by Sammy Sutton
Antonio paid him.
“Antonio, I have a gift from me to Amanda. Okay?”
“Sure.” John took a piece of cloth out of his shirt pocket, walked over to Amanda, and unrolled it. He presented a bracelet.
Amanda held out her arm, and John placed the glowing turquoise bracelet around her wrist. "It is made of stones found throughout the Pueblos, and will I think perform its duty quite well." John explained.
“John, this is gorgeous. Thank you so much.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“I made it for you.”
“I know I will keep it always.” She put her hand on her heart and said, “I am touched and honored, I am feeling this in my heart.”
John beamed, thankful for the opportunity to offer a protection by way of a gift.
“John, I will come see you again soon. Antonio will bring me. Would you share a meal with us soon and some of your infinite knowledge?”
“Amanda, say when.” She turned to Antonio, but he was dazed. “Will you come as soon as we get back from Miami?”
“Amanda, you touch my heart.”
“Thank you, John.”
Antonio walked over to the old man, and hugged him hard himself. After all these years of talking to him, he had never once offered the man a meal. It was a huge gesture to a man like him.
Antonio had absorbed all of John’s precious knowledge without ever giving any real return.
Antonio hugged the man again and left saying nothing more. The couple walked to the car in silence. They climbed into the car.
“Amanda tell me the truth, have I been mean? Have I insulted that old man for years?”
“No Antonio, just the opposite, that man loves you like a son. You are their prodigy. The others know you. You have talked with the others, haven’t you?”
“Yes, several… prodigy, I don’t get it. I don’t want them thinking I’m prodigy material.”
“You will understand that you do not have a choice. You are their prodigy.”
“You mean they talked to God, and I have some predestined job?”
“I don’t know if it was God, or they thought you were the one and you became it. You see, it does not matter because there is no difference. It is true now. Veritas omnia vincit.”
“The truth conquers all.”
“Antonio, what would you say about your Dad as a lawyer?”
“The best, a champion for the wronged, he’s the most ethical man I know. Why?”
“I suspected as much.”
“Do you know something about Pop? What is it, Amanda?”
“I don’t know your Pop, what about Jose? What is he like?”
“He is the perfect father and husband. He’s a good, successful lawyer, and the ultimate big brother. He’s Pop’s shadow, perfect.”
“You said he is a good lawyer, not great like your Pop?”
“No, he’s not great like Pop.”
“How about the others, what kind of attorney’s are they?”
“They’re all good, better than most. Except for Xavier, he’s young still, he may even surpass Pop.”
“They’re not like your Pop?”
“Some…but not a mirror image or anything.”
“What about your other siblings? Is anyone like Pop? Really like him?”
“Not really. Why, Amanda?”
“Stay with me here.”
“Okay.”
“Was your Pop fair, or was he harder on some of you? Tell me.”
“He was harder on me than the others.”
“Are you answering me fairly, Antonio?”
“Yes, Amanda. I swear.”
“Did your Pop ever discuss the law as a means to reach the truth?”
“All of the time.”
“If he was going someplace and he took one child, who would he take?”
“Amanda, you know, don’t you?”
“Who would he take?”
“Me.”
“What child did he talk about things with the most?”
“Me.”
“Who tells Jose what to do?”
“Well Pop is the final word on everything with the practice.”
“What is your Pop, besides a Judge, Dad, and attorney? What else is he?”
“He’s a…damn pain in the ass know it all.”
"Antonio!"
"Okay, he knows a great deal about the world, and seems to have a great ability for forecasting the future, and alleviating problems before they happen."
“Bingo. What did he know, long ago, about this favorite son? The son with the most potential, you were the only one out of eight like him.”
“Amanda, that can’t be true.”
“You believe the Natives could know, but not your own Pop?”
“What do I do?”
“You walk into Rosie’s party, you greet her first, and then you greet everyone in the family. You go to your father, as a son, as a man who loves and understands his father. You hug him with meaning, and you tell him he is the one person you have loved the most, but you only say it, if it is true.”
He said nothing. He didn’t need to say anything, they both knew.
Chapter 35
"If men liked shopping, they'd call it research."
Cynthia Nelms (1846-1911)
The Boutique, perfected in a Zen design, served as the subtle backdrop for the rich display of elegant gowns and dresses. A gorgeous crystal chandelier was the only ornate piece incorporated into the décor. The rest of the room took on shades of grey, tone on tone, without deviating from the overall monotone result.
An attractive, middle-aged lady greeted Amanda and Antonio. “Good morning, my name is Patricia. How can I help you?”
Amanda explained the fiesta de quince they would attend in Miami and showed Patricia the Cognac Diamond necklace Antonio gave her. She intended to wear it to the party.
Patricia offered the couple a seat and something to drink, while she put together some appropriate choices for Amanda.
Amanda felt sure Antonio had never done this before.
He whispered, “Amanda, I don’t see too many dresses to choose from.”
She tried to explain, “They’re in the back.”
He looked at her as if she reminded him of the most demented person ever. “Granted, I’m not in the retail business, but that doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t you pick out what you want to try on?”
“Well, I will do so in the back, if I am not fond of the choices she brings. There is a full-service etiquette involved with this quality of dress.”
“The miracle dress comes with a service package?” He smiled.
“Ms. Messenger, if you want to come back, I prepared a gorgeous collection of dresses.”
Amanda noticed Antonio tried not to laugh. Walking towards the back, Patricia stumbled on her words. “Mr. Messenger...”
Antonio was flattered, but shocked. Amanda interrupted, “Dr. Dominguez.”
“I apologize, Dr. Dominguez, there is a place back here for you to sit if you want to join us. "Hmm…if it's all the same with you Amanda, I would like to take a walk and find a gift for my father.
"Oh Antonio, that is a marvelous idea. I am quite sure that Patricia and I can find the right dress. Why do we not meet in 3 hours at that lovely restaurant on the corner? I read where they grow all their own feed."
Backing towards the door, Antonio assured her that would be perfect. 3 Hours to try on a dress? Hell, he bought an entire wardrobe for a 3 week excursion to Egypt in 30 minutes! He quickly went through the door, and breathed free as he walked to Raven and drove to one of his favorites Greek restaurants.
***
After visiting a local tobacco store, Antonio left with a humidor that he believed his Pop would love. José had let slip in one of their conversations that Pop had cut back on his smoking, but still enjoyed a good cigar every evening after dinner. He drove back to the dress shop, parked and started for the door.
Just as he reached for the h
andle, a familiar voice halted him in his tracks.
"Hello again Doctor."
Antonio turned and placed his back to the door. It was the guy from Vegas. "Since its broad daylight, are you sure you're in the right place? What do you want?
"I have a message for you."
"Really, a message? Sorry but I'm all full in the message department at the moment."
"Be that as it may, you need to listen to this one."
"Be that as it may?" Antonio mocked the man in the blue suit. "What? Did you go to a Thug Charm School?"
While the guys' nostrils flared, he just smiled.
"Tsk, tsk…Not this time Doc. No irrational moves in broad daylight. I am just the messenger."
"Well get on with the damn thing then. I have plans, and they do not include you or the sender of this message."
"Drop the Scrolls Doc. Drop everything to do with them. If you do, this is the last you will hear from us. If not, then you, your family, the red-head and all you care about will be in a position of extreme discomfort."
Antonio was a mild man, he had also been confronted with cobras, a tiger and a wombat, and he knew right now was the time to hang onto that calm; at least outwardly. Inside his nerves were screaming; someone had just threatened not only him, but Amanda and his family!
"Sorry guy, but I do not know what you are talking about."
"Playing dumb, will get you hurt Doc. We will give you one week, maybe less to come to a decision. No matter where you are we will also know if you have complied." The man in blue turned and walked to the black sedan sitting at the curb...Antonio watched them drive away and then he stepped back to Raven and reached in and picked up his cell phone.
Before he dialed the number he looked towards the dress shop just in time to see Amanda walk out empty handed. He walked around to her. "What happened, none of the dresses match your list?"
"Do not be silly, the store will ship the dress to a sister store in Miami, after the alterations are finished. We can have it delivered to the hotel once we arrive." She explained using that voice women use when explaining things to a child, or man.
If it's a brand new dress, and you like it, why are you changing it?" Antonio asked as he opened her door.
Amanda sighed. "Due to my height, all of my clothes must be altered, shortened."
Once he was seated in Raven, Antonio leaned over and kissed her cheek. "As long as you are happy, I am sure the dress is wonderful."
"Antonio?"
"Yes?"
"You do not have to hide anything from me, and that includes going someplace in secret in order to eat foods you love. Just because I am concerned about your eating habits, does not mean I would deny them to you."
What does a man say when he's been busted? He says what his father always said to his mother; "Which dress did you pick?"
As Amanda gushed over the beauty and perfection of her selection, Antonio turned Raven down the familiar path to the University, planning his conversation with Ruger and José.
Chapter 36
“They were afraid they might make a mistake with it, inspired knowing that springs from being in love.”
— Rumi
Antonio was rightfully proud of his position at the University. He quickly parked Raven in his personal niche, and then escorted Amanda to the private door to his work area. He explained the layout to Amanda as they walked down the pristine corridors; "Most of our team is housed here in this section, we have our own lab facilities, and storage areas. Rarely are we unable to handle anything that comes our way by expedition, research or assignments from other areas of the University."
Amanda was impressed with the absolute organization of Antonio's personal suite of office and lab. Not a thing was out of place, and the furnishings were comfortable, and scaled to suit his height, much like his office at home.
Once the walk-thru was complete, Antonio was ready to return to the business at hand.
“Now, we can take care of other business. We need to walk over to Clark.”
“Who is Clark?”
“Not a who, but a what; the Clark Field Archive and Library. I want to check out the repository. If I remember correctly, there are a couple of old dissertations that can help us understand the Ancient undergrounds.”
She smiled as they sauntered down the hallway.
A voice called after them. “Dr. Dominguez.”
Antonio turned to the sound of his Department Head, Dr. Kevin Collins.
“Dr. Collins, I didn’t expect you here at this time.”
“I’m sure you didn’t, Antonio.” His smile was oily, and just barely this side of a sneer.
“Kevin, before you ream me, I would like to introduce you to Amanda Messenger.”
Dr. Collins greeted Amanda warmly.
“I am honored to meet you, Ms. Messenger.”
“Please, call me Amanda, and I am very happy to meet you Dr. Collins.”
“Call me Kevin.”
Antonio began to think Amanda mesmerized everyone she met. Then again Kevin thought of himself as a ladies' man, and Amanda did not need to encourage him. He stepped between them, and drew Kevin's attention.
“Antonio, you have to address the contributors for me over Thanksgiving break. I need something with teeth, Antonio.”
“Kevin, if you give me the latitude I’ll give you Jaws.”
“What is that?”
"A metaphor Kevin, Jaws is a metaphor for something huge with teeth."
"Well as long as it does not 'bite me', I suppose that will be okay." Antonio snorted as Kevin laughed at his own joke. Antonio heard Amanda cough behind him.
“You’ll just have to trust me, Kevin.”
“Antonio, you know I’m supposed to approve everything beforehand.”
“Kevin, have I ever let this University down? Damn it, trust me.”
“No, but as the Department Head, I am suppose to be kept in the loop on all ongoing projects. Very well, I will email you the particulars on the meeting. Antonio, I expect a heads up shortly thereafter.”
Antonio nodded as he watched Kevin’s eyes immediately move to Amanda.
“Amanda, what do you do?”
Antonio grinned. “Wait, don’t answer that.”
Amanda was shocked.
“Kevin, let’s say I speak to the donors and you receive a record amount of donations to the Department, will you do Amanda and me a favor?”
“What favor, Antonio?” Kevin asked suspiciously.
“Amanda has some work which needs to make it to publication. I need you to help. Much of it will fall into other disciplines. Promise me that Kevin, and I will give this University Jaws and Free Willy.”
Kevin glanced at the pair with a perplexed grin. “Amanda, what should I say to Antonio?”
She was dumbfounded. Antonio acted alone, and had left her clueless. Despite the disadvantage, she smiled.
“Kevin, I am not privy to any information at this point necessary to divulge any specifics. I do know there are a couple of possibilities, providing we keep it tight-lipped, and he refrains from doing anything rash. Antonio never lies and he loves UNM. That is the extent of my knowledge. You, Dr. Collins, will have to decide on your own.”
Her bold words made Antonio want to take her back to his office, and lock the door.
Kevin Collins smiled. “Antonio, this woman is quite the reference for you. Will I have the honor of working closely with Ms. Messenger on her research development?”
“No, you will not be working closely with Amanda. She does not need help, she is far more capable of completing her research alone, than several of your purported experts that have been foisted on the University!"
Taking Amanda by the hand he turned to walk away. "We’ll talk later, Kevin. Amanda and I are going to grab a few papers for our research, and get the hell out of here in a hurry. We have some pressing matters we must attend. Think about it Kevin, let me know.”
“Hey, next time I see you Dr….” Antonio
interrupted him.
“No, I’m not turning in an abstract, Collins.”
“You know I can't conduct a proposal meeting without one, Dominguez.”
Leaving him flabbergasted, they proceeded to Clark Archive. Antonio handed a list of documents to the woman at the desk, and then escorted Amanda to a discreet area of the library.
“What were you talking about with Kevin? What did you mean by Jaws and Free Willy?”
“I’m going to make UNM the curator for Solomon’s Scrolls.”
“Wow… Antonio, that’s a great idea.”
After leaving the University, they headed straight back to Santa Fe. Amanda had seen the confrontation between Antonio and the man from Vegas, but she had not intervened, and allowed him to handle it. She had hoped he would mention it, but when he did not, she allowed him his secret.
Once they reached the house, they had an early dinner, and claiming tiredness, Antonio escaped to his study to use the phone. Amanda entertained herself by completing a yoga routine, and then went to shower.
Antonio returned downstairs, and after his long day thought the sofa looked fantastic, and enticed him to stretch out. The cool leather felt good. He would rest his eyes for a minute.
Amanda walked into the great room with a book. She sat in the club chair with her bare feet propped up on the ottoman. It was the perfect spot to read.
Antonio awoke in a startle, hearing the door slam shut. Amanda was gone. Stumbling as he tried to get to the door, two black luxury cars were exiting his driveway. He yelled.
“What the hell? It hasn't been a week!”
He reached in his pocket, no keys. Stammering as fast as he could with bare feet, he found the keys on the kitchen counter. Damn!
He ran out, jumped in Raven, and threw her into reverse. She spun around in the driveway as he slammed her into first gear and stomped it.
“Damn it!” He felt stupid, “Raven . . . Come on.”
How far did they get? There were no exits for several miles.
He screamed, “Amanda, I’m sorry!”
The New Mexico road was straight and desolate. He laid Raven out. “Come on we’ve got to get her back.” He stomped her pedal harder with his barefoot. “Faster, damn it, faster.” He pounded the dashboard with his fist. They hit 125 mph.
