by Rita Karnopp
“Don’t push me, girl. I’m not in a good mood…and this revelation hasn’t helped much.”
She breathed in shallow, quick gasps. “I’ve never asked you for anything. I’m asking you not to kill Bradley.”
Summer noticed Germaine’s unresponsiveness, and the color drained from Domonique’s face. Summer swallowed with difficulty and found her voice. “Maybe…maybe Bradley is innocent. You’d hate to kill him…and find out you’re wrong. I…went to school with him and…he…wasn’t the James Bond type. You have to look at all your options.”
“What are you saying?” Germaine shouted.
“I’m just saying…it’d be a shame to lose your daughter…then find out later he’s innocent. Now, don’t get me wrong, I believe someone’s playing both sides around here. It’s not my grandmother or me. It might not be Bradley Wild Horse either. Ali Murdown and Jordan Perkins are dead, so, it looks like they’re not the player. Who would benefit? Who might find themselves on both receiving ends? Who does that leave?” Summer dropped to the couch, and leaned back, rubbing her jaw.
“Why can’t you be more like that, Domonique? Summer’s cocky, sassy, and thinks. It’s not about her, it’s about consequences. Why couldn’t you learn that from me? Come on boys, get Domonique to a hospital…and don’t come back until you bring Bradley Wild Horse with you.”
Summer wanted to shoot the man where he stood. He killed people. He tortured them. He cheated and stole…and here he judged his daughter. “You should get the father-of-the-year award for that performance.” Summer suddenly felt weak and vulnerable in the face of his anger.
“That wasn’t exactly smart,” Domonique said, struggling to her feet. “Impress him, but don’t insult him. Keep Bradley alive for me, Summer Timber Wolf.”
Worthington walked over and pulled Domonique to her feet. “If your Bradley’s playing both sides…he has enough information to put both of us in prison for life. You ever think about that? If he’s innocent, he’ll come back to you.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She moved toward the door.
“You’d better hope he didn’t betray me.” Germaine slammed his left fist into the palm of his right hand.
Domonique’s lips thinned with anger. “If you kill him…I…won’t be back. If he lives, I’ll accept your offer to train and take over the business. Now the decision’s in your hands.” She gave a choked, desperate laugh.
Summer sat back and watched the tense display between father and daughter.
“Then you’d better hope he’s innocent.”
Silence consumed the room until Domonique slammed the front door behind her.
“I need some time to think. Take Summer up to her grandmother and stay outside their room. They try to escape, shoot the old lady.”
Summer glared at him with bristling indignation. “You’re losing control, aren’t you? Your daughter wants nothing more than to escape your wrath. Maybe it’s more than one of your men who’ve betrayed you to the—”
“You have a death wish, girl?”
Summer struggled to maintain an even, conciliatory tone. “You want the reservation land that has a vein of gold running through it. I’m guessing it has more rich gold than was seen during the California Gold Rush. Ask yourself, who knows this? Who could have leaked this information to the Blackfeet? Then who would have told the BIA?”
“The BIA? What the hell’s that?”
“Bureau of Indian Affairs.” Summer waited for Worthington to sit in the oversized log chair across from her. “One of their agents called my grandmother…asking if she was for or against the tribe selling the northeast corner section of the reservation.”
“What’s this fella’s name?”
Summer lifted her chin and boldly met his gaze. “He said he didn’t want anyone knowing he’d found out there was interest in the land. He wanted to know if grandmother—”
“That was Bradley Wild Horse, wasn’t it?”
“I was telling you the truth when I said I didn’t know. I don’t think Bradley has anything to do with the BIA. If you’re smart you’ll take your people and go back to Texas. This has gone way too far out of hand…and if you’re exposed…you could be up on charges for murder and—”
“Don’t you threaten me, girl. I didn’t have anything to do with—”
“And don’t you lie to me. You want those documents you say gives you title to that land. I think they prove you’ve been deceitful. If you had those signed documents, you wouldn’t be asking me where they are. You promised money for schools in Browning and the Tribal Council is dazzled by your generosity. You told them you wanted to buy the northeast section of land for the timber. You offered more money than they’d ever hope to get for timber rights. You dropped hints there’s possibly oil…but it wasn’t looking good. The Tribe is getting a terrific deal. One they can’t possibly turn down. Browning is desperate for new schools.”
“You see anything wrong with that offer?” Worthington leaned back in the chair.
“If it’s timber rights, it’s more than a fair offer. Oil should be handled like all the other oil leases. But Gold is completely different.”
“Mining rights…are mining rights, but why take any chances? I’ll own that land fair and square and if I find gold…good for me!”
Summer straightened her back and drew in a deep breath. “That’s where you’re wrong. Keeping the truth from the Council is fraudulent. You know that as well as me. What? I’ll bet those land test results prove there’s gold and also that you knew about it. Someone got their hands on them and called you…asking money for them. You have Stuart in your pocket…so you tell him to find out who had the test results and to get them. He asked his buddies to help him…but to protect themselves they…what…recorded the conversation? They can prove you have a connection with Ali, Jordan, and Derek who are now dead. Which makes me believe Joshua killed Derek—not me. That leads me to ask, where is he?”
“Very good, Summer. We don’t know where Joshua is. I hope he’s still trying to find those documents because…no one has found them yet.”
“So Jordan got his hands on them first, hid them, then I’ll bet he wanted more money, right? Derek killed him trying to get him to talk. That’s why everyone’s been asking me where Jordan would hide documents.”
“A quarter of a million dollars and no one can find those fucking papers? We thought we found our leak when we saw Running Crane with you two women. Instead, he’d been hired by your father to protect you. Waste of money if you ask me.”
“Did my father tell you that? You didn’t hurt him…did you?” Her stomach knotted and she stiffened under his withering glare.
“It seems your father is nowhere to be found either. Stuart had a grudge to settle, since he believed you killed his brother. I sent him to bring you to me…alive. I’m not too sure my investment was a wise one.”
“You thought I’d know where the documents were hidden. Sorry to disappoint.” Summer had a quick and disturbing thought. “What if Jordan…no—”
“What if Jordan what?” He repeated with contempt.
Summer bit her lip and looked out the window. “What if Jordan turned those test results over to someone on Lawrence Borden’s team?” Did she hear drums beating outside? She stained to hear them.
“The guy running for Democratic Senate? Why in Sam Hell would he do that?” Worthington slammed his palm on the arm of the chair.
She stood and walked over to the expansive windows. “That’s what I would do. If I worked for someone who has connections…and believe me Lawrence Borden has connections…then I’d make sure I had my ass covered.” Summer caught movement along the tree line. She was suddenly anxious to escape Worthington’s disturbing presence.
“Who would he contact? You have any idea where they’d take this information?”
Her heart pounded fast. Had Running Crane found her? She hoped he’d keep his distance. She’d seen at least six men with guns. “I’m just guessing and cons
idering other options, Worthington,” she stated with exasperation in her tone. She turned around, faced him, then moved back to the couch, taking his attention with her. “Jordan never took me to political events and I rarely met anyone he worked with.”
“You didn’t think that was odd?” He shook his head in utter disbelief.
“I was a trusting fool. There, you happy? He seemed to be the answer to all my prayers, kind, a gentleman, aspirations for his future, and a loving man. What more could a girl ask for?”
“Now you sound like my Domonique. These days women are gullible fools.”
She raised her chin and sent a cool stare in his direction. “I’d really like to go see my grandmother.”
“Casey, take Summer to see her grandmother. Again, they try escaping—shoot the old woman.”
“You asshole.” She turned away without waiting for a reply.
His obnoxious laugh rippled through the air.
Chapter Eight
Running Crane inched his way across the tree line, spotting two gunmen out front. He settled down in the thick brush, exhausted. He’d wait until dark before deciding if he should make a move or not.
His leg throbbed, yet considering the beating it’d taken, it showed no sign of infection. He’d run out of the triple-antibiotic, so it’d remain wrapped in the present bandages until he could have a medical team look at it.
His main concern had to be Summer Timber Wolf. It’d been wrong to become emotionally involved. He knew better and it’d never happened before. He ached to hold her in his arms again. Right now the worse-case scenario presented itself in front of him. They had her and he wasn’t sure how he was going to get her back, unharmed.
He could handle Stuart Wallace, but now Summer was in the hands of Germaine Worthington. If ever there was a rich Texas bastard, Germaine Worthington would top the list. The home office said he was involved, and they’d had evidence surface that he was dealing with Kevin Wild Horse.
Bradley had gone undercover and soon became the love life of Domonique Worthington. Word was he’d fallen for the woman, and no longer was an asset. Yet, Running Crane wasn’t convinced. If you’re undercover, you’d better go in whole-heartedly.
But, running Crane knew he’d have to tread carefully considering he hadn’t touched bases with headquarters for the better side of a week,. He ate the last granola bar and emptied the water bladder. Fortunately the rain had dissipated and a light breeze moved-in clear skies. As dusk settled, a thick band of fog rolled into the valley, covering it with a blanket of eerie stillness.
The slam of several car doors caused Running Crane to focus on the front door of StoneHouse. Two men pushed a man up the steps in front of them. The door opened and Running Crane not only recognized Stuart Wallace, but the man they pushed inside was Bradley Wild Horse.
Running Crane tried to get cell service one more time, but knew the chances were none. He had a decision to make, and it could mean life or death to the women he’d always cared about and possibly even Bradley. Running Crane had a job to do…and he had to rely on his training more than his emotions.
There seemed no chance to penetrate the house without a skirmish or two with Worthington’s men. Running Crane wondered if they had Nah’ah in the house. He’d caught a glimpse of Summer and no doubt she wasn’t at liberty to leave. Unfortunately, he expected she wouldn’t keep her mouth shut either. That presented another problem; what exactly did she tell them?
Were they watching for him…or did they think he was dead? Did he have Bradley on the inside or had he turned? Then emerged the question: was this all worth a vein of gold…or was there something bigger going on?
Running Crane couldn’t help feeling his people needed to open their eyes and protect themselves. They’d fallen into believing what the white man had to say—again. Was there more to the land that Worthington wanted? The people needed to be aware…what exactly did this land deal involve?
Fear filled Running Crane as thoughts of losing more land to the napi’kwan took hold. Bradley’s father was a good man; he thought and felt for the people. He had been an advocate for new schools for years. He would negotiate with the People in mind, and he would trust Worthington if his son was going to marry into the family. Nothing about this situation felt right. Running Crane needed to get his hands on the mineral test results.
He settled down into the lower shrubs and closed his eyes. In a few hours he’d work his way to the house and get Summer Timber Wolf free from Worthington’s grip.
* * *
Summer entered the small, dark room and noticed Nah’ah lying on a small bed. She quietly moved across the room. The sound of the lock snapping in place echoed in the silence.
Fear gripped her as she moved closer and closer to Nah’ah. If they hurt her in anyway…Summer struggled to keep such thoughts from surfacing.
“Niipo, sweetheart, you are alive,” Nah’ah pushed herself up and opened her arms wide.
Summer rushed to her grandmother and clung to her. Tears of joy and relief spilled down her cheeks. “I thought…they had hurt you.” She choked back the lump that rose in her throat.
“They are not nice people, but they did not hurt me. I am the only reason the warriors have not stormed this napi’kwan fort.”
“What are you talking about, Nah’ah? This isn’t a fort.”
“Isn’t it? Am I not a hostage? Do they not guard my door with a riffle? Are they not trying to trade my life for a signature on a piece of paper? This paper will take more from the People. Always, the napi’kwan is trying to steal from us.”
Summer understood why her grandmother would think that way. “Running Crane will make things right, I just know it.”
“So, you…and Running Crane have found you can talk to each other without anger? I have known you two would find love, if you let it. There is always some good that comes out of bad. Where is your young man?”
“He isn’t my young man…we just…found common ground. I’m not sure, but I think he’s just arrived and I hope he uses common sense and doesn’t storm in through the front door.”
“So you do care about him?”
“Yes, Nah’ah, I care. I’d hate to see him die before I get the chance to…get to know him better.”
“He will not die, but I sense he is injured. There is much you could learn to understand those around you. Listen…and hear the songs of your ancestors.”
“Yes, I know…their spirits are trying to help me. Actually…earlier I thought I heard drums. But I know that couldn’t be. I looked around…and that’s when I spotted Running Crane along the tree line.”
“You see, they wanted you to know he was coming. If you listen, they will help you—if you let them.”
Summer leaned into Nah’ah as she had when a child and drew comfort from being in her arms. “Nah’ah, did you know about the oil on our land?”
“Oil is not the problem, it’s the gold that is causing the white man to become so greedy.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Summer sat back and looked at her proud, strong-willed grandmother.
“There was no reason to involve you. When Jordan was murdered, I knew it was connected to the land deal.”
“I’m really confused. I keep trying to figure it all out…but it’s not falling into place. I didn’t know you had any…connections with Jordan.” Summer watched Nah’ah and could tell she thought about what she should—and should not say.
“Bradley Wild Horse and his father Kevin are…getting proof the Worthingtons are trying to steal Blackfeet land and resources. Kevin got ahold of land mineral test results that have Worthington’s signature on them. He didn’t know what to do with them so he contacted me. I told him to take them to Running Crane. On his way to meet up with him, Kevin was attacked and the papers were taken.”
“What the… How could you know such a thing and not tell me?” Summer’s head hurt and her stomach screamed for something to eat.
“Your father—”
/> “Inn’s involved? Worthington said they don’t know where he is. Do you? Has something happened to my father?” Nah’ah had gotten in way too deep.
“Lawrence Borden contacted me over a year ago regarding Native rights and how his campaign was going to address treaties that were illegal. He believes the Black Hills should be returned to the Blackfeet. He believes they should be paid back for their many monetary losses.”
“Good Lord, that’d be in the billions, wouldn’t it?”
“Exactly. Anyone owning land will receive considerable compensation from the government, and it’ll take a good five years more for most paperwork to be finished.”
“Worthington knows this? He can mine out the gold and then sell that land back to the government for beaucoup bucks? Nice. Do you know where the land test results are now?”
“That’s just it. We still don’t know who attacked John and stole them. Everyone kept saying Jordan Perkins and his brother had them and were blackmailing Worthington for money. That didn’t seem the case when Jordan was killed. Without those papers with Worthington’s signature on them, we don’t have any proof he knew about the gold.”
“You do realize that once Worthington gets those papers he’ll just destroy them. It’s his word against ours that they ever existed…and in the meantime, Worthington will keep on killing until he gets them.”
“Without those test results I only have accusations. I would look like an angry Indian woman who would say anything to make a napi’kwan look guilty of cheating the Blackfeet Nation. He might consider not killing me.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I’ll bring him more grief if I’m found dead.”
“You just might be right,” Summer said, giving her a hug. She decided there was no use in telling Nah’ah that a man like Worthington could care less if he killed her. He had powerful ways of making a murder point away from him.
“Your arms are cold, put my on sweater.” She pointed to it lying across the arm of a chair.