“There sure as hell is,” the agent replied. “Terrible goings-on! The Bureau of Indian Affairs has sent down an official government directive requiring all the children at the agency between the ages of six and fourteen be sent to an Indian school in Pennsylvania.”
The gist of the agent’s reply did not register with the captain at first. “What the hell is that all about?”
“It’s about closing down our agency school, Mack.”
Ludlow and Michael gasped.
A moment later the reality and significance of the situation was clear in Hawkins’ mind. “That’s kind of bad for Kristina, isn’t it?”
“She’s devastated,” Turpin said. “That’s why I’m here. I think she needs some comforting.”
Ludlow concurred. “You know how much Kristina is devoted to those children, sir. You should really go to her.”
“Yeah. I guess I better.”
~*~
A half hour later, Hawkins had crossed the open prairie and entered the agency’s area. Thoughts of him and Kristina being married flitted through his mind. He also considered the love she had for her job and especially the children she had taught for the past five years.
When he arrived at Kristina’s house, he hesitantly went up to the porch and knocked lightly on the door. He was dreading the misery and anguish he would be dealing with. What made things so awkward was that she would be fully aware he was glad about the loss of her job. Somehow he had to work around that.
Kristina opened the door and stepped back to allow him to enter. Her voice was a low moan as she said, “I guess you have heard the news.”
“Yes. Yes, I heard it. Ned came by the orderly room.”
He walked in and embraced her lightly, then hugged tighter. Kristina responded and put her face into his shoulder. She began sobbing and he held her until she finally turned away and walked toward the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee, Mack?”
He followed her, saying, “No. Don’t go to any trouble.”
“It’s already made.”
Hawkins sat down at the table and waited while she poured them each a cup. Her voice trembled. “There was no warning. A bureau clerk showed up with the order and served it on Ned Turpin.”
“I’m sorry Kristina.”
She looked at him, saying nothing.
“I’m really sorry. Please believe me.”
“That’s kind of you, Mack.”
In fact he was downright happy about it.
Kristina was aware of how he truly felt. It made her appreciate the kindness he was showing her all the more. She knew it was awkward for him and wanted to put him at ease by bringing out the obvious.
“Well, Mack. It looks like we can marry now.”
“It’s strange how things turn out sometimes, isn’t it?”
“I’m going to need a little time, Mack. Right now I’m in shock.”
“I understand, Kristina. Please don’t feel rushed.”
The couple ceased all conversation and silently and pensively sipped the coffee.
Epilogue
Heinrich von Richtberg alias Karl Jager and his cousin Major General Karl von Richtberg had managed to get to the port city of Ciudado Mercado on Mexico’s eastern coast. They arranged for passage together on a steamship to Marseille, France. Upon reaching Europe, they made their goodbyes with the general heading for Berlin and Jager to Switzerland.
Upon his arrival in the city of Zurich, the ex-Foreign Legionnaire with his French citizenship took a suite at a swanky hotel. He wasted no time in turning to the business of getting his money in the Argentine bank transferred to a secret Swiss account. With that done, he happily hired a blond prostitute to spend the night with him. The next morning, Jager began looking for a ritzy chalet to begin his life as a wealthy man-about-town.
~*~
The grief-stricken men of San Patricio formed a burro pack train to go to Cupula Mountain to retrieve the mortal remains of their young men who had been killed in the battle with the American Army. It was impossible to identify the vengadores. Their bones had been scattered by the ravenous buzzards. The Irish-Mexicans lovingly and gently gathered all skeletal remains for a mass grave back in the village.
A few days later, when that sad task was completed, they prayed for the souls of their departed young kinsmen, then began planning for the next year’s corn crop.
~*~
Ex-Colonel Juan-Carlos Valenzuela and Ex-Captain Santiago Gomez were captured in an isolated jungle village in southern Mexico near the Guatemalan border. The prisoners were taken back to the San Blas Federal Prison outside of Mexico City. They were executed separately, and being Mexicans they were brave enough to request the questionable privilege of commanding the firing squads when to shoot. The two spies Roberto Gonzales and Humberto Sanchez had wisely fled to California to begin new lives.
~*~
Tim Harrigan resigned his ministerial duties and returned to his lavish home in Mexico City. He and wife his wife Carmela began a pleasant life of genuine retirement, enjoying visits from their grandchildren. Now and then, however, Harrigan’s mind turned to the remembrance of the executions at Chapultepec on that terrible September day so long ago. He also had a sad recollection of the deaths of the Irish-Mexican boys on that cruel mountain in Chihuahua.
~*~
The officers of the Fort Lone Wolf garrison had a special military ball in which Major Thomas Berringer announced the engagement of Captain Mack Hawkins and Miss Kristina Halverson.
~*~
Ludlow Dooley began a formal and proper courtship of Miss Elizabeth Spencer. This romantic campaign was closely monitored by Mrs. Major Francine Berringer.
CROSSED ARROWS 3: GAELIC VENGEANCE
By Patrick E. Andrews
Copyright © 2016 by the Andrews Family Revocable Trust
First Smashwords Edition: February 2017
Names, characters and incidents in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information or storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.
Cover art © Tony Masero
You can see more of Tony’s work here
This is a Piccadilly Publishing Book
Series Editor: Ben Bridges
Text © Piccadilly Publishing
Published by Arrangement with the Author’s Agent.
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