Hawke sat in his office, combing through files when DeShay walked in. “Every day you look worse. I’m worried about you, my friend. Are you sleeping? If you don’t take care, you could harm yourself.”
He laid the files on his desk. “I’ll be okay. This is just a rough time with the murder investigation. Enough about me. How’s your dig going?”
DeShay smiled. “I’ve found numerous artifacts I believe date back one hundred years. I’m employing the rates of accumulation technique which uses stratigraphy to determine the age of the artifacts.”
Hawke gawked, amazed what the rocks and dirt that cover Mother Earth could tell. “So, how does that work ?”
DeShay settled on the corner of his desk. “The basic principle of rate of accumulation is based on the geologic theory that the layers of rock on the earth accumulate over time. So, the deeper the layer, the older the artifact. In archeology, the artifacts are the basis on which the rate of accumulation is determined over time. So, deeper the artifact, the older it is.”
“Amazing. No wonder you display satisfaction with your work.”
DeShay smiled, eyes sparkling. “The dig’s not the only reason for my good mood. I’m also happy to say I’ve been given the opportunity to teach some of the younger generation from the college soon.”
“Well, that is good news. Your work is very important to all of us.”
“Thank you. Your kind words warm my heart. I love my job, and it helps to know others appreciate the hard work I do.”
His phone rang. “Excuse me,. Homicide Department, Detective Hawke speaking.”
Silence filled the space. The noise of cars in the background filled the earpiece. The line went dead. Hawke hung up. “Wrong number, I guess.” He tapped the phone with a finger, wondering. Was it a wrong number? Or somebody trying to tell him something, who had become scared when they heard his voice.
Clacking heels coming down the hallway drew his attention to the doorway. Could it be Melina?
The woman who held his heart stood in the doorway. Her beauty, dark eyes, and smile took his breath away. He would have to tell her his feelings and soon.
“Good morning. Have you had any luck in finding an address for Ian Guidara?”
Hawke smiled, hoping his feelings didn’t show. “Matter of fact, I have. He lives in Cactus Flat. We could be there in less than an hour.”
Melina tugged on the lapels of her navy blazer. “Great, let’s get going.”
Hawke got up from his desk, walked over to the window, and gazed at the sacred mountains. “DeShay, we will be back soon. Are you going back to the site to resume work on your dig? If so, please have your cell phone with you because I need to speak to you later, if that’s okay?”
DeShay glanced from Hawke to Melina and nodded. “Yes, I’m going back to the site, so just call me or come by.”
***
The drive to Cactus Flat proved delightful. Not only did it give Hawke the chance to spend time with Melina, but also the scenery whizzing by was beautiful. The sun beamed down upon Mother Earth. The landscape mesmerized this time of year. The many different scenes astounded one. Hills, valleys, and mountains as far as the eye could see, with puffy clouds swirling around the azure sky.
Hawke wondered, as the vehicle tracked on, if they were getting closer to the truth about who could be involved in this hideous crime.
Glancing out the window, Hawke noticed a herd of wild buffalo roaming the land. All animals were sacred, but the buffalo were a sign of prayer and abundance. Nearly wiped out long ago, now, the buffalo roamed the land free, again, grazing as they desired.
The silence between them left the mind to roam and watch the landscape. Suddenly a hawk soared high in the sky. The hawk teaches you to be observant. Then a white wolf emerged from a thicket nearby. The pathfinder, sharing a sense of family.
“Melina, look! We have been blessed today. The Creator has sent us many sacred animals for us to see on our journey.”
Melina glanced up. “Well, we shall be lucky. Seeing the buffalo, the hawk, and the wolf in the same day is a sign of good fortune and love.”
Hawke smiled. “So, do you think we will have such luck with love, huh? I hope your grandfather is right.” Melina stiffened at his remark, and he reached over and grabbed her hand.
She pointed to the side of the road. “Pull over now, Hawke. We must talk.”
He eased the vehicle to the shoulder, shoved it into Park, and faced her.
She glared at him for several seconds, and then he pulled her close. “I can no longer hide my feelings, Melina. You know everything is considered sacred, sent to us by the Great Mystery, including our feelings. I feel our love is meant to be. We’ve been drawn together again, and our hearts feel the same pain. Are we to deny our love once more? My kokipa, fear, is we will choose our work over our love. I want you to become my mitawin.” His wife. “Let’s walk the same path together.”
She kept her eyes locked on his , and he trailed a fingertip down her soft cheek.
She leaned into him, placing a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Hawke. Am I mistaken, or did you just ask me to marry you? My heart wants this more than anything does. Are you sure, this is what yours tells you to do? Can our relationship work?”
Hawke placed his lips on hers, gentle sipping kisses to taste her sweetness. He kissed her forehead then claimed her mouth again. His lips rested against hers when he whispered, “You are my life. Without you, there is a void. Yes, we can make this work as long as both our hearts are one.” He’d never been more sure of anything than of the rightness of them…together…forever.
“I am full of joy.” Tears streamed down her face. “Hawke, my heart is one with yours. It always has been, but when my parents died I did not know what to do, so I shut out everybody who cared for me. Can you forgive me?”
“There is nothing to forgive. You are here now, and we will become one. You needed time to sort things out. Now is our time and it will be. The Creator has brought us back together, and we will make it.”
They held each other for a short while, gazing out the window under the watchful, piercing eye of the red-tailed hawk, the white wolf, and the giant buffalo. From time to time, they shared a kiss and gentle words of love, both at peace with the decisions made.
“My love, I’d sooner keep you in my arms, but we have a duty to our people.” Melina nodded and Hawke placed his seat belt back on, turned the key, and continued the drive to Cactus Flat to speak to Ian Guidara.
He kept his thoughts about the investigation to himself. He didn’t want her hurt by too much concern over solving the case. He could tell already the situation pressed on her tender heart. If Ian Guidara had killed Abby, he prayed they could prove it.
Otherwise, Melina would let it haunt her for the rest of her life. She took her job very seriously. From what he’d heard, she worked endless to solve the cases the FBI assigned to her. Hawke vowed he would solve this murder and get justice for all involved. He would protect the woman he loved from worrying too much and assist her in her deep determination to solve the murder.
DeShay was one key he would use to help with this investigation. She could see into the future and reveal things that would help. She would not interfere, but would help if invited.