Shaman - the Awakening (14 page)

“Thank you, Nina,” I replied as we buried the subject and went back to the case.

“I have access to the database of the Bureau of Indian Affairs library. It's the best library in the country on Indian Affairs, history and heritage. We can use my laptop, but first I need to get you out of this doom and gloom, Count Dracula. It's raining outside, but that doesn't mean we need to be down about it,” she stated.

“But I enjoy the rain,” I responded.

“Good; then you'll love this place. We're going to find this psycho, so get dressed,” she commanded.

Nina took me to a cabin in the mountains. It was located in a secluded area, high in the mountains, surrounded by the forest. The building had high ceilings and an enormous glass skylight that allowed us to view the rain flooding the glass, like a waterfall. It felt like being on top of the world as we looked out over the tree tops below.

“Whose place is this?” I inquired.

“It's mine. This is where I stay when I'm in town,” she replied.

“Why didn't we just come here instead of the hotel,” I asked?

“I didn't want you to get any false ideas of why we were here or distract you in any way. Most people feel more comfortable when they are on neutral ground,” she replied.

“This place is gorgeous,” I said in amazement.

“Before you get any bright ideas; it didn't cost as much as you might expect. The land was already ours and it's cheap to build cabins out here. Also, my family is old fashioned; as soon as I told them I was in town with a friend, they wanted to know the details. If we had stayed here I would never have heard the end of it. Make yourself at home while I get some firewood from storage. There's Wi-Fi installed, so we can just stay here in the living area near the fireplace. The lighting is better in here,” she said.

Judging by the architecture of this place, Nina was the exact opposite of me when it came to lighting. There was light coming in from everywhere in the cabin. At least we did share a love for the outdoors, but I could never stay in a place like this. It was obvious her astrological guide was the sun, whereas mine was the moon. That's why she constantly wanted the curtains opened and attempted to illuminate whatever area she was in. Asku really enlightened me about some fundamental things that I would normally have missed. They are minute things, but lent great knowledge into someone's psyche. This would assist me in catching this killer as well.

We settled down with a bottle of wine in front of a crackling fire and went to work. It was peaceful here, with no distractions. Nina was on her best behavior. She knew when to get serious and this was that time. She displayed the seriousness I saw back in New Mexico. I think she just liked teasing me because of what happened in the shared dreamscape with Dianna. Now that she was concentrating Nina was a very intelligent, focused, career-driven and accomplished agent. We conducted research with our laptops until sundown. I hadn't thought I would still be in Cherokee for another day, but there I was.

“I'm hungry, what about you?” Nina inquired.

“I could go for something,” I replied.

“Alright; I'm not much of a cook, but my father keeps food in the cabinets and fridge for me. Let me see what I have.” She returned in a couple of minutes. “I have some venison tenderloins I can fix with some rice and vegetables,” she said.

“Sounds great. Do you need some help?” I asked.

“No. You continue with the research. I'll get started in the kitchen and be with you in a little while.”

After prepping the food and placing the tenderloins in the oven, Nina returned with some cheese, marmalade and crackers to hold us until the dinner was ready. We continue with our research, and discovered everything we needed. The Bureau of Indian Affairs' library was very extensive.

We ate dinner by the fireplace a few hours later. It was dark outside now, and time seemed to escape us while researching. Nina didn't give herself enough credit.

“Dinner was marvelous, Nina. Thank you very much, you're an excellent cook.”

“I'm glad somebody think so,” she responded and laughed. “So, how do we proceed from here, Mr. FBI?”

“Please don't start calling me that. You've progressed from calling Mister to Count Dracula to Mr. FBI. Whatever you call me, just don't call me that.”

“Why not?” she asked, smiling.

“It reminds me of the A.D,” I replied.

Her smile faded. “I'm sorry. I definitely will drop that one. You're nothing like him. If it makes you feel any better, the names were all given affectionately.”

“No, it doesn't, but I'll live with it,” I retorted.

“You know, your uncle gave me a Tsalagi name,” I said to Nina.

“Wow, I don't know what you've done to him, but he really does like you. For him to give you a Tsalagi name means he has accepted you into our clan. It is a high and noble honor,” she stated.

“Thank you, and I am honored,” I replied.

“What is your Tsalagi name” she inquired?

“Cheveyo.”

“Welcome to my family, Spirit Warrior,” she replied.

“He also gave me this crystal,” I said, showing her the stone I was wearing around my neck.

“It's our family crystal. Christian, now you belong to the great and noble clan of the Aniyawiya Tribe; wear it with pride.” she said. Then she showed me her own.

“I didn't see the crystal before while we were in our dreams,” I commented.

“No; it can't be seen then. This is your anchor. It makes itself known when you need it, such as when you're in trouble and need to find your way home. It has its own magic which isn't rooted in the spirit realms. This is the magic, or energy, from Mother Earth. Every realm has its own powers. My uncle will teach you this later, and explain it better,” she said.

After dinner we continued conversing about the heritage of the Tsalagi until it was quite late. We agreed to spend the night at the cabin. I informed her that I needed to dreamscape alone tonight, and that I wanted to visit Dianna alone. Nina didn't put up a fight, as she had a lot to absorb. It was apparent that her family had accepted me fully into their clan, but to what extent? I think they still had ideas of her and me being together, but my heart was somewhere else. I called Dianna after assisting Nina with the cleaning. I assured Dianna that Gracie was still alive and that I was leaving in the morning for New Mexico.

I was fresh and invigorated the next morning. I slept like I never had before. This place was good for me; my home State. Nina and her family were good to me as well. I wished we had met under different circumstance. I could see myself being happy with her.

“Shi-yo,” I greeted Nina with a big smile when I saw her.

“Shi-yo, Christian. You're a fast learner. You've picked up all of this without a problem, including the language,” she responded.

“Thank you, but I had some excellent teachers.”

She smiled.” Do you want some breakfast before we leave?”

“Sure; I could eat a horse.”

“We no longer eat those, but I do have rabbit, deer, goat and the occasional road kill possum,” she replied. We both laughed and sat down to a nice bacon and eggs breakfast with coffee, juice and toast. Nina had risen before me and already had the food prepared.

“I scheduled our flights out this morning. The earliest we can leave is at noon. That gives us plenty of time to prepare,” Nina said.

“Nina, I don't know where to begin thanking or repaying you and your family for all you've done for me.”

“You don't have to. You are a part of my family now. This is what family does for each other, but the main objective here was to help Gracie. Hopefully by assisting you, we can catch this psychopath.”

“Thanks again,” I replied.

Before departing we stopped by the Earth Healer's Shop and said good bye to Asku and Kele. I promised Asku that I would return and meet the rest of the family, namely Nina's parents. Then he warned me that I would become lost during my journey, so I should always wear the crystal.

I had spent three days which seemed like an eternity in Cherokee, NC. It felt like I had been caught in a time warp in this serene place, or like I just completed R&R at a spa retreat. Now it was time to get back to the hustle and bustle of the bureaucratic society that we both called home and work. I wasn't looking forward to the complications ahead of me with the A.D., but if I stayed out of his way and channeled my progress through Dianna, I could remain out of jail.

The connecting flight out of Atlanta, Georgia was crowded. Hartsfield International is one of the busiest airports in the Southeast. The plane was packed on the way back to Albuquerque. We sat next to an elderly woman, Mrs. Julia Jerrells, in the three center seats. She was a retiree living in New Mexico and was returning from visiting her son and family in Atlanta, which was the stop over from Asheville, N.C. to Albuquerque. She thought Nina and I was married and made a nice couple. Nina corrected her, but Mrs. Jerrells was persistent and continued her quest in pairing us.

“Marriage is a wonderful thing. I was married for 40 years until my Josh passed away. Don't wait too long, young man. You make such a gorgeous couple. I can see the connection between you.”

We smiled, attempting not to laugh, because she was a sweet elderly lady and a grandmother. She continued to talk about the serial killer and how afraid she and her neighbors were. She didn't have anything to worry about though. The serial killer only abducted young women in their twenties. The partial media attention had most residents in the vicinity of Albuquerque on edge.

I received a text from Steve while in flight:
Chris; I've been reinstated on the case. C u in New Mexico and explain the details. Don't go 2 HQ till we speak.

When we landed at the ABQ International Sunport we assisted Mrs. Jerrells with retrieving her luggage and noticed that there was no one at the airport to meet her. We inquired if she needed a ride. We were on a schedule to catch a killer, but we felt like it was our duty to be sure she arrived home safely

Mrs. Jerrells carefully accepted our offer after examining my face. Our conversation had been very pleasant, but her scrutiny of my face was to confirm my intentions. She was reading it like a map. I guess seniors have seen it all. She probably would make a good profiler with all her knowledge and wisdom. She agreed to wait until Nina rented a vehicle on the GSA Card, then we drove her home. She lived in Los Lunas, a couple of miles south of Albuquerque off Highway 25. Steve texted me again while we were driving Ms. Jerrells home.

Steve: Im in abq r u here?

Chris: Yes, but had 2 driv 2 Los Lunas.

Steve: Let me no wen Ur bck n abq 2 meet.

Chris: ok.

Most people love to text these days like Steve, but I prefer the good old fashioned phone call where you can have a conversation with the person.

“Thank you both so very much for helping an old lady in need. Can I give you something or get you anything for your troubles? I'm in the house alone nowadays and wouldn't be ungrateful for some company.” This was her way of asking if we would check out the house for her, which we did.

Once inside, inspecting the house for intruders; Mrs. Jerrells asked if we would sit with her for a little while. We didn't have the heart to say no. We sat down and drank some tea and watched Jeopardy on the television. It had been a long time since I'd actually sat down and watched T.V. The Tournament of Champions was on with Alex Tribeck. I always wondered if he already knew the answers to the questions – or is it questions to the answers –since contestants have to state the answers in the form of a question. Does the host have to look at the answers on the cards or what? He appeared to be very intelligent.

I managed to sneak in another text to Steve while asking to be excused to the restroom. He agreed to meet us at the Sheraton where we would be staying. After Jeopardy we gave Ms. Jerrells our telephone numbers and departed. We knew that we wouldn't see her again, but it would be nice to check in on her every now and then. Sometimes seniors her age just needed someone to talk to. We were only in New Mexico to catch the serial killer, but she didn't need to know that. Then Mrs. Jerrells said something quite strange to us just before we departed.

“Christian, you should always follow your heart. Have faith in it and it will always guide you in the right direction.” Then she placed Nina's hand within mine. “I need you to journey safely together.”

We talked about what Mrs. Jerrells said to us the whole trip back to Albuquerque. The wisdom of seniors never ceased to amaze me. It was like they have a third eye or something. We met Steve at the bar of the Sheraton.

“Hey Chris.”

“Hello, Steve.”

“Agent Blackwater, how are you?” Steve inquired with a nod of his head.

“Doing well, and you?” Nina replied.

“I'm making it, Nina. I appreciate your continual assistance to our bureau. I'll make sure your superiors know of your vital support. I can assure you a commendation out of this regardless of the outcome. I could use a drink. What are you guys drinking?”

Nina ordered a Grand Mariner, neat, I had a Dos XXX dark and Steve ordered cognac.

“Here's the deal; I've been reinstated and given the case back, but I can't pull you back in with the A.D. over my shoulder. He caused a bit of a rift in D.C. when you walked out on him on medical leave, but I need both of you if we're going to find Gracie and catch this killer. I want you to continue with the investigative work you're doing, but only report to me. I will provide you with whatever you need from the Bureau. I need you to step lightly though. I can't have the Indian Council or others calling the A.D. about anything that you're doing,” Steve stated, then took a sip of his cognac and continued. “So where will you be starting?'

Nina interjected, “We received some collaborating information from Jay Horse that some Hopis in the Navajo Nation had been talking about killings and violence while on Nation Land. This is so irregular for the Hopis, we thought we'd shake some feathers there.”

“Interesting choice of words, Agent Blackwater,” Steve replied.