Chapter 32

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, talking to the horses.”

Hawk and Dan walked back in sight and Dan said, “Talking to the horses? Did you have an interesting conversation?”

“Yes, actually. They seem more intelligent than some of my patients. They gave to me idea I want you to be seeing.”

Hawk replied, “Just as long as it’s not a long nose and a white star on my forehead.”

Dan started laughing at Hawk’s remark, but it went completely over Benji’s head. It took Dan almost five minutes to stop laughing and explain Hawk was describing the look of a horse, since Benji had said the horses had given him the idea. Benji finally laughed, but only to be polite.

They went back inside where Benji took a printed picture of Hawk from the computer and used a marker to make some broad, but subtle changes. When he finished, he turned the picture around for Dan and Hawk to see. They stared at the picture for a moment and then looked at each other. Finally, Hawk said, “This is what the horses said I need to look like?”

Nodding, Benji replied, “It’s as best an effort as my meager efforts can produce. Is it a problem?”

Dan reached over and activated a minimized window at the bottom of the computer screen. The picture of Chato filled the screen. He then held up Benji’s picture beside it, and they were almost identical.

Hawk was still speechless, so Dan explained, “Benji, this is the face Hawk and I had decided on before we came looking for you. It’s virtually the same face as you drew.”

Benji replied, “Then, what is the problem?”

Hawk shook his head, snorted and then smiled as he said, “Yes, Dan, what’s the problem?”

“But ... but ... but,” responded a confused Dan.

“Dan, you’re starting to sound like an outboard motor. I agree it makes no sense, but neither does a lot of things that have happened in all this. Maybe it’s Jason’s Apache blood running through my veins, or the fall down the cliff, or just the love of this group, but I’m not the skeptic I used to be, nor do I have to have scientific evidence and understanding of everything that happens. There’s something spiritual at work here, be it God, the Great Spirit or the ghost of Chato. Do you disagree?”

“After that, I don’t see how I can. It just goes against everything I’ve accepted all my life.”

“I know, but the easiest thing I know to do is to just accept it.”

Benji, who had been listening, said, “I agree with Hawk. Sometimes best to accept, not try to understand. Odd things happen in my country most frequently. We not question, just accept.”

Changing subjects, Hawk asked Benji, “So, you think this face change will be easy to do?”

“Very much easier than face you have on now. Your bone structure more rounded than Robert Gray Hawk. Much being done by building up tissue, not scraping away bone. Less pain, less healing, much better face.”

Pleased at this idea, Hawk asked, “Then, where do we go from here?”

“I need to visit clinic of friend to find workable x-rays. Then we make pictures and prepare paperwork for driver’s license.”

“Benji, what is workable x-ray?”

“I need x-rays of damaged face of similar structure to Robert Gray Hawk. Surgeon or Radiologist might be telling of difference, but clerk at Driver’s License Bureau will accept official information as truth. Issue new license with makeup; we change face to match license. Then, new identity complete.”

Just before Benji finished the telephone started ringing. Hawk let Benji finish and then answered it on the third ring. “Hello, Gilford residence.”

A happy Brenda said, “Jason’s doing better, so Andy is sending Maria and I home. Do you need anything?”

“Yes, bring some food for the three of us plus two more.”

“I guess we need to make that for seven. There are two men with us Jason says will be hands at the ranch. Who is with you now?”

“Dan Cashman and a friend of his from San Diego. I’ll tell you more about it later. Are you still at Jason’s?”

“No. We left about thirty minutes ago.”

“Is his baby sitter still there?”

“No, Andy sent him home this morning, after promising to call him if she needs help.”

“Good.” Suddenly thinking about Benji, he said, “Sweetheart, hold on a minute.”

Turning to Benji, he asked, “I don’t have a clue as to what she’ll pick up for us to eat, but do you have any diet restrictions?”

“Thank you for to ask. We are not supposed to be eating of meat not humanely killed, and most of our people in India either eat no meat, or no beef. Here, I eat anything that not be eating me.”

Returning to the phone Hawk said, “I had to check on potential diet restrictions, but everything’s fine, so get whatever and we’ll be OK.”

“I’m not sure where to find that, but we’ll look.”

“Find what?”

“Whatever. You said you would eat whatever, but I’m not sure I know where to find any.”

“Careful, you want me to start in on blonde jokes?”

“Doesn’t matter to me. I’m not blonde, Hee! Hee!”

Hawk was beside himself, trying to keep a straight face in front of Dan and Benji. Finally, he said, “You’re in a rare mood tonight.”

“Maria and I plan to show you how much we’ve missed you.”

“I like the concept, but it’s going to have to be somewhat subdued. We have company and I have to leave here early in the morning.”

“Really? Where are you going?”

“Santa Fe to get my revised driver’s license.”

“Hawk, I’m not sure I follow. We’ll talk more about it when I get there.”

“OK, because I need to talk to Jason. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

Hawk hung up and called Jason. When Andy answered, he said, “Andy, it’s Hawk. Can I talk to Jason for a couple of minutes?”

“I think so, but keep it down, as he still needs to rest.”

Moments later, Jason said, “Hawk?”

“Yes, beloved Grandfather. How are you feeling?”

A laughing Jason replied, “Good enough to kick your sorry ass if you keep up with that beloved Grandfather crap.”

“Good. Now, I feel much better about your condition.”

“Hawk, I won’t lie to you, that was an awful experience. It wasn’t the taking down of these scumbags that hurt, but seeing first hand the savagery of these ‘civilized’ people; that’s what turned my legs to jelly.”

“That’s kind of what I thought. Now, I need to change the subject. Tell me about the two visitors Brenda and Chipmunk are bringing.”

“Remember me recommending the two men to help work the ranch and provide security?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the two are Marcise Boudreaux, who goes by Marc, and Skyler Osceola. They are both excellent marksmen, and experts in hand-to-hand combat. Skyler is a big, ex-football player, while Marc may be better than me in stealth and reconnaissance. They know you only as Hawk, but they will protect you and the girls with their lives.”

“Jason, that sounds like a good start. Now, I have a few other questions.”

“OK.”

“I’ll tell you more of the spooky story later, but we’ve picked out a costume for the next year’s Halloween Party. I want to check with you regarding any penalties for duplicating something from the past?”

“As in?”

“Chato. His story is also our idea for a book.”

“No penalty I know of, Hawk, but is that too drastic?”

“Designer says no and will certify its authenticity.”

“Then, I’d go for the prize.”

“Good, unless partners object we’ll go for it. Final question. The problematic animal you left in the barn. I plan on having Robert Gray Hawk take a look at it to see if it can be salvaged. Otherwise, I don’t see any reason not to put it down. Do you agree?”

“Yes, and your new hands can help.”

“Would you get them involved that quick?”

“I had a long talk with them. They’re very upset with previous employer and are delighted with the opportunity. They will not let you down. Also, you should be hearing from a Lee Marten shortly. He’s the likely key to the labor need we discussed.”

“Great! After everything else you went through I didn’t even think you had an opportunity to explore that situation.”

“You could almost say the opportunity explored me, but I’ll have to tell you more about it later.”

“Take care, old man. I’ll see you at the wedding next weekend.”

“Not next weekend. Had conflicts with facilities, so wedding is now in two weeks.”

“Good! That will give me more time to heal after surgery. And Jason.”

“Yes?”

A teary eyed Hawk said, “It’s good to have you back.”

“Thanks, my son.”

Hawk hung up and looked around, but initially he couldn’t find Dan or Benji. Finally, he found them in the sunroom, looking at the stuff from the old trunks. Dan looked up as Hawk entered the room and said, “Fascinating! Absolutely Fascinating! Did you have any idea all this was in there?”

Picking up the two letters about the gold shipment Hawk replied, “When we were trapped in the old mine I investigated some, but I only found the uniforms and these two letters.”

Dan took the letters and read them with Benji looking over his shoulders. When he finished Dan was laughing, while Benji appeared puzzled.” Dan handed the letters back to Hawk, and said, “He was a scoundrel, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, he was, and if he hadn’t been the cause of most of the Apache’s troubles at that time, I could really admire the man.”

Benji said, “But, I not understand. What happened to balance of gold shipment, and what was the relationship of the two officers?”

“Benji, the two officers were the same man. As for the gold, he kept it for himself, and yet made himself a hero for both sides. If he hadn’t been killed he was set to be honored and wealthy, no matter which side won.”

“Who killed him?”

“From what we can figure he murdered his men, set up some elaborate traps to protect his treasure and started to leave. In the process, somewhere close by to the old hidden mine he ran into some Indians, and one put an arrow into him. He made it back to the mine, only to die inside, because there was no one there to treat the wound.”

“Oh. And when was this happening?”

“About a hundred and fifty years ago.”

Before anyone could add to the conversation, they heard Brenda call out, “Hey, guys. We’re home.” So Hawk, Dan and Benji headed back to the kitchen area, where introductions were made all around. Then as Dan and Benji helped the girls prepare the table and set out the spicy chicken and side dishes Hawk led his two new employees to the duplex that had been prepared for them. While they walked Hawk looked hard at Skyler.

Sensing his stare Skyler stopped, and asked, “Hawk, is there something bothering you?”

“Yes, I guess there is, but it’s nothing to do with your lifestyle. First, I know I’ve seen you before, but I can’t remember where, and second, Jason said you were Seminole, but you’re also black. I don’t have any prejudice, I’m just having trouble reconciling the two.”

“The second is easy. In the early days of this country, especially when Florida was controlled by the Spanish, there were numerous slaves who escaped to the swamps where they were given an opportunity to join the Seminole tribe. Later, when the whites decided the Seminole had to go to a reservation like all the other Indians a large number were rounded up and shipped to Oklahoma. The others, led by Osceola, my great, great, great-grandfather, or something like that, fled back into the swamps and resisted the whites until the whites gave up. They’re one of only a few tribes that never surrendered to the whites, but those of us in Oklahoma were never allowed to go back, and now those in Florida don’t want to even recognize we’re a part of them, especially those of us who’re black.”

“So you’re a black Indian. I bet there’s nothing about that in any history books.”

“You’re right, and our tribal brothers are some of the most racially prejudiced people left in Florida. As for seeing me before, the most likely thought would be football. I played corner back for Tennessee under Johnny Majors.”

“You intercepted a Stan White pass in the ninety-one Auburn game and ran it back for a score. It stopped our drive and we never recovered.”

“To remember that you must have gone to Auburn?”

“For one year. Then I bummed around a few other schools before I ended up out here. I was living in the Atlanta area that year and went up to Knoxville to see the game. You know ‘the end of an era’ and all the hype about the end of the rivalry. It was a good game, even though we lost, but we did a lot of losing that year and the next year.”

“That happens a lot in SEC football.” Hawk nodded and led the two into the two bedroom duplex. It was obvious, from the looks on their faces, it was fixed up much nicer than they expected.

Hawk said, “I hope you two will be happy here. Officially, Maria and I will be living next door, but actually we will be living in the main house. That should give you a little more freedom and privacy.”

In a heavy Cajun accent Marc replied, “This be the nicest place this ‘coonass’ has ever lived. It definitely beats a boat on the bayou, or a sergeant’s room in the corner of a barracks. Of course, I’ll miss the catfish, gator, and crayfish, but I’s be sure I can find a recipe for rattlesnake.”

Skyler looked at Marc strangely for a minute, and then burst out laughing. When he calmed down, he said, “I’ve known this crazy Cajun for six years, and that’s the first time I’ve ever heard him talk like that. I didn’t even know he could do it, and as for food, I’ve never seen him eat any one of those three things.”

Now, with a much less distinct accent a smiling Marc said, “Well, at one point in the past I did live on the bayou and did eat those things. I’ve just become more refined and sophisticated.”

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The Hawk and the Chipmunk

Mike Lowe aka The Scot

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