Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files
Chapter 14
Case # 19 - The Shady Shaman Part 2
~o0o~
Previously:
"Meanwhile," Sam continued, "If you could read up, or do what it is that you do before you take on a case, on Navajo Magic. I know you have more ways than I when it comes to somethings."
"Sam, again, whatever you need. I'll see what I can come up with tonight after everyone leaves. I suspect it'll take some very deep meditation," Edward said.
~o0o~
Not listening to your spouse is usually a bad idea
when your spouse is gifted, that decision to ignore may be deadly!
R
Two days later, Sam was on his way to Phoenix, Arizona. Angela took him to the airport after they'd had a huge fight about her not going with him. They'd not spoken a word since before they'd left the house. When they pulled up to the airport terminal, it had remained silent. Angela was furious that Sam didn't want her to come with him. They'd had arguments before, but never a yelling, screaming fight like they'd had last night. Angela wanted to go with Sam, but he kept saying there was no need. That'd he'd be home by that coming Saturday.
"Sam, you're being just pig-headed! You're going to need me. You're going to have me to help you whether you like it or not!" Angela screamed while she flung the coffee cup she'd been holding. "You didn't see the cards nor the images I got from my crystal."
Angela had done a Tarot reading and was not happy with what she'd seen in the cards. She'd gone to her crystals, and those hadn't shown her anything that would lessen her fears for Sam. Everything indicated Sam was going to die if he went alone.
"No! You're not going and that's final!" Sam yelled as he ducked. "I'll be fine. You'll see. Now stop this."
Angela disintegrated, collapsing on the floor. "Sam, I can't lose you," she whispered. He walked toward her, but she held her hand up stopping him. "No, don't touch me. I'm too angry with you right now."
So, he turned on his heel and headed toward the spare bedroom, knowing that's where he'd wind up anyway. Angela didn't even bother to go into the bedroom she shared with Sam. She just fell on the couch, sobbing and that's where Sam found her in the morning.
Angela was red-eyed, but she didn't say anything to Sam. She just got up and went into the bathroom, washed her face, and combed her hair. She grabbed the car keys and walked outside to wait for Sam to gather his bag. Angela didn't know what was going to happen to Sam, but he was going into danger of an unknown nature.
Sam got out of the SUV but didn't shut the door. He turned, bent down, and spoke to his wife, the love of his life. "I tell you what. If I feel I'm in danger, I'll call you. OK?"
Angela nodded mutely, then spoke, "I love you Sam, but I'm so afraid I'll never see you again. Please, please be careful." Then she drove off, barely giving him time to shut the door.
Sam just shook his head. He fished his cell phone from his pocket and called Edward. "Hey, Cher, I'm sorry to wake you up, but would you and Bella keep an eye on Angela?"
"So you two had one hellish fight over you going alone. Of course, I knew it was going to happen. I can be at the airport before your plane leaves and come with you."
"Now, Edward, there's no need for that!" Sam protested.
"Nope, I've got my bag packed, and Bella helped me do it," Edward snickered. "I've had my ticket for several days. I'll be there in about 15 minutes. See you then." Edward disconnected the call and turned to Bella. "I was right. If you can, call Angela in a bit."
Bella just nodded and kissed Edward goodbye. She mumbled something that sounded like "men" as she walked him to the door. She stood there, watching him get into the cab he'd called for and waved goodbye. After it disappeared from sight, Bella called Angela.
They talked about 30 minutes before the twins woke, then Bella's day began in earnest. "Look, Angela, why don't you come stay with us for a couple of days. Lord knows I could use the help corralling the twins and they love you so much." She paused, listening. "Yeah, sure. Come ahead. Looking forward to girl time."
~o0o~
When Sam and Edward deplaned in Phoenix, instead of Sam's friend Hástin Yázhe waiting for them, there was a woman dressed in a tribal police uniform holding a sign with Sam's name on it. Edward looked at Sam arching an eyebrow.
"I'm Sam Uley. Where's Hástin?"
Offering to shake Sam's hand, she said, "I'm Officer Heather Tolth. I'm here to escort you to the Station. This way please." She was brusk, but as she directed them back outside to an awaiting Tribal Police SUV, she continued. "I'm sorry to inform you that Hástin Yázhe is no longer. His wife asked us to bring you to the station where she'll meet you."
Both Edward and Sam were taken aback by this news but remembered to not show emotion due to the Navajo feelings on death.
Edward wasn't put out that the officer didn't offer to shake his hand. He knew from past experience that some of the tribal families didn't shake strangers' hands unless they'd been told it was necessary to do so. He figured she didn't believe it necessary to extend that convention to him. He remained silent all the way to the Station.
The three of them exited the SUV and entered the Tribal Police Station. Edward followed Sam and officer Tolth and was shocked to see an old friend of his, McDonald Rominger. McDonald was a combination of Scots/German heritage, and he had been teased all his life about his parents' choice of name for him.
"McDonald! What are you doing here?"
"Edward Cullen! You just never know where you're going to turn up. I'm AIC for the Northern Arizona office," he said shaking hands with Edward.
"Sam Uley," Edward said, gesturing to Sam. "And I came here at the request of Sam's friend, Hástin Yázhe, but we're told he's dead. Could that be the reason you're here? Because of his death?"
McDonald shook Sam's hand. "I admit I knew you were coming, Sam. I got a call from Hástin last week, telling me you were coming, and if for some reason he couldn't make it, would I meet with you? I didn't expect you to bring reinforcements with you through I'm pleasantly surprised to have the brilliant Edward Cullen on board."
"So what happened to Hástin?" Sam asked. "Officer Tolth was less than informative."
"It's not certain that he was murdered, but it seems suspicious that he burned to death in his garage yesterday afternoon late, and," he paused. "He's not the first one to die like that in the last couple of months. So far, we can't determine a cause of death. We know there was no accelerant was present, nor was it electrical. All that was left of him for identity was his skull. So we had at least dental records to go on, but we still don't know what happened to him."
Edward and Sam looked at each other and nodded. Edward asked McDonald, "Have there been more unexplained fires similar to this?"
McDonald scoffed, "You're thinking spontaneous combustion?"
Edward and Sam both nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what we're thinking."
~o0o~
