As the Eagle Flies. J. D. Oliver

that way you’ll never run out of gas,” I said.

      As we left, Faith looked back, a little wistful, I thought. I said, “We didn’t have to trade your truck, we could of just paid cash for this vehicle.”

      “No, that’s fine. It belonged to Teddy. A person’s car is very personal, it’s something like a dog, it should only belong to one person. With Teddy I was a blond, now I’m back to my normal hair color. With you I want everything to be new.” Faith said.

      “Honey, that’s fine, but there is no way that you can cut all of your ties to the past. For instance, Felicia. She’s Alita’s Grandmother, that’s a fact that you cannot change.”

      “I know that, it’s just the more personal stuff, like my hair and vehicle. I don’t want anything to stand between us.” Faith said.

      Rosie spoke up from the back seat. “You were married before?” She asked.

      “Yes Rosie, I was.” Faith said, “my first husband and Alita’s Grandfather were killed in plane crash over a year ago. Clay and I have only been married for a short while. And also Clay’s father, married my ex-mother-in-law.”

      I looked in the rear view mirror at Rosie, then said to Faith, “Do you think the boutique at the Hotel will have clothes to fit Rosie?”

      “Yes, I know they have. The fancy kind anyway. For jeans and boots, we’ll probably have to shop elsewhere. How about it Rosie, are you up for new wardrobe?”

      “Oh yes, but I don’t want to be any trouble, just the basics would be fine.” Rosie said as she handed Alita her Teddy Bear. Alita giggled at her, Rosie’s smile grew wide on her face. I asked her,

      “Do you like kids?”

      “Oh yes, I used to baby sit them at the orphanage. How old is Alita?”

      “Just a little over six months, we are just starting to feed her baby food, do you think she looks like Clay?”

      “Yes, remarkably so, but he’s not her father, is he?” Rosie said.

      “No, he’s not. But when anybody asks, just tell them that he is, because that’s the truth, now.” Faith said.

      “I wish she was my sister.” Rosie said, as she smoothed Alita’s hair.

      “Well, you have our permission to say that she is, if you want to.” Faith said.

      We arrived back at the Hotel/Motel, whatever you wanted to call it. On our way in I stopped at the desk. “We are going to have to have a bigger room, our daughter just arrived from home. Do you have a suite with two bedrooms?” I asked.

      “Yes, it costs a lot more, double to what you’re paying now, is that alright?”

      “Sure, just put it on the same card that you already have, do you have someone to help us move our stuff?”

      “Yes,” she said, then she rang her bell and boy appeared and accompanied us to our old room. We opened the door to find a mess. Someone had rifled it. We backed out.

      And called Cort.

      The boy showed us to our new room. I didn’t want to disturb anything in the old room till they had a chance to go over it for prints. I don’t know what they could have been looking for; we hadn’t left anything of importance in it. But I had hunch who was responsible for it.

      When Cort arrived with the CSI team, he came by our new room. “Their hard at work, but I brought your new I.D. and Badge. Boy, trouble seems to follow you around, doesn’t it? I see you’ve added to your family?”

      “Yes, this is Rosie O’Claire. We had a little run in with some pickpockets, she was kidnapped by them, but now she’s not.” I said.

      “Yeah, I know. When I left the courthouse, a lawyer was already there, trying to get them sprung. They might even be out by now, so watch yourself. I know a federal judge who might help to straighten out who she belongs to, by the looks of it, I suppose you two want custody of her?”

      I looked at Faith, she nodded, “Yes, you’re right.” I said, “I also believe those two pickpockets are in cahoots with Dipper Tick.”

      “Well, I would say that you were right, since it was him that showed up to try and bail them out.” Cort said, then added as he left, “I’ll keep in touch, you had better be sure and pack your heater with you.”

      I grinned and patted my pocket. I had to smile at Cort’s use of the word ‘heater’. He must of read too many Mike Hammer novels. I looked at the I.D. that Cort had given me, Special Agent, CSI division. For the State of New Mexico. Well I guess they had to put something on there. I still couldn’t understand the why and wherefore of them wanting me to work for them. It just didn’t make sense, I was a nobody.

      I said as much to Faith, “Don’t worry about it Dear,” she said, “they must have their reasons. But we do seem to be right in the middle of things all of the time, don’t we?”

      “Yes, and I’m not sure that I like it. Now take this Charles Hester thing. I think we’re getting into things a bit deeper. Anyway, when we have dinner with them tonight, we can find out a little more I guess.”

      “Sure, but right now Rosie and I are going to get her some new clothes” Faith said, then added, “you can watch Alita, can’t you?”

      Mr. Mom, that’s me. But I really didn’t mind. I changed her diaper then fed her some baby food, then rocked her to sleep. Before they got back, the hotel boy had delivered our belongings from the old room, the CSI team had left.

      This new room had three bedrooms along with three bathrooms. The hotel boy came back with a helper and the crib from our old room. I had him put it in the bedroom that Rosie would be using, she could watch over her at night. That is if Faith would let her.

      They came back loaded down with packages. Rosie’s eyes were beaming. “I have never had so many new clothes, thank you both, so much.” She said.

      “You’re welcome sweetheart,” Faith said. Then to me, “where do you have Alita sleeping?”

      “She’s in the first bedroom, there, on our bed. The boy brought her crib, I had him put it in the next bedroom, I thought Rosie and Alita could sleep in there, is that Okay?”

      “Yes, that is if Rosie wants to sleep in the same room as Alita?” Faith said.

      “Oh yes, that would be perfect, I’d love to.” Rosie said. Then she asked, “Is it okay if I take a shower and change into some of my new clothes?”

      “Of course, we’re supposed to meet the Hester’s for supper. Here in the dinning room of our Hotel, their staying here also.” Faith said.

      “Oh,” Rosie said, “do you think they know I was supposed to be the ‘hand off’?”

      “No, they don’t know that, you’ve done nothing wrong Rosie so don’t worry about it.” I said.

       Faith and I, went to clean up and change clothes also, but of course every time Faith got naked, one thing led to another, per usual.

       Chapter Five

      The Hester’s were already seated when we got there. They weren’t expecting Rosie, but it was no problem, the table was plenty big enough.

      Edith Hester said, “I didn’t know you had another child, she looks a lot like you Faith, that is all except for the red hair.”

      “Yes, doesn’t she though, but I just dyed my hair, you should of seen it before.” Faith said, smiling sweetly.

      Frank and Fern Blake were seated at a table a short ways over. I waived at them, Frank got up and came over. “I heard you had an interesting afternoon. Did you know they were already bailed out?” Frank said.

      “No, but