Treasure of the Anasazi Page 7

  “There’s more?” Sam asked in disbelief.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  We got up and headed to the kitchen.

  “What’s that smell?” I whispered to Sam.

  As we went through the doorway, “Oh, one of my favorites, liver and onions,” said Emitt.

  Sam and I exchanged a look.

  “It smells great, Barb,” said Sam. “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.”

  “Oh, no trouble. We don’t get company very often. I’m glad you could stay.”

  Emitt said the blessing, and we proceeded to dig in. I cut my liver into small pieces and used a generous amount of ketchup. It seemed to help, some. Sam followed my example. Barb noticed our lack of appetite.

  “I’m sorry. I should have asked. Did you two already eat?” asked Barb.

  “No, ma’am. We’re just not very hungry. We’ve got our minds on other things,” I said.

  “Well, if you’re not going to eat it, I will.” Emitt reached over and stuck his fork into several pieces of my liver and placed it back on his plate.

  We sat there politely exchanging small talk until Emitt and Barb were finished with their meal.

  “That was real good, Ma. I’m going to take these two back into the living room. We still have some things to talk over. Leave those dishes. I’ll help you wash them later.”

  “With your arm? I don’t think so. You go on. Get!”

  Emitt was smiling as we sat down.

  “I’m not sure how long I can milk this. I know one of these days I’m going to pay for it. But until then…, so are you ready to hear the rest of the story.”

  “Whenever you are,” said Sam.

  “I believe I was telling you about Gustaf. As you might guess, the Indian Agent at the time, Bartholomew, was also aware of the Anasazi. With Gustaf and others poking around all over the place, he became concerned that they would be found. There had already been complaints about Gustaf from some of the locals over the removal of artifacts for shipment overseas. So Bartholomew came up with a plan that he hoped would encourage Gustaf to leave. He notified the U.S. Commissioner that Gustaf was destroying the cliff-dwellings and desecrating Anasazi graves. A warrant was issued for Gustaf’s arrest, and once located was placed under temporary house arrest at the Strater Hotel in Durango. Politics soon became involved and the charges were dismissed. The plan worked. Discouraged by the whole incident and after a couple more weeks of photographing the cliff dwellings, he was ready to leave and the secret of the Anasazi was safe once again. To prevent this from happening again, the park was created on the land. After that it became a Federal crime to remove any artifacts.”

  “It’s quite a story,” I said. “It’s a miracle the Anasazi have remained hidden and a secret this long. I’ve been exploring the four corner area for a long time, and I’ve never heard of this place or had any idea that they were there.”

  “That was the idea.”

  Sam sat silently, appearing dumbfounded. I knew exactly what was running through her mind. I may not have believed it either if I hadn’t seen the village in person.

  “Are you all right?” I asked her.

  “Fine. I’m just having trouble taking it all in.”

  “Since you’re already involved, you needed to be told. Now you know the secret of the Anasazi and I’m depending on you to be just as protective of them as I am. If you see or hear anything that would endanger them, let me know. Now, tell me, do you think those men are a threat?”

  “According to Sarah they are. They’re the ones that shot you, and it wasn’t an accident. Evidently you were getting too close to them during their search,” I said.

  “She must have been mistaken. I still think it was just an accident,” said Emitt.

  “She’s positive,” I said.

  “Okay. Suppose it was intentional. Do you have any idea where these men are right now?”

  “No,” I said, “but I spent the afternoon in Durango looking for them.”

  “You know what they look like?” asked Emitt.

  “Sarah described them to me. This may be a dumb question, but have you met Sarah?” I asked.

  “Yes, I know Sarah. I’ll tell you right now she’s not who or what you think she is.”

  “That’s an odd thing to say,” I said. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’d rather not say right now,” said Emitt. “If I did you’d think I was crazy.”

  Sam interrupted. “When am I going to get to see the village?”

  “Maybe Jack could take you and introduce you to Sarah.”

  “I’d rather you took me,” said Sam, “or is there some reason I shouldn’t go alone?”

  “I’m not really up to travel just yet, and it’s not a good idea for you to go alone. It could be dangerous if someone out there is shooting people, and I don’t think you could find the village by yourself. There is another danger out there that neither of you know about yet. Don’t ever approach the village unless Sarah is with you. Promise me.”

  “Sure, Emitt,” we both answered, puzzled. He was being mysterious. After everything he had told us, what else could be out there?

  “So, will you take me?” she asked me.

  “Sure. No problem. I’ll give you a call in a day or two. First, I’m going to get with Rudy, and we’ll make a thorough search in and around town for those two. They’re the most immediate concern. I did leave a radio with Sarah in case they show up again.”

  “Jack, she can’t use the radio,” said Emitt.

  “I showed her how. I think she’ll be able to handle it.”

  “It’s not that. She can’t use the radio because… she’s a ghost.”

  Emitt was pulling my leg. I smiled.

  “Oh, come on. I talked with her. She showed me the village. She’s as real as you are.”

  “No, she’s not. Think about it. Did you ever see her eat or drink anything?”

  “No.”

  “Did the two of you touch or shake hands?”

  “No, come to think of it, I don’t believe we did.”

  “You said you left her with a radio. Did she take the radio from you?”

  “No. I thought that was kind of strange. She wouldn’t take it from me directly. So, I just hung it on the fence post as I was leaving.”

  “It took me a while to figure it out myself. The thing is that she hasn’t come to grips with it yet,” admitted Emitt.

  “How is it that you figured it out but she hasn’t? It’s been ten years since she went missing. In that amount of time, she hasn’t figured it out?

  “I’m not sure she knows what happened.”

  “I don’t see how, but then I don’t even believe in ghosts.”

  “I didn’t either at first. I guess she told you her story of how she had an accident and was rescued and they took care of her until she was better.”

  “Yeah, she told me,” I said.

  Sam sat in silence trying to digest everything she had just heard. This was just too much.

  “They did try to help her but it was too late.”

  “What do you mean it was too late? You mean she died?”

  “Yes. That’s exactly what I mean, but her spirit still lives on with them. You’re a witness of that. She remains with the Anasazi, and they recognize her presence and treat her as one of their own. She has found a place as their mouthpiece to people like me, whenever necessary. And now that includes you.”

  “Is she trapped there, in the Restricted Area?” asked Sam.

  “I don’t know, but I don’t think so. I think she has taken on the role of protector because they tried to save her. That’s just a guess of course.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her. Can anyone see her?” asked Sam, sounding excited about meeting a ghost. It wasn’t the reaction I had expected.

  “I don’t know, but I think she has the ability to let herself be seen. What I do know is that she doesn’t sleep. She’s the first to know if anyone comes close to the a
rea. That’s probably how she saw the men that shot me,” said Emitt. “She spends every evening walking the perimeter of the Restricted Area, keeping an eye on what goes on around the village. I guess you could say she’s on patrol.”

  “If she doesn’t sleep, drink or eat and she doesn’t know what she is, I’d say she’s in denial,” I said.

  “Show some compassion,” said Sam. “I think it’s sad.”

  “Yeah, I guess it is,” I said. “Well, I think it’s time for me to take off. I’ll talk to you both later. I’ll let you know if I get any info on those guys.”

  “Are you going to ask Joe for his help?” asked Sam.

  “No. I told Sarah I wouldn’t. At least not yet. What would I tell him? I have an eyewitness to the shooting and she’s a ghost?”

  “Good point.”

  “Emitt, before we leave I have one more question for you. Can you think of anyone besides the government that might know about the Anasazi?”

  “I only know of one other individual. Why?”

  “You said that the Indian Agent at the time of the dedication knew about the Anasazi. Wouldn’t it figure that the secret could have been passed along from Agent to Agent much the same way it has been between Rangers?”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it, but it does make sense.”

  Sam and I wished Emitt a quick recovery and thanked Barbara for the meal before leaving.

  * * *

  Emitt picked up the telephone receiver and dialed.

  “George, this is Emitt. We’ve got a situation.”

  Chapter Eight

  Last night I called Rudy and asked if he could help me out today. I knew he would probably already have plans. His guide business was typically in high demand this time of year. Without any hesitation he offered to do whatever he could to help, no questions asked. I’ve always been able to count on him, but I would have understood if he had said he was booked up. He agreed to come by this morning so I could explain.

  I was anxious to get into town to start looking for the two men Sarah had described. If they were responsible for shooting Emitt, I would do everything in my power to find them. They had to be stopped before anyone else was harmed.

  Rudy would be pulling up the drive any time now. With his help I was sure we’d have a good chance of finding them, if they were still around. And it was good to know Rudy would have my back if we ran into them and things turned nasty. He seemed to enjoy situations like that and had a knack of coming out on top.

  I heard a car coming up the drive. I looked out the kitchen window to see it was Rudy’s ‘50 Chevrolet, top down. I smiled to myself. There was still a little bite in the air, too much for me to have been riding around with the top down. A few seconds later I heard the front door open and slam shut. Rudy briskly walked into the kitchen where I was sitting, having my morning coffee.

  “A bit cool this morning to have your top down isn’t it?” I asked.

  “Are you kidding? It’s great. Nothing like it to get the blood flowing.” He stretched his arms wide. “You were a little vague on the phone last night. What’s up?”

  “Care for a cup of coffee?”

  “No, thanks anyway.” He grabbed one of the table chairs, turned it around and straddled it with his arms folded along its back. “So, what’s our plan for today?”

  “We need to find a couple of men.”

  “Okay. Anyone in particular or will any two men do?”

  “You’re just full of it this morning aren’t you? They may be the ones who shot Emitt.”

  “Really? The poachers?”

  “No. They weren’t poachers and it was no accident.”

  “And how did you find that out?”

  “An eyewitness.”

  “You’re kidding. In the middle of nowhere? And they’re just now coming forward?”

  “It’s a little more complicated than that.”

  “Who is it?”

  “You’re not going to believe me, but I’m going to tell you anyway. It can’t go any further than this table. Agreed?”

  “You know better than to ask that. Of course. You have my undivided attention.”

  I explained to Rudy everything that I’d been through over the last couple of days.

  “I’ve been near the Restricted Area lots of times, and I’ve never seen anyone out there either,” said Rudy, “but you, in one day, saw an entire lost civilization and a ghost. I don’t know whether to be jealous or have you committed. So, how come you’re just now calling me?”

  “Everything has been happening so fast and I didn’t want to bother you unless I had to.”

  “You know better than that. All you had to do was ask.”

  “I know and that’s why I held off ‘til now. So, now that you’re on board, why don’t we go on into town? Yesterday, I must have gone to every bar and pool hall in town. You got any ideas on where else to look?”

  “If you missed any, it’s a little early to try them now. Why don’t we drive by the motels? We can check with the clerks, see if they know of a couple men traveling together that fit your descriptions. If not now, maybe recently. We may need to go by this evening too, you know, different clerks.”

  “That actually sounds like a good idea.”

  “You seem surprised. I do get lucky once in a while.”

  We headed into town in Rudy’s car with the condition he put the top up. We spent the better part of the morning checking out motels in the downtown area without any luck. After lunch we’d check out those that were left on the outskirts of town.

  “Do you want to go back out to my place to grab a bite?” I asked.

  “There’s no sense in that. Let’s just stop in up here at Casa Martinez. My treat.”

  “You feel okay?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “You haven’t offered to pay since …, actually, I can’t remember.”

  “You’d better watch what you say, or I’ll take back my offer.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’ll savor every bite.”

  We pulled up to the restaurant just before noon. The lunch crowd had already begun to arrive. The waitress led us to a booth back in the corner, near the kitchen. With my back to the kitchen I had a full view of the inside of the eatery. A couple of men caught my attention at a table near the front window. I must have been staring because one of the men noticed and glared back. I glanced away as the waitress handed us our menus and set down two glasses of ice water. I continued to peek over the top of the menu. These men seemed to fit the description of the ones we were looking for.

  “I think we just got a break. Look over there, next to the window.”

  I motioned with my head in their direction.

  “Where?” Rudy asked, turning to look.

  “Those two guys eating together. I think they may be the ones we’re looking for. One has the slicked back black hair, and the other guy is a big fellow with long, sandy hair.”

  I motioned for the waitress to come back over.

  “Are you boys ready to order?”

  “Not just yet. Let me ask you a question …,” I looked at her name stitched into her uniform, “…Darla.” I whispered, “There are a couple of men in a booth next to the front window. Have you ever seen them before?”

  She looked over her shoulder.

  She whispered back, “Maybe, I don’t know. So, you ready to order yet or what?”

  “Yeah, in a minute,” I said. She frowned and stuck her ticket book back into the front pocket of her apron.

  Rudy called after her, “Miss, could you go ahead and bring us some chips and salsa?” “What’s up?” asked Rudy. “I was ready to order. I’m hungry.”

  Just then a third man joined them.

  “And then there were three. I think I’ve seen that guy around town. Take a look. Isn’t he a local guy?”

  “Sure. I don’t really know him, but I know who he is and so do you. His name is Benny Doyle. He was a year behind us in high school. I think he dropped out of
school.”

  “Oh, yeah. Now I remember.”

  “As far as I know he never finished. Now, he just does odd jobs around town, when he’s not trying to hustle someone.”

  “I wonder what business he would have with our two friends?”

  “Whatever it is, it can’t be good. What do you want to do now?”

  “Let’s just sit tight. We’ll leave when they do and follow them.”

  “Then what?”

  “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Let’s play it by ear.”

  Darla, the waitress, came back to the table with the chips and salsa.

  “Can I get you boys something else to drink?”

  “Just water for me.”

  “Water’s fine,” said Rudy.

  “You let me know when you’re ready to order.” She wrote onto our ticket as she walked away.

  “We don’t have time to eat,” I told Rudy. “It looks like they’re getting ready to leave now.”

  “C’mon Jack. I’m starving. Did you forget I said I was buying?”

  “We’ll pick something up later. We need to know where these guys are going.”

  “Yeah, I know. At least I got a few chips.”

  Darla came back over, “You boys decide?”

  “I think we’ll just take the ticket.”

  “But you didn’t order.”

  “Something’s come up, but here’s a little something for the chips and salsa and for wasting your time.” I handed her a few dollars. “Sorry, but we need to go. C’mon Rudy,” I said, as I scooted out of the booth and stood up. Rudy bundled a handful of chips into a napkin. The larger man glared at us as we walked to the door. I smiled and waved.

  “Trouble maker,” said Rudy.

  We hurried out to Rudy’s car, sat and waited.

  “I hope you realize you just missed out on a free meal?”

  “You mean no rain check?”

  Less than five minutes later the door to the restaurant opened, and all three stepped out into the sunlight. They stood talking for awhile, then Benny held out his hand for a handshake. Neither of the two accepted, but the shorter man poked Benny repeatedly in the chest before both strangers turned and walked away. Benny stood motionless, staring after the two men for a few seconds. He was obviously upset over their meeting, kicking up a small cloud of dirt. Noticeably talking to himself, he turned and walked to his car, parked on the opposite side of the parking lot.