Ministro sin Carpeta Tim Harrigan sat in the office of the president of the Mexican Republic. He was in the company of el Presidente Porfirio Diaz and Secretary of National Defense David Valverde de Huera. Both of those notables were experiencing combined feelings of solemnity and anger.
When Harrigan revealed the attacks across the Rio Grande, the president and secretary were seriously worried by the intelligence. And when he made it known that he had informed the American ambassador Alan Densmore of the situation, they were shaken even more. The last thing the two politicians wanted was trouble with the United States.
At that point, the old Irishman went on to report that the American diplomat had advised him that a unit of the United States Army had wiped out the Vengador unit and a section of the Guardia Nacional. The two Mexican officials were hopeful that would end the problem on the border.
Harrigan had been at the National Palace for almost a week presenting his information on the grand plot to turn Mexico and the rest of Latin America into a German colony. Diaz and Valverde de Huera were particularly upset about the Guardia Nacional, who provided protection to the Army’s general staff, being involved in the plot.
A loyal and trusted lancer regiment was dispatched to San Patricio to question the bewildered villagers about what had transpired in their community. They talked openly of the campaign to avenge the death of their ancestors at the hands of the Gringos. The lancers’ commander also learned that two officers of the National Guard, Colonel Juan-Carlos Valenzuela and Captain Santiago Gomez had disappeared along with Lieutenant Roberto Gonzales and Sergeant Humberto Sanchez.
From San Patricio the regiment traveled to Cupula Mountain to continue the investigation. What they found were the remains of vengadores and guardsmen at both the garrison and in the woods along the slopes of the earthen dome. All the corpses, including those among the trees, had been stripped to skeletons by numerous vultures.
The lancers returned to Mexico City and the regimental commander reported their findings directly to el Presidente and el Secretario de la Defensa Nacional. This was the final evidence of gross treachery and treason.
Steps were taken that included expelling the German ambassador Dietrich von Wurthardt and launching a manhunt for the conspirators at large. While that was going on, all the other officers of the Guardia Nacional were cashiered from the service and the unit disbanded in disgrace.
~*~
The U.S. Kiowa-Comanche Scout Detachment at Fort Lone Wolf had not yet received authorization to enlist two recruits to take the places of Corporal Swift Horse and Scout Charlie Wolf. It was just as well since Hawkins and Ludlow, along with Scout Michael Strongbow, faced a lot of paperwork that had to be brought up to date.
Sergeant Eagle Heart, Corporal Tall Bear and Scout Red Moon concentrated on various work details to get the materiel part of the unit squared away. Included in those tasks was calling in the post veterinarian to check the horses for injury and sickness after their hard work along the Rio Grande.
~*~
On an afternoon following the mid-day mess call, Captain Hawkins was signing a series of reports that had to be forwarded to Fort Sill in triplicate. This was being done while Lieutenant Dooley and Scout Strongbow made a tally of supplies, ammunition and miscellaneous pieces of government property that had been used up in the latest deployment. This would be followed by requisitions for replacement of the items that would be submitted as an amendment to the original document . Also in triplicate, of course.
The work was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Ned Turpin in the orderly room. He was the government supervisor of the Southern Kiowa-Comanche Agency. Hawkins looked up from his chore, noting the unhappy expression on the man’s face. “Hello, Ned. Anything special going on out your way?”
“There sure as hell is,” the agent replied. “Terrible goings-on! The Bureau of Indian Affairs has sent down an official government directive requiring all the children at the agency between the ages of six and fourteen be sent to an Indian school in Pennsylvania.”
The gist of the agent’s reply did not register with the captain at first. “What the hell is that all about?”
“It’s about closing down our agency school, Mack.”
Ludlow and Michael gasped.
A moment later the reality and significance of the situation was clear in Hawkins’ mind. “That’s kind of bad for Kristina, isn’t it?”
“She’s devastated,” Turpin said. “That’s why I’m here. I think she needs some comforting.”
Ludlow concurred. “You know how much Kristina is devoted to those children, sir. You should really go to her.”
“Yeah. I guess I better.”
~*~
A half hour later, Hawkins had crossed the open prairie and entered the agency’s area. Thoughts of him and Kristina being married flitted through his mind. He also considered the love she had for her job and especially the children she had taught for the past five years.
When he arrived at Kristina’s house, he hesitantly went up to the porch and knocked lightly on the door. He was dreading the misery and anguish he would be dealing with. What made things so awkward was that she would be fully aware he was glad about the loss of her job. Somehow he had to work around that.
Kristina opened the door and stepped back to allow him to enter. Her voice was a low moan as she said, “I guess you have heard the news.”
“Yes. Yes, I heard it. Ned came by the orderly room.”
He walked in and embraced her lightly, then hugged tighter. Kristina responded and put her face into his shoulder. She began sobbing and he held her until she finally turned away and walked toward the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee, Mack?”
He followed her, saying, “No. Don’t go to any trouble.”
“It’s already made.”
Hawkins sat down at the table and waited while she poured them each a cup. Her voice trembled. “There was no warning. A bureau clerk showed up with the order and served it on Ned Turpin.”
“I’m sorry Kristina.”
She looked at him, saying nothing.
“I’m really sorry. Please believe me.”
“That’s kind of you, Mack.”
In fact he was downright happy about it.
Kristina was aware of how he truly felt. It made her appreciate the kindness he was showing her all the more. She knew it was awkward for him and wanted to put him at ease by bringing out the obvious.
“Well, Mack. It looks like we can marry now.”
“It’s strange how things turn out sometimes, isn’t it?”
“I’m going to need a little time, Mack. Right now I’m in shock.”
“I understand, Kristina. Please don’t feel rushed.”
The couple ceased all conversation and silently and pensively sipped the coffee.