"What is it, Rob?" Laurie asked, "Don't tell me it's that developer again."
"No, that one was under funded and high-tailed it when Oscar asked too many questions. This bunch wants to build, get this, a casino and hotel at the edge of the reservation. They're offering six million dollars to partner us on it, guaranteeing a sliding percentage and all jobs to be offered first to members of the tribe." Rob explained. He chuckled as Rick replied, "Oh, great, lots of money upfront so the people can part with their land for something to spend now and regret later. Don't even let them in the door, buddy."
"I'm not, but the council did request I vet any gambling deals that are presented. Seems the Gila Bend tribe has had success, but there's a big difference with renting a few acres in 3 different towns and turning over 10,000 acres of woodland and sage." Rob laughed.
His good humor vanished as they entered the Tribal offices and found an impatient little man standing at the entrance to Rob's office.
"Chief Gamez, I've been waiting to speak with you." He began without preamble. Rob merely raised an eyebrow, then said, "And you are?"
"Charles Dinsdale, Horizon Limited, I 've come to discuss our proposal with the Tribal Council. You do have us down for tonight's meeting?" the man replied tersely.
"No, no I don't…and my assistant was to contact your company. We never received the legal presentation, or the application all gaming companies must file with the Tribal Gaming Authority." Rob calmly told him. Immediately Dinsdale's face paled.
"Uh, Chief…we understood that was merely a formality…we wanted to make our presentation so you …and your people would have a personal idea of our proposed project. It will bring much needed revenue to your tribe, and we assumed…" He stopped, frowning at Rick's angry expression and Laurie's stone-faced glare. "Can't we discuss this in private?"
"No. And Mr. Dinsdale, never assume…" Rob fixed the little man with a stern eye. "There is no such thing in the state of Arizona as a mere formality when it comes to the gaming industry. The Navajo nation is not some needy third-world country with a hand out."
"Now, "he held up his hand as Dinsdale started to interrupt, "Did you bring any of your presentation? Any of the legal paperwork?" Under Rob's gaze the man nodded, hurriedly pulling out a binder and a large, sealed envelope. "I think you'll find only the application not completed, I can return with it in the next couple of days, if you will take the rest of this under consideration…"
"Fine, I will review your materials, mark which ones need clarification, and make a preliminary announcement of your companies effort at tonight's meeting. Merely to place it on our next Council's agenda." He added, seeing Dinsdale's enthusiasm recede.
"May I ask when that will be, Chief?"
Rick was seething not so quietly, seeing how Dinsdale was pressing his luck big-time.
Suddenly Laurie spoke up. "Rob, I don't believe the Council will be able to consider the proposal until you've reviewed it, and of course there are several other projects already scheduled for the next couple of meetings." Balefully Dinsdale stared at her when Rob nodded at her.
"You're absolutely right. Mr. Dinsdale, we will contact you and Horizon to schedule a presentation should we decide to consider it. Now, if you will excuse me, Rick, Light?"
Turning on his heel, Rob led the way into his office, just as Lorna came around the corner. Beckoning to her, Rob quietly instructed her to show the Horizon representative out. As he closed the door, Rick smirked at the sight of the now cowed Dinsdale trotting after the older woman.
"That's the way to go, Rob. We shouldn't see that little ferret anytime soon." He told his friend. Rob laughed as Laurie chimed in, "Rob, you were perfect, not letting him get to you. I saw that look in your eye."
"Yeah, but what I don't like is that condescending little toad's attitude, as if he was the Great White Father and we were the pathetic redskins!" Rob growled angrily. He slapped the package of papers and binder down on his desk, then let out a deep sigh.
"I guess he got to me after all….my Achilles heel has always been that "poor little Indian" treatment. I'll look at the materials, then speak on them in the "new business" section of the meeting. Are Robin and Ian and the kids coming?" he continued, brightening a little as Laurie nodded.
"Yes, Rob….I think they're old enough to appreciate what they'll hear. Why don't we bring you some dinner about an hour before the crowd gets here?"
"Thanks, Light…I won't say no, especially if you bring some more of Robin's quiche!" he grinned. Rick chuckled and patted his back. "You're lucky she likes you, pal. Robin saved you the last piece and some of her Caesar salad."
"Now that's what I call dinner. Okay, meet me here about 6:30…now you'd better get home before your daughter gives my food to Jack!" Rob snickered, then walked the Simons out to their truck.
Closing the passenger door, he quietly told them, "Call me if you find anything in the journal that answers your …well, our questions about Robin and …your gift." Laurie reached out and put her hand on his. "We will, Rob….thanks for taking us with you…I won't forget what we learned." He nodded, then waved them off as Rick started the engine, then drove away.
Once they were back home, Laurie carefully took the old leather-bound journal inside and told Robin, "Sweet, bring in the ice tea, would you? I have a feeling this may take a while."
"Sure, Mama, Pop, do you want anything?" Robin asked, then smiled as Rick dropped a kiss on her cheek and said, "Only my little girl to be okay… and of course your best cookies!"
"Oh, Pop!" Robin sniffed, then put her arms around her father for a moment, before vanishing into the kitchen. When she returned she found her parents sitting on the sofa, leaning against each other with the journal at the ready.
Once she was comfortable, Laurie opened the journal, and skimmed through several weeks of Chief Joseph's daily life. Reading over her shoulder, Rick was touched by all the things the older man had felt were important enough to note. Births, illnesses, visits by government officials and members of the people alike, they were all of equal importance. As Laurie reached the summer of 1972, she found one theme was repeated page after page: Rainebird Scott, Laurie's mother. She had a sister, Starla, who had a daughter named Star, after her mother. The girl had a troubled childhood and at 17 had married, divorced and given birth to first a boy, named Robert Joseph, and a daughter two years later, named Robin Rainbird. Shortly after Robert's third birthday, Star had come down with a kidney infection, and died. The chief had grieved for the fragile girl, and his journal bore stark witness to his feelings.
"My last sight of Star was of her gasping for air in the hot, sticky little clinic room. She was fading, her last premonition saving her son's life, but wearing out her weak body. Still her last thoughts were of her children. "Chief…please…take care of Robbie and Robin….I know you love them and will watch over them. Please, Randy wouldn't be any good for them. I should have married my real love..but it's too late."
I lowered my head, finally acknowledging that she would be leaving her children. I took a deep breath, then nodded. "Star, I will raise your children as it they were my own. However, I will not give up until I find Raine's daughter…she deserves to know them too."
"That's all I can ask, Chief." She replied, "Please, let her know about our gift, though..if I inherited it, she will and my Robin will too. Don't let it take their lives too…promise me." Before I could say a word, she closed her eyes. Within a day, Star was gone.
We buried her in the little cemetery overlooking the town, where the starlings that bore her name circled and the sweet grass covered the hills. My heart was heavy, as I was convinced that if only I had found a way for her to handle the second sight inherited from Rainebird, she would have lived. I recalled my promise to find Robert and Raine Scott's daughter, and buried my sadness in the joys of raising two loving children, while searching for a lost member of our family." Laurie paused to wipe tears from her eyes, as Robin dabbed at her face with a Kleenex. Just then there was a knock at the door, and Rick got up to find Ian had taken off work early. "Robin? Honey, what's wrong?" he began, seeing his wife's puffy eyes. Robin hugged him, then bringing him to sit next to her, explained, "Uncle Rob gave Mama Chief Joseph's journal, hoping it has some answers." "Wow." Ian was floored, then put his arms around Robin and looked over at Rick. "Dad, did you and Mom find anything in the Chief's notes?" "Yes, I think we did….Laurie, you explain it." Rick urged, putting an arm around his wife. Laurie took his hand and kissed it, then said, "We now know Robin's mother died when she was only a year old of an infection, but the Chief thought her death was hastened by a premonition she had of Robbie being in danger. Listen…" she stopped, reading intently. "I think I have finally found the link between the second sight shared by each generation of the Adams/Scott family…."