Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files
Chapter 16
Case # 19 - The Shady Shaman Part 4
~o0o~
Previously:
"What do I think? I hope I never see or hear what she described, Mac. I also think she's going to be doing some death chanting-the Navajo do that. She's ready for death to claim her."
"I got the same impression, Edward," Sam added. "She's not in the least bit frightened."
McDonald just shook his head. "All right, you two. Do your thing and let me know what you find out, Okay?"
They climbed back into their vehicles and parted way shortly afterward. McDonald presumably went to his offices while Edward and Sam went in search of a hotel.
~o0o~
McDonald suggested that Edward and Sam drive to Tuba City since it was the largest community on the Navajo reservation. On the drive to it, Edward started wondering where the name Tuba City came from and was surprised when his Google search found an article in The Arizona Republic and read it.
Around 1870, a prominent Hopi named Tuba (also known as Tuvi or Toova) left his village of Oraibi under what are typically described as somewhat contentious, but unspecified, circumstances. He settled at Moenkopi, about 50 miles west of Oraibi.
Tuba enjoyed friendly relations with Mormon missionary Jacob Hamblin and sometimes accompanied him on his travels. Tuba even met Brigham Young in St. George, Utah.
In 1873, Tuba invited church members to settle near Moenkopi. Many did. (When the boundaries of the Navajo Reservation were adjusted in 1880, those pioneers found themselves on tribal land. The federal government eventually bought them out in 1903.)
When Edward Sam remarked, "You just never know. I love understanding how places get their names."
"I know," Edward said. "I've always loved that too. Just shows how the meaning of words changes over time." Edward paused and looked up. "Oh, look there, on the right, the hotel McDonald suggested to us."
Edward and Sam found comfortable accommodations at Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites in Tuba City. In fact, Edward felt safe for the first time since they'd come to Arizona. It felt like there was a bubble over the hotel grounds.
Once in their connecting rooms, they began their preparations or doing their thing as McDonald had suggested. Sam set up a workspace where he could lay out his tools. Once everything was in place, Sam began looking for the location of the Hopi black magic user.
Edward sat in a comfortable armchair and put on his noise canceling headphones and then dropped into a very deep meditative state. Once that state was achieved, Michael, Edward's Guardian Angel, appeared. "Well, well. Hello, Edward. It's seldom you come to me."
Edward smiled in welcome. "Actually, Michael, I wasn't looking for you, but you must be the best way for me to discover who is setting the Navajos on fire."
"Oh, Edward, you already know who it is. Doli told you. I have to tell you, however, that he is looking for you too and will find you soon. Be prepared for him to appear to you. After he does, I'll come back in my usual form, and together we'll end this terror." With a jolt, Edward was out of his trance-like state when he heard his name being called.
"Edward! Come here, please. Now!" Sam yelled.
Standing shakily, Edward made his way to where Sam was calling from.
There, standing in the room a few feet from Sam, was a dark figure outlined in flames. It spoke, "Go home, bilagáana! You have no place here. We have no quarrel with you. Go home or be destroyed."
Sam spoke calmly to the flaming figure, "May we ask you two questions? Are you speaking for the whole Hopi Nation, and why are you performing your dark magic on Navajos?"
In a deep, baritone voice the answer came. "They are thieves and have stolen our lands. Our people were here first. The Navajo must leave or be burned. All will be burned and our lands will be returned to us. We know our people will agree with our actions."
Sam spoke again, "So, your Tribal Elders don't know what you are doing? You don't have their sanction."
His answer was accompanied by a vicious laugh. "They are of no importance to me or my work!"
Edward spoke, "What you are doing is wrong. Taking human life is wrong. That is only for the Creator of All to decide."
There was a harsh laugh from the flaming figure. "That's a bilagaana attitude. I believe that Balance is God, and the Navajo disrupt our Balance." He laughed again, "You have been warned. Leave this place and return to your own." With that, the figure vanished.
The temperature in the room had increased from 72°F to almost 100°F in just the space of time the flaming figure was there, but everything resolved back to the original state within minutes of the figure dissipating. Sam was a sweat dripping mess, and Edward was none too dry either. "Well, that was interesting," Edward quipped.
Despite himself, Sam laughed.
Sam stood and walked over to the mini bar, took out two beers, and handed one to Edward. They sat down and took long pulls from their bottles. Finally, Edward broke the silence.
"Michael came to me in my meditations. He said he'd help us. I have no idea what he has in mind, but he told me to stay here at the hotel, to not leave its grounds. That here we were protected."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than there was a knock on the door. Edward walked over, looked through the peephole, chuckled, and opened the door.
There stood Michael in all his corporeal glory.
"Hello again, Edward."
"Come in, Michael. I hardly expected you to come to us in this way." Edward held the door open wide for Michael to enter and then closed it, smiling.
"Hello, Sam. It's good to see you once again."
Sam stood, open mouthed, then stuttered out, "Hello, erm, Michael. It's good to see you too. I don't think I've seen you physically since I was a child."
"I know, Sam, but sometimes I just have to make my presence felt-if you know what I mean."
Sam nodded, and then asked, "You want a beer? Can Guardian Angels drink beer?"
"Why as a matter of fact, I'd love one. Thank you."
Sam retrieved one from the mini fridge and handed it to Michael, who took a long pull and smacked his lips enjoying the taste.
"Now, let's get down to business. We have to lay out this strategy because this one is going to be tricky. The form that is being used is a very, very old and very powerful god form. I can't allow my two favorite detectives to be hurt now, can I?"
~o0o~
