by Rita Karnopp
“I don’t want to be anywhere near that place when it explodes, and neither do you. Besides, this is our alibi…I had nothing to do with the place exploding.”
Running Crane pulled his gun, aiming it at Domonique. “I’ll say this once…we either go to the claim with you collaborating and no gun, or with my gun pressed against your side. Which do you prefer?”
“That place is blowing in about ten minutes. You really think it’s wise to go anywhere near there? Think about it, I know you’re not stupid.”
“If there’s even a chance we can save them…we have to try, Running Crane,” Summer ran toward the chopper.
“She’s right, Domonique. Help us with this and I’ll do my best to keep you out of prison.”
“We’re going to be too late, I’m telling you that right now.”
“Let’s get going—the quicker the better.”
Summer glanced back and noticed he’d slipped his gun back into the back side of his jeans and ran after the Domonique.
“Charlie, get the bird fired up and us to the claim as fast as you can,” Domonique shouted.
Silence settled around them as they rose in the air and the chopper thrust northeast without hesitation.
“It won’t take us more than ten minutes to get there…we’ll be able to see the mine right over this ridge—”
A booming blast and a bolt of fire shot upward with a force big enough to be felt even skyward.
“Oh my God…no!” Summer cried.
“I warned you it was too late,” Domonique said.
“Look…the blast really isn’t at the claim sight or the office building.” Charlie flew the chopper closer.
“What you talking about?” Domonique shouted, stretching to see the damage.
“Charlie’s right,” Running Crane said. “What’s the building east of the office?”
“The supplies and equipment shed. Terry must have had an accident getting the explosives he needed. No…that can’t be—”
“What’s wrong, Domonique? Why isn’t this good?” Running Crane leaned over to see her reaction to the below scene.
“The conference room was in the supply shed. If my father was meeting with Borden and Winter…no! I don’t want him to be dead. He should have to face humiliation for his actions. He should have to endure prison. This isn’t fair.”
“Maybe they weren’t in the conference room yet, Domonique. They still could be alive,” Summer said.
“Get us on the ground, Charlie. What the hell are you hovering around up here for?” Domonique’s tone revealed her desperation.
“Calm down, Domonique. He might not be dead.” Running Crane leaned back in his seat.
“I could care less if he’s dead…don’t get me wrong. It’s just not fair if he gets the easy out. I want him to suffer like he made me suffer. I want him to be ridiculed and demeaned in public, like he did me. We could have added fifty more deaths to his charges…now…we can’t. He’ll find a way to get away with it all. He has money…lots of money. He won’t pay a day for all the people he’s hurt. You know he killed my mother, don’t you? He said she was going to the grocery store. I was in the back seat and we had a flat tire along the way. Some guy hit her with his truck while she was flagging him down to help us. Do you believe that shit? I wasn’t very old but I remember we had suitcases in the car. I think she was taking me away from him…and he had her killed. He does things like that. He always gets away with them. He always gets away with shit. He has money…lots of money, you know.”
“Domonique, we’re on the ground. Why don’t you stay here with me,” Summer got out of the chopper and helped her out. “We can wait here and Running Crane will—”
Loud piercing screams cut through the air. Summer scanned the smoky area ahead, then recognized her mother and a man helping another man move away from the burning building. Running Crane ran past her and Summer took several steps toward the group.
She walked…each step seeming in slow-motion. Summer sensed the presence of others helping her move forward. It seemed she stepped in time with faraway beating drums. How she crossed the distance, Summer wasn’t sure. She now stood staring at her mother, holding Borden’s still body against her breast. Her tears trailed through the dust and smoke on her cheeks…leaving tracks of sorrow. He might have been the only man she ever loved.
“I’m sorry for you, mother,” Summer whispered.
Lost in her grief, Winter cried, pressing her cheek against the top of Borden’s head.
Next to him lay a badly burned Germaine Worthington. The pain on his face said it all. Summer glanced up and found Domonique standing over him.
“So, you managed to live after all?”
“Domonique…the pain. Oh my God, the pain is unbearable.”
“Good, maybe now you’ll understand what pain feels like. How many people do you think you caused pain?”
“Daughter, I…did it all for you. I…love you.”
Summer watched a single tear slide down Domonique’s cheek.
“You only loved one person, Little Lawrence…and he wasn’t even yours. I loved you so much…and you never saw me. You wanted the boy that I couldn’t be. You blamed me every single day. I was just a little girl. You said you’d stab him to death if Winter kept seeing Borden…so I did it for you. Instead of loving me more – you hated me.”
“I didn’t hate you. It’s just that you reminded me every time I…oh…the pain. Have them get me something for the pain.”
“I reminded you of what?”
“Of…seeing you covered in Little Lawrence’s blood…holding my hunting knife. I should have charged Winter and Borden right on the spot. She…she…should have loved me back. It would have been so different…had she loved me back. The…pain— ”
Summer walked over to Domonique’s side and looked down at Worthington. She cringed to see the entire right side of his face blistered from the fire. She glanced down his side and noticed that too had been burned beyond belief.
“Don’t let them…take me to prison. I have lots of cash…it’s in Little Lawrence’s room in…the storage space below his crib. Don’t let me…down…daughter.”
“I’m turning State’s evidence. You won’t hurt anyone ever again. Bye, father.”
“Wait…why? Oh…the pain!”
“Why? You had Bradley Wild Horse killed. I loved him. I carry his son and he’ll never know you.”
“I…had—”
“I know; you had paid to make sure I had a miscarriage, like you did once before. Yes, I figured it out and this time I made sure it didn’t happen. I’m having Bradley’s son…and you’ll never see him or me again.” Domonique turned around and walked away.
Summer slid her arm around Domonique’s shoulder and walked back toward the chopper with her. They sat on the ground, silent.
Glancing up, Summer recognized Running Crane heading their direction. Next to him walked Terry Running Crane. Summer got to her feet and ran into Running Crane’s arms. “Since Terry’s hands aren’t in cuffs, I’m guessing he isn’t in trouble?”
“Good to see you, too, Summer.”
“Oh, sorry. Hi, Terry. I recently heard your son, Lewis, is doing much better now. I’m glad. How is Peggy?”
“Lewis and Peggy are both great. You look…good.”
Summer laughed. “I’m a mess and look like crap! Now that we’re done with niceties, did you blow up that building?”
“Blunt as I remember. Yes, you might say I did. I wanted Domonique to believe the explosion went off without a hitch. That would give me time to get everyone out of the mine…and rescue your father, grandmother, and Kevin. Just know I didn’t realize anyone was in that conference room until one of the guys gave me a message to give to Worthington. I almost got to the building and she blew. I helped Winter get Borden further outside and then ran back and short distance and found Worthington. I was tempted to leave him where he fell.”
“How…my mother had some burns, but—”
“Borden must have covered her with his coat and carried her out. He dropped to the ground just outside. Between burns and smoke, he didn’t make it.”
Fire and ambulance truck sirens blared in the distance.
“Will Worthington live?” Summer asked.
“He’s going to suffer in more ways than just prison. Can’t say I’d wish anyone to have to live through the hell he’s going to. He must have burns on at least eighty percent of his body. Once he’s past that, he’ll face prison time for fraud, kidnapping—”
“Nah’ah! Oh…Nah’ah. . . where is she?” Summer looked up to see her grandmother walking her way. It didn’t seem possible. Tears filled her eyes and her breathing grew labored. “Nah’ah!” she cried. Summer ran the short distance and wrapped her arms around her beloved grandmother, hugging her as though she’d never hug her again.
“Now…now, child. I am just fine. Much happier now that you are in my arms, but just fine. You best let me go for a moment and give a similar hug to your inn. He has been a worried father.”
Summer hadn’t even noticed him standing alongside Nah’ah. “Inn!” she cried. Releasing her grip on Nah’ah, Summer fell into her father’s arms. “I was so worried about you and Nah’ah.”
“It is so good to hold you in my arms, Niipo. Was it Running Crane’s arms I just saw you in? When did this happen?”
“Yes, Inn. I have much to tell you, and Nah’ah.” Summer pulled her grandmother into their embrace. “Be prepared for many changes.”
“Change is good, Niipo.” Nah’ah pulled her close.
* * *
Summer adjusted her long braids, drew in a deep breath and caught Nah’ah’s nod. Wearing her Fancy Dance dress, Summer couldn’t help feel every bit as Native as the other women approaching the floor. The heavily beaded, soft, white deerskin clung to her body. The fringe of red and blue seed beads on both sides of thin, long sun-bleached bones, hung in a V down the front of the dress and edged the entire hemline.
Summer had always loved Indian dancing as a young girl. The beat reached her soul. Even more now than ever did she feel a connection to the drums beat. The Fancy Dance had only been performed by the men in older times and women would watch their lively steps and gyrations in what they then called the War Dance. Still, competition War Dances were performed only by men.
Summer spotted Running Crane, dressed in a heavily beaded breechclout over soft, tan buckskin pants and a matching leather fringed vest. A large bear claw necklace strung on a leather strap rested on his bronze chest. She couldn’t take her eyes off him…and it seemed he stared at her with the same intensity.
The powwow players and singers set the tempo and mood…Summer moved across the floor, around and with Running Crane. The music filled her, lifted her across the floor; each step expressing meaning and purpose…floating, expressing modesty…one with the whispering spirits.
The End
Rita Karnopp books also published by Books We Love
Whispering Sun
Whispering Wind
Destiny’s Shadow
Leota – Dream Woman
Ransom Love
White Berry on the Red Willow
Sacred Ground
Dark Spirit
Thunder
Atonement
No Ordinary Killer
Tango of Death Series Book #1 Gypsy Spirit
Tango of Death Series Book#2 Partisan Heart
Tango of Death Series Book #3 Jewish Soul
Revenge
Kidnapped
About the Author
Multi-published author Rita Karnopp knew at a very young age she wanted to be a writer – and penned her first story at age sixteen. She is drawn to the history of the Native American and strives to bring alive the authenticity of a time past. Whether writing suspense, Indian historicals, or contemporary romance, Rita enjoys bringing excitement and the enduring power of love to her stories.
Rita currently resides in Montana with her husband and their loveable Cockapoo named Gema.
When she isn’t reading, writing or doing research, Rita enjoys making dream catchers, gold panning, crystal or sapphire digging, rafting, fishing, canoeing, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Also find Rita at:
Facebook: [email protected]
Blog: http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Contact her at [email protected]
Books We Love Ltd.
http://bookswelove.net
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen