CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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Rainhorse woke to the smell of baking bread.  It was six o’clock. Neha was still lying beside him, fast asleep.  He slipped out of bed and pulled up a pair of sweatpants. He walked softly to avoid waking Neha.

He walked into the kitchen where he saw Lindsay, dressed in one of his t-shirts. It hung on her so loosely, he thought it may very well fall off her shoulders. Though her straightened, dyed hair and darkened makeup had given her a Cheyenne appearance, her creamy white legs and arms would have exposed her for white instantly. Her legs were thin, tight and shapely. Lindsay was stunning as a sixteen-year-old, but even more so today as she blossomed into womanhood.

“You can cook?” Rainhorse asked.

“Good morning to you, too, sunshine,” she replied. “I have coffee on.”

“You made two pots?”

“Yep, one for you that has double the coffee grounds. I started two hours ago so it would be good and stout, and the other for Neha and I—regular coffee, fresh.”

“You remembered,” he said.

She nodded, “I did. As to the cooking, I can follow simple directions and manage a few things. Does that surprise you?”

“A little. Don’t you have maids at home for that sort of thing?”

“I live on a ranch, Jackson,” she replied. “My mother insisted on giving me the full ranch experience over the last couple of years—no maids, no butlers . . .”

“Just bodyguards,” Rainhorse finished.

“Yep, and I hate them,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate them personally. They are nice men. I just hate the ‘idea’ of bodyguards.”

“Don’t worry. Barnabas will be caught one day,” Rainhorse said. “Then there will be no need for such protection.”

“I hope so,” Lindsay said. “I just want to be a normal student. Bodyguards are a real buzzkill in social situations.”

“I can well imagine.”

“So, how did the Wakanpi go last night. Did she bring you back to life? Or did she finish you off?”

Rainhorse froze momentarily, “It went very well, thank you,” he managed to say.

“I noticed you never made it back to the couch,” Lindsay said.

“What is this I am hearing?  Jealousy?”

“No, of course not,” she said. “Why would I care?”

“You are threatened by my relationship with Neha.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” she said. She turned toward the stove, poking at the contents of a frying pan with a spatula.

“You know, my feelings for Neha in no way impact how I feel for you,” he said.

She paused, turning her head toward him slightly, but said nothing.

Rainhorse poured himself a cup of coffee and topped off Lindsay’s cup and pushed it toward her. She reached for it, touching his hand. It caused her to look at him. He smiled, pulling her toward him and hugging her tightly. She returned the embrace wrapping her arms around his chest.

“I never really got the chance to tell you just how much I missed you over the last two years,” he said. He was stroking her hair with one hand and her upper back with the other. She had so impressed him with her courage and her spirit. She had blossomed into quite a woman, he thought. Yet, standing there in his arms she felt so very fragile, in so many ways still a little girl, a very special little girl—a precious gem who needed gentle care and protection.

“I missed you, too,” she said. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“I know I have not said the nicest things to you since you found me, but I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you again,” he said. “You have once again filled the emptiness in my heart.”

“Really,” she replied, beginning to tear up. “I wondered, because it’s been two years. You never called me or wrote to me . . . I didn’t know what to think. I always felt you were alive but I was sure you’d come looking for me, that you’d find me again . . . I’ve been so worried and . . . disappointed.”

“Lindsay, I have thought about you every hour of every day, wondering how you were, what you were doing, but mostly . . . wondering if you had forgotten about me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you before that I’d never forget you,” she interrupted. “I’ll never forget how you protected me, saved me. You sacrificed everything to take care of me and you almost died because of it. Those few days we spent together were the best days of my life.”

“Mine too,” he said. “That time changed me forever . . . You changed me forever. It made me rethink who I was. I am a better man today because of you.”

“That may be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Lindsay replied, squeezing him tightly. He held her in silence.

“I better get back to making breakfast,” she said, finally. Rainhorse released his embrace.

“Have you spoken to your mother?” he asked. “Does she suspect anything?”

“Only by text,” Lindsay said. “So far, so good. She doesn’t suspect a thing. I was worried that the mainstream media would have picked up my name as a murder suspect, but so far, I think you’re right. The local Tribal Police are keeping this quiet, trying to find me on their own.”

“That won’t last long,” he said. “That’s another reason we have to end all this soon.”

Rainhorse paused, before speaking again, “You know, you never told me what you have been up to. When I saw you last, you had a boyfriend who was living in London . . . Steve, right?”

She chuckled and shook her head, cracking eggs into a bowl, “I only saw him once after I got home. He was so . . . immature. I ended it.”

“So, who is the lucky guy, now?” he asked.

“No one,” she replied. “I haven’t found a guy I can really connect with, but that’s ok. I’m focused on school right now.”

“You do not mean to tell me that, in two years, there have been no boys . . .” Rainhorse began.

“I’m worried about you, Jackson,” she interrupted, changing the subject.

“What about all of this would have you worried?” he jibed, trying to lighten the mood.

“You are one man,” she said. “They are so many. If I hadn’t disrupted your original plan, then maybe it could have worked, but now . . .”

“There you go, blaming yourself, again,” he said. “This is not your fault. I had no idea there would be four bodyguards at the diner. The plan had already been disrupted. It is what it is.”

“Something smells very good,” Neha interrupted, standing in the hallway of the kitchen.

“Lindsay is making breakfast,” Rainhorse said. “Have a seat.”

“I think I’ll grab some coffee first,” she said.

“Pour from the left pot, not the right,” Lindsay warned. “The right pot is for Jackson. If you drink from the right pot you might start climbing the walls.”

“Good safety tip,” Neha said, kissing Rainhorse on the way by.

“So, I Googled the word ‘Wakanpi’ last night,” Lindsay said. “Interestingly, there was no mention of that name being associated with a healing ritual. In fact, the information I found on a Wakanpi contained many things I’m certain you can’t do naked in a bathtub.”

Neha froze and looked at Rainhorse nervously.

He shrugged, “I told you,” he said. He looked at Lindsay and pointed at Neha, “It was all her idea.”

“An idea that you played along with. Really you two, if you want some time alone, just say so,” Lindsay continued.

“I’m sorry Lindsay,” Neha said. “That was wrong of me.”

“That’s ok,” she said. “While you two were up to whatever shenanigans you were getting into, I was mapping out the address of the poker game.  I have some ideas. Have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Rainhorse and Neha sat. Lindsay finished up and brought breakfast to the table.

“Hmm,” Rainhorse said. “I haven’t had oatmeal since I was a small child.”

“Did you like it when you were a child?” Lindsay asked.

“Well . . . I did eat it . . . yes. These eggs look funny,” Rainhorse said.

“They’re egg whites,” Lindsay.

“Egg . . . whites?” Rainhorse repeated. “Where is the rest of it?”

“Really, Jackson?” Lindsay chirped. “After that dinner you ate last night, I thought we could lighten up a bit on breakfast. Egg whites are a healthy choice since they're cholesterol-free, fat-free, and low-calorie. They are, carb-free, and completely dairy-free, too.”

“Oh,” he said, looking at them on his plate.  He sniffed them, and then gently poked them with his fork, as though he expected them to jump up at him. He looked at Neha—she shrugged and rolled her eyes.

“The bread smells wonderful,” he offered.

“Eat,” Lindsay urged, sitting at the table.

“You said you Googled the address?” Neha asked.

Lindsay took a bite of egg white and opened her smartphone.

“Yep, Google Maps is a cool tool,” Lindsay replied. “I was able to zoom in right on the house. I was not able to identify the secret place that Rose met the twins to smoke and drink, but I did find an off-road trail. It was meant for hiking but is wide enough to accommodate a car. It will lead you to within one hundred feet of the rear of the house. There’s heavy foliage that will provide you good cover in that last hundred feet. I noticed Ellie has a Jeep in the driveway. I texted Ellie. She is on her way now with the keys.”

“That’s amazing work, Lindsay,” Neha said.

“She has been thinking like a covert operator ever since we stole our first car together,” Rainhorse said, proudly. “Good work, Lindsay.”

“Glad I could be of assistance,” she replied. “Someone had to be thinking with the head on top of their shoulders last night, right?” She glared at Neha.

Neha smiled nervously. Rainhorse blinked hard at her and smiled.

“I have a question,” Lindsay said. “Have you thought about how to get Rose Rattling Thunder to the car without her screaming her head off?”

“Do you remember . . . the bag?” Rainhorse asked.

Lindsay’s eyes lit up, “Oh my god, I almost forgot about that horrible bag.”

“Please,” Neha said, “Enlighten me on the whole bag thing.”

“When I was first ordered to kidnap Lindsay, I was given a military-grade head cover . . . a bag. It was made by the Chinese. It was made of special material that muffled all sounds made by the victim wearing the bag. It was very effective.”

“It was,” Lindsay admitted. “I hated that damn thing. I was screaming my head off and no one could hear me.”

“I have it with me,” Rainhorse said. “My original intent was to use it when I kidnapped Apollo, but that doesn’t look like that will . . .”

“Aren’t you going to eat your eggs?” Lindsay interrupted.

A guilty look formed on his face, “My . . . uh . . . what?”

“Your eggs. You haven’t touched them.”

“Oh . . . you know, I’m not all that hungry,” Rainhorse said. “Neha can have mine.”

He slid them over to her. If Neha's eyes had been equipped with laser vision, Rainhorse would have melted instantly.

“Why . . . thank you,” Neha managed to say.

Lindsay started laughing, “Relax you two, I’m just messing with you. I made pancakes an hour ago. They’re in the fridge. It will take two minutes to heat them up. I have maple syrup, too . . . and butter.”

Rainhorse sighed and let out a low chuckle, “Thank god,” he said. “Now we’re talkin.’ For a minute, I thought I’d have to face this day on an empty stomach.”

“You’re a mess, white girl,” Neha said, feeling relieved. “I thought I was going to have to go medieval on Rainy here when he shoved that second plate of egg whites in my face.”

“Did I hear someone say egg whites?” asked Ellie Limberhand. “I love egg whites. I brought the Jeep keys.”

Neha stood and embraced Ellie, “I am so sorry about what happened to Alonie,” she said. “How is she doing?”

Ellie managed a small smile, “Better, thank you. I stayed in the hospital with her overnight. It could have been much worse.  It will take some time for her to recover but she will be fine.”

“That’s such a relief,” Neha said.

“Tell me you have a plan to save Lona and Ska and get the bastards responsible for all this pain,” Ellie continued.

“We do,” Rainhorse replied. “Sit and have your egg whites. There are plenty.  I will explain.”

Rainhorse spent the next ten minutes going over the details of the day’s activities. Ellie immediately saw the problem with the plan, “So, how would you exchange Rose Rattling Thunder for Ska and Lona without getting yourself killed?”

“I’ve been sleeping on it,” Rainhorse said. “Tomorrow is Sunday. I have read in the paper that Wolf Point holds a public farmer’s market at the city’s center.”

“Yes,” Ellie said. “The city shuts down four-square-blocks and the vendors all set up tables. It is a huge event.”

“There will be many people there? Security as well?” Rainhorse asked.

“Yes,” Ellie said. “The farmer’s market is covered with wall-to-wall people, and yes, there is security. It goes on all weekend. The city hires armed Pinkerton’s for the security. There will be twenty or more of them there.”

“Good,” Rainhorse said. “That is where we will demand the exchange be made.”

“Won’t you be putting other lives at risk?” Lindsay said.

“Other lives are at risk now, Lindsay,” Neha replied. “If we do not stop these people, our children will continue to be kidnapped. Our people will continue to be murdered and lured into drug addiction.”

Ellie nodded, “Making the exchange in a public place? I like it. Apollo and HRT operate underground, not publicly. They would not risk a disturbance in a place that public.”

“We will need the perfect spot to make the exchange,” Rainhorse said. “That will be a job for the three of you, today.  We will need a place to hold Rose on Sunday, the day it all goes down. It must have good visibility to the roads. We also need a place to make the actual exchange and an exit strategy. You must go into city center, and study how we will get in, how we will make the exchange and then how we will get out.”

“We can handle that,” Neha said. “Lindsay has turned out to be quite the planner.”

“Do you have the extra burner phone for me?” Rainhorse asked.

Ellie pulled a phone from her bag and handed it to him, along with a phone battery, “Don’t put the battery into the phone until you are ready to use it,” she said. “The phone will be traceable, but you’ll have about twelve minutes before they can isolate you. I’d advise you to end the call after no more than ten minutes. When you get off the phone, remove the battery again. You should be good.  Here is the number,” she finished, handing him a card.

“Thank you,” he replied. “You will help Lindsay and Neha today?”

“I know the city like the back of my hand,” Ellie said.

“And I have shopped the farmer’s market on many occasions,” Neha added.

Rainhorse stood, “Good. I am off, then.”

“So early?” Neha said.

“Early is the point,” he replied. “No one in the house is likely out of bed yet. I will go using Lindsay’s map.  I will observe. I need to find the place where the twins meet Rose, plan my moves and my exit, and then . . .”

“Wait,” Lindsay said. “I figured as much.  I packed a water bottle and a sack lunch for you—left over steak sandwich, some carrots, celery and a few protein bars.”

Rainhorse smiled, “Thank you. My phone is on vibrate.  Stay in touch—text only, unless there is an emergency.”

Neha stood and embraced him, “Please be careful, Rainy. I couldn’t bear to lose you and Lona, too.”

“I’ll be back tonight . . . with Rose Rattling Thunder,” he promised. He kissed her warmly. He looked up and held his left arm out to Lindsay.  She slid into both of them, wrapping one arm around each of them. For a few seconds, Rainhorse stood there, in silence, holding onto two of the three women in life he held most dear. Thoughts of his daughter flashed through his mind, too, wondering what she might be doing at this very moment. He wondered what she would think if she knew he was about to face nearly insurmountable odds. Would she even care?

He kissed Lindsay on top of her head, “Thank you for . . .  everything.”

“You come back to us, you hear?” Lindsay said.

He nodded, wishing he never had to let go of these two women, wondering how he could have been so lucky to have both in his life. He left the house in silence.