Chapter 27

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 this will take a lot of research and verification before she’ll be ready to drop the bomb on the historical community.”

“OK, I’ll give her a call. But if she gets mad, it’s your neck.”

Hawk returned to the sunroom while Maria searched to find Consuela’s number. Andy had just returned from feeding Ron Gonzales his evening meal. “So,” Hawk asked, “how was your day?”

“Busy. I’ve been trying to get stuff packed, showing the home to several prospective families, and working out the details for the tribal side of the wedding.”

“Tribal side?” Brenda asked. “I figured for Jason a tribal wedding would be it.”

“No, actually Jason does occasionally go to a church in Claypool. I think he and the pastor knew each other in ‘Nam, or something. All I know is Jason expects us to be married in the church.”

Maria was standing in the doorway, her mouth hanging open. “My grandfather? In a church?” she exclaimed. “I never would have imagined that. Especially after the way he acted with my mother.”

Andy turned around to Maria, and said, “Maria, Jason has never had a problem with the Christian God. His problems are with the hypocrites that tend to use God as a crutch or a means to feather their own nest. He once told me he believed the spirits that come to him in the spirit lodge are angels. What’s more, he feels the Christian God, and the Great Spirit of our people, is one and the same.”

“But grandfather has killed people?”

“So did King David, and he was said to be ‘a man after God’s own heart.’“

Maria shook her head, and exclaimed, “What a crazy day! Next thing, you’ll be telling me Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are real.”

Hawk said, “What I’m hearing is news to me, too. But I doubt we’ll go that far. Now, what did Consuela say?”

“She was supposed to go to a faculty party, so she’s very pleased we gave her an alternative. She’s headed this way, but we’re going to have to go meet her. There was no way I could give her directions to this place.”

“Consuela Kennedy?” Andy asked. “Why is she coming here?”

“Because my husband thinks he’s found something to turn American History upside down?”

Brenda responded, “My sister, he just might be right.”

“Then you know what this is all about?”

“At this point, I’ve read what Hawk has read, but I think he believes there’s a whole lot more here to be discovered. From what I gather, he doesn’t want to cast any doubt on the information without getting a true historian involved.”

“Now, you’ve piqued my curiosity. Can you give me an example?”

Brenda picked up the small leather bag and made sure, from the shape, it was what she thought it was. She looked at Hawk for approval. When he nodded she carefully worked it open, and pushed part of the derringer outside of the bag where it could be seen. When enough of the gun was on display to see what it was, she proclaimed, “This, most likely, is the gun that actually killed Abraham Lincoln.”

By the time they reached Sam’s home Jason had developed a plan of attack. “Sam,” he asked. “Is there someone around here who could wire up the radio in the van? Someone who can keep his mouth shut.”

“Yes. I’ll call him right now.”

“Juan, I want you to study the GPS and learn how to use it. You’ll be in the van tonight with Sam.”

“I’ll immediately get started studying it.”

“You need to be able to load the terrain software for this area and learn how to enter points remotely. I’ll periodically give you my coordinates. You’ll track me and tell me what to expect. As you learn how to move the map across the screen compare what you see with the pictures in the envelope, and see if you can find landmarks that will help you tie the two together.”

“I follow you. I’m to be your eye in the sky, but without an aircraft.”

Jason nodded, and said, “Lee, do you have a horse trailer and something to pull it with?”

“Sure.”

“Then pick us out two dark horses that are sure footed, and have plenty of stamina. What about saddles? I’m too old, and it’s been too long for me to ride Indian style on a blanket.”

“Jason, none of us around here normally ride bareback. Anything else?”

“Yes, scabbards for rifles, and check out the horses’ shoes to make sure they have no distinguishing marks.”

Lee responded, “I’ll take care of it, but Jason, I’m a little confused. Why did you get all that camouflage gear if we’re going in on horseback? Also, do you know what happened to the draws I couldn’t locate?”

“I’m not planning to go in on horseback. You’re to be there to cover me, pick me up, or whatever. Sam and Juan will be in the van, at a high enough altitude to be able to talk to either of our radios from anywhere on the ranch. You will stay close to me on this side of the ranch until I head toward the house area. Then you’ll load the horses back on the van and drive around to the other side of the ranch and park on that dead end road, just past the house. You’ll wait for me there until I show up, or you have to come get me. As for the ‘missing draws, ‘ it turns out the owner of the camera store used to do aerial photo analysis for the Air Force. He showed the draws to me in three of the pictures he enlarged. They are covered by some form of camouflage netting.”

“Why would Wilbur Jackson do that?”

“Lee, the word we get is Jackson is heavy into marijuana. I wouldn’t be surprised to find his crop under those nets. If I’m right what he’s tried to do is set it up so if the place is ever raided by the DEA he can withdraw and let the blame fall on the tribe.”

“What are we going to do about it?”

“Tonight? Nothing, except learn the set up and find a place to watch. My plans are to take care of him sometime Monday. Now, we’ve still got a little daylight left. Is there a place I can do some target practice?”

Brenda and Maria immediately left to meet with Consuela Kennedy at a convenience store about four miles up the road. Consuela’s home was in Queen Creek, so they weren’t that far from each other. Fifteen minutes later the two girls were back, followed by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. When they got out of the cars Consuela walked over to Maria, and said, “You’ve come up in the world, my dear. I know the money to get this place couldn’t have come from Jason. And who’s your friend.”

“Consuela, I want you to meet my new sister, Brenda Gilford, and just between us, my co-wife.”

“Now child you’re pricking my interest. The next thing you’ll be telling me is that your grandfather is getting married.”

“That’s this coming Saturday. I’m sure he and White Dove would want you to be there.”

“He’s marrying Andy? Child, you better take me in out of this sun. I think I’m having a heat stroke.”

Maria laughed, “Come on inside, but - heat stroke? Really! The sun is going down, and it’s in the fifties.”

They entered the house through the front foyer, and the older woman exclaimed, “Whew! This place is striking, yet homey. It must be wonderful to live here.”

Maria replied, “We just moved in, and this is just my first full day here. Hawk bought the house for us while I was in the hospital. I had a miscarriage last Sunday.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Are you OK?”

“Yes, but they had to do a D and C, as well as some repair work. The doctor was amazed I’d gotten pregnant at all, but now he feels within two years my body should be able to handle it. As they were talking Brenda was guiding the group back to the sunroom.

Having walked though several rooms, and now into a sunroom which looked out over the pool and the pastures beyond Consuela exclaimed, “Wow! I’m really impressed with this place. It seems just a few weeks ago since we saw each other, and now it sounds like ten years. Now, who is Hawk?”

“My husband, Robert Gray Hawk.”

“That no-a-count son-of-a-bitch? I thought you were well rid of him. And to buy a place like this, he had to have robbed a bank, or is heavy into dealing drugs.”

From the side a male voice responded, “Let’s just say I’m the new and improved Robert Gray Hawk.”

Consuela turned toward the voice. Seeing Hawk standing beside the bar her mouth fell open, and she fainted.

While the others had been working on their assignments Lee had driven Jason to an area below the rear of the house. It had a high dirt bank to act as a backstop, and it was obvious it had been used for target practice before. There was brass scattered all over the ground, and a rough worktable had been constructed between two trees. There was also a part of a rail fence just in front of the backstop where cans, bottles, and whatnot had been placed as targets.

Working at an idea he’d mentally explored earlier Jason began with the reproduction Remington .44. He went through the loading process and then fired it at several targets in the thirty to fifty foot range. He was surprised as at that distance it was as accurate as the forty caliber SIG he normally carried. He was also pleased with the Triple Seven pellets the gun shop owner had included. They burned more efficiently than standard black powder, had surprisingly little smoke, and no sulfur smell. This confirmed his idea of using the ball and cap pistol if a direct confrontation was required. The gun was still rifled, but it was far harder to get usable ballistic evidence from a round ball. Once that decision was made he spent more time in getting comfortable with it. After he’d reload the gun several times he quickly began to appreciate the loading system of the Remington. He had little experience with the Colt, but had already seen the reloading process was somewhat awkward. It might have been easier with paper cartridges, but it was still a more involved process than using a modern type brass encased round. The loading of the Remington cylinder was somewhat easier, but the pistol had one unique feature. Cylinders could be loaded ahead of time. They could be changed almost as easily as a modern automatic can be reloaded in combat by dropping a clip and loading another.

The holster was another surprise. Jason had expected all western style holsters to be pretty much the same. But as he examined the one that came with the gun he found the belt, holster, powder holder, and the ball and cap pouch, were all separate units. Also, the holster itself was set up so it could be mounted three different ways on the belt. One was a fast draw configuration using an additional leather attachment to suspend the gun about five inches below the belt. The second was a loop just above the holster, allowing it to ride high on the hip similar to what John Wayne used in most of his movies. The third used the two included wide loops on the back of the holster. They allowed it to be worn in a cross-draw arrangement. This was the way that fit Jason’s needs the best.

Just before Jason ended his time on the range he tried out the Henry. He discovered it was much more difficult to load than the Winchester that replaced it. The action was smooth, but it only took three or four shots for the barrel to get warm. Without a forestock there was no place to put his hand to steady the front part of the rifle and not get that hand burned. Lastly, he wasn’t very impressed with the .44 rim-fire cartridge used by the Henry. Its muzzle velocity was barely supersonic, and didn’t have near the knockdown power he had expected. In the end he found the only positives about the gun was its technology led to the development of the Winchester, and the concept of a fifteen shot repeating rifle like this would’ve had to have a severe psychological impact on opposing forces who were having to use muzzle loading flintlocks, or breach loading paper cartridges.

Having finished getting ready for his recon Jason called Sam’s house and asked if someone could drive down to pick him up. It wasn’t that he couldn’t walk up the hill, but he had a lot of ‘stuff’ with him, too much stuff to carry by hand.

While waiting for Lee to drive down Jason called White Dove to check on her. The phone rang several times and Jason was about to give up when Brenda answered, “Hello?”

“Brenda, it’s Jason. Is my bride-to-be available?”

“Not right now. She’s busy with friend Consuela. Hawk discovered something important and we invited her to the house. When she saw Hawk she fainted.”

“Shit! Brenda, she has a photographic memory. She would’ve immediately recognized Hawk. Has she come to yet?”

“She’s groggy, but I think so.”

“Then let me talk to her.”

Moments later he heard his long-time friend say, “Jason, what in the hell is going on here. I find Maria living in this beautiful and expensive ranch house and she’s the co-wife of a dead murderer. How did you let her get in this predicament?”

“Consuela, slow down. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then listen to me a moment and I’ll elaborate more when I get home. In the meantime, just accept the following: first, the boy is innocent and was framed. Second, He saved Maria’s life and almost died as a result. Third, as far as I’m concerned the other person is dead, and this Hawk is my adopted son. Fourth, this young man has my Apache blood flowing through his veins. He now considers the Apache as his people, whom he is working hard to help. Fifth, he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Maria, and her co-wife is the next best thing.”

“But...”

“But nothing. The old person you’ve read about is dead and buried, as is the person he’s replaced. Hawk is Hawk, and for my sake, you need to accept that. Now, will you keep an open mind until I get home and we can talk? Why don’t you spend the weekend with them and get to know the four of them? They’re my family, and the future of our people.”

A much more subdued Consuela responded, “Yes, I promise.”

“Good. Now, why did they invite you over in the first place?”

“I don’t know. We never got that far before I fainted.”

“Then let me talk to Hawk.”

A moment later Jason heard Hawk say, “Sorry, Jason. After what you said earlier about Consuela I thought it OK to call her. I’ve found something in one of the old trunks that could turn historians on their ear. Hold on a second. Let me hand her a couple of letters to read while we talk.”

Moments later Hawk said, “I’m back. How are things there?”

“Not much better than where you are. I’ll be doing a recon shortly.”

At that point Jason heard Consuela in the background saying. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

Jason chuckled. It sounded like the old Consuela was back. “Hawk, I need to run, but what has her so stirred up?”

“There was a secret compartment in the bottom of one of the trunks. I stopped after I looked at three objects, wanting to have a trained historian look at it with me.”

“So, what were the objects?”

“A letter from John Wilkes Booth thanking the confederate identity of the man behind the trunk for helping plan Lincoln’s assassination. A letter from the ‘then’ Secretary of War that confirms there was a northern conspiracy behind the assassination, and finally the derringer that actually killed Lincoln.”

“Damn! No wonder you got that kind of reaction. My ride’s here, so I’ll talk to you later.”

Lee had driven up in an older Honda. When Jason got off the cell phone Lee said, “I had to come get you in this old raggedy wreck, as everything else is tied up concerning the mission.”

Jason replied, “That’s OK, Lee. I don’t judge a man by the clothes he wears, or the car he drives.”

Lee helped Jason get everything loaded into the car, and they headed back to Sam’s house. “Lee, what kind of work do you do?”

“I help Dad and occasionally help out one of the local ranchers or the fire department. I’d like to be an engineer or study computers, but we can’t afford it.”

“I thought the government provided money for that.”

“Only for what they term enrolled tribes. Now, we signed a treaty with the white man more than a hundred years ago, and we live on a recognized reservation, but they say my tribal branch isn’t officially recognized. I could get some scholarships and other assistance, but the cost here in California is outrageous. What’s worse is those of us who’ve gotten a degree can’t compete in the job market. I know several who’ve gone to places like Cal Tech, and the jobs they get are as technicians, rather than at the level of their peers.”

“Then come to Arizona. Hawk and I will see you get your education. What’s more, we’re desperately looking for engineers, physicists, and metallurgists for upcoming projects that are on the cutting edge of technology. I think I said that right.”

“You did. Jason, when this is all over I just might do that. I can definitely put you on to some people who’d love you for such an opportunity. There’s a statewide inter-tribal group of young people that was formed for friendship and support. I know many qualified people from tribes across the state. Most are college age, or have a degree. As for me going to Arizona, I’ll need to talk to Sam, but I doubt it would be a problem. I guess, with Dawn gone, there’s little to keep me here but familiarity.”

“I wouldn’t count Miss Dawn out of the picture. It’s just a hunch, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw her soon. Also, Hawk and I wouldn’t want you to abandon your people if you came to Arizona. The projects we’ll be working on will benefit everyone, but especially the various tribes. We want to provide jobs, homes, and hope, and not just for the Apache.” Jason and an excited Lee reached the house, just as Sam was putting plates of chicken enchiladas on the table. They finalized plans while they ate.

To read this story you need a Registration + Premier Membership
If you have an account, then please Log In or Register (Why register?)

Support the author's future writing by purchasing this book from Bookapy

The Hawk and the Chipmunk

Mike Lowe aka The Scot

$5.95