She rocked gently, as she sat by the fire. The glittering embers seemed to hypnotize her. She listened to her inner feelings.
All she could hear were the four sacred directions. “Okay, DeShay, you must concentrate.” She caught herself talking aloud.
As her mind raced, she wondered when it would all connect in her mind. She got up on her knees, as the wind once again blew. She reached and grabbed a nearby twig. Then she sprinkled sage upon the ground and then began to draw the image of the medicine wheel. She labeled the four directions.
Then it hit her. She jumped to her feet, threw water on the fire . Grabbing her flashlight, she ran to the area where Abby’s remains had been found. She stood in the exact spot.
She turned to face the north, then the west, then south, and then east and stopped. She began to walk toward the magnificent butte.
She kept walking until she was face to face with the butte. The wind blew slightly as a noise caught her attention. Her eyes followed the noise, as a small rabbit emerged out of the bushes.
DeShay smiled at the small creature. Suddenly, she felt fear, which did not surprise her for the rabbit represented fear. What had caused her to sense it? She dismissed it and continued on her journey. Then she saw what appeared to be a ledge sticking out of the mountain. She made her way to it. As she got closer, she noticed a something bulging out of the ground.
Finally, she stood within reach. A small opening, big enough to stick your arm into, or items you would not want anybody to find. She lay on her stomach and shined a flashlight down into it.
She gasped at what she saw. Lying there, as if it had been placed there for safekeeping, was what appeared to be clothing and a purse? Possibly Abby’s?
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of gloves. She thought of Hawke’s words, “Always be prepared.” This was the reason she had brought gloves along. She did not want to ruin any evidence.
As she reached down into the hole, she exhaled a long breath to calm herself. She pulled a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a purse from the confines of this small hole. Just as she started to get up, something else caught her eye. She moved the flashlight’s beam back and forth to examine the item. A man’s ring, with the letters IG in gold, along with a business card with the address in Nevada.
DeShay’s heart raced even more. She had to get officers on the scene to preserve what she had found. She ran as hard as she could to her vehicle where she had left her phone.
Breathing heavily, she dialed the police department.
“Pine Ridge Police, how can I help you?”
“Kylee, this is DeShay. Long story but please send an officer, with a camera, to Eagle Nest Butte. I have found what I believe to be items that belong to Abby Winters. I have also found a ring with the initial’s IG engraved on it.” She paused.
Kylee chuckled, “Girl you are something else. I will get Officer Creek en route. Then I will call Detective Hawke.”
“Sounds great, Kylee. Thanks so much. I will wait by my vehicle.”
DeShay grew anxious. She could not wait to hear Hawke’s reaction.
***
Doug navigated traffic to Hawke and Melina’s hotel. The men were quiet, both lost in their thoughts. Melina slept.
Hawke’s phone rang. “Hello, Hawke here.”
“Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but I felt you would want to know about this.”
Hawke knew when he heard Kylee’s voice it must be very important news. “Go ahead.”
“Well, DeShay just called me stating she was out at Eagle Nest Butte, and she found some items she believed would help in the investigation. She believes they belong to Abby. Then she stated she also found a man’s ring with the initials IG on it. You ought to hire her as a detective, sir.”
Hawke chuckled, “Yeah she is something else. Who do you have en route to her?”
Kylee laughed, “I’ve got Officer Creek heading her way.”
“Good job. Officer Creek is one of the best at collecting evidence. Tell him to send the items to the lab in Sioux City. Thanks Kylee, and tell DeShay way to go. I hope to be back soon.”
“So, you have no idea when that will be?”
“Not sure, right now. Maybe a week or so.”
“Okay, sir, take care.”
***
Lights headed up the dirt road. DeShay was relieved to see them. It seemed it had taken forever.
She waved as Officer Creek turned his vehicle off.
“Hello, DeShay. So, you have been exploring again, and I heard you may have found some interesting items involving the murder of Abby.”
“Officer Creek, bring your camera. We have to do this by the book.”
He proved himself to be a good man, polite, efficient, and goodhearted. DeShay had known him since they were children. He had always live on the rez, although he’d never married.
“It’s up by the mountain.”
“Lead the way!” Officer Creek carried the brown bag and gloves. He was always professional at his job.
They made their way up to the mouth of the mountain.
“Well, DeShay you have found a lot of stuff. Things we officers should have found.”
DeShay glanced over at him, “Not necessarily so.”
Officer Creek looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I think these things have just recently been put here.”
Officer Creek remained puzzled. “Who would have put them here? The men we think are responsible for her murder are still being investigated, so why would they do something like this?”
“Yeah, I know but I started having these feelings yesterday. So, I know the items have just recently been placed here.”
Officer Creek nodded. “Detective Hawke is in Nevada. He will definitely be excited over this.”
They made their way up to the base of the mountain. DeShay led him to the site. Officer Creek picked the jeans and T-shirt up and placed them in the bag. Then he lifted the purse. It was leather with a wolf face embroidered on it.
DeShay stayed focused as Officer Creek glanced through the purse. It contain some lipstick, a brush, a checkbook, and a wallet. He opened the wallet. Inside was Abby Winters’ driver’s license.
“This is definitely Abby Winters’ stuff.”
Then he retrieved the ring. “A man’s ring, and, look, it has the initial’s IG engraved into it. Wonder whom that could stand for? No doubt Hawke will know.”
DeShay nodded. “I cannot believe people can harm others in such a way.”
“It’s really awful. The world and its people are not in harmony.” He checked the area again for anything he could have missed.
DeShay stared at the big rock, not far from where the items had been found. As she focused her attention on the rock, a lizard came into view.
Officer Creek walked over. “Look, a lizard. It’s a sign of dreaming. It’s the shadow of all things that are real. It’s where your dreams are epitomized before you can see them clearly enough to make them physical.”
“Officer Creek, thank you. I did not know the lizard symbolized a person’s dreams in that way. Now I understand why the feeling of coming to this sacred place was so strong. I have dreamed about it repeatedly. Are you ready?”
Officer Creek nodded. “I checked the area thoroughly. At first light, I will send officers out to look once more just to make sure. Sunlight helps the eye to see well.”
DeShay nodded and exhaled a long breath. “Okay. I am at peace now.”
They walked past the lizard, as it scurried away. Life had a way of making things right.
As they approached their vehicles, Officer Creek turned to DeShay. “Sometime, would you like to get a bite to eat?”
DeShay’s face heated. “Sure, that would be great.”
“I’ll call you. You lead the way. I’ll follow you out to the main road, so I’ll know you got out of here okay.” He climbed into his SUV and.
Calm enveloped her. It was true. The haunting feel
ing was Abby Winters trying to tell her she must go to Eagle Nest Butte and find the items placed there.
She stood under the night sky, watching the stars twinkle. Abby Winters had led her there. Maybe this was a sign that Abby trusted her.
Suddenly, a falling star cascaded across the sky and down to the ground. The sound of coyotes howling caught her attention.
This land was sacred. Her ancestors had walked upon it, as had Abby Winters. DeShay felt her presence there, walking upon Mother Earth, trying to get justice.
“I shall walk the path with you, Abby. Please know you are not alone.”
DeShay started her jeep and headed down the dirt road, to return home to Tail Feather. Officer Creek started the squad car and followed her. She glanced once at him in the rear view mirror, and he waved. Soon she’d be home with Tail Feather. The thought of her cat sent happiness through her. Tail Feather was a very special cat. His markings resembled a hawk feather. Her father had given him to her.
The thought of him lying in the window waiting patiently for her to return sent a warm feeling to her heart. He was the best cat in the world. One she cherished more and more each day.
The drive home gave her time to think. Her goal was to help the spirits. She would help solve murders. She could locate items of murder victims.
The thought of Officer Creek set her stomach to fluttering. He was single, and, as far as she knew, he did not have a steady girlfriend. She hoped to change that very soon. The time had come for her to take control of her life, get married, and have some children. Officer Creek was a good man.
She wondered how Detective Hawke had taken the news. She could not wait for him to return. Now her dreams fit just like a puzzle and she understood them.
She would contribute to solving cases by her dreams. Her knowledge of archaeology and then her dreams would connect the dots for the detectives. Now she knew her purpose upon Mother Earth.
She was here to help deliver the beliefs of her heritage. In her dreams, she could locate things and direct the detectives onto the right path. Finally, she realized her true calling. To assist in locating murder victims and getting them justice. And she would do a great job.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Detective Hawke studied the map of North Mountain Way’s neighborhood spread out on the desk next to his laptop. In the early morning quiet of the hotel room, he dwelt on apprehending Ian and Pete. His finger traced numerous connecting roads that would make it difficult when the bust went down. If Doug had enough manpower, two officers should be stationed at each intersection. He sipped at a cup of coffee he’d brewed in the room’s little coffeemaker.,
The sun rose, welcoming a new day. He’d been up for over an hour, showered, dressed and working, doing research and studying the map.
His gaze swept over Melina, sleeping so peacefully on the bed. He’d held her in his arms last night, talking about the case and DeShay’s discovery, until she fell asleep; that act alone had been heaven. Soon he would hold her every night. He ran his fingers through his damp hair. He had to keep her safe. He knew she was trained and trained well, but wasn’t it a man’s job to protect his woman?
Hawke worried about the bikers involved. Doug stated they were known as the Javelinas. The Internet full of information when he googled them. A notorious biker gang with known dealings with drugs and suspected links to murders. How had Ian gotten involved with them? What else and who else was he involved with?
Melina groaned and stretched. She turned to face him, dark eyes watching. She was so beautiful. “What are you doing?” Her voice was barely a whisper, husky with sleep
“Waiting for Doug to call. He’s trying to set up something at a nearby bar so we can get a better look at some of the biker members.”
“You like Doug.”
“Yes. I feel he’s a good man.”
Melina nodded. “I do, too. How long have you been up?”
“About an hour. Did you sleep well in my arms, sweetheart?” He took delight in the warm smile and faint blush animating her face then gazed out at the scenery from the motel window. The restaurant across from the motel fed the crows by tossing their garbage into open containers in the back of the parking lot. He watched their flight, in and out of the area. They were amazing.
“Melina, have you been told the story of how the crow came to be black?”
Melina sat up on the bed. “No, I don’t believe I have.”
Hawke smiled and moved to the edge of the bed. “Would you like to hear it?”
“Of course, my love. Tell me the story.” She snuggled against him when he wrapped his arms around her.
“Now, this is how my grandfather told me the story.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Many winters long ago, when Mother Earth was still young, all the crows upon the earth where white. During these times, the people did not have weapons or horses, but they depended on the buffalo to give them enough food so they would not starve. During the dangerous hunts for the buffalo, they had to travel by foot.
“The crows were friends with the buffalo, so it was even harder for them to hunt. The crows soared high in the sky over the prairie and could see whatever the eye would behold.
“When the warriors approached the buffalo, the crows would fly to their friends the buffalo and warn them. ‘Caw, caw, caw. Hunters are coming to kill you. They are sneaking over the gully and climbing the hill. You best be careful and watch out.’”
“Once the buffalo heard this news, they would gallop away, leaving the people to starve. They had to decide what to do next, so the people called a meeting.
“Among the crows, a large one reigned. Twice as big as the others.” Hawke indicated the crow’s size with his hands. “He became the leader of them, and the only way this would end was by eliminating him.
“One of the chiefs stood and said, ‘We must get the leader of the crows and teach him a valuable lesson. We must do it or we will starve to death.’”
Hawke paused, staring into her eyes. Then he glanced out the window as a black crow flew by before continuing the wonderful story. “The other warriors wondered how they could capture this huge animal. The chief revealed to them the answer.
“The chief stood before his people and brought out a large buffalo skin. The skin had the head and horns still attached. He motioned for a young warrior to step forward. As he did, the chief placed the skin onto his back.
“‘My brave warrior, you must sneak among the buffalo. As you move around them, they will think you are one of them. Then you will be able to capture the white crow.’
“The warrior could not wait to do this. So, he disguised himself as a buffalo and crept among the herd as if grazing. The big, beautiful animals paid him no attention. The hunters walked out from the camp after him with bows.
“As the warriors drew closer to the herd, the crows flew in, as usual, warning the buffalo of incoming danger. ‘Caw, caw. The warriors are coming to kill you. You best watch out for the arrows, which will fly soon.’
“As usual, all the buffalo ran away. However, the young brave, disguised as a buffalo did not run away. Instead, he kept grazing on the grass.
“The huge white crow noticed the lone buffalo and flew down and balanced on the brave’s shoulder, flapping its wings.
“‘Caw, caw, my friend. Can you not hear? The hunters are close. They will come over the hill soon. You best run and spare your life.’
“The young warrior saw his chance, so he reached out from under the buffalo skin and grabbed the crow by the legs. He tied the big bird’s feet together. The crow struggled, but no matter how hard he fought, he could not get away.
“The people sat in council once again. ‘What are we going to do with this bad crow? He is the reason we have been going hungry.’
“ ‘I will burn him alive,’ an angered warrior announced.
“Before anybody could stop the young warrior, he pulled the crow from the hands of the hunter who had caught him, and threw the crow into the
hot, council fire, stone, string and all, shouting, ‘This will teach you a lesson.’”
“He let his temper control him,” Melina said.
Hawke kissed her knuckles. “Melina, this is what I fear will happen with me. If any harm comes to you, then I would be like the warrior and throw the crow into the fire. My heart aches for Abby, but if I were to lose you the people responsible would end up like that crow.”
Melina kissed him. “Everything will be okay. Please believe me. DeShay has found Abby’s clothing and other items. The man’s ring will be tested and we both know it will come back with Ian’s DNA on it, so please believe my words. We will solve this case and put Ian away for the rest of his life. Now, please finish the story about the crow.”
“Whatever my lady wants.” He winked at her, and she smiled, which warmed his heart. “The string that held the stone quickly burned through, and the big crow managed to fly out of the fire. He was burnt badly and his feathers scorched. The crow remained huge, but no longer was he white.
“The crow flew away as fast as he could, saying, ‘Caw, caw. I have learned a lesson, and I will never warn the buffalo again. The entire crow nation will never warn the buffalo of any incoming danger. This I promise. Caw.’
“So, the mighty crows escaped, and ever since all crows upon Mother Earth have been black.”
Hawke’s expression remained fierce. “I know the crows I capture will not get away.” He glanced at the phone. “I wish Doug would call.”
Melina smiled and stood. “Don’t worry. He will call soon.” No sooner had she spoken than the phone rang.
“Hello, Detective Hawke.” A pause, “Okay, I’m glad you called. Sure, we can do that.” He nodded. “Okay, we’ll do that. See you later.”
Hawke hung the phone up. He turned to Melina. “Doug has it all worked out. We’re to meet him at the police station this afternoon. Tonight, we’re going to a biker bar. He made contact with an undercover cop who is working as one of the Javelinas. He feels we will get a lot of information from him. We’ll need some clothes to blend in with the biker crowd, Doug said.”
Lakota Justice Page 13
