Lakota Justice

by Melinda Williams

  Melina grabbed some clean clothes from her suitcase. “Oh, this is great. See? Everything works out if you have faith. I’m going to shower and get dressed. Then I want a big breakfast. We have an important day ahead of us.” She winked at Hawke. “I’ve got the agency’s charge card. After we eat, we’ll go shopping for some jeans and leather.” She turned and stepped into the bathroom.

  Hawke walked back to the window, watching the crows feasting on the fries thrown out. They would eat almost anything. They were creatures of Mother Earth.

  Twenty minutes later, Melina stepped out of the bathroom, smelling fresh, her damp hair shining. She wore jeans and a low-cut Western shirt, boots, and her necklace with the hawk on it.

  “Okay, but as we go I have some more to tell you about our friend the crow. By the way you look beautiful.”

  Melina grabbed her purse. “You can tell me the rest of your crow story over eggs and hash browns. I can’t wait to hear it.”

  They walked across the street to a restaurant. Once they slid into a booth and placed their orders, Hawke continued the story about the crow. “My grandfather explained the crow knows all the mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred laws.”

  Their waitress set two steaming mugs of coffee in front of them. Hawke stirred in creamer as he spoke. “The Great Spirit dwells within all of us. If you obey the laws of the crow, which is given by the Creator, then at death you will go to the next world with a vivid memory of your past life.”

  Hawke lifted the steaming mug to his lips and took a sip. “Crow is the sign of change. Crow has made a presence in my life. I must pause and reflect on how I see the laws of the Great Spirit in relationship to the laws of Mother Earth. I speak loudly, for I feel some things are out of harmony. I know my life’s mission now. I will now speak the truth. I love you. Now, I realize how I could have lost you, I am ready to walk my talk. After we solve the murders, I want to learn the walk of the medicine man. I want to help my people, and I feel once I follow in the path of my elders, then and only then I will be complete.”

  Tears ran down Melina’s face. She moved to Hawke’s side of the booth. “My wonderful man, I am proud to call upon you for our people. I loved the story about the crow. It is one I will forever hold in my heart, one I will tell our children. You will make our people proud.” They embraced, as the people in the restaurant ate and watched. Their love was forever sealed, and they would be united in their wedding ceremony.

  Hawke ran a finger down her sleek hair. “Will you marry me near the Wounded Knee Massacre Site, sweetheart? A place where our ancestors walked and died. We will ask for our people’s blessing and live a long and happy life.”

  Melina beamed with happiness. “My grandfather will be waiting to perform the ceremony.”

  “Melina, will you come back to stay on the rez and work as the detective over homicide for the Pine Ridge Police Department? Your father would be proud to know his daughter walked in his footsteps.”

  Melina slipped back to her side of the booth and raised her coffee cup. “My father would be proud, wouldn’t he? I mean, he was the chief of police on the rez. I remember him coming home, after working on a case. He would sometimes be sad, and I wondered why. Now, I understand, and I want him to know I do want to come back and live on the rez.” She took a sip of coffee. “Do you think I could get the job? I mean, there are others waiting.”

  Hawke smiled and took her hand, “Hon, there’s nobody who has the experience you have or the training you got with the FBI. You qualify for the job. All you have to do is apply.”

  Melina smiled. “Then, it is settled. I will apply and give my notice to the FBI as soon as we get back home.”

  Happiness swelled Hawke’s heart. She’d be safer on the rez. They would work together every day. “Wonder how your boss, Seitner, will like the news?”

  Melina stared at him. “He will probably lose it, but my mind is made up. I am returning to my homeland.”

  Hawke winked at her as the waiter set their platters in front of them. “This is our first meal as an engaged couple. Eat up, sweetheart.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  DeShay sat up in bed. She’d been dreaming about Abby Winters again. The scene was vivid in her mind. Eagle Nest Butte sat in the distance, as an owl flew overhead.

  Suddenly, a feather drifted from the sky. An eagle feather? The most sacred of healing tools. Then the scene drifted to where the eagle makes its nest, high in the butte, where the air is clear and the movements of all flying animals are free.

  The final scene came into focus. An owl flapped its wings as it landed nearby. She refocused and tried to concentrate. The owl sits in the east, on the medicine wheel. The scene switched again, but this was the most intriguing part.

  DeShay could not believe what her heart felt She was the owl, soaring and floating over Eagle Nest Butte. She remained silent as she climbed high above the butte. The owl was known for its silence. Now she perfectly understood her connection with the owl. She had owl medicine. The owl symbolizes wisdom. It can see what others cannot, which is the essence of having true wisdom.

  Then, suddenly she floated above the butte, landed on a sharp rock protruding out of the mountain. A man walked up to the opening, placing clothing and a purse inside. His arm was stuck, and he frantically pulled and tugged to free it. He stood and dropped something on top of the items. The ring with the initials IG appeared. The ring DeShay had found.

  Was she dreaming, or was this real? It was real. She must be the owl. She could see herself, wings wide open, and she took to the air and flew directly toward the man.

  As she got closer, she observed the man’s face. His expression revealed his anger over something. She took note of the man’s height, weight, and color of hair.

  Nobody could deceive her any longer. Her personal animal medicine was the owl. She now understood the connection she felt with Hawke and Melina Wolfe.

  The owl came to her in the night through dreams. The owl revealed to her the person who placed the items in the spot at Eagle Nest Butte.

  Yes, that was it. This man knew Ian Guidara. He knew of the horrible things he had done and he could not take knowing about it any longer. He wanted Ian to be caught, so he put the ring in with the other items.

  She glanced at the clock, sitting on her night table. Two fifteen in the morning. She must speak to Detective Hawke. The man they hunted lived in Nevada. She saw his truck with Nevada tags. He lived there near a warehouse.

  She picked the phone up and dialed the police station.

  “Hello, Pine Ridge Police. How can I help you?”

  “I need to speak to Officer Creek. Could you please have him to call DeShay Greywater as soon as possible?”

  The dispatcher took down the information, “Yes, I will make sure he gets the message when he comes on duty at six.”

  DeShay could hardly wait. “Thank you.” She laid the phone down. It would be a long night. It was now two twenty-five.

  Tail Feather lay at the foot of her bed. He always made her smile. He loved his food and toys. She sat thinking about how much pleasure he brought to her life. Her eyes became heavy as she lay back down and drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  Officer Creek walked into the police station.

  His boots squeaked as he walked down the hallway and into the breakroom.

  “Officer Creek, you have a message from DeShay Greywater in your box, it sounded pretty important.”

  He stared at the dispatcher going off duty. He couldn’t believe his luck. “When did she call?”

  The dispatcher looked tired but answered, “About two-thirty this morning.”

  Officer Creek shrugged his shoulders. This must be a new dispatcher, he thought, unsure of anything. He went to his message box and picked up the piece of paper. Sure enough, the message from her waited for him.

  He walked over to the phone and dialed her number. His pulse raced as he waited for her to pick up. She sounded half asl
eep when she answered the phone, “Hello.” He heard her yawn.

  “DeShay this is Officer Creek. I know it’s early, but I thought it might be best to go ahead and call. Are you okay?”

  “Thank you, for returning my call so promptly. I need to speak to you, privately. I can come to the station or whatever you want to do. It’s very important. Also, Detective Hawke will need to know what I want to tell you.”

  Officer Creek thought for a minute. “I can come to your house, and we can contact Detective Hawke then.”

  “That would be wonderful. At your convenience, stop by.”

  “Okay DeShay, see you soon.” He glanced at his watch. “I can be there in about forty minutes, after I check on a couple things here.”

  ***

  DeShay sat in a daze, eager to see Officer Creek’s face again. She jumped out of bed and raced to the bathroom. She had to get a shower before he arrived.

  DeShay sat on her couch, reading her favorite book. She loved mysteries. Then, she heard a vehicle pulling into her driveway. She peeked out the window. He took his time getting out. He had the darkest brown eyes she had ever seen. When he looked at her, his eyes alone could take her to another world. As he stepped out of the vehicle, dressed in his uniform, hair pulled back in a ponytail, her heart raced, as it never had before.

  The knock at her door came as no surprise. She waited a few minutes before she answered, though, not wanting to appear anxious. She opened the door, taking him into full view.

  “Come in, Officer Creek.”

  He smiled and stepped inside. He glanced around her small home. “You have a lot of beautiful medicine wheels and owl pictures.”

  “Yes, I love collecting them. I guess I have too many.”

  “No, if you like them, you should have them. So, how can I help you?”

  She motioned for him to have a seat then sat on the sofa next to him. He smelled of pine soap and the outdoors. “Well, last night I figured out how I knew about the items I found at Eagle Nest Butte. See, it came to me in my dreams.” She paused, wanting to see his reaction. She hoped he wouldn’t think her crazy.

  He stared directly at her. “You have owl medicine, don’t you?”

  DeShay was amazed. “Yes, how did you know?”

  He looked around the room. “Well, I figured it out the night at Eagle Nest Butte, but when I walked into your home, your love of owls sealed it for me.”

  DeShay’s face went blank. Now, would he want anything to do with her? Her heart sank, but she knew she must continue.

  “Anyway, the dream came back last night. I saw the face of the man who placed the items there. I can identify him. He wants Ian to be caught. Just the thought of him going free infuriates this man. He lives in Nevada. Officer Creek, we must let Detective Hawke know.”

  “First, DeShay, call me Ryan. I will have dispatch contact Hawke and forward the call here. We will take care of this, so calm down.”

  “Okay, Ryan, sounds great.”

  The wait took longer than they thought it would. Officer Creek seemed nervous. “I guess Kylee is having a hard time getting in touch with the detective.”

  DeShay had to do something. “Would you like to go sit on the deck and have some coffee while we wait?”

  “Oh, that would be nice.” He stood, towering over her, and her impulse was to step into his arms. Wouldn’t he be shocked if I did?

  She showed him to the back deck, watched as he sat down in a chair and then she went to make their coffee. She trembled, and told herself if she wasn’t careful, she’d make a fool of herself in front of him. She glanced out the window. His hair shone black in the sunlight. He was so handsome. She shook her head and reached for the canister of coffee. Ryan had his own place in her heart.

  They sat on the porch, looking over at the mountains that cascaded to the heavens. It was chilly, but the sun beamed, giving a false sense of warmth. “It sure is quiet here. A beautiful sight, those mountains over there.” Ryan sipped his coffee.

  DeShay nodded. “Yeah, I love it here.”

  Suddenly Ryan’s cell phone rang. “Hello, Officer Creek.”

  Kylee spoke loudly. “Hold on, I have Detective Hawke on the line. Go ahead, sir.” A series of clicks and then they were connected.

  “Yes, Detective Hawke, we have news important to the case. DeShay Greywater can identify the man who placed Abby Winters’ clothing at Eagle Nest Butte. She says he lives in Nevada.”

  He listened a moment then handed the phone to her. “He wants to talk to you.” Their fingers brushed, and she felt a blush rise to her cheeks.

  She cleared her throat before she spoke. “Detective Hawke, this man wants Ian Guidara to be caught. I saw him in my dreams.”

  “DeShay, you have finally figured out you have owl medicine. I realized it some time ago. Do you think you would know the man in a photo? Is it somebody from the rez?”

  DeShay stared at Officer Creek as she listened to the many questions.

  “Pete Crowe. He is double-crossing Ian Guidara, and he knows a lot more than you think.”

  “Okay. I’ll call you when we have more information, but in the meantime if you come across anything else, please call Officer Creek and he will contact me. Now, please put him back on the phone.”

  DeShay smiled as she handed the receiver to Ryan. “He wants to speak to you.”

  “It’s me, Hawke.” He paused. “Okay, sir, will do. Talk to you later.”

  Officer Creek faced DeShay, smiling, “Looks like I will be taking care of you. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, I’m thrilled.” Her eyes darted to his as she realized how she must have sounded. “Ah, I mean, you will be coming around me often. That eases my mind.”

  Officer Creek walked to the door. “I’ll be back later to check on you.” He turned to leave but suddenly stopped. “Where is Three Paws? Aren’t you taking care of him?”

  DeShay smiled at the thought of that sweet dog. “Yes, he’s out in the backyard. He loves to sleep in my bed. He is such a gifted dog. I know Hawke misses him.”

  Officer Creek winked at DeShay and then disappeared out the front door.

  DeShay ran to the bedroom and plopped her onto the bed. He winked at me. I nearly melted at his feet. Her thoughts of Creek Ryan Creek filled her mind. One good thing coming out of this terrible situation. They would spend more time together. He would help her through this, and she loved his attention.

  Her heart felt a connection to Officer Creek. She wondered if he felt the same. Could that be why he winked? Time would reveal the path they each would take.

  Suddenly her attention drawn to the back door. The noise she heard must be Three Paws trying to get back inside. He must be clawing the door.

  She stood and hurried down the hallway. As she turned into the kitchen, her eyes caught the image of the owl and medicine wheel. Abby’s face emerged. DeShay stopped.

  “Abby, I know you are here. Hawke is trying to solve this horrible crime against you. Hold on and soon revenge will be yours.”

  DeShay walked to the back door, letting Three Paws inside. He licked her hand as he clung to her side. She patted his head.

  “You miss Hawke, don’t you?”

  The dog pushed his head against her as a signal she was right.

  “He will be home soon, my friend. He misses you, too.”

  She walked over and sat down in her favorite chair. Three Paws trailed right behind her. When she settled in the chair, Three Paws jumped into her lap. His cries for his owner hung deep in his throat.

  DeShay felt his emptiness. She realized now just how much she longed for companionship. To be alone in this world was hard. Now she had experienced what it would be like to have Officer Creek around her. The warm feeling would not leave.

  “We both long for the ones our hearts weep for. I am certain in time we both shall be rewarded.”

  As DeShay stroked Three Paws’ head, Tail Feather jumped up on them, meowing at the top of her lungs. She patted Tail Fe
ather until she lay beside Three Paws. DeShay sat, lost in her own thoughts, surrounded by two beautiful animals. Love was hard to find. If you are lucky enough to find it, then you’d best hold on tight and never let it go.

  The mountains outside the window provided stability. The animals that roamed the Black Hills were there forever. These thoughts in the stillness of the cold day gave way to hope

  DeShay went back when she was a child. She sat close to her mother, playing with her miniature tipi. Her mother had made it out of buffalo hide and sticks. It was an honor to have such a toy.

  Her father would be gone for long periods, trying to provide for them, so her mother would make things to remind her of her heritage. She missed those days of long ago when family was close. She still had the tipi her mother had made her. Did Abby have something close to her heart? She realized how Abby was special to her family.

  Suddenly, the phone rang. “Hello.”

  “DeShay, I forgot to ask. Would you like to go out tonight and catch something to eat?”

  DeShay felt warmth creep through her system as Officer Creek’s voice echoed over the phone. “Ryan, I would love to.”

  “Okay, I’ll pick you up about six.”

  “That sounds great. See you then.”

  As she hung up the phone, her heart skipped beats. Was it really going to happen for her? Would she marry Officer Ryan Creek? Her heart held hope; her mind screamed yes! She sat in a daze, wondering what the date would bring.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The drive to the restaurant was quiet, yet the car pulsed with nervous energy. DeShay sat staring out the window as Officer Creek drove Still, his gaze kept moving to her. Their first date. The darkness took a shape of its own. The moon tried to emerge, as darkness tried to make its stand.

  DeShay turned to Ryan. “I keep watching in hopes of spotting the great elk that roam the area, before darkness claims the land. Wonder where the elk are?”