CHAPTER TWENTY

September 27, 3:00 P.M.

Sedona, Arizona

DIANE’S FINGERS CLENCHED the steering wheel of the rented SUV. Cash seldom let anyone else drive, but she hadn’t given him any choice, and she hadn’t spoken to him or Olivia in the last hour. She still couldn’t believe he had moved in on her flighty sister so fast. Staying in Olivia’s house and leaving them alone in the same room together the previous night had been a lapse in judgment on her part. Cash was a sucker for a pretty face, and Olivia was a pushover for a tortured soul, and Diane could think of few men more damaged than Cash. She had never held his demons against him, since few escaped the job with their sanity intact, but that didn’t mean she wanted him anywhere near her sister.

“Are you still mad you caught your sister kissing me?” he said to break the silence.

“Would it kill you to pass up one beautiful woman? Your relationships wouldn’t end so badly if you looked for something more substantial than a pretty face and perfect body.”

“Your true opinion of me finally spills out? I realize you’ve always thought my study of tribal lore was frivolous and my lifestyle flaky, but I believed deep down you respected my intellect and were proud to be my sister,” Olivia said as tears clouded her eyes.

Cash glared at Diane as he reached over the seat and grabbed Olivia’s hand. He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed before releasing his grip to wipe the tear sliding down her cheek. He hadn’t meant to start a fight between the sisters, and he certainly had no desire to cause pain to the amazing woman who had opened her home to them, and who had been nothing but gracious. Earlier in the kitchen, Olivia had freely offered comfort, and he didn’t possess the willpower to push her away. When her arms slid around his neck and she pressed her body to his, wearing nothing more than a couple of thin layers of silk, he lost his ability to think clearly.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. You’re smart and kind, and I love you. It’s just that Casanova here doesn’t stick with anything or anyone for long, and he usually doesn’t pick his playmates for their intellect. I don’t want you hurt.”

“Wait a minute. That’s not necessarily true. Just because the women I date are generally attractive, you’re assuming they’re all bubble-heads. It’s not nice to stereotype.”

“So, you’re saying Mandy, Tammy, Ashley, Courtney, and Jocelyn are scholars, and their stimulating conversations and inquisitive minds hooked you, for as long as your short attention span would allow?”

She had him and he couldn’t think of a way to deny the facts. They were beautiful and voluptuous, but he doubted any of them could balance their own checkbook. Contrary to Diane’s belief, he hadn’t dated much since Zara. Unfortunately, the five Diane mentioned had all worked at pubs and restaurants they used to frequent. When Cash tired of the women, he and Diane had to find new places to hang out, so he imagined to Diane those short-term, poorly-ended relationships added up to a lot of trouble.

“You make me sound like a real pig. Olivia, don’t believe a word your sister says. I’m not shallow. I just don’t run into many quality women on the job or on my few off hours…until now, that is,” he said with a wink directed toward Olivia.

They rode the rest of the way to Benny’s house in silence. Cash had no idea why Diane was so angry. It wasn’t as if he had slept with Olivia, not that the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. Olivia was unlike any woman he had ever met. Yes, she was beautiful, but she was also kind, passionate, and intuitive, knowing when to comfort and when to give him space. He didn’t doubt her intelligence, only her loyalty. He believed her motives were pure, but he wasn’t sure they interpreted the current situation in the same way, and he feared their methods of protecting the relics might place them at odds with each other.

There was something unique and refreshing about Olivia, making him want to get to know her better. He just hoped for the chance and to not be forced to choose between his friendship with Diane and his desire for Olivia.

“Here,” Olivia stated, pointing.

“I know where I’m going. It hasn’t been that long since I’ve been home,” Diane grumbled as she eased the vehicle off the road and drove down the lane, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake.

Cash stared at the modest, earth-toned painted house surrounded by a tidy yard and the new fuel-efficient vehicle parked under a shaded carport. He had expected something larger and flashier for the chief’s residence and his mode of transportation.

As they got out of the SUV, three old dogs rushed out to greet them, tails wagging. The trio ran past Cash and Diane and plopped down in front of Olivia, begging for attention. Cash watched as Olivia bent, scratched each dog behind the ears, and cooed at them in a loving, soothing voice. They panted and rubbed their scruffy bodies against her legs, desperate for another pat of approval.

“Oh, look how thin you three are. Is Benny feeding you enough? Hold still, Jack, you’ve got a burr in your paw.”

Olivia pulled the annoyance out of the dog’s foot and gave the one called Matilda a big hug. She picked up the smallest of the three, and her eyes met Cash’s as she stood and smiled at him while nuzzling the mutt.

He wondered if she viewed him in the same wayan old dog in need of attention and affection. She had tended his wounds and held him. Uncomfortable with the comparison his mind drew, he had to admit Diane might be right. He didn’t always treat the women he dated the best. He loved women, but after Zara he refused to trust anyone or commit enough to get burned, so often he ended up hurting the undeserving ones. He had become cold and jaded, and the thought that Olivia’s tenderness toward him might’ve been offered out of pity settled like a stone in his gut. His gaze left Olivia and focused on the front of the house as he heard a screen door slap shut.

“Come in. Welcome to my home,” Benny stated as he waved and motioned them forward. “But Olivia dear, please leave that mutt outside.”

“Benny, you always talk so tough, but I’ll bet if I peek in the cupboard, it’s stocked with dog treats,” Olivia said as she hugged the old man and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Benny laughed and turned to Diane. “Look at you…boy have you changed. I haven’t seen you since you were about fifteen. I think I had to pull you off Danny Standing Bear before you beat him senseless.”

Cash burst out laughing. “Actually it doesn’t sound like she’s changed a bit.”

Diane slugged Cash and then gave Benny a big hug. “It’s good to see you again. I would love to catch up on things, but as Olivia has told you, we have a huge problem on our hands, and she thought maybe you could help us.”

“Sit and explain what you are looking for.”

Cash held back and let Diane do the talking. He figured she would understand better than he how to get the old man to tell them the information they needed.

“We all know some version of the legend of the crystal skulls. We don’t have time to debate which points are fact or fiction. Bottom line, someone is trying to amass the relics and they now possess ten of the thirteen. They clearly will stop at nothing, including wiping out an entire village, to obtain these objects. Benny, if you know where any of the remaining artifacts are located, you must tell us so we can hide the item somewhere safe and provide you with protection. I don’t want anything to happen to you or to our people.”

Diane pulled out the photos of the Asháninka village massacre. Olivia gasped when she saw the violent destruction, and a single tear slipped down Benny’s leathery cheek.

“I hate showing you these horrific images, but you must understand the importance of ensuring none of these objects are anywhere near the reservation. I won’t let this happen to those I love.”

Benny continued to stare at the pictures, sorrow etched on his face. “Prophecy predicted the rediscovery of the ancient artifacts, but it wasn’t supposed to be like this. According to the legend, at a time of great upheaval for humanity, the crystals will be reunited and reveal knowledge vital to our survival. The tale warns if the caretakers are not sufficiently evolved, both ethically and spiritually, the power could bring about our demise rather than our salvation. Whoever did this does not possess the moral principles or divine beliefs to serve as guardian of the sacred relics.”

Olivia wrapped her arm around the old man. “You see why I felt compelled to bring my friends to you, Benny. I’m afraid for you, our people, and for all humanity. I can’t promise divulging the location of the crystal to Diane and Cash will prevent devastation, but maybe removing the relic from the area can spare us the same tragedy which destroyed the Asháninka.”

Silence reigned. Cash sympathized with the chief’s quandary. Benny was responsible for the well-being of his tribe and he now faced a decision that weighed heavily on him. Both women covered the facts and presented convincing arguments. Cash could think of nothing else that might help sway the man to cooperate, so he gave him space to think about the options. He could understand the chief’s reluctance to place his trust in the hands of the government. In the past, that strategy had not served any of his people well.

The dogs began howling. Benny walked to the door and let them in. All three rushed to Olivia and sat obediently at her feet. Benny returned and stopped in front of Cash, who had stood when Benny did. He studied Cash for several moments.

“You ever ridden a mule?”

Cash hesitated, caught off guard by the unusual question. His eyes darted to Diane for help.

“Sure, all the time,” Diane hastily replied. “What do you have in mind?”

“Be here at 5:00 A.M. tomorrow, and be prepared to camp in the wilderness for several days.”

“Thanks, Benny. You’re doing the right thing,” Diane said as she stood and hugged the old man.

“For all of us, I certainly hope so.”