. Brenda’s cell phone began ringing; she didn’t recognize the calling number displayed on the screen. “Hello,” Brenda answered. “How’s my favorite Niece this morning? Did you like my present under your door this morning?” Brenda exclaimed, “Aunt Beth! What’s going on? Where are you?” “The whole gang is downstairs, but we can’t get past your security guard. We also have a big breakfast ready for...
After spending a few minutes introducing his wives to Kimmie and helping them get acquainted Hawk went looking for Andy. He found her still somewhat teary-eyed, but in far better shape than she had been when they arrived. Mike and an unknown chestnut haired girl were supporting her as they watched one of the hospital orderlies pushing Jason’s gurney though a set of double doors. From Kimmie’s description, Hawk knew this was Mike’s ‘growth, ‘ who was also known as Jan. “Any news?” Hawk asked,...
"You complain too much Father Gerome," Pedro declared sternly to the short, stout man that stood before him dressed in the cassock of a Dominican. Pedro and the man were standing at the aft railing on the Hawk's poop deck. The Hawk was at sea and it had been so for five days. The ship had rowed out of the grand harbour of Lisbon on the very same day that Sister Angelique had come bearing her intelligence to his uncle's villa. The ship had been crewed and provisioned with all due haste...
Ted's point of view I sat next to her on the curb, my arm around her shoulders as she sobbed. The smell of fire was still strong in the air. Flashing red and blue lights lined the street. Police and firefighters surrounded the burned out hulk of her car, their radios squawking. The area was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape the same way they had sealed the street with sawhorses. The Harris County Medical Examiner's van was parked just short of the burned out car. Other than taking...
Saturday Jason brought Prince Rashid to Hawk’s suite and introduced him to Hawk, Maria, and Brenda. Following the short introduction Jason informed the three of the special relationship between the two families, and explained why. After a pleasant lunch the Prince and Hawk ended up alone. “Hawk, though my country has considerable wealth we anticipate some severe problems in the future. It’s my belief you can be of great assistance to us.” “I’m not sure how I might help, but from what Jason...
Hawk stared at the face of the law officer, realizing he was facing his worst nightmare, going back to prison. In his mind the hardest part to accept was, yet again, it would be for something he didn’t do. At that moment his entire brain seemed to shut down, and he collapsed to the floor. The police officer / deputy immediately rolled Hawk over onto his stomach and cuffed him. Once he had Hawk subdued, he carefully checked his prisoner for weapons. Finding none, he picked Hawk up by the right...
The Hawk did not sail on the morning tide. The city watch scoured Pedro's uncle's villa from top to bottom. It took the watch most of the night and Pedro was forced to stand by and watch. They found very little though it was clear that someone had been hiding within the servant quarters of the villa. They found food and drink and a knife of exceptional quality. It was a nobleman's weapon and not a blade found in a scullery. They also found a secret passage that led from the servant...
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...
Later that evening, as Jason and Andy quietly enjoyed their first night as a married couple, Hawk, Maria, and Brenda were at the ranch in Phoenix. With them were Dan Cashman, Hawk’s friend and partner; Deke Templeton, their Attorney; and those who formed the core of the new company. They reviewed the actions the company had already taken then set goals and direction for the coming months. As part of the discussion Hawk turned to Dan, and said, “Dan, you did a good job on the acquisition of...
Hawk, Marc, and Skyler arrived at the Yarrow Bay Grill a few minutes after noon. The restaurant was moderately busy, but several tables overlooking the marina and the lake were still available. When Hawk explained he wanted two tables; one being a particular table at the window, and the second within easy sight of the first, the host’s attitude was bordering on belligerent. In response Hawk showed the man his black Visa Card and a hundred dollar bill, and asked, “Sir, have you ever seen one...
"Sail on the horizon, off the starboard bow." It was three days later and midmorning. The small armada had made good time heading northward away from Cape Verde and towards home considering the time of year and the weather. The skies had been grey for most of the trip and there had been some rain and drizzle for the first two days but for the most part the seas had been reasonable. Today the weather had broken and the sky was blue. It allowed the lookout to see further for once. To the far...
Raven half fell, half jumped from Ghost landing upon her knee’s. Bowing as to have her breasts rest on the floor of the mountain. She raised her voice in praise. She released the adrenaline coursing through her body. She sang in a native tongue inhaling and exhaling so her lungs felt like they would burst. Ghost stood still witnessing his mistress in the glorious light. Shining down only on her, the brightness caused Ghost to look away. Getting up on her bent knee’s she raised her arms towards...
When Doctor Kennedy fainted Jamie pulled the SUV into the first appropriate spot, which happened to be the parking lot of the previously mentioned restaurant. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop Kyle ran inside to get some ice and ice water. At the same time Bill and Jamie reclined Consuela’s seat to a thirty-degree angle and tried to get her comfortable. Poor Sharon didn’t have a clue as to what to do, but she vowed to never be caught unprepared like that again! After about ten minutes the...
After the bellhop left the room, an anxious Maria walked out on the balcony and looked in awe at the far ranging ocean. She was almost spellbound as she watched three foot waves breaking just off the beach. This feeling was magnified when she observed several men being almost knocked off their feet by the force of the waves. Everything was so different from anything she’d experienced before. Even the gulls that soared on the cool, salty ocean breeze added to her new list of sensations. Maria...
Let me say right up front that Gunther was definitely not a young man.I knew he had been around the Santa operation at the North Pole long before I arrived with my bright ideas for cost reduction. I was called in to promote increased toy production by the easily distracted Elves. Those little imps preferred being silly rather than busy little workers focused on their quotas like dedicated employees. As a small-sized human male, I was able to relate easily to the female Elves because they liked...
Fantasy & Sci-FiElijah Abrams walked over to the Navy Seahawk helicopter where he was handed a head set. He climbed into the copilot’s seat and placed it on his head. “Rescue, this is Abrams, how can I help you?” “Sir, I suspect we’ve made your day, and perhaps your career. In the basement of the house we found twenty-three children locked in what’s best described as a dungeon. The children are boys and girls between the ages of six and eleven. Also, there’s a complete photo studio for making child porn....
Back in Phoenix Consuela’s cell phone began ringing. While she answered it the other three historians continued to box up the different papers, which were to be taken to an archive vault in the basement of the history building at the University. “Hello.” “I’m trying to reach Consuela Kennedy. Are you her?” “Yes, I am,” she responded. “Good. Doctor Kennedy, my name is Malcolm Leven, and I’m working with a Mister Daniel Cashman concerning a movie. Are you familiar with what I’m talking...
“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...
The ships turning out to sea took Ishmael completely by surprise. He watched and wondered for a moment or two about what was happening out there. The plan had been for the small armada to sail into the cove and to overwhelm any vessel at anchor there. Something must have happened. Unfortunately Ishmael was too far from the ships to see what it might be. Even if he had possessed a spy-glass like that of his young master he wouldn't have been able to make out the signals being passed between...
"What is wrong?" Bartholomew asked the moment Pedro stepped onto the main deck of the Hawk. It was later in the morning and the Hawk was now riding at anchor below the walls of Ceuta. Bartholomew had stood at the railing of the ship as his captain had returned. He had seen the stern look upon Pedro's face long before the young man had scrambled up the rope ladder hanging at the side of the craft and he had known instantly that not everything had gone as planned. "Prepare for sea," Pedro...
“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...
"Where is he?" Ishmael was standing in the open doorway of Dom Pedro's study. The man looked both tired and anxious. Sweat glistened on his swarthy skin and his breath was heavy from exertion. It was obvious that he had been hurrying about. "As far as I know, Dom Pedro is somewhere about the factory," Ibrahim stated in a startled voice taken by surprise by the abruptness in Ishmael's question. As the old teacher replied, he looked up from the book he had been reading. His eyes...
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...