Deep Dark Mire (An FBI Romance Thriller ~ book four)

by Kelley, Morgan

  “It’s okay, Dad. I did it for him.”

  All three men knew she did it for them more so, because none of them could stand over Timothy and not break over handling the final rites.

  As the last mourner finished viewing, Elizabeth handed CJ to her husband, slipped on her heels and moved to face everyone who returned to sit. Elizabeth whistled and the drummers stopped, and everyone on her tech team froze. It would have been funny if the day wasn’t so somber.

  “Timothy Blackhawk was a good man. He loved fully and raised the most angelic, law abiding and best damn men in the entire world,” she said, and people laughed, knowing how much hell they all raised on the Rez.

  Blackhawk and law abiding didn't generally go hand in hand.

  “He asked me to say a few words, and I’m going to do just that, because no one said no to the shaman.”

  There was laughter.

  Elizabeth spoke in the Native language and waited as those in the tribe who understood replied. “For those that don’t understand, what Timothy wants to convey is that death is not the end, but a beginning. One shouldn’t fear death, but embrace it. It’s the cycle of life. Like a beginning one must have an ending. Right now he’s crossing over to be with his beloved wife, he lost many years ago. There was a message he left for the tribe. He wanted everyone that he loved and cherished here to know, he will be holding your place in the afterlife. That you will be carried in his heart, and he in yours as long as you believe that there is a peaceful place to go into the beyond with the Great Spirit.”

  The tribe spoke in their language and this time Elizabeth replied.

  There were war cries, and she assumed she nailed the words correctly.

  “To his only son, he wishes you to know that despite it all, he was proud of you. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a good man to turn it around and own what he’s done. Changing fate and altering the future isn't the easy path, but the one less traveled.”

  She spoke again in their language and prayed that she got it right. When Wyler’s eyes filled and he nodded, she knew she pulled it off.

  “To his first grandson, he wants you to know that he’s proud of you. You let go of the past that bound you and found freedom in the future. He may have raised you, but you found the path and navigated it.”

  Elizabeth said the words that she memorized from the paper and watched as Wyler whispered the meaning. Her husband’s eyes filled too.

  “To Callen Whitefox, his last grandson. You weren’t given the last name, but Timothy wants to let you know one thing. He loved you most, because to him, you were a second son. Timothy always wanted more children, but fate had other plans. You were his secret blessing. He’s proud of you for being the man you are, despite the beginning. There was no doubt you’d figure it out. His last advice is to not discard the inner voice. It will lead you to where you need to go. He has one warning for you though. Timothy requests that you learn from your mistakes. Mainly, if your brother tells you that stealing a truck is borrowing, he’s lying and by the third damn time you should know that, son.”

  Everyone from the reservation laughed, knowing the Blackhawk boys were trouble. All the FBI agents looked around, missing something. Maybe that was for the best.

  She spoke the words in the Native language and waited as Wyler translated. Callen choked on a sob, and Ethan dropped his arm over his shoulder and pulled him against his shoulder, supporting him when he was too weak.

  “And lastly for little Callen James Blackhawk, who is the youngest of Blackhawk men, you won’t remember this day. Please know, little CJ that you have mighty big shoes to fill- literally and figuratively as the case may be.”

  There was more laughter.

  “Not only do you carry three great names, you have quite the legacy to live up to. Granddad gifts you with many years of love, laughter and the sense of who you are. You’re a Blackhawk, and don’t ever forget it!” There were war whoops from the braves at the funeral.

  “To everyone here that made this journey to share in our sadness, our remembrance, and our moment of saying goodbye, Timothy wanted a celebration. There’s enough food to feed three tribes. Ethan, Callen, Wyler and I have supplied the champagne, because if you live your life like Timothy and leave behind this family, you get the good stuff on your last day on earth. Eat, drink and celebrate the wisest, sweetest and kindest man we’ve ever known. Go in peace and love.” And then she yelled something in the Native language and all the tension released from her body. The job was done and she made it through.

  Elizabeth whistled and the drums started their celebratory beat, and the celebration began. In the midst of the chaos of the singing, the war calls, and the dancing Natives, she managed to slip away. Elizabeth desperately needed a few minutes alone to compose herself before joining in the celebration.

  “Where’s Elizabeth going?” Callen questioned, watching her slip into the crowd.

  Ethan handed his son to his father and started after her. “I don’t know, but let’s go.” Beside him was his brother, as they watched her enter the trail that led back to their grandfather’s house.

  “Maybe she forgot something?”

  Ethan somehow doubted it, and his curiosity and concerned was piqued. “Something’s wrong.”

  Both men followed down the trail.

  “Damn she’s fast in heels. Who would have thought it?” He tried to have some humor, but both men were too concerned.

  Checking the house, they found it completely empty.

  “She’s gone to the tree house,” stated Blackhawk.

  Callen followed his brother out of the house, and both men stood, staring up at the small structure that Timothy and Ethan had built when he was a boy.

  “I hear her. She’s crying,” whispered Whitefox.

  Ethan debated on giving her privacy. “Come on. Let’s check on her.” The men climbed silently to the top to find the woman who carried the entire funeral. Now it was their turn to carry her.

  Ethan and Callen were more than grateful that the woman they both loved pulled off an amazing feat. She gave Timothy the sendoff he deserved, but at what cost?

  They found her sitting with her back against one wall and a tissue. When the wood creaked, she looked up at them staring in the open window.

  “Can we come in?”

  She nodded but couldn’t say anything through the intense grief she was racked with at the moment.

  The men flanked her and joined her on the floor, like they’d done a few times before. The tree house became their private place, and no one else ever went there, not even Callen’s fiancée.

  Blackhawk knew his wife didn’t like anyone to see her weak, and she would do this alone and away from speculative stares. “Want to talk about it and get it off your chest?”

  “I'm mad,” she said, sniffling.

  Callen took her free hand in hers. “Is it because you had to do this all alone?” Could he blame her? As usual Elizabeth carried the weight of them all, and the burden this time had to be overwhelming.

  Elizabeth looked over surprised at his words. “No. I’m mad at Timothy, because he should have told us. I would have stopped in daily. I would have made him move in with us. I would have been all over him every day until I drove him insane. I’m mad because I fell in love with him, and only had him for a year, and CJ won’t remember him at all.”

  Ethan understood how she was feeling, because he was right there with her. “I’m angry too.”

  Callen kissed her on the knuckles. “I’m not mad. I get why he did it.”

  Both Blackhawks looked over.

  “If we’re mad, then we’re not sad. Granddad knew anger would get us through it. Sadness would drag us down, so he figured you’d both be pissed off, and it would help you get over the pain.”

  “Damn you Timothy!” She said to no one specifically.

  Callen thought about it. “I have a confession.”

  They both looked over at him and waited to hear what he had to say.
The tree house had become their place to bear their souls and secrets, so what was one more.

  “I’m mad too, but not at granddad. I'm angry with myself because I wasn’t here. I wouldn’t have chased after Desdemona had I known. I would have let her go and stayed here to say goodbye.”

  That spoke volumes about what was going on in his heart for the woman. Both Blackhawks said nothing.

  “Granddad knew she was the wrong one, didn’t he?” he asked, softly. “I’m assuming there were no messages left for her either? So he must have known, and I think you both knew too.”

  Elizabeth refused to lie. “There was no message to her, and he knew. Right after you brought her to his house and left, Timothy called me. She chose the spider as her spirit guide for the totem, and he took it as his omen.”

  “Yeah, some Native mojo thing,” added his brother.

  “Then why did he give me the rings and tell me to do what made me happy with them?”

  Elizabeth gazed into his pain filled brown eyes. “Isn't that what you wanted? Timothy gave you the freedom of choice to find the path to happiness. That’s his inheritance to you, Cal. All you wanted was to be able to pick any woman in the world, and he stepped back and allowed it. Granddad trusted the man you’d grown into and believed you’d figure it out on your own.”

  “So, that’s why she was never put on the totem?”

  “The spider is a delicate creature. It spins a web and although webs are sturdy, they catch prey. Granddad knew you were caught in the web, and it was up to you to escape and learn from it, or stay caught. He loved you enough to believe you’d make the right decision.” Elizabeth was honest with him. “You made a choice, and you don’t always make the right one the first time out, but a smart man learns from it and finds the way back to the correct path.”

  “Why didn’t you both just tell me? I would have listened to either of you.” His heart ached that he wasted the last few days chasing after lies.

  “We aren’t here to tell you what your heart wants, Cal. We’re here to pick you up when you fall, brush you off and love you no matter what you decide.”

  Ethan patted his brother on the shoulder. “I had many failed relationships before I found a good one. The woman you’re meant to give that ring to is out there, Cal. You just need to follow your heart and be true to you. You’ll know when you know, and then just go with it. Don’t push, just feel and listen to your whole self, heart, mind and gut.”

  Callen already knew who his heart belonged to, and that wasn’t going to ever change. “I need to get that ring back.”

  Elizabeth started laughing. “Want me to hold her down or drag her around by her hair?”

  Blackhawk elbowed his wife in the ribs, and he was supremely satisfied that he was able to do it once in his life. “We think she’s a nice girl, but we don’t think she’s the one for you.” He watched his brother, and knew what he was thinking. Callen was already in love. “Besides, she lied to her bosses, slapped one, and then assaulted another. Desdemona isn't high up there on the list right now.”

  “Can I go back and help her find her sister?”

  Blackhawk nodded, because he understood what kind of man his brother was inside.

  “I’ll go with you,” added Elizabeth.

  Whitefox looked over surprised. “You don’t have to do that, Lyzee. She slapped you and crossed a line.” He stroked her cheek that had a bruise, hidden by makeup.

  “I know I don’t have to go, but I want to help you with this. You need someone to watch your back, because you’re not focused, and I am.”

  The tears welled up in his eyes. “I can’t come back to the cabin and live here.” There were too many memories, or was that demons. They were running rampant on the Rez

  “You never have to again,” answered Blackhawk. “If we need more room we add on. We own all the land around our home. We really can make it Fort Blackhawk.”

  “Now do I get my gun turrets?” Elizabeth asked excitedly. “Considering the neighbors?”

  Both men laughed.

  “Today I’ll change the code to the fence, and then we’re all good. The fort will be impenetrable.”

  Elizabeth leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. “Can we get a hot tub?” she asked, and had them both laughing. “What? Now I’m not getting a pool. Come on! Think about it, a hot tub and sharing cold beers on a starry night. That’s a good date night. ”

  “Will this be a naked hot tub thing?” asked Whitefox. “If so, Lyzee, I’ll buy it for you right now.”

  Both Blackhawks laughed that immediately he went there with it, but then again, Ethan went there and just didn’t say it out loud.

  “Let’s go back to the celebration. I want some champagne and to celebrate granddad’s life,” said, Elizabeth. “Tomorrow’s the burial, and then we hop a flight back to Cypress Grove, Mr. Blackhawk,” she said, looking at Callen Whitefox. “If you can tolerate pretending to be married to me.”

  “I love playing your husband. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling right…” He didn’t get to finish, because Elizabeth started laughing and Ethan gave him the look.

  “When I’m murdering you, keep that feeling in mind, Cal.” Then he pulled his brother against him and kissed him on the forehead. “Let’s go celebrate granddad’s life.”

  * * *

  Sunday Evening

  He watched the Adare house from his place in the trees. He wanted to make his move and grab Desdemona, but she was never alone. Then throw in the Bayou witch, and he wasn’t even willing to mess with her.

  The woman handed out hexes like candy on Halloween. Once the woman went back into the swamp, he’d grab Desdemona. It was just like he’d done with Cordelia Adare not too long ago.

  He watched as the car approached and the two women exited their vehicle, running to the house with bottles of wine.

  Damn it! More company and his plan would definitely have to wait. When the hell was the woman going to be alone?

  He stood and started back out to where he’d parked his car. There was no point in sitting there and waiting. Desdemona Adare was once again surrounded by people. They were people who could recognize him if they saw him.

  It was going to have to wait. He’d just have to be patient.

  And hope the truth didn’t come out in the process.

  * * *

  The family reconvened on the couches in the family room and waited for Elizabeth to begin reading the will Timothy left behind.

  It sat in her lap, and really no one was looking forward to it. No one liked being reminded over and over, he wasn’t coming back. It was reality they carried already in their hearts.

  “It’s important and in granddad’s instructions,” said, Elizabeth. She took a sip of her champagne and looked around at the men. CJ had just gone to bed, and they finally had the house to themselves. People in the tribe had been dropping off food all day, and they didn’t know where they were going to put it all, let alone eat it. If Elizabeth ate anymore fry bread, she was certain to explode.

  Obviously, Timothy was loved by all, but they already knew that. Who didn’t love a man who carried candy in his pocket? Elizabeth was going to miss that most. It was so grandfatherly, and it touched her soul.

  “Are we ready?” She pushed on for the sake of everyone in the room.

  The men all nodded and took sips of their champagne too, with the exception of Wyler. He was having soda. He’d been off alcohol for a year and wasn’t planning on taking that road back, even in grief. Now there was too much at stake.

  “First the Blackhawk homestead. Timothy bequeaths it to Wyler, with the provision it stays in the family.”

  “I don’t want it,” he said, simply. “The boys can have it. I have a house, and now I don’t want it either. I don’t know how I feel about the Rez since dad’s gone.”

  “Don’t look at me,” said Whitefox.” I can’t stay there. It hurts too much, and I only stayed around to be near granddad.”

  “I have a s
olution,” said Ethan Blackhawk. “We need to keep it and maintain it. But for now Elizabeth and I were talking, and we decided that we’re putting in a garage. Above that we’re going to put in an apartment. Dad, we’d like you to come live here.”

  Wyler’s eyes welled up. “I’d like that. I want to be near CJ.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “That takes care of that part, and we just close up the houses on the Rez until we can decide. Timothy wants it in the family. Maybe one day CJ will want to live there, but until then, how about you use it for your business Wyler? You can fill that yard with totems and I think granddad would love that. You can make it your studio.”

  “Yeah, I can do that Elizabeth. I think my father would like that as a tribute.”

  Ethan saw his brother’s face. “Cal, you’re moving in here too. End of discussion. The house is big enough for all of us.”

  “Are you sure, Ethan? I don’t want to be in your way.”

  Elizabeth slapped him. “Are you insane? In the way? Family isn't ever in the way. They’re free babysitters, so get that damn straight.”

  Ethan laughed and winked at his brother. “You heard the boss. Welcome home.”

  The tension in Callen’s chest lightened. “I’d like to go get my things from next door tonight. Will you help me move them out?” he asked, staring beseechingly at his brother.

  “We all will.”

  Elizabeth grinned and then continued reading the will. “Callen, you get the guns and the hunting gear. He specifically wants you to have it because he knows you’ll still use them, and then teach CJ how to be a kick ass hunter. Apparently, your brother sucks at it,” Elizabeth snickered.

  “HEY! Does it say that?” questioned Blackhawk. “I’m really good at hunting. I just go after criminals now. I upgraded.”

  Elizabeth just shook her head and kept laughing.

  “I love the quiver and bow. We need to put it in a display case. Its seventy years old and the first thing the old man made.”