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Chapter Thirty Eight
 
 

Parking his pickup behind a crop of high rocks, Redhawk, had followed the two women on foot.  They caught his attention and for some reason he felt drawn to them.  Keeping far enough back and using the terrain as cover, he was able to keep them in sight.  When the tall redhead, removed her gun belt, knife, cell phone and left them he scratched his head more curious than ever.

Bobie Parker seemed to be apprehensive at whatever they were about to do but seemed to be going along.  It was when the woman was met with falling sand, he smiled.  For all the world, it looked like her friend had purposely done this.  Stepping out into the sun, and shaking his head in bewilderment he began to walk toward Bobie Parker.  The woman was so involved in what happened she didn’t even know he was in the vicinity.

Nearing, he watched her kick at the sand blaming it for the delay, before strapping on her friend’s gun belt, knife and cell phone.  She looked like someone that was ready to do battle.   He was just preparing to approach the woman when she made a running leap, dug in and began a climb that happened faster than her fall downward.  He stood at the bottom gazing upward as the woman disappeared from view.  Removing his Stetson, he slapped his right leg with it and muttered,  "I’ll be . . ."

Glancing around the area, he began a slow steady climb to the top.  There was no way he wanted to slide back.  It took longer than he intended to make it up the embankment.  Laying on his stomach, he studied the ground for footprints.  It was plain to see the woman headed to the back of the Trenton home.  Finally concluding there was no one outside, and quickly getting to his feet, the man followed Bobie Parker’s trail.

Creeping toward an open window, no sign of the woman, he assumed she had gone into the home this way.  Cautiously making his way inside, he dropped to the floor staying low while stealthily heading for the voice of  Mary Trenton.  The woman sounded like she had caught someone and in his mind, he wondered if it was both women or just one of them.

Nearing the main room, he wished he could have reached out and grabbed Bobie Parker, but the woman was too far and was already creeping toward the back of Jim Trenton’s mother.  The next thing that happened not only surprised the man but caused his mouth to drop open.  Like a flash of lightening Bobie Parker made a leap followed by a yell.  It was a sight to behold as the beautiful blond landed on Trenton’s back and with a quick karate chop to the neck both women went down.  Trenton landed with such impact it shook the lamps in the room and caused a few books to fall from the bookcase.

He was starting to step out into the open to help her but quicker than he could stand she had already hogtied a very dazed woman.  Cautiously he stepped toward Bobie, the last thing he wanted was to feel her wrath.  She was busy making sure Mary Trenton was not going to be causing any more trouble and didn’t hear him approach.  But she did feel the cold gun barrel on her back.  "Good show Deputy.  Now if you will get up slowly, hands in the air, I want to talk to you."

Many things flashed before her eyes at that moment, and cursing her stupidity, Bobie did what the man ordered.  "Going to shoot me in the back?"

He gazed toward her friend then to the woman who was now standing, hands in the air fingers twitching uneasily and said,  "No.  I want to talk to you, and I don’t want to get gunshot doing it."

"I don’t shoot just anyone."

"In this place, your friend drugged, or worse, I think you might shoot first then ask questions later."

"Sky!  Please let me go to her?"

"Sky, a beautiful name.  Go, walk slowly, but first I will remove your weapons."  He was quick, removing her gun and Sky’s as well as the knife and cell phone setting the items on a table.

Bobie walked to Sky, kneeled and felt for a pulse.  "Sky, what did you go get yourself into now?"

"I don’t think she is up to answering questions at the moment."

Glaring toward the man, Bobie spouted,  "More talking to myself than her."  It was at this time she felt a slight connection to this tall man.  "Do I know you?"

He leaned down, smiled and replied,  "Let’s get your friend taken care of, time to talk later."  Gently turning Sky onto her back, the man reached out picked the woman up, and carried her to the couch.

Bobie was right beside him the worry in her eyes for her friend and the thought that the guns were not far away.  Was this man a friend?  Should she run, roll and grab a gun?

"If you’re thinking about making a dash for the guns, I’d advise against it.  Believe me I am not a friend of the Trenton family."

Dropping to her knees, Bobie looked up at the man.  "All I want is to get my friend and away from this place."

"I think  she will be all right.  Her breathing is fine, and Trenton had rope in hand so she was going to tie her up.  This would mean that whatever she was given would not last.  I am a friend.  Stay with her, I will check the house, make sure no one else is around.  Course that yell you gave should have woken the dead."

Bobie was holding Sky’s right hand, her eyes gazing at the woman as she replied,  "You’re right, I wanted to surprise Trenton, not give her time to think.  Guess I wasn’t thinking too clearly either."

"I am surprised to see Skylar Richmond so careless.  To walk in here as she did was just asking for trouble."

"You, you know who she is?"

"I read the papers, watch television too.  Yes, I know who she is.  If any of the things she is attributed to are real, the woman has lost her edge it seems."

Looking sheepish, Bobie gazed at Sky then back toward the man.  "Not entirely her fault.  She has been very ill, and though feeling much better, things have been a bit too much."

He haunched down, Stetson in his right hand raised an eyebrow questioningly and asked,  "Things like the Kiva incident?  The banker’s murder?  Strange things happening for sure?"

"That and we have been busy working on the many cases.  Plus we were both up rather late last evening and then Sky went out early to do some work.  Now this.  Just too much I guess."

The young blond’s attentiveness had not gone unnoticed by the man, the way Bobie gazed at Sky, the gentle touch, the closeness they seemed to share.  "One does not have to be a mind reader to know where last night took the two of you.  I am sorry about your friend’s illness.  I heard about Jim Trenton and the cabin."

Feeling very warm at that moment, Bobie looked directly into the man’s slate blue eyes.  "Want to tell me who you are?  You seem to know an awful lot."

"They call me Redhawk but my name is Red Williams.  I work for the Government in several capacities.  My mother was a native to this land."

"Government?  Did I know her?"

"I doubt it but perhaps your father did."

Smiling Bobie replied,  "Dad knew a lot of people, I don’t think there was anyone that did not know him.  When we used to go to different cities, I was always surprised that Dad would run into an old friend."

"Your father knew no strangers, he was a good man.  I see the admiration you still carry for him in your face."

"I always will.  Do you know Jeanne?"  Bobie asked, trying to change the conversation at that moment.  It hurt too much to discuss Bob Parker even now.

"Miss Richmond’s friend that is missing.  Yes, I know who she is.  We are not close friends if that is what you are asking."

"Do you know where she is?"

"No.  Might put some cool wash cloths on her forehead, maybe bring her around sooner.  We need to be thinking about getting out of here before others show."

"There is so much I want to know.  You are a man of mystery and before this day is over, I hope to know you well Redhawk.  By the way . . ."

"They say that I swoop down like a hawk, no one knows I am coming down upon them."  He smiled, stood, walked to the guns, turned and said,  "Best you get your weapons, never know when they will be needed.  The yell, never heard anything quite like that before."

"Something that Sky taught me.  I will, thanks.  Where are you going?"

"While you tend to Sky, I will do a quick reconnaissance of the house.  When I return, we need to leave.  This place will not be empty for long.  And keep an eye on Mary Trenton, she is a cagy one."

"What about Mary Trenton?"

"She will go with us.  Be back soon and don’t shoot me."

Before Bobie could reply, the man was gone.  He was like a shadow  on the edge of daylight, there one minute, gone the next.
 
 

"Mmm . . .   Ooo . . . "   Sky had been making many sounds while stirring.  It took her longer than Bobie thought to begin to come around.  She was thankful the woman was now making sounds, Skylar had her worried.  Continuing to place damp cloths on the woman’s forehead she hoped to see her emerald green eyes open soon.  Redhawk had not returned yet but neither had anyone else.  Mary Trenton was the only one that had been cutting the silence with her swear words.  Words that Bobie finally put to an end, with a gag around the woman’s mouth.

When Sky opened her eyes, she was gazing into Bobie Parker’s blue greens.  Trying to move but thinking better of it, she lay back.  "I have dreamed of  waking in your lap but not from a hangover like this."

Bobie smiled, caressed the woman’s face and replied,  "I am happy to accommodate you Richmond.  Had me scared there, thought the woman had done you in."

"Woman . . .   Where is she?"

"Never you mind, get your ‘sea legs’ as you would say and we can leave this place."

"Last I remember was drinking the water and Mary Trenton leaving the room."

"She put something in the water, then came back after you passed out to tie you up, and make a prisoner for her son."

Sky grimaced,  "Where was my head?  If not for you, I hate to think what would have happened.  Help me sit up, I will be ready to leave in a few minutes."

"Nope, need to wait for someone.  Besides, our ride is a long ways from here, feel like walking?"

Sighing Sky replied,  "You’re the boss.  Not sure my legs would take me that far at this moment.  Who is the someone we are waiting for?  Is this a person we know?  Just how long was I out?  Did you call the . . ."

"No police.  Not sure how long you have been out but it has been awhile.  And the person we are waiting for is the man that walked in on me as I hogtied Mary Trenton.  Don’t know if you know him or not."

"Sounds interesting.  Tell me more?"

"Not much more to tell.  He could have harmed me but didn’t.  I feel he is a friend and most thankful for this too."

"Need to sit up, get rid of this queasy feeling."

Bobie helped the woman, then sit beside her and asked,  "Is there something I can get you?"

"Thanks but no thanks, I wouldn’t trust anything in this place."  At that time she caught sight of Mary Trenton on her stomach.  "Looks like you have been practicing calf roping. Woman is tied like some I have seen."

"No roping involved, just me."

Gazing at Trenton then Bobie, Sky remarked,  "Mary Trenton is much bigger than you and seems to have no conscience, how in the world did you get the drop on her?"

"Should have seen her, it was a sight to behold."

Both women gazed toward the doorway and the tall man that stood staring at them.

Redhawk was a large man, not heavy but tall and muscular.  Thick black hair that was now showing more gray than black touched his neck.  Maybe he needed a haircut or perhaps he liked it long like that.  He had a square unyielding jaw, a nose that had seen the blunt of someone’s fist and seemed a little off to the right but this man was handsome in his own way.  To Skylar he looked just like Davy Crocket, a man she had recently done a thorough search on.  History books were filled with this man’s many adventures and his contributions to society.

Sky was the first one to speak , "I swear if you were not in levis and shirt to match I might think you were a throw back to Davy Crocket."

The man laughed as he entered the room.  "We are alone but your yell should have told us that.  Anyone within a mile would have been stampeding here to see what was happening.  I take it Jim and others will be back later on.  First thing, is get Mary Trenton to her feet, and all of us hightail it.  Oh and about your Davy Crocket remark Miss Richmond, he was a man after my own heart.  Feel like standing?"

Nodding, Sky did just that with Bobie’s assistance.  The two watched the man walk toward Mary Trenton, untied the woman’s feet, helped her stand, then turned to them and said, "Well, what are you two gawking at?  Let’s go."

It didn’t take long to make it to Redhawk’s truck.  Once Mary Trenton was secured in the back, and they were inside the cab, he started the engine and turned down the road.  Bobie gazed back at the dust that was trailing behind and asked,  "Wonder if anyone else sees that?"

Sky turned to look and groaned,  "If they do, it is too late.  Do you have any aspirin?"

Shifting gears, the man glanced toward Sky replying,  "Nope.  Gonna have to tough it out at least till you get back to town.  The effects of the drug will be wearing off soon.  Still think it’s not like you to go into the Trenton home like that."

"How would you know what I am like?  I don’t know you."

He kept a steady gaze on the road ahead.  "Read about you, not many that haven’t.  Don’t worry, your friend has filled me in on things."

Giving Bobie an uneasy look, then turning to the man, Sky asked,  "Things like?"

"Not to worry Miss Richmond, she just told me about your illness, the cases you are all working on and how you have been working on these day and night."

Sky jabbed Bobie in the side with an elbow and uttered,  "Uh huh. I’ll bet she did."

Bobie looked out the side window totally ignoring Sky who knew by the look on her face that the woman had also told this man about their late night.  She lay back against the seat and sighed.

Redhawk may have had his eyes on the road and though a tedious drive, having the two women in the pickup certainly picked him up.  The mood was interesting, and he hoped to learn more about Bobie Parker and Skylar Richmond.  Bobie had turned her attention out the side window and Sky was lying back on the seat, her head leaning toward Bobie’s shoulder.

"Nearing Hole in the Rock.  Anyone interested?"

Bobie had a sudden look of dismay cross her face.  "Our ride, we have past it. Can you take us back?"

"When you were busy.  I made a call to have someone come out and take your ride into town. Felt we would be riding back together.  I have questions and so do you."

"What about keys?"

"No need, my friend can start anything."

"He must be very talented then."

Redhawk winked then replied,  "Who said it was a he?"

Sky sit up and Bobie turned her attention to the road ahead saying,  "Hard to believe you were so close and neither one of us knew it."

"You were both busy, perhaps tired, I doubt I could do this again."

"Hate to admit it but I am glad you did follow us. You said you work with the government, mind telling us in what capacity?"

"Let me just say if I felt the need, I could easily have arrested the two of you back there.
Now back to what I just asked."

"That how you know Jeanne?"

Sky leaned forward, tried to stretch then mumbled,  "You know her?  How?"  Then she turned to stare at Bobie continuing, "How did you know about – him and her?"

Redhawk laughed and said, "You can call me Red or Redhawk or Mr. Williams or anything else that suits you.  If I answer then you will be on line but please don’t call me ‘him’ as if I am not in the same pickup as you."

Turning to gaze into the man’s blue eyes, Sky apologized, "Sorry, I was lost for a name at that moment.  Some people do not want others calling them by first names or close names.  I apologize sincerely.  It was a slip and seems my speech has been affected too."

He had stopped the pickup, leaned back on the seat, hands on the steering wheel and replied,   "Whatever you may have called me would have been fine.  Just not some unknown person when I am sitting right beside you.  Don’t look so pale Parker, I don’t have fangs."

Bobie was deep in thought for a minute before she realized the man was funning her.  It took Sky cracking a smile before she felt relieved.  "You know fangs had not come into my thoughts  Mr. Williams but now that you mention it I am glad you don’t.  There seem to be enough unexplained phenomenons lately."

Opening the door, Redhawk climbed down and said, "Want to get out and stretch your legs?  Still away to town."

The two women stepped to the ground and gazed around the area.  Bobie looked at Redhawk and said, "What are you going to do with Mary Trenton?"

He had walked up to them, glanced back then replied, "Take her into the sheriff’s office."

Sky had both hands in the back pockets of her jeans and looked disgusted, turning to walk toward a juniper bush.  Redhawk looked at Bobbie and asked, "What did I say to upset her?"

"Well ‘her’ may still be feeling a bit groggy."

He smiled, raised an eyebrow and said, "Touché Miss Parker.  What did I say to upset Skylar?"

Bobie glanced toward Sky who was now hunched over, picking at the ground.  "Maybe she thinks that turning Mary over to the Sheriff would be like letting her go right here."

"As I recall you are a deputy sheriff of this here area, what does this make you?"

"It makes me want to quit my job and will first chance I get.  I too have lost a great deal of trust in the sheriff.  It might just be me, but I can’t understand some of the things that have been happening.  Don’t know why he has this sudden urge to arrest Sky and myself.  Something is wrong, just don’t know what it is."

Redhawk gazed up then did a complete circle walking and taking in the area before he said,  "The two of you had stopped here before, was there a reason."

"We have been gathering samples of the earth, checking on uranium in different places.  Why do you ask?"

"Could have saved you some time if you had just come to me?  I know the areas around here like a second skin."

"Sounds great but neither one of us even knew you existed.  And I might add, very thankful you do."
"Not sure your friend feels the same.  By the way where is she?"

Bobie stared at the empty spot where Sky had been.  "Oh no!  We have to find her."

He was hesitant for a few minutes then said,  "What if she doesn’t want to be found at this minute.  The privacy thing and all."

"Don’t care.  She is in no mind-set to be roaming around out there.  Who knows, Trenton and his people could also be in the same area.  Are you coming or not?"

He held out a hand replying,  "Lead the way."

After taking many wrong turns, the two finally spotted the woman standing on an embankment looking down.   "There she is," they both blurted out.

Bobie knew this was the spot they had seen the dead body and now wished she had told Redhawk about it.  The man was already heading toward Skylar as she scrambled to catch up to him.  Sky was still staring downward when the two approached.

"Why did you just take off like that?"  Bobie asked, seeming a bit displeased.

Turning to gaze at the two, Sky replied, "You were both in some sort of confab and I just wanted to stretch my legs.  Not sure why I ended up here but . . ."

Bobie rushed to the edge and glanced down.  "It’s gone!"

Redhawk looked down then turned his gaze to the two of them.  "Someone want to tell me what was down there?"

Sky chewed at her bottom lip then replied, "There was a body, mostly covered but the recent rains must have uncovered some of it.  We thought it best to report this in town rather than to be leaving our mark all over the place."

He removed the Stetson, ran his fingers through damp hair and said,  "I swear you two seem to blunder into all sorts of situations.  Sure you did not step out of the covers of a Nancy Drew mystery?"

Bobie and Sky gazed into one another’s eyes for a moment then chuckled.  It was Sky that finally replied,  "Would like to step into the covers of a good Nancy Drew mystery and know that it was all in my mind.  Fraid this is way too real."

Bobie watched Redhawk make his way down the embankment and as the man reached the bottom she whispered into Sky’s right ear,  "Would much rather crawl under the covers with you."

"Me too with you.  Come on let’s go check this out.  See if we can assist Mr. Williams."

"Sky, you’re not upset at him are you?"

"Nope.  Coming?"

Bobie shrugged and followed the woman to the bottom.  Redhawk was already taking samples and bagging them. He stood up when they approached.  "Not much here now, seems you two might have just missed an encounter with whoever did this. Looks like maybe three or four sets of new prints.  I will contact my people, and have a team sent out to investigate the area."

Sky walked up to the man, stared at him straight on and said,  "I think it is about time you tell us just what government agencies you work with Mr. Williams."

He slipped several small plastic bags into the pocket of his shirt then asked, "Did you get any idea on the person?  Woman, child, man, nationality?"

"Sorry, nope.  It took all I had not to do some investigating but with the sheriff already after us, I don’t want us connected with this."

He nodded.  "A good reason.  About the agency, I work with several.  Been checking on trafficking of drugs and the smuggling of illegal aliens."

He nodded.  "A good reason.  About the agency, I work with several.  Been checking on trafficking of drugs and the smuggling of illegal aliens."

Sky raised an eyebrow before asking,  "Is that why you are out here?  I have read something recently regarding coyotes but didn’t realize it had gotten this far. "

He sighed then replied,  "It sounds to me like the two of you have been deeply involved in other things lately.  I am sure Deputy Parker has encountered this before."  He was gazing toward Bobie.

Bobie nodded.  "A little, once in a while a few aliens make their way into the town but not that many.  After all what is there here to keep them?"

"There are many ranches in the area, and places where they could work.  Even if people that hire them should not, many do."

"Since you are already out here, and have been, want to tell us what you have found out?"

"Sorry ladies, but like you, my work is confidential."

Sky tossed a pebble before she spoke,  "Confidential, not much to hide now Mr. Williams.  We should work together it seems to me."

Bobie gazed at the area where the body had previously been and asked,  "The body, do you think it has some connection to this?"

"Yes, I think it is a possibility.  And before you ask, I also think that the Trenton family is involved in things that are unlawful."

Sky  gazed into Bobie’s eyes as the two women unanimously spoke,  "We kinda got that impression some time back."

"Yes I can see that your accidently running into the clan on the mountain was not a pleasant experience for either of you.   I wonder if you realized at that time you had actually stepped into a viper’s den."

"Oh yes.  I even think a snake would have been friendlier."  Sky sat on the sand and crossed her legs then stared at the man.

"Then you both know that these people make dangerous and illegal treks through the deserts and mountain ranges with the help of a coyote?"

Both women nodded as Bobie settled beside Sky on the sand.  Sky smiled toward the woman before turning her attention to the man once more.  "Tell me, do you suspect Jim Trenton of being a coyote?"

"At this time, I don’t know.  But I have been doing my best to keep him in my sights.  I know he is up to something but have not been able to catch him with any illegal aliens.  He has been making big deposits into his bank account."

"I am surprised to hear you have been around and I wasn’t aware."  Bobie chastised herself.

"We have been undercover, there was no need to involve the local sheriff’s department."

"I doubt Sheriff Burgess would be very happy about this. He has always demanded to be notified of any investigation regarding the law.  As well he also likes to keep track of newcomers to the area."  She kicked at the ground, her boot leaving a track in the sand.

"What Sheriff Burgess doesn’t know won’t hurt him.  Besides I know the trouble your friend Jeanne Randolph had when she first came to town."

"Do you swear you do not know where Jeanne is?"  Sky asked, her eyes locked with the man.

"I swear on my life."

"Then who is this ‘we’ you are talking about?"  Bobie tipped her head to the right and dug her fingers into the warm sand.

"The other person that has been helping me.  You will get the opportunity to meet this person soon."

Sky stood and brushed off her jeans then reached out to give Bobie a hand up.  "Hate to spoil this lovely lesson Mr. Williams, but if we don’t want to be the targets of Jim Trenton’s ire, I suggest we get to moving."

He smiled and nodded.  "Good idea Miss. Richmond, I am ready if the two of you are."

As the three made their way back to the road, it was Sky that remarked,  "Don’t see Mary Trenton."

Red, squinted then replied,  "Probably lying down.  We still have a lot to discuss ladies.  Maybe the rest of the way in, you won’t mind my palavering."

"Nope, I think you are fascinating Mr. Redhawk."  Bobie smiled and hurried to catch up to the man and Sky.  She stopped abruptly when running into Sky’s back.  "What!  Why did you stop?"

Sky pointed toward the pickup and replied,  "Tires look slashed.  I think we have had company."

The three formed a tight circle as they  turned, carefully taking in the area before Redhawk concluded, "Whoever it was, is gone and if I am right, Mary Trenton is too."