by Thomas Craig
The day had gotten away from us. It wasn’t until we stepped outside into the night’s air and allowed our heads to clear that we realized it was 2 A.M. The phone calls could wait until morning as we both realized we needed a meal and rest.
Chapter 12
Stone Creek Raid
The next afternoon we made our calls to the Atlanta office. The Cartel member name Tazario Zapata was entered into all the intelligence agencies' databases. I had a chance to catch up with Arya over the phone about the previous day’s events, but we had to keep it short.
Holliday got word from Nurse Kathy that our LLC member Miguel Garcia was out of surgery and stable for questioning.
Miguel was looking at spending the rest of his life in jail, so we had to find an incentive for him to give us the information we absolutely needed. Back at the hospital, Holliday dangled the death penalty over Miguel’s head.
“Hey!” Holliday said to get Miguel’s attention. “We are going to play a little game called Q & A. I will ask the questions and you will answer them. For example: Did you know that Virginia snuffs the wicks out of worthless souls like you quicker and more often than 47 other states Miguel?” Holliday asked.
Miguel shook his head.
“Didn’t know that one, huh? Ok, how about this: Did you know that attempted murder of a law enforcement officer is a capital crime, punishable by death?”
After seeing another nervous headshake by Miguel, Holliday continued, “Were you aware that my recommendation to not pursue the death penalty would go a long way to make sure you don’t get the death penalty? Lemme answer that one for you. It does. But you have to give us everything you know. Right now.”
It did not take long for Miguel to come to his senses and decide to give up details he had on the US side of the Cartel connections. Local sit-downs with Cartel members and high-ranking LLC were frequent, but Miguel swore the locations were always last minute and never the same.
Miguel did, however, know of a Cartel owned property; a big mansion on an old Virginian plantation outside of Richmond. He said it was known as the Stone Creek Plantation, where high class local and international escorts cycled through to entertain wealthy Johns. The LLC provided some local muscle to discourage competition from harassing the brothel operation, while also ensuring customers behaved themselves and paid the exorbitant fees in cash for the discreet services to stay secret.
With this information, the local FBI, along with partnering agencies and local law enforcement, would acquire the warrants and coordinate the manpower to close this location down. From the information Miguel gave us, a raid on the plantation would likely release close to 10-15 female victims from a life of harsh captivity and prostitution.
I would have been fine with turning the whole thing over to the local FBI and DEA allowing Holliday and myself to return to ATL, but Director Cooley wanted eyes on any newly discovered evidence in the Plantation.
My thought at that moment was, “we were all one team. It doesn’t make much sense why we have to stay and assist.” However, there wasn’t any good reason to argue or question SAIC Cooley, so we would stay in Virginia for another few days.
The DEA in Richmond spent the better part of the afternoon running our intel, securing the needed warrants, and gathering the needed Sheriff’s, DEA, and FBI to support the raid for the following morning.
We were still in Norfolk using the Port Authority building as our office for the day. We had plenty of paperwork to document the previous day’s activities. When we left the building for downtime, it was approaching supper time.
“I have our rooms booked at the Williamsburg Lodge for the next two nights. It is about 45 minutes north, putting us about 30 miles south of the Plantation located southeast of Richmond. You ever been to Williamsburg Lou?” Holliday asked as we got into the car.
“No, I have not. But I can imagine with all the history of the area, it looks very colonial.”
“It’s nice, and you are right about the history and the look. Unfortunately, no time for sightseeing. However, I do have a spot picked out for some good steaks,” he said with a grin.
I drove, because I wanted the setting sun to hit my arm and face for the next 30 to 40 minutes, in hopes to rejuvenate me a bit. It did not take long before the Dogwoods, Loblolly Pines, and Red Maple treetops started to block out the last part of the setting sun.
Earlier in the day, I healed Holliday again. I wasn’t sure how to explain the Zuni Gods touching him and thrashing me, so I left that alone and just said I had not finished healing him. He was right as rain again, but I had been feeling sluggish after the encounter with the Gods and healing Holliday again. I was definitely due for some time in the sun.
I needed to talk with Arya a bit more about how I was feeling, but I also needed to speak with Lolo and Alimon. Lolo was my lifelong friend and confidant for all things Zuni or anything weird going on with me. Alimon was the only Shaman I grew close to over the years, and I figured he might have some insight on the way the Sky People were acting with me. I felt like I should be honored by their presence, but the provocation they brought had me conflicted, but mostly concerned.
Holliday snapped me out of my internal monolog regarding the Gods.
“Exit here for Pocahontas Trail. The Yorkshire Restaurant is just up here a bit. We can stop and eat first, then check in to the Lodge around the corner.” Holliday pointed out.
I found the place with ease and we seemed to have arrived when business was just starting to pick up. When we entered, Holliday stood tall to survey the place, looking for open tables that might suit us. Then I saw a hand shoot up a few tables away. He waved back and motioned for me to follow.
“Well hello, stranger,” I said as I immediately recognized who was waiting for us.
Kathy Deos stood up, showing off a warm smile that welcomed us to the table. She was smartly dressed, wearing jeans with a white collared blouse untucked underneath a red sweater. Her long black hair was down past her shoulders. The cowboy boots she was wearing made her looked a little taller, and caught Holliday’s attention.
Hello to you, Lou,” she said as I gave her a half hug, purposely setting the expectation for Holliday to do the same.
“Hi, cowboy,” she said as she welcomed Holliday with two open arms. He didn’t hesitate and gave her a good hug and snuck in a quick kiss on her cheek when releasing her.
She was beaming now and slightly biting her lower lip as she sat back down.
I could see myself quickly becoming a third wheel. Even though the chemistry between the two was thick, they were both gracious in including me in the conversation most of the time.
Holliday did not seem to mind answering a list of questions Kathy had for him. Most were about his childhood and family upbringing. I learned much about my teammate sitting here listening to Kathy expertly pull Holliday’s life story from him.
She also asked some questions about the job, and how often he was away from home. They were getting along, and we were all having a good meal together.
When dessert and coffee time came around, I made my move.
“Kathy, would you mind giving him a ride? I’m beat and I still need to make a few personal calls this evening. I figured you two might enjoy some coffee and a stroll?” I suggested.
I was looking for some time alone to talk freely to Lolo and Arya. I hoped I wasn’t being too pushy with them. I knew how delicate these situations could be.
“I uh…” She was caught a little off guard, but still smiling, so not too upset with the idea.
Holliday seemed to have the right thing to say.
“I bet, being a resident of this beautiful town, you would know the best coffee shop and area for a stroll. That does sound nice.”
“I do…and it does. It is a nice evening for it,” she replied. The many years of working in the ER had refined her abilities in reading faces and body language. She did not seem concerned about being left along with Holliday. In fact, she seemed more con
cerned for me. She was reading something in my facial expressions.
“Are you sure you are okay, Lou? I never got to look closely at that dinged up head of yours. I feel bad about that.” She confessed. It was a true concern for my health. The nurse in her was coming out.
“I’m good in that department, but I could use about an hour to make some calls.”
“Hey, bud, we’re not bunking together. This isn’t Quantico. You have your own room,” Holliday assured me, as he leaned back in his chair and looked me over with an inquisitive expression on his face. “Kathy, maybe you should look at that noggin of his before he leaves.”
She insisted I scoot over and drop my head next to her lap. Feeling a bit like a child obeying his mother in public, I didn’t argue, knowing she would not find anything.
She quickly ran her fingers through my hair and felt behind my ears and the back of my head and neck where she had seen the embedded gravel the night before.
“Hmm. Well, other than a scrape, no signs of a contusion. However, that doesn’t mean there are no hidden problems,” Kathy advised.
“Oh, there are some hidden problems in there for sure,” Holliday added.
“I’m fine. I just need some rest. We have a big day tomorrow, and that is probably weighing heavy on me. It just doesn’t seem to stop,” I said without thinking.
“What doesn’t seem to stop?” Kathy asked looking a bit confused.
“The horrible ways people treat each other at times. I think I might be due for a vacation,” I confessed without even knowing it was coming out.
Maybe I was due for some time away from the evil acts of others. I recently promised Arya a vacation together, but the cases never stopped coming in.
I never even fully grieved the loss of my mother. I mean I felt the pain, the grief, but I’m not sure I took the time to properly mourn her. It felt like work snapped me out of that process, and I wasn’t sure where I stood with those feelings. I was great at compartmentalizing, so I had done so once more before departing the pueblo.
Thankfully, both Holliday and Kathy were nodding as if in agreement with what I had said.
“Well hey, another time, over drinks, we can hash out the flaws of mankind. But for tonight, you two enjoy some coffee and a walk. Kathy, I hope to see you at one of his famous BBQs at our apartment in Atlanta soon. We know some people there that I think you would enjoy meeting. Until the next time.” I hugged her and made my way to the car.
I checked into my room and was getting ready to call Arya when I noticed a message on my cell phone.
The message was from Lolo, urgently asking me to call her. Lolotea Manooe knew me better than anyone. We grew up together in New Mexico. She was with me when I discovered I could heal myself and was there when I used my healing powers on others for the first time. She was off living her own life in academia, but we both spoke weekly and visited each other several times a year.
She answered on the second ring and immediately I knew she did not sound like herself. She was very reserved and struggled to get her words out.
“Lusio…Lusio…they, uh, they found Alimon and his son, dead, in their home the other day.”
I didn’t know what to say at first. This news was so unexpected and unfortunate.
She went on to explain that the Zuni Policy Department declared it was a double homicide. Both were killed swiftly. With nothing missing from the home and no signs of a struggle, it was as if they knew the assailant or knew it was pointless to fight.
Lolo explained, “Lou, I have been speaking to the elders and a few of them have shared similar thoughts. After being allowed to walk through Alimon’s home, several of them declared the presence of a recent evil spirit or being.”
“What are we talking about Lolo? A ghost killed them?”
“No, Lou. Much worse than that. Something sent from the underworld.”
“You mean like a hell hound or a demon? Something like that?”
“I don’t recall hell hounds being in Zuni mythology. You are on the right path with a demon, though. I know you are familiar with Uhepono leading the underworld, but you probably aren’t familiar with Uhepono’s monsters. The term ‘demons’ works as well as any.”
“Monsters, like humans, would leave evidence, right?” I asked.
“Yes. The coroner had shared preliminary findings, and there were a few marks on them both made from hands. Exceptionally large hands.”
“Okay, so we are looking for a large man that lives in the town or passed through town. This is something to go on.”
“No, Lou. Not a man. The elders and I believe this to be something sent from the underworld. Something likely in the form of a man, but not a man. Likely an Atahsaia,” she explained.
“What the hell is an Atasha?”
“It’s Ah-tah-say-e-ah. It’s like a man-eating ogre. Big, fearsome, and can take a form remarkably similar to human.”
“You believe this thing is real and killing people? Friends of ours?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Okay, then. Why?”
Lolo was silent for a few seconds as if carefully choosing her words.
She was someone I respected dearly and if she were going to put her reputation on the line for what seemed like a crazy idea, I would hear her out.
“Lou, the elders say they have spoken to the Sky People, asked certain questions, and believe that the visions they received, truly answered their questions.”
“Okay, where is this going Lolo?”
“The visions were of you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, they say they were given visions of Sky People pulling you to the heavens and Monsters pulling you to the underworld. It scared the hell out of me when I heard this, Lou. This is freaking me out.”
“Freaking you out? Shit, this kind of makes sense,” I said, as my words trailed off and I went into thoughts of the encounters with Sky People.
“This makes sense to you Lou? How so?”
I told her about my thrashing and healing encounter with two Zuni Gods. She was shocked by the fact that my hand turned to flames and the fact that I seemed to harm or bother one enough to have to fight back.
At that point, I had looked through the minibar and found two small bottles of whisky. I poured myself a double shot as Lolo mentioned something about me giving my position away.
“Wait, what did you mean by that?”
“I think when you heal people, it shows the Gods your location,” Lolo repeated.
“They are Gods. I think they can find me regardless.”
“Yes, but the supernatural act likely sends a loud signal to them, irritating them or reminding them they have someone to deal with on Earth. This could be why your encounters with Sky People have happened after healing sessions.”
Hmmm. This minibar was not properly equipped for the discussion!
It was my turn for the momentary pause, as I reflected on the potential danger I could find myself in every time I heal someone. Unfortunately, it would seem the danger extended beyond when I was healing people. It could be at any time or any place. Why? Why are the Zuni Gods, both above and below, so upset with me? I didn’t know, so I asked Lolo the question.
“I don’t know, Lou. The elders think it has to do with the unbalance you create in this world when you do the things only you can do. I don’t disagree, but I also think something else is going on.”
“Like what?”
“Well, it seems to me like the Gods are not on the same page on how they want to deal with you and your powers.”
I couldn’t help but think how foolish I had been all these years, being afraid of a reoccurring dream that I would end up in a white room with people experimenting on me.
Yes, I was a freak of nature. But to have never considered there might be other unnatural beings, some even looking to get their hands on me, had me feeling very naive.
We talked for another half hour before we said our goodbyes. I don’t think we solved
anything, but we both felt a bit more enlightened.
Lolo would go to Alimon’s burial ceremony and represent us both as my work was not likely to allow me time away right now. I would certainly request it, but I already knew what the answer would be from the Atlanta SAIC Cooley. This case and the leads just started getting hot after being cold for some time. He would strongly suggest I stay on it with the team.
I called Arya next and caught her up. She wanted desperately to be here to hug me and fall asleep with me. She knew I was in pain after hearing the news about Alimon and his son. We talked for 20 minutes before letting each other go for the evening. I instantly fell asleep.
The morning air was cooler than usual, making the warm coffee taste slightly better than it probably should be. It was peaceful looking out the open car window across a field of untamed bluegrass. About 15 feet of wild switchgrass was growing from the roadside that quickly blended with the bluegrass, losing the battle of trying to reclaim the area.
As I sipped my surprisingly un-crappy cup of joe, I allowed myself to get lost watching how the gentle breeze was sending a steady repetition of grassy rolling waves across the length of the quarter-mile field.
We sat in the car for 30 minutes waiting for the task force to arrive at the agreed-upon staging point. The rendezvous was 10 minutes away from the plantation house, set off the main highway on a remote farm road.
If an assignment involved fieldwork, Holliday was early or the first one on-site. If it were an office meeting, he would purposely be last to arrive or find something more important to be involved in.
“How did it go with Lady Katherine?” I broke the silence.
“She knows the area well and took me on a nice evening stroll.” Holliday answered and took a long sip of his coffee as if not interested in sharing more.
“Well, is she Atlanta BBQ material?” I asked jokingly.
“Is she what?” It took him a second to make the connection. “Oh. For sure, Lou. She is a sweetheart, and she has a little country in her. My kind of gal. I think Arya and Lauren would like her.”