by Gary Conrad
It was an odd feeling to again be in the cave — the cave that had changed his life. As he thought about it, had it had not been created, his grandpa might still be alive, and the murders would never have happened. Yet at the same time, Mahina would not be with him — they would have never met — and she would only be part of the past. Daniel shook his head from the paradox. The cave was much like life: in many ways a double-edged sword.
Shortly they came upon the body of Paoa, exactly as Daniel and Mahina had left it. There was no smell of decomposition, though, and Daniel could only guess that the cool air of the cave had preserved it to some degree.
After a brief inspection, Diaz directed his forensics team, “Okay, let’s get started.”
With his words, they descended on the corpse and began gathering evidence.
Diaz said, “Hawk, I’d like to speak with you — alone. Come with me.”
They walked to an isolated recess in the cave.
“Hawk, as crazy as your story sounded, from what I can tell by what we see here, I have to believe you.”
“There’s really no other way to explain this series of murders,” confirmed Daniel.
Diaz smoothed his tie in place, as if to declare order out of chaos. “I know, but I can’t present such a crazy story to the public. The Chilean police will look like idiots, and I’ll be the butt of jokes for years to come. My career as an investigator will be over the minute this story breaks.”
He paused and polished one of his muddy black shoes on the back of his other pant leg, as if that were his most important accomplishment of the day. “So, Hawk, we’re going to play it like this. Assuming the forensics matches this man to the previous crimes — and I’m sure they will — any evidence that links him to the murders will be destroyed and replaced with that from José.”
Daniel nodded his understanding.
“We’ve already retrieved José’s body from the foot of Rano Kau, and it will be a simple matter to make the switch. I’ll hold a press conference tomorrow and blame all the murders on him, and, as far as I’m concerned, the body in this cave and our presence here never happened.” Diaz squinted at Daniel. “You say now that the shaman is dead, the cave no longer connects to the past?”
“That’s what he told me.”
“I can’t take any chances on that. Today after we leave the cave, I’ll have it dynamited, burying the body so it will never be found, and eliminating the possibility of any more crazy men from the past coming over and killing people.”
“Good,” Daniel agreed.
“You do know, Hawk, this will make you a hero. I will tell the media that for the past five months you went undercover — under my direction of course —”
“Of course,” Daniel replied sardonically.
Diaz disregarded the interruption. “— to solve these murders. Now,” he whispered softly, “What will it take to buy your cooperation?”
“Not much,” Daniel replied, noticing a sense of relief on Diaz’s face. “You remember I told you a woman from the past came back with me?”
“Yes.”
“I want papers drawn up that give her not only a permanent ID, but also full Chilean citizenship.”
“Done.”
“Second,” Daniel asked, “is Roberto Ika, the man you originally blamed for the killings, still in a mental institution in Chile?”
“He is.”
“While he may be crazy, he had nothing to do with these murders. He is to be released immediately and returned to Rapa Nui.”
“Agreed.”
“Next, I want a five acre tract taken from the Rapa Nui National Park, somewhere close to ‘Anakena.”
Diaz’s eyes shifted a bit, “This one will be a little harder, but I’m sure I can make it happen. What do you want this for?”
“I’ve got an idea, but I’m not ready to share it just yet.”
“Fair enough. Anything else?”
“Yes,” Daniel said, “I want the Chilean government to train a number of Rapanui to be policemen, and when they are prepared, you must withdraw all Chilean police from the island. I expect this to be completed in no less than two years. The Rapanui police then would be under the direction of the local government, not the Chileans.”
“Impossible!” Diaz blurted out. “Why would you ask this?”
“Most Rapanui believe the Chilean police are oppressive and treat them as less than human.”
“That’s not true!” Diaz countered.
“Oh, but I hear it is.” Daniel paused for a moment to let Diaz calm down. “This is the last of my requests. If you grant them, you will have my full and complete cooperation.”
Diaz growled, “Okay, Hawk, the last one will be the toughest of all, but I believe I will have enough influence to make it happen, especially since these murders will have been solved on my watch.”
“Good enough. Shall we shake on it?”
Diaz stared at Daniel as he shook his hand. “You drive a hard bargain, Hawk. But yes, it’s a done deal.”
“Good. Now that’s settled, did you know there are spiders in the cave?”
A pained look swept over Diaz’s face. “Spiders? I hate spiders.”
“Well, it seems they really like you.” Daniel pointed to at least a hundred of them crawling all over Diaz’s suit.
Diaz looked down at them, his eyes widened and he screamed, “Help! Help! H — e — l — p!”
Diaz slipped and fell with a loud thump. He quickly jumped back up, screamed even louder and stumbled over to his bodyguard, frantically brushing the spiders off the sleeves of his jacket.
“Get them off me! Get them off me!” he demanded.
Together, Diaz and his bodyguard wiped them off; all the while Diaz shrieked and jumped up and down like a little boy throwing a temper tantrum.
Daniel fought back the urge to laugh out loud.
Late that same day Daniel and Mahina took a stroll up toward the summit of Mount Terevaka. Their feet were still callused from living in old Rapa Nui, so they shed their shoes for the hike.
Daniel enjoyed the feel of the earth under his feet. He had never before realized how strong a connection he felt with Mother Nature when he removed his shoes. From this point on, he promised himself, calluses or no, I’ll go barefoot at least every now and then.
As they walked hand in hand up the grassy incline, Daniel said, “Tell me how your day went.”
Mahina answered, “It was lovely. All the people who I met knew I had come from . . . what do they call my island now?”
“Rapa Nui.”
“Yes, Rapa Nui. Anyway, they knew I had come from Rapa Nui’s past and were bubbling over with questions. By the way, until we can find a place of our own, Alame Koreta offered to let us stay at her hotel at no charge.”
“How nice of her,” Daniel replied.
“Truthfully, I believe she just wants me close at hand so she can ask as many questions as she would like.”
Daniel laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me in the least.”
“Also, I met several school teachers, and they asked if I would be willing to start giving classes to their students on the customs of old Rapa Nui, and naturally I told them yes. The pay would not be much, but this way I can continue to teach.”
Daniel pulled her close and asked, “My love, are you happy here?”
Mahina’s eyes misted. “I am. I miss my family very much, but since you told me the magic of the cave died with Paoa, I would not have been able to return anyway, even if the cave were not destroyed.
“But I must share with you that even though my loved ones are long since dead, I still feel strongly linked to them; it is as if I had never left them. I believe there is one force that transcends death, and that is love. My family will always be with me, of that I am certain. After what you have told me about what happened with your parents and grandfather, I’m sure you understand.”
Daniel felt his eyes mist as well. “I do.”
Mahina asked, �
��How are you feeling about Jos�
“I’m sorry he died. I know he was passionate about freedom for his people, and unfortunately that passion pushed him to do things he shouldn’t have. But I do understand how his mind became twisted.
“Perhaps someday,” Daniel continued, “in a nonviolent way, what José dreamed for will come true, and the Rapanui people will have more autonomy and control over their own destiny.”
“We can only hope,” Mahina said. After a brief pause, she added, “By the way, you haven’t shared anything yet about your meeting with Diaz. How did it go?”
“Very well. He wanted to see the cave and the body of Paoa for himself. Once he was convinced that what I said was true, he agreed to my demands to keep silent about the time cave.”
“What did you ask for?”
“Several important things. For now, you should know that one was to create an identity for you. In this day and age, people don’t just pop up out of nowhere.”
“I see.”
“Another request I made was to have a plot of land given to me somewhere close to ‘Anakena.”
“By my old home?”
“Yes.”
“What for?” she asked.
“I have no idea how we’ll pay for it,” Daniel answered, “but I was hoping to create a foundation for the Rapanui people, one that can work on the problems that face them.”
“Such as?”
“Well, there are many issues to deal with, but one of the more important ones is to decide how to best proceed with reforestation. It would require a huge amount of effort, but if the proper trees were planted, Rapa Nui could again become the island paradise it once was. Also, it must be determined how best to protect the environment and preserve the moai and the many sacred places on the island.
“Besides, the institute could be a place of teaching. If you wished, you could instruct there, perhaps teaching the art of interpreting rongorongo. I might guess that professors from all over the world would come to learn.”
Mahina said, “I would love such a place. And, I just might have an idea how to pay for it.”
“How?” Daniel asked.
“You’ll find out tomorrow morning. Tiare must be with us.”
They continued to walk up the slope, and before long they were on the grassy summit of Mount Terevaka. All sorts of wonderful memories flooded Daniel’s mind as they lay down on the grass next to each other like they did back in 1775 and looked at the beautiful array of stars starting to appear overhead.
Daniel said, “Mahina, there’s something I need to ask you.”
She looked at him curiously. “What’s that?”
“Do you recall when we were in this same place, and we said for the first time that we loved each other?”
“How could I ever forget?” Mahina answered.
“And you thought I was, well, crazy?”
Mahina chuckled. “I do.”
“Well,” Daniel said, “I couldn’t think of a better place to remind you once again how much I love you and want to spend my life with you. Mahina — will you marry me?”
Even in the last light of day, Daniel could see the love in her eyes. “Dan-iel,” she murmured, “I have come across time to be with you, and I want to be with you as long as I can breathe. My answer is yes.”
Daniel reached over and kissed her moist lips. “Do you remember what happened the last time we were here?”
Mahina pulled Daniel on top of her. “I remember all the times we have been here, each and every one.”
“Good,” Daniel said as he kissed her neck. “We’ll have more clothes to take off this time. Think we can manage it?”
“I believe we’ll find a way,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him.
After their lovemaking they fell asleep intertwined in each other’s arms. As the night passed, the bright stars silently moved in rhythm above them. They awoke to the sun peeking over the eastern Rapa Nui horizon.
“Are you ready for a surprise?” Mahina said as she snuggled her head on his chest.
Daniel kissed her. “I love surprises.”
“Then put on your clothes. First we must tell Tiare the news of our engagement, and then let’s all go to ‘Anakena.”
A short time later they were hiking down the mountain, headed to Hanga Roa.
Chapter 3
March 8, 2015
“What?” Tiare exclaimed. “You’re getting married?”
“Yes!” Daniel confirmed.
Mahina nodded and was all smiles as she sat next to Daniel on Tiare’s couch. She had changed clothes and wore a recently purchased, white, short-sleeved, knit shirt with beige shorts.
“We talked about it on our hike, and we plan to have the ceremony in a month or so,” said Daniel.
Mahina said, “We’d like to have our wedding in front of the Ahu Ature Huki. Not only is it near where I used to live, it is also where Dan-iel was given the inspiration to find the cave.”
Tiare said, “I am so delighted for the both of you. This pleases me greatly.”
“And one more thing,” Daniel added, “do you know of a Rapanui who could marry us?”
“I know the perfect person — a wise, powerful shaman who has wedded many here.”
“And who would that be?” Mahina asked.
Tiare stood up in mock indignation, “Why me, of course!”
Mahina shrieked with excitement, jumped up from the couch and hugged her. “Dan-iel, she would be perfect! What do you think?”
Daniel stood and wrapped his arms around both of them. “I can think of no one I would rather have marry us.” He paused for a moment. “Now that’s taken care of, Mahina has informed me that she has a special surprise for us. Would you like to come with us and see what it is?”
“I’d love to.”
With that, they left in Daniel’s just-rented SUV.
The three intrepid hikers walked along the coastline west of ‘Anakena. Even at ninety-four years of age, spry Tiare had no problem keeping up with them. Daniel had the distinct impression she could leave them in a cloud of dust if she wanted.
A short time later, Mahina led them to a place high above the water, with a sheer drop off into the ocean.
“This is it,” she proclaimed.
Puzzled, Daniel asked, “This is what?”
“Oh, you’ll see in a moment. If you’ll both wait here, I must climb down some distance. I’ll be back shortly.”
Mahina scaled down the cliff, clinging to the rock wall as she descended.
“Be careful,” Daniel yelled out as he watched her execute the precarious vertical face. In moments she disappeared from view.
Thirty nerve-wracking minutes later, as he looked over the edge, Mahina emerged from the cliff face far below, carrying two large, flat objects in one arm. When Mahina got within reach she handed him the items, which appeared to be wrapped in barkcloth, and then she hoisted herself over the edge.
“What are they?” Daniel asked as he carefully laid them on the ground.
“That you will discover in a few moments, but first I must share a story with you.”
The three sat down beside the objects of interest.
“Dan-iel,” Mahina said as she lovingly took his hand, “do you remember when the eastern warriors attacked our village, and how my two brothers, Kai and Poki, were later found hiding in a cave?”
“I do.”
“That was their secret cave, one very few knew about. And that is where I just was.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It is far down the sea cliff and very difficult to access. And so,” Mahina went on, “remember when we were on our walk in the past, and you told me of the present day scarcity of the rongorongo boards?”
“I do.”
“It broke my heart that there was not even one remaining on our island. So, just before I began my search for you, I asked my father if he would gift me a pair of very special ones. After he agreed, I asked my mother to wrap them u
p carefully that they might stand the test of time. Then I asked my brothers to hide them in the deepest, darkest corner of their secret cave so they wouldn’t be found until I came back for them. Now let’s take a look!”
Daniel and Tiare watched in rapt attention as Mahina first removed the barkcloth, then another layer of dried reeds, placed to buffer the boards from the dampness of the cave. Everyone gasped when the first one was completely unwrapped; it was shaped like a turtle and was in pristine condition. Mahina handed it to Tiare, who held it as carefully as a mother holds a newborn infant.
The second was at least as beautiful as the first and was in the shape of a large fish. Mahina handed it to Daniel, and he admired the intricate, detailed workmanship.
Mahina said, “I would like the turtle board to stay here on Rapa Nui —”
“Mahina,” Tiare interrupted, “I know you’ve been told they are scarce, but has Daniel informed you that before you brought these two into the future, only twenty-five existed in the world? They are priceless beyond measure, and I would guess that none are in as good of a condition as these are. We don’t have a rongorongo board here on Rapa Nui because we are a poor island.”
“Dan-iel has told me,” Mahina confirmed. “I believe, though, it is most important for the spiritual wellbeing of my people to have at least one. Speaking of spiritual wellbeing, has Dan-iel told you that I know how to interpret rongorongo?”
Tiare looked stunned. “No. How?”
“My father believed in strong women, and he taught me the sacred art. So, while I hope to eventually teach others, I must ask you: Would you like to be my first student?”
Tiare’s eyes welled with tears, and she appeared unable to speak. She reached over to Mahina, held her in her arms, and stammered out, “I’d . . . be honored.”
When Tiare stepped back, wiping her tears from her face, Mahina went on, “Now, as for the other board: Tiare, remember the land we told you about that Dan-iel will be getting near ‘Anakena, the land where we want to eventually build an institute?”
