****
More than a thousand miles to the west, the Two Bears entourage arrived at the edge of the open field overlooking the Goth log cabin to find it under siege. An ambulance and three sheriff’s department squad cars were parked in the driveway in front of the cabin, with lights flashing. A dozen braves with rifles stood watching a half dozen armed white men in uniform. Elizabeth identified Sheriff Barns immediately.
The tribesmen put down the stretcher at the edge of the clearing, in grass tall enough to hide even Two Bears. Black Hawk, Mary, and half a dozen stretcher-men walked towards the cabin to join the confrontation. Johnny opened his eyes and watched the activity at the cabin, but said nothing.
Elizabeth stood nearby. Somehow Johnny was still keeping Two Bears alive, she knew. She watched the big man’s chest rise and fall with each breath. Johnny sat quietly, both of his hands holding one of the huge limp hands of Two Bears, as he watched Black Hawk discuss matters with his fellow tribesman. She wished there were some way she could help, but remembered Johnny’s earlier rebuff.
As though Johnny could sense her eyes on him, he turned his head towards her, smiled, and motioned her closer with a bloody hand. “How are you doing?” he asked quietly.
“How am I doing? How are you doing? Or is this a usual sort of day in the life of Johnny Goth?”
“Not remotely. I’ve never done anything like this and I’m as amazed by everything as you are.”
“I somehow doubt that.”
“OK, almost as amazed.”
“How can you manage small talk and help Two Bears at the same time?”
“I’ve established a sort of rhythm. In the beginning it was a smooth flow that I provided, but now I’m pulsing blood through, almost without thought.”
“While we talk.”
“Yes. I’m using the beating of my own heart to time his pulses. It seems to work fine. Actually I wasn’t sure that would be possible to talk and keep him alive at the same time, but I decided to try it now with you, and seem to have have passed the test.”
“Why risk it?”
“For practice. I expect our favorite sheriff to visit us very soon, and he might be more difficult to deal with than you are.”
“They have an ambulance with modern equipment.”
“I doubt that any hospital could duplicate what I’m doing. Certainly paramedics with an ambulance would be totally useless. If they take Two Bears away from me, he’ll be dead in minutes.”
“You know that for certain?”
“Absolutely.”
“Here comes Mary.”
White Dove returned from the cabin, looking very grave when she approached Johnny. “They know about the shooting.”
“How?” asked Johnny.
“We don’t know. They don’t tell us much.”
“What have you told them?”
“Even less. That they trespass. That we don’t want them here. That you don’t want them here. But they saw us arrive carrying you and Two Bears and insist on coming up here to see him and you, Johnny.”
“Let them come, but no more than three of them. Keep them covered. I will talk with them, but they must be kept under guard. If I am separated from Two Bears or interrupted too seriously, Two Bears will die.”
“Understood, White Wolf,” said Mary. She returned to the confrontation at the cabin.
Sheriff Jake Barns soon approached, flanked by two husky deputies with hands on their side-arms, flanked by Black Hawk and six armed tribesmen. Barns was smiling his shark smile.
“That’s close enough,” said Johnny, when Barns was only two meters from him. Two burly tribesmen carrying rifles blocked Barns and his men from coming closer.
"Heard there's been trouble on your place, Goth,” said the still grinning sheriff. “Two Bears has been murdered, I understand. Now ain't that a real damn shame? Is that his body under them rags next to you? We're here for the body and to search your place and take you in for questioning, Goth. I got warrants coming, but in the meantime I’ve got probable cause and the threat of further possible violence that allows me to get started right now."
The sheriff and his men had their hands on their handguns, but wisely kept them holstered as they eyeballed the well-armed Indians warily.
Johnny didn’t even blink. "I don't know where you get your information Barns, but it's mostly wrong. First, Two Bears was shot all right, but he'll live." Barns' smile disappeared. "Second, it happened on Reservation land so it's clean out of your jurisdiction. Your warrants and your pretext for being here are invalid."
"That's right," confirmed Black Hawk. "We’re already on the case." The young deputy stepped directly between Barns and Johnny. "We’ll let the FBI know if we need outside help, like if we need a meddling white man arrested for instance."
Barns focused on Johnny in an attempt to ignore Black Hawk. "It happened on the Reservation you say? That's not what I heard."
“I confirm it, Sheriff,” said Small Bear, who suddenly appeared next to Black Hawk. “Who called you in on this? Who said it didn’t happen on the Reservation?”
Barns seemed to be astonished. “You’re confirming that the shooting happened on Reservation land, Small Bear?”
"We just covered that,” snapped Mary White Dove. “We'd be real interested in finding out how you heard about anything, this being Reservation business."
“We got a phone call, that’s all that I know.”
“The Chief has the only phone on the Reservation. Why would he phone you?” asked Mary.
“Not my problem. You're off the Reservation now, and I’ll ask the questions.”
"They’re off the Reservation and guests on my private property Sheriff; you're the trespasser here," stated Johnny. “Also, you could risk federal indictment for impeding a Reservation investigation. Do you really want the FBI to get involved?"
“I get along just fine with the FBI, Goth, call them in any time. Now, if this happened on the Reservation, why bring Two Bears here?”
"My place was closest," explained Johnny. "We heard the shots and found Two Bears on Reservation land, and we’re taking him to the Tribe medical facility by the shortest route, which happens to be through Goth land."
"Maybe Goth here is our shooter, Small Bear, and he's playing the good Samaritan part as a cover."
“Johnny was standing with me just outside the cabin when we both heard the noise of shots deep in the forest,” said Elizabeth.
“Aside from no motive and no gun, the signs don't support Goth as the shooter," confirmed Small Bear. “Reservation people did the shooting, not Johnny.”
“Well, Two Bears is off the Reservation now and in need of medical care, if he’s alive. You can’t stop us from taking him. That’s the law.”
“We refuse your medical treatment,” said Mary. “That’s allowed under your law also.”
“Only Two Bears can refuse it, and he ain’t capable,” said Barns.
“Let’s ask him,” said Elizabeth.
“But he’s in no shape for questions,” protested Mary.
“Hell, I don’t even believe he’s alive at all,” said Barns.
“Just go ahead and ask him,” said Johnny. He looked down at Two Bears. The shaman’s eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping or dead. The only outward sign of life was the slow rise and fall of his chest, nearly undetectable under the shirts that covered him. Johnny held one of his huge limp hands, but the other one was resting across the big man’s belly. “Two Bears, if you can understand us, raise your hand.”
Onlookers gawked in astonishment as the shaman’s free hand lifted and gave a little wave. Tribesmen cheered, hooted, and jumped up and down in delight.
Small Bear, his face grave, held up his hands to signal their silence.
“Two Bears, if you refuse medical assistance from these white men, wave your hand again,” said Johnny.
Two Bears waved again. Tribe members again broke into celebration. Barns cursed.
&n
bsp; “You see, we have things under control here, Barns,” stated Small Bear. “You aren’t needed here. Sorry for the mix up. Goodbye now.”
At first Barns seemed to be too angry to respond, but amid cheering Tribesmen, he slowly nodded his head, and turned towards Johnny.
“Fenster is preparing an offer to buy this place from you, Goth. More money than you can imagine. What do you think of that?”
"Offers won't do Fenster any good. I’m paying the taxes and no Goth will ever sell this land," replied Johnny.
"That ain't right. Even if you Goths own the land you got no call to hold up progress. These old over-growth trees are crying out to be cut down and made into things folks can use. This valley needs logged, son. Think of the work it would bring to the folks around here. It's a waste of good timber as things stand now, if you ask me."
"I’m not asking you. Good-bye Sheriff," snapped Johnny firmly.
“This ain’t over Goth,” said Barns. Shaking his head, he turned and slowly walked back to his car. In minutes all police and ambulance vehicles were gone.
“Good job everyone,” said Johnny. “The shooting happened on Goth land, of course. But I knew that would be a major problem.”
“Yes, that was quick thinking, Johnny,” said Small Bear. “I assume that was you, and not Two Bears, doing the waving.”
“Yes. Good idea, Elizabeth.”
“I suspected you could pull it off,” said Elizabeth.
“Two Bears still lives though? His mind is alive?” asked Small Bear.
“Yes, but only barely,” replied Johnny. “He remains very much unconscious, even to me.”
“How long can you keep him alive?”
“I don’t know. Hours, certainly. Days perhaps.”
“We must get him into the Holy Forest,” said Mary. “There healing will be much faster. It’s his only hope.”
“Elizabeth should stay at the cabin,” said Mary.
“I agree,” said Small Bear.
“But I want to help,” said Elizabeth, in protest.
“You can help us most by staying at the cabin,” said Mary. “Barns or others may yet return with more white-man tricks. Johnny will be occupied deep in the forest, and you are still a white renter with some legal standing.”
“If that’s what’s how I can best help,” said Elizabeth, reluctantly.
“Yes, I agree,” Johnny told Elizabeth. He wanted her with him but she would be safer at the cabin, and would learn fewer Tribe secrets. “Give Mary your cell phone and we can communicate if necessary, with you using the old phone at the cabin. I assume that you will be looking for the assassin, Small Bear?”
“Yes. But be warned that there are two, and that one returned to help with the stretcher, while the other went to the village.”
“We will be on guard,” said Mary. “Black Knife should stay with Uncle, to guard him.”
“Agreed,” nodded Small Bear. “I will seek the second assassin. Barns has given us a clue.”
“Clue?” asked Elizabeth.
“The phone call to enemies of the Tribe that brought Barns here.”
“From Chief George’s phone? That’s hard to believe,” said Johnny.
“He has the only phone on the Reservation, but that doesn’t mean that George had anything to do with it,” said Mary.
“Perhaps,” said Small Bear.
“You know who I mean,” said Mary.
“Tall Fox and Night Hawk,” nodded Small Bear.
“Your childhood friends.”
“They’ve kept out of major trouble for several years. But you’re right, they must be put on my suspect list for now. But they’ve been very close to Chief George lately, and that makes me wonder. How drugs have penetrated our close-knit little society has always been a deep mystery.”
“You can’t possibly suspect George!” said Mary.
“It’s my business to suspect everyone, but I hope I’m wrong,” said Small Bear, as he turned and left them, trotting towards the village.
“We should go now,” said Johnny. “Walk with us as far as the inner gate, Elizabeth.” He held a hand out to her, and she took it in hers. Even as ten Tribesmen again lifted the stretcher to their shoulders and walked across the field, they continued to hold hands.
The stretcher party walked past the barn, through the garden and into the forest beyond, following the path Elizabeth had noticed earlier. It seemed to Elizabeth that the trees encountered became even larger as they moved towards the mountain, immensely large. The trunks of many furs and were over fifteen feet in diameter and towered perhaps four hundred feet above them. The cedars were nearly as large. They stopped at the gate of the inner fence, which was secured by the largest and oldest looking padlock Elizabeth ever saw. No one moved to open it.
“Who has the key?” Elizabeth asked.
Mary said nothing, but looked up at Johnny.
Johnny was staring at the lock, and his grip on Elizabeth’s hand tightened.
Suddenly, there was a clicking sound, and the lock simply fell open. “The Goth is the key,” said Black Hawk, as he pushed open the gate.
Elizabeth looked up and saw that Johnny was smiling down at her. “Luckily, I learned how to do that when I was eight. Go to the cabin now, Elizabeth. I’ll join you when this is over.”
He squeezed her hand even harder for just a moment, and then let it go. At a nod of his head the stretcher bearing the ailing shaman and himself was carried through the gate and up the path inside, with Mary trailing close behind. The path twisted through impossibly huge trees, and in minutes the rapidly walking party was out of sight.
Two armed guards remained at the open gate, while two more escorted Elizabeth to the cabin. Despite their company, she felt very much alone.
Though Johnny continued the grim task of pumping blood through Two Bears, as much as he could manage he also watched with growing excitement the surrounding forest as he was carried up the valley that stretched up into Goth Mountain. He had been to the Holy Forest several times long ago, but as a child had taken it for granted. Now he could more fully appreciate how special this place truly was. Everything alive here was healthy, the trees, far larger than even the largest sequoias and redwoods to the South, most obviously so.
Despite the desperate situation, he couldn’t help smiling. He had generally led a quiet, secretive life for the last fourteen years. Now he had been suddenly thrust into a strange world full of dangers, action, and responsibilities. And he had met a very interesting woman.
****