Chapter 37

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?”

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Mike Lowe aka The Scot

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