The drive to Cactus Flat revealed the beauty of winter’s approach. The bright, sunny day gave way to a blue sky with white, pompous clouds floating by, dazzling the human eye. The clouds looked as soft as cotton balls. The air pricked the skin, and the sun could trick you into thinking it warmth filtered outside , but once outside a definite chill filled the air.
Agent Wolfe peered out the window and took notice of a spider hanging on the antenna.
With interest, she watched the spider hang on battling the force of the wind that could make it fall. The web of fate symbolized the wheel of life.
“Hawke, look there’s a spider. Grandfather reminded me the spider weaves a person’s destiny if the person gets caught in her web. Do you think Abby got caught up in something?”
Hawke smiled. “Melina, I’m afraid she did. Ian knows more than what he is telling. I do not trust him.”
Agent Wolfe stared at the sky. What had happened to Abby? She’d asked herself the same question a hundred times. Had she been involved in something illegal? Had she overheard something? Or did she learn of Ian’s unsavory activities?
. As their vehicle turned onto the paved road, the notion filtered into Melina’s mind. “What if Abby came across the drug ring Ian associated with? Could she have seen something and the main people instructed him to kill her?”
“Yeah, I think there’s a strong possibility Abby stumbled upon them making a deal and then they killed for her knowledge of the situation.”
Melina squeezed Hawke’s hand. They would solve this case, and justice would be served. Silence enveloped them as they drove to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Minutes later, Melina stepped out of the vehicle and stretched her legs. The office was a lot bigger than the Pine Ridge office. The brick building could house at least three hundred criminals. A security fence ran all the way around the perimeter.
When they walked into the building, a deputy led them down a hallway and then into a small room where the detective waited for them.
“My name is Detective Hawke. I’m with the Pine Ridge Tribal Police. This is Special Agent Wolfe with the FBI.” Hawke felt a sense of official camaraderie as he explained the situation to the officer in command.
“We need to speak to you about Ian Guidara. We need all the information you have on him. We are investigating a murder and he is the prime suspect.”
The detective extended his hand “How can we assist you, Detective Hawke?”
As Hawke explained the situation, the detective took notes. “My partner and I will get on this right away.” The detective asked for their cell phone numbers and jotted them down, too. “Anything we can do to help, be assured we will. We’ve had an open case on Ian Guidara for some time now. We’re investigating him for illegal drug deals. Maybe if we work together on this, we can arrest this slimeball.”
“Nothing would please us more,” Melina stated. “I want this man behind bars. Even if he’s not responsible for Abby’s murder, he’s dealing in drugs.”
As they left the sheriff’s office, Hawke felt, closer to solving this case and maybe even stopping some drugs from reaching the children on the reservation. He knew he would get justice for Abby.
He took Melina by the hand. “This guy is dangerous. I believe he is the person who murdered Abby.”
Wolfe nodded in agreement. “I’ll never be able to understand why a person would do such horrible things to another human being. Such cold hearts these people have.”
The drive to the motel was somber. This man had killed this girl, whom he supposedly loved, and kept going on. What had Abby witnessed that caused her to lose her life? The only connection they had so far related to drugs.
Although the medical examiner stated drugs were found in Abby’s system, her mother was adamant Abby would never do drugs. Often parents were the last to know their child was using. Could this be the case here? Had Abby hidden her drug use so well her mother had no clue?
No, Hawke believed Amy about her daughter.. The key on the medicine wheel held the answer. Once they found what the key went to, then maybe it would lead them to the reason why such an aspiring young women ended up murdered.
She had loved to write, had won several essay contests. Then she met Ian, and everything changed. She stopped writing, spending most of her time with him. Her mother kept the stacks of folders with her writings. Hawke wondered if she could have been the next bestselling author.
No doubt, her mother wondered the same thing. It was just a shame she would never get the chance to become the mystery writer she so longed to be. Perhaps her mother would submit her daughter’s manuscript to the big New York publishing houses. This would be a way to keep Abby’s spirit alive.