En route to Double A Industries’ new office in Rapid City, Hawke glanced over at Melina. She tapped away on the keyboard on her laptop, sending reports via email to her office in Minnesota.
The road twisted and turned, but when he approached the Badlands National Park, the scene held his breath.
Hawke thought back to the time of Crazy Horse. Brave and respected by all the people, Crazy Horse lived by four simple principles. Know yourself well. Make sure you know your friends. Above all, know your enemy best. Last but not least, take the lead to prove your strengths. Be the one to go first, to show bravery. Never ask somebody to do something you would not do yourself.
Hawke tried to follow the path of such great leaders of the Lakota, such as Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.
Melina glanced over at him. “What weighs so heavy on your mind?”
He managed a smile. “I try to walk the red road. I give thanks to our Creator. Our ancestors. Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull fought for our people. I wonder if I have walked the same red road.
Melina took his hand. “Hawke, my grandfather has told me of many stories. He taught me about life and its many paths. You have followed the path meant for you. I’m proud of you for keeping true to yourself .”
Hawke nodded. “Go on tell those wise words to me.”
“Grandfather explained the stories hold a purpose. They are told to teach us about our purpose in life and the path we walk. He went on to explain each story an elder tells teaches a virtue, which in the Lakota culture, is essential to our happiness and balances out all things. Remember, all things are related.”
Hawke smiled. “Yes, I remember. I must go visit with Joe Whitehorse real soon.”
“Yes, he would like to see your face around more often .”
Double A Industries came into view. A nice brick building surrounded by expensive cars. Hawke eased into a parking space and turned the engine off. “Okay, here we go.” They walked through an automatic door and into an elaborate building. Stylish, expensive furniture, no doubt chosen by an interior decorator, graced the lobby. The paintings on the wall matched the decor perfectly.
A woman stood from behind a walnut and glass desk. “May I help you?” she asked in cultured, reserved tone.
“Yes, we are here to see Mr. Gentry,” Melina said.
“Who are you, and do you have an appointment?”
“I am Detective Hawke with the Pine Ridge Tribal Police, and this is FBI Agent Wolfe.” Both produced their badges.
“One moment, please.” She gestured toward the black leather seating area. “Have a seat, please. I’ll be right with you.” The woman stood and disappeared down the hallway.
Hawke settled into a leather club chair and glanced around. “Nice place, isn’t it?”
Wolfe nodded as she sat in a matching chair next to him. “Yeah, big companies go all the way.”
Suddenly the woman emerged. “Okay, please follow me.”
They walked down the plush hallway, their footsteps muffled by deep carpeting. Each office had its own matching furniture with the best computer systems.
“This way please.” She opened the door, which led to Mr. Gentry, a balding, barrel-chested man.
Mr. Gentry removed the glasses perched on the end of his nose and stood. “Good morning. Sure is a beautiful day. A little, cool outside but nice for this time of year. So, how can I help you?” He motioned to a pair of high-backed tan leather chairs. “Please, have a seat.” He settled into his office chair.
Hawke spoke as he sat. “Mr. Gentry, I am Detective Hawke, and this is Agent Wolfe. I spoke to you on the phone. We’re investigating the murder of Abby Winters. Did you know her?”
Mr. Gentry frowned. “I know a woman by the name of Amy Winters, but I cannot say I know Abby Winters. Why are you asking me?”
Melina leaned forward in her chair. “We know your company proposed to buy some land Ms. Winters tried to protect. A long, sticky battle ensued. Arguments. Threats. Legal hassles. Resentments ran hot for a while. One wonders what drastic measures your company would take to stop the person causing your company a problem.”
Mr. Gentry stood, his jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. “I advise you to watch your tongue. Yes, we wanted that land, but we never bought it. We decided against it because the asking price was too high. My company would never resort to harming anybody for any reason. I resent your implication we could have anything to do with this young woman’s murder. Double A Industries is a respected company.”
Hawke glanced at Melina. He hated how they had to be so blunt at times. “We’re sorry to have upset you, but you must understand we have to speak to everybody that might know something. Your company came to our attention during our investigation. For that reason, we have to make sure every tip and suspicion is checked. We hope you can understand.”
Mr. Gentry sat back down, picked up a cigar, and snipped it with a silver blade. “Yes, I do understand. More so than you think. I have a daughter of my own, and I love her. This is my company, and I know everything that goes on. I would not allow such horrific things like that to happen.”
“Are you sure you never met Abby Winters?”
He lit his cigar and took a deep drag. “Positive.”
Melina stood. “Thank you for your time.” She offered her.
Mr. Gentry accepted. “Let me know if I can be of any further help. Whoever murdered this young lady needs to pay for it and give some closure if there is any to be had.”
Hawke nodded. “We intend to make sure whoever is responsible pays.”
They turned and exited the office. Hawke pressed his hand to the small of Melina’s back and whispered as they walked down the hallway. “Are you, satisfied with Mr. Gentry and his answers? Satisfied there’s no way he or his company stooped to the level of murder?”
“Yes. Yes, for now, I am.”
They remained quiet as they got in the car. Hawke fastened his seatbelt, as Wolfe jotted some things in her notebook. “How about you, Hawke? What’s your feeling?”
“Well, I feel Mr. Gentry was being honest.”
Wolfe fastened her seatbelt. “Yeah, I do, too. His company had nothing to do with this murder.”
“Yeah, but I have a good idea who did. I thought it was very convenient Ian’s friends and family were too busy to speak to us. Now, he’s on the run or hiding out. He holds the answers to our questions. I’m sure of it.”
Wolfe nodded. “Ian Guidara convinced Amy Winters that he loved her daughter, when all the while he was a drug dealer who did not care about anything—or anyone.”
“Melina, we must find Ian. I’ve asked the Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies to search for him. He has to be close.”
Wolfe nodded. Suddenly, a butterfly landed on the window. It was beautiful, but strange for this time of year. The body covered in black with blotches of orange sprinkled over its entire length.
Hawke noticed the smile on Melina’s face as she watched the butterfly perching on the window.
“Thinking of something wonderful, I hope
Melina turned to him and replied, “Oh, yes it is. My grandfather’s words about the butterfly and how it symbolizes change in your life. My change is coming. You are my change. I love you.”
They embraced. “You are the beat of my heart, Melina.” He kissed her hair, her cheek, her neck before covering her lips with his. When he ended the kiss, they paused in their embrace, watching the butterfly flutter into the wooded area along the building. A sign change was coming in both of their lives and in the lives of the family members of Abby Winters.