Chapter 47

Dan Cashman landed the twin engine Beechcraft at the Monterey Peninsula Airport and taxied to the Bay Aviation hanger. Once the ground crew chocked the aircraft Dan completed his logbook while his passengers exited the small plane and waited for him on the ground. As he joined them a jade green Mercedes E350 pulled next to the aircraft, followed by a gray Honda Hybrid and a day-glo orange open Jeep.

The driver of the Mercedes asked, “Mister Cashman?”

“I’m Dan Cashman.”

The man exited the car, handed Dan a clipboard, and said, “Sir, I need you to sign here showing you received the car. I also need you to initial here and here, acknowledging you’ve declined the insurance.”

Dan scanned the form, signed it, and said, “Here you go, and thanks for bringing the car so promptly.”

Handing Dan the keys he answered, “You’re welcome, Sir. When you’re ready to leave please call the number on the top of the contract and park it in the designated area at the front door. Just, lock the keys in the car, and we’ll pick it up after you leave.”

The man then opened three of the sedan’s doors, got into the passenger seat of the Honda, and left.

The young man in the jeep had been waiting patiently so Dan walked over to him while Julian Sanchez and Malcolm Leven, a highly respected Hollywood deal-maker, got into the Mercedes.

“Just gas and tie down, Sir?”

“I also need someone to check out the right engine, because I kept getting an intermittent magneto jump on the trip up here.”

“I’ll get someone in service to get right on it. Are you going to be here overnight?”

“I don’t think so, but it’s possible.”

Handing Dan a business card the young man said, “If you find you are please call this number, and we’ll make sure your aircraft is secured for the night.”

Dan responded with his own card, and said, “If they do find something serious, or it can’t be fixed today, please have them call the cell phone number shown on the card.”

“Will do, Sir.

Dan climbed into the driver’s seat of the Mercedes and followed Malcolm’s directions while they drove off the airport and onto Highway One. They drove past the town of Carmel and turned onto Rio Road, and then onto Lasuen Drive. Shortly after passing a school they turned into the entrance of The Mission Ranch, an old dairy farm that had been converted into a combination guest ranch and inn. It also contained a world-class restaurant, which, unfortunately, was only open in the evenings. They parked behind the barn and entered though the back door. Malcolm then led them up some stairs and into a large office. The room was richly decorated in leather and earth tones, and a low wood fire was burning in the fireplace. The wall beside the simple oak desk was made entirely of glass, and the view covered much of the old pastures. Seated in the room were three of the most famous actor-directors in Hollywood. Malcolm led a slightly awed Dan and Julian over to the three men who had risen to greet them.

While they shook hands Malcolm said, “Clint, Robert, Kevin, this is Dan Cashman and his attorney, Julian Sanchez.”

After sharing greetings the men returned to their chairs while Dan and company sat in the three chairs that had been waiting for them. When everyone was situated, Dan said, “First, I wish to thank the three of you for giving us a few minutes of your valuable time to discuss a project idea. At present we don’t have a script written, though I’ll shortly give each of you a summary of the historical events behind the story. Second, while I know there are considerable political differences between the three of you I also know you’ve at least one thing in common, and that’s a concern for the American Indian. Third, I want to advise you, up front, this project can be considered propaganda, and is intended to be so from the beginning.”

The elder statesman of the group sharply replied, “Son, I don’t know where you’re coming from, but we don’t get involved in projects like that.”

“Sir, with all my deepest respect, that’s bullshit and the three of you know it. Now, if you can read this two page historical summary of an Apache named Chato I think you can see where we’re going, and what we would like to do.”

The man obviously resented being rebuked so strongly, but like the other two he accepted the pages from Julian. While he read his eyes hardened, then glistened, and finally, he smiled. “Son, I apologize. This is a story that should be told, and the best way to tell the story would have to be called propaganda.” The other two men added their agreement.

The third man asked, “And who would handle the picture, funding, and who did you plan on being your star?”

Malcolm replied, “Robert, we’d leave much of this up to you three, though I can assure you those behind this are far more interested in the message than in making money. I can also say, while our patrons don’t have an unlimited budget, they can probably handle a sizable chunk of the funding if that becomes a problem.”

The elder statesman of the group responded, “I believe in what you seem to be trying to accomplish. Personally, I don’t think this has to cost a fortune, and I think it can make money. I definitely want in.”

The blondish cowboy with a wide grin said, “I’m in! This could have more impact on the American Public than my movie about Lieutenant John Dunbar, and I can already envision the role I want to play. Also, I know a screenwriter who’d jump at the chance to do this project.”

The third man smiled, and said, “I couldn’t sleep at night if I turned this down, and I’ve a young Indian student at the Institute who’d be perfect for the Chato role.”

“Malcolm, how are you involved?”

“CE, I was originally hired to put together a deal. After seeing where this is going I’m only charging them my expenses.”

“Will you be the intermediary, or will we be dealing with someone else?”

Dan responded for Malcolm, “Our intention is Malcolm will be acting for us. We may have some of our people review things and provide some oversight, but I doubt they’ll be a problem.”

“Are they Hollywood people?” asked the younger cowboy.

“Actually, they’re Apaches.”

“Good! Are they looking for roles?”

“Kevin, I seriously doubt it, though they’d prefer Indians to be played by real Indians.”

“I think the three of us usually make a habit of doing that.”

“We know,” responded Dan. “That had more influence on our choices than your past credits. Now, we’ll leave you to begin work, and you can have your attorneys work with Julian concerning contracts and other legal work.”

Surprised the meeting was ending the elder statesman asked, “Don’t you want to know what we’ll charge?”

Dan replied, “For some reason, I think whatever it is will be fair.”

The younger cowboy grinned as he stood to shake hands with the departing trio, and said, “It will be. I can assure you it will be.”

The other two men also shook hands with Dan, Julian and Malcolm and then watched them depart. “Robert, what do you think?”

“With the three of us and this story, I think I’ll end my career in a blaze of glory.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready to quit, but this project has awesome potential. Don’t you agree, Kevin?”

“Yes, and I like the freedom they’re giving us to make it the right way. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m willing to work for a percentage.”

The other two men nodded, and Robert said, “CE, as you said, ‘this is a story that has to be told.’“

Jason and Andy were enjoying the fireplace in Admiral Burke’s den when the Admiral suddenly erupted from his office shouting “Those pansy assholes!”

“What’s wrong?” Jason asked.

“Washington says we can observe as we have been, but after the last failure they won’t authorize another strike into Mexican territory to attempt the rescue of my daughter.”

“What about the plan to support the local police if needed?”

“Jason, that wasn’t mentioned, but I’d have to think it’s still authorized. The only thing they were specific about was no US troops are to cross into Mexican Territory.”

“Then, Sir, I guess I’ll have to go after her, since, technically, I’m retired.” Both the Admiral and Jason’s bride-to-be quickly had something to say about that idea.

“Look you two. I didn’t say I’d go in alone, and I didn’t say we had to use force. Right now I need cooperation, prayers, and all the intelligence we can get on this farm area, on Vasquez, and on his mountain home.”

Admiral Burke apologized, but Andy shouted, “Jason, I don’t intend on becoming a widow before I become a bride.”

“Little White Dove, I don’t intend on you becoming a widow for at least twenty years. Now, please let me get started doing what I do best.”

A more subdued Andy asked, “Is there anything I can do?”

“If you could get us some coffee and sandwiches it’d help. Admiral, this place needs to be independently swept for bugs and the security should be tightened.”

“Jason, I’ve got a better idea. There’s a secret auxiliary command post up near Lake Cuyamaca. It’s maintained to be available at a moment’s notice, plus it has secure fiber optic phone and data lines to give us everything we have here. The best part is it hasn’t been actively used in years, not even for war games, so I’d seriously doubt Vasquez, or his people, even know it exists.”

“That sounds good, Admiral, but how can we get there without attracting attention.”

“I could put you two in uniform, with you as my pilot and Andy as an aide. I need to make a trip out to the Lincoln anyway, so we could go there and then to the lake. If, officially, I’m supposed to be someplace like Twentynine Palms then no one would suspect where we actually are.”

“Admiral, I think that might work. In the meantime I need the GPS coordinates for the command post, for Vasquez’s house, and our best guess on the location of the farm.”

“No problem. I’ll get you that information, along with someone who can get you two some uniforms.”

“Sir, I have one question,” asked Andy. “Can’t we get in trouble for impersonating an officer?”

“Under normal circumstances that’s true. In this case I’ll prepare a legal memorandum that will cover this, calling it a matter of national security. With the original on file and each of you carrying a copy I don’t see it being a problem.”

A slightly relieved Andy replied, “Good. Then, let’s get this show on the road.

The three men stood before the wall of glass and watched the green Mercedes drive off the property. Each man was deep in thought. Finally, the younger cowboy asked, “Well, now that they’re gone, anybody have any additional comments.”

“Kevin, I think I said it all while they were here. The thing I like best is we can use this to assail a lot of misconceptions, prejudices, and injustices without attacking any particular modern administration.”

“CE, in some ways this movie will attack them, too, just by opening the eyes of the public to the abuses of government. I suspect this story will also cause the media to look for modern examples of this kind of action by the government, and that will definitely have an impact with the people and in Washington.”

“You’re right, Bob, it’ll likely stir the pot considerably. In fact, we might even see if our people can find some modern examples and cover them as part of the closing credits. This could be used to show this story wasn’t just an isolated case from sometime in the past.”

Bob grinned, and said, “And this is from a conservative? I’m shocked.”

“Wrong is wrong, no matter which party or man is in control. Besides, I suspect we’re not going to find any administration that’s without some blame when it comes to the plight of our Indian brothers.”

“CE, I’d suspect you’re right. I like the idea of the closing credits deal. ‘Wolves’ created a large swell of emotion among the public, but did little to force the government to move from ‘business as usual.’ This movie could be used to personalize the feelings and stir the people to action.”

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