As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

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      When Cort arrived with the CSI team, he came by our new room. “Their hard at work, but I brought your new I.D. and Badge. Boy, trouble seems to follow you around, doesn’t it? I see you’ve added to your family?”

      “Yes, this is Rosie O’Claire. We had a little run in with some pickpockets, she was kidnapped by them, but now she’s not.” I said.

      “Yeah, I know. When I left the courthouse, a lawyer was already there, trying to get them sprung. They might even be out by now, so watch yourself. I know a federal judge who might help to straighten out who she belongs to, by the looks of it, I suppose you two want custody of her?”

      I looked at Faith, she nodded, “Yes, you’re right.” I said, “I also believe those two pickpockets are in cahoots with Dipper Tick.”

      “Well, I would say that you were right, since it was him that showed up to try and bail them out.” Cort said, then added as he left, “I’ll keep in touch, you had better be sure and pack your heater with you.”

      I grinned and patted my pocket. I had to smile at Cort’s use of the word ‘heater’. He must of read too many Mike Hammer novels. I looked at the I.D. that Cort had given me, Special Agent, CSI division. For the State of New Mexico. Well I guess they had to put something on there. I still couldn’t understand the why and wherefore of them wanting me to work for them. It just didn’t make sense, I was a nobody.

      I said as much to Faith, “Don’t worry about it Dear,” she said, “they must have their reasons. But we do seem to be right in the middle of things all of the time, don’t we?”

      “Yes, and I’m not sure that I like it. Now take this Charles Hester thing. I think we’re getting into things a bit deeper. Anyway, when we have dinner with them tonight, we can find out a little more I guess.”

      “Sure, but right now Rosie and I are going to get her some new clothes” Faith said, then added, “you can watch Alita, can’t you?”

      Mr. Mom, that’s me. But I really didn’t mind. I changed her diaper then fed her some baby food, then rocked her to sleep. Before they got back, the hotel boy had delivered our belongings from the old room, the CSI team had left.

      This new room had three bedrooms along with three bathrooms. The hotel boy came back with a helper and the crib from our old room. I had him put it in the bedroom that Rosie would be using, she could watch over her at night. That is if Faith would let her.

      They came back loaded down with packages. Rosie’s eyes were beaming. “I have never had so many new clothes, thank you both, so much.” She said.

      “You’re welcome sweetheart,” Faith said. Then to me, “where do you have Alita sleeping?”

      “She’s in the first bedroom, there, on our bed. The boy brought her crib, I had him put it in the next bedroom, I thought Rosie and Alita could sleep in there, is that Okay?”

      “Yes, that is if Rosie wants to sleep in the same room as Alita?” Faith said.

      “Oh yes, that would be perfect, I’d love to.” Rosie said. Then she asked, “Is it okay if I take a shower and change into some of my new clothes?”

      “Of course, we’re supposed to meet the Hester’s for supper. Here in the dinning room of our Hotel, their staying here also.” Faith said.

      “Oh,” Rosie said, “do you think they know I was supposed to be the ‘hand off’?”

      “No, they don’t know that, you’ve done nothing wrong Rosie so don’t worry about it.” I said.

       Faith and I, went to clean up and change clothes also, but of course every time Faith got naked, one thing led to another, per usual.

       Chapter Five

      The Hester’s were already seated when we got there. They weren’t expecting Rosie, but it was no problem, the table was plenty big enough.

      Edith Hester said, “I didn’t know you had another child, she looks a lot like you Faith, that is all except for the red hair.”

      “Yes, doesn’t she though, but I just dyed my hair, you should of seen it before.” Faith said, smiling sweetly.

      Frank and Fern Blake were seated at a table a short ways over. I waived at them, Frank got up and came over. “I heard you had an interesting afternoon. Did you know they were already bailed out?” Frank said.

      “No, but it doesn’t surprise me, these are the people that they tried to rob, Edith and Charles Hester.” They shook hands, I continued, “This is Frank and Fern Blake, he’s the clerk and recorder here in Santa Fe.”

      After some more small talk, Frank went back to his table. I was always somewhat of an introvert; not too good at small talk. Now Faith was just the opposite; an extrovert, at times you couldn’t shut her up, that was fine though, I loved to hear her talk.

      After we had ordered, I said, “Charles, do you know what they were after in your billfold?”

      “Why, money, I suppose.” He said.

      “No, they were after your SS Card and the copy of your birth certificate that you always carry with you.”

      “How in the world did you know what I carry in my wallet?”

      “I’m a special investigator for the State of New Mexico, the police knew, I guess the pickpockets most of told them. They also said that they wanted to get in your safe deposit box. What do you have in there that they might be interested in?”

      “Nothing much, keepsake jewelry, a few mementos from our past, that’s all.” Charles said.

      “Those mementos, could you elaborate on them?” I said.

      “Sure, some of my medal’s from the war, and a copy of a deed, on a Spanish Land Grant that my Great Grandfather gave to me. He sold the Ranch, but the deed isn’t completely worthless, he kept the mineral rights.”

      “Ah, the mineral rights, worth more now than the land that covers them. That was what they were after. Where is this old ranch located?” Faith asked.

      “It was over close to the Brazos Mountains, close to the Chama River Valley. But I believe part of it is in the ‘Edward Sargent State Wildlife Area.’ You can’t drill for oil in there. Unless of course someone changes the rules.” Charles said.

      “Well the way their ignoring the constitution now, I’m sure some crooked politician can overcome that.” Faith said.

      Our food came and food being the more important; our conversation lapsed. Rosie had ordered steak and lobster, she had said that she never had lobster before, so I had told her to order what she wanted. Of course her eyes were bigger than her stomach. Which I knew would be the case, that’s why I had only ordered a small steak, I ended up eating what she couldn’t. I didn’t like to waste food.

      As we were drinking our after dinner coffee, I said to Charles, “I would suggest you not carry those documents with you, I don’t know how they found out that you did carry them in your billfold, but I СКАЧАТЬ