Autumn brought beautiful changes to Mother Earth. The leaves had started to turn. Vibrant red, orange, and browns dotted the landscape. The month of October, or Moon of Falling Leaves. Soon, snow would blanket Mother Earth and seal the surroundings with beauty from each flake of snow covering the earth.
On this afternoon, Hawke sat in his SUV in front of Amy Winters’ house, waiting for Agent Wolfe. His gaze swept over the property. Orange and yellow flowers lined pebbles lined the pebbled walkway to the modern home. He stared off into another realm of existence to prepare himself for this chore, asking for wisdom and strength. His heart would ache until the mystery was solved. He promised his ancestors justice for this slain girl.
Agent Wolfe was picking up her grandfather, Joe Whitehorse in order that healing rite, Yuwipi, could be performed if Amy Winters so desired.
The black SUV pulled up. Agent Wolfe sat beside her grandfather. He had brought many babies into the world, including Abby Winters. The elder’s heart, although heavy, would be strong.
Detective Hawke stepped out of his vehicle, throwing a hand up at Joe Whitehorse.
“Hello my friend, how have you been?”
Joe Whitehorse nodded. “My friend, Hawke, I am fine. How have you been? Keeping yourself scarce will cause more distance from your soul.”
“I have been better, my friend. Working hard most of the time. I promise I will get over to visit with you soon.” Hawke glanced away, not wanting to reveal his heart to this wise elder.
Did the elder know Hawke still loved his granddaughter? “One must speak the truth from his heart before he can say he is in total peace.” Joe turned and headed toward the house, leaving Hawke and Wolfe staring at one another. His words rang true.
A blush kissed Melina’s beautiful cheeks. He wanted to embrace her, but now was not the time, nor the place. Now the time to do right by Abby, the young woman whose life had been brutally snuffed out by some evil person.
Hawke pressed his palm to the small of Melina’s back to escort her up the walkway. Joe strolled along as if his remarks hadn’t shaken both of the younger adults. Joe was at peace with himself, so he could see things others could not, especially regarding things of the heart.
“Maybe we should listen to the wise old man. His words have some meaning.” Hawke said.
Melina smiled as she gazed up at Hawke. Perhaps, her heart told her the same thing, but her pride and stubbornness prevented her from following through. Her stubbornness had been a real problem for them over the years. Nevertheless, if Hawke were honest, his pride and stubbornness were as strong. Would they ever find their way back to each other? Would their love, trampled down by painful events and willfulness, ever soar?
Hawke reached past Joe and knocked on the door. The unlatching of the locks indicated somebody was home. As the door opened, the fragile woman appeared. Reddened eyes indicated she’d been crying. Graying hair revealed the many worries this mother had faced during her life.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Winters. I have some news in reference to your daughter, Abby. I have brought Agent Wolfe and her grandfather, Joe Whitehorse. May we come in?”
Her hand fluttered to her throat The expression on her face revealed she already knew what the outcome would be. They sat on the couch. Pictures of Abby, a child obviously loved very much, dotted the walls. Hawke knew her to be an outgoing young woman with a sweet and gentle spirit, known for her stops at the library, reading to the young kids.
The distraught mother twisted her hands. She sat and then stood, as if her soul already reeled and she fought the untold news and couldn’t sit still. “So, you have news about my Abby?”
“Yes.” Melina took a deep breath as if to bolster herself. “We are sorry to have to tell you this, but the body found at Eagle Nest Butte was Abby’s.”
A wounded sound escaped from the mother’s lips. A sound of pain crawling from the depths of her soul. Hawke wrapped his arm around her shaking shoulders, as if he could infuse her with a measure of his strength. Then he nodded for Melina to continue.
“We found a medicine wheel keychain and a feather by the body. A single key hung on the key chain.” She extended the item. “Did you ever see Abby with anything like this, and do you know what the key could go to?”
Sobs filled the room. “Ye…yes, Abby’s keychain had a medicine wheel with several feathers attached to it. She made it herself.” Amy stopped sobbing and swiped the tears from her cheeks. “The key…I do not know what it’s for.”
Amy stepped to the window and peeked out. A giant sob shook her whole body. Her voice was hollow when she spoke. “My child murdered. Why? Why did this happen? Who would have killed such an innocent girl? My Abby surrounded herself with kindness.”
“Ms. Winters, can you tell us of anybody who would want to harm your daughter? Friends, co-workers, anybody come to mind?” Hawke questioned.
“No, nobody. If you had known Abby well, you would understand. Everybody loved her . She had no enemies.”
“Amy, I know this is hard for you and believe me, we are all sorry for your loss. But we must ask questions so we can find who harmed her.”
Amy turned from the window and snatched a tissue from a nearby box. “Yes. Yes, I understand. Ask me whatever you need to, so I can help” She blotted her eyes and blew her nose.
“Think back over the last few weeks or months. Do you have any idea why somebody would want to harm her? What about anybody from Double A Industries?” Melina asked.
Amy Winters looked stunned. “No, I have no idea who would want to hurt her. She’s full of life and kind to everybody. As far as Double A Industries, they decided not to even build because they ran out of money.”
“Well, what about old boyfriends? Rumor has it she was dating Ian Guidara at the time of her death?” Detective Hawke asked.
“Well, she dated Ian.” Amy nodded. “He’s her boss, but they got along well. Ian is a good man. He helped me search for her when I reported her missing. He did more than the police did. I have no idea who could have done this. Why must the police focus on the people who loved her when they should be looking at other things which could help them solve this terrible murder?”
“I hate to hear you feel this way about the police, but we have procedures to follow. Thank you for speaking with us. If you can think of anybody else or anything no matter how small, please contact us. We are sorry for your loss. We will solve this for Abby. Her death will not go in vain.” Hawke handed her his card and then headed for the door.
Melina stood. “Ms. Winters, my grandfather, would like to offer some spiritual guidance.” She paused but then continued, “As you know, he is a wise and respected medicine man. He can guide you through this bad time and help you to accept what cannot be changed.”
Ms. Winters nodded , tears cascading down her face. The poor woman needed some peace in her life. This wise elder and medicine man, whom she had known all her life, would give her inner hope and strength to travel the path that lay before her .
Hawke asked. “Amy, may we stay for the ceremony?”
Amy nodded and held out her arms for Hawke. He knew at this moment where Abby received her sweet and gentle nature: from her mother. They stood with their arms around each other’s waist.
Joe Whitehorse stepped forward. “I have come to perform Yuwipi. It is to help to see things you cannot understand, and to help with your loss of such a precious child. I also want to perform the keeping of the soul ceremony, Nagi Gluhapi Wa Nagi Gluxkapi, which is a ceremony for spiritual healing. It will help Abby to cross over into the spirit world, and it will help you to accept her passing and get closure.” He opened the bag he’d brought with him and took out the tools for the rites.
The ceremony began with smudging rites. Joe Whitehorse pick up the sweet grass, placed it in the shell, and lit it. The smell of burning sweet grass filled the room. He circled the area, chanting and singing songs, as he addressed his helping spirits.
. Joe walked toward Amy. “Please stand still while I smudge you with the spirits watching. It is very important for them to see you are willing to release your daughter for them to take care of.”
After the ceremony ended, Hawke and Melina hugged Amy before stepping out of the house. By silent agreement, they wanted to give some privacy to the wise elder and the mother of Abby Winters. The sacred ceremony in honor of Abby had been performed with the greatest of respect, and now, hopefully she would have some peace. Hawke believed, however, her spirit would remain upon this Earth until the killer met his demise or was prosecuted. Without warning, a slight breeze enveloped the area in which Hawke stood. He recognized the presence of Abby Winters’ spirit.
When Joe Whitehorse stepped outside, Hawke asked if he felt Amy had some closure.
Joe clasped his gnarled hand on Hawke’s shoulder. “The healing ceremony helps the family, to some degree, to accept their loss. Yes, I feel it helped Amy. She will continue to mourn, but with a measure of understanding. I also performed the keeping of the soul ceremony. With this, I knew some closure would come to Amy Winters as well as her daughter, Abby. I felt a sense of peace and acceptance as I left this home filled with pain.” Joe glanced over his shoulder at Amy’s front door. “I’ve done all I can do for now. In some ways, the suffering is on my shoulders, too.” He exhaled a deep sigh. “I will pray for the spirits to help us all deal with such a loss. The damage this violent death has caused the people could linger forever.
Joe climbed into the black SUV, smiling at his granddaughter. Hawke stooped to look at the elder, who wound down the window.
“I am happy to have you here helping my granddaughter. Hear my words, both of you. Love only comes once in a lifetime, so you two had better wise up, or you will lose one another. The problem in this day and time is the young ones never realize what they have until it is gone. You had best listen to this old fart, or you will lose one another. I will not speak of this again.”
He closed his eyes, but revealed a smile as his head eased back against the seat.
Hawke stared at Melina, who wore an expression of shock and annoyance.
“Got to go, Hawke. I will meet with you tomorrow morning at the police station, and we will start our hunt with Ian Guidara.” She focused straight ahead, as she spoke, as if afraid or too shy to make eye contact then sped away.
Stunned and speechless, Hawke would have to make his stand if he did not want to lose the love of his life. His heart belonged to Melina Wolfe, and her wise grandfather helped him to see if you want something, go after it. After all, true love only comes but once in a lifetime. He would make Melina understand. He could tell she still loved him, but she allowed her pride overtake her feelings. He would be man enough to show her he was not too proud to say I love you.
Hawke strolled toward his parked car, thinking of Joe’s words of wisdom. The elder was right as always. Now he would have to convince Melina their love had stood the test of time. He offered a prayer for guidance, “Great Spirit, please give me an indication I am doing the right thing by telling Melina what resides deep within me.”
Hawke would wait for the sign from the spirits before approaching Melina. He thought it would take a while, but as he turned his vehicle around he noticed a red-tailed hawk sitting on wooden post. He kept his gaze on it as he drove away. Without warning, the hawk lifted off its perch and crossed his path, giving him a dark, piercing stare. The sign revealed his path. It was time for him to reveal his feelings to the only woman he had ever loved, even if it meant he would lose her forever.