Chapter 13

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,” she said in a slightly nervous voice, “my name’s Maria Corsay. My Apache name is Little Ground Squirrel. I bring you some directions from John. Since I don’t understand all of what’s going on, please be patient with me. At this point I’m little more than a courier.”

Deke asked, “Is he OK?”

“He was hurt pretty bad saving my life, but he’ll be getting better. He told me he wanted you to prepare a new will, backdating it at least a year. He wants everything put in a Nevis charitable trust for aid to the Apache Indian.” After looking at her notes she continued, “He said he wanted Dan, Deke, Brenda, and my grandfather as the trustees with the provision to later add more.” Dennis’s eyebrows were furrowed while he listened intently. The girl obviously had some contact with John, but how could they be sure this really was from him?

Finally, he asked, “Maria, understand I’m not doubting you, but I need something else to confirm that this message is from John.”

“I understand. I’d want it too, if I was in your position. He anticipated that by saying the payment authorization code was ‘Framed.’“

Dennis visibly relaxed, and said, “That’s good enough for me. When does he want this ready?

“I don’t understand the urgency, but he said as quickly as possible. He was hurt, but he’s not about to die. Especially, if I have anything to say about it.”

“John, as the world knows him, is dead. We even have a body to bury. He wants this for some reason to protect his wealth, and place it where he can access it.”

Maria flopped down in a chair, an appearance of surprise was evident on her battered face. “Wealth?” she asked.

“John was a multi-millionaire who was framed for murder by a wife who tried to steal all he had.” Thinking about his conversation with Bart Beeson he added, “And, who’s still trying to get all his money.”

A little indignant Maria asked, “You don’t suspect me of something like that, do you?”

Deke answered, “No, Maria. Dennis was referring to a lawyer who called us just before you arrived. But guys, I can see a method to John’s request. Even when family is involved the court seldom will override a bequeath to a charity, and a Nevis trust is like a black hole that shields everything from prying eyes. If we can get it ready while you wait can you lead one of us to him for a signature? I’d like to get it filed in probate as quickly as possible.”

“He wanted me to bring it back, but I don’t guess it’d be a problem. He also wanted a prepaid cell phone with thousands of minutes. He didn’t say it, but from where we are a satellite phone would probably be a better idea.”

Dennis said, “I can take care of that. Julian can you prepare the will?”

“Sure, but Maria, I do need your grandfather’s full name. I’m assuming he is an Apache.”

“Yes, he’s the tribal Diiyan, that’s...”

Julian interrupted, “Maria, I know the term, and probably your grandfather. Is he Jason Magill, also known as Longbow?”

Surprised, she answered, “Yes, Sir.”

While smiling, he added, “Maria, I’ve known your grandfather since before you were born. I even know where he got the name Longbow.“

More at ease she replied, “Really, even I don’t know that.”

Julian took a sip of coffee, and said, “It’s not that big a deal, but it does probably explain him a little better. When he was young my mother taught school on the reservation. Since we lived nearby I went to the same school, and we became close friends. Jason loved to read, which was very unusual for an Apache at that time. Around the age of thirteen or so he became fascinated with Robin Hood and the English longbow. When he told the other Apache children about a bow and arrow that could kill at over two hundred yards they laughed and called him a liar. On his own he searched through all the twisting canyons in the Superstition Mountains for a small stand of yew trees he’d learned about. I never did hear how he heard about them.” After taking another sip he continued, “Finally, along a spring-fed stream deep in one of the box canyons he found the stand. Because everything about the yew is poisonous he carefully cut an appropriate tree, and then began making an English longbow, using the descriptions and pictures in books as a guide. It took him over a year of work to carefully shape and age the bow until it was just like he wanted. He made his own bowstring, arrows, and arrowheads. He did all this, including practicing for long hours, in secret.” Maria and the other two lawyers sat there wide-eyed, listening to the story as he concluded, “Then, at sixteen, on his first hunt as an adult he brought out his new bow and on his first shot killed an elk more than two hundred and fifty yards away. It was probably the only time he ever used it, but no one laughed at him anymore, instead they gave him the name Longbow out of respect.”

A stunned Maria exclaimed, “Wow! I love the story, and that sounds exactly like what my grandfather would do.”

Intrigued, Dennis asked, “Julian, how were the two bows different?”

“The Apache bow was designed to be used from a horse, and is usually made from osage orange. It’s usually about three and half to four feet long, and uses sinew (animal tendons) as a bowstring. Some bows even had sinew bound to the outside to increase the draw tension. The Apache arrows were made of a strong reed cut to a length of about two feet. It’s effective range was less than two hundred feet. In contrast to the longbow he made which was slightly over five and a half feet long, and made of a single piece of yew. Jason told me the hardest part to figure was how to chose the right amount of new wood and heart wood in the shaping. His bowstring was hand braided using silk and some other fibers. I think I remember he said flax and hemp. The arrows were carved birch or ash about three feet long.”

Deke remarked, “I can’t imagine there would be that much difference. It must be in the draw strength.”

“It was. I was told one of the men who tried to use it said it’s four to five times harder to pull than their bows. Jason said he really had to work to build up his muscles in order to shoot it.”

Changing the subject Julian said, “Now, we’ve strayed too far off the subject. Dennis, can you start on the paperwork on the trust and the off-shore accounts? Deke, you’ve an appointment with Benson shortly, but what do we need to do about witnesses on the will? We need two people who would have been at the prison a year ago.”

Dennis replied while he got up to leave the room, “I’ll get it started immediately.”

Deke thought for a minute, and said, “Mary Beth and Brenda would be the obvious choices, but Brenda is to be one of the trustees. I’d be afraid of someone claiming conflict of interest.”

“What if we omitted her as one of the original trustees and then added her later? The trustees could still hire her as the administrator.”

“That will work, but I need to tell Dennis to adjust the trust documents accordingly.”

As Deke left the room Julian turned to Maria, and said, “Maria, please make yourself comfortable for a little while. I’ll get my secretary to get you something to drink.”

“Thanks, but would it help if I got the phone while you worked on the will?”

“Yes, it would. What do you need?”

“I’ve got money in my account to cover it, but I’ll need to be reimbursed before school starts back.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, but I want you to talk to Deke for a few minutes first.”

Puzzled, she replied, “OK, and since I’ll be here longer, please tell your secretary I could use a soft drink.”

While he left the room he responded, “Coming right up.”

A few minutes later Deke returned carrying a can of Coke and a glass of ice. He placed the glass and can on coasters, and then sat in the chair that faced perpendicular to hers. With uncertainty as to how to address the potential problem Deke asked, “Maria, please be patient with me, as there are reasons I’m asking these questions. What’s your relationship to John?”

Puzzled, she answered, “That’s something my grandfather asked me, too. I guess you could say it’s something I’m trying to discover myself. We saved each others’ lives, so that creates a bond, and he’s assumed the identity of my husband, but we’ve never even kissed. Why do you ask?”

“You’ve heard the name Brenda mentioned several times. He also saved her from being raped and possibly murdered. She nursed him back to health when he was seriously hurt in the process of helping her. They’ve had a relationship, and I know she loves him a lot. She needs to be one of the witnesses to the will, as she and her Aunt are the only ones of our group who would’ve been available to John a year ago. I didn’t want to cause either of you unnecessary stress.”

Relaxing at his explanation she said, “I appreciate the concern. I guess it’ll have to be something we work out together. Ultimately, I guess it’s John, or Hawk’s decision, but she has nothing to fear from me.” After pausing for a moment she added, “She’s also welcome to come help take care of him at times. We just need to be careful about people finding out he was still alive, or the location of my grandfather’s place. From what I gather my grandfather has more enemies than Hawk.”

John awoke to voices quietly talking in the background. He shifted slightly and the pain in his chest caused him to groan involuntarily. Seconds later he felt a female hand lift his arm. From the position of her hand she was taking his pulse. He opened his eyes, but at that moment, he couldn’t focus them very well. He could tell she was an Indian, but she didn’t seem like Maria. Then, through the mental haze he remembered her grandfather had gotten him a nurse. He struggled to recall her name. Finally, through parched lips, he croaked, “Andy?”

“Yes, Hawk, I’m here.”

“Could I have something to drink?”

Andy left the room for a moment, returning with a glass. She put a straw up to his lips, and he sipped something liquid from the glass. It didn’t taste like anything he’d ever tasted before. It was cool and pleasant tasting, but the biggest thing was almost instantly his head became clearer and he felt more energetic. Now he could see her clearly for the first time. She must’ve been in her early thirties, but seemed to have worked at keeping in shape. She was taller than Maria, but roughly the same build. Her eyes were bright and flashing, yet were so dark they looked almost black.

“What was that drink? It was like liquid energy.”

An older man stepped into his frame of vision. He was tall for an Indian, but well built. His long graying hair surrounded by a thin leather band framed his brown, weather-beaten face. His chin looked as hard and firm as sculptured granite, while the smile on his mouth was warm and friendly. His almost black eyes had a deep, piercing look John could best describe as the look of an eagle. The old man said, “It was something I mixed up I thought could help.”

“It did, immediately. You should think about bottling it.”

Laughing the old man said, “But when they read the list of ingredients no one would buy it.” Then turning more serious, he continued, “Son, I’m Maria’s grandfather, and I’m very thankful for what you did.”

“Thank you, Sir. I’m just sad I hadn’t checked on her earlier.”

“Hawk, you can call me Jason or Longbow. You’re now Apache and my adopted grandson. You wouldn’t have had any reason to check on her earlier, and, unless you’d heard her screaming, you would’ve been a meddling fool if you had.”

Contemplating what Jason said Hawk answered, “Thanks, that does help, at least some, and thank you for all you’re doing to help me. Now, what do you mean I’m now an Apache?”

“While waiting on the medical team I gave you a direct transfusion. My blood now flows through your veins. In my book that makes you an Apache.”

“Medical team?”

“Let’s just say some people owed me some favors. A special Air Force Emergency Medical unit flew into the canyon, took care of the two of you, and brought you back here.”

“But, if they saw me...”

Jason interrupted, “They saw a male Indian whom both Maria and I claimed was her husband. His face had been roughed up, sorry about that, and he had two stab wounds, When they arrived he was passed out from lack of blood. You could’ve been the President of the United States and they probably wouldn’t have recognized you.”

While Andy / White Dove sat close by the two men talked until Hawk began to tire. Andy advised them it was a little past time for Hawk’s medication. She knew it’d knock him out so she’d delayed it, feeling the two men’s time together had been more important.

After Hawk was asleep Andy asked Jason, “Well, what do you think?”

“White Dove, my initial opinion is this is as about as fine a young man as I’ve ever seen. He’s bright, articulate, brave, and caring. I hope he’ll stay, as I suspect he can really help us in a lot of ways. How about you? What are your thoughts?” Before she could answer Jason’s cell phone rang. It was Maria, explaining about Hawk needing to sign some papers. She wanted to confirm it was OK to bring everyone involved there. “Granddaughter, why don’t we meet at your apartment at school? We’re supposed to take him back to see the doctor at Luke (Air Force Base) today, anyway.”

“That will work. We’ll see you there.”

Hanging up Jason asked Andy, “How long should that last medicine keep him out of it?”

“Actually, it was more for pain and infection, but it did have a mild sedative. He could be awakened anytime, though he’d probably go right back to sleep.”

“Then, let’s get him in the truck and make him comfortable. He needs to take a ride.”

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