Prey for Me

Pt. VII: Cowgirls & Indians

Brett and Caitlin chatted incessantly on the return flight to Cleveland where they left their cars. Mostly he wanted to talk about the case and she wanted to talk about Jack Davis.

"Brett, please tell me more about Jack. I know some of the story. Forty-something. Navy Seal and then the C.I.A. One of the most respected P.I.'s in the business. That's obvious by the way the police talk to him. What about his family?'

"I've known Jack for more than twenty years. I don't really want to go into how we met, but in a few words, I owe him my life. That story does not bring back fond memories. Jack has never been married. An only child and his parents are deceased. He doesn't really have any family other than some distant cousins he only occasionally talks to. A handful of close friends like me. He doesn't talk about personal relationships much although I'm sure you noticed women seem to be attracted to him like magnets."

"Yeah, I know," Caitlin responded, "I slept with him last night. Does that shock you?"

"No, Caitlin. I could sense the mutual attraction. Like two dangerous animals feeling each other before they attack," Brett chuckled as he spoke.

"Well, I really like him, Brett. I can't help it. Shit happens and don't I just sound like some school girl with a crush."

"Caitlin, I really like him too although I never thought about having sex with him." Brett was way beyond chuckling now and was giggling. "Hey, he's da man as far as I am concerned. Someone's best friend or worst enemy. I'm glad he's my best friend. I love the guy."

"Maybe I do, too, Brett. Let's change the subject. What would you like to talk about?"

"Tell me more Indian stories, Caitlin. I'm rather ignorant of Native American history."

"Sure. Here's one you probably never heard before about what might have been the most important and unknown military engagement of the Revolutionary War. The Sullivan Campaign of 1779.

"General John Sullivan waged a campaign strategically planned by General Washington which in effect broke the Iroquois Confederation and contributed more to the victory of the Continental Army than just about anything. The Iroquois made what probably should be considered a fatal mistake in siding with the British. They did so because they believed that a British victory would save their homelands in central New York. Had the Iroquois remained neutral in the war which was their initial intention they would have likely survived the war with the Iroquois Confederacy and their homes basically intact. The Sullivan Campaign destroyed about forty Iroquois villages and left them without food for the following winter. They fled to areas under British protection. Because the British then had to support the Iroquois with food and other necessities, their war effort elsewhere was hampered. The Iroquois continued their raiding and hostile activities throughout the war but were not nearly as powerful and much less a significant threat as they were before the Sullivan campaign.

"The instigator of the Iroquois alliance with the British and the ultimate downfall of the Six Nations was Joseph Brandt. I mentioned him to Jack last night after you left, Brett. He was the grandson of the tattooed chief, Sa Ga Yeath Qua Piewth who was the subject of the famous portrait painted by John Verelst in the court of Queen Anne in 1710. Sir William Johnson was the British Indian Commissioner in 1774 while he suffered a stroke as he was delivering a rabble-rousing speech to the Mohawk, attempting to persuade them to war against the Americans. He died a couple days after the stroke. It just so happens that Joseph Brant’s sister Molly was the Mohawk wife of Sir William Johnson. Brant became like a son to Sir William and that relationship led to the downfall of the Iroquois.

"Joseph Brant, educated at Dartmouth and fluent in several languages, accepted a British officer’s commission and began to wage war. Two of the Six Nations broke rank because of Brant’s militancy and fanatical devotion to the British. The Oneida joined forces with the Americans and in August, 1777, the Oneida fought with the Americans at the Battle of Oriskany against the British who were joined by the Mohawk and the Seneca. Iroquois brothers killing each other. The Oneida, a few months later, were scouts in the American victory over Burgoyne at Saratoga. The Oneida brought the food and supplies to Washington at Valley Forge and fought under Lafayette at the Battle of Barren Hill.

"Monster Brant, as he became to be known, continued to promote attrocities against Americans. The Cherry Valley Massacre and numerous mass scalping incidents prompted General Washington to launch the Sullivan Campaign. Brant even blocked repeated efforts by the Seneca chief, Red Jacket, to make peace with the Americans."

The flight landed, Brett and Caitlin retrieved their luggage and walked to their cars. They agreed to talk at length in a day or two after they sorted out their thoughts. Caitlin kissed him warmly goodbye and they went their separate ways.

Jack didn't wait for Caitlin's phone call like he had said he would because when he returned to his room he had what sounded like a frantic message from Sam Hanson. He immediately called Sam. "Jack, two more women have mysteriously disappeared. They were friends and friendly with two of our tall dark Harley riding strangers. Both women are married to big-shot doctors and these guys are raising hell with my boss. I need your help. Now! Meet me at Kady's Coffee Shop at the Riviera in a half hour and I'll fill you in, OK?"

"Yeah, OK Sam, but make it an hour. I got to make some phone calls and cancel some appointments."

Sam was already sitting at a table at Kady's forty-five minutes later when Jack arrived. Sam seemed engrossed with several young nubile ladies who were splashing in the pool. It was that or the bagel he was munching on because he didn't even seem to notice Jack until he sat down and started talking.

"Sam. Sam! Wake the hell up and what's up?"

"Oh, sorry Jack. Deep in thought."

"Yeah, right. With what? What's the story here?" Sam and Jack had talked often over the past several weeks and were fast becoming good friends.

"The two women were staying here for a little vacation, the rodeo, shopping spree, whatever," Sam began. "Their husbands let them shake loose for this Vegas rodeo thing because that is where the guys met the girls two years ago. The girls insisted they still get to go to the rodeo. I think it was in their pre-nuptial agreement. And if you ever saw these two chiquitas, who would argue anyway?"

"Candace Pike Martin lives in Los Angeles. Her husband Bernard is an orthopedic surgeon on staff at the Los Angeles Shriners Hospital. Dr. Martin is affiliated with the Al Malaikah Temple of L.A. Roxanne "Blue Duck" Alexander lives in Sacramento. Her husband Henry is an orthopedic surgeon on staff at the Northern California Shriners Hospital. Dr. Alexander is affiliated with the Ben Ali Temple of Sacramento."

"Now, this story gets real complex. I mean really. Both women are in their mid-twenties and gorgeous. They have known each other for five years or so, long before they met their husbands. The ladies met their doctor husbands right here, in Vegas, at the National Finals Rodeo two years ago. The cowgirls were participating in the rodeo and the doctors, who were in Vegas for some big wig meeting at the Zelzah Shrine Temple here, were watching. It was love at first sight I suspect. The cowgirls loved their doctor’s money and prestige and the doctors loved their cowgirl’s bodies. That's usually how it works, right?"

"Right, Sam, I guess. Before you go any further, let me tell you a little story. This is totally off the record. Between you and me. The politicos don't want the police involved in this one."

Jack didn’t get to continue. At that moment an awesome creature walked into Kady's and stood at Sam and Jack's table. "Hello, I'm Carmelita Sanchez." She was wearing the tightest fitting jeans Jack had ever seen, boots, denim shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal considerable cleavage, a leather vest and a black hat. About five-foot five, jet black long hair, big brown bedroom eyes and luscious painted red lips. Definitely a hot tamale, thought Jack.

Carmelita knew who was who and spoke to Sam, "You asked me to meet you here, Mr. Hanson. Here I am. I want to find out what happened to Candy and Roxie even more than you two do, I suspect. So I'll help you any way I can. Those girls have been my best friends since we first met five years ago. Do you want the short story or the long version?" She asked as she sat down.

"Tell us everything from the beginning, Carmelita," Sam insisted. "From when you first met your two friends until the last time you saw them, which I believe you said was the day before yesterday."

"OK. We all met a little more than five hears ago when we all joined up with a new wild-west show called Cowgirls and Indians. It went out of business two years ago when the head cowboy and owner, Wild Bill Bannister, was killed in a plane crash. After that, Candy and Roxie went off and married those two doctors and I went on to do real rodeo full time, which is why I am in Vegas, for the National Rodeo Finals. And why Candy and Roxie were here. Not to compete this time, but to hang out with me and some of our other old friends. Both of them in previous years competed here and at the Professional Women's Rodeo Association championships in Fort Worth every November.

"We did all the usual wild-west show routines with Cowgirls and Indians. Besides the horse stunts, we did fancy gun spinning and shooting, tomahawk and knife throwing and target whipping. I can real whip up a storm in case you two would like a demonstration." Carmelita paused for a reaction as she smirked seductively.

"We played so many gigs. Buffalo Bill's Casino four times a year. Also the New Frontier Casino here in Vegas. We went as far as Atlantic City to do Bally's a couple times. We put on shows at festivals and country and western concerts all over the southwest. One of my favorites was the Gene Autry Music Festival in Gene Autry, Oklahoma.

"Did you ever see Bronco Billy with Clint Eastwood? Well, let me tell you we put on a much better show than he did. Not only would we occasionally ride bareback, we'd ride bare-assed. It just depended on the audience and the money. Sometimes skimpy halter tops, sometimes topless, once in awhile totally natural except for the hat. Of course we didn't do that sort of thing in front of kids and of course that sort of thing cost extra, much extra. And, for a real special treat, we'd do the horse." She paused again to test the reaction and burst out laughing at Sam and Jack's stunned silence. "Lighten up dudes. I also do a stand-up comedy routine. When I'm too old to ride and give you guys a hard on I'll just make you laugh.

"Not only can the three of us shoot and ride, we each have a unique and incredibly interesting story about our genealogy. As far as I know, this is all true. At least nobody could ever prove otherwise and this information was printed in our flyers and advertisements.

"I am a descendant of Francisco ‘Pancho’ Villa. Pancho Villa's real name was Doroteo Arango. His parents were Agustin Arango and Micaela Arambula. My great-great grandmother's name was Maria Arambula. She married Diego Sanchez in 1907. According to one of my great-great grandmother's stories passed on from generation to generation, Doroteo changed his name to disguise his identity. He took the name of Francisco Villa due in part because his father was the illegitimate offspring of one Jesus Villa, also an outlaw. Maybe that's where Pancho got it. It was in the blood.

"There are many Robin Hood stories about Pancho Villa, many written by the famous correspondent John Reed. We of Mexican heritage have a litany of songs and ballads celebrating Pancho's notorious exploits. I'd tell you some of the more entertaining ones but you wouldn't believe me anyway. You know, stories like Pancho was a German agent. Just because $340,000 was traced to him which came from the German government. And where is Pancho Villa's head at? He was assassinated in 1923 while driving to a baptism with his bodyguards. Everyone in the car was killed and sixteen bullets were found in his body. Someone broke into Pancho's grave three years after his death and stole his skull. So nobody knows where Pancho's head is. We do know the famous General John "Black Jack" Pershing waged a massive campaign to capture or exterminate Pancho Villa but Pershing never got the job done.

"Moving on to Candy. Candace Pike, now Candace Pick Martin. She is a descendant of Albert Pike. As you may know he was a Confederate general, an attorney, a poet and writer, an Indian advocate and sympathizer and the most infamous Freemason of his era. Some say he founded the K.K.K.

"I'm sure you already have a description of Candy. About five six and twenty-six. Dark brown hair and gray eyes. 36D-22-35. We did a lot of shopping together. Her left nipple is pierced and she has a tattoo of a gray owl on her right thigh. Candy was of the Bird clan as was Naomi Ross of whom I will soon speak."

Jack was paying mind to Carmelita before, especially to her nipples which in their bra-less environment looked like they were going to burst right through her shirt, but her mention of Freemasony and the owl brought him right to attention. Brought back instant memories of Caitlin and what she had said.

"Pike was an explorer and trapper before the Civil War and spent much time amongst the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and the Seminole, the Five Civilized Tribes. He fathered a child with a Cherokee woman, Naomi Ross, also known as Grey Owl. Naomi was the sister of Chief John Ross of the Cherokee. Only through Naomi's influence would her brother finally agree to sign a treaty with the Confederacy and fight for the cause.

"General Pike led these tribes in a famous Civil War battle, the Battle of Pea Ridge, also known as the Battle of Eikhorn Tavern. It occurred over several days in March 1862 and Pike, the Rebels and the Indians got their asses kicked. About 1,400 Union soldiers were killed and 4,600 of the Confederates died. The result of the battle was the Union gained control of Missouri and the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and were able to protect the arsenal at St. Louis and supply Grant's Vicksburg campaign.

"How do I know all this Civil War stuff? It's practically all Candy and her husband Benjamin talked about before they were married. A descendant of Benjamin Martin's fought in this very same battle and penned a song, The Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, which I have heard at least a hundred times and I know it by heart. I'll sing it for you."

"Oh no, not another babe who sings," Jack quipped.

"What's up with that, Jack?" Carmelita asked.

"Nothing much. Just kidding. A Seneca maiden named Caitlin sang to me recently. That's all. Go ahead and sing, Carmelita. Please."

"My name is Daniel Martin, I'se borned in Arkansas; I fled from those base rebels Who fear not God or law.

I left my aged father And my beloved wife; I'se forced to go to Rollie For to try to save my life.

I jined in Phillips' regiment I'm not ashamed to tell. My colonel and my officer They treated me mighty well.

I served four months at Rollie Through sleet, snow, and ice, And next received my orders: Go meet old Sterling Price.

That old secession traitor He didn't like the fun; He gathered up his rebel band, To Arkansas he run.

We were close pursuing them By night and by day, And a many of those base rebels We killed upon the way.

We followed through to Pea Ridge, And there we stopped our chase; But that poor frightened rebel band Rolled on in mighty haste.

They joined old Ben McCullough, Old Mackintosh and Rain, And they mustered eighty thousand, And here they come again.

They marched through pomp and splendor Led on by brave Van Dorn, And there they found us waiting At a tavern called Elkhorn.

They threw themselves around us In the dark shade of night And planted out their batteries And waited till daylight.

We opened up our batteries, Which made the mountain roar, And on the ground in many a place Was red with human gore.

We shot old Ben McCullough, Old Slack and Macintosh, And shot old Sterling in the arm And sent him in a rush.

Reckon what secesh will think When we tell'em of our rhyme About old Sterling Price He's a getting on quick time.

Segal's after him In a might purty gait; He wants to whip the old secesh And drive him from our state."

Jack and Sam clapped politely and softly at the end of Carmelita's singing. She was actually quite good Jack thought. Not like Caitlin but very good.

"Candy and Roxie talked incessantly of their Cherokee heritage and were damn proud of it," Carmelita continued. "They both were rather friendly with Wilma Mankiller, who was elected first female chief of the Cherokee Nation a few years back.

"Now, Roxie is the real wild and crazy one. Not Candy and not me although we have had our moments. Roxanne ‘Blue Duck’ Alexander, what's the song she sang, "Wild Women Do" or some such thing?

"Roxie is all of that and more. Again, I'm sure you have a description there, but Roxie is tall, about five-foot ten, a natural strawberry blonde. Hazel eyes, long, long legs and you should see her in a short skirt. Very long and lanky, small perky breasts. Definitely she could have been a very successful model but she said that shit was way too boring. Definitely the tomboy type. Rox also has a tattoo on her right thigh, of what else, a blue duck. She, like Candy, is of the Cherokee Bird Clan.

"Roxie's history is even more interesting than Candy's and mine if you can believe that. No doubt you two on occasion watch old western movies, all about Jesse and Frank James, Cole Younger and Belle Star. No doubt you have seen Lonesome Dove and may have read Larry McMurtry's book of the same name featuring the notorious Indian outlaw Blue Duck. Would you like to hear the rest of the story? Well, sure you would.

"Bluford 'Blue' Duck was a Cherokee. His Cherokee name was Shacongah Kawwannu. A book written in 1926 by Zoe Tilghman entitled

‘Outlaw Days: A True History of Early Day Oklahoma Characters’

tells of an episode in 1880 when Belle Starr interrupted a poker game in Dodge City by pulling out her pistol and taking all the money off the table. She interrupted the poker game, according to this book, because her lover, Blue Duck, was losing big-time. A rather famous picture exists of Blue Duck and Belle Starr taken while he was in prison serving a life sentence. He was eventually pardoned by President Grover Cleveland and nobody was ever able to provide a plausible explanation why that occurred.

"Belle Starr was born in 1848 as Myra Belle Shirley in Missouri. Her family moved to Texas near Dallas. Now, many say Cole Younger fathered Belle's daughter Rosie, better known as Pearl, who was born in September 1868. Cole Younger, however, maintained he first met Belle in 1864 while he was on the lam and didn't see her again until early summer 1868, at which time she was six months pregnant. You go figure. Belle never said with certainty who the father was, although at the time the evidence appears to indicate she was legally married to one Jim Reed. Other evidence appears to indicate she had the name Younger on Pearl's birth record.

"Many Cherokee have always believed Blue Duck was Pearl's father. The memoirs of the same General Albert Pike confirms this allegation. Not only was Pike personally aware of the relationship between Blue Duck and Belle, it was also spoken of on numerous occasions by Chief John Ross and others. Belle had many lovers and several husbands, but her one true love was Blue Duck or so the story goes. Belle eventually married another Cherokee, Sam Starr, in 1880; thus the name Starr. There are also legal records that she married Bruce Younger, uncle of Cole, earlier in 1880. But throughout her life Blue Duck kept making an appearance here and there.