As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

around any longer, that is if you don’t want to.”

      “Yeah, we’ll see, thanks a lot Cort, what time is the inquest?”

      “Two PM, is that alright?”

      “Sure, we can make it, at the court house, right?”

      “Yep, see you there.” Then he hung up. I turned to my wife; did you hear all of that?”

      “Yes, what do you want me to wear? Something sexy or something prim and proper?”

      “I think I would go with prim and proper; of course you could wear gunny sacks and you would still look sexy. But do your best to tone it down.”

      “In that case, I had better go buy something. Can you watch Alita for a half hour more? They have a boutique here, so it won’t take long.”

      She was a good as her word; she came back in a dark gray suit with the skirt down to her knees, along with a pair of medium high heels. I was at a loss for words.

      The more clothes she put on the sexier she looked. I didn’t say anything, it wasn’t her fault, she was just born that way.

       I just put on clean jeans and shirt along with my boots and hat. I did make sure I put the new pistol in my overall jacket pocket. I had already put the gun permit in my billfold. We fed Alita before we left.

      They had a metal detector at the court house, I showed them my permit. Turns out it just wasn’t a regular permit; it was police officers permit and as such it allowed me to carry the gun into court houses; just like a police officer would.

      When the guard handed the permit back to me, I looked at it, closely this time. It said that I was a special agent for the state of New Mexico. I wondered what kind of a special agent?

      After I stowed my billfold in my jeans pocket, Alita held her arms out to me. I took her, I think she liked her new Dad. I know I really liked her. Faith straightened her suit jacket and arraigned her skirt. Everyone was staring at her. Blond or brunette, red or purple, her hair color made no difference. She was a bombshell no matter which way you looked at her.

      Cort was right; the inquest was over in a matter of minutes. It was more or less a formality. The coroner ruled it justifiable. As we were walking out, I asked Cort, “Hey, I just read this permit; what kind of an agent am I supposed to be?”

      “A special agent appointed by the Governor, he is concerned about these land speculators. The Governor is a friend of mine. I told him about Dipper Tick, turns out he’s not the only one who has been poking around. He wants you to look into it; see if my maybe organized crime might be trying to move into our state. I’ll bring your I.D. and badge over later.”

      “Uh, I really don’t know about this, just what would I have to do? And who would I report to?”

      “This really isn’t that kind of job; like you have to clock in and stuff. The Governor just wanted you to have the proper authority. They did a background check and your record is squeaky clean. And oh, by the way, it doesn’t pay anything.”

      “Well in that case, how could I turn it down. Do I at least get an expense account, car, or anything?” I said with a smile.

      “No, no car. But if you have any legal expenses or anything like that, just submit a request for reimbursement.” Cort said, with a lopsided grin.

      “You mean if someone sues me, the state will pay for it?” I said.

      “Well you are an employee of the state, that would be only fair. Wouldn’t it?”

      “Fair? Yeah, I guess. I think it all depends on what side of the word ‘fair’ that you’re standing on. But yeah, if I find anything out, I’ll keep the state informed. That would be only ‘fair’ wouldn’t it?” Cort sort of looked a little crestfallen, at what I had just said. He didn’t know quite what I meant. That was okay, I didn’t either.

      As I was buckling Alita into her car seat Faith was watching me, she said, “Honey, are you Okay, you look a little glum?”

      “I’m alright. I was just thinking that’s all. A lot has happened to us since we left the ranch. I don’t think that I’m too happy about it. How could I be; I just shot and killed two men. Granted they deserved it, but just the same it grates on a person.”

      “I would say that I know how you feel, but that would be false, how could I? I’ve never had to kill anyone. Oh, there were times I would of liked to, I suppose, but in retrospect I’m glad I never have. But you just remember, you saved that Officer’s life, and I would say his life was worth ten of people like you shot.”

      “Yes, I know Honey. I guess what’s happening to me is just a delayed reaction. It’s happened to me before; after some operations that I’ve been on. I sure get tired of this world at times. But, you know what? You and Alita make it all worthwhile; life that is. So what do you want to do the rest of the day?”

      “I know, let’s play like tourists. We can go down to the old part of town and sightsee and shop. Would you like to do that?” Faith said…

      “Sure Sweetheart, I guess that would be fun. I don’t think that I ever have.” I said, as I started the truck and worked my way into the line of traffic.

      Tourist season was in full swing, we did find a parking space in a lot that was specially made for tourists. As we were parking, a car with Montana plates parked beside us. It was an older couple, he looked to be in his late 60’s, her in her early 60’s or late 50’s. They were dressed in typical western style. Much like us really.

      As we were putting Alita in her stroller, the woman couldn’t help but make a fuss over her. “Oh, how cute, how old is she?” She asked as she talked baby talk to Alita. Why women do that I have no idea. “Almost seven months.” Faith answered.

      “She looks just like her Father,” the women said, looking at me.

      “Yes, we’ve been told that before,” I said, then added, “Where about in Montana are you from?”

      The older gentleman said, “Judith Basin, I have a ranch there, we’re just down here for a little vacation. Are you from here?” He asked me.

      “Well, yes and no. My mother-in-law has a ranch in the Chama Valley, my folks have a place in the Big Horn Basin. But Faith and I, we have each other and of course our daughter Alita.”

      “Well, then you have the world, don’t you?” He said.

      “Yes, we do. My name is Clay Bronson, this is my wife Faith, and of course you have already met Alita.” I reached out to shake his hand.

      He said, “I’m Charles Hester, this is my wife Edith.”

      We chit-chatted, for awhile, like strangers will, then parted for our different ways. They were pretty much doing just as we were, playing the tourist. Like I mentioned before they were dressed much like people from Montana usually are; boots, jeans, western get-up. He was carrying his billfold in his right hip pocket, the same as me. Now why I noticed that, was beyond me. Perhaps it was because every time I was out in public I was always conscious about my wallet. I sort of kept one hand on it, not literally, but in mind. Oh yeah, she had her purse on a long strap over one shoulder. Easy pickings, right?

      They were a couple of shops ahead of us, when I noticed some pick pockets setting them up for hit. “Look Faith, their being set up.” I said, she looked up from a window that held turquoise jewelry.

      “Yeah, two men and a woman, right?”

      “Yep, well really a man and a woman, plus it looks like a kid. I think the man is the distraction and the woman is the Dip; and I think she hands off to the kid. Or vice-versa I guess it could be. Let’s get close, I’m getting a little bored anyway, I need some action.”

      “Bored? How can you be bored, you have a brain, don’t you?” Faith said, as we maneuvered the stroller through the crowd.

      “Yeah, I have a brain,